Once Admiral Yaka had taken over the pnet in it’s entirety, he went over his losses. A few Cruisers had been destroyed, including a thousand ships. Yet he hadn’t truly lost anything at all. The defending fleet were boarded by his own infected men, along with the virus, and turned into one of them. Only through this and seeing how quickly the pnet fell did he realize how improved this new virus was.

  They turned so swiftly and completely, becoming much stronger and faster than ever before. Not to mention their overwhelming numbers, enough to even blot out the sun. Millions of infected had died to secure this world. Such a lost would be bad for any empire, regardless of size. Yet they actually gained more numbers instead. The world had a three billion popution, a third of which were already infected. Soon the rest would crumble and join His Horde.

  He couldn’t help but sigh, some lingering attachment in his heart. Despite being infected, he still had feelings for them which brought confusion. He thought he would’ve hated them to his core and become a mindless beast. Not… this.

  “Something wrong?” His Vice Admiral Jakkcie arrived. She too had a lower jaw now, a Chosen.

  “Just thinking about things and our new pce in the universe. Have the… what are their names?” She chuckled knowingly.

  “That three headed creature called them Tumor Mothers. Said they spread some corruption named Infestation. I also impnted some of those Bio Mass Constructors inside the lower district of the city. Should be online ter today and pump out new infected.” Yaka shook his head in disbelief.

  “More? I already have more than I know what to do with. Not even counting the billions on this pnet not infected yet.” His tentacle dreads atop his head waved around slightly due to his emotions. They seemed different than before and had a sharper edge to them.

  “As much as I hate to admit it, it’s incredible. The virus and the infected are so…” He trailed off and Jakkcie finished his sentence.

  “Complete? They just keep growing endlessly. Limitless in a way.” He nodded his head and touched his lower jaw. Still wasn’t use to this new addition, yet it worked fwlessly. As if he had always had it.

  “It’s strange right?” Jakkcie suddenly said, causing some confusion.

  “What is?” She took a few moments to gather her thoughts.

  “Isn’t how the infected and virus operate eerily simir to the Varnids? I already thought this before, but now that we’re apart of them?” He nodded his head.

  “Hm, I too noticed this. Those insects always come back better than before. More evolved. Previous weapons which shredded their Swarms apart, now rendered useless. It’s the same with them. Like how they adapted to the Purple Miasma so swiftly.”

  They stood in pce for another minute, contempting this. Did the Varnids and Virus have some sort of connection to each other? Or was it simply a mere coincidence they had such simirities? Well, it wasn’t for them to worry and fret over. Leave complicated matters to their betters and focus on their orders.

  “What’s next on the agenda, sir?” Yaka sighed and turned his gaze upwards. Clouds marred by the smoke of a ruined city.

  “That… thing, Master, ordered me to distract the Alliance for as long as possible. Since this world is fairly important and closer, they’ll send their fleets here to wipe us out in a matter of months. We’ll need to prepare accordingly. First up, take the nearby systems as swiftly as possible. Make it harder for them to bring us down.” He turned to her and nodded.

  “Get the fleet ready. We’ll move out immediately."

  "And this world?” She waved towards their surroundings, a ruined city with fires still burning away. A heavy scent of blood and destruction hanged in the air.

  Yaka gnced around, before walking away.

  “It’ll fall on it’s own.”

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  Admiral Yaka's message had spread far and wide, sending shockwaves through the majoirty of the gaxy. Despite the Alliance trying to hinder it, they were unable to do so. He constantly kept broadcasting more and more, inflicting untold levels of fear into everyone's hearts. Whether they were at the bottom or top of the food chain. The virus which had decimated their civilization not too long ago had returned, and in the worst way possible.

  Before, the virus was scary and overwhelming. Yet it cked an intelligence and was far more chaotic and unorganized. That’s not to say the previous infected weren’t smart, but it was nothing like Admiral Yaka. Those who knew him could tell his personality hadn’t changed drastically. He wasn’t completely mind controlled to say all this. That, terrified them to their core. The higher ups in the Alliance thought things couldn’t get worse. But life always seeks to disappoint.

