Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The Fourth Shaman, Nagarith, thought profusely about the recent telepathic messages.

Their tribe could not pass the western border. But the thing stoping them is not void, or mountains, or water. It was "living land", "purple grass" or "disgusting creep". That last one was from the Centipede called Shark. He's the epitomy of gluttony! If he says "Disgusting", it's a thing from nightmares!

This is a big conundrum, as they need to go west. Our allies Quetzali gave us the lands for resources, and I was asleep during that negotiation! Now, the lands were given to us because they have no use for them. Neither do we. I'm surrounded by fools. But these fools are my family, so I'll protect them.

Now I have to meet with the Fifth Shaman, who doesn't have a name yet, as he wants to decide a good one. I'm sure he will copy the name of another Shaman.

Fifth: Hey there, Fourth!

Fifth is the 5th Shaman (Duh!) that graduated. He's very cheerful , so it's a mystery why we wants the job. Maybe because he's the youngest, and doesn't know about the Shaman duties and way of life. He'll be getting through his drepession phase soon enough.

Nagarith: Hello, Fifth. Still thinking of a name?

Fifth: I can't think of one...

Nagarith: Enough pleasantries. Let's go. (That was not enough plesantries, but sure)

We arrived at the camp village of cypod soon enough. The boost doubled our movement, so it was just 3 hours. He didn't try to strike any conversation, which surprises me. Maybe he's growing mentally.

As we arrive, we see my exploration squadron. Shark with his 2 segmented tail, various new Hexapod recruits, Phychis on top of a hive and 3 Doomuxes scratching the ground and... playing something? I didn't get a high score on doomux mentality class.

As I was about to anounce my entrance, Fifth screamed. It sounded more like a "squeal". Or at least that is as far as I know from polytopian psycology class (you've guessed it, a low score on that one too). He found the Doomuxes cute. Imagine that.

All Insects looked at us with anticipation. They obviously adore us, the shamans. We are like idols for them, and now they have 2 as their expedition leader?

Nagarith: I, Fourth Shaman of the Cymanti tribe, will lead you all in our expedition to explore the west, and to investigate about the strange lands ahead of us.

Only dripping water was heard. The people of the land poked their head with the Ciru bugs and looked at me with their Ciru eyes, the assembled squadron stared in admiration and Fifth was about to laugh, as this situation happens daily.

An array of screams, noises and other sounds were heard. All of them were positive. Usually, Shamans never leave the cities far from the warzone. So it's a surprise I left the comfy marshlands. When an event like this happens, they have no objection, as the mistery and anticipation of the situation replaces all fear.

I bid my goodbyes to the Fifth Shaman. He was worried, because I will be gone for long, or forever.

The New Hexapods looked a little sad, as their constant buzzing slowed down. But they still are excited.

Nagarith: Now, the planning time. All of you, to the Mycellium! (maybe they sounded like a certain cartoon character.)

Chapter Text

The life of a cerebrate is, autonomous, monotone and boring. If I don't do it, I'm dead for good. Even though I can revive, The Overmind has the ability to rewrite our mind. That is death to me.

My current physical body(the shape of a grub) is at the bottom of the Gigantic burrow hole. I'm recieving the sunlight and starlight most of the time. The days are pretty short. From here, everything is visible. I can see the drones going up and down, from the minerals to the hatchery. The larvae rise at my command, and morph into overlords. And the zerglings are running around.

But all is not so peaceful. The reason would be that we found the species of this planet. They discovered our creep long ago, but nothing happened. Now a medium sized force apeared, and the most important thing is that they have telekinetic abilities.

Maybe I'll try to comunicate...

Cerebrate/Shaman: What are you?

We comunicated at the same time. The chances of that are miniscule. I'll try again...

Cerebrate/Shaman: Who are you?

Again? My life is short, but I know this is not common.

I'll have to try again. First, synchronize with his telepathic waves, then send the message.

Cerebrate/Shaman:I am the cerebrate of the swarm/ I am the Fourth Shaman, Nagarith, of the Cymanti tribe.

Cymanti? Maybe a translation error, or a name that does not exist.

Cerebrate: What is your request?

Nagarith: We wish to investigate a never seen before phenomenon of "purple grass"

Cerebrate: That is my land. We, the Zerg, build on this land our "houses".

The Shaman waits, then speaks again.

