Chapter 40: Major Battle 6: The Castle of Dreams

Ever since the research facility had fallen under the ground, coming to a stop several levels down all they way to the lowest part of Empire City, the morale of the gilanian soldier defenders had reached an all-time low. Several nydus worms have sprouted around the area where the research facility had fallen through, and had already vomited forth several zerg strains. When drones and queens emerged from the nydus worms, the soldiers of the Golden Star Empire, and its differing divisions, were met with a difficult task that became next to impossible to eradicate. Once the drones morphed into bio-structures, and the queens made their creep tumors, there was little that could deter the infestation at that moment.

The anti-riot bots that were sent against the zerglings had been shot down by the hydralisks, effectively being out-ranged by their spines. The Crescent Arms soldiers tried to flank the zerg and prevent their swarm from gaining further ground, but the lurkers and ravagers had halted their attempts completely. Shadow assassins did everything they could to try and infiltrate into the zerg infestation, but the spore crawlers and overseers quickly stopped all of their further attempts. The Torus Chain division had set up various defensive structures, ranging from automated turrets that can strike underground targets or magic wall emitters that halted zergling progress, but the zerg continued to push through using a swarm of banelings to blast apart the sentries and oval path blocking devices. Once the aberrations later joined with the swarms of zerglings, it had only made it that much more difficult for the Golden Star soldiers to rid the zerg from their home.

Within Empire City's city hall, Lieutenant Braxog pounded on his desk within the makeshift command center, which was built within a high ranking office that could house a mayor in a mayoral position. But in reality, on Prison Planet Kiln, the colonels of the Torus Chain Divisions acted in a similar role as a mayor in all gilanian settlements that are either owned or conquered by Emperor Gollog. The exception to that rule was practiced in the unaligned settlements, with Baroness Tak at Citadel Gargantua being an example. "DAMN! EVERY! FUCKING! JAG! ZERG!" Braxog complained loudly.

[Annoyed.] Commander Guik said through Braxog's communication system on his desk. [The zerg infestation is no longer containable. I am saddened by the possible scenario of Empire City being taken by the zerg infestation.]

Braxog hissed and bit his lip as he leaned forward, his dialysis machine being brought to lean with him as he pulled the tubes of the machine with him. "If my colonel was here, he could sort this out easily. But no, he said that he had a bad feeling in his gut! Imagine that! A gut feeling! What a rotten day to take a sick leave! This is so like him to act ill when the pressure gets too high!"

[Indifferent. You can write a formal complaint later. Your services in staving the zerg infestation is our main priority.]

Braxog hissed again. "Even if I pulled a miracle out of my cloaca, I would still doubt that I can reclaim this city on my own! I'd rather issue an evacuation order and get the troops out of here! ... Say... I wonder if I can request to evacuate into your Pyramidal Guard Division facility? That seems like the safest place to find refuge in, as of right now."

[Disgusted. I will not fulfill such a request. I can predict with utmost certainty that you time within our walls will mainly involve ogling and flirting with the personnel in my facility. Request denied.]

Braxog sighed and slumped in his seat. "Aw. I really wanted to see what a shadow assassin looked like too."

[Enervated. I doubt an active shadow assassin would ever allow you to see her during work hours.]

"Eh. ... In any case, I just might order all troops to evacuate the city anyway. I can see a lost cause when the fight is at the later stages of the conflict, and this is one of them." Braxog said, sighing.

[I gave out no such orders.] The familiar voice of General Pallax said, coming from Braxog's communication system. [It is true that Colonel Vodnum is getting treated for his illness, but you did agree to work in his stead nonetheless.]

"So what do you expect me to do? Die here?" Braxog asked. "Commander Guik's shadow assassins have also failed in their missions too! I'll even assume that they were trying to deliver bombs to the zerg's entry point into this city, but got stopped by some kind of specialist zerg organism, or whatever."

[Defensive.] Guik replied. [That information is confidential, and is not to be discussed openly.]

[I'll have to agree with Commander Guik here, Lieutenant Braxog.] Pallax said. [No discussion of tactics on the radio. We don't know how widespread the doppelgangers are, and every doppelganger is but another spy that informs the zerg's master. Use the shadow frequency if you need to.]

"Hrmm... Yes general, sir." Braxog complied with a slight groan.

[And a side note.] Pallax added. [If I hear you so much as sound the retreat, or if I hear that you fled from the city when there is still a zerg infestation inhibiting the infrastructure, then I will sentence your life to Death Without End as punishment of your treasonous insubordination. Have I made myself clear?]

Braxog gulped, feeling his heart tighten from Pallax's words. "Sir, yes sir."

[Good. Commander Guik, let us talk privately now.]

[Eager. Yes, general.]

After that communique between himself, the commander of the Pyramidal Guard Division, and the general of the four armies, the communication system finally went silent. Braxog sighed again and got up from his desk's seat and unholstered two pistols from two holsters on his hips. He took in a deep breath and roared at his men. "ALRIGHT, YOU FUCKING INGRATES, LISTEN UP! THE ZERG ARE GOING TO INVADE THE UPPER LEVELS OF OUR CITY AND WE'RE GOING TO GIVE THEM HELL! I ORDER YOU ASSHOLES OUTSIDE THIS BUILDING TO FORM SNIPER TEAMS OVERLOOKING EVERY POSSIBLE ENTRANCE INTO THIS BUILDING! I ALSO NEED THESE HALLS BARRICADED! EACH JUNCTURE WILL BE MAINTAINED BY A SQUAD IN EACH HALL! EACH OF THESE SQUADS WILL DEFEND THE JUNCTURES AND KEY POINTS, BUT A FEW DEDICATED ASSISTING SQUADS WILL COUNTER-ATTACK ANY ZERG THEY ENGAGE! I NEED PATROLS THAT WILL PROVIDE SUPPORT WHEN NEEDED, AND A SPECIALIZED TEAM THAT WILL DRAW ATTENTION WHEN THE ORDER TO RETREAT HAS BEEN ISSUED! SHOOT FOR THE EYES IF YOU CAN! THEIR HIDE IS TOO TOUGH FOR CONVENTIONAL WEAPONS, BUT THE ORBITAL PLATE, ALSO KNOWN AS THE EYE SOCKETS FOR YOU INBRED TYPES, IS THE THINNEST PART OF THEIR SKULLS! IF A JAG ZERG CRITTER IS LOOKING AT YOU, AND YOU SHOOT IT IN ITS EYES, THEN YOU CAN PRETTY MUCH KILL IT IN ONE SHOT! MANY OF THESE CREATURES HAVE MULTIPLE EYES, AND SOME OF THEM HAVE NONE, BUT THEY ALL FALL DOWN ALL THE SAME WHEN ENOUGH FIREPOWER OVERWHELMS THEM! YOU HAVE YOUR ORDERS, GENTS! MAKE THEM COUNT!"

