Chapter One: We Require More Minerals!
I open my eyes after what feels like an eternity. I can move again, and not just the futile squirming I was limited to as a Larva. I feel much stronger now, like I can take on the world. First, however, I need to get out of this egg. I want to see what's out there! Just a few good pushes should do it! Aha, there we go!
I feel myself finally tear out of the odd, fleshy case that was my egg. Whew, thank the Broodmother! It's not exactly cozy in there. Warm, and safe, sure, but very boring. For a moment, though, I almost miss it. Now that I look around at it, the new world around me is vast and scary. I feel so vulnerable and exposed outside of my egg, but underneath my leathery wings, I feel the soft dampness of creep underneath me, and familiarity reassures me. I stretch out my body to test all my new muscles, and figure out what I am. So many different Zerg, so many different possibilities! Being a Zergling would be pretty neat, they're the popular ones that get all the attention. And they get a pool! Or maybe I'm a Roach, or a Mutalisk with those awesome wings! Ooh! Maybe I'm even a Queen!
Wait. Oh no. I'm very low to the ground, and I see two really big claws in front of my beady eyes. I'm a Drone. Come on! I couldn't have been something a little cooler? I can't fight or spit acid or do anything! Hello? Miss Queen of Blades? You're lame! I hate you! And I hope Raynor hates you too! Oh, yeah, we know everything about that, missy, it's no secret.
A scent that's never really caught my interest before suddenly distracts me from my venting. Sniff, sniff... hmm... not sure what it is... Oh. I figure it out as I look to my left. Whatever. It seems to be coming from those stupid minerals over there - Hold on a minute! Sniff, sniff... Did I say stupid? I meant shiny! Shiny and beautiful blue crystals within my reach. Instinct is kicking in. I want them. I want them all!
Scuttling over to the crystals, I lift up my large claws to begin scratching away. Satisfaction fills my thoughts as the minerals seem to crumble at my touch. Scooping up the tiny jewel-like grains I shaved off, I happily carry them to the - What? Wait, no! These are mine! Mine! I don't want to give them to the hatchery! I don't know what they do with them! They don't love the minerals like I do, we have a special connection! Despite my protests, I am helpless as I dump the minerals into the hatchery, and watch as my lovely collection is absorbed into the fleshy mound of... I don't even know what. Whatever. You better appreciate my donation, because you're not getting any more from me! I don't care what the Overlords say! Viva la revolucion! Drones shall rise and rule the - oh, who am I kidding?
I hear the sounds of flesh sliding apart next to me, and I see that my brothers and sisters are now hatching at a rapid rate. More Drones. Yaaay. They're going to want to take more of my precious minerals. Well, did anyone ever think to ask ME if I was interested in sharing? No? Well, I'm going to tell you anyway: I'm not. No one listens to me, though. Go ahead, guys. Take all the minerals and space you want, I don't mind one bit. Speaking of bits, time to grab more minerals.
As I scrape away at the crystals, a strange thought enters my brain: I wonder what they taste like. I look to see if any of my new fellow Drones are watching, but they're too busy digging away at the minerals to really care about me. Hmph, love you guys too... but yeah, keep looking away, please. I lift a tiny sky-blue shard of rock to my mandibles, and gingerly taste it. Hmm... that's disgusting. It tastes like a putrid mix of dust and disappointment. I was expecting something sickeningly sweet that would bring my taste receptors into blissful overload. I glance up from my meal of lies to look at the large hunk of mineral still standing in front of me. I don't love you anymore. We're done, and I will make sure I never see you again. I begin digging again with renewed enthusiasm. This job suddenly just got a whole lot more fulfilling.
Wait, what? I feel myself being pulled away from my victim. No! I wasn't done yet! I struggle against an invisible force that continues to tug at my being. I soon grow tired though, and I feel myself moving further and further away from the mineral field. None of the other Drones seem to notice, and keep on working. I guess as long as SOMEONE destroys them all, I don't care, I'm just sorry it can't be me.
Umm. What? I moved away from the base. I can't see it anymore. I'm in the middle of nowhere, and completely lost. To be honest, I'm probably going to die out here. I feel myself moving again. Wouldn't it be smarter just to stay put and NOT go blindly wandering? Hello? Feet? Are you even listening to me!? Ugh. Whatever! I guess I'll go look around. There better not be anyone else out here... or I'm in big trouble.