Chapter 76: Underground Refuge

Everyone was breathing hard, with the exception to the retreated zerg organisms and the vigilant templar with the psionic scythe. The adrenaline that ran through the escapees' veins began to abate when they had retreated into the omega variant of the nydus worm. Kay had lost his legs during his exfiltration of the dark mausoleum, but he managed to grow a new pair of limbs when he reached the surface. Kay was also unable to see from the omega worm's perspective, after the Pyramidal Guard Division's facility had reached zero in its self-destruct countdown. However, the zerg that were further away from the self-destruction of the secret Golden Star facility was able to see a magnificent explosion of an unprecedented degree. Some of the debris even managed to collide with an errant overlord that was fifty kilometers in the air! The floating zerg synapse creature was slightly shaken up from the impact, but the collision resulted in only a mild abrasion across its carapace.

Kay, on the other hand, was glad to be underground again. He seemed to have paled when he analyzed the different perspectives through several of the surface-bound zerg that was above-ground at the time. "Fucking hell... We almost became vaporized."

The red-bandaged beast that had escaped with Kay, Broo, and Xidion, nodded in reply. "If we stayed afterr the countdown, I believe we would have been. ... Bays?" The tall creature then began to inspect his new surroundings, looking like he was searching for someone.

The escaped prisoners of the immortal maze were now underground, but they were already moving towards a different location. Despite the red-bandaged creature's attempt to analyze his destination, the complete lack of light in the underground made it hard for normal eyes to adjust to. Thankfully, Xidion's psionic scythe provided some light in the otherwise constant darkness. The zerg, on the other hand, had evolved to see in this maddening cavern-made pitch by emitting bio-luminescent light from their own eyes, evolving a means of echo-location, or used the senses of other zerg organisms to better navigate through the dizzying network of tunnels. Broo didn't feel the need to linger any more than she needed to, and decided to venture into the zerg-made caverns. She even intercepted Catlak and his followers through the winding tunnels up ahead and began to lead them to a different location, though Kay knew not where she led them to.

A strange, bubble and plastic-patchwork suited gilanian walked up to the red-bandaged creature somewhat clumsily, coming out from behind an omega worm and into view of the creature. "I'm here, Goqqa."

The red-bandaged creature, named Goqqa, slowly lumbered toward the bubble-suited gilanian. "You arre herre. Good. Wherre is Catlak?" Goqqa asked.

The bubble-suited gilanian sighed. She was supposedly named Bayz. "I tried to make him stay put, but he went off with Broo. Apparently, there is a refugee camp that had been constructed inside of this underground cavern. I didn't go with Catlak, since I wanted to make sure that you came back okay."

Goqqa revealed a many-fanged smile. "That is nice of you. Thank you. Be rrest assurred, howeverr. We can fend forr ourrselves."

Bayz smiled and nodded at Goqqa. But when she turned to look at Xidion and Kay, her expression changed into uncertainty. "... Um... I don't think we have met before. Who are you two?"

Kay paused for a few seconds, but he then sighed and smiled. "Sorry for not giving you the time to talk to me. My name is Kay." He replied, holding his hand out to exchange a handshake with Bayz.

Bayz shook her head and cautiously stepped back. "Uh... Hello Kay. You-you can put your hand down."

Kay raised an eyebrow at Bayz. "Uh... Kay? It's just a handshake."

Bayz sighed and smiled apologetically. "I know, but the vaph in the immortal maze became infected with some kind of disease. I don't want to catch what they were contaminated with, and Broo has told me that she and you were the sources of the contagion. I'm sorry, but I respectfully decline."

Kay was somewhat confused by Bayz's reply. "... But uh... But why are you wearing a bubble suit if you don't want to shake hands with me?"

The albino gilanian gestured to Kay in a reassuring way. "It's not you or anything! ... Well, okay, it IS actually you, but it's also your monsters. I just happen to be very germaphobic, you see! I built this suit to help me prevent from getting any sicknesses that originate from an external source. I hope you understand!"

Kay chuckled as he gestured for Bayz to calm down. "Alright alright, no need to make a scene. Consider your hands free from my molestation." Kay then turned to the psionic scythe-wielding protoss. "Want to say hi and introduce yourself?"