Truthfully, if Lieutenant Braxog had known that a changelisk was in earshot of his orders, then the fight within the city hall would have went far more differently. Already, the disguised changelisk had sabotaged the only MEM device in the building, which would make any attempt of retreat to safer locations horribly difficult for the last remaining defenders of Empire City.

The creep was spreading across the ground like how a slime mold would search along a surface for food. The queens were quick to create the creep tumors at the edges of the creep made by the nydus worms, increasing their coverage on the detailed ground. This creep gave all ground strains of the zerg a boost to their already impressive speed, enabling the zerg to reach their battles even faster. As with all engagements, the zerglings were often the first to find a fight.

The city hall was well defended by several automated turrets, and several more were being placed as the defenders retreated inside of the city hall building. They prepared to barricade themselves inside as they expected the worst to come.

Kay figured that if he sent his roaches first, then his ravagers second, he could use the roaches to distract the turrets long enough for the ravagers to barrage the turrets with globs of corrosive bile. The snipers might be a problem since there wasn't any overseers currently in the top levels of the city, but setting up a hatchery cluster next to the amassed nydus worms that sank the research facility could solve that problem quickly. Once the snipers were discovered by the newly morphed overseers, the hydralisks could counter-snipe them with ease. Getting through the city hall's barricades would hold little resistance if a baneling or two suicides it open. Hell, the banelings could make new entrances as well, giving the zerg new entry points into the building quite easily. Lurkers would be positioned around the building to prevent anyone from leaving, while the zerglings would rush in and hunt down the remaining defenders.

Kay sighed as he turned away from the city hall and focused on a completely different obstacle. The white opalescent doors that marked the path leading to Gollog's castle. It was fifteen meters tall and ten meters wide. The door was pentagonal in shape, and was more of a tall rectangular shape that had extra room at the top of the door. At that moment, Kay was unsure if he should knock on the door or force his way through. "Hmm."

'Is there something troubling you?' Virid asked. She had been busy sorting through the wreckage inside and around Cube Research Station S-01.

'Can't decide if I should be polite and ring the doorbell, or make my own entrance.' Kay answered.

'The Swarm is rarely polite. Smash through the gate and be done with it.'

Kay smiled and shook his head. 'Now now, Virid. Royalty requires a personal touch, and I plan on savoring the punishment I am going to give Gollog. It's gotta be at the right time, and at the right moment.'

'Then I suggest you to personally refrain from entering the castle altogether. Have a changelisk assume your appearance and have it go in your stead.'

Kay sighed. 'But Commander Faddoh had created that scanner technology, and he installed it on his camera system in his research station without me knowing about it. How he did that when there was a zergling infestation happening within his facility is beyond me, but he proved to be far more resourceful than I had estimated him at that moment. I am willing to assume that Gollog has scanner cameras inside his gaudy home too. It'd be a perfect opportunity to set up a trap.'

Virid emerged from a nearby nydus worm, carrying an aquarium as she walked towards Kay. 'If Gollog has indeed prepared for our arrival, then we must also assume that he has erected defenses to prevent his home from being invaded.'

'Sad to admit, but it's a possibility. Heheh, who knows what kind of tricks he has in store in there!' Kay said, chuckling slightly.

'On the topic of tricks, Commander Faddoh had something stored in his chamber. I believe we can use it.' Virid said, setting the aquarium down onto the ground.

Kay turned around to see what Virid had meant, and his facial features turned from one of concern to interest the next. "Oh!" Kay walked up to the aquarium and peered into in, inspecting its insides. The inside of the tank contained what looked like twigs and leaves covered with... 'Plant lice?'

'That is what they seem to be. Since Corvurn isn't here, you will have to facilitate in his role again.'

'Ugh, I dunno. After last time, I was more thinking I'd hold off on doing... that again.' Kay said, remembering the taste of churned jellyfish. '... Also, how did the aquarium survive when the research station crashed through so many floors?'

Virid stared at Kay for a few seconds before hissing. 'Kay, be reasonable. If the jellyfish you ate had not given our swarm the ability to regress into their previous transformations, then I would not consider asking this from you. But seeing how effective you are able to weave the genetics of the jellyfish into our brood, I would recommend eating these insects. And for your information, the aquarium was an inset aquarium. All I needed to do was pull it out of the wall.'

'Huh... Well, I still don't want to eat the bugs.' Kay said, crossing his arms and staring back at Virid. '... Unless I really have to.'

The pause between Kay and Virid lasted for several seconds. Virid decided to break the silence with an annoyed hiss. 'If it wasn't for you eating the jellyfish, we wouldn't have created the distraction in the research facility in the first place. Would you put this off later knowing that there is another biological advantage that could be achieved by eating Commander Faddoh's pets?'

Kay paused for a longer while before sighing. "... Fuck." Kay turned slowly to the aquarium and carefully opened it. After digging his hand into the aquarium, he had carefully stripped branch and leaf of their plant lice. He deposited them into his maw, scrunching his face as he filled his mouth with a mouthful of green bugs. After a few careful chews, he gulped the minuscule morsels. Unlike the salty taste of the jellyfish, the plant lice actually had a more pleasant flavor, similar to sweet flakes of dried honey. And the flickering of many skittering legs trying to find a way out. "... Blugh."

Virid sighed as she analyzed Kay's munching on the mouthful of insects. 'I trust that your success from the last organism you ate will carry over and reward the swarm once again.'

'Yeah yeah I get it. Stop talking for a few seconds. I need to concentrate.' Kay closed his eyes and took in a deep breath before he focused on his body, and the genetic data that was introduced to it. The first time Kay did this, all he had was the knowledge of how to manipulate essense that Corvurn was able to impart, which granted him some shared experience on how to genetically create new mutations for the Swarm. But now, Kay was slowly getting the hang of altering and changing the genetic code from a template DNA blueprint from one organism, and grafting the key genetic strands into the Zerg Swarm. This process took a little more time than before, as half a minute had already passed. '... Alright, I think I have done it.' Kay said, getting onto his knees as he leaned forward. 'Now I just have to wait for my body to... expel the result. ... Oh? Oh, here it comes!' "Ack! Blgh! Mlp! BLOUHG~!"

