Chapter 97: The 200 Million Mile Problem/Major Battle 17: Crown of the Core 1
As far as first impressions would go, Dalzu was having a hard time believing that he was in the presence of The Anointed Authority. It was often said that, due to his position as being the absolute commander of all military personnel and defenses, he had little need to hire bodyguards to protect himself from any assassins. It was even rumored that ALL of the assassins worked for him! But rumors aside, Dalzu was barely containing a panic attack as The Anointed Authority unexpectedly invited himself to the party that Dalzu was hosting.
After an awkward and hurried explanation, The Anointed Authority demanded for Dalzu to take him to his personal computer terminal he uses for managing his satellite networking company. Dalzu then began leading The Anointed Authority through his home, using every ounce of his composure to keep calm and refrain from panicking.
And the walk to Dalzu's personal office was incredibly agonizing.
Several flights of stairs and a visit to an elevator later, the deathly silence between Dalzu and The Anointed One seemed to become more and more pronounced as time went on. As Dalzu gulped a wad of saliva out of nervousness, he decided to break the soundless torture. "... S-... S-... So, uh... You uh... You d-didn't j-just come to my p-party for the drinks?"
"I'm on the job. Alcohol will just cloud my judgement." The Anointed Authority answered curtly.
"Oh! ... U-u-um okay. ... Um... Um... Th-th-that's unfortunate." Dalzu said, trying to continue the conversation.
The Anointed Authority sighed. "Look. The sooner we can get this done, the sooner I can leave you to your business and go back to my own. At the moment, my jurisdiction requires that I invest into a certain dilemma of a particularly grave matter. We intercepted an encrypted transmission, where it contains an unencrypted message detailing a threat level of catastrophic capacity. It is to that end I summoned myself here to get to someone that may know of a way to decrypt this transmission. You."
"Me?!" Dalzu said as he almost tripped on his own feet. "Wh-... Why me? Why do you want me to decrypt your transmission?"
"Because the unencrypted message contains sensitive material that is classified and is regarded as unfit to public knowledge. I'm hoping that with your assistance, we will be able to decipher the encrypted transmission and understand what the intercepted message means." The Anointed Authority explained.
Dalzu nodded as he began to slow down and contemplate upon the answer given to him. "Uh... Oh. So... So that's why you came to me."
The Anointed Authority subtly nodded. "Yes. However, I need you to refrain from asking any questions pertaining to sensitive information. If we come across any classified data that is forbidden to public knowledge, you must swear an oath of secrecy to never reveal this information, unless specified by me specifically. Do you understand?"
Dalzu stiffened. "Y-yes sir!"
The Anointed Authority nodded subtly again. "Good. Are we close to your private office?"
"Yes sir. It's just two more left corners, followed by the third set of doors on the right." Dalzu responded.
As they entered Dalzu's private office, The Anointed Authority took his time and carefully observed the room. It was lavish in design, painted with several kinds of images of magnificent battles, swollen men and lithe women in 'cuddling' positions, and animals of ancient mythology plaguing farmlands and peasantry. There were several couches made of soft materials within the room, whilst the desk was in an elevated position. There was a subtle, yet pungent odor that The Anointed Authority detected.
The Anointed Authority grunted. "So this is supposed to be your 'private' office?"
Dalzu nodded as he made his way to his desk. "It's were I do most of my work in, so... yes."
The Anointed Authority walked with Dalzu as they got to the desk and accessed its computer. "Consider using a better cleaning detergent when sanitizing this room. I can smell hints of sex."
Dalzu froze up as his computer screen lit up and became active. "UH... To be perfectly honest with you, sir, I have been trying to find the source of that smell since last week."
The Anointed Authority shook his head in annoyance. "Let's try to make this quick then. Access satellite AB-DL-2176. It contains the encrypted transmission and the message. We have stopped its transmission completely, but we are aware that you can access its information through private channels. You can do that from this computer, can't you?"
"I can, sir." Dalzu said as he quickly typed in several commands on his computer's keyboard. The screen changed to a video recording. The video began with a white orb with a simple face and golden eyes. His expression, though different from gilanian facial physiology, was expressing an unknowable concern.
The figure bowed to Dalzu and The Anointed Authority before speaking. "Greetings to you, recipients of this message. What you are seeing now is an artificial intelligence of the Kiln Prison System. I am Superintendent Pothalatas, in charge of subsidiary analysis and final analysis of the genetic data we receive from Unsolved Verdict Acquisitions. I am the one responsible for delivering this message to you. We have detected several unsolvable errors, and have encountered unusual bugs, within our system, discovered during our ongoing analysis of the genetic data Unsolved Verdict Acquisitions sends to us. Sadly, due to my programming, I am incapable of manually handling these errors and bugs by myself. As such, I am sending a message to inform that these errors and bugs will continue to escalate until the entire Kiln Prison System reaches total failure, during which time I have no estimate for. However, personnel that is part of the Kiln Prison System has instructed me to send this video message to you, and further instructed me to inscribe an encrypted data dump of all the information regarding the errors and bugs discovered so far. I estimate that if these errors and bugs continue to increase exponentially, then the Kiln Prison System will experience complete destabilization, and the systems outside our own will be subjected to dangers coinciding to a level 11 threat on the Sankatoh threat level scale.
The white orb named Pothalatas then directed a pseudopod towards the camera. "To all viewers seeing my message, I urge you. Initiate the Reverse-Loop Confirmation to notify me that you have acquired my message and encrypted data dump transmission. I will send you the key." He then began to bow toward his audience once more. "May justice remain pure. This is Pothalatas, saying goodbye."
Dalzu held his chin with his hand. "Hmm..." He turned to the only other gilanian in his private office. "I take it that this message was supposed to be sent to every recipient in our star system?"
The Anointed One sighed. "Are you asking?"
"No. I'm just..." Dalzu said, looking at the end of the video message. "... Just mildly speculating a conspiracy. I take it that you came to me to find out what the Reverse-Loop Confirmation is supposed to be, all without summoning the ire of The Jury of Judges?"
The Anointed One paused before sighing again and slightly nodding. "Perhaps."