Xidion shook his head. "No. I wash my hands of my business with you, Kay. As far as I can tell, my dept to you has finally concluded. Goodbye." He then turned and hovered away, leaving Bayz and Goqqa in Kay's company.

Bayz blinked a few times as she watched the protoss leave their company. "... Did... Did it just talk without a mouth?"

Goqqa stared at the slowly fleeing protoss with piqued curiosity. "We couldn't feel its brreath. We saw that it floated above the grround, but used no forrm of lifting prropulsion. It doesn't even make orr leave any trracks."

Kay sighed. "Yeah, he's weird like that. Stay here for a bit. I need to commune with my swarm."

"Uh... Okay." Bayz said, watching Kay with curiosity.

"That is a he?" Goqqa replied, tilting his head. His question, sadly, went unanswered.

Kay smirked. With the bubble-suited gilanian and her big friend watching, Kay took in a deep breath and placed his fingers to the temples of his head. His connection to the swarm was finally reestablished. ... But something seemed strange about the swarm. There were powerful minds directing his swarm, and they were mustering the zerg to mainly attack Golden Star's military assets on the surface. The huge queens, which were the evolved forms of queens and large queens, seemed much mentally active than normal. But just as he became aware of these smarter huge queens commanding the swarms of zerg, so too did they take notice of him.

'Who is this?' 'Is this the one known as Kay?' 'I believe it is!' 'Has he returned already?' 'It has already been a week.' 'Should Othafurn and Corvurn be told of this news?' 'We must tell them.' 'They will be pleased.' 'The protoss was successful in his mission.' 'Kragnon should also be notified.' 'Welcome back to the swarm, Kay.'

"Aaaaaah, what the hell?! Where did you guys come from?!" Kay asked aloud in surprise.

'We were here before long before your capture.' 'Actually, we evolved from our huge queen forms days ago.' 'Corvurn and Othafurn needed more commanders in the swarm.' 'The Golden Star Empire grew stronger, so we adapted to their strategies.' 'Corvurn and Othafurn were commanding a swarm without your input, Kay.' 'They needed more commanders.' 'We were their answer.'

'Kay?' Othafurn's mental voice was now intruding into Kay's mind. 'You have returned to us! When Xidion asked for an omega worm to spawn next to his position, we had no idea that he was located next to the secret facility you were being kept in. If I had learned sooner that you were contained within that place, I would have sent more forces to assist your escape!'

"I managed to get out with Xidion's help. That, and the broodmother I created, named Broo by the prisoners she helped freed, also assisted in my escape." Kay answered Othafurn. "But more importantly, I need to ask you something. Where did all these broodmothers come from? I'm sensing, like, a hundred of them!"

'One hundred and eleven, including the one that you have created under your command.' Othafurn answered. 'However, our war with Gollog's empire, his Kiln Keepers, and against the Era Agency, has escalated.'

That piece of information caught Kay's attention. "Escalated? Why does this sound bad for us?"

'That is because it is. Three days ago, Gollog had allowed the energy lances and point-defense turrets on the sky rings to be used as orbital bombardment weapons. They are constantly being used against key hive cluster positions on the surface, or any zerg movement detected by the Kiln Keepers, or from the sky ring's sensor system. Our means to generate resources from the resource tumors and carbonation extractors on the surface is greatly hindered.'

Kay sighed. "So how has this effected our economy?"

'Not by much, since the resource tumors can still draw heat and geothermal energy from the center of this planet.'

Kay nodded. "Well that's good. Has anything else happened while I was away?"

'Corvurn Junior had contacted us an hour after you were defeated by Gollog's commanders and general. We have told him of your defeat in the battle. He then explained to us a way that enabled us to free you from your capture, and help further increase your psionic capabilities.'

Kay nodded. "Alright. So what did you guys do?"

'Since the swarm could not move on the surface without emitting a psionic frequency that could be tracked by the sky rings' sensor system, our options became very limited. However, Corvurn Junior had explained to us that Xidion's psionic signature would not register, or become detected, by the sensor network. We had made plans to have Xidion act as an integral element to most of our strategies, but any plea or request from Corvurn or myself had failed to persuade him. Xidion was quite adamant from freeing you at the time. But again, Corvurn Junior explained to us that the key to gaining Xidion's help involved employing Kragnon's assistance. After explaining our plight to him, he agreed to convince Xidion to find and free you from your captors.'