Kay upchucked the resulting stew that churned in his belly, and the result went as expected when one vomits their food. But in the case of the zerg, the modified DNA strands were absorbed into the creep, which then traveled quickly to the other zerg organisms connected to the creep. Virid seemed deeply pleased by this, but even she was unsure what changes the zerg would experience from the essence that was added to her brood. 'At least you did what was needed for the Swarm. But I am curious. What did you concoct this time?' Virid asked.

Kay sighed as he licked his lips and spat, getting back up after wiping his mouth of DNA-infused bile. 'Last time, I didn't really know what I was doing. But back then, I did see some favorable genetic strands through my mind, and assumed that they would integrate into the swarm. This time, I was patient when I analyzed the plant lice's genetic strands. I think I created some mutations that affects the production of larvae, and affected certain units to produce larvae within themselves. I made the ability to be limited to the infested organisms. Well... And the queens too I guess, but only if it's for an emergency.'

Virid seemed surprised. 'So... Our larvae production has increased? And the queens and infested organisms can also spawn larvae? Kay, that is a huge boon to our brood!'

Kay turned to Virid and smiled. 'Yeah, well, you're welcome. Once the genetic information moves through the creep and interacts with the nydus worms, then all of the zerg will benefit from the adaptation. Well... Except for the zerg on the moon that is. Speaking of which, I wonder how Corvurn is doing?'

Virid sighed as she directed her focus onto the zerg hivemind psionic network, linking herself to the evolution master on the moon. 'Corvurn, this is Virid. The aspiring evolution master, Kay, has outdone you once more. He wants to know the condition of your current status.'

'Better.' Corvurn replied. He seemed more healthier sounding than before. 'Nanite resistance has improved. Ninety six percent resistance achieved. Immunity imminent. Query. Kay modified another genetic adaptation?'

Kay nodded. 'That I did. I hope I am not making you jealous.'

'Jealousy unimportant. Results important. Analyzing swarm. ... Interesting! Larvae production nearly doubled. Larvae generation capable within infested and queen strain organisms. Infested organisms risk destruction with gestation of single larva. Queen strains capable of repeated gestation of single larva. Jealousy unimportant, but evident.'

Kay chuckled. 'Step up your game, Corvurn, or I might take over your job.'

'Games irreverent. However, can provide new strains and mutations through spore cannon volley. Request. Trade spores to moon hive cluster?'

'Sure buddy. I'll have my spore cannons at the Whisper Stones hive cluster send up the genetic information to you.' Kay said as one of the spore cannons at Whisper Stones was already being instructed to launch its genetic payload. He had seen into Corvurn's mind and saw what kind of mutations and zerg strains that he was unlocking and creating. Overall, Kay was both impressed by Corvurn, and also jealous of him in his own way.

But as these new orders were issued to the swarm, a familiar problem came back to bear against the zerg. '... Problem detected. Orbital attack emitting from sun.' Corvurn reported.

Kay could already feel Gollog's smiting attack smite across the desert lands and much of the countryside. Thankfully, much like last time, the sky laser was only targeting areas that have been covered with creep. But with the zerglings, and other speedy zerg organisms, running around the world at high speeds, with changelisks disguised as zerglings scouting new areas and gilanian settlements, the zerg have spread quite far across the globe at incredible speed in the span of just a few days. They even found other caves that had intricate tunnel systems that could house more nydus worms and hive clusters. Kay sighed in annoyance. 'Well, you got to hand it to the emperor. He's dedicated about getting rid of us.'

'Even so,' Virid said, scuttling to the front of Kay. 'we are on the doorsteps of his home. Destroying the foundation of his empire below his very feet will send a powerful message to him. I recommend eradicating all enemies in this city first. Afterwards, we'll go after Emperor Gollog.'

Kay looked up at Virid and nodded. 'I like your way of thinking, Virid. Can't have another foundation if you don't have followers to build one. And on top of that, we also need to deal with the Kiln Keepers. In fact, let's look for the Kiln Keepers first!'

'I cannot agree more.' Virid replied.

After that conversation, the Swarm would soon focus on rooting out the Kiln Keeper factory in Empire City.

The way into the factory that produced the Kiln Keepers, and the other deadly variations of them, was quite puzzling. Apparently, it was cordoned off from the civilian population, which prevented anyone from entering the factory. Even the soldiers were forbidden to enter for some unknown reason. The entrance into the facility had a silvery and huge triangular panel of smooth metal. It appeared to act as the door, but the zerg knew not on how to open it or enter through it. But an unusual door with no knocker to bang, or a nob to turn, had never stopped the zerg before.

The zerglings were summoned forth to make an entrance through the silver panel. However, once their claws tried to cut through, the zerglings were pulled into that very panel and were smothered, as though submerged under water. Seconds later, the zerglings trapped by the door were dissolved completely. Was the door made of acid? It was a completely unprecedented defense against the zerg forces that Kay and Virid were prepared for. Since using melee attacks was no longer an option, ranged attacks would be used next. Roaches and hydralisks came to the entrance of the factory and started unloading their preferred ammunition onto the silvery panel. The sound of the roaches' sizzling acid and the hydralisks' super sonic needle impacts echoed in the city as the silvery panel/door was attacked. The door still didn't budge, or deformed in any way, as it became assaulted.

More roaches were moved into the area, and they added their acid to the already impressive torrent of corrosive fluid being spat at the entrance. But even as a hundred roaches joined in, the effort to make a new entrance into the facility proved difficult. The silver door still remained unaffected.

... Well... as the idiom goes: If you can't go through the mountain, go around it.

The roaches instantly changed their aim at the walls beside the silver panel/door, and the walls started melting and dissolving under the barrage of roach acid. As the walls broke away, a silvery fluid started to flow onto the ground, and then back up onto the door's frame, as though trying to repair the damage. It was an unusual thing to see, but the damage that the roaches could deliver overwhelmed the fluid's ability to repair the factory's entrance. Despite seeing this, however, the triangular panel/door seemed to stretch on a little bit more before more triangular panels/doors was discovered behind the triangular archway, looking as though it hid solid face shapes that formed a seamless surface.

[Flaws detected. Analyzing strategy... Analysis complete. Key systems retaining damaged. Deficient unit formation. Deficient unit composition. Upgrades required. Requesting additional assets. Modifying equipment. Unable to alter current strategy. Awaiting assets. Condition met: Key system damage detected. Initiating command override fail-safe. Free will functions activated. KZTTKRZKTZRTKTTKZRTKZRTZZKRTZKTR! ... Failure of free will functions detected. Intelligence cores missing. Targeting intelligence cores for MEM shift transfers. ... Transfers incomplete. Failure detected at MEM facility. Warning: Factory assets are being destroyed. Unable to maintain foothold. Adjusting strategy.]

