The Grand Battle [Game Over!]

Originally posted on MSPA by Dragon Fogel.

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Eximo suddenly stopped.

"This chamber has been sufficiently cleansed. Proceeding to next location."

The bizarre vacuum-construct left the bedroom by breaking a hole in the door. This was a design flaw that had never been fixed; the fortress it had previously maintained was designed with special doors that would automatically open for it. At least it was fairly good at *detecting* doors, as long as it wasn't outside.

Now in the hallway, Eximo analyzed its surroundings once more.

"Status: Filthy. Objective acquired: Cleanse."

Eximo proceeded to clean the hallway. Before long, however, it paused momentarily.

"Passive scan has detected possible lifeforms. Proceeding with active scan."

A panel on the abomination opened. A skeletal arm emerged, holding a strange beeping device. Eximo turned in the direction of the main entrance, pointing its new appendage at the door. (Why it never used the arm for opening doors was a mystery its creator had thus far been unable to solve.)

"Presence of lifeforms confirmed. Potential for interference: Moderate. Priming defense systems."

The vacuum withdrew its arm and resumed its cleaning. At the same time, it began to glow a strange, eldritch shade of green...