Kay nodded and smiled. "So in summation, it took Xidion seven days to find me and break me out of the dark mausoleum? Huh. What happened after that?"

'Kragnon had learned of the coming doomsday that would befall onto Kiln someday.'

"Oh boy. He probably didn't take the news very well."

'He panicked. He came to me and Corvurn and asked for help. He said that he was willing to sacrifice anything to enable the citizens of Citadel Gargantua, as well as his family, a means to survive the firing of Gollog's doomsday weapon. Corvurn had came up with a solution, but Kragnon had to trade something in order to save Gargantua's population.'

"... What did he do?"

Before Kay could get his answer, another psionic voice intercepted Kay and Othafurn's conversation. 'This doesn't concern you, Kay.'

"Kragnon?! How are you talking to me without physically talking in front of me?!"

'I... would rather not talk about it.'

After several seconds of thought, Kay was beginning to understand what had happened. It was so obvious to Kay now. And even when he had figured out what had happened, Kay was still in disbelief. "... Corvurn. Did he... infest you?" Kay sighed.

'... Kay, please. Spare me your judgement. I had to protect Tak, my son, my two daughters, and the entire population of Gargantua by any available means. I had to sacrifice so much in order to keep them safe.'

"You don't understand, Kragnon. There is no cure for this infestation. Once you get it, you'll become part of the swarm. ... Wait. How are you so lucid right now?"

'... Fine. I'll tell you. Corvurn introduced a type of slow-acting Hyper-Evolutionary Virus into by body. The mutations were gradual, which had a lesser effect on my brain and biology. Unlike most pawns that would have turned into insane and raving animals post-transformation, I was able to... retain most of my control and my mental faculties.'

"Uh huh. When you traded your body for Corvurn's experimentation, what did you gain from it?"

'After some persistent convincing, I managed to transfer Citadel Gargantua's population into an underground refugee camp. The camp is still growing, but it will eventually house the entire population of Gargantua's residents.'

"How the hell was THAT built?" Kay asked incredulously.

'Through the combined efforts of your zerg organisms and the gilanian people, working together to build the camps. The drones were all too happy to help carry everyone's belongings into what is now being called 'the refugee camp cluster.' They also assisted in bringing in building materials that the architects could use to build more refugee camp platforms.'

"I see. Does Baroness Tak know that you are infested?"

'...' Kragnon was silent in his answer. Such silence had given Kay a hint on what was happening.

"So it's that kind of deal, huh?" Kay replied, sighing again. "I'm going to assume that there is a changelisk acting in your stead."

'Please don't tell her that I turned myself into this.'

"I won't, but you should know that keeping this sort of thing from her is just asking for trouble. If she finds out about your zerg infestation, she will never be able to trust you ever again." Kay warned.

'I am aware of the risks, Kay.'

"Risks or not, what you did was very dangerous. Letting Corvurn transmit the slow-acting HEV into your body had costed you your own identity. There is no going back from that."

'I am AWARE, Kay.'

"... Even so, Tak is not going to be pleased about this. That is if she ever finds out about your infestation. I need to talk to Corvurn, so... Later."

A mental sigh emanated from Kragnon. 'See you later.'

Kay was beginning to feel exhausted. Not physically exhausted, but mentally. "Corvurn, you jackass! What you did to Kragnon could have been dangerous to all of us."

Corvurn's mental patters bridged with Kay's, forming into a psionic link. Corvurn sounded inconvenienced. 'Misunderstood. Infested organism Kragnon requested solution to save Gargantua's population. Provided solution. However, needed to perform experiments on gilanian physiology. Kragnon provided unique request. Took opportunity to experiment.'

"Huuuh... Corvurn, if this bites us on the ass one day, I'm holding you responsible for your actions." Kay hissed.

'Unclear. Performed duties as evolution master. Evolution master's purpose is to assist swarm. Infested organism Kragnon provided method to assist swarm further. Capitalized on opportunity. Gained test subject. Assisted in preventing Gargantua population's destruction. Both part of trade agreement.'

Kay sighed again. "Even so, I want you to talk to me first before you make decisions like that. Kay?"

'Understood.'

