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llanite_slith -> RE: Hive! (10/23/2010 7:50:43 PM)
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Interstellar trade made our hives rich on Hivehome, where Yarros marble was discovered to have a unique value among the teeming interstellar masses. For us, however, our goal was whole worlds - free skies for the scuttling billions of Hivehome. Up to now, we had not realized the galaxy was a populous place.
The best thinkers of our time, Brains of the learning centers scattered across Hivehome, began to believe in the Pan-spermia / Poly-spermia theory. Studies of the genetic materials of the Keterov and other intelligent species revealed similar genetic structures that suggested primitive life must be carried naturally across the stars by comets and other natural events.
This theory held true until the discovery of the Spider Web.
[image]http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l290/Mr_Darke/DistantWorlds/7.jpg[/image]
Toward the galctic center, across the empty Adare Arm, our exploration ship Eyes of the Overmind discovered a series of worlds, closely linked, all with a single intelligent race inhabiting them. These arachnoids - all calling themselves the Dhayut - had built industrial, but non-starfaring civilizations on three different worlds. The Hive Overmind debated for many cycles, but the studies were conclusive and matched the discovery of ruins on other worlds our explorers were visiting. The Pan-spermia theory could not account for such things, and instead a theory around ancient star travel by many races, including, perhaps, ours, began to emerge. This new theory, Archaeo-spermia, has been supported by all our later discoveries.
As to the fate of the arachnoids, the Overmind's latest implants have been tested on other intelligent species, but never applied to whole populations. The acquisition and submission of such a hardy and agressive species would open many avenues for conquest and colonization.
[image]http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l290/Mr_Darke/DistantWorlds/8.jpg[/image]
The First Fleet was sent to establish orbital control of each world, knocking out communication satellites and destroying other attempts at resistance from the spiders. This was followed by the arrival of the 5th Fleet. Ten divisions rained down nuclear destruction on their population centers. Hover tanks and dropships of armored sluken infantry engaged these mighty fighters on their home soil and won each time. The Hive and the Sluken were triumphant!
[image]http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l290/Mr_Darke/DistantWorlds/9.jpg[/image]
One by one the worlds fell and the spiders were brought into the Polity of Sluken's Overmind. As they submitted, the Dhayut became productive members of society - forming new divisions of infantry and colonizing worlds inhospitable to the Hive. These mandibles I use were taken as trophywear from the defender of one of their capitol cities. I beheaded the beast in single combat with my monowire whip as he defended their government's last stronghold.
Now, with three spider worlds and almost two billion new citizens surviving the implantation of the Hive's Overmind, we grew strong.
But other starfaring races were coming into contact with ours.
[image]http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l290/Mr_Darke/DistantWorlds/10.jpg[/image]
Eleven other races ringed ours and claimed territory to the galactic north, east, and south, all expanding and exploiting dwindling strategic resources for their own.
[image]http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l290/Mr_Darke/DistantWorlds/11.jpg[/image]
Finally, conflict arose. The Ackdarian Kingdom claimed a world and system where our Dhayut had placed a colony on the desert world of Arbuir.
[image]http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l290/Mr_Darke/DistantWorlds/12.jpg[/image]
The Overmind considered its response...
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