Nagarith: We wish to see face to face.

Cerebrate: I commend your resolve, and accept your wish. Your transportation will arrive soon. And I don't have a face.

I noticed his confusion right before I cut the telepathic connection. I got to prepare more, my apm is in shambles.

The overlords that just spawned were ready. They will transport their party. I sent an extra one. This one is special because they can transport aerial units.

I wish to meet this shaman soon.

Chapter Text

We looked in the horizon. We as in the exploration squadron. We recieved further instructions to make sure we fit. Shark had to explode his second segment, and we needed to take as little ration as possible.

I'm the only polytopian, so the rations weren't that much.

Now, I sense 4 strong mindwaves. The Overlords are here. I re-assured my Insects that they are allied troops. They aren't but I'm putting my trust on this cerebrate.

As they close in, they speak. Horribly, but understandable at least.

Overlords: We. Have. Arrived. Enter.

Shark enters one overlords, barely fitting inside. Two doomuxes leave the third to get on the second one and the third sadly enters the 3rd one with me and 2 hexapods. That feeling where your only 2 friends pair up and leave you alone is not relatable to me, but it pains that this happened. The rest go into the weirder overlord.

The duration was short, but at least I teached the doomux that things like that happened. Remember, socialising is not that important.

We arrived at... this looks like hell. We are surrounded by purple grass, living buildings, a mutant grub that looks delicious and various... things that don't even look at us and transport blue mineral.

Nagarith: We have arrived. So, where is this cerebrate?

Cerebrate: Here. Behind you.

Everyone looks behind me. What I see is just a delicious mealworm. Is he messing with me or is he invisble. Though this food looks delicious.

Cerebrate: I'm not food. I'm the Cerebrate.

Oh. So this fat centipede is the cerebrate?

Cerebrate: This isn't fat. It's pure neurons.

Huh, neat. Wait, can this read my mind??

Cerebrate: Yes I can. Now let me present myself again for your subordinates. I'm the cerebrate of this zerg brood. You can call me 'Cerebrate'.

Insects can't talk, but their thoughts can be read clearly. (Not possible by a certain pink-haired individual.)

Cerebrate: I am on a mission to protect an artifact until the carrier arrives. I don't know when, but after that, all of my brood will be transported. As I see, your subordinates are interesting species. I would like to know more about them.

Everyone but Nagarith:(He talks a lot...)

Nagarith: I understand your curiosity, but I also have questions, like how overlords can fly, or the living structures. I see this species called... zerg are very adaptable. Your technology is in the genes I suppose.

Everyone but Nagarith:(He also talks a lot...)

Cerebrate: You are right. Shall we teach ourselves our ways of life, and protect us from our enemies?

Nagarith looks at his subordinates, that are more tgan simple troops. They are his squadron members. Nagarith also thinks about his leader, Fifth, Third, and Second. Will they break the culture of the cymanti populace, or will he refuse cooperation with a similar yet different tribe?

Chapter Text

When the zerg meets another species they can collect their essence to evolve themselves.

Cerebrate's mission IS bringing the artifact, but they can also bring essence as a bonus. It's beneficial.

The Cymanti tribe looks similar to the zerg, but there are sone key differences, like drones and creep. They still have interesting species.

The shamans can convert enemy units into allied ones. They can also boost their own units. The boost is temporal, and not worth it. We can already mindcontrol units. Not a good target.

The hexapods are similar to zerglings, but weaker. they can crawl up walls, but that's about it.

The rest of the species here are also bad targets. We already have flying poisonous units, exploding units and more. This tribe needs more efficient beings, but what do I know. They are like hybrids.

Maybe they have water tecnology? Having something to deal with water is needed. I'll ask later.

Nagarith: What is that alive-looking cave?

The visitor pointed at the nydus canal that zergs entered and exited through.

Cerebrate: That is a Nydus canal, they allow transport through other nydus canal. It's very fast.

Nagarith: And that big structure with green spikes?

Cerbrate: That is our hive, main central base. It creates most Zerg units.

Nagarith:... And how can WE use it?

Cerebrate: I have a way. Come closer to the hive.

And so did the Shaman.

Cerebrate: Grab that larvae that doesn't wriggle.

And he did just that.

Cerebrate: Convert it to your tribe.

Nagarith: Are you sure?

Cerebrate:...Yes.