The Norn Queen clearly understood that the Orks had been funneled in by the Zerg Swarm to weaken her forces, but there was little she could do to change the situation. There are only two ways to deal with Greenskins: you either decapitate their leadership or wipe them out entirely.
Simply not fighting? That wasn't an option. If you don't go after the Orks, they will come after you. These green-skinned beasts don't care what you look like. If you aren't one of them, you're a target—and even if you are one of them, they'll still happily punch your teeth in for a good scrap.
† You little brat, trying to shift the blame to me? If you can redirect a threat, why can't I? †
The Overmind continued to oversee the entire theater of war. While the Zerg Swarm technically remained the numerically weakest side on the planet, the strategic situation was highly favorable.
The carnage continued for a full week without pause. Eventually, the Tiamat Hive Fleet in low orbit could no longer sustain the attrition. After losing more than thirty Escorts, they began to withdraw. On the surface, the Tyranid ground forces tightened their perimeter, abandoning large swathes of territory to the encroaching Green Tide.
These remnants of the Tyranid Swarm could only watch helplessly as the Orks, wielding burnas and crude logging machinery, began dismantling the precious biomass of the rainforest planet. Their eventual extinction was now only a matter of time.
† Alright, second planet acquired. †
The Webway Gates connecting to the Ork world were sealed. On the other side, the Orks were left baffled as the shimmering portals suddenly went dark.
"Why's the door shut?"
"Dunno. Give it a whack."
Some Orks began banging on the gate with heavy wrenches, but the Overmind wasn't worried; the Orks lacked the finesse to reopen them. This was ancient technology—perhaps the "Krorks" of old could have operated the Webway, but modern Orks certainly could not. They might stumble into building a teleporter, but they could never intentionally force entry into the Aeldari's sub-dimension.
† My daughter, begin the purge. Slaughter every Greenskin on this planet and cast them into the Digestive Pools. †
† Yes, Overmind. †
The Queen of Blades had been commanding at a high intensity for days, managing both void and ground operations. It was no surprise her tactical experience was skyrocketing. However, a new issue arose with Ak, the newborn Cerebrate assigned to her fleet.
For some reason, this young Cerebrate had lost its mind—it had actually descended to the planet's surface. By the time the Overmind noticed Ak's location, he was ready to lash out.
† Where is that child going? †
Cerebrates possessed distinct personalities. Ak was a quiet one, rarely expressing opinions or speaking at all, which led the Overmind to pay him little attention. But now, the silent strategist was sitting right on the front lines.
† Truly unafraid of death, aren't they? Oh, right... Cerebrates technically can't die. †
Like the Tyranid Hive Tyrants or the Swarm Lord, Cerebrates could be resurrected. However, while a Tyranid Hive Tyrant is regrown as a new body with the old memories, a Zerg Cerebrate is a more direct reconstruction. Only if their essence is completely annihilated do they need to be fully regenerated back at the Hive.
The Overmind watched as Ak sat just a few kilometers behind the active combat zone. The Cerebrate seemed to have a warrior's spirit; he wasn't content just watching from orbit.
Nearby, the front lines were a bloody meat grinder. Zerglings and Ork Boyz were locked in a stalemate, the battle lines shifting by the second as Zerglings were crushed by choppas only for the Orks to be swarmed and devoured in return. As Ak watched, he occasionally unleashed psionic "whistles," surging the Zerglings with energy to make them faster and more ferocious.
† He wants to buff the Swarm? †
There was absolutely no tactical necessity for it. The value of a Cerebrate far outweighed that of any lower-level unit. While the enemy might not be able to "permanently" kill him, they could certainly force a messy and expensive regeneration.
The Overmind had already lost one Cerebrate and was in no mood to lose a second.
Furthermore, Ak began experimenting with offensive psionics. Bursts of raw energy erupted among the Ork ranks, tossing Greenskins into the air like ragdolls.
† This Cerebrate is performing reasonably well, at least. †
The Overmind refrained from a direct reprimand for now. As long as there were no accidents, he would allow the experimentation. However, the Orks weren't just brainless brutes. At the rear of the Ork horde, several Weirdboyz stood on high ground, waving copper staffs topped with skulls. They began unleashing their own waves of "Edburst" psionic shocks into the Zerg lines.
Fortunately, Ak's focused psionic power far surpassed the chaotic energy of the Greenskin kids.
† Using a Cerebrate like a common Weirdboy is a waste. I'll let him have his fun for a moment, then I'm pulling him back. †
At that moment, the Overmind spotted a group of Stormboyz among the Orks—heavy-set warriors wielding large choppas with crude rocket packs strapped to their backs.
† A desperate final charge. †
The Overmind knew these Orks were trapped and doomed. With the combined air cover of Overlords and Queens, the Creep had already blanketed the front lines. He was content to let the attrition take its course.
† Wait... †
The trajectory of those Stormboyz was headed straight for Ak.
The rockets on their backs erupted in a chaotic spray of flame, launching them high into the air. Hydralisks spotted the airborne targets and unleashed volleys of needle spines. However, the Stormboyz were moving with erratic, explosive speed. Only two or three were swatted out of the sky; the rest slammed into the ground just a few hundred meters from Ak.
They had spotted the uniquely shaped, slug-like creature while in the air. Roaring with excitement, they charged Ak's position with sluggas and choppas drawn.
The Overmind remained calm. This wasn't like the encounter with the Necrons where Zasz had been captured. These Orks were here for one thing: the kill.
† Let the child learn his lesson. †
A group of Hunter-Killers—elite Hydralisks—guarded Ak. They immediately intercepted the Stormboyz. Ak, visibly panicked, began to retreat. His worm-like body writhed, but he was painfully slow on land.
Several exceptionally powerful Stormboyz hacked through the Hunter-Killers and closed the gap. The surrounding Zerglings were being kicked aside, unable to halt the momentum.
"I'm gonna die! I'm gonna die!" Ak's psionic signature spiked with terror.
Just as the Orks reached him, the Overmind intervened. He took control of an Overlord directly above, ordering it to purge its internal gases. The massive creature plummeted from the sky, its colossal bulk slamming into the earth right between the Stormboyz and the Cerebrate.
† Ak, return to the Leviathan. This is your first lesson: a commander never takes unnecessary risks. †
"Yes, my Lord... I underestimated them."
Under the protection of a fresh swarm of Zerglings, Ak reached a Nydus Worm and vanished from the battlefield.
The Overmind watched the retreat with a metaphorical smile.
† Going to the front lines... hasn't he seen how often Alarak or Zagara get themselves killed trying to be heroes? Commanders belong in the back.
Well... except for Dehaka. †