A sound that was equal to an earthquake thundered within the city, mostly originating at the Kiln Keeper factory. After several seconds of quaking, the seismic shaking suddenly stopped for ten seconds. The ten second pause was then followed by the entire Kiln Keeper factory shooting straight up, grazing the outside structure of Empire City and erupting through the freshwater and saltwater layered ocean. Once the factory had unearthed itself, the zerg could see its full shape from the surface.

The Kiln Keeper factory looked like a massive spherical structure that floated above the ground, but close inspection revealed that the sphere consisted of many sides, containing several triangular panels that all shared the same dimensions that fused together seamlessly, and was five hundred meters wide in diameter. Kiln Keepers seemed to fall out of the smooth sides of the triangular panels, looking as though they were phasing through the surfaces itself. The zerg had little time to readjust their strategy and target the floating triangular-sided sphere, since it started zooming past the battlefield of the zerg forces that are already being eradicated by Gollog's smiting sky laser, save for those that are infesting the dark side of the planet near the Day Circle. But many of the zerg organisms that were smart enough to escape the sun's smiting barrage were able to see the quick flying structure for themselves, mainly consisting of overseers and some zerg air-strains being able to attack it.

The structure moved too fast for the mutalisks and corruptors to fire their projectiles at, with the mutalisks' glaive wurms either glancing or disappearing into the structure. The zerg scourge had more luck, since one's metamorphic plasma attack prompted it to alter its course from colliding into more of the scourge. The vipers did stall its progress with their powerful tongues and wings, but they vanished the instant the factory got close to them. No matter how many delays was forced upon it, it still continued to fly southward at incredible speeds, even completely ignoring the attacks from the spore crawlers, spore cannons and hydralisks that it passed by.

The zerg caused the factory to frantically fly to the air in escape from its destruction, using a system of propulsion that couldn't be explained or analyzed as it erratically floated in the air by unknown means. But it also seemed to speed through the air with purpose as it zoomed southward.

Kay blinked his eyes as he saw a tunnel leading upwards from a steep, and massive hole. Water from the surrounding ocean flowed into the opening in the earth, which was now reaching Kay's ankles and trickling further into the underground city. Kay was at a loss of words. "... Kay, what the fuck?!"

Virid was surprised by this too. She saw that the Kiln Keeper factory had damaged the outer reinforced walls of the underground city, which once helped prevent the water from the ocean to submerge the lower sections of the city. Empire city was below sea level after all. 'The technologies of these gilanians have the unfortunate habit of surprising me at times. A dangerous meme of late.' Virid stated.

"It just... Upped and fucked off! Was it a mobile factory this whole time?!"

Virid shook her head and sighed. 'Kay, use your inside voice.'

Kay turned to Virid, too distracted by the fleeing giant chrome ball. "Huh?"

'Your INSIDE inside voice. You know, like what I am using?'

Kay paused before nodding. 'Oh, right right. Sorry. I kind of got distracted when the factory took off into the sky... Though I kind of expected to see this sort of strategy being used by the terran factories.'

'We had no idea that the Kiln Keeper factory could fly, Kay.' Virid replied. 'But it does seem that their Kiln Keeper production has been mitigated.'

Kay nodded with a smirk. 'Well uh... That's good then! Means we have less enemies to deal with.'

Suddenly, a voice had shouted through the city-wide intercom system. [Kay, bug-man beast-master of the zerg swarm, I call to you.] Said the ever regal voice of Emperor Gollog. [I wish to summon you into my domain. Do not send a doppelganger of your likeness to me, because I have the power to see through your farces. I wish to engage in a civil discussion. No tricks, no aggressive barbs, no ulterior motives, and certainly no fighting. Can you see it within yourself to call a truce and enable this trade of words? On my rule and word as an emperor, I vow that I, and my forces, would do no further harm to you, if you agree to not attack us anymore. I await your arrival at the front gate of my home.]

Kay and Virid blinked a few times. Kay turned to Virid with a confused stare. 'Do you think he's setting up a trap? This seems awfully too convenient.'

Virid shook her head. 'I am uncertain. ... Should you chance this meeting and find out what he wants?'

Kay crinkled his expression into further confusion. 'Should I what?!'

'Should you go and hear what Gollog wants to say?' Virid asked. 'I doubt that he is setting up a trap, considering that his tone was somewhat... somber sounding.'

Kay thought about it for a second. '... We'll see for ourselves, I suppose. But this does give me an idea...'

Another trip through the nydus worms, and Kay and Virid met back at the front of the opalescent white doors that lead into the castle. This time, however, Kay and Virid saw that the opalescent doors were opened wide, and that a single figure stood in the entryway. The figure wore a white robe, bearing gauntlets, boots, and a crowned helm of shimmering opalescent metal. It was Emperor Gollog, and Kay wouldn't be convinced if someone else said otherwise. And yet, Kay could see that Gollog's expression was... noticeably dour.

Once Kay gave the emperor a stern stare, which Kay was still unable to read the mind of, he stepped forward and growled. "Okay, why the fuck do you want to chat with us? Are you going to surrender to us? Is that it?"

Gollog held up his hand and sighed. "No, Kay. This is not a surrender. This is... This is a time of grave occurrences."

Kay tilted his head, uncertain of what to make of Gollog's emotions that he could only read from his face. Kay, for a lack of a better way to say it, was actually at a loss of words. Emperor Gollog did indeed looked like he was troubled by something.

Gollog lowered his hand. "I'm afraid that I must tell you what had happened, but it would take too long to impart this news in such an... uncomfortable setting. Please bring yourself into my home, but I insist on you leaving your zerg creatures behind. As such, I shall grant you permission to enter my home if you do. In granting you such permissions, I request that you follow me, please."

As Gollog turned away, Kay looked back at Virid with a confused expression. Virid simply shrugged. After a sigh, Kay craned his neck and followed after the immortal emperor. "... Fine. But if I find out that this is not a friendly discussion, then I'm bugging out."

Gollod sighed. "I'm sure you are well founded in your reasons, Kay. However, I am more worried about the Kiln Keepers than I am of you, at the moment." He said, walking up a long flight of stairs.

Kay also ascended the opalescent staircase, noting that it lead a fair ways up. "I think they barked about something relating to... free will functions?"

Gollog nodded. "That's one of my worries." He said as he continued his ascent.

