Chapter 3: Revelations and Preparations

"Thank you for helping her. It really does mean a lot to me." Rose smiled.

Hector walked over to where Sara and his mom were. "Sara, do you want to stay with mommy, or come with me?"

Sara looked at Hector, confused. "She isn't coming with us?"

Hector shook his head. "She needs to stay here and rest. Sorry." Sara looked back and forth between Hector and her mother. Rebecca spoke up. "Go with your brother, Sara. Don't worry about me." Sara nodded, hugged her mother again, then went with Hector as they worked their way back to the Brood Chamber.

Hector and Sara arrived back at the Brood Chamber with twenty Zerglings, the other eight staying behind to protect Rose, Daniel, and Rebecca. On their way back, Hector had realized something about the creep. In StarCraft 2, creep killed the foliage that it came in contact with, but the trees in the forest were alive and well, if not better off. Hector wondered why that was.

Overlord?

Yes, Overmind?

Why is the creep growing on the trees?

The creep is leeching energy from the trees, Overmind.

Wouldn't that kill it, though?

The creep enhances the tree's ability to create food. The creep nourishes the tree, and the tree nourishes the Swarm. Your Swarm, Overmind.

Will it do this with animals?

No, Overmind. The creep will only take from animals. Of course, the animal would notice it, and simply move away.

So an animal could be killed by the creep?

Yes, but it is unlikely. It would have to stay on the creep for an extended period.

Will it kill animals on its own?

Only if you will it to.

I see. That is all.

Hector withdrew from the Overlord's mind, and returned to his own. Hector entered the Brood Chamber, which was now fairly well-lit by the sac, which glowed orange. How much energy had been gathered?

Evolutionary Stage: 1

Overmind Bio Energy: 25/500

Bio Energy Reserve: 110

Hector was surprised. Quite a bit of energy had been gathered. How should he spend it? If what the Overlord had said was anything to go on, increasing his creep spread would provide even more energy. However, increasing his territory meant that he would need a larger standing force to protect it, which in turn would need more Overlords to watch over them. At the time, Larva wasn't an issue, as there were now hundreds of the creatures milling about near the Brood Chamber. He found himself thinking back to something he had noticed earlier. What had it been? He thought for a second, and soon the information presented itself to him.

Brood Queen: Zerg Lesser Matriarch. Can accelerate Larva production, heal Zerg bio-forms, and inject Non-Zerg bio-forms with parasites or Broodlings. Costs 30 bio-energy.

Hector figured that the Brood Queen was a mix of the original and new queens. He had made up his mind. He decided to morph in a Brood Queen, a new Overlord, ten more Drones, and a hundred Zerglings.

The Drones and Zerglings hatched around the same time. Hector had the Drones join the other drones in gathering Chimera corpses, and had the new Zerglings protect them and patrol the creep. The new Overlord hatched soon after, and Hector sent it to hover over Rose and Daniel's cave. If they got into trouble, Hector wanted to be able to protect his mother. The Brood Queen, however, took longer to hatch. The sun had begun dipping below the horizon by the time the Brood Queen hatched.

The Brood Queen more resembled the StarCraft 2 ground queen than the original queen. She had ten separate legs, three on each side for movement, two longer ones on her back for defense, and two in front for manipulating objects that ended in hands. From her spidery body, a more humanoid body sprouted at the front, and a fluid filled sac sat behind it. The Brood Queen's face, though, looked almost human. Hector reached his mind out to the Brood Queen.

Brood Queen?

What would you have of me, Overmind? The voice was soft and firm, in stark contrast to the Overlord's.

The Swarm needs to grow. I want you to accelerate the Brood Chamber's larva production.

Of course, Overmind. Hector left the Brood Queen's mind, and it approached the Chamber. Hector watched, curious of what it would do.

The Brood Queen pointed her fluid-filled abdomen towards the outer wall of the Chamber. A green liquid sprayed from the sac, and, where it contacted the Chamber, egg sacs slowly formed. The Brood Queen walked around the Chamber, spraying away. It came full circle, and Hector noticed that its fluid sac had emptied considerably.

Minutes later, the sacs lining the Chamber burst, and Larva crawled out of the eggs. Hector was impressed. He had expected a few new Larva, not dozens. He entered the Brood Queen's mind.

Incredible. You have greatly helped grow the Swarm.

It was my pleasure, Overmind.

