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I, for one, do NOT welcome our new infestation overlords.
 
The Pelx are at least trying... perhaps their desperate actions will make a difference in the short term of the war.

As for Heinrich, I imagine the Swarm doesn't care if he escapes. If he manages to, he'll probably be a ticking bomb for whoever picks him up.

There are other parties that might be interested in Heinrich. I'm just saying. :p

I wonder how the Swarm even infests a robot. They truly can control anyone.

I'm sure there are certain mutations that allow their cells to fool the computer brain. Otherwise, I just see them destroying everything which they are clearly good at. :p

I, for one, do NOT welcome our new infestation overlords.

I'm sure you will change your mind once you're infested. :p

Chapter 126

As soon as the Cylphen headquarters lost contact with the soldiers they sent to investigate the crashed enemy ships, the Cylphen council knew at once they had a serious problem. Having dealt with infestations in the past, the Cylphen engineers developed special devices which were implemented directly inside the bodies of all Cylphen. These devices couldn't interfered with normal life but, the moment cells went through unnatural mutation, they would set off.

In most cases, these devices helped illuminate the possibility of cancer very early allowing treatment to be administered at once. Having so many soldiers experiencing cancer at once wasn't even plausible so the Cylphen council had to assume the worst. The council members reluctantly gave orders to exterminate these threats and made it forbidden for any soldiers to approach the alien ships to avoid further infestation.

The infested soldiers were located and shot down with unique chemical agents designed to kill any living organism that came in contact. These agents would be used to sterilize all the locations where the Swarm ships crashed to ensured that no more spreading of their infestation. The Cylphen soldiers tasked with this mission moved with haste and soon reported that they got the situation under control.

These soldiers were ordered to remain alert and vigilant as more alien ships were expected to attempt breaking through the force field. This was becoming a rather complicated battle since the Cylphen ships in the sky had to prevent any Swarm ship from crashing into densely populated metropolis and cities. If that were to happen, they would have their hands full while committing horrific atrocities in killing their own civilians.

However, the Cylphen council made a terrible mistake by underestimating what the Swarm was truly capable of. The situation wasn't under control and their inaction in certain vital locations meant the situation was deteriorating steadily with each passing hour. The Swarm was also making some headway with their mutations as they looked to also break through the obstacle of the force field and the Cylphen ships behind it more successfully.
 
Darnit Cylphen, you were your best, if not last, hope.
 
And there goes the Cylphen! Why would you underestimate the horrific world-ending invaders exactly?
 
Why does everyone either underestimate the Swarm or believe that they are an unstoppable apocalypse not capable of defeat? Can't someone just be pragmatic about all this? Someone with actual power, that is. The Soviets don't count.
 
Well, they are doing what they can, but it loks like the Cylphen are doomed now. Its only a matter of time until the swarm infects too much of their population.
-Resistance is futile, prepare these Cylphen for ascension.-
 
Darnit Cylphen, you were your best, if not last, hope.

They have been an effective speed bump so far. :p

And there goes the Cylphen! Why would you underestimate the horrific world-ending invaders exactly?

Well, they don't know the Swarm is a world-ending invader. They thought it's just a nasty neighbor in the galaxy.

Why does everyone either underestimate the Swarm or believe that they are an unstoppable apocalypse not capable of defeat? Can't someone just be pragmatic about all this? Someone with actual power, that is. The Soviets don't count.

True, it's pretty much all doom and gloom at this point. Let's hope there are some positives before the galaxy is conquered by either the Swarm or the robots.

Well, they are doing what they can, but it loks like the Cylphen are doomed now. Its only a matter of time until the swarm infects too much of their population.
-Resistance is futile, prepare these Cylphen for ascension.-

They still put up admirable resistance. :p

Chapter 127

After checking on his emergency factories, Kravryp began searching for allies against the robot threat. At this point, the news of these battles probably spread to the nearby sectors and likely got the attention of the other civilizations. It certainly didn't hurt that the robots actually sent a broadcast throughout the galaxy stating that all those who surrendered peacefully would die a quick death.

