The Empire has its own biologists. Biology is a niche subject in the Empire, but there are still many researchers.
They also dissect discovered xenos species, including Aeldari and Orks. Now, several researchers, donning protective suits, prepared to dissect Zergling corpses.
However, these Zerglings already carried the Infestor's Zerg virus.
The rest was just waiting.
†Infestation is absolutely a good thing.†
The Swarm Overmind gave this assessment of the upcoming developments.
Soon, crew members aboard the fleet began feeling unwell—fever, coughing. Initially, this didn't attract attention.
Workers aboard ships often never leave them. They live in 'settlements' or 'tribes' within large chambers. Living conditions were poor; filthy environments inevitably bred germs, causing frequent illness.
Workers thought this was just another common sickness, until some armed crew also showed symptoms.
Within a short time, over a hundred were affected.
This was less than two days after Zergling corpses were brought aboard.
Frank didn't pay much attention. A hundred wasn't many, and since no Nurgle forces specializing in plagues were seen, it wasn't Nurgle-related. He just told medics to monitor the sick.
Until the first infected Imperial human appeared.
It was early morning during shift change in the engine section. A worker, finding his replacement partner, noticed something wrong.
"Helen?"
The worker named Helen stood with her back to him, head tilted oddly. A noticeable swelling bulged at the back of her skull. Her body beneath clothing showed obvious signs of infection.
Seeing his companion's abnormality, the worker grew wary.
He grabbed a welding torch and cutter—common tools on walls—as weapons, cautiously approaching.
"Helen, are you okay?"
Helen slowly turned around. What faced her companion was a twisted humanoid.
Her body was grotesquely swollen. Sharp, tendril-like bony claws protruded from her neck, shoulders, and waist. Upon seeing the worker, her yellow beast-like eyes reacted. She roared, charging at her companion.
Her speed wasn't fast. The inhuman, twisted being ran with a lurching gait.
The worker was terrified but reacted swiftly, raising the cutter and pulling the trigger.
The sharp promethium cutting beam severed Helen's arm. But Helen seemed to feel no pain. With her remaining arm, she grabbed the worker's throat, stabbing the bony spikes from her back into his body.
The first infested appeared, killing an Imperial human.
Then the second, third, fourth...
†Death, infection, assimilation complete.†
The Zerg displayed another power. They didn't just consume other species; they assimilated them.
An infection method more efficient than Genestealers.
†But some workers seem uninfected. Abathur, can you remotely investigate the cause?†
Possible. Examining target essence. Inference: targets possess Tyranid genetic sequences. Stable, difficult to alter.]
†Genestealers, as expected!†
Genestealers
As mentioned, Tyranids disperse Genestealer units to planets. These Genestealers breed with local species, producing second-generation Genestealers whose Tyranid genes become recessive.
Until the third, fourth, fifth, sixth... generations, later descendants suddenly exhibit dominant traits. By then, Genestealer numbers have grown.
They gather on the planet, attempting to dominate it, finally sending coordinates to Tyranids, dedicating their lives to endless consumption.
Clearly, this Hive World was already infiltrated by Genestealers, awaiting their leader to incite rebellion and overthrow planetary rulers.
†Even better. Izsha won't be targeted in the underhive. Unleash the infestation tide!†
The first infested had already begun acting, causing chaos aboard the ship.
The infested weren't mindless beasts. They used weapons—nail guns, cutters. Unprepared victims were easily killed.
Infested armed crew were more dangerous. Before Frank reacted, dozens of armed crew had been killed by the infested.
"What's happening?!"
Frank, after headshotting an infested crewman with his bolt pistol, demanded from his adjutant: "Where did these zombies come from?!"
"Sir, they're your crew." The adjutant replied shakily.
"I know! I mean, how did they become like this? I haven't seen signs of plague spreading aboard. Wait, there were increased sick reports lately. But why?!"
There were no signs of Nurgle plague aboard.
If it were Nurgle, the ship should be covered in fungi, rotting flesh, and foul cysts. But the ship was cleaner than Frank's face.
"The only thing brought aboard recently were those biological samples."
The adjutant's words jolted Frank awake.
"Those bug corpses! Damn it! I should have burned them!"
Frank didn't hesitate. Armed with his bolt pistol, escorted by guards, he fought his way to the command bridge.
"Notify all ships! Burn those mutated crew to ash! Also, any biological samples from the planet's surface—incinerate them completely! Leave nothing!!!"
The chaos from this infestation wouldn't last long.
Two days later, the last infested turned to ash under promethium flamethrowers. After losing over two thousand crew, the infestation was finally contained.
†Pity. Wanted to play longer.†
The Overmind was satisfied with the infested's performance. Causing damage several times their number aboard a ship was commendable.
†Well, appetizers are done. Now, the main course!†
Over these days, multiple large-scale landings brought Imperial Guard numbers on the planet to over a hundred thousand. Various vehicles totaled over a thousand. This force couldn't be abandoned easily.
†Zasz, your turn to perform.†
Cerebrate Zasz had waited too long for this order.
Watching these humans act on the Overmind's planet was torture every second.
Now he could exterminate them all.
"As you command, Overmind. I shall prove these enemies are insignificant before the Swarm."
†First, a hundred-thousand-strong Imperial force to whet your appetite. Avoid being stunned by human firepower when facing billions later.†
Zasz didn't know the terror of the human Imperium. The Overmind did.
The Empire is like a dilapidated house. Every time some faction tries to kick it, not only does it not collapse, but a few badasses emerge to beat them up.