Main Story : Outlaws of the Verse . Episode 2 ( Recruiting) part 2 : End . Series : Halo .
• A few hours Later.
Gene might not have seen many aliens, in person, but growing up he had seen all kinds of vids starring them. Not to mention that Xenology elective he took in middle school.
His dad thought it was important, for the life of a traveling merchant, that his son wanted to join him in, to at least be able to recognize the different alien species...
And Jim's own dad made sure the boy was educated on the same. Perhaps even in greater detail then Gene. As Jim had taken a few college classes on the topic... back when the Computer Wizard was still raising him. Jim was a child progeny, with a 300 level I.Q.
It was a matter of course, he was in college before most kids entered primary school... Gene remembered the Computer Wizard, being worried Jim might be hacking his grades, rather then studying. But thankfully was able to cure the boy of that, quickly. The Computer Wizard might not have a problem with cheating the rules... but he wanted his son to actually learn the material.
Regardless, there were some particularly bizarre species, that had alway stuck out to Gene. Mgalekgolo, for example, were made up of small orange worms called Lekgolo. That form a single collective consciousness within their colonies, called a Mgalekgolo colony.
Humanoids, of Sol 3, called them "Hunters" during the Covenant War. A nickname they rather enjoyed, as it spoke of their power.
The worm colonies were as strong as Krogans, and after they were exposed to Dragonite... it was found they were strangely adaptable to magic powers. With each having the raw power to destroy a city... at minimum.
Each colony acts as a single individual. Lekgolo are rather stupid on their own, but the more of them there are, in a colony, the more complex their collective thoughts can be.
As a colony of worms, Mgalekgolo have a diet of a variety of minerals... and nothing else. They couldn't even enjoy a cheeseburger.
To protect their colony, and allow for easier movement, Mgalekgolo will bind themselves into a high tech battle suit. Made of extremely dense armor, with various weapons built in, including their trademark plasma cannon... which they use as a club more often then firing.
However, Mgalekgolo have learned to use these cannons to channel their elemental bending powers. Which they have gained, from Lekgolo consuming the odd magic based mineral, they stumble on.
Nowadays, due to knowing what it can do, Hunters will occasionally go out of their way to eat Dragonite, in order to give themselves magic powers. They even have a belief that the more they consume, the stronger their magic will be.
As Mgalekgolo do not have vocal chords, being a bunch of worms and all, they speak by vibrating their bodies. This allows them to mimic any language, although it is difficult for them.
The technology has improved, in a thousand years, so universal translators, and even com radios, can interpret what the vibrations mean.
When a Mgalekgolo colony becomes too big, it will split off into two separate colonies. Which retain all their collective memories. While becoming separate, independent, individuals. Which maintain a strong emotional bond, similar to a "sibling" relationship, with their former colony. These pairs were often called "bond brothers" or even, more weirdly, "mates."
Gene couldn't help but wonder where this guy's was.
The guy, well not really a guy, being a colony of worms and all, but they shaped their armor to give them a bipedal form. Probably to make other races more comfortable... Gene would have given himself extra arms.
The point was... he was alone... that just didn't happen. Bond Brothers stayed by each other's side until they split off another colony. That's just how they were. They always came in pairs. No more, no less.
"Where's your brood mate thingy?" Gene carelessly asked. To which Hilda smacked him upside his head.
Gene yelped, then demanded, "What the Hell!!!" while not really asking.
The Hunter eyed him a moment. Then spoke. Gene really did feel the words more then heard them... and not just because of the vibrations in the air. "Dead," That word cut at Gene... he knew what it was like to lose family.
"Pirates?" Was all Hilda asked.
The Hunter nodded, before stating, "I hear you're one of the few Captain's willing to take the fight to them."
Hilda eyed him, "Why not just join Starfleet? One of their major purposes is to take on pirates. You'd even get to explore the galaxy. Likely get better pay, to. Or, at least, more reliable pay."
The worm colony just looked at her. "I don't plan to leave any alive," He calmly informed.
Hilda smiled, "I can respect that kind of ambition."
"What's your name?" Gene asked.
He could feel the worms smile, rather then see, "Just call me, End."