Taylor:
My newest creature was... honestly not the weirdest I have gotten. She has that weird mental opening for me to take control of her but she just does what I want her to do. I can even look at her memories which was hard at first until she practically invited me into her mind gleefully.
It showed me how alien she was, a space faring species that consume biomass is honestly close to Harpy but they can have personalities, desires, and if her memories are correct even infect other people!
I admit seeing the Terrans in her memories surprised me a bit but at least I know some humans made it to the stars. Protoss were even weirder with the mutual hatred with the Zerg but I decided to get away from that.
"Your a healer!" I exclaimed when I ran across her memories of what a Queen actually was. It was even safe to be used on humans! Granted that almost never happened but the option existed.
"Yes my Queen, I can tend to any injuries the brood suffers." She said in that weird highly affectionate tone, I knew she was just copying a cooking show host but it still felt odd.
"Alright so... rules first, no killing people unless they are trying to kill me or Dad, don't tell anyone about your species unless you ask me first... and can you... uh... reproduce?" I ask with a damning blush. I knew Zerg didn't get embarrassed about these kinds of things but I can't help it after she tried to mother me on instinct and collecting evidence I apparently needed one.
"I would require a hatchery, while a more skilled gene weaver could make a drone from scratch I... lack the capacity my Queen." She said apologetically, I could feel her sense of being shame at being inadequate to protect me from the world? I guess it makes sense when Zerg have almost always been fighting humans.
"That's fine, or even great for the moment actually, I have other uh... friends to protect me." I pause for a moment before projecting images to her mind of each of my bugs, it was a weird sensation.
"I want to stay hidden for now... or I did but you might change things. I will want to talk to Dad first. Go ahead and rest to get your erm... energy back, do you mind healing humans?" She asked hesitantly only to be met with a sense of joy at the prospect of service.
"Of course if you command I can do so my Queen, I shall take shelter in the basement to not be seen by any other Terrans." The Zerg then gave a bow before she retreated to the basement.
Taylor looked at the pancakes before she chuckled softly and shook with mirth at the thought of the Queens memories of watching a cooking show to learn how to make pancakes, even going so far as to try to emulate the cooks voice.
Walking into the kitchen she saw her father already washing the dishes her Queen had left behind along with his own platter. "Morning Dad, she got you too?" She asked even if she already knew the answer.
"She... certainly did... so what is her deal?" He asked with some embarrassment, I understood considering the memories I had seen.
"She is a... nurturing Queen for a hivemind species, semi sentient but few base desires outside of serving, the best part is that she is a healer though!" She said with enthusiasm. She knew on some level her Zerg wouldn't be on par with Panacea due to energy usage being an issue but she heals things so quickly that Taylor had to fight down the odd feeling of pride.
"That's great little owl, let's try to focus on what to do now though... the Wards feel the safest for you but after what the PRT pulled I'm... hesitant." Her father said after a moment.
"I get that... I almost want to go join New Wave honestly, I could go Independent but I get the feeling you don't like that option..." she said with a soft frown.
"It's nothing against you Taylor I... I just want you to be safe... let's look through a bit of cape law to see first, New Wave means revealing your identity and I'm not sure I want you to do that without more protection..." Her Dad said after a moment of hesitation.
"Okay I guess I can wait a bit, let's see what we can pull up." After finishing up the admittedly good if a bit sweet pancakes we get on the one computer in the house, it's old and a bit slow but for pulling up information like this it is okay.
Turns out cape law is very strict about making money, healing is one of the few services that we can make money off of if I get it cleared with the PRT.
Being Independent means I have quite a few more risks if I don't register as a Hero with the PRT. Once that's done I get a bit more protection against excess of force and based off PHO Hero's aren't prosecuted as much as vigilantes.
Dad doesn't want me to go out and fight at all but powers want to be used and I am going to need to make money to feed my growing...hive, hive works.
A call to the PRT seems to be in order even if we don't want to deal with them. "Hello this is... Tamer, I wanted to schedule some power testing for healing."
"I ah... please hold." The nervous PRT operator said and after a brief moment I could hear Armsmaster over the line.
"Tamer, you have obtained a creature that can heal?" He asked briskly, it was fair to assume he would be busy even this early in the morning so I don't blame him.
"Yes, biological healing, for a human almost instantaneous healing of injuries but it could vary for brutes or other species." She said in a much calmer voice than she felt. Even if the rest of the PRT had earned her soured opinion this was Armsmaster!
