"Greetings citizens of Japan." The Prime Minister begins as he stands in front of the Yushukan war museum with members of the Japanese Self-Defence Force and several pro heroes, most notably Endeavor. "I come to you on what will be a glorious day in our history."
Worried looks are shared within Sir Nighteye's conference room.
"For centuries Japan has been apologetic, weakening ourselves in the face of perceived foreign grievances. The aggression of the west and the barbarism of the mainland broke our once great nation. Our spirit broke as the west destroyed our cities and backstabbed our glorious armies. In the centuries since we have sat idle, relying on others to dictate the world's affairs. Posturing for peace where it was never an option." The Prime Minister continues face dark with outrage.
"I have a bad feeling about this." Kirishima says as the speech pauses to let it's message sink in.
"But now we stand on the precipice of a great leap forward. The arrival of quirks left the world scarred and broken, and the strength of the group was lost in the rising strength of the individual. War itself paused as strife from within broke lesser nations. But today it presents a new opportunity. The recently released events over I-island and the operation over Hamamatsu displayed a strength that has not existed before. With the blessing of the Hero Public Safety Commission and our number two hero Endeavor, Japan will begin mobilizing to secure it's rightful lands and resources. The Overmind will lead the assaults personally, with our hopes and blessings." The Prime Minister says with growing zeal, even as Izuku's anger became visible to the other members of the swarm who could feel their emotions being swept away by his rage.
"Long live Japan! Long live the Empire!" The Prime Minister shouts, to a great cheer of his supporters.
Silence.
No one dared speak within Nighteye's conference room. They all understood the weight of the Prime Ministers message and the cruel directive they had presented.
"I will not be able to personally assist in this mission." Izuku says stiffly. "I will send Joan to assist in my place; I have work to do." He leaves without another word, the psionic energy leaking from his otherwise stoic face betraying his rage.
Within the depths of Mei's martian lab a step towards a greater galaxy was taken to the knowledge of only a few.
"A bit of solder there and some tape here..." Mei mutters as she finishes a makeshift plug. "There it is." She says in triumph as it fits securely into the torso plug of a salvaged robot.
"Is all that really necessary?" Izuku asks as he watches with an excited Melissa.
"It is, we don't know the voltage, amperage, watts or even if it needs AC or DC current. These switches and dials along with the computer here allow us to discover the requirements as we plug it in and adjust without needing to unplug." Melissa explains as she points to the many electrical gizmos scattered around the lab.
"I see. Let's hope it's not some undiscovered type of power then." Izuku says, slightly confused.
"No! Let's hope!" Mei shouts.
"For the sake of getting this done, let's not. Earth may look a lot less friendly sooner rather than later." Izuku says.
"Fine." Mei grumbles as her machine beeps. "Ah, it has it! DC power and what a voltage!"
The robot boots suddenly and begins turning it's head wildly while speaking in an unknown dialect.
"Doesn't look like it speaks Japanese." Izuku says.
"English perhaps?" Melissa asks in her native tongue.
"Nope." Izuku remarks as the robot tilts its head and begins creating sounds followed by foriegn words.
"I think it has a first contact protocol." Melissa observes.
"That's good news, how long will this take." Izuku asks.
"Too long." Mei answers, "this is not something for brilliant minds!" She adds before racing off to a corner of her lab and grabbing a large box. "Behold, an adjutant."
"Perfect." Melissa comments as the adjutant comes online.
"Adjutant 00-01 online, Martian Research Headquarters. Submit your request." The adjutant says in their emotionless female voice.
"Speak with this robot and learn it's language, or have it learn ours." Mei instructs.
"At once. Greetings robot." The adjutant says as it turns to the robot, who replies in what sounds like a cheerful tone.
"Remind me again why we can't just plug it into a computer?" Kyoka asks as she casually walks into the lab.
"The sheer number of system vulnerabilities..." Mei mutters.
"We don't have the right plug. It's easy to copy a power outlet, since you have at most three things to worry about: positive, negative and ground. And logical design means you can figure which one is which easily. Data on the other hand, well I'll give you an old VGA cable and ask you to port it to HTMI 7 and see how well you do." Melissa explains.
"Yeah, I guess that would be tough. I'm glad audio stayed simple all these years." Kyoka says, twirling one of her jacks.
"Well, those two are really hitting it off. Let's see if we can get anything useful." Izuku says, approaching the wildly gesturing robots. "Adjutant, see if you can get a map of the galaxy out of it."
"Yes Overmind." The adjutant replies before projecting a map and gesturing to the robot.
"It is unable to assist, but it points at the other robot over there." The adjutant says, gesturing to one of the unpowered spares in the pile.
"Mei, let's power that one up." Izuku orders.
"Let me grab and set up a new power baby." Mei says quickly before rushing off.
"With any luck we will have a galactic map within the day." Melissa comments before walking off to work on other projects.
"Indeed." Izuku agrees, sitting down to focus on other bodies.
Meanwhile most of the swarm was burning off excess rage on the moon.
