Main going offline ended any threats I had in this universe - the Kharaa had no real organized response to my aggression, the Precursors just wanted to be left alone (as did several other alien civilizations I found, and I respected their wishes), while the mega-corporations and other groups could be bribed/intimidated into leaving me alone. Thus, it was not long before I had reduced the Kharaa to manageable levels. By no means did I fully eliminate the bacterium - that would take far too much time and resources, not to mention the high probability of destroying a few planets - but I did cull enough of its creations to allow the frontiersmen to fight off the remainder with relative ease. I also made a point of leaving behind several drones to search for additional members of Main's kin, but nothing ever turned up. For the moment, at least, they were extinguished.

Yeah, like hell that was gonna last. Main and Void had confirmed that their ilk had masters, so there were probably more of this flesh and machine hybrids lurking around, waiting to strike. Assuming otherwise was, at best, deluding myself with a sense of false security. Preparing for these monsters was going to be something I needed to starting doing.

That was why I was keeping some Kharaa strains in storage - my infested creations had proven effective at resisting the abilities of these monsters, as had technology I had upgraded using anti-Sentient pulse technology provided by the Entrati. Said technology was not full proof against these infernal machines, but it was a start. At the very least, it kept them from being totally useless against my new opposition.

Once the Kharaa were deemed sufficiently pruned, I made my final preparations to leave this universe - removing unneeded bases, fortifying the systems I did intend to keep, setting up an orbital research center on 4546B, creating an information network to study the Trans-Govs and, just to give them a false sense of security, purchasing stock with Altera.

Only then did I return home.

XXXXXXXX

Once we returned, I began releasing the life forms I had acquired on what I was now christening 'Planet Subnautica' into the oceans of the hub, Fimbulvinter, and Rigel. Fun fact: I found out that the precursors/Architects/Almanac actually had more Sea Emperor eggs in storage, alongside eggs from just about every species found on Planet Subnautica, including the Sea Dragon Leviathan, whatever the Gargantuan Fossil was when it was alive, and some kind of weird egg that turned into a risked salamander creature. Those species were soon introduced into my oceans, who existing evolved fauna had been...conditioned to deal with them.

I was really glad I had the tech from Spore to tell ecological catastrophes to go sit in the corner.

Also, seeing a reaper leviathan fight a lagiacrus was pretty cool.

Integrating the habitat builder into my arsenal gave me a hyper efficient handheld fabber which made the issues of losing my commander far more manageable, not that I ever intended on losing my commander. Also, I made a note to take steps toward being able to survive if I lost access to all of my technology. That had no really reason beyond wanting to be prepare for anything, but again, being prepared for anything. Also, stock fast growing seeds so I can farm anywhere I go.

Also, I'd just received a notification about the incident that Void had caused and...oh. This was going to mean a headache.

XXXXXXXXX

I stared at Synais.

Then I glanced at Kathikon and Fide.

Then I stared at the people who looked slightly like demonic deer.

Synais was the first to speak up. "I...honestly have no excuses boss. And the people who are in this room right now come from a planet called Terra and refer to themselves as Sarkaz. Specifically, these ones call themselves Wendigo.

"And yes, we know that Wendigo having antlers is not part of the original mythology," added Kathikon. "No, I do not know why they have antlers, and no, they cannot hear us."

"I'm more concerned with how you didn't find the portal that opened to spit them out during the portal storm."

Fide shifted nervously. "That's because it opened while you were managing your affairs with the Kharaa."

"...What?"

Fide sighed. "I have no major evidence yet, but there is the possibility that Void damaged the fabric of the universe such that portals opening across the hub may now be a continuous problem of varying severity. I have no idea how to address this as the moment."

I think I had a headache coming on. "Anything else I should know?"

"Some of them look like demons and vampires, and they also came through with another group of people called the Sancta, who look like angels. The demons and vampires are still Sarkaz, and the ones who look like demons are apparently the norm. Lastly, some had weird crystalline growths on their bodies, which are apparently caused by a disease, but they received treatment via nanotechnology and are now fine."

Yay. "...Just...see that they are settled somewhere they deem acceptable. And don't make it like a reservation or something like that. Those places are hellholes, and I don't actually think these demons did anything to deserve living in hell."

"Understood."

My subordinate trio swiftly filtered out, leaving me alone with Vivian.

"You look like you need a vacation."

I groaned in agreement. "You said you knew Masrani from Jurassic World?"

"Yep. Want me to pull some strings to get you working there."

"Uh-huh."

"Fine with me. Though I do have to ask if that will be enough to calm you down."

"Not at all. I'm considering asking Celm to see if there are any menial tasks he needs done that his other subordinates don't want to do."

Viv's eyes widened at that statement. "You know you might get saddled with something that just makes you feel ever more exhausted if you do that."

"I. Know."

XXXXXXXXX

Before I got to all of that, though, there was one other thing that needed to be handled - setting up a force to help me oppose those Infernal Machines. And I knew who I was going to assign as the first member of this force.

XXXXXXX

"You wanted to see me, Commander?"

I smiled as Coraz asked her question, taking a moment to look over her infested form. Horrifying it was, but also oddly beautiful. And wasn't that an interesting thought.

"Yes. I wanted to thank you for assisting me in defeating that foul machine."

Coraz seemed embarrassed to receive such praise. "It was only my duty."

"That it may be, but diligence toward duty should be rewarded."

Then, before Coraz could inquire on how she was to be rewarded, I gestures toward her. Within moments, a pool of red fluid surged through the air, entering the infested creature's body. Coraz let out a shriek in surprise, before beginning to shake. With a final, triumphant cry, Coraz's limbs shot outwards as a new, carapace like armor encased her body.

So, this was how Kuva Liches were created. Interesting.

Coraz looked at me once more, her expression and posture somehow showing off both curiosity and elation. "I...I...thank you, Commander."

"You are welcome. You are the first of your kind that I have created, though not the first in my possession - I acquired one like you from the Grineer queens."

Acquired, converted, the method didn't really matter, only the results.

"I see. What next?"

"Would you like me to provide you a weapon?"

She nodded in disapproval. "I already have one." Then, she held out her arm, and a moment later, flesh and sinew congregated together until a purple tinged Tysis had been formed.

Hmm, a radiation Lich. Interesting.

"What are my responsibilities, master?"

Straightforward and to the point. I liked her. "There are more beings like the ones you recently slew, of this o have no doubt. To ensure that I can oppose them, I am creating numerous forces tasked with fighting them in different ways, who shall stand together to slay these monsters. You and those of your group will do so by acting as field leaders for my armies and labor forces, so that additional focus can be applied to grand strategy. Head to Epidemia and carve out a territory of your own, nurture a brood, and then report to me. From there, I shall provide you with additional goals."

"...Yes sir."

Oh how good did it feel to hear those words.

XXXXXX

AN: Read and Review! This is Flameal15k, signing off!