"I see, we can schedule that this afternoon." He said and as soon as I agreed the call disconnected.
"Alright we have a schedule then... how do we get Queen over there?" Her father shook his head.
"You might need a different name than Queen, she wants one from what I understand." That... makes sense but I can't get the line that her name could be Annette out of my head... it's both depressing and sweet that the mother bug tried to latch onto the name but it's... weird.
"How about Rose, she has enough thorns for the name." I say after some considering which earns me an eye roll from him.
"Okay, fine I guess she told you." He grumbles softly as he crosses his arms.
"Nope, I got to see it from her mind in her point of view, complete night vision is kind freaky." He groaned loudly but we both have the same sad smiles. Maybe my family was still wounded... but we can fix it.
Walking into the PRT building after smuggling Rose to Harpy was difficult and I'm pretty sure my secret identity won't last long if I keep this up. The nervous troopers quickly hand me off to Armsmaster who after appraising Rose with just a glance tells us we can follow him and to leave Harpy outside.
A wise decision considering he can't fit in the hallways, they twist all over the place and are really confusing. Armsmaster is mostly silent, indicating turns with a swift gesture as we walked though we are slowed down by the Zergs abysmal speed.
After maybe five minutes of this Armsmaster stops and turns to us. "Vista is in route to assist in transportation." He says calmly, I have to hold back my grimace as I realize he was probably contacting her after seeing how slow Rose would be.
"Sorry, I uh... didn't think it would be a problem until we started walking through the halls." Armsmaster merely inclined his head in a nod before he turned towards the hall in front of us as space distorted slightly and a small green clad figure approached.
"Vista, thank you for coming to assist, this is Tamer and her newest creature." Armsmaster says calmly only for the Zerg to interject.
"My name is Rose Terran, my Queen gave it to my and I will wear it with pride, address me as such." She ordered with a glare towards the tinker.
"Uhm... Rose he's one of the good guys, he didn't know is all." I said in his defense to which he inclined his head again but towards me! It felt oddly nice to be acknowledged by a Hero as great as him.
"Okay well I'm Vista, nice to meet you both, I heard you wanted my help with moving around base?" She asked calmly, it felt like she was trying to be professional or maybe just copying Armsmaster, either way it was adorable.
"Yes, we are headed to the testing facilities." He paused for a moment and shifted his head slightly, looking at something on his hud probably. "Thank you for your assistance." He said before Vista started to warp space, it was still slow going because of corners but Vista was helping Rose a lot.
Once we entered the testing area Rose walked up to Vista and inclined her head in a almost... regal manner? "I thank you for your aid little Terran."
"Uh your welcome, Miss Rose." Vista stutters out before vanishing with a step, her space warp powers were really interesting...
"We have brought Panacea in for the testing, is that fine with you." Armsmaster asked to which I nodded.
"That's fine, I didn't get a chance to thank her for helping me before anyways." I said cheerfully, hopefully showing off a healing creature would give New Wave a good impression of me.
With just a few more minutes of waiting Glory Girl and Panacea came in, both in costume as the healer regarded the Queen with wide eyes while Glory Girl flew over. "Hey so your the new Hero in town! You have a beastie to help Amy at the hospital?" She asked as awe washed over my mind before I brushed it off without too much effort.
"I may be a Zerg but I am no beast Terran." She said with an oddly snooty tone. "Your attempts at manipulating my mind are primitive and without grace."
Everyone seems to freeze at her words before Glory Girl waves her hand like she's crazy. "That's just my shaker aura, sorry about that."
The feeling recedes as Armsmaster looks between the two for a moment. "You could notice the effect?" The Queen merely nodded.
"Are you resistant to most Master effects and can perceive them as one or is this unique?" He asked to Glory Girls outraged look at calling her a Master.
"I am fully aware of my body Armsmaster, I can detect the chemical changes her aura causes and correct them in real time. My attempts are... crude compared to what the greater gene weavers of my kind can accomplish but her own abilities are equally crude and very obvious.
"Wait are you a Biotinker!" Panacea yells as she backs away and Glory Girl does the same.
"No she's uh... an Alien Bug species that reached space travel with Biology, her erm caste takes care of Larva, accelerates they're growth and can heal but she can't design creatures without the species hatcheries or something greater." I hastily explain, Panacea looks somewhat worried still but keeps starring at Rose.
"I see, Panacea can you clear... Rose of any possible diseases?" He asks calmly yet keeps a close eye on really everyone at this point.
"I can... do I have your permission to use my powers on you?" Rose looks to me for a moment before nodding.