"Mm." Dalzu turned to The Anointed One. "Listen. It's obvious to me that I have became privy to sensitive information that I know you wouldn't want the public to learn. As such, I subject myself to your authority, and make an oath here an now that I won't divulge any information I have learned, or any information that you have willingly shared with me."
If Dalzu had keener eyes, he could have sworn that The Anointed Authority's eyes had became brighter.
"But with that said, I cannot continue to assist you without learning further on what might be at stake. If you tell me everything that I need to know right now, then I will trade you my compliance and continue assisting you willingly. Do we have an accord?"
After several seconds had passed, The Anointed One reached for his shifting helmet and tapped at its sides. As his helmet melted into the rest of his armor, The Anointed Authority's face was revealed to Dalzu. Lines of gold, copper and silver ran around The Anointed Authority's face like the wiring of a circuit board, where his eyes were covered in golden lenses. It was a face that saw so many wars and countless atrocities, which had chiseled his expression into what seemed like something that was infinitely stern and sharp. It was a merciless and hardened stare that could be likened to a hungry hawk looking at a field mouse.
But Dalzu didn't budge. Sure, he was scared that he might do something wrong and somehow offend The Anointed Authority, and was horrified of the thought of being labeled an enemy to all that followed the ways of the Priority law system. Yet he knew that the current Anointed Authority is the kind of gilanian military leader that respects people with a strong will. It was a gamble, but it was one that Dalzu was willing to make.
The Anointed Authority huffed as he relaxed his expression. "... Since this is an incredibly irregular event, I suppose I shall humor this trade you proposed, Dalzubiggatanner. An oath of cooperation and silence, for an exchange of information. A fair price." He brought his hand out for Dalzu to shake. "I believe I haven't yet introduced myself to you formally. I am Karataranasa. Please call me Kara."
Dalzu carefully grasped Kara's hand as they exchanged a handshake.
"But if this goes poorly, then I will do everything in my power to execute you and label this as an act of dissonance against the Priority. Understand?" Kara warned.
Dalzu nodded at Kara. "Absolutely, my Anointed Authority. ... Uh. I mean Kara. I accept the risks involved."
"Mm." Kara nodded at Dalzu before leaning in closer to him. "So tell me. Does this room have hidden cameras?"
Dalzu blinked. "Why do you want to know that?"
"Because the information I am about to tell you is of a secretive nature. I don't want anyone to learn what I am about to tell you. Now tell me. Is it safe to tell you this information in this room?"
Dalzu nodded. "I'll have to turn off my security and private camera surveillance, but that wouldn't be too hard. I can do it from this terminal."
"Do so. Excuse me for one moment." Kara stepped back as he placed two fingers onto the side of his head. "Ahnuanin, can you detect any outbound channels not registered to this residence? I need some privacy with an individual."
[Query detected. There are no registered outbound channels currently spying on your current location. Shall I initiate the blackout protocol?]
"Not until I tell you to. Keep me updated on any media outlet that is broadcasting my position. If they decide to interfere, send a warrant for their arrest for obstructing justice." Kara commanded.
[Command detected. Surveying news broadcasting agencies in local area.]
"Aaaaand done." Dalzu chimed.
Kara came back to Dalzu's side. "Just in time. ... So. What do you want to know?"
"Oh, just three things." Dalzu replied. "Firstly, what is this Sankatoh's threat level scale? Secondly, why did you intercept this message? And lastly, why would a prison system residing in forbidden space send a message to everyone just to warn us of some errors and bugs?"
"I can answer your first and second questions." Kara said. "Our current threat level scale, as you know, is a system used to identify the damage that a potential threat could cause. The damage can include three different factors; death or harm to one or several citizens, damage done to resources and or property, and destabilization of a territory and or its communications. Now, the Sankatoh threat level scale is an old system of identifying threats, which only uses potential deaths for its calculations. It uses a simple digit system, using the numbers of potential deaths in intervals of ten to classify the damage that the threat is capable of creating. For example, if there was a killer that killed nine people, he would be classified as a level one threat. But if he killed one more person, he would then be classified as a level two threat."
"Huh." Dalzu brought his fingers to his face as began counting aloud. "So by that logic... 1. 10. 100. 1,000. 10,000. 100,000. 1,000,000. 10,000,000. 100,000,000... A level ten threat would be able to kill a billion people."
"Sort of." Kara corrected. "It would be anywhere between a billion people, and a single denomination less of ten billion people dying."
Dalzu's face became pale as he understood what Kara was getting to. "... Buh... Th-th-that would mean a level 11 threat would involve-"
"Anywhere between ten billion to one less of a hundred billion people getting killed by the threat in question." Kara finished.
Dalzu was reeling from the realization.
Kara patted Dalzu on the shoulder. "It's not the end of the world while I'm around. Don't worry." A bored and dissatisfied hum then escaped Kara's lungs. "And to answer your second question, if this message had managed to get into the public information network and became known by the citizens of our world, then they would instigate a world-wide panic. And so, as a responsible Anointed Authority, I couldn't allow for that to happen. A level 7 threat would certainly cause some unrest within the communities of our world, but a level 11 threat would most certainly cause mass hysteria. It was a judgement call, and I decided to prevent the message and encrypted transmission from causing any unwanted chaos."
"Ah. Yeah. Even I would have panicked a little had I learned of the contents of that message." Dalzu stated.
"But for your third question..." Kara said as he folded his arms. "I'm hoping to find out the answer by coming to you. Now let me ask you some things. What is the Double-Loop Confirmation?"
Dalzu idled for a couple seconds before answering. "... Well, considering that the Kiln Prison System was designed to acquire genetic data through satellite signals sent from Unsolved Verdict Acquisitions, it's probably a fail-safe to ensure that the encrypted transmission dump they receive didn't degrade."
"How so?" Kara asked.
"It's basically a system that ensures that the genetic data the Kiln Prison System receives is genuine and accurate. Once the message is analyzed, the receiver would send back a copy of the transmission they received, but flipped in reverse. It would then be processed by the original sender. If the transmission contains no flaws, such as the DNA samples of the culprits that have insufficient evidence placed against them, or the results of the simulations that are conducted at the Kiln Prison System, then the transmissions would be labeled as authentic, and an encryption key would be sent to decipher the transmission dump. All we have to do is reverse the message and transmission we received from our 'Potha' character here and send it back to the source to validate and confirm authenticity. We will then get an encryption key to decode the data dump transmission. It's as simple as that!" Dalzu explained.