After walking a long flight of stairs, Gollog and Kay had finally found another set of doors that was identical to the entrance at the foot of the staircase. These doors opened and revealed to Kay a lush interior laying within. There was a wide room that was filled with intricate paintings, depicting past events that Kay had no idea what they portrayed. At the other side of the room, an ornate, and large, opalescent throne was seen, which had a white chair that was placed besides it. White pillars rose from the ground and connected to the ceiling, and in its center was a dome with several windows that brought in white light. Gollog took a long time to walk over to his throne, but he got up onto its seat and rested his rear comfortably on it. Gollog sighed once more and paused for several seconds before addressing Kay. "You attacked the Kiln Keeper factory, didn't you?"

Kay nodded. "Only because you set the Kiln Keepers against me. Eradicating the place where they are being made would ensure that my brood didn't have to deal with the constant production of war robots anymore. I was not the one responsible for unleashing them, and you're the one that started this mess since you set them against the zerg in the first place."

Gollog raised a quieting hand to Kay. "I am aware of my mistake of involving the Kiln Keeper machines now. Everyone was against my decision, but I saw no other way to eradicate your forces." Gollog sighed again. "But with that said, I'm afraid it is through my hubris that I had thought the Kiln Keepers were contained in their programming."

Kay huffed. "Considered that a giant sphere with many triangular sides had shot out of the ground and is flying south, I'd say that they are not as contained as you think they are. But I have to ask." Kay said, changing the topic. "You're making it sound as though the Kiln Keepers are much more dangerous than how they are now."

Gollog nodded. "Indeed, they are quite proficient when it comes to killing. Our ancestors did find a way to break out of the cycle of imprisonment, but it was at the cost of locking down their higher functions."

"So what changed, exactly?"

"You did, my beast-master." Gollog said, pointing at Kay. "You changed everything here."

"Care to explain?" Kay asked.

"Certainly." Gollog said, nodding and closing his eyes. "... You see, there must have been certain fail-safes in place that I had accidentally overlooked when I ordered the Kiln Keepers to try and kill you and your zerg beasts. But I also knew that removing certain redundancies in their programs would simply make them next to useless. Simply put, I made it so that they could adapt their technologies to fight the zerg, but under the condition that I analyzed their requests on how they would proceed to target their enemies. It was taxing work since it cut into much of my time of being an emperor among several kingdoms.

"But alas, you had cut into the heart of the problem and circumvented my efforts. Now, the Kiln Keepers would attempt to seek the intelligence cores they had once been a part of, and restore themselves to their past prime glory. Much to my dismay, it looks as if the Kiln Keeper factory has not MEM shifted the intelligence cores into its possession, meaning that it's trying to manually find them on its own now. Since the Kiln Keepers are trying to revert back to their previous power and program settings, the intelligence cores will be emitting encrypted shadow frequencies to help the Kiln Keepers locate them.

Gollog sighed. "But with all that said, all of my powers and privileges would be removed from me, once they gain all of their cores."

Kay nodded. "So... I guess you won't be able to use your smite power once they get their cores, huh?"

Gollog nodded with Kay. "Indeed. And since they have targeted you as their enemy, they will use my smiting powers to eradicate your zerg. That is, IF they can get their cores back."

Kay nodded and shrugged his shoulders. "Eh. I guess that means I'll be having more fun fighting the robots."

Gollog shook his head at Kay and hissed in frustration. "You just don't get it, Kay! If they have been programmed to target the zerg, and the zerg have made their nests underground, then they would issue forth a crust-penetrating smite attack that will pierce through the ground and strike your forces. Worse still, the Kiln Keepers would also default to their previous programming and stagnate the gilanian populations to extinction. The Sovereign Crypt is the only safe place for any self respecting gilanian now."

"Sovereign Crypt?" Kay asked, tilting his head. "I heard that word tossed around before. Oh, and shadow frequencies too. I don't know what those are either. What are they?"

Gollog made a soft smile. "Permit me to educate you then. This information is of no consequence to share, after all. The Sovereign Crypt is a very secure, and very classified, location. It was built to be completely inaccessible to everyone, save except to a select few of my choosing, or by General Pallax and Commander Guik's choosing. Simply put, getting in would not be easy since its location is a secret that is unknown to all. Even by me. On another note, the shadow frequency is a special kind of communication frequency that we use to transmit information and signals through. It utilizes electromagnetic transmissions of varying bandwidths and strengths though the medium of a special dimension that Commander Faddoh calls 'The Aether Field'."

"Uh-huh." Kay said, nodding.

"But let's get back to our topic." Gollog said, shifting in his seat. "I am hoping that we can work with one another and prevent the Kiln Keepers from gaining back their intelligence cores. Do you think you can let our past transgressions be bygones? I would very much appreciate the gesture."

Kay scoffed. "I keep telling you to leave me alone, but you didn't listen. I'm still angry at you since you keep antagonizing my hive clusters, and also for sending the Kiln Keepers to kill my zerg and me. No thanks, but I can deal with the Kiln Keepers on my own. After that is done, I'll be coming back to give you a stern talking to, followed by so much butt-whooping that you're going to remember your childhood with fonder memories."

Gollog smiled softly. "Then let me impart the next step of my plan. General Pallax! Send in the VIP!"

A white and blue field of static energy emanated next to Gollog. A couple seconds had passed before Kragnon, of all gilanians that Kay had not expected to see, was standing next to the gilanian emperor. After a few more seconds of analyzing the gilanian, Kay finally recognized him. "... What the?! Why is he here?!"

Gollog rubbed Kragnon's shoulder and pointed to the chair besides himself, and Kragon walked to the side of the throne and sat onto the chair silently. "It took a bit of time, but Pallax had pulled through for me in the end." Gollog explained. "He happens to be a technological genius that can hack into any computer system. He found a device that was using a difficult-to-trace shadow frequency on one of your zerg creatures, and he deduced that its design was an ancient kind of info-lens that was once used eighty years ago. With a little bit of his techno magic, he sent a video broadcast into his 'supposedly secured information network', and voiced the phrase 'Pallax sends his regards.'"

[I figured that you didn't repeat my phrase word-for-word to Kragnon correctly. Otherwise, our lovechief would have came to us much more earlier.] General Pallax said, using the intercom system within the throne room. [However, I repeated the correct phrase to him through the headsets that were worn by your doppelgangers and blade hounds. Once I figured that Kragnon was using them to investigate the surrounding environment, I used that to my advantage to activate him. The rest is history.]

Kay tilted his head as he looked around for the disembodied voice. "... Kay, can someone inform me what the fucking hell is going on? I'm lost."

Gollog smiled. "Oh Kay, you still don't know, do you? Let me enlighten your perspective then." He said, clasping his fingers and crossing his legs. "Believe it or not, Kragnon is a clone of an ancient gilanian that once existed long ago."

"Nooo..." Kay said, wide-eyed and utterly surprised.

