Tali'on wasn’t having a good time in this section of the gaxy. The constant attacks from the disgusting infected has cut their number down by 30%. 300,000 ships lost! Every single time they entered a new system, it was always the same. And they were powerless to change the situation.

  Suicide mines which honed in on anything close, then exploded with enough force to cripple most ships. Despite knowing they were hiding around and firing preemptively in the surrounding space, they still suffered.

  Then there were the Anti-Air creatures firing from below as they tried taking out the numerous Pnetary Ptforms around these corrupted worlds. And since the Pnet Crackers had perished, they needed to personally wipe out the Infestation through orbital bombardment; allowing those anti air cannons to do even more damage.

  Though pathetic on their own, it added up across multiple systems. Then one had to consider the constant ambushes at random times, no predictability in any of them. Of course the superiority of their fleet beat the bastards back time and time again. But in just a few days they’d return, good as new. Perhaps even having more infected than before.

  His men were not machines. Constantly being attacked over and over again was wearing them down. The ck of sleep in particur was awful. Not to mention… that ‘thing’. The one who destroyed their Pnet Crackers and a few Colossus with his bare hands. He somehow made the virus infiltrate their shields and infect countless crew members. It never felt good to bst a hole through your friend’s head because he became a ravenous monster. Never.

  Tali’on could see the tiredness in their eyes. From both physical and mental exhaustion. Then there was the fear building in their hearts. The absolute terror that they would soon die to those endless hordes. Or worse.

  If all this wasn’t bad enough, another fleet had concerning reports of being attacked by the former Admiral Yaka. His numbers had swelled more than ever before due to integrating the half million fleet into his own. Although inferior to them, his tactic were incredibly effective and ruthless. Never did he attack alone, always in conjunction with those biological defense ptforms and suicide mines. They personally suffered even worse than them.

  Things were looking bad for them, but the Alliance was truly suffering as a whole. News reports of infected nding on some of the deeper worlds had reached his ears. What a confidence booster knowing that the ones they were suppose to protect from this parasite might already be gone. And forget the virus, the Varnids alone were tearing a hole through them, destroying thousands of worlds by their lonesome. All in the span of a year, they’d racked up tens of billions of kills. Both military and civilian. He reckoned that these numbers might quadruple in another year.

  Hope seemed to he vanishing every passing hour. From their front, an unending insect swarm. From behind them, a virus which can turn anyone in a matter of seconds to a monster. He held his head and sighed deeply.

  ‘How? How did it come to this point? So swiftly?’ He had no answers for such a question. Not to mention his men, even he was losing faith. In both the Alliance, and himself. If only-

  “Admiral. You should really see this.” The tired voice of one of his officers made him gnce to the left. When was the st time they’d gotten a good night’s rest?

  “Go ahead.” The officer didn’t speak and pressed a few buttons on a terminal. Suddenly a hologram appeared in the middle of the Bridge.

  It showed the one and only Prophet of Knowledge in front of a podium. On either side of him were the Elite Omegas. Up on the stage were a few renowned generals themselves, each one grim.

  “These are dark days indeed.” The Prophet’s soothing and gentle voice entered everyone’s ears. It made them feel… warm. Protected.

  “Countless worlds have been taken, corrupted to their very core by the abominations. Oceans of innocent blood have been spilled in vain. And our loyal soldiers have given their lives to safeguard ours.” He paused, sighing in sadness and remorse

  “Yet it hasn’t been enough. The infected hordes and Varnid Swarms are pushing us to the very brink of annihition. Even some of our own people are giving into the idea that it's better to join them.” He shook his head and continued, a sense of righteousness overflowing from his very core!

  “Give you who you are? Become a bloodthirsty monster whose sole goal and purpose is to kill? Nonsense! In these dire times, we need to stay together! Only then can we strive to push back the tide and beat these vile creatures! But we cannot accomplish this with our fleets spread so thin.” Tali’on perked up at that, a foreboding feeling building. He couldn’t be saying…

  “That is why, with a heavy heart, I am ordering our forces to return. To only defend the Core Systems.” Disbelief could be found on everyone’s face. The Prophet basically said to give up on all those worlds.

  That’s not just one or two pnets with a few million people. No, that was well over fifty thousand pnets being abandoned. The number of citizens being tossed aside would easily reach tens of trillions. Perhaps even more since some pnets were more poputed than others. Like Freyn, an outer world with four billion citizens.

  “That’s…”

  “No way right? How many pnets is that?”

  “It’s… a lot. More than your thinking.”

  “They can’t do this!”

  “They can. They’re in charge after all.”

  “I keep telling you this! You really think the higher ups give a fuck about us?! They’re all the same!”

  “The Prophet’s different! He really cares!”

  "Really think that? Ha! The gundark would sell us for an extra credit!"

