“Finally...”
Lin Miao, who had been anxious for days, couldn't help but sigh with relief upon seeing the result.
On Terra, the new variant that Elise and the Great