"Yes!" Gollog said whimsically. "While he was being grown inside a cloning tube, we implanted several phrases that would enable him to be controlled by those who uttered them. However, some rebels had infiltrated the cloning labs and stolen him away from my hands one fine day. I had mourned for his disappearance. The rude ne'er do wells destroyed my cloning labs during their escape, and I even heard tell that Kragnon joined with the rebellion that was against my rule! I was devastated, to say the least!

"Eighty years had passed, and the damage was thought to be lasting. At least, so I thought." Gollog turned to Kragnon and gestured to him. "You see, his ancestor was very special, and Kragnon is a clone of that ancestor. He is so special because he was chosen to become a Warden. Prison Planet Kiln needs a warden, and it will randomly choose an infant still in his or her mother's egg to grow into one. And, as it stands, the genetic sample used to grow him was taken from one of ten people that once lived in our past, known by our people's mythos as 'The Eternal Ten'. In my three hundred years of ruling as a mighty emperor, I had created various clones of the original wardens, and had them speak specific phrases to a special kind of computer thatwould transfer control of the past warden's unique commands to me. The power to summon the wrath of a sun, the power to transport me anywhere on Kiln, the power to become immortal, and the power to command the Kiln Keepers are but four of such examples that you have witnessed.

"And now that I have Kragnon, the 'lovechief', back at my side, I can now get everything I'll ever want." Gollog said with a prideful smile stretched across his face.

Kay shook his head. "So what was Pallax's connection to him?" He asked, pointing at Kragnon.

[It's simple, Kay.] Pallax answered. [Gollog wasn't the only one that was given the gift of immortality. Once Emperor Gollog had gained the master commands, he also lent immortality to some others of his choosing, also imbuing me with that gift in the process. In truth, I had infiltrated the group of rebels that was responsible for breaking into and destroying the cloning labs a long time ago. Commander Faddoh was a completely different person back then, since he quite enjoyed making clones of his sister that he claims to be his daughter. After several years working with them, my viewpoint did change to the values of the rebels for a while. After that, I knew that if I stayed any longer, Gollog would come for me and take away the only gift I ever really had on this world. My immortality. But alas, I had to make it so that whatever actions I would do did not impact both sides. So... I made up the story about Gollog spreading his search patterns to Red Mountain.

[The Hidden Water Spring Tribe's council and I had made the decision to seclude and barricade themselves underground. After the decision was made, I then elected Kragnon to hibernate in a cold-pod, assumed the disguise of a tribal warrior and found my way back outside. After I and the other warriors shifted tons of sand to bury the tunnels to the entrance of the underground village, I killed the warriors that were meant to protect the cave entrance right after our task was done. After that, I blanked my memory pertaining to the location of the underground village. Keeping the underground village a secret wasn't easy to do, since I had to pay the era agents a huge sum of water and vouchers to keep their mouths shut, and keep people from ever finding the entrance, and the underground village it lead to.]

"You blanked your memory?" Kay asked.

[Medical micro-machines can rearrange the neurons in my brain, enabling myself to remember information with incredible clarity, or be able to forge complete alter-egos using simple mental prompts. I was blessed with the ability to hack into complex technology, and I found a way to seamlessly change the memories in my mind, or create perfect lies that can fool lie detectors by using those micro-machines to modify my brain cells. I am happy to know that you kept your infestation from spreading further from Whisper Stones, but I am also saddened by the fact that the zerg can burrow underground and create underground nests as well. If anything, the strategy I had employed turned out to be a fluke all along.]

Kay sighed and kicked at the ground. "Well I feel like a goddamned idiot that's been played like a tamberine. Fucking hell..."

[On the contrary, I had expected Kragnon to be automatically released from his cold-pod after one hundred years had passed. The zerg were a variable that I had not accounted for, but they, and in essence, you, had significantly sped up our retrieval of the warden clone. But then there is the destructive capabilities of the zerg... yeah, they are also a problem that needs to be dealt with. In my opinion, as soon as possible.]

"Too true, Pallax. Too true." Gollog interjected. "Truth be told, I once had doubts that a double agent of your caliber would join the side of the disloyal. But in the end, you have proven your loyalty to me." Gollog said, looking smug in his seat. "So, Kay. May I offer you another chance to help us with solving our mutual problem regarding some rogue robots? Or will you keep growling at yourself for not seeing this event unfolding before you?"

Kay took a deep breath and sighed again. "I am still going to destroy the Kiln Keepers, whether you want me to help or not. In the end, all you will be getting is what you want anyway, while my own goal is far from reached. Thanks, but no thanks."

Gollog sighed. "My goodness, you are the most stubborn creature I ever had the privilege to meet! You do realize that I have your friend as a hostage?"

"You should meet one of my zerg friends. She's real good with her children, but gets incredibly aggressive if you don't respect her boundaries. If you tried to be funny with her, she'll punish you with a physical wound." Kay said with a smirk.

Gollog stared at Kay for a long while. "... Never mind. Anyway, if you desire to leave here and hunt down the Kiln Keepers, then you may. Kragnon will remain here, however."

Kay nodded. "I see. Well, it's not like I'm going to go anywhere at the moment. So, if you don't mind, I would like to sit here for a bit."

"Uh..." Gollog tilted his head. "Sit... here?"

Kay lowered himself onto the ground into a crisscross sitting position. "Yeah. Is it alright if I sit like this?"

Gollog paused. "... I am unsure what you would accomplish by remaining in my halls like that."

"Mostly it's because I am curious. Like, what would happen if you did transfer the master codes, or whatever they are called? What would happen to Kragnon after that?"

Gollog paused again. "... Oh! Does this mean that you really do care for this clone?" He said with a bemused tone.

"We have a bet that needs to be finished, and that's it. As it stands, I think Empire City was built next to the Kiln Keeper factory a long time ago, and he betted that it was naaexed into your city. After it was discovered that the factory really was annexed to the city this whole time, I lost the bet, so I am responsible for repairing some property damage I had done to his home. Simply put, I need him to tell me how to repair the damage I caused to his home." Kay explained.

Gollog tried to smother a snicker from leaving his mouth. "I had no idea that you are a gambler, Kay. Had I known this, I would have exploited you even sooner!"

Kay furrowed his brow. "Hey now. Don't be antagonizing the Swarm when you yourself said that you wouldn't be trading any barbs."

Gollog shook his head and smirked. "They are not aggressive barbs, Kay. I just wanted to tease you a little."

"Makes no difference to me." Kay said indifferently. "Poking a nest of flying stinging insects with a stick can also be considered teasing to them. Try and bear that in mind."