The brief alliance with the Soviets wasn't worth extending in Kravryp's opinion. He had considered them far too weak to begin with and their only usefulness at the time proved to be a liability since they were the reason why the robotic fleet even entered their galaxy. Kravryp hated to imagine where the Swarm was at because there were two major threats with the same intention of conquering the galaxy and wiping out all life.

Before all of these apocalyptic events taking place, the Pelx had maintained relatively good relations with her neighbors. Fair trade deals ensured continued cooperation and, with the threat of all lifeforms in the galaxy being wiped out, Kravryp didn't expect himself to need much to convince them to join the Pelx in the fight. As he returned to the meeting hall, he was updated about the overall situation regarding diplomacy.

As he suspected, all neighbors and trade partners of the Pelx agreed they must band together against the threat. They were willing to form a temporary coalition to fight against the threat and the Pelx would be the leader of the coalition due to her strength compared to the other coalition members. Kravryp found the suggestion acceptable and quickly organized a meeting to finalized these coalition agreement.

Meanwhile, the vanguards of the robotic fleet had engaged with the Pelx fleet and suffered heavy losses. However, the Pelx admirals suspected that this group was mainly to scout out the sector. Now that the robots knew their positions, a long and grueling battle would take place. More reinforcements were expected to arrive shortly but the exact numbers of the robot ships remained unknown.
 
Kravryp doesn't think the Soviets are worth an alliance? Well, considering how their leadership is in some precarious hands right now thanks to some supposed deaths, he kind of has a point.
 
Kravryp doesn't think the Soviets are worth an alliance? Well, considering how their leadership is in some precarious hands right now thanks to some supposed deaths, he kind of has a point.

The Soviets aren't going to be of much help at the moment. :(

Chapter 128

Heinrich entered through the doors and was greeted by an abomination. Before him was a creature that seemed like a mutated elephant with three heads in total. Each head possessed six tusks total and it lacked any eyes. Heinrich wasn't sure if the abomination saw him but he soon learned that he must get past it. The door behind him closed and he heard the locks that no doubt made it impossible for him to open it again.

When he took a step, Heinrich saw the abomination turn towards him. He studied the creature before him and took another step waiting for another response. The creature only turned its head and seemed to follow his motion the entire time. Knowing he wouldn't get anywhere just standing there, Heinrich started dashing towards his left corner to see what the creature intended on doing next.

Heinrich was quite disturbed when he saw the creature split before his eyes into three mutated elephants. One of them charged straight at him with its tusks ready to pierce him if he let them. The mutated elephant moved far quicker than he thought was possible and Heinrich barely managed to dodge its first charge. Yet, it wasn't giving up as it turned around as quickly as its big bulk could allow and charged a second time.

With his life on the line, Heinrich dodged left and right to avoid any of those six tusks. Being closer to them, he could see that they were razor sharp and shouldn't have any problems killing him instantly depending on where they pierced. What was relieving for Heinrich was the fact that the other two mutant elephants remained where they were, not participating in this brawl. He was unsure how he would dodge a number of them.

Still, he knew he had a physical limit and, if this dragged on indefinitely, he would be at a great disadvantage. The next time he dodged the charging abomination, Heinrich purposely kept close so he could use his weapon. Unfortunately, he discovered the hard carapace the mutant elephant possessed and his weapon simply glanced off it. Heinrich needed a new plan if he wished to live.
 
Whatever crazy abomination this is, its not good. Heinrich's in trouble.
 
Man (somewhat) versus three elephants (kinda)... I believe it's time Heinrich figured out what the aliens did to him. Namely if any of it was useful in combat.
 
That would be the perfect storm.
 
Whatever crazy abomination this is, its not good. Heinrich's in trouble.

I wouldn't want to be in his position. :p

Man (somewhat) versus three elephants (kinda)... I believe it's time Heinrich figured out what the aliens did to him. Namely if any of it was useful in combat.

Nothing like near death experience to truly learn your abilities. :p

Clearly we need a third crisis, some other all-powerful beings to add even more to the chaos. :p

The third crisis might be the rise of the Soviets to conquer and enslave all other aliens. :p

The Unbidden

Nah. :p

That would be the perfect storm.

