I'll admit, I didn't think I'd transcend beyond just being a Commander this early in my adventures. I did eventually expect that this would happen, but this was still a surprise. Fortunately, things ended up working out in my favor.
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When my vision finally returned to normal, I found myself alone in a great field, which extended as far as the eye could see. The only things to break up the monotony of this field were a few scattered trees, all of which seemed to be glowing. Interestingly, while everything in this world was bathed in light barring what the trees covered, I couldn't find the source of the luminance. NO sun, no moon, not even a single star in the sky.
Any further attempts to examine this world were halted when I heard a strange set of noises, as if someone was trying to dig through something. Soon, I noticed a large mound of soil and plant matter rising up in front of me, with the strange sounds emanating from them. I pondered whether I should stay near it or bolt, but before I could, a scythe-like limb emerged from the mound, followed by the rest of the creature. To my surprise, it appeared to be a Wolf-Beetle, albeit one that was glowing rather brightly with blue-green light.
For a moment, we just stared at each other. Then, to my surprise, the Beetle spoke.
"So, you are the most recent arrival to my body. I was expecting someone... taller."
...What?
"I'm sorry, but who are you?"
"My apologies. I have many names, but you may call me Planet."
...
...
...
...
...
...Oh.
"Oh. Hello. Nice to meet you."
"Your shock is understandable, so don't try to hide it."
"Oh. Sorry about that."
"No need to apologize. I admit this was rather unexpected, but I felt now was a good time to open up to mankind, what with XCOM descending to leave the shadows," was her reply, in a strangely angelic voice.
"True...wait, how do you know about XCOM?"
"I am Planet. I know about everything that happens on my body. Nothing on this world escapes my sight."
I felt a growing sense of paranoia at that remark.
"No need to be paranoid. I will not abuse that power unless your intentions are vile."
Wait, how did she know what I was thinking?
"After the mind flower opened, all intelligences on this planet were linked. So long as we are in this realm, your thoughts will be plainly visible for me to see."
Then how come I can't see yours?
"This field is merely one of many. I am holding conversations with everyone on this planet, in fields much like this. They are merely representations of the realm of thought that your a within at the moment. If you tried to read my mind, the various different thoughts going through it would likely burn out yours."
"As for how I can talk to everyone on this world, I am a planet-spanning conscious. My capabilities transcend anything normal humans are capable of, and even exceed your capabilities. Though I must admit, your capabilities are beyond anything I have seen before, barring a few others."
"...I see. Is there any reason we are all alone?"
"Well, yes. There is something I wanted to tell you something."
"And that is?"
"Thank you."
"...For what."
"For disabling the signal that came from that ship. It was very...painful...to listen to. I am relieved that it is now gone. I am aware you did it mostly to save the colonists on this world, as well as acquire something within the remains of the ship, but your actions are appreciated all the same."
"I see...wait, how much do you know about me?"
"Some basics of your journey: that you were taken from all you ever knew and loved by a great being, that you were placed in the great metal beast I have seen through the eyes of the animals on this planet, that you have journeyed across creation to find new powers and technology, and made allies along the way. How you know so much on this world eludes me, for my powers in this realm fail me when I attempt to see that part of your mind. I suspect the one who put you on this journey is preventing me from seeing those reasons. She's also in a realm like this, before you ask. An interesting woman, no doubt, but rather selfish and annoying."
Looks like some things would never change.
"So, are there any other reasons you're talking to me?"
"Actually, yes. I wish to ask you a favor?"
"And that would be?"
"Well, you see, there are more beings like me in this galaxy. More planet sized minds, waiting to awaken. Some are older than me, others younger, but I am the first to be able to express myself in ways you humans could understand, and with that, feel sensations that you take for granted. It is an...incredible experience, and one that I would like to share with others like me."
"So you want me to build mind flowers on what would amount to your siblings?"
"I suppose that would be the best way to word my wish, so yes. I am willing to offer you compensation for this, should you oblige."
Even without compensation, I was willing to help planet. After all, she seemed rather nice. The fact that she hadn't tried to kill me was a plus.
"Well, you haven't given me any reason to antagonize you. In fact, I find you rather likeable as well, considering that you go out of your way to try and mitigate the ecological impact of your actions. Adding forests to limit the already minor amounts of pollution you create is rather kind of you, as is your willingness to allow my native inhabitants to live in and around your base."
"Well, you do offer plenty of good incentives against pollution and ecological damage."
"True... I sense you would like to return to your body soon."
"I would. This place just feels...odd."
"I understand. Before you go, though, I have one last thing to tell you."
"And that is?"
"I can sense things that are within this solar system, so long as they are close enough, and I can feel something very large headed toward this world. You will likely be able to detect it once you return to your mortal shell, given all of the things you have orbiting around me."
"...Well, I didn't expect that. Thanks you for the advice, though."
"You are welcome. And farewell."
Then the Beetle put the end of its right limb on my forehead and everything went white again.
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When I came to, I was surprised to find that I was still standing.
That, though, was nothing compared to my shock when I saw a Raptor Bug standing right in front of me, with several more of its kind nearby, all carrying organic sacks in their mouths. Oddly, a part of me felt calm in their presence.
Before I could react, they began setting the sacks down in front of me, then leaving. By the end of this, only the one in front of me remained. It placed its sack on the ground, then nudged it toward me. Curious, I opened it and found myself looking at a what looked a lot like a shrimp, albeit one that was clearly alien. It did seem to have crystalline traits, though-oh. It's a Crystal Shrimp.
Quickly, I counted the remaining number of sacks. Sure enough, the amount I had matched the amount of Alien Relics I had yet to acquire. I quickly ordered a CNDR to move them to my hub world, and attempt to breed the living relics. In the future, I would combine them into artifacts, but for now, best to try and make more of them. Mentally, I thanked Planet for the gifts, and was surprised when I received an echoing reply of you're welcome.
With that task complete, I turned my attention to the stars and began cycling through the probes I had in this solar system. Planet had given me warning that something was coming, and I intended to heed it.
At first, I saw nothing. Then, I began to notice space debris, which, while interesting, wasn't what I was looking for. As I turned my attention to my last set of probes, though, I found what I was looking for.
It was a ship. A big spaceship. So why did it look so familiar-wait. No. It can't be.
No, it is. I just checked my memory backs. The ship's aesthetics matched up with those I'd seen in the Progenitor city.
I guess the Progenitors aren't dead after all. Though, considering you could win the game by contacting them, that wasn't surprising.
Quickly, I started commissioning more warships and combat units, in the event first contact went south. I would have informed the natives, but one of their orbital satellites had already seen the ship. Already, they were trying to draft up a diplomatic team to meet them. Apparently, they'd already assumed the progenitors weren't dead and tried to send out a signal to contact them. This ship must be the reply.
Hopefully, they came in peace. Because I did not want to go to war. Not now.
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AN: Well, yet another cliffhanger. Sorry.
Just for reference, Planet sounds like the Angelis Ethereal from XCOM 2. I was going to have Flame make the connection, but Planet probably would've noticed this and started getting curious, so I omitted it.
So, Read and Review! This is Flameal15k, signing off!