Chapter Two: Spawn More Overlords!

I can't believe this! I'm out in the wastelands, just hovering around mindlessly. I've spotted a few more mineral fields in my travels, but for some reason, I'm not allowed to stop and investigate them. It's like I'm a puppet, and some outer force is pulling the strings... What am I even looking for, anyway?

A low rumbling sound seems to be my unexpected reply, and I turn around to see an Overlord hovering not too far behind me. Great. It's bad enough that you guys can float around all day, but now you're stalking me too? What the heck did I do to deserve all this?

Keep going...

A hollow voice encourages me, and I can feel my wings obediently flutter in response. I glance up suspiciously at the Overlord floating above my head. What are you even doing here?

Watching. Escorting.

Oh, wonderful. That's just peachy. This thing can read my thoughts AND talk to me using its own. So YOU'RE probably the one making me do stuff I don't want to do. Guess what? I don't like you.

I know. But I like you.

You're creepy. Get away from me, and stop controlling me. I want to go back home.

You are a strange Drone. Why do you not conform?

Hmm... Come to think of it, the Overlord raises an interesting point. I do seem to have a bit more personality than the other Drones back at base. Either that, or they do a very good job of hiding it. Am I just vocal, or a freak of nature, or what?

You are one of the Swarm, as are we all.

Yeah, well, you know what? I don't even know what that means for someone like me. I'm just a stupid Drone with an existential crisis. You think I wanted to be this?

Is it something any of us can control? I was once a Larva too, and I did not choose to be an Overlord, but here I am, all the same. We each have our part in this battle, our own role to play.

Fine, but at least you're important. In fact, you're the one telling us all what to do. All I do is pick up minerals and dump them in the hatchery. And there's going to be fifty others like me. Yippee.

Not true! In fact, you're doing something very important right now with me.

Oh? And what's that, oh great and powerful windbag?

You are a scout. We are seeking out the enemy base together.

'Seeking out the enemy base.' So we are moving towards the enemy. On purpose. Without any sort of defenses. This doesn't feel like a promotion, you know. Sounds more like a suicide mission.

You wished to be important.

Yeah, but I also have a wish to be alive.

Sometimes sacrifices must be made for the greater good. You will give yourself, all of yourself, so that the hive will be better prepared for what is to come. It is a vital part of the plan.

That's nice. Real noble of you, buddy, really. I'm down here on the ground, helpless, while you get to float with the breeze. Some sacrifice on your part.

We will recieve little information if you scout alone and perish. I accompany you in the hopes that one of us will come out alive and return home safely, with the knowledge we need. It could be you that makes it back, or it could be me. Possibly neither, possibly both. I do not follow you without putting myself at risk.

So heroic, bravely following me and throwing yourself into danger with me... or so you think. I'm starting to think your body's not the only thing that's inflated. Check your ego when you get the chance, Mr. Hero.

Have I offended you? Should I be quiet for the rest of our journey?

Please do.

...

True to his unspoken word, Mr. Hero remains silent. In the peace and quiet, I am able to focus on a small shape ahead of me. It's shiny, and I can see light glinting off of it, whatever it is. Hey, Mr. Hero? I know I asked you to shut up earlier, but what's that up ahead?

I am not sure, but it is likely an enemy scout approaching. We must be getting close. You will remain here, and I will move ahead to find the base. Keep them distracted.

Why do I have to be the one to - HEY! Get back here! I move to follow the Overlord, but his stupid telepathy is keeping me locked in place. That whole sentimental speech about him possibly dying alongside me was a lot of hot air. From an Overlord, that's no surprise. I turn back to watch as the enemy scout draws closer, and I glance down at my claws. Sure, they can dig through minerals, but could I actually defend myself with them? I don't think so. The enemy's shadow soon covers the ground in front of me, and I try to run away, but Mr. Hero still isn't letting me move. I duck my head towards the dirt, covering my head with my claws, and wishing I had never hatched.

I feel a presence in front of me, but no pain. I then hear a sound, a light whirring along with noises that can only be described as beep-boops. I lift a claw from over my eyes to see a shiny piece of metal with a single blue eye staring at me. It's definitely not a Zerg, I know that much, but other than that, I have no clue.

That is one of the Protoss, specifically a Probe, something quite similar to you in many ways, actually.

Thank you for the information, Mr. Hero. Are you telling me this from back home where you're cozy and safe, or are you nearby, watching and waiting for me to get disintegrated?

This Probe is harmless. If you two were to engage in combat by yourselves, you would likely be at it all day. Odds are, it is simply curious about you.

Well, I guess as long as it's not trying to kill me. I look back at the Probe, which is currently rocking back and forth in place as it continues to annoyingly beep. Go away. My cold stare doesn't seem to get the message across, though, so I lift a claw and poke the tiny machine in its eye.

I hear a loud buzz, and something flies out of the Probe's eye towards my face. Yowch! I feel my whole body stiffen as electricity courses through me. I thought Mr. Hero said this stupid thing was harmless!

It is, in comparison to its brethren.

Harmless, my inexistent feet! That hurt!

Pain is good. It means you are still alive, does it not?

Oh, how I wish I could ignore that guy. I glare at the Probe and flail my claws as threateningly as I can. Get away from me, you dumb hunk of scrap! The Probe almost seems to understand this time, turning away from me to approach a nearby mineral field. I watch as he zaps away at the crystal, tearing off a chunk and floating away with it. How does he even carry it when he doesn't have any hands or claws? Freak.

He is likely returning with it to his base. I have also seen the state of their defenses at the moment.

Oh? Good for you, Mr. Hero, how are things looking?

Grim. Our base is at serious risk of falling behind in production. We should return home immediately.

Best idea you've had all day, let's get moving. By the way, wouldn't their base be close to a mineral field like ours? Why would that Probe be traveling so far away to get minerals?

...

Hello? Mr. Hero?

Because it is a distraction... We have flown into a trap!

A trap? What are you talking abou-

Before I could even finish my sentence, I felt something snap in my mind, like a muscle pulling, but even more impactful. I then heard a loud burst of sound, like a tiny explosion. I lifted my gaze to look up at Mr. Hero... who was falling towards the ground as bolts of brilliant light tore him apart. I look back towards the ground and see a flash as a pair of four-legged machines suddenly leap forward to stare menacingly at me. These must be the not-so-harmless Protoss that Mr. Hero tried to warn me about. But at least now that I'm free from the mind-control, I can run from them.

My wings kick into high gear as I prepare to turn around and run like the wind, but I hear an odd crackling behind me, and I feel an intense energy along with it. I'm completely trapped, and almost paralyzed with fear, as a cold voice whispers:

"My life for Aiur."