"How long until we get the encryption key to decode the encrypted transmission data?" Kara asked.
Dalzu sighed as he scratched the back of his head. "Oh... Um... That's a bit trickier to answer. Since we would be using satellite signals to transmit a reversed copy of our message to the Kiln Prison System in forbidden space, it'd take roughly fifteen minutes to get from here to there. Then, once they get our reversed copy of their message, they will give us their encryption key. That will take around another fifteen minutes. So, overall, we're looking at half an hour of waiting after we sent the flipped version of their own message."
"Mm..." Kara nodded slowly.
"... Heh. I guess I can see why you wanted to contact me and request my help in this matter. You have no real experience with satellite communication arrays, don't you?" Dalzu said with a coy smirk.
"Of course. You're the head of a reliable and successful satellite company. You've been so competent with every other national aerospace transmissions company because you took the time to understand satellite transmission signals and satellite mechanisms. But we're getting off track. You're saying that if we flipped this message and send it back to them, we'll get the encryption key to decrypt our transmission?"
Dalzu nodded. "That's basically it, yeah."
A satisfied huff came out from Kara's lungs. "Alright. Send their message back to them. Let's get to the bottom of this, once and for all."
Kragnon could hardly believe what he had heard several minutes earlier. He would finally have the chance to be the one to end the life of the tyrant of Kiln. It was a distant dream of those that wanted a life without persecution, or those being ruled by an oppressive government headed by what is essentially an immortal hologram. But even with Kragnon's thoughts becoming engrossed on a beneficial regicide, his mind kept coming back to that one moment he had with Kay, the overcommander of the zerg swarm.
Kay patted Kragnon's back. "Come on. It's time we finish this."
A second after that moment, Thyzir, a zerg command organism that was known as a cerebrate, had rudely interjected himself into the conversation and suggested forming a council that would discuss the tactics and strategies to pursue Gollog, which consisted of every highest ranked commander in Kay and Virid's brood. Kay was reluctant to the idea, but Thyzir was very persistent. Eventually, he made Kay cave in and go along with forming the war council.
And that was how Kragnon and Kay relocated themselves into a wide, underground, creep infested cavern, which Kay had chosen to be where the council would take place.
Minutes later, the members of the council had arrived.
Virid had arrived first, sided by two huge queens and four hunter killers.
Othafurn came next, whom was protected by a pack of roaches.
Corvurn was invited to the council as well, but he came alone.
Thyzir was brought into the council meeting by way of a nydus worm and several drones that carried him on their backs. Once his couriers, consisting of multiple drones, dropped is giant brain/slug self onto the ground, Thyzir got comfortable an began speaking. 'Alright~! It does me great pleasure to announce that this war council has been formed, and is now in session. The councilors that have formed this council consists of these members: Kay, the Overcommander Ascendant. Virid, the High Broodmother. Corvurn, the Evolution Master. Othafurn, the Librarian Advisor. And, of course, me, Thyzir, the Super Mega Ultimate Cerebrate of Multitasking! And joining with us today is an infested gilanian by the name of Kragnon the Lovechief.'
Kay rolled his eyes. "Okay, first off, I'm going to demote you if you ever say that cheesy title of yours again."
Thyzir was shocked by this. '... Whu-what?'
"I'm not calling you a Super Mega Ultimate... whatever. Just... Refer to yourself as the Prime Cerebrate from this point on. Kay?" Kay groaned.
After a dumbfounded pause, Thyzir beamed back at Kay with ecstatic glee. 'Oh, what joy! That is certainly a better title than what I came up with for myself! Thank you so much, my overcommander!'
Virid huffed. "Stop with the flattering already. Is there a reason why I was brought here?" She hissed.
Othafurn sighed. "This does seem like a grand misuse of time. We could be having this conversation through the psionic hivemind connection while we were focused on other tasks."
Corvurn was nonplussed as he raked his claws against each other in annoyance. "Current strain experimentation requires attention. Explain purpose of council meeting."
'Indeed I will!' Thyzir chirped. 'As I was eavesdropping on Kay and Kragnon's conversation, I recommended to form a war council to discuss what tactics, strategies, and methods we can use to finally strike down our most hated enemy, Emperor Gollog and his empire remnants.'
"You didn't recommend forming a council." Kay said flatly. "You prattled on endlessly on having me form the council, so I did it to make you shut up about it."
Kragnon decided to be the voice of reason as he stepped in. "Guys? Can we begin this war council now so we can adjourn and finally begin our mission to find and kill Gollog?"
Kragnon had a point. Everybody wanted the immortal emperor dead, and to bicker during a war council would only place unneeded effort elsewhere. Thyzir did his equivalent of a cough before mentally speaking again. 'Right... As Prime Cerebrate, I announce that this war council shall commence immediately. Librarian Othafurn, could you please discuss our assassination target, his possible current location, and the location's defenses?'
Othafurn nodded and began concentrating on her memories. "... From what I have learned, the Sovereign Crypt is several thousands of kilometers below the surface of Kiln. Our knowledge of the Sovereign Crypt is ultimately limited, since we only saw it from General Pallax's perspective."
Virid nodded as she looked up and crossed her arms. "The version of myself that was tasked to spy on Pallax only saw a few rooms. She had little success. The MEM shift device chamber, a couple of hallways, and the recovery ward was all she saw. If we are to grow a hive cluster within the crypt itself, then we need a larger area to plant one in. Sadly, I was unable to find any."
Kragnon's expression became puzzled as Corvurn decided to chime in. "Distance to crypt, problematic. Resource tumors absorb ambient energy from environment through creep. Underground hive clusters, flooded. Radioactive floodwater still present. Will take months to absorb and convert toxic floodwater into resources. However, geothermal energy conversion, problematic. Converting geothermal energy into bio-matter and accelerant, lengthier process. Estimated approximate time for total molten material cool-down below Kiln's crust, eight hundred thousand years."
