The Swarm expanded rapidly. With the Hatchery's construction complete, Creep began spreading across the planet.
The forests within dozens of kilometers around the Hatchery had been cleared, revealing vast plains covered in Creep.
The entire planet was quite safe and lacked particularly dangerous creatures. This was both good and bad.
†No usable gene sequences. There's a Hive World next door, probably with Astra Militarum. Not sure if Abathur can use Grox gene sequences.†
Grox, upright bipedal creatures resembling giant ants, with ant-like mandibles and bovine horns, hence the name.
They possess incredibly tenacious vitality, iron-hard claws, and harbor numerous dangerous parasites, making them exceptionally fierce.
The Imperial Departmento Munitorum processes these dangerous creatures into canned rations for Astra Militarum. Usually, it's fine; Grox rations processed through multiple steps don't cause issues.
Occasionally, however, some Grox cans might contain parasites or organs not fully deactivated. This results in Astra Militarum having to fight the parasites or Grox organs upon opening the can, with a very low chance of being killed by the Grox ration.
Sometimes, uneaten Grox meat might contain un-deactivated eggs. The consumer could have Grox larvae or parasites burst from their chest hours later—a scene reminiscent of Alien chestbursters.
Thus, the Grox ration meme is widely circulated in Warhammer 40K circles.
But it's not that terrifying. As long as it's cooked long enough, Grox rations are safe.
Provided the Departmento Munitorum personnel are willing to cook them that long. Given their efficiency, sending un-deactivated Grox rations to the front lines is common.
†I recall Grox individual combat strength far surpasses that of Astra Militarum grunts. If we could utilize that gene sequence... tsk tsk.†
The Overmind already envisioned giving Roaches the Grox genes, creating a batch of melee-specialized Roaches—tanky, ferocious, with strong regeneration—absolutely giving Space Marines, especially Khorne Berzerkers who love chopping, a lesson.
†If we could give Ultralisks the Grox genes, that would be truly 'beefy.'†
Actually, not that beefy. The Raptor strain Ultralisk gene sequence would absolutely outclass Grox genes in every way.
At that moment, Zasz suddenly reported: "Overmind, suspicious life form detected."
†Hmm?†
The Overmind's gaze shifted to the suspicious life form Zasz detected. Through an Overlord's perspective, it saw the Aeldari warrior hiding deep in the forest.
Although this Aeldari warrior also had a cloaking device, he was completely unaware he was within a Spore Crawler's detection range.
†Aeldari, just one?†
With other species, finding one often meant more nearby. But the Aeldari often have lone individuals. The Overmind couldn't immediately gauge their numbers.
†Aeldari are definitely less threatening than Orks or the Swarm. Even if they attempt decapitation strikes, I'm not worried. Unless an entire Aeldari Craftworld targets me, even if Kaine's Avatar comes, I can crush it!†
Aeldari Craftworlds are currently the Aeldari's top-tier military assets, similar in role to the Protoss' Spear of Adun.
Ah, of course, the ancient Aeldari had many more advanced technologies. But those are either lost or missing. Craftworlds are indeed the Aeldari's most powerful known combat units currently.
After some thought, the Overmind gave its command.
†In the future, handle such suspicious targets directly without asking. Kill or spare, it doesn't matter. Just preserve the biomass for Abathur to study.†
"As you command, Overmind."
The Overmind didn't plan on showing mercy. Kill when necessary. The Aeldari are harder to deal with than humans. In their eyes, bugs are just bugs; bugs aren't worthy of communication.
"Such filthy bugs."
As expected, this Aeldari warrior looked at the Drones hauling various plants with disgust.
Zerglings patrolled nearby, preventing local wildlife from harming the Drones.
"But their numbers are indeed vast. Kalesa was right. These bugs will eventually threaten our settlement."
Behind the Aeldari warrior, pairs of yellow eyes lit up. A small group of Zerglings had silently reached his rear and lunged from the shadows.
But the next moment, the Aeldari warrior drew a white bone sword from his waist, turning and executing a beautiful spinning slash, cutting several Zerglings in half with a single stroke.
"I noticed you long ago. But I didn't expect you could see me?"
Flicking the bug juice off his bone blade, he was about to leave when he noticed more yellow eyes glowing in the surrounding shadows.
Hydralisks and Roaches emerged from the ground. Zerglings rubbed their wings, producing a threatening hiss, then charged.
"Pathetic bugs. You think you can stop me?"
The warrior quickly demonstrated the Aeldari's astounding individual prowess. As he swung his blade, his figure shifted left and right like a ghost. If Space Marines were like solid, heavy boulders, then Aeldari warriors were like slippery eels.
Over a dozen Zerglings were soon slaughtered. He even closed in on a Hydralisk.
The Hydralisk's muscles contracted violently, launching spine needles. But the supersonic spines seemed slow in the Aeldari warrior's eyes. He twisted his body, performing a simple slide to dodge the spines, gliding past the Hydralisk and delivering a slash.
The Hydralisk's body was severed in two, the halves slowly sliding down to the ground.
†Impressive, very flashy. Better than the Protoss.†
Protoss Templar are also agile, holding their own against multiple foes. But Protoss body flexibility definitely can't match the Aeldari.
It wouldn't be surprising if this Aeldari could coil his body into a circle.
The battle continued. This Aeldari warrior's displayed skill was truly astonishing, to the point that Cerebrate Zasz was somewhat displeased.
Just as the Aeldari warrior was about to showcase more combat finesse, a Baneling rolled over, self-detonating before the Aeldari warrior could slice it.
The Baneling explosion instantly knocked the Aeldari warrior to his knees, motionless. Zerglings approached to find the warrior dead, half his face blown off.
†All flashy moves, but I had the superior counter.†
All fancy techniques seem futile against pure stats. Banelings specialize in dealing with such technical players.
At that moment, the Overmind noticed a stone on the Aeldari warrior's chest flickering with faint light. Remembering something, it ordered the Zerglings.
†Bring that stone to me. Haul the corpse to Abathur.†
A Zergling picked up the stone and scurried away. Other Zerglings dragged the corpse to Abathur.
This stone has a technical name: Spirit Stone. It's an essential item to prevent an Aeldari's soul from being claimed by Slaanesh after death. When a warrior dies, their soul is absorbed into the Spirit Stone.