Cerebrates were among the most special units of the Zerg. Even for a race capable of mass-producing troops, Cerebrates were extremely difficult to replicate in large numbers.
They were born with powerful psychic and mental abilities. Each Cerebrate could independently command vast swarms, and as long as it wasn't killed by void energy, it could be resurrected infinitely by the Overmind.
If you were a Warhammer fan, you could think of them as:
[A fully-nerfed Norn Queen.]
Not to mention Hive Tyrants—even Cerebrates couldn't compare to them in combat power.
"Please merciful Jesus don't be Tyranids, please don't be Tyranids… I really don't want to fight the Great Devourer right now."
The Overmind sent Zerglings to explore the entire planet. With their incredible speed and large numbers, they could gather planetary intelligence in a very short time.
All he hoped was that this planet had no Genestealers and no Tyranid units.
The Tyranids—known as the "Great Devourer"—were one of the strongest forces in the galaxy. Their power could be summed up in one sentence:
[The Tyranid fleets invading the galaxy were merely the tentacles of tentacles of tentacles of the Great Devourer—and yet they still forced every faction to take them seriously.]
"I'm just a small-time Overmind who ruled the Koprulu Sector. I'm no match for the Great Devourer. If I run into a hive fleet, I'll probably end up in a nutrient pool."
He knew very well that his Zerg swarm was inferior to native Tyranids in every way. Meeting them early on would mean instant GG.
"Don't run into Imperial Titan Legions, don't run into an Ork WAAAGH!, don't run into… Hmm, Eldar might be barely manageable, but better avoid them too. Best case, give me some Tau!"
Titan Legions over fifty meters tall, Ork hordes with more bodies than the swarm, and elite Eldar warriors were all far too dangerous right now.
"Wait!"
At that moment, a Zergling discovered something that caught the Overmind's attention.
It rushed toward the location. There stood a giant mushroom-flower, two to three meters tall, surrounded by many others of various sizes, all growing vigorously.
Warhammer fans could already imagine what would happen next.
Some even muttered the same thing as the Overmind:
"It's over. This planet's going to go green."
The Zergling began digging rapidly. Its claws were perfect for burrowing. In seconds, it uncovered a fleshy sac beneath the ground. Through its thin membrane, a curled green figure could be seen inside.
It was a classic Ork-like creature, wrapped in amniotic fluid—known in this universe as a Greenskin Ork.
One of the most dangerous species in Warhammer 40K.
Because they loved fighting—and the more they fought, the more they multiplied.
Liking fights was normal. Orcs in many worlds were like that.
But "the more they fought, the more they multiplied" needed explanation.
Warhammer Orks were plant-like organisms. They didn't reproduce through mating. Instead, they released spores. Given proper conditions, these spores would grow through photosynthesis into large mushrooms.
And beneath each mushroom, an Ork would form.
However, Orks had a strict hierarchy. If an area had no Orks, the first to appear would be Snotlings—tiny, goblin-like, stupid creatures.
So stupid that they might trip over a rock and die, or crush themselves trying to lift one.
Gretchin were different. Still dumb, but somewhat crafty. Though they still did stupid things—like blowing themselves up—they were already a real threat and even capable of using tactics.
Once the mushroom fields matured, true Orks would emerge from the ground.
They were tall and reckless, loved battle, and treated it as entertainment. Without enemies, they'd fight each other until a bigger, greener, stronger Ork became the Boss.
Ordinary Orks stood around two meters tall—already a major threat to humans.
Combined with their spore-based reproduction, their numbers could surpass even the Zerg. There were cases where Orks had suppressed Tyranid swarms.
"The one underground is already an adult Ork. That means Snotlings and Gretchin are already here. Damn it."
The Overmind immediately ordered all combat-capable units to converge on the mushroom fields.
Just then, a small green figure carrying a wooden bucket wobbled over. Holding a stone ladle, it scooped foul-smelling sludge from the bucket and fertilized the mushrooms.
It was a Snotling.
It resembled a goblin, only shorter and rounder, looking silly and innocent. The bucket on its back was nearly its own size, making one worry it might get crushed.
When it saw the Zergling, it froze for two seconds, then screamed.
"Yah! Yah!"
The cry made the Zergling turn instantly. Seeing the creature was under a meter tall, it lunged without hesitation, pinning it down and tearing it apart with claws and teeth.
The scream attracted more Snotlings. But reinforcements arrived for the Zerg as well—dozens of Zerglings rushed over, with even more sprinting across the plains.
"I can't beat Ork bosses, but I can't lose to you little runts! Charge!"
The Zerglings began their first battle.
Their enemies were Snotlings—the weakest Ork units.
It was a massacre.
Two-meter-long Zerglings were giants compared to them. One bite could tear off a head. The Snotlings could only be shredded.
The fight ended quickly. The caretakers of the mushroom fields were wiped out.
But the Overmind wasn't happy.
"This place… it's going to go full Greenskin."
On planets where Snotlings and Gretchin managed mushroom farms, Ork populations usually exceeded millions. Contact had been made—hard battles were coming.
Just as the Zerglings prepared to drag the bodies back, a deep roar echoed from afar.
"WAAAAGH———!"
It sounded like a normal Ork roar—similar to those in other fantasy worlds.
But it carried deeper meaning.
"They're here."
Hundreds of tall Orks wielding stone axes charged from the distance.
One of them stood about 2.5 meters tall, greener and bigger than the rest.
This was what they called an Ork Boss.
"Boyz! Get 'em! Smash these bugs!"
"WAAAAGH———!"
The Orks rushed forward. Seeing their stone clubs and animal-hide belts, the Overmind relaxed slightly.
"Looks like these Orks haven't climbed the tech tree yet."