Kay sighed. "It's a shame we don't have a strain of nydus worm that can tolerate magma. For an artificial world, this place was created to be quite the pain in the ass for its prisoners."
Kragnon interjected. "Uh... What do you mean by 'version of yourself', Virid?"
Virid sighed as she gestured at Kragnon while looking at Kay. "Would you mind telling him?"
Kay nodded at Virid, and then directed a mental message to Kragnon. 'What Virid had meant is that there was another version of her in a past timeline that spied on Pallax, while he went into the Sovereign Crypt. We know this because the zerg we once sent to capture an Era Agency facility created a special strain with an eidetic memory, which was Othafurn. My past self knew the location of the Sovereign Crypt, which was later told to Othafurn, and then delivered to me in this new branch in the timeline. Now, since you know this information too, I want you to know that blurting out this information would have dire consequences in our timeline. We don't know if the Era Agency is listening into our verbal talks, so I think it would be best to keep this a secret from them. Kay?'
'Uh... Okay.' Kragnon replied mentally. Apparently, there was a lot more going on than he had originally thought.
"Don't mind the in-joke, Kragnon. It's just her way of being funny. Even if she doesn't know how to laugh." Kay said, seamlessly answering Kragnon. The mental conversation Kay had with Kragnon only took a split second. To an outside observer that wasn't psionic, it would seem like the mental conversation hadn't happened at all.
"Uh... Okay." Kragnon replied aloud.
'Ah, but to use the resource tumors in drawing out heat from deep below Kiln's crust would certainly take way too much of our time. Although, we are kinda, sort of, you know, immortal and everything. Luckily, we have a special shortcut at our disposal!' Thyzir said.
"Shortcut?" Kragnon asked. He then remembered. "Oh! You mean that thing Kay did to get into the sky rings?"
Kay nodded. "Yup." He then flexed his hand and focused a small part of his mind in order to pool a small amount of psionic energy into his palm. "I am capable of forming wormholes that will link any two locations together. Meaning that, with a bit of practice, I'll be able to get some infiltration agents to sneak inside of the Sovereign Crypt to get a better understanding of its infrastructure. Once we map out the crypt, we can send some drones in and begin forming a hive cluster inside of Kiln's core."
"Must address problem regarding growing hive clusters within core." Corvurn interjected. "Drones removed from hive influence cannot sustain mutations. Will revert to base level evolution."
Kay's expression scrunched into uncertainty and concern. "Uh... Mind explaining that, Corvurn?"
Corvurn nodded. "Mutations strengthened through psionic connection. Hatcheries, lairs, hives, spires, evolution chambers, other subsequent bio-structures needed for zerg combat strains and mutations. All zerg strains spawned from hive cluster inside core will revert to standard adaptations. Example, no defensive or offensive improvements unless drone morphs into evolution chamber."
"Hmm..." Kay nodded to Corvurn's explanation. "... But even if the zerg spawned there might not have the same mutations we have here, that doesn't mean we can't send zerg down from the surface of Kiln through my wormholes." Kay then crossed his arms and smiled. "In fact, sending a gaggle of changelisks to survey the rest of the Sovereign Crypt would benefit our espionage and infiltration attempts. Once they mapped out the area for us, we can then send some drones down there to slowly and quietly build us an army. Once our army becomes sufficient, we can then initiate our assault and finally tear down the empire to its last cornerstone."
"But there is a problem with that plan, Kay." Virid intoned. "Without an overriding will nearby to govern the changelisks and other zerg strains within Kiln's core, they would become feral and directionless. We don't know if there is enough room for overlords to float in, and there might not be enough space for a single hatchery to be placed and grown in."
"I already thought of that, actually." Kay said. "We send in a specialist zerg strain. Most likely, a broodmother adapted to being a mobile production facility, capable of spawning zerglings, roaches, hydralisks and drones. Once the broodmother infiltrates into the Sovereign Crypt, she can direct the changelisks to find an area where she can make a nest in. Once she has a basic hive cluster grown, she can then focus on growing an army while we seek out other locations to grow more hive clusters in."
Virid nodded. "Then I shall be the broodmother for the task."
Kay raised an eyebrow at Virid. "Are you sure?"
"I can handle the modifications to my oviparous organs. That, and I am not the only one that wants the Golden Star Empire to fall in its entirety." Virid added.
"However," Othafurn interjected. "We must be aware of the possibility of surveillance cameras and defenses being entrenched within Kiln's core. Though I doubt Gollog would think that far ahead and wouldn't expect a zerg onslaught occurring within the Sovereign Crypt, it is likely to assume that he has a security system capable of detecting and targeting our forces."
'It is certain that our enemy will sound the alarm the moment they spot us, or when we finally amass a force strong enough to attack them.' Thyzir added. 'We will need to send in the evolved changelings first to find a beachhead. Once we secured a location to form our hive clusters and spawn our minions, we can then begin our search-and-destroy mission. Our main objectives for this mission are, of course, the commanders and the emperor himself. Everything else will be collateral and at our mercy.'
Kay sighed. "That's the thing though. We don't know what else might be down there. It could be an endless maze of corridors and rooms. We might not find the space we need to morph our hatcheries. It might contain not just commanders and an emperor, but also other gilanians that have been purposed as immortal servants to Gollog. Hell, we might even find that giant robot down there. Any hive clusters formed within the Sovereign Crypt might not have a chance to be of any use once it find them."
The walls suddenly shuddered as the nydus worm vomited out a beast of gargantuan proportions. Alexandriana's form emerged from the nydus worm's mouth, which had almost injured its gaping maw as she left it. She growled as she stood upright and leaned over the council. "Summon me."
Kragnon was surprised as he saw a giant face. A giant, reptilian, carapace covered face, which emitted a deadly green mist as her glowing purple veins pulsed. He nearly fell backwards as he suppressed a shriek. Kay gestured towards Alexandriana nonchalantly and casually. "Alex, you haven't been cordially invited to this war council."
Alexandriana growled. "If that giant robot shows up during your infiltration mission, then I want to be there to hunt it down. Summon me to fight it. That is all I ask."