  His crew were very vocal, as they should be. Slurs and curses were thrown at the Prophet, condemning him for such a ruthless order. Tali’on understood both sides. For his crew, they couldn’t stomach abandoning all those they’re meant to serve and protect. Not mentioning how many had retives on those outer worlds. It was immoral, and went against everything they believed it.

  At the same time, he understands the Prophet's motive. Pulling back to the Core Systems limited the amount of ground they had to defend. As of the moment, they were stretched thin. This left many worlds on their own and even allowed a straight shot to those core pnets. Like Agricultural Worlds, which fed the entire Alliance. If those were lost? They might starve to death before ever being torn from limb from limb. Which might be better actually.

  The Prophet kept speaking, but he tuned it out. Political mumbo jumbo, along with trying to rationalize their decision. That’s not how it worked though. One couldn’t simply expin away causing tens of trillions to die horrible deaths and instead favoring a portion of the Alliance.

  “Sir? We’re getting a message to return to Jaica System and await further orders.” The Jaica System was on the very edge of the Core System and would allow them to defend from the infected.

  Tali’on sighed, unsure if he was happy or angry. He failed to end the virus and their hordes, but at least his crew could be saved-

  An arm rang out as another officer yelled with urgency.

  “They’re back! Coming out of Warp Space to our left!” Stunned for only a brief instance, Tali’on immediately began barking orders. This was their st fight. As long as they beat them back again, they could return home.

  But life always has other pns.

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  As we Warp Jumped into the system, I couldn’t help but grin in excitement. Finally, I can remove these annoying ass fleets from my agenda and join my other generals in fucking alien scum up. I will have to leave at least some infected behind to defend these worlds from back camping tactics, but the majority will charge ahead.

  The true problem though, are those insect bastards. Asura has started reporting some contact with them, same as Godfrey. Not as much though since he’s more on the outskirts than the big Behemoth bastard. Still, it’s worrying news. The further we push on, the more we’ll encounter. And from what I’ve heard, these guys don’t fuck around.

  Ker’aii’s Echo-Device allows us to tune in to the Alliance's news channels and uh, it’s not good. Forget us taking a hundred and thirteen worlds, those Varnids have already sacked well over a thousand. Yeah we’ll catch up to this pace as my Bio Mass Constructors keep pumping out infected, but it’s a little daunting. Well, just means I gotta put a pn into motion is all. Most of my Mimics are set up besides a few. It’s time for them to py their part.

  Anyway, I also can’t forget Godfrey’s battle. He's one of my strongest infected and nearly got ass reamed by two insects. Fucking two? If it were a couple thousand I could understand. Not a mere two. I can’t help but be worried. What if they have stronger ones than this? Maybe even on my level? I need to head to the front line as fast as possible after cleaning these losers up.

  “Gargantuan, head in first and show them your might. The rest, fire when in range.” I spoke softly to myself, yet my words resounded in every infected’s mind.

  The mountain sized Gargantuan was first to charge forward as my Leviathans opened fire. Of course the enemy fleet didn’t wait around and did the exact same thing. Countless bolts of sers and psma were thrown around the battlefield. Painted such a beautiful picture of death and carnage. Unfortunately I can’t stand here and watch.

  My feet carried me to one of the tentacles used for off loading infected, where my three beauties were waiting. Athena was practically jumping in pce, rearing to go with a grin! As soon as she saw me-

  “Fucking finally! Let’s kill the cunts!” She ughed like some wild manic and charged down the tunnel.

  The sisters chuckled lightly as I did too, and we followed her into battle. Entering the vastness of space was a doozy. A chaotic shit storm of attacks flying damn near everywhere. Some even nded on my armor, bouncing off harmlessly.

  While the sisters ran ahead to fight to their heart’s content, I did the same. My armor changed drastically, morphing into it's true combat form. Same one I had when chasing Dante and treating him like prey. A badass outfit with enhanced defenses and a wicked face mask. With a fp of my powerful wings, I shot into the distance faster than everything else.

  My objective was the middle of their fleet, where I could charge up as much of the virus as possible and release it all at once. Need as many of these ships as I can get for my upcoming pns. Along the way, my eyes were drawn to the Gargantuan.

  Already the lumbering monster had reached the front of the enemy fleet and smmed into them like a battering ram. Nothing, not even a Cruiser, even slowed the thing’s momentum. Dozens of ships in it’s path were torn to shreds with a single swipe of it’s cws. Meanwhile, it’s armor and skin were almost on my level and shrugged off 99% of attacks. It’d take constant firepower to wear it-

  The surviving two Colossus both took aim and fired their massive cannons at once. The attacks crashed into the Gargantuan, causing it to roar silently in pain. From even this far back I could see a bit of damage done. Sheesh, those Colossus really are strong. And there's still one more ship above this. Not excited to fight that monster.