  The truth had come to light. Someone anonymously leaked cssified information to the public about how they had lost nine worlds to the virus in the span of a few weeks. Cities were destroyed and ruined, billions of lives lost already. Pnets which were soaked in countless gallons of blood, just like Yaka had warned. Those in power urged the citizens to stay calm. They had beaten the virus once and will do so again, regardless of any evolution they had undergone.

  But… how could they believe that? A stronger and more evolved virus than before was now attacking their weakened state. How could they survive both them and the insect Swarms? Then there’s Admiral Yaka. If even someone like him became a monster, what of them? Would it be worst? Reduced to a flesh craving maniac without a sembnce of their former selves? Perhaps trapped in their own mind and forced to watch as they tear innocent people apart? Tear their own loved ones apart?

  Panic began spreading through the Alliance worlds, no matter where they were. Chaos took hold of many pnets and riots cropped up, forcing the Alliance to take swift action and take them down. Yet the damage had been done and suppressing the riots was only a temporary measure. They needed a show of force to boost the public’s morale. While currently a bit hard for the Varnid Swarms, the virus? A piece of cake.

  It was a televised event, spread across the entire Holo-Net and to every Alliance controlled world. A massive array of three million ships, culminating into three separate fleets with top of the line military hardware. They left with purpose! With determination! Seeing this propaganda effort, the citizens felt reassured and the ones rebelling had their voices clipped for a moment.

  But then, something started creeping up among said rebels and rioters. A few began saying, whispering… they should join them. Join the virus and become infected. A higher lifeform, cking the fear of death or disease. Spreading delusion lies about how it would be for the best. Better to keep one’s sense of self than some mindless beast. Obviously, those voices were drowned out by those more sensible. Join the virus? Become infected? Insanity!

  Yet despite this, they kept gaining traction. Not much, and not swiftly. But still, they were growing at a slow rate. More and more would casually speak up, saying ‘Is it really so bad? To have such power?’. The Alliance didn’t notice this cult like behavior and even if they did? Why bother caring about such things? All they should be focused on is wiping out the virus, not this petty nonsense.

  However, sometimes an invincible looking empire, colpses from interior threats rather than exterior ones.

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  .

  .

  Floating mindlessly through space was a junker ship. Looked as though put together from scrap and trash, barely able to keep going. Sitting inside and watching a Holo TV on her Echo-Device was Ker’aii. A name known by many as being one of the smartest to ever exist. The same mastermind behind countless life changing inventions and especially the Pnetary Shield, something pivotal in destroying the virus previously.

  Yet she had ‘died’ one day by that same virus. But unaware to the public, she had been infected and turned. Her already high intelligence had undergone a transformation, being boosted to new heights. Although she did not want this and somehow kept her sense of self, her fellow scientists refused to let her die and kept her locked up. Doing a number of… cruel experiments. All to twist the virus to their purpose. Giving them unlimited power and long lifespans.

  Thankfully the chains binding her were broken and she made her escape from that horrid pce. With none the wiser, she built her own ship from junk and left that world swiftly. Initially, Ker’aii pnned to wait for an unknown amount of time for the virus to resurface. Who knew it would happen far faster than even she thought possible?

  “Nine worlds already lost? Including Khoi?” She hummed lightly, a contemptive look to her face.

  “I should meet up with them. Might as well be with my own ‘people’.” Perhaps once upon of time, she would’ve stood with the Alliance again to fight the virus despite being infected. But any good feelings she had for them were already wiped out long ago through the constant experiments.

  Besides, she had a feeling the virus had a high chance of winning. At the current stage, while fierce in taking over a few worlds, it was pathetically weak at the moment. The three fleets sent out to the Yashiir Sector would easily clean up every st trace. But the true terror of the virus and infected were their potential. A likes of which she had never seen before, even in the horrific Varnids.

  With this in mind, she closed her Echo-Device and went to the cockpit. It wouldn’t be difficult to find them in the slightest. All she needed to do, was close her eyes and feel Him.

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  ( Jason )

  "Has the pnet been fully infested?” I asked Craxus through our shared telepathy. Alice's lessons have helped me immensely in this regard. He responded swiftly.