How long will it take for you to spawn more Larva?

It will take a few hours, Overmind.

Very well. Rest until then.

Thank you, Overmind.

Hector returned to his body. Sara was staring wide-eyed at the new arrival. "What is it?" She asked.

"It's a Brood Queen. It makes more Larva."

"Can I be a princess?" Sara looked up at her brother, eyes still wide.

Hector smiled. "You already are." He looked up at the sky. It was getting late, and he could already see some stars. "It's late. We should get to sleep." Sara nodded, and started walking off to the cave.

"Where are you going, Sara?" Hector called.

Sara turned to him. "What do you mean?"

"We can sleep here." Sara smiled, and walked back over to him. They walked into the Brood Chamber.

Inside, there was a deep red glow from the energy sac. Hector willed it to dim slightly, so that it wouldn't keep them awake. He turned to Sara. "Go to sleep." She nodded, and laid down, resting her head on her arm. Hector watched with slight alarm as creep grew over her sleeping body. The realization hit him a moment later. It was a blanket. The creep below her head raised slightly, making a pillow. He smiled.

Overlord?

Overmind?

Wake me if something happens that requires my attention, or when the sun rises.

Yes, Overmind.

Hector closed his eyes, and drifted off into sleep.

The Overlord woke Hector. He quickly came to his senses, a reaction born of necessity.

Yes, Overlord?

This planet's sun has appeared on the horizon.

Thank you.

Hector stood up and, after stretching for a moment, left the Brood Chamber. As he emerged, his eyes took a moment to adjust to the light level. Hector noticed that his clothes were covered in the creep, which he brushed off. Near the edge of the clearing, the Brood Queen attended the larva. Hector marveled at the sight. There was more to his Swarm than he realized.

Brood Queen?

Yes, Overmind? The Brood queen quickly turned to her master.

Are you able to spawn more larva yet?

Yes, Overmind.

Please do so.

As you wish, Overmind.

Hector left the Brood Queen to her duties, and contacted the Overlord hovering above Rose's cave.

Overlord?

What is your wish, Overmind?

How are the humans from yesterday?

They are untouched by the native creatures of this world, Overmind.

And the Zerglings guarding them?

Still in the same strength as they were when you slept, Overmind.

Have they made any kills?

Several, Overmind.

Overlord, could you direct the Drones to gather the corpses?

Of course, Overmind.

Thank you.

It is my pleasure, Overmind.

Hector left the Overlord's consciousness, and pulled up his bio energy reserves. He was happy to see that his own personal stockpile had grown to thirty-five, and the reserve had reached 100. Hector quickly morphed in another Overlord, twenty more drones, and another hundred Zerglings. A half hour later, Hector had the Zerglings join the others patrolling the creep. From what the Overlord had said yesterday, expanding his creep coverage would improve the rate at which he could gather energy. He contacted the newly born Overlord.

Overlord? Are there any clearings in the forest that have been covered by the creep?

Allow me a moment to check. After a few moments, the Overlord reported.

Overmind, there are several clearings within your parameters.

Hector paused. What would allow his creep to expand? The answer soon appeared.

Creep Colony: Projects creep (2.5 miles), Capable of defense. Costs one Drone, 50 bio energy.

Overlord, when we have amassed fifty units of bio energy, send a Drone to the clearing closest to the river.

As you command, Overmind.

Hector left the Overlord, and, his maintenance of the Swarm done for now, returned to the Chamber to wake his sister.

His sister was sound asleep. Hector knelt beside her and shook her gently. "Sara, wake up." Sara slowly opened her eyes, and the creep receded, allowing her freedom of movement. Hector brushed bits of creep off her clothes. "Good morning, Sara."

She smiled. "Good morning."

"How are you?" Hector asked. Sara rubbed her stomach. "I'm hungry." Hector nodded, and walked over to where the bodies of the Screechers had been stored. The creep flashed white for a moment, heating the bodies within, before parting, allowing Hector to break off a leg effortlessly.

He walked back over to his sister, and gave her the leg of meat. "Eat up."

After she had eaten breakfast, the two decided that they would see how their mother was doing. With thirty Zerglings guarding them, Hector and Sara made it to the river without incident. They crossed the river, and Hector caught a glimpse of Drones dragging a Chimera corpse across the river downstream of them, their winged bodies floating atop the water. Across the river, Hector was surprised to see everyone awake already. Daniel stood at the entrance to the cave, standing watch.