  Infuriated and full of rage, the Gargantuan charged for them like a bat out of hell. Wouldn’t expect something the size of a literal mountain to move like a cheetah. The Colossus fired once more, aiming right at the beasts head. It weathered it fine as it’s flesh held firm.

  The Gargantuan smmed into one of the Colossus, it’s shields popping up to protect it as it was thrown across space. But the monster grabbed ahold of the ship with it’s cws and chomped down with those vicious teeth, trying to shred it apart. How could I leave my sweet angel by itself?

  Dodging all the random attacks, I took off at Mach something and transformed both of my hands into hammer fists. Let’s see how you like this shit. I fused both of them together, raised it above my head, and swung down with a ‘loud’ roar! The second Colossus’s shields cracked and nearly shattered. Despite failing to break it, I smiled. Good.

  ‘Send in the Ion Disruptors.’ Five of the newly improved fleshy creatures exited the Leviathans and exploded at once.

  Unfortunately their electrical field also effects my forces, but it’s not that big of a deal since we mainly rely moreso on our bodies. The blue field washed over the entire battlefield and crippled every ship. Whatever bullshit counter they had blew up, literally. I could see the explosions on some of the smaller ships. Serves you bastards right.

  Meanwhile, the Colossus underneath me also powered down. Normally my Ion Disruptors wouldn’t be able to get through their incredibly powerful shielding technology. But since it’s damaged…

  I flew away and came to a densely packed area of the fleet. As I charged up my virus to cover every single vessel in sight, my eyes gnced around. My Killer Drones, Shredders, flying Alphas, and Splitters were taking this opportunity to really give these inferior xeno trash a run for their money. Tearing them apart with tooth and cw. Wicked.

  The dies themselves were having a grand old time. Ever since discovering a new ability for her powers, Alice’s other ones underwent a transformation; growing in strength. Now she can Vader Force Grip multiple ships at once. Her words not mine.

  Her big sister on the other hand did as she usually does and went bowling. Though I have noticed a change in her weapons. They seem more lethal than before, and even their appearance has shifted. Way more deadly looking. I watched as Lily shoved one of her whips into a Cruiser. Straining herself, I witnessed the entire length of her spiky whip bulge slightly. Out of nowhere, multiple little tendrils shot out of the Cruiser and tched onto nearby ship; pulling them in and blowing up all at once. Fancy. Been training in secret have we?

  And Athena was… doing Athena things. No concern for her own well being as her muscles bulged, eyes bloodshot. Already she was in her Berserk state as she rammed her entire body through a Destroyer and kept going. Wait, she’s not heading to the Capital Ship… is she? I made him off limits since I need a commander for this fleet!

  ‘Athena stop! I need that bastard alive!’ Without missing a beat she growled back like some demon from Hell.

  ‘Fuck off Jason! He's the reason I suffered before! They're dead!’ I sighed as she ignored me and started destroying the Admiral’s ship.

  Shame, a damn shame. But I understand she’s still upset over what happened, so I’ll allow her crude words against me. Instead of focusing on them, I supercharged my virus to the absolute max. Between my hands and spreading to my arms was a pitch bck gas with some purple mixed in. Perfection!

  I spread both of my arms and sent out a tsunami of bck smoke across the entire battlefield. The ships were still powered down, far longer than ever before. Powerless against my virus slipping in and infecting damn near everyone! Amazing! I can sense them all becoming mine! Ah, how euphoric-

  Caught something out of the corner of my eye. The Gargantuan ripped the Colossus between it’s cws apart. The massive ship, as rge as itself, blew up in the beast’s face. An explosion so rge it effected nearby Alliance and infected. Yet the Gargantuan was fine and dandy besides some char. It was about to kill off the second one when I stopped it.

  ‘No. Go off elsewhere.’ It looked at me sadly before going off. Really? A mountain sized killing machine acting like a kicked puppy?

  Shaking my head, I stood in the middle of the enemy fleet as they started coming back online. Oh, but it’s far too te for you. Welcome to the Horde friends, we'll treat you like the cannon folder you are.

  Anyway, I should be able to salvage about 500,000 ships from this effort. Probably less based on how chaotic everything is. And my women are really fired up right now, ripping into everything with grins. That’s not the issue. The real problem, is who do I choose to become the new Admiral? Decisions, decisions.

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  Underneath an abandoned warehouse on a random alien pnet was a dark underground room. The only source of light were the candles on top of a strange altar. One made of bone and flesh, blood pooling at the bottom. On top of said altar was an Echo-Device, and a statue. Which somehow resembled Jason.

  Surrounding the altar with fanatical grins were a variety of aliens. Their grins were so wide it seemed as if their faces would split open. Except the jawless Lorkins of course. Meanwhile, all of their eyes were slightly dazed over. As if put into a trance.