  “Yes. The entire popution has either been consumed or infected, adding another seven hundred million to our Hordes. What should I do next?”

  “Same as the others who will join you. Continue on the path I’ve marked and conquer every one of those worlds. Leave a small force to supervise each one and after you’ve completed your task, fall back. Begin building your fleets up and make sure to… protect the pnets.” I faltered a bit at the end, coming to a realization. But that’s for ter.

  “Understood. It shall be done as per your will.”

  “Remember, you need to be fast. Quick as possible. Take out most of a world and leave the Infestation and infected to do the rest.” I cut off the connection with him and communicated with the others.

  Asura, Godfrey, Kraken, The Freak, and Phoenix. Suppose these are my generals in the gactic war. All I did was ask for a status update and repeated what I said to Craxus. Nearly word for word. While everything was mainly fine on their end and our numbers have swelled, I can’t help but feel a bit anxious. We’re growing so unbelievably fast it’s almost unreal. And I know it’s only a matter of time before we truly have to fight the Alliance head on. No more of this hit and run tactic shit.

  Still, they’ll have to take their sweet time with me. Currently we have nine worlds fully taken and under our control. However, our influence stretches far beyond that. Thanks to my forward thinking with sending out Tumor Mothers, an extra seventy two worlds, both inhabited and cking sapient life, are being infested. It’s not guaranteed they’ll fall, but at the minimum it’ll do some damage. At the same time the Alliance will have no choice but to split their fleets up to deal with these corrupted worlds. Hopefully this tactic will alleviate the pressure on us. Then there's Crazy Seven who's beginning his work in taking them down from within. Nothing solid yet, but the shape of a cult is forming due to his hypnotic voice.

  Back to what I was thinking about before though, I realized something. I truly didn’t have a way to protect the worlds I conquered. Just a small squadron of ships could go into orbit and start bombarding the world from afar, not having to get their hands dirty. Or maybe they’ll bring in a few Pnet Crackers to just get rid of it entirely. This led me to start brainstorming about creating my own Defense Stations around these pnets and anti air guns on the ground. Perhaps not a perfect measure, but a hell of a lot better than nothing.

  Instead of the former being manned with a crew of infected, be better to make them more autonomous through the use of the pnt hybrid hivemind. This also led me to think about something very interesting. Why only stop at infecting biological life? Could I not do the same to metal, simir to the Cyborg Infected? Though I temporarily discarded them for now, I do want to bring them back. Hiroshi did most of the leg work in building them, but my virus finished it off. Seamlessly fusing both cybernetic and flesh together as one instead of two.

  The cybernetic enhancements could also be surgically impnted onto my Leviathans, hopefully boosting their defense and offense. Like giving them giant cannons which shoot out high powered rounds. Defense wise, definitely need a shield. While their flesh is incredibly tough and regenerates quickly, why say no to beefing them up further? The only problem is that these will have to be repced once newer and better ones are created. Hm, should probably make a new css of infected dedicated towards pure intelligence and inventing new things.

  As for Theia and it’s protection, I’m not too worried at the moment. It's been weeks since I left and the Bio Mass Constructors, spread throughout all Continents, have been mass producing infected. And more importantly, Leviathans. A fair number of about thirty three, simply waiting for them to be loaded up and brought to me. That’s over a billion more infected all together, battle ready to invade more worlds. Should arrive shortly. That's only one fucking pnet too, and now I have nine getting operational. Soon this number will quadruple.

  I have so much work ahead of me, but this is what I get for having high ambitions. Not that I regret it for a second. My cause is just and true. Infecting every single being in this universe and making them mine. If anything, I should be hailed as a Saint for shedding their weakness. And then? After all that is said and done? I consume them all at the same time, becoming a true God. It’ll be lonely though, won’t it? Me, Athena, Alice, Lily, Dante, Raven, and Elizabeth. Only we will remain in a barren and dead universe.

  “There must be more out there. Just ripe for the taking.” My whispers echoed out as dark thoughts pervaded my head. The Multiverse Theory was always pretty popur on Theia. Sounds really fun though. Imagine taking this horror show on the Universal road. Spreading my virus to everything and everyone.