Panacea gets a faraway look in her eyes and we wait for a few minutes before Glory Girl shakes her softly. "Amy your starting to worry us."
"Sorry she's just... so much and so... perfect." She says with... is that drool on her chin! Rose crosses her arms with a human like huff that doesn't translate well with her alien body.
"Is she safe." Armsmaster says pointedly. In a situation this weird I'm glad for the direct approach.
"Yes... she has some parts I don't understand and her DNA is too crazy to describe... but she doesn't have any diseases or ways to reproduce alone. If anything her immune system is the opposite of Plaguebearers, strong enough to wipe out any natural virus I've ever seen and adaptable enough that anything someone tried to make wouldn't work for long," Panacea looks at Roses hand with a longing look before Armsmaster speaks again.
"Did you see her method of healing?" He asked calmly as he slowly positioned himself between the two of them.
"Yes, rapid regeneration while providing the biomass to do it, she could regrow limbs or heal wounds with ease, it won't cure cancer or any diseases really but heal damages caused by them without spreading them further." Panacea explained eagerly before Glory Girl started to drag her away.
"Well that's sorted then... let's go Amy I think... you might need a break." Panacea nods slowly but doesn't look away from Roses hand until she is carried out of the room.
"That was productive, what is-" I'm cut off by Armsmaster turning suddenly, reaching for his halberd as the Queen assumes a defensive stance as they both stare down a new figure that looks oddly familiar.
The bug carapace is covered by deep red colored futuristic looking armor holding a rifle that looks like a mix between a shotgun and a flamethrower? A few grenades line its bandolier that are the same deep red color.
"Behold Vet'Rik, Swarm Herald of the Kirko, by flames we were freed from the oppressors and by flames I have been delivered to our Queen! You have my solemn pledge of loyalty for as long as you ensure our peoples freedom!" He exclaims before he goes on a knee in an oddly formal and very human manner.
It hits me all at once, Kirko, like Yorick, a Swarm Herald being the intelligent leaders of the Kirko race after they rebelled from... humanity. I knew some of this before but it was strange to see one so animated... so like the humans he disliked if not despised.
He also knew lost technology, hidden from most. Promethean Technology, with enough research he could make the idea of nukes hitting the world not as bad as what he could potentially cause and have his own people survive the in the ashes.
I felt a bit of him too, like I could communicate similar to Rose but not enforce my will upon him. Potentially it was bad but... I don't want to try to master a truly sapient being. Even forcing Rose to do something she didn't want to do feels wrong.
"You... have Tinkertech." Armsmaster says after the silence drags on for a minute.
"The lost Technology of the Star Union is a secret reserved for the Kirko and they're Queen." He said from his kneeling position.
"I believe he desires you to accept his pledge my Queen." Roses voice comes to me through our link and after a moment I nod.
"I accept Vet'Rik... Yorick will be happy to have another of your kind to be around." I said with as formal a voice I can manage.
The Kirko bows deeply as he clicks his mandibles. "The Kirko Hivemind is being... mended, your presence is a warm balm to the cold loneliness the Kirko have suffered through. You need only speak your will and it will be done." He says with the same regale air.
"Tamer I am aware you don't control when they appear but I would appreciate... the opportunity to examine his technology." Armsmaster says with interest as he eyes the not a flamethrower in the Kirko hands.
"That's up to Vet'Rik, I won't force him to do it so you would need to speak to him." I said with a tone of finality. With very few exceptions I don't want to order or steal from my Hive... it felt wrong.
"I have no desire to give an unknown Human access to my Technology..." it growls out before stalking over to Rose, the two stare at one another for a long moment, sizing one another up.
"Your Technology is seems impressive, the Queen doesn't desire we kill anyone unless they attempt to kill her." The Zerg says, Vit'rik nods his head in acceptance before moving to be behind me like a bodyguard, his rifle never leaving his hands.
"You appear equally impressive, I hope this is true." He states as he walks away, a bit rude but I can feel a sense of satisfaction from Rose so I'll leave it alone.
"So Armsmaster... can we get back to the power testing we came in for?" He reluctantly nods but as we proceed he can't help but look towards Vit'Riks technology.
Authors note: Kirko keep sneaking in it seems, the hero's don't have a wiki link so I left it to the Technology branch he has. Also it does amuse me that the bug has fire tech, the dice have spoken.
(Age of Wonders Planetfall) Kirko Hero Promethean: https/aowplanetfall./Promethean