"You know, as fun as this training is, it isn't very realistic." Tsu comments.
"What do you mean?" Ochako asks.
"In most battles we won't have to build up a hive cluster and army on site." Tsu says.
"I think this training was also there to help us learn to build our own broods." Momo says thoughtfully.
"Probably, but I would like to focus more on combat." Tsu says.
"I think I have an idea for that." Tokoyami says with a devious smile. "It's based on the old auto battlers I played in middle school. Instead of building a base, we create a fictional currency and then use it to 'buy' waves of zerg to send at each other. With more currency gained for holding ground or perhaps winning the wave. Depends on if we send the waves on a timer or just when ready. There should also be an investment system where we sacrifice resources now to increase the currency over time."
"I like it, but we will be stuck with standard armies today, since the logistics of growing so many strains just isn't ready." Ochako says.
"Then let us clear a stadium of horrors!" Tokoyami announces.
The new training mode proved popular among the more single minded commanders that had always felt overwhelmed by the prospect of managing an economy and an army at the same time. The more intellectually driven individuals were happy to test new formations for their units and more cleanly experiment on unit strengths.
By the end of a long, but relaxing day, Ochako was declared winner after it was agreed that they could take the field as well. With the swarm automatically declaring when they were 'dead' and pulling them out with an overlord.
"Not really fair, without special units you're just too strong." Tsu complains.
"Everyone agreed to it though." Ochako argues sweetly.
"The new recruits just don't understand how ridiculously powerful you are." Tsu grumbles.
"We do now." Kendo says with some terror in her voice. Watching Ultralisks used as clubs did that to a person.
"It was a true banquet of despair." Tokoyami says darkly.
"Today we must make a decision on the swarms future." Izuku begins as he stands before every sentient in the swarm. "The Prime Minister has left us no choice but to take action."
"Can you clarify what exactly is happening?" Mina asks.
"The government is hoping to use the swarm to expand its territory and keep us occupied at the same time." Nezu explains.
"Petty terran conflicts, not enough to occupy Swarm." Abathur says.
"It is not, but that doesn't mean we should just bend over and do what they say, it sets a terrible precedent, if they can just send teenagers to war, what else will they order hero recruits to do?" Izuku asks firmly.
"They have strayed from the path of heroism for too long, I say we crush the Prime Minister and HPSC." Stain suggests.
"We can't just kill them all!" All Might shouts.
"Hold any arguments for after we have more suggestions." Izuku interrupts.
"We could just leave the planet to it's fate." Inko suggests.
"We should hold a press conference and tell the people what we think." Komori says.
"How about a compromise, we simply overthrow the government and demand a new election. If they fight back we take them down." Ochako offers.
"If we can get the Emperor on our side, that will work well." Nezu adds.
"Any other suggestions?" Izuku asks. "No? Then we will vote in an hour, either we leave the planet or we move to topple the current government. Everyone is dismissed for recess to argue your point or just rest before final arguments and a vote."
"Democracy inefficient, Overmind should just lead Swarm." Abathur says as everyone drifted off.
"If I was going to do that I wouldn't have recruited so heavily. I could have just stolen samples of their essence and created broodmothers." Izuku argues. "Their input prevents stupid mistakes. This provides long term efficiency."
"I see, will calculate." Abathur says before slithering back to the evolution pit.
"Hey Izuku, where is Eri?" Tsu asks in her usual stoic tone.
"I left her with the queens, she's grown attached to them." Izuku answers fondly.
"Is it safe? The queens don't usually babysit some one so squishy." Tsu asks.
"No harm will come to her in their care, queens are extremely protective by nature." Izuku explains.
"I'm not worried about physical harm, I know kids and they will put all kinds of things in their mouths. Do the queens know how to keep her from getting infested?" Tsu asks.
"Umm..." Izuku mutters while searching for Eri through the hive mind. "She's playing in a spawning pool with a few resculings."
"Is that safe?" Tsu asks.
"Sure, it's very good for the skin actually, makes it baby soft, some of the best rejuvenation you can find. As long as you don't drink it..." Izuku explains before trailing off as he watches Eri splash a zergling.
"Did I hear good for the skin?" Momo asks, rushing towards the pair.
"Spawning pools, check it out later." Tsu says, "Now Izuku what's with the pause."
"Got to go!" Izuku shouts before running off at full speed. Momo turns to Tsu in confusion but finds she has run off as well, not wanting to miss whatever was happening she follows.
Only a few moments later they arrive at the spawning pool, finding Eri happily splashing away.
"Eri, where did you put your clothes?" Tsu asks as she searches around the pool.
"They disappeared when I touched the pool." Eri says, "I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault." Izuku says immediately, "It's just clothes, I'll find you a replacement. we should have some of my old clothes somewhere."
"We can't put her in boy's clothes." Momo says with outrage.
"Mom only kept my All Might onesies anyway, they are unisex." Izuku says, "And what's wrong with wearing boys clothes for a little while?"
"Yeah, my younger sister wears my younger brothers hand-me-downs from time to time. Is that outrageous?" Tsu asks.
"No, I just... I just want the best for her." Momo says, using Uwabami's training in dodging questions.
"Let's just move on." Izuku says, "Eri, did you drink from the pool?"
"No." Eri says before looking away, "Maybe a little."
"Let's bring you to Abathur for a check-up." Izuku says.
"He's not a doctor, is he?" Eri asks nervously.
"Not at all, in fact doctors wouldn't enter his lair if their lives were on the line." Izuku answers.
"Is it that dirty?" Eri asks.
"Not dirty as much as slimy and pulsing." Izuku explains.
"Cool." Eri says.
"Woah." Eri says in awe as they enter Abathurs room in the evolution pit. "Can I touch that?" she asks pointing at one of the pulsating eggs.
"Later Eri, let's get Abathur's examination done first." Izuku says kindly.
"Okay." Eri responds.
"Greetings Overmind. New mining strain complete, Tool arms quirk from nomu well adjusted to enlarged drone body."
"Wonderful Abathur, now we just need a brood to add them to." Izuku says, "But more importantly I need you to check this little one for infestation."
"Hmm, hand over." Abathur says, before accepting Eri into his arms, "Terran larva? Young and undeveloped. Can offer faster aging."
"Umm...okay?" Eri mumbles turning to Izuku.
"Not now Abathur, and no modifications to children." Izuku orders.
"Would he do it?" Momo asks.
"Probably." Tsu responds.
"Slight presence of zerg virus detected, two weeks until full infestation. Can reduce." Abathur declares.
"No uncontrolled infestation." Izuku says with an eye roll, "We'll have to bring her in properly."
"Is there no other option?" Momo asks.
"Not at all, once the zerg virus infects you it's impossible for modern medicine to remove or even stabilize. Only Abathur and myself can even help someone retain their sentience." Izuku explains.
"That's unfortunate." Momo says sadly.
"Well, let's just give her a simple body with her quirk for now." Izuku says, "we can grow it over time and add modifications as she grows older."
"Will take time, will miss meeting." Abathur says.
"Send an evolution apprentice as a stand-in, this is more important." Izuku says.
"Will do so in future, choice unnecessary for evolution." Abathur says before turning and starting his work.
"Alright Eri, we'll take you back to the queens for now." Izuku says.
"Can I say here?" Eri asks.
"Abathur can't watch you while he's working, there are a lot of dangerous things in here." Izuku says.
"Aww..." Eri pouts.
"Once you're part of the swarm, you will be free to go where you want." Izuku says.
"Okay, Hurry Abathur!" Eri shouts.
"Work at maximum pace. Delicate work, failure not acceptable." Abathur responds in an almost fond tone.
"Sorry, we're late." Izuku says as they return to the meeting. "Eri got herself into a bit of trouble."
"What kind of trouble?" Inko asks, worried.
"Infested herself." Izuku says bluntly.
"Oops." Mina comments.
"After this vote, you will have some explaining to do." Inko says in a tone that drew fear from most of the swarm.
"It was nobody's fault." Izuku says calmly.
"We will see." Inko responds.
AN: I don't think many expected that outcome. What kind of politician just throws away an asset? use and abuse it first. The location of the speech is a bit of an easter egg to Japanese history and cultural enthusiasts by the way. Also the new training is similar to the SC2 arcade mode Direct Strike, which just throws army formations at each other. I just added the ability to properly control units, and there you have it, a battle training without all the base set-up stuff.
I had to find a way to infest Eri, but couldn't just have it done. That would be morally dubious at best. Hopefully the accidentally ingested something fits well enough.
While a swarm host body would be interesting, changelings or just creating a strain does this just as well. And the cerebrates are such an interesting concept that I'm sad they got rid of entirely, I mean broodmothers are good, but why not both right?
The Siege Brood, led by Momo and Kyoka, was created with the new Yaororo-extractor as a cornerstone to the broods tactics, the near limitless resources enabling a diverse and advanced brood. Where the Blitz brood is like a blunt instrument and the Elite forces is like a scalpel, the siege brood is like an industrial shredder, anything that enters it's sight is slowly but surely reduced to dust. On the ground they have opted for a full assortment of zerg defensive structures, both to defend their bases and to help hold their siege lines. Bile launchers support the usual spine and spore crawlers, and scourge nests clear the skies. The brood also utilizes the nydus network, with the enhanced omega worms providing fast reinforcement and detection on demand. Raptorlings and vile roaches form the base of the broods ground forces with hydralisk support. Lurkers are available for even more defensive might as are swarm hosts of the creeper strain, enhancing the broods creep spread to truly monumental levels. Infestors, queens and Torrasques provide specialist support. In the air the brood utilizes both mutalisks and corruptors to patrol the skies evolving into vipers and broodlords as needed for support.
As the most well rounded of all broods, the Siege Brood can engage more diverse threats for longer periods than other broods, at the cost of being slower to get it's attacks going and taking more resources to maintain, not that the brood is lacking.