  One thing at a time though. Let's see if I can even survive the xeno scum around me first.

  “Bring us out of orbit and get ready to jump at my coordinates. We need to take as many worlds and systems as possible.” My dutiful Leviathan moaned lightly in acceptance and began moving.

  As for Lhetui below us? No reason to stay. Entire world is infested and Crazy Seven is already set up, beginning his transmissions. Would’ve sent him to Khoi since it has a rger reach, but it’s too risky. Take it nice and slow. Py the long game.

  “Here you are.” That lovely, sweet voice. Same one I’ve longed to hear for a while. Turning around, I smiled seeing my beautiful Alice walk into the Nerve Center.

  “Hello gorgeous.” She giggled lightly and hugged me, pressing her lips against mine. Not in a passionate and sexy way. More like loving and gentle.

  “And to you handsome. What’re you doing here all alone?” She gnced around trying to spot anyone but failed. My arms creeped around her back and brought her more into my embrace.

  “Getting status reports from the others and directing then on their next course of action.” She hummed lightly and looked over my shoulder, watching out the window.

  “Are we leaving for another pnet?” Smart cookie.

  “That’s exactly right. No point in staying here for now. We’ll return when I have to pce something though.” She cocked her head and led me over to a seat. Like the obedient husband I was, followed after her.

  “Something? Mind eborating?” I chuckled as we sat down, her head leaning on my shoulder and gncing up at me with those purple eyes. Two sparkling gems. So pretty.

  Suddenly she giggled and kissed me on the cheek.

  “Thank you, but that’s not what I asked.”

  “Did I say that aloud? Oops. Anyway, I was thinking about building a couple things to defend the pnets we’re not at. They’re vital to our future at the moment. Even a single one being lost is… bad.” She nodded her head, understanding what I’m saying.

  “That makes sense. How much time do we have until they arrive?” I knew she was speaking about the Alliance.

  “Hard to say, but probably a few months to a year. The distance is quite rge between us. Yaka did tell me though they’ve already sent four fleets out. Three massive ones to deal with us and a smaller one for Khoi. He says he has a pn to ambush and intercept them.” Her hand grabbed my face, thumb caressing my cheek.

  “That bad?” I put my own hand over hers and smiled.

  “Was is so obvious how concerned I am? Three fleets, each with a million ships. And inside of those fleets have those stronger vessels I was telling you about. They'll shred the Leviathans to pieces. And they've probably come up with a way to counter my Ion Disruptor. Perhaps not fully, but still.” I sighed, gazing into her comforting eyes.

  “We don’t have enough time. If they spend long enough dealing with the pnets being infested by the Tumor Mothers, we’ll be fine. Maybe I can make a stronger Leviathan or something simir to combat the more powerful ships. Been thinking about it anyway since the number of infected we have access to is immense, just don't have the storage for them if you get my meaning.” She looked worried.

  “And if not? If they rush straight for us?” I didn’t answer for a few moments, silently giving my answer.

  Would we win? Unlikely, but we'd definitely do an insane amount of damage. Two weeks allowed for thirty three more Leviathans from one pnet. Now with nine, our productions increase is fairly obvious. But... three million fucking ships? We can't handle that at our present state. Just need time and more pnets to fuel our growth.

  About ten seconds ter, I opened my mouth.

  “Regret it? Meeting and coming with me. Everything?” Alice's right eyebrow raised, almost as if saying ‘Fucking idiot’. She ughed lightly and pecked me on the lips.

  “Not even for a second, you dumbass.” I gasped dramatically.

  “Sticks and stones my dear.” A teasing grin appeared.

  “You’re a big boy. And stop with that negative thinking. Go forward with purpose and supreme confidence, instead of second guessing yourself. As Lily would say, and probably Athena, stop being a pussy. Man up already.” What a way with words, boosting my morale.

  “Have I ever told you how much I love you?” She giggled lightly, a bright smile to her face.