Gollog sighed. "I see. ... In that case, may I get you something? Refreshments? Food? Entertainment?"

Kay shook his head. "I don't need anything... but actually, I would like some paper and some colored etching tools, if you can provide that."

"I also didn't take you for an artist, too. But very well." Gollog said, clapping his hands. "Bring a meal for the lovechief, please! And bring drawing equipment for the bug-man!"

After a few minutes passed, women draped in white robes and wearing scant cloth as their underwear, approached Kragnon and Kay. One harem focused on carefully setting a table with several cloths and plates, and piling food of various kinds onto it, whilst another delivered what looked like crude art supplies and old parchment, which seemed to be meant for Kay. Despite their warm presence and reaction to Kragnon and Emperor Gollog, they were much more colder towards Kay, simply dumping a pile of torn papers and waxy colored sticks next to him. After looking at the disorganized mess in front of him, Kay sighed. "Uh... Thank you very much, ladies."

They 'humphed' and turned their heads away from Kay, walking with a sway in their step. Kay understood the gesture, since he was the one responsible for attacking their home. Once the two teams of harems met together and congregated next to Kragnon, Kay begrudgingly took the shredded papers and colored wax sticks into his own hands and started drawing. Gollog watched Kay with intrigue and curiosity, staring at the zerg organism artist using crudely handled materials. "So, Kay. I am somewhat curious. What is it that you are drawing?"

"A weapon that can destroy the Kiln Keeper factory." Kay said, not taking his eyes off of his canvas.

Gollog raised his eyes. "WHAT?!" After his outburst, Gollog shook his head and composed himself before speaking again. "Ahem. Pardon my excitement. Could you care to explain?"

Kay went to another torn piece of paper and started quickly drawing on it. "As I said, it's a weapon that can overcome your Kiln Keeper factory."

Gollog slowly exhaled. "... Well uh... Can you share with me your rendition of this weapon?"

"Sure, I guess. Hup!" Kay used his left hand to launch one of the pieces of paper to Gollog in a spinning glide.

The paper projectile turned and circled violently in the air, eventually colliding with Gollog's throne and coming to a stop at his feet. Gollog shook his head and leaned down to pick up the flown and torn paper. After inspecting the piece of art for a few seconds, Gollog shook his head. "What is this supposed to be anyway? Looks like a zerg version of... something."

"Heheheheh... Well, you're right to say that it is a zerg organism. But your wrong about it being just something." Kay said, scrawling onto another torn piece of paper.

Gollog paused and stared at Kay for a few seconds before looking at the drawn picture again. Gollog wasn't sure what it really looked like. It had so many tendrils and tentacles, but they looked like they moved weightlessly. The face, and much of the front of its body, contained heavy carapace, whilst its chin and underside contained several tendrils that looked as though several spine crawlers were grafted onto it. Its abdomen and thorax was heavily gravid, almost bordering on the impossible with whatever eggs or biological weapons it contained inside itself. For some reason, it looked as though it was eating several green, blue, yellow an purple dots along the ground, while it used its tendrils to attack several other different colored dots. Its face seemed to be split in half as a row of teeth populated the middle of its vertical mouth, and several of its mandibles had rows of teeth along their inner curved mandibles that surrounded its face. In essence, it almost looked exactly like a water flea. ... Except more zergy, more green, brown, purple, and somewhat vague in its detail due to it being an artistic rendition. Gollog shook his head and folded the torn piece of paper, placing it onto a table next to him. Gollog then pleaded his fingers together as he turned his attention to Kay again. "What will this weapon do to my factory?"

Kay stopped and looked at Gollog. After a few seconds of pausing, he shrugged and resumed drawing. "I dunno. It hasn't been fully developed yet, so its current capabilities are unknown to me."

Gollog frowned, but shook his head. "Please don't be so casual with me, Kay. Try and act more cordial. Or at least act like an aristocrat, if that makes better sense to you."

Kay sighed, but continued in his scribbling. "All I know is that it has the capability to destroy the factory. Think of it as... Ah... Well, you'll find out soon enough."

Gollog frowned even further. "As of late, I think I would greatly disapprove of any more surprises or developments." Gollog sighed. "Especially if it involves the zerg."

Kay got up from the ground and stretched his back. "Ahh... Alright, I'm done. This place is too boring for my tastes, so I'll just let myself out of here." Kay then turned away and started walking toward the doors that lead out of the Castle of Dreams.

Gollog raised himself up from his seat and stared at the leaving Kay, perplexed by Kay's behavior. "... So you're just going to draw a few pictures and then leave?"

"Yup." Kay said, continuing on for a second before stopping. He turned and pointed at Gollog. "Oh, and before I leave, I want to tell you something."

Gollog blinked. "... Which is?"

Kay stared intently at Gollog for a few seconds. During those seconds, Kay's eyes started glowing a sinister color that seemed to make every other light source even darker than before. Energy resonated around Kay, like some kind of aura of pure malice pulsed electricity, making small scorch marks along the ground. The tone of his voice shifted as he bellowed his warning at Gollog. "If I come back, and see Kragnon harmed in any way..." After saying that, Kay's aura of visible psionic energy slowly powered down, his glowing eyes reverting back to a normal green, thanks to his post-zerg transformation. After waving goodbye, Kay turned back around and walked away, leaving through the front gates and exiting Gollog's palace.

There was a protracted pause after Kay had left. Gollog stared at Kay as he retreated away from his sight, and he continued staring at the large gate expecting for the zerg commander to return. [Uh... Emperor Gollog? Is something wrong?] Pallax said, breaking Gollog out of his stupor.

"Uh? Uh... Yes. Of-of course. I-I mean no, there is nothing wrong." Gollog stammered, getting out of the seat of his throne and walking toward Kragnon.

[... Shall I MEM shift to your location?]

"Hmm? ... Oh, uh, yes, you may! Please do!" Gollog said.

[As you command.] A few seconds later, shimmering dots of blue and white had appeared at the front of Gollog's throne. After the MEM shift was completed, General Pallax in his caped red and gold armor stood before his emperor and his old 'friend'. He bowed before Gollog. "Well founded greetings."

Gollog shook his head. "Yes yes, I greet you as well."

Pallax paused for a long while. "... Is something troubling you?"

Gollog shook his head again. "I am perfectly fine, Pallax. I couldn't be any better." He said, as he began watching Kragnon silently eat his meal.

Pallax was unconvinced. "Gollog, I know you better than anyone. You are scared."

Gollog turned to stare angrily at Pallax. "YOU DARE ASSUME THAT I AM A COWARD?!" He fumed.