  “Don’t you see? Becoming infected means shedding your previous weakness! It’s wonderful! I myself had no idea of the virus’s elegance, it’s divine majesty, not until I became one with it! Words cannot accurately describe how incredible it is. Friends, don’t you want to be the same?” Crazy Seven’s voice echoed into their very minds, twisting them into damnation. He continued.

  “Don’t you want to be apart of something bigger than yourselves? Something… better? To finally have a true family? All you need to do, is become Chosen. Join our ranks, brothers and sisters, and you will see it's glory! None are above the virus besidee Him! And His gifts are endless! Let the infected into your cities and watch as they spread the virus into your very being!”

  The robed aliens nodded, breathing becoming erratic as images flooded their minds. Cities being destroyed, innocents sughtered to the st by infected monsters. Blood rained from the sky and pooled onto the streets. Yet their eyes were filled with glee as they watched it from a first person perspective.

  Was this the virus? To feel so warm. So accepted. And to have such power! They wanted it! Needed it! They… they should share it. Share it with their loved ones, so they can be together forever. It’s the only way. Eventually they'll thank them for such generosity.

  “We, need to welcome them.” The leader stood up and procimed. Both of his hands spread apart.

  “Let us welcome our infected brothers and sisters in the only way suitable!” In his right hand was a worm. Only a foot in length as it wiggled around.

  Not saying anything else, the grinning cult leader brought it to his mouth and swallowed the worm. It visibly traveled through his skin, able to be seen as it moved towards his brain. As it tched on, his eyes rolled into the back of his head.

  His body twitched once, twice, three times. Bones cracked unnaturally as a low groan came from the leader’s mouth. After a moment of staying in pce, he suddenly lunged forwards at the nearest member and tackled them to the ground! Yet their smiles never changed, no struggling found within them.

  Not even as the leader forced their mouths open and vomited a few simir worms into their throat.

  Such a disgusting scene was occurring on numerous other worlds, causing mass panic and mayhem. But the true terror of the virus was only shown a few days ter. When a Core World was bombed by a Mimic.

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  A familiar Xalo’ir walked down the street with his loving family. Mate, two children, happy as all could be. What could be better than... this?

  “I can’t believe it! Look at the mods these people have access too!” His mate swooned over the attractive female aliens, their bodies enhanced with modifications.

  Worthless. Inferior. Imitations of true perfection. True perfection that He offers.

  His two children tugged at his pants, their eyes begging.

  “Can we go to the arcade? Please?” They pointed across the street, where other such families flooded into. A popur attraction for children and those who love games.

  The Xalo’ir nodded, his facial expression twitching as a Heavenly voice echoed inside his mind. Ah, it was time. Finally. He can be rid of these disgusting creatures he's been forced to call, 'family'. Horrid things.

  “Of course! Anything for my two baragoos!” He patted their head, before smiling eerily. Next to him, his mate frowned. Strange. She’s never seen such a face on him before.

  “But you wanna see something even better?”

  Arm bells rang off in her mind as his voice changed. Deeper, unnatural. Even monstrous. But maybe she’s just tired from the ride over here is all. So she ignored her gut instinct and ughed as her children jumped in pce excitedly.

  “What is it?! What is it?!” Grinning, the Xalo’ir pulled out a strange metallic ball. Completely smooth with a button on the side.

  Meanwhile, his Echo-Device had already started live streaming everything since a while ago. The Xalo’ir held it up for all to see as he cackled madly.

  “This is your salvation! Your gateway to true perfection! To shed off your pathetic selves!” Nearby patrolling officers went over to check out the commotion as a crowd gathered.

  Then, he pressed the button on the side. It exploded and sent nearby aliens flying back, including his children and mate. However it didn’t cause damage and instead sent out a pitch bck wave of gas hurdling out. It seeped into the screaming crowd’s bodies, causing them to cough wildly as blood poured down their eyes.

  Suddenly they lunged at those nearby and tackled them into the ground. Like savages beasts, the new rabid infected tore into their flesh and swallowed it before everyone’s eyes. Meanwhile the clouds of bck smoke spread further and further, even being carried away by the wind.

  The Xalo’ir cackled madly and forced the live stream to watch it all. Then he panned the camera to his shifting face. Back to his natural form, a filthy one he despised more than anything. He smiled widely, showing off his sharp teeth.

  “This is your fate! Your future! You cannot stop us! Never! And you think it’s just here?” He calmed down and smiled gently.

  “No. It’s everywhere. We’re everywhere. Accept us while you can, and you shall be rewarded with endless power. Or resist, and join us anyway."

  They soon found out he was right. Tens of others core pnets had been hit with simir terrorist attacks from Mimics. The Alpha variants even bypassed all their detection technology like it didn’t exist. Terror gripped the citizen’s hearts, especially those who could hear screams outside their window.