Thyzir was chuckling, amused from Alexandriana's abrupt request. 'Oh, you'll have your chance to fight the super cyborg mech suit once more, Alexandriana. However, we may need another seat at this council to discuss additional strategies and tactics. Since I can tell you have an apt mind, I would like to ask you to join us.'
Kay's expression immediately changed to disbelief. "You're kidding, right?"
Alexandriana huffed. "Apt?"
Kay shook his head and pointed at Thyzir. "Why in whatever equivalent to zerg hell there is do you want her to sit in our war council?"
'Think of it like this, Kay.' Thyzir calmly explained. 'Would you rather have our dear Alexandriana be bored with nothing else to do, just to wallow and not have any of her pent-up aggression be put to use on things that needs to be killed or destroyed, or would you rather have her by our side in this war against Golden Star, allowing and letting her pent-up aggression be put to use on things that needs to be killed or destroyed?'
Kay paused to consider Thyzir's words before looking up to Alexandriana's giant face. Alexandriana looked back down at Kay, her expression seeming to be a mix of eagerness and restlessness. If cabin fever was mixed with a lust for war, then that would be what Kay was sensing from Alexandriana's mind. In hindsight, Alexandriana's abilities and skills would be too cumbersome to use in the core of Kiln. But even then, she was also an unbridled monster that would seek out conflict by her own means, and could end that conflict easily. Ultimately, her power and rage was unstable, but also very useful. One would have to be a fool to pull her from the battlefield.
Kay relented and nodded, sighing. "Alright, she can join our war council. But under one condition."
Alexandriana tilted her head. "Which is?"
"I want you to become a full-fledged council member. Not only do you have a lot of strength, but a powerful will too. This brood could benefit with a creature like you assisting it." Kay asked.
Alexandriana chortled a laugh. "Fine, but I'll only be invested in any future battles and wars we come across. Do we understand each other?"
Kay nodded with a smile. "Then it's agreed."
Thyzir beamed at this moment. 'A new member has joined this council? Excellent! I hereby dub our new member: Alexandriana, the Torra-Nox Omegazor~!'
Kay promptly facepalmed himself. Alexandriana snorted derisively, but appeared to be content with the new title and membership to the council.
Kragnon chuckled slightly. "Heh. Six council members of this zerg brood. I believe that would make this some kind of zerg hexarchy."
Thyzir was ecstatic from Kragnon's comment. 'Ooh! I rather like that! I recommend from this day onward that this council shall be named: The Zerg Hexarchy Council!'
"Thyzir, if you keep this up, I'm going to demote you to the title 'Motormouth Cerebrate'." Kay threatened, his palm slightly sliding off of his face.
Thyzis seemed to make a double-take before deciding to continue with his rant. He elected to keep himself brief. '... Ah. Well then. I'll just say that I am sorry for being such a coccydynia to you, my overcommander. I shall quiet my discourse till we are more amicable later.'
Kay sighed, but then steeled his nerves. "Alright. We all now know what to do with this plan. Now we prepare."
Thyzir did his equivalent of a nod. 'Then I hereby dub this meeting concluded.' Thyzir said, marking the end of the war council's discussions.
The final battle with Gollog was drawing closer at hand.
Deep beneath the surface of Kiln, there was a chrome room. It contained a medical bed that could incline itself in several positions while a surveillance terminal hanged next to the bed. The lights within this room was currently off, and the terminal's screen was dark and showed no activity. The light emitted in this room was nonexistent, since there was no need to spare any power for a room that had no occupants within it. It was bare of any designs and furniture, save for the reclining bed and hanging terminal. It was also devoid of life of any kind. It shared a similarity to a hospital room where a patient would sit inside and recover from their illnesses and wounds. Ironic, because it was a room that had been chosen for infestation.
Swirls of violet and black coalesced into the center of this room, which then gathered and expanded to reveal a violent maelstrom of bright orangish-yellow energy. An insectoid figure crawled out from this hole in space, which deposited the creature within this vary room. It had very little room to move in but it could fold its legs and wings to fit comfortably within it. Sadly, the door was too small for the intruder to make its way out from. But even then, it didn't intend to leave this room just yet. 'I'm in.' Virid reported. The high broodmother had modified herself before her mission began, thanks to some assistance from the Evolution Master, and was now ready to take part in this, hopefully discreet, infiltration mission.
'Heh. Looks like the twenty-some years of remembering the location where Pallax had crashed after he was removed from duty paid off.' Kay chimed.
'Virid. Can you see out the door?' Othafurn asked.
'I would rather not risk showing my face just yet. I will make room, allowing Kay to deliver changelisks to my position.' Virid said, pushing the reclining bed to the side with her clawed hands to allow a little more room.
'Alright. Let me just...' Seconds later, six changelisks emerged from the wormhole created within the middle of the room. Shortly after, the wormhole closed itself. The room quickly became crowded, but it was an easily ignored discomfort. 'We're using six changelisks for a start. Have one look in the hallway.'
One of the six changelisks volunteered to crack the door open and sneak a peak. One of its eyes extended into the crack and surveyed the hallway lying beyond the room. It, and much like the room Virid and her retinue of changelisks were in, was empty. 'We are alone. So far.' Virid reported, using the changelisk peering into the hallway as her eyes.
'A good thing that we are.' Kay said. 'Send out one changelisk and have him scout around. Look for weaknesses. Seek out our targets. Begin your silent infestation operation.'
The changelisk that was looking into the hallways turned into a naked gilanian. He then began walking through the hallways, careful to not make a sound or become cornered by something unpleasant. The hallways extended onward for a great stretch of distance before splitting off in a T-section. As that changelisk found that T-Section, another changelisk left the room Virid was staying in, it too picking a random direction to walk in, whom was just as careful in making noise and drawing attention. So far, after several minutes had passed, the alarms haven't been tripped due to her or her changelisks' presence.
From the gilanian language and its symbolism that the zerg 'learned' from Kiln's population, the signs and arrows along the walls would suggest that the Sovereign Crypt was a type of dedicated medical facility. It was fairly large, able to house approximately a hundred patients or so. Despite the slow, crawling progress, the changelisks continued on navigating this underground labyrinth of doors and rooms.
Eventually, one of the changelisks managed to find what might have passed as the 'front' desk of this facility. There was a woman stationed there, filing her claws and humming a complex, but beauteous tune, and she was dressed in a pink and white gown. She seemed to have a steaming beverage with her.