It gets messy and I would rather not deal with it. :p

Chapter 129

The Soviets were panicking when they lost Akilina to the robots that passed through a dimensional gate. Their backup plan to Mikhail's death was Akilina but no one had anticipated even her disappearance. This was certainly not what they had in mind and the Soviet government struggled to find a new candidate for the Overlord position. There were few, if any, who could be considered equals to Mikhail and Akilina.

With the Soviet fleet, if one could call it that, basically annihilated by the robots, the Soviet lost their main defenses against any hostile threat. With the imminent threat of the Swarm and hostile robot fleets in their galaxy, the Soviets would be at their mercy. Despite the best efforts of the Soviet officials, they failed to reestablish contact with the Pelx confirming their fear that they were alone.

The kidnapping of Akilina had never been made to the public because the Soviet officials didn't want the situation to escalate further beyond their control. They were panicking in the government but the situation turned around somewhat when they received a message filled with a lot of static. After they got past the static in the message, they confirmed that the person sending the message was Akilina.

How Akilina managed to send the transmission was a mystery but hearing her voice was reassuring. From what they got from the transmission, the Soviet officials knew the transmission came after her kidnapping. Given the length of the transmission, she didn't have a lot of time to explain her situation like how she managed to escape the capture of the robots. Still, she told the Soviets to remain strong and keep her absence a secret.

With renewed hope, the Soviets wrote down her orders and began to train new ground forces. They understood that, despite the danger she was in, Akilina still put the Soviet Republic first. Her orders also made sense since building a new fleet wasn't viable given the resources they needed and the time they lacked. With time being a great luxury, they could train a strong ground force in a much shorter time.
 
So... the Soviets aren't going to consider the possibility the robots are recreating her voice and now posing as Akilina?
 
So... the Soviets aren't going to consider the possibility the robots are recreating her voice and now posing as Akilina?

Even the Pelx don't want anything to do with the Soviets. What benefits can the robots gain from controlling the Soviets? :p

Chapter 130

The Swarm sent a new wave of their ships at the force field and this wave possessed a brand new mutation strain specifically designed for the entry. The ships broke through the force field with relative ease and most of their weapons were operational. Before, the Cylphen ships were basically just shooting down defenseless ships before they reached any Cylphen metropolis. Now, they were fighting enemy ships that could fight back.

The Cylphen had the edge initially since limited Swarm ships had the mutation strain but, as more Swarm ships penetrated through the force field to do battle, the Cylphen ships were steadily pushed back. On the ground, the battle was also heating up as Swarm cells traveled in the air towards metropolis where they began infesting Cylphen population. Cylphen soldiers were soon fighting their fellow Cylphen but even they were vulnerable to the Swarm cells.

One metropolis after another fell to the Swarm while the skies were soon dominated by Swarm ships. The resistance of the Cylphen lessened with each passing hour until only a few pockets of resistance was left. Even those pockets were eventually eliminated and the Cylphen homeworld was fully infested. The Swarm had crushed another obstacle in its path and proceeded towards the Sol System.

However, the majority of the Swarm ships headed to a different destination as the Swarm was made aware of the robot fleets in the galaxy. The Cybrex was considered the greatest threat for the Swarm since their history went way back. The old rivalry had only been interrupted when the Cybrex got sealed away by their former allies who feared their growing strength. Ironically, this was the opening the Swarm needed to bounce back.

The Swarm had been preparing for this battle for a long time as it specifically studied on how to crush its robotic counterparts. Living organisms were easy to infest but robots were much more difficult. It certainly didn't help that the Cybrex created shells that prevented any Swarm cells from reaching the innards of the robot. For the Swarm, it made more sense to simply destroy the robots as opposed to wasting time infesting a few of them.
 
The Pelx are slowly collapsing, but the Soviets prepare as best they can. I can'be long until the Swarm and robots meet one another in battle, and the fate of the galaxy depends on them wiping each other out.
 
It's funny how the character focus is mostly on the Soviets and the Pelx despite the Cybrex being the Swarm's main opponent here. Our protagonists are ineffective. :D