  “Yes, but I never get tired of hearing it.” We both leaned in at the same time and locked our lips together. We stayed in that position for nearly a minute, passionately kissing.

  Then we simply gazed out the window together as the Leviathan jumped into the white tunnel. No sexy time, just us staying together like that.

  "What about you?" I suddenly said out of nowhere, surprising her. She cocked her head to the side, a small amused smile on those pretty lips.

  "About me? In regards to...?"

  "Your psychic squad thingy. How's that coming along."

  "Oh. Well, decently I guess. I've be able to increase their numbers to about a hundred or so, but most are untrained. I did seek some help from Kraken who taught me some nice things." She sighed regretfully.

  "Unfortunately, it'll take some time to get anything worthwhile out of them. They don't grow as fast as other infected. But I believe they have insane potential to become very powerful. Or at the least, great support. In fact, I've had some ideas about using my psychic power to teleport-!"

  She went on and on with excitement. Just the most adorable little bundle of joy, so different from how she usually acts. Recently she's been trying to be more mature for the children. And in her own words, as the Harem Wife. What a weirdo.

  Though…

  “You interrupted me.” She pouted adorably, yet made no move to stop my actions.

  My hand lifted her skirt and started caressing her soft, juicy thigh. Way thicker than before, just like her hips. Likely due to bringing our awesome daughter into this world. A milf, all for myself. Then there's her blood reted sister whose turned out in a simir fashion. Gods above or below, I really lucked out.

  “I can’t be bmed. How dare you be so beautiful and sexy.” A giggle escaped her lips, along with a light moan.

  “And that’s my fault somehow?” One of her hands grabbed my crotch, trying to find my dick.

  "Mhm, certainly. Every movement you make seduces me. About time you took some responsibility."

  Just as I was about to let it out, an excited scream broke our connection.

  “Daddy!” Dante barreled into the Nerve Center like a ball of joy. But since he moved too quickly, he tripped and rolled across the floor for a few meters. Sighing deeply, I fixed Alice’s skirt and ignored her ughter.

  “Yes, little shithead?” Seeing us being so close, he tilted his head to the side before shaking it.

  “Daddy! Can we py?! Please!” The way he looked at me with stars in his eyes decreased my anger by about 63%. I gnced at Alice first.

  “Rain check?” She nodded her head and kissed me on the lips.

  “Sure. Next time though, we’re definitely getting some alone time.” Her lips approached my ear and whispered lowly, a seductive edge to it.

  “Then you can really show me how much you love me. In a deep, and thick way.” This succubus knew exactly how to rile me up. Yet my hands were tied by Dante’s eagerness.

  Another sigh came from me as I stood up and gnced at the little asshole.

  “Come on then Dante. Let’s py, Predators VS Prey.” He turned confused and scratched his chin.

  “What’s that?” A deep, primal growl came from the back of my throat.

  Both hands transformed into my dangerous and menacing cws, shining brightly. Meanwhile a thick and heavy battle armor surrounded my body, along with a badass face mask. Dante became terrified and backed up slightly. It wasn’t an act, he truly was scared.

  “I’m the Predator. And you’re the Prey.” I leaned down a bit, my bck eyes staring into his very soul. My voice changed, becoming far deeper and monstrous.

  “Run boy. Run.” Dante was petrified for a few seconds before booking it. I ughed darkly and let him go for a minute, before chasing after him.

  I sprinted down the hallway, following the tracks he left behind. I sniffed the air and spoke loud enough for him to hear.

  “I can smell your fear Dante! You can’t escape me!” And I was right.

  There he was, running as fast as he could. His head turned around to see me getting closer and closer, eyes full of fear. Suddenly I lunged for him, both cws aiming for his body. He yelped and shamelessly rolled to the side, barely escaping danger. The walls of the Leviathan were shredded apart, making a pained moan sound out. I growled lowly, watching as he crawled backwards.

  “Why aren’t you running boy? Scared?” I got into his face, my own turning to that of anger. My voice was yered in disappointment.

  “No son of mine should be scared. Run, Dante. Run.” He grit his teeth and fpped his wings to fly away. My ugh echoed out as I chased after him once more.