"Thank you. So uh... Have you developed any new mutations during my absence?" Kay asked.

'Yes. Baneling nest bio-structure strain developed birthing chambers. Can spawn baneling strain without need of bio-matter or accelerant resources. Incubation chambers developed within hatchery, lair, and hive bio-structure strains. Can birth two swarm queens at once. Carbonation extractor and extractor strains developed gas-collecting proficiency. Pseudo-vespene accelerant production increased, becoming self-sufficient. However, slightly affects bio-matter production. Negligible affect. Drones can morph into omega networks. Summons omega worms. Increased health, capable of instantaneous spawning.'

Kay chuckled. "Fuck man. Between the reconstituted zerglings and the infinitely spawning banelings, I'm rather impressed."

'Command organism Kay's approval, pleasing.'

Kay shook his head and sighed. "But don't think for a second that your actions doesn't have consequences tied to them. Kay?"

'Understood. Will refrain from further nonaligned gilanian infestation tests. Golden Star infestation research will continue.'

Kay lowered his hands and groaned. "Huh... I wonder how Virid is doing?" Sadly, Kay knew that he couldn't reach his mind to the hexagonal moon and psionically talk to her. If the sensor network on the sky rings were somehow disrupted, then he could try and contact her again. Sadly, that couldn't be possible without inviting further risks to his swarm.

"Um... Are you done?"

Kay turned around and saw Bayz and Goqqa staring at him. Kay blinked a few times. "... Uh... Yes! I am. Sorry. I was distracted with some other matters. ... Uh... Anyway! I heard that there was a refugee camp nearby. Wanna go see it?" Kay asked, pointing behind himself.

Bayz paused for a few more seconds before shrugging. "Considering the options that are available to us, I guess we could go there." She turned around to Goqqa. "How about you, big guy?"

Goqqa grumbled. "We don't want to be in crrowds. We might step on a pet."

Bayz shook her head. "It'll be alright. I'll look out for you."

"Actually, I've been meaning to ask you about something." Kay said as he pointed at Goqqa. "How in the hell did this guy came to be?"

Bayz looked at Goqqa, sighed, and then looked back at Kay to shake her head. "I don't honestly know. I found him impaled on a spike from a long time ago. I pulled him off of the spike, and he's been a very grateful companion to me since then. Once I rescued him, we began to take care of each other from then on."

"Uh huh. And this Catlak guy?" Kay asked.

Bayz sighed. "He's the self-proclaimed chieftain of the Moss Field Hunters in the immortal maze. Ironically, the chieftain that ruled before him used to send his hunters after me and Catlak some time ago. It was around that time that I found Goqqa." She said, gently petting Goqqa's arm. "Catlak and I used to be closer, but... He became too aggressive and too commanding of his new position, especially weeks after he assassinated the previous chieftain and assumed his role. We lived down in that maze for... I don't know... Years?"

Kay sighed. "Well you're freedom from that maze place begins today."

Bayz smiled warmly. "Thank you! ... Could you please lead the way for us? It's kind of dark down here."

Kay chuckled and nodded. "I can do even better than just lead you through these tunnels. HUP!" Kay raised an arm up and excited the air between his fingers. Lightning and energy enveloped his hand, which helped brightened the surroundings that Kay, Bayz, and Goqqa was within. "I can even light the way for you!"

Goqqa was amazed by this feat. "Whoa~. How is this done?" He asked, reaching for the light that was produced from Kay's hand.

"Psionic powers, mostly. And please don't touch my hand. You're gonna get-" Kay said, but was interrupted by Goqqa's sudden yelp.

Goqqa retreated away from Kay and hissed. "You'rre hand hurrts!"

Bayz quickly went up to Goqqa. "Goqqa, he said not to touch his hand. Are you okay?" She turned back to Kay. "Will he be okay?"

Kay sighed. "He'll be fine if he doesn't touch my hand when it's lighting up like this. Now follow behind me, and don't go on any detours."

Bayz sighed after seeing that the burn on Goqqa's hand only left a small mark. She then turned to Kay. "Lead the way. We'll follow behind you."

Goqqa shook his hand and hissed. "But we stay farr behind you. We don't want yourr hand hurrting us again."

