The battle between the Zerg Swarm and Hive Fleet Tiamat was destined to last for some time—perhaps a day, a week, or even a month. But that was of no concern to the Zerg; they could afford the attrition. The Overmind was even in the process of producing more Leviathans, ready to be deployed to the battlefield via Webway routes or wormholes at a moment's notice.
† This is exhilarating. I'm starting to enjoy this Swarm meat grinder more and more. †
After all, anyone who loves the Swarm loves to see them blotting out the sun as they crush everything in their path. A clash between two such swarms provided double the satisfaction.
† Though, it's a good thing I'm the Overmind. If I were just a Zergling filling a trench on the front lines, this wouldn't be very fun at all. †
Most transmigrators dread ending up in Warhammer 40K because they would likely become "trench-filler" civilians. If they were lucky, they might become a Guardsman; luckier still, a Space Marine; and at the absolute peak, perhaps a Chapter Master or an Imperial General. Yet, even a Chapter Master leading his troops into this particular grinder would likely end up as nothing more than ground decoration.
Inside the bio-ship, the Queen of Blades was mid-slaughter. Surrounded by Tyranid units, she faced the ship's entire garrison alone. However, a persistent ringing had begun to buzz in her ears—the Shadow in the Warp. The shadow cast by Hive Fleet Tiamat was far more intense than that of any other Hive Fleet.
† So noisy. †
She grabbed a Carnifex and swung it like a makeshift club. She slammed the beast into a Spore Chimera, then into a Tyranid Warrior, before finishing with a spinning sweep that sent the creature crashing into the bio-ship's inner wall. It was a display of brutality that even Khorne would have nodded at in approval.
† It just never ends, does it? †
For now, the Shadow in the Warp only caused her ears to ring. It would likely become much more oppressive once she reached the jungle planet. But this didn't hinder her combat; the battle would continue until one side broke, and that side was likely to be the Tiamat patrol fleet.
Meanwhile, attention shifted to the Gothic-class cruiser carrying the small Zerg detachment, Changelings, and the Genestealer Cult. The cruiser arrived at the jungle world of Ziaphoria, the largest planet in the Tiamat system. Even before landing, the Overmind could see through the eyes of the Changelings a gargantuan flesh-construct towering into the clouds.
† It's massive... far larger than any Hive. †
While Zerg Hives could grow—from small nests inside ships to mountain-sized structures—this Tyranid construct was larger than anything the Overmind had ever created. Its length spanned the entire supercontinent of the planet. Considering Ziaphoria was the largest planet in the system, one could only imagine the sheer scale of this biological edifice.
The Overmind could see energy fluctuations akin to the Warp with the naked eye. The Genestealer Cultists, feeling a divine calling, fell to their knees and prayed fervently toward the flesh-construct.
"O God-Emperor, we have arrived."
The cruiser was about to land. Suddenly, another Tiamat fleet drifted from the far side of the planet, blocking the cruiser's path.
† Have I been spotted? †
The Overmind wasn't worried about his gaze being detected. Starcraft psionics and Warhammer psionics were two fundamentally different things. Hive Fleet Tiamat knew nothing of Starcraft psionics, just as Abathur knew nothing of Warhammer's—they couldn't possibly detect the Overmind's remote observation.
As expected, the fleet hadn't discovered an enemy; they were merely rushing toward the active battlefield to reinforce the patrol fleet.
The Gothic-class cruiser landed safely on the surface of Ziaphoria. The Genestealer pilgrims followed their leader onto the planet's soil. The world was covered in dense vegetation. As the cultists walked through the rainforest, they were surrounded by the bustling sounds of birds and insects. The planet teemed with life, which was decidedly un-Tyranid-like.
Yet, this was the nature of Hive Fleet Tiamat.
The Changelings blended in with the cultists. These scouts were prepared to be sacrificed; even if they were eventually reduced to biomass alongside the cultists, it wouldn't matter. Meanwhile, Zerglings dashed into the rainforest to conduct a more detailed reconnaissance.
However, it wasn't long before these Zerglings were discovered. They were hunted down by Tyranid Warriors leading Termagants and Hormagaunts. The Overmind commanded several Zerglings to burrow, but they were still dragged out and executed by the Warriors.
† Hmm. That flesh-construct must have some sort of detection capability. Burrowing is useless once they are spotted. †
Though the Zerglings were caught, the Changelings remained undetected. Perhaps because Genestealers are inherently semi-independent from the Hive Mind, the local consciousness wasn't sure if these particular "Genestealers" were entirely its own.
The pilgrims entered the flesh-construct, and the Changelings followed. But as they ventured deeper, the Overmind's control over the Changelings began to wane.
† What the...? This thing can interfere with my connection to the Swarm? †
This had happened before—entering Commorragh or the Warp caused the Swarm to go "offline."
† Perhaps the Warp energy is warping space itself, making it impossible to maintain stable control. I can't go any deeper. †
Even at the risk of exposure, the Overmind withdrew the Changelings from the structure. This meant he couldn't inspect its internal anatomy. The Changelings' departure from the group went unnoticed; the local Hive Mind likely considered it normal behavior.
The Changelings waited at the cruiser's landing site for several days. To the Overmind's surprise, the female leader returned with a large number of her followers after only a short time.
Yes, they returned.
They hadn't been turned into biomass. On the contrary, they returned whole and hale, radiating a glow that looked like a divine blessing. The female leader's psionic power had increased significantly. If she was merely a dangerous psyker before, she was now comparable to a Space Marine Librarian.
Once back on the cruiser, the leader delivered a stirring speech. There were many words, but the core message was simple:
"We have received the God-Emperor's blessing and His divine mandate! We must spread His glory to more lost souls and bring them into His embrace!"
† I see. †
The Overmind understood. The Genestealers were still Genestealers, but Hive Fleet Tiamat was no ordinary Hive Fleet.
† The Tyranids are farming. †
A sense of dread rose in the Overmind's heart. That Great Devourer, which usually only knew how to consume everything in its path, had actually learned the concept of sustainable development and "farming"?!
This was completely unscientific!!!