[This is part one of several updates. Go on and comment if you like; I'll be writing more throughout the day.]
A day passes as preparations are made. You-as-the-Tech-Queen collect certain vital fluids needed for reproduction, and set about improving the process. The goal, of course, is to have an industry. While we can currently have successful raids, there are hundreds of millions of humans and a whole planet to conquer. Hit and run with a single hive? Unthinkable. Said process takes the better portion of the day, while You-as-War-Queen and the Tech Drone work on ensuring full preparation for the raid. Come next morning, a specialized mini-fleet of M-Scouts heads out towards the mineral crawler; an over-flight consisting of a Commander, Stampy, and a complement of Human and Kai soldiers rockets towards that dome city, preceded by further scouts. At the same time, a ground-based assault with the other Commander sets out towards the secondary.
The M-Scouts quickly locate the position of the crawler, and attempt to begin hacking into the massive machine through the communications relay. Stampy, however, was completely correct - it's impossible. The communications are literally not plugged into the computers. Even with power flowing through it, it is of no use. After a short period of retrying, the M-Scouts land near the rear of the crawler, and begin to carve their way through. We note this with distaste, load an aircraft with an armored Human Soldier and a Kai Drone, and sent it out to return the machine home after the killing of the humans aboard.
In the meantime, however, the main aircraft touches down on the air strip outside the dome town; after a brief taxi into the dome proper, a pair of officials approach the ship, looking rather confused. The back opens to reveal Stampy, who shoots the two. At the same time, the town's power generation shuts down completely as the Navigation Drones work the system; the remainder of the force offloads. They proceed through the town by quadrant as M-Scouts fly within, occasionally shooting pockets of resistance. More than one are shot down in the process, but between the ground and air forces, resistance is mopped up within a half hour. Damage to the town is moderate, as are casualties.
The second aircraft lands atop the crawler, and the Human proceeds in cautiously. After a few moments, the data is uploaded to the Human: the remainder of the crew is holed up in the control room. The current M-Scouts are immobilized, aside from the two without laser cutters. After several minutes of communications, the order is given to reconnect the uplink via bypass. The Human does a reasonable job of it, and shortly after it is done, Our hacking starts the crawler back up and sends it back home. The Human, in the meantime, takes the opportunity to consult with Main Hive, and begins to work on re-routing the ventilation system to flood the control room with carbon monoxide.Before doing so, however, the Human insists on access to the voice system. We grant it, out of curiosity, and listen to the Human demand surrender. Nothing happens, and with a sound of unhappiness, the Human sets about her work.
The ground assault arrives. Unfortunately, it would appear that someone in the previous town had managed to send a message before power was cut: this town has erected a makeshift barricade, and has active reserves. The attack proceeds anyway, and works out well in Our favor until the tanks roll out. The first pair of shots take out most of Our soldiers; the battle shifts towards the Humans as they seek the remaining Kai. They pay heavily in blood for it, and unfortunately manage to delay Our action long enough for several getaway vehicles containing Human Drones to get away. Many are destroyed, but there is only so many M-Scouts left: several vehicles manage to leave the battlespace. As the tide shifts yet again, there is a ripple of movement through the Human lines. Many go on their knees and say something brief. As We attempt to listen, there is a sudden flash of light, the beginnings of an explosion, then silence. Human satellite information reveals that the town is gone; only a smoking crater remains. The damage is, however, consistent with many other towns that have chosen to die free as opposed to living as slaves.
In the meantime, Stampy and his soldiers appear to be sorting out the Human prisoners, of which there is a considerable amount. After eating something concealed in his armor, which looks rather like a human sucrose bar, Stampy completely removes his helmet and lays down, eyes dilating. You sense a sudden spike in Stampy's presence, and command the nearest Soldier to inspect the sucrose bar. You are surprised to find that it is Royal Jelly covered in chocolate, and switch to the Commander to oversee the matter personally. You communicate your anger towards Stampy loudly, and several Humans nearby slump to the ground, bleeding. Stampy doesn't seem to notice, but after a short time, conveys the Human phrase "It is better to beg for forgiveness than to ask for permission" in a much clearer Voice than before. After a brief discussion over what "forgiveness" means, You decide to spare Stampy's life in order to continue the Human expiriment, but suggest to him that this "forgiveness" concept will not apply again. After growing pale, Stampy assents, and begins to sort out the Human prisoners, yelling orders.
Unsurprisingly, most of the Humans refuse to join Us; out of that group, You cull the old and weak, sparing the young and all in good physical condition. Roughly a third of the population attempts to join Us, and are presented before Stampy, who forces them to look him in the eye, express their reasoning, and proclaim loyalty to Us. Occasionally, Stampy shakes his head, and sends the humans to stand against a wall. After the first two rounds of shootings, several people leave the recruitment line and join the slaves. This process repeats for hours, but fully a quarter of the surviving Human population willingly chooses to serve Our purposes. A second aircraft is sent, loaded with Drones and equipment. The Human aboard the crawler continues her attempts to negotiate with the Humans in the control room, but after several hours of silence punctuated by taunts, the Human simply gives up, starts up the engine, and leaves the room, sealing it behind her as she waits.
The aircraft arrives and offloads; the loyal Humans enter both crafts and return to the Hive as the Commader and Our drones set about repairing the damage and integrating the Human slave-hive into Our purposes. With two successful raids, We turn our attention towards building our resources to the fullest extent possible. We cannot wage a true war without an economy, after all.
***
"...patients appear to have suffered greatly from the pirates."
"No kidding. Giant bugs? What the hell did those bastards DO to these people?"
"I'm no shrink. They're currently sedated and given a healthy dose of antipsychotics, so whenever they wake up Psych'll have to talk to them."
Silence.
"Those burns... you saw them, right?"
"Energy weapons. What the hell kind of pirate brings a damn laser tank to raid a little place like that?"
"Dead ones."
A wolfish grin. The other doctor simply nodded, and the two continued to sit and drink coffee in silence.
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Topic: You Are A Kai Queen / You Are A Kai Commander, Day 41 (Read 86405 times)