Daniel waved them over, and Sara immediately ran into her mother's waiting arms. Hector walked up to Daniel. "I never got to ask you yesterday. How is it that you and Rose managed to be here when our mom needed you?"

A tear rolled down Daniel's eye. "We came from a village not too far from here, called Drex. A few days ago, slavers from Aetrix came and demanded that the women and children go with them. When we refused, they attacked. We were the only survivors, and I am ashamed to say that we only survived because we hid. We are both Magic users. I am a light adept, she is a darkness adept. We made ourselves invisible, and we fled."

Tears ran down Hector's face. "You weren't the only survivors. My mother, Rebecca, my little sister, Sara, and myself are also survivors." Hector embraced Daniel. Daniel returned the embrace, then held Hector at arm's length. Another tear streamed down his face.

"You're the spitting image of Timothy."

Hector's eyes widened. "Y-you knew dad?"

Daniel nodded. "We grew up together. I only moved to Drex a day before the slavers came. How is he? Is he with you?"

Hector shook his head. "He died protecting us."

Daniel's eyes closed, allowing the news of his friend's death to sink in. "Bastards. They will pay."

Hector took a step back. Daniel's eyes filled with hate and sorrow. A soft glow pushed through Daniel's skin, as though it were on fire underneath. It only lasted for a moment, but Hector knew what it meant. Daniel had moved up a class. The loss of his friend had pushed him past the threshold into his next level.

Hector spoke softly. "We will make them pay for it, but we can't just rush headlong into this. We would come out of it worse than when we came into it. Do you understand?"

Daniel looked into Hector's eyes, and took a deep breath. "I understand." They hugged again, then Hector went into the cave to see his mother.

He walked into the cave just in time to see something extraordinary. His sister was sitting next to their mother, her hands on their mom's leg stump, which was bleeding. A soft glow escaped from Sara's hands, and Hector saw the bleeding slow, and eventually stop. Had he just seen what he thought he had seen? Hector walked up to his mom, eying the stump. It had stopped bleeding. He confirmed it when he removed the bandages.

Hector turned to Sara, his eyes wide. "Sara... Do you know what you just did?"

Sara shook her head. "Was it bad? Did I hurt Mommy?"

Hector quickly shook his head. "Nonono, I think you actually helped her. Sara... You can use life magic."

Rebecca stared at him. "Are you sure? I mean, what you are saying has serious implications."

Hector looked at his mother. "Your leg stopped bleeding, mom. That is proof enough."

Hector's mind was still reeling. Magic was broken into eight major groups: fire, water, earth, wind, energy, light, darkness, and life. Being a life adept was rare, less than 1%. That his little sister was one was incredible. But at only five, she wouldn't be able to do much with her powers.

Hector hugged Rebecca. "Don't worry, mom. I won't let anything happen to her. Right now I need you to focus on getting better."

His mother smiled. "Thank you, Hector."

He turned to Sara. "Do you want to stay with mommy for a bit longer?" Sara nodded. "OK. When you are done, just come straight back, OK?" She nodded again. Hector kissed her forehead, then walked out of the cave.

Hector returned to the Brood Chamber, and sent the Zerglings that had guarded him back to the cave. Multiple thoughts were racing through his mind, but all were stopped short when the Overlord floating above the river contacted him.

Overmind, there is a group of armed humans approaching.

What? Show me! In the Overlord's mind, Hector saw about two dozen armed men marching towards the river. Ten of the men had axes, and ten had swords. The other four carried the distinctive staves of Adepts. Hector was about to dismiss them when he saw that one of them was holding a banner. Hector only knew which city it represented because it had been the same banner that had flown when Drex was razed. The banner was that of the city of Aetrix, and they had returned.

Overlord, call 100 Zerglings to the cave near the river.

Would you have me command them if combat begins, Overmind?

No. This is personal.

Tsumaniatuzen1

Sara is Hector's sister, and Rebecca is his mother.

What happened with the Ironback was a fluke, pure luck. It was distracted by the three at the cave, and so wasn't expecting to be hit from behind. When it sat down on the Zergling, it couldn't get up because by then there was too much weight, and it was already losing blood anyways. In a head-on battle, the Ironback would've easily taken out more than the two it did here.

Kane

Rebecca will get her leg back. The Zerg will play a part in this, but not in the way you would think.