Kay nodded, and began leading Bayz and Goqqa to the underground refugee camp, despite Goqqa's annoyed grumblings. The travel through the caverns didn't take too long, since Kay followed the path that Broo had taken to intercept Catlak's group. After passing through five bends in a long tunnel, and walking by a hatchery that was zealously guarded by a queen, feint light was produced at the end of the company's brief trek through the underground. The sight that the three saw stunned them. Even Kay, since this was the first time seeing what he was seeing for the first time.

A large field of tents laid before Kay, Bayz, and Goqqa. The tents varied in their placements, sometimes being constructed on raised platforms which were built from sturdy metal, and were tiered in levels, sometimes as high as seven or eight. The floor level seemed to have creep highways running through and underneath the tented community. The gilanian people also seemed to live within these tents. Further in the distance, Kay could barely make out the large bodies of ultralisks that appeared to be heavily invested in a tunnel-making task. They looked like they were carving through heavy rock and stone with their powerful Kaiser blades. Behind them, zerglings were busy hacking at large stones and boulders that were left behind by the ultralisks' destructive wake, reducing the slabs of bedrock and rubble into gravel and pebbles. The ultralisks left sections of ruck undisturbed, leaving them as-is as pillars that supported the underground cavern's ceiling. Gilanian architects and builders seemed to trail behind the roving swarms of busy zerg organisms, but they were also keeping a wary distance from them as well. They were busy planning the design of the tents and platforms that they would construct for the refugees, while other builders were already busy constructing the metal platforms that the tents would later be constructed on.

Kay whistled, as though he was impressed by the sight. "That's a lot of people."

"There's... There's so many!" Bayz exclaimed, amazed by the number of gilanians she was seeing.

Kay turned to Bayz and smirked. "Probably more than what you would normally see in that dinky little maze you once lived in, huh?"

Goqqa growled. "Lots of people live herre. It looks crrowded."

Bayz walked up to Goqqa and patted his arm. "Maybe we can talk to someone about giving you a space specific to your needs?"

"Humph. Fine. We can do that." Goqqa grumbled.

Bayz turned to Kay. "Um... Do you know where we can find the... uh... person in charge of this refugee camp?"

Kay shrugged at Bayz. "I wouldn't know, since I only just got here. ... Actually, I think there is a way I can find out for you." Kay turned away from Bayz and placed his fingers on the temples of his head again. "Hey Othafurn. Do you know who is in charge around here? There is a lady gilanian in a bubble suit that has a big friend that is in need of a quiet place to settle in."

'Considering the nature of where Bayz and Goqqa had came from, I believe that Baroness Tak should be made aware of their existence. The broodmother known as Broo is already delivering Catlak and his followers to her as we speak.'

"Oh, that's good! Where is she located?" Kay asked.

'At the central fortification, opposite from where the ultralisks are creating more space for the refugee tents. Seek out the largest tent hill. It will have metal walls and tower fortifications protecting the baroness. I'll ping you the location.'

Kay nodded as he felt a sudden psionic ringing that directed his attention to the location he needed to go to. "Kay! I'll be going there soon." Kay then turned to Bayz again. "Alright. Follow me." After gesturing for Bayz and Goqqa to follow him once more, Kay began to lead the way for Bayz and Goqqa.

"You know someone that might help us?" Bayz asked, curious on what Kay had to say while she followed him. Goqqa followed after Bayz and Kay when the party began moving again.

"Yes indeed. But be mindful in her presence. She is known to be a little... well... sharp minded and eclectic for someone in her position." Kay answered.

"Pardon?" Bayz said in confusion.

"Think of her as someone who is of royalty. Mind your manners now, because you will be meeting with Baroness Tak soon." Kay warned.

Bayz gulped. Goqqa grumbled as he voiced his opinion. "A fancy perrson? Hmm. Is therre a manual we can rread rregarrding etiquette?"

Kay stifled a chuckle. "Uh... I guess I can give you a few pointers. Don't talk out of turn unless you are addressed. Always be mindful of what you say. Don't be rude as you talk to her. And under no circumstances, act like an idiot."

"Hmm. We will take that to ourr hearrts." Goqqa said as he beats his chest lightly.

And with that, the party ventured toward Baroness Tak's central fortification.

A/N: It's so early in the morning, yet I need to sleep. I hate pulling all-nighters. :c