The changelisk produced a hidden bone blade from its flesh as he quietly approached the nurse. Once the blade extended, the changelisk made a small stab into his hand and drew scarlet ichor. A careful flick of the wrist flung the drops of its blood into the receptionists cup of steamy liquid. Once the task was done, the changelisk made its retreat. The receptionist looked up after the changelisk had left. Whatever presence she may have felt before was now gone, and so, took it as her mind playing tricks to herself.
She took the steaming cup and sipped from it, but her face scrunched up into a sour expression. "Bleh... YONT! COME HERE! I WANT TO TALK TO YOU AND YOUR BIG FAT TAIL FOR A MINUTE!"
Another gilanian female in pink and white attire arrived several seconds later. Her expression seemed seemed to be painted with annoyance. "Wha~a~a~a~at is it this time, Fayb?" She said in a sing-song voice.
The one called Fayb gestured to her cup. "What did you put in my revitalizant?" She asked curtly.
The other gilanian, apparently named Yont, tilted her head in confusion at Fayb. "What? Are you accusing me of something? Bitch, you know that I don't like you, but you also know that I respect you as one of my coworkers."
"You sounded very defensive with that reply, Yont. Are you sure you didn't try poisoning me with something?" Fayb accused.
Yont shook her head. "I don't know what you're talking about. I didn't poison your revitalizant."
"Then here. Taste this." Fayb said, offering her cup.
Yont retracted a little. "Can't I have a pass? I know how much revitalizant sweetener you add to your cup."
Fayb was unflinching. "Considering how much cream you drink with your confections and your fat tail, I'd say your excuse is invalid. Now have a sip, or I'm filing a complaint."
"Ugh. Fine." Yont took Fayb's cup of revitalizant and took a small sip. Her expression was similar to Fayb's reaction. "Uagh, what the... Did someone pee in your cup or something?"
Fayb shook her head. "It's not pee, you idiot. It's more coppery than that."
"Coppery?" Yont said, placing the cup back down. "Well whatever. I can get you a new cup since this one is OBVIOUSLY not to your high standards."
Fayb sighed and rolled her eyes. "No, I want you to take over my station. I'll get myself a cup instead."
"I'm okay with that." Yont said as she replaced Fayb. "Better to sit down than to make the rounds and checking up on patients for the umpteenth time."
"Sure you are. Heavens forbid you get any physical exercise, OR THAT MIGHT MAKE YOUR TAIL SLIMMER!" Fayb teased.
"OH YEAH?!" Yont yelled back at Fayb. "WELL OUT OF THE TWO OF US, BECCA CERTAINLY LIKES ME MORE THAN HE LIKES YOU!"
"THAT'S BECAUSE HE'S A CHUBBY CHASER! IT'S NOT MY FAULT ALL THE HOT GUYS GO FOR YOU!"
"THAT'S BECAUSE I'M NOT A TRAMP PROSTITUTING FOR FREE, LIKE ONE OF YOUR SIDE JOBS!"
"FAT CLOACA!"
"BRATTY BITCH!"
"HAVE FUN SITTING! DON'T SOMEHOW TRIP WHILE ON YOUR ASS!"
"HAVE FUN GETTING REVITALIZANT! DON'T ORDER A MAIL-ORDER FUCKBOY BY ACCIDENT AGAIN!"
Despite their exchange of verbal barbs, Fayb had went to get another cup of revitalizant for herself, while Yont took over for her. However, the damage was done. They were unaware of the HEV that had mingled into Fayb's revitalizant and was mixing into their systems. The virus was prolific and heavily laden within every single zerg organism, which could easily take over the immune system of any creature unfortunate enough to become its host should it ever be transferred to them. The virus that the changelisk delivered to the two hospital receptionists would act slowly and dissect their minds over a period of time. Once their minds have been sufficiently analyzed by the HEV, Virid would direct them to a location where their physical mutations could proceed without notice. Nobody would bat an eye to two receptionists at an alien hospital when two changelisks would replace them, while their real selves would mutate, change, and evolve into something unrecognizable.
And thus, the pattern of infestation would begin as a covert plague, where the victims would be hidden within the walls of the hospital, and the changelisks would hide themselves in the guise of the victims, copying and learning their memories, skills, and talents. It was through the subterfuge of biological infestation that the zerg specialize in, and infesting this hospital would be no different.
As the minds of the two receptionists have been studied and absorbed by the small hivemind that Virid maintained, she was confident enough to begin stage two of her infiltration: Amassing and spreading her infiltrators.
However, as she began expanding her operations, the two receptionists she had her changelisk subtly infest had revealed further knowledge of the surroundings she found herself in.
The Sovereign Crypt was divided into ten living sections, situated like the points of an eight-sided die, and connected together through an array of pneumatic-driven train stations. Each of these living sections, simply called districts by its inhabitants, contained the total surviving gilanian population that numbered around ten thousand. Each of these districts were given a name and a theme, which shaped the style and culture of the populations that lived within these living spaces.
The Arggen District, themed with the colors of blue and the symbol of a hammer, was quite military driven, and takes much of their inspiration of the Crescent Arms Division into their homes and streets.
The Taggen District, themed green with the symbol of a magnifying lens, held more scientific minds, and was a place where scientific analysis was not just a cornerstone of their reality, but also a way of life.
The Libben District, themed yellow with the symbol of three towers, contained a more industrialized setting that ranged between urban and suburban infrastructure, as well as containing the most gilanians out of all of the other districts.
The Quiggen District, themed purple with the symbol of a cloak with two eyes under the hood, was a place where people kept an air of mystery around themselves, since subterfuge, information gathering, and discreet discourse was encouraged and practiced.
The Poggen District, themed red with the symbol of a feathered skull, had inhabitants that practiced legislative powers through bureaucratic and political understanding. Expressing opinions within this district was considered slightly taboo, but was allowed a brief duration for the opinion being expressed. That is until Gollog's more higher ranked servants comes to the opinionated party and slaps them on the wrist.
