The Overmind had long known that the Imperium would resort to Exterminatus.
However, seeing it happen firsthand was still quite surprising.
The Exterminatus was ordered a bit early this time, but unfortunately, it was already too late—
The Overmind could sense that the infected had already spread to over a hundred planets. The industrial world where Mike resided was merely the first to experience an outbreak; in reality, a long time had passed since the Overmind first dispersed the Zerg virus.
Due to the increased incubation period, portions of the Zerg virus had even reached the Solar System.
"It seems someone in a high position of power has been infected. In that case, let's slow down the outbreak speed just a little bit more."
Under the Overmind's will, the incubation period of the Zerg virus was extended further. On planets where the outbreak was imminent, the virus was commanded to go dormant for several months. This was done to ensure the spread was wider and more comprehensive.
Such forbearance would make even Nurgle call him a "pro"—at the very least, Nurgle wouldn't be this patient.
The Overmind wasn't worried at all about the virus being cured. As long as the host's immune system couldn't overcome the Zerg virus, a cure was virtually impossible.
"Speaking of which, these planets seem to have varying degrees of Terran Confederacy (StarCraft 2 Terran) technology. Didn't I see a Hellion earlier?"
Part of the reason Mike managed to survive until he reached the starport was that the Overmind hadn't bothered to manually control the infected; otherwise, Mike would have been caught long ago.
It was a pity that planet was firebombed by Exterminatus. The Imperium could be quite ruthless when they wanted to be.
Let them bomb. The Zerg virus doesn't consume production resources anyway—it only consumes the energy of the infected themselves.
At worst, the Overmind would simply forfeit the biomass on that planet; there wasn't much there anyway.
Unless you have the guts to Exterminatus every single infected and "suspected" planet all the way through to create a total quarantine zone, do you really think I'm afraid of your bombs? What a joke.
The Overmind's strategy was a resounding success. While the Zerg virus might not be very effective against other alien races, it was a hard counter to humanity.
"Why didn't I think of using infection to expand assimilation sooner?"
The Overmind had been led astray by the survival strategy of the Tyranid Hive Mind. The Tyranids focused on devouring biomass as their primary goal, with assimilation as a secondary supplement. The Zerg should be the opposite: assimilation as the primary goal, with biomass consumption as the secondary supplement.
This current path was the correct way for the Zerg Swarm to develop.
Combat was secondary.
Still, there was no sign of that Terran "transmigrator." Surely he hadn't died already?
The Overmind still wanted to find him. While Hybrid technology required Protoss and Zerg as materials, the tech tree itself was Terran. Finding the Terran transmigrator would allow for the creation of Hybrids much earlier.
"He can't be that pathetic. Even the planetary governors on worlds where society has regressed to a primitive state haven't been wiped out yet. With the Terran Confederacy tech tree, even spamming fifty-buck 'good brothers' (Marines) should be enough to sweep a planet."
Complaints aside.
The Overmind had indeed ordered the Swarm to seriously search for traces of the Terran Confederacy. Though the evidence was sparse, shadows of the Confederacy could be seen here and there—vehicles, buildings—but never in significant amounts.
"Can't I just run into a real Terran Confederacy fleet or colony?"
The Overmind waited for the Swarm to bring him good news.
And a few months later, the Swarm did exactly that.
On an agricultural world named Heiron VI, the Swarm sensed a unique psionic signal. Why was it unique?
Because it was the signal of "The Overmind."
Upon receiving this intelligence through Zasz's perception, the Overmind was nearly dumbfounded.
What do you mean you sensed my psionic signal on a planet? And that the signal is summoning you all there?
"As you can see, Great Overmind, we have indeed sensed the signal of the Hive Mind on this planet, and the signal identifies as you."
It only took the Overmind a few seconds to guess the reason.
"A Psionic Emitter..."
The Psionic Emitter was a piece of "black technology" developed by Narud during his infiltration of the Terran Confederacy. While labeled as human tech, it actually contained Xel'naga technological components. This device could simulate the Hive Mind to send signals to lower-tier Zerg units, attracting Zerg from the surrounding areas.
It was incredibly effective against feral Zerg without high-level synaptic control, but it didn't work well against a Swarm led by commanding units.
After all, Zerg commanders aren't stupid. Once they arrive and see a mechanical device emitting the signal, they naturally understand what's going on.
"There is an emitter on that planet, but why? Who would activate one there? There are no feral Zerg in the vicinity."
"Overmind, we have also discovered traces of Chaos Daemons on that planet."
"Chaos is involved too?"
The Overmind was even more confused. What did this have to do with Chaos?
"Things are getting complicated."
The Overmind shifted his vision to the planet. At this moment, there were only a small number of infected on the world. As an agricultural world, its population was low—only thirty million.
But the planet was still valuable. Agricultural worlds are suited for large-scale farming and are the Imperium's primary food producers. The Zerg virus doesn't just affect humans; it affects most flora and fauna. Therefore, food produced from this planet would also carry the virus.
However, the situation for these infected was currently not good. A Chaos cult existed on this planet, and the cultists were currently purging the infected.
"This planet belongs to my God! Filthy xenos, you are not worthy of defiling this world!"
"Tch."
The Overmind glanced at the banners and dressing style of these cultists. Cultists of the Four Gods are usually easy to distinguish by their mutations: Khorne cultists love red, and Nurgle cultists are covered in pustules and sores.
The cultists on this planet showed no such obvious mutations.
He took another look at the large, single eye on the cultist banner, with stars shimmering within the pupil.
"Tzeentch worshippers."
Indeed, the cultists on this planet belonged to a Tzeentchian sect known as the [Star of Omniscience]. Their numbers were small, making them a niche cult.
"Is there a Webway gate on this planet? Ah, there is. Excellent."
Would the Overmind tolerate these Chaos cultists? Without a second thought, he pinpointed the location of the Webway gate. He then had a Queen open the gate, and a contingent of Zerg units—protected by combat forces—arrived on the planet.
Specifically, more than thirty Infestors were deployed.
Take note: I want them alive.
You can't squeeze information out of the dead.