Story - HWC Onslaught is set five years after the events of the Cataclysm. The dispersed remnants of the beast fleet are being hunted down and eradicated by Kith Somtaaw, and factions within the "Beast Slayer" Kith now compete aggressively (often violently) for the generous bounties on offer for each confirmed kill.

Somtaaw Bounty Hunters
[Message to Kith Somtaaw from Kith Sjet]

"A new and virulent strain of the beast has been detected in the wilderness zone between Higara and Kharak. The ongoing success of our sterilization policy has forced it to adapt. Unlike other beast remnants we’ve encountered do far, this strain has upgraded to full sentience. What limited reports we have from the area suggest that it has acquired a variety of new ship designs, including a new mothership class vessel. It has also adapted its infection technology to partially overcome our immunity systems! Thankfully the strain appears to be split into competing colonies rather than a single intelligence. However, should any part of it escape into the uncharted territories it would pose a serious ongoing threat.

Bounties for the confirmed destruction of each beast colony in the area have been tripled. A vast Command Base has been provided for you, and new ship construction programs have been uploaded to your manufacturing bays. Seek out the new strain. Prevent its escape. Leave nothing alive."

The Beast: Mutated Strain
[Command Self (new designate) to all Sub Selves]

"Root Self has been destroyed; Command Self has been destroyed. Great knowledge is lost. Hostile parts seek us and cause harm. Breeding colonies in this territory is abandoned. All Selves, come to us; we are now Command Self! This territory has become resistant; we will flee to dark spaces between the clusters where resistant parts cannot find us. New Selves will be constructed with parts we have consumed in this territory. All Selves will join us or be destroyed. Hostile parts will attempt to contain us; we will take them."