The Arphas District, themed cyan with the symbol of a plant leaf, contained a vast array of flora and fauna that was carefully tended by gardeners, ranchers, and various farmers. It was a district that contained the third smallest gilanian population.
The Taphas District, themed orange with the symbol of a machine arcing electricity, had engineers of the highest degree that performed careful maintenance of machines, weapons, and the giant engine that powered every district. This district had an even smaller population than the Arphas District.
The Liphas District, themed black with the symbol of a crate containing various items within, was considered a 'storage' district of sorts. Anything of great value to Gollog and his servants were brought here as trophies or keepsakes. It also happened to be a perfect reservoir for storing resources in. Technically speaking, it was the only district that had little to no gilanians populating it.
The Quiphas District, themed brown with the symbol of an hourglass converting trash into gold, was a district that was purposed for recycling resources. Reducing and re-purposing resources was its population's primary focus. It had the fourth smallest population out of all the other districts.
And finally, the Pophas District, themed white with the symbol of a tall glittering crown, was a place where only Gollog and his most trusted servants resided in. It is also where a group of the most oldest and most elite of Gollog's servants lived, which were called The Hundred Butlers of Golden Star. These butlers, often nicknamed The Lucky Hundred, or Lucklers, acted as administrative leaders that managed the peace within the other districts. There would always be ten of these butlers that appoint themselves with the management of the other districts, where the ten eldest butlers hold the privilege of serving Gollog himself and holding more voting weight than their lesser peers.
Despite all this information Virid was receiving, she gained no additional knowledge pertaining to the whereabouts of Gollog and his commanders. The two receptionists were next to useless, but they provided great boons of information that Virid was ravenous for. And, from the knowledge she gleaned from Yont and Fayb, she was currently presiding in the highest populated district of the Sovereign Crypt. The Libben District. Virid couldn't have asked for a more perfect location to begin her infiltration mission.
However, the people that lived in these ten districts encasing their planet's core didn't call it The Sovereign Crypt. They called it The Sovereign City.
And furthermore, Gollog himself had forbidden the residents of this 'city' from asking question about his war with the Zerg Swarm. He even took drastic measures, and prevented his sovereign population from anonymously accessing the information network. This information blackout was put into effect nineteen years ago, one year after Kay had been entrapped inside of the temporal tomb that era agent Bulschtein had trapped him in. Overall, the sovereign population knew that they were safe from the war, but morale would continue downward in a slow spiral of depression and a constant rise of restlessness.
Apparently, Gollog had promised the citizenry of his most faithful servants that, once their emperor had conquered the entire surface of Kiln, they would all become lords of their own kingdoms, and rule under Gollog's immortal reign for a splendorous and luxurious eternity.
But when the population slowly began to realize that their promise of becoming immortal lords was taken away due to the war, they resorted to a lifestyle of self-satisfaction and indignant contemptuousness. To be immortal and to be without purpose. It was a maddening existence. Most people knew each other over the centuries of coexistence, and now they were sick of each other after so many decades of living in such conditions. However, despite the message that Gollog has sent to every mortal gilanian that served in his empire, the residents of the Sovereign Crypt/City remained unaware of Gollog's genocide of his own people through a spoken command that denied Kay any refugees that still wanted to defect from Golden Star Empire. Thought the ban on procreating was lifted, it did little to ease their tension.
They weren't living within a utopia. They were living in a prison within a prison, tired of the bliss that their emperor had given them. A curse in the disguise of eternal longevity and a promise laying broken before them, though they know not of how or why.
Virid relayed everything she could back to the hivemind on the surface of Kiln. 'In summation, their defenses are not equipped for our infiltration mission. Our operation will continue without any further complications.'
'So the Sovereign Crypt was a city the whole time? I thought the crypt's population would only have him in it! ... Oh, and maybe a few commanders too.' Kay said, surprised by the information Virid was feeding him.
As Othafurn absorbed this information, she then began to share her observation. 'It is surprising to see a city untouched by our war. To think that this existed under our noses all this time.'
'... Uh. Othafurn. You don't have a nose.' Kay said to Othafurn.
Othafurn hummed in slight annoyance. 'I am aware, Kay. I was using one of your terran idioms.'
'Oh! Oh, well I uh... ... Man, now I feel like a wet sandwich pointing that out. Tch.' Kay said, feeling like an idiot.
'Librarian Othafurn, Overcommander Kay, I need you to remain focused.' Virid said, interrupting their useless banter. 'The population within the Sovereign Crypt, or as the population here calls 'The Sovereign City', is largely unguarded and policed by its own specialized law system. Most importantly, they don't have HEV or ENO field scanners stationed within this underground city.'
'Hmm. It's as though these people believe that our swarm won't come for them right into their own enclosure hidden right by the core of their world.' Added Thyzir. 'What a pitiful mindset. So! Shall we send down some more shapeshifters? We can abduct some of Gollog's servants, infect them with the HEV, and then trade places with them with our changelisks at the ready.'
'We will have to be careful with who we infect. If we are too careless, they might raise an alarm and prepare for our invasion. We don't even know what kind of surveillance system they use.' Kay said.
Alexandriana interjected. 'If you find the giant robot, summon me as soon as you can. We might find it in that Taphas District place. The orange place, where they fix things in.'
'Oh you'll get a chance to destroy it, Alex. Trust me.' Kay promised. 'Huh... Kay. Sending more changelisks to your position, Virid. Have your changelisks infest some of the patients in that ward, if you can. You won't have any overlords or hatcheries to supply control to your minions, so only fight if you really need to.'
'I will have to find space to spawn a brood to destroy the servants of Gollog. There is little room here in this district, but the biological matter in the Arphas and Liphas districts may prove useful. I shall visit them when I can.' Virid said.
'Clear out surrounding infrastructure.' Corvurn recommended. 'Make more space for hive cluster. Modify changelisk disguises. Blend with population. Standard infiltration procedures required.'
'Yeah, what he said, but try not to make it sound like a crew of monsters is tearing the place apart.' Kay added.
'Infesting builders that are specialized in maintaining these underground structures will prove useful. They may have the knowledge and experience we need.' Virid mentioned.
'But we need to find them first. Continue collecting knowledge from infesting the populace, High Broodmother Virid. We shall continue assisting you from afar.' Othafurn said.