Pallax shook his head. "Coward is not a word I would use, Gollog. Even cowards can be brave if they have reason to."

Gollog stared at General Pallax for several seconds, but then went back to watching Kragnon. He was silent, but that had given Pallax all the answers he needed.

"Sir, with all due respect, perhaps we should give him what he wants?" Pallax suggested.

Gollog paused and sighed, then shook his head. "It's not that simple, Pallax."

"I'm not following." Pallax said.

Gollog turned to Pallax. "If I were to give in to Kay's demands, then I would appear weak in the exchange. And if the public found out that I granted him the privilege to leave Kiln, then all of the gilanians would want that piece of freedom. I cannot have that happen."

Pallax sighed. "If we don't allow him a way off our world, he will tear a path out through ours. You're kingdom will be in ruin if this continues."

Gollog hissed and struck Pallax on the side of his head, making him fall over. Gollog inspected his gauntlet with impunity before relaxing his posture. "Be that as it may, I am still the emperor around here. Kay may seem like a powerful and dangerous enemy, but he is still an insignificant insect under my heel. Once I get Kragnon to transfer his commands to me, then I will have the power to ascend past my immortal limitations. Absolute immortality is but the first step to achieving my eternal godhood."

Pallax rubbed the side of his face and got himself back up from the ground. He took in a few breaths before calming himself. "Then do it. You know the phrases to make the lovechief start talking. Make him go to the computer in the Sovereign Crypt and have him transfer the Warden Commands to you. Make it so."

Gollog paused for many seconds, standing there as still as a statue.

Pallax stared at his emperor and smirked. "... You're intimidated by him, aren't you?"

Gollog furrowed his brows and sighed. "Clean up this damn mess Kay made." The harem besides Kragnon started walking to the pile of torn papers when Gollog ordered that command. However, he had a different idea. "... Hmm? Oh. Not you, girls. General Pallax. YOU clean up Kay's mess. I want you to be personally responsible for eradicating every zerg organism, as well as returning every aligned city tainted by his influence back to the way it was. Understand?"

Pallax paused for a long while before he gave his answer. "... Understood, sir."

Gollog nodded. "Good. Now get to it."

Pallax sighed as he turned and went to the collection of torn papers that were drawn on. He picked each one up and inspected the drawings. "... Pfft!"

Gollog sighed when he heard his general snicker. "What the hell is it now, Pallax?"

Pallax showed Gollog one of the drawings that Kay made. "Our beast-master sure has a strange sense of humor."

Gollog rolled his eyes and walked to Pallax to get a closer look at one of Kay's drawings. However, when he had a good look at one of the images, his face turned into puzzlement "... Is that me with my crown replaced with... hemipenes?" Gollog asked, staring at the morbid piece of art, if Gollog could even call it that.

Pallax nodded. "There's another drawing with blade hounds excreting on your shoes. And another with your rear as your face, and repeatedly saying the word, and I quote, 'fart.' On the other hand, much of the other drawings are of the zerg organisms we have faced before, and are in finer detail. But sadly, you were the only character that was drawn poorly."

Gollog growled and tore the torn paper into several fragments, turning it into chunky confetti. After that, Gollog stormed off in a mad march, leaving General Pallax to pick up the pieces. But as Gollog left, a small parasite stealthily leapt onto Pallax's cape and slowly crawled into his armor. Kay had hidden the parasite in one of the drawings, while Pallax took no note of this as he was blissfully distracted from the absence of his angry emperor, but annoyed that he was tasked with the role of a janitor at the moment.

Royalty may have its squabbles, but the zerg are far more dangerous than the pettiness of domestic disputes. The zerg were a hivemind race after all, and they cared little of the politics of the gilanian empire, otherwise known as Golden Star Empire. Things would only get worse for Emperor Gollog once the zerg's new batch of strains was unleashed onto their world. And with that threat given to Gollog, Kay was very certain that Kragnon would be kept safe until he returned. Whatever these commands did, it didn't sound good. And what was the deal with this group called 'The Eternal Ten'? Even Commander Ralkan didn't know who they were, and Kay drained him of all of his knowledge untill he turned into a vegetable.

Kay sighed as he walked down the long flight of stairs. 'Well that went better than I expected.'

'You didn't assail Emperor Gollog? Was the emperor there also as false as the other times you met him? Wasn't he given a physical presence with those... What did he call them? Dream-light hover-drones?' Virid asked.

'Just call them cloaked projectors. And yeah, I couldn't read his mind there too. What's the status on the new strains?'

'They will be completely formed in a couple more hours. The Kiln Keeper factory may be traveling fast, but the resources we have on the hexagonal moon enabled Corvurn to store an excess of bio-matter and accelerant.'

'Man, things are going to change for the worst at Gollog's displeasure.' Kay started chuckling to himself as he imagined a particular thought of a certain monster hovering over his precious city.

'Don't dawdle, Kay.' Virid warned. 'There are still many ways that the zerg can be defeated. Time travel is of one such vulnerabilities, even if we had attacked the Era Agency.'

'Hmm. Now that you brought that up, I'm curious about what Corvurn Junior is doing. What is he up to?'

'Ever since he had entered the facility of the Era Agency, he became closed off to us ever since. I do hope that he was successful.'

Kay nodded. 'Oh I'm sure he's doing fine. So long as he has a drone with enough bio-matter for a hatchery, there's nothing I could be worried about.'

'Apart from an Era Agent inquisition force from an alternate timeline hunting you down?'

'... Okay, I might be a little worried, but I am... like... eighty percent sure that CJ will be fine on his own? Maybe?' Kay said, carefully rubbing the back of his head.

'You are the one who taught me vision. I merely foresee a possible attack to our past.'

Kay sighed. 'Well, we already have a hive outside of the agency. If an outside attack does occur, then the hive cluster would adjust and repel the attackers. If an attack happens on the inside, then CJ will be on his own to deal with that.'

'... I see.'

'But the real question you should be asking is 'what can I do to bolster the defenses of the zerg-owned Era Agency facility, and do so without knowing what kind of strategies the Era Agents in the various different timelines could use against us?' '

'... Make a counter-strategy?' Virid answered.

Kay smiled. 'It's a start. But now you got to flesh it out from there.'

Kat couldn't be happier with how Virid is progressing in understanding how 'vision' worked. But in reality, the flying Kiln Keeper factory is going to have a hard time surviving from its next zerg threat, and Kay was quite elated with what will come. Once the gestation period of a certain strain of zerg became complete, the entirety of Kiln would be threatened by the shadows of an even larger zerg creature.

A/N: Been playing a lot of Swarm Simulator recently. Good idle game. :3