'Wait.' Kragnon interjected.
'What is it?' Kay asked.
'Are we really going to infest all of these people?' Kragnon asked.
'Uh. That is the general idea, yeah.' Kay answered.
'I... don't know how to feel about this.' Kragnon said.
'War is hardly ever pretty.' Kay explained. 'Think of it like this: These people have devoted their servitude and worship to an immortal asshole that would rather commit genocide on his own people than uplift them in a peaceful manner. Gollog made an empire from a regime based on oppressing anyone whose viewpoints are different from his, and granting power to the loyal masses that shares his ideology. If all these gilanians are his supposed immortal servants, then they are our enemies as well.'
'Kay has a point, Kragnon.' Othafurn added, indifferent to Kragnon's discomfort. 'Though Gollog retreated from the war, it is likely that he will strike again if given time to recuperate. There is also the issue to the nature of the prison system that entraps us. For many years, the Swarm has tried to find a way to leave this prison. If our answer lies in the Sovereign Crypt, then we must explore it and discover any secrets hidden within. It is hinted that the key to leaving this prison is in there.'
'We were brought here by accident.' Virid pointed out. 'But if we are to find a way out of this prison system, then we must explore its secrets, no matter how many dark corners we investigate. We have been trapped on this world for far too long.'
Kay sighed. 'And for some of us, it's been an eternity onto itself.'
Kragnon sighed. 'But even if we infest the last remaining gilanians of Kiln, what then? What I am trying to ask is... What would happen to the Kiln Prison System when it has no more prisoners to imprison?'
'Ooooooooh.' Kay replied. He then took a minute to think before forming an answer. 'Hmm... You know, since Gollog told me that all healthy gilanian clones born from the Kiln Prison System had nanites in their bodies, it would come to reason that if the gilanian population no longer existed, then it would come to reason that the prison system would 'probably' react negatively to that. And from what Seneschal Zagion had told me, the prison system is pretty reliant on its prisoner population.'
Thyzir seemed to understand what Kay was getting to. 'So does this means we must erect a zoo of prisoners from the servants that follow Gollog's rule just so we don't anger the prison system? Oof. Sounds like a difficult hurdle to accomplish.'
'It means we would have to deliver some of the gilanians out from within the crypt city and to the surface of Kiln.' Othafurn suggested. 'Since they are immortal, there is no need to worry about terminal diseases or dying of old age. And, since the Kiln Prison System uses gilanian nanites to manipulate the developing zygotes of the fertilized female population to produce additional clones, the problem of spawning inbred offspring would rarely occur.'
'Oh gods, you're right about that. But...' Kragnon seemed to wretch. '... that's just disgusting!'
'It very well may be disgusting, Kragnon, but it leaves us with no other alternative.' Kay admitted. 'If we are to prevent the Kiln Prison System from downsizing its assets and releasing its reclamation protocol once again, then we have to sacrifice certain moral restrains to prevent our own doom. Virid, I recommend that you don't contaminate or infect every gilanian you find down there. Leave, like, maybe half or a quarter of them alone. Kay? Or failing that, find a way to contain them without having to injure or harm them in any way without delivering the HEV into their bodies.'
'The Swarm technically doesn't have a moral code. And also, these immortal servants have little regard for laws regulating inbreeding. I have learned from Fayb that some of her clients she prostitutes with have fetishes that would be questionable within a terran society.' Virid reported.
As Virid send this information to Kay, he began to wretch. 'OH FUCK THAT! GROSS! UGH! Virid. For future reference, don't ever send mental images like that to me. EVER.'
'You are so unnecessarily squeamish, but I shall abide to this command.' Virid said, mentally rolling her eyes.
'OOOOOUUUUUUGHGHGHGHGH! THAT WAS... WHAT WAS... THE FUCK?!' Kragnon shouted, which was dry-heaving at that point.
'Oh I don't see what the big deal is.' Thyzir interjected. 'They're just holding hands.'
'Yeah, but uh...' Kay tried to be delicate. 'They share the same mother and father. ... Who were siblings. And she got dressed up as one of her client's nieces. And it isn't so much as the image itself, but the thoughts of what Fayb was willing to do to her client.'
'Oh. Hmm. Well I say, that's uh... Okay, that's actually making ME have a double-take on her thought processes. What a kinky little minx!' Thyzir added.
Kay shook his head. 'Kay. I propose from here on out that the memories and thoughts relating of Fayb's 'profession' will be regarded as completely unrelated to our mission, and therefore, must be forgotten completely. All in favor of this proposal?'
'Yes.' Replied Virid.
'I agree.' Replied Thyzir.
'I am fine with this proposal.' Replied Othafurn.
'Acceptable.' Replied Corvurn.
'Please.' Replied Alexandriana.
'Then this discussion never happened.' Kay said, feeling gross from the information Virid had mentally shared with him.
And so, the infiltration mission into the Sovereign Crypt/City was underway.
It would take great skill to infest much of the gilanian population that was purposed to serve Gollog and his rule, but the primary goal was to find and locate Gollog himself and his four commanders. They may hide themselves in the masses of the gilanian population, but they would be incapable of hiding for very long. After all, it was only a matter of time till Kay and Virid's brood gained enough knowledge to discover where their targets are hiding.
Like an invisible plague, the changelisks would spread out from the hospital, hiding in plain sight in the guises of the patients and receptionists of the people they infected. As more people became infected with a slow-acting, mind-reading HEV, the invading zerg force would learn more of the city they now indwell. And since they were within the Libben District, containing the largest population out of all the other districts, the infestation would take hold and spread quickly.
Gollog's empire will finally fall.
Elsewhere, within a district of white and glittering walls, with the emblem of a tall crown plastered on the walls, a lone emperor sat upon an opalescent throne alone, looking down onto the floor in front of him and holding a powered-down Warden Sword with both hands firmly grasped onto it. He was currently mourning, for he had lost an incredibly powerful servant to his empire and to his service. He would be remembered and missed.
"... What do I do now?" Gollog whispered to himself, afraid of the answer he might learn.
A/N: Want to know what lewd thoughts that thot receptionist was having? It was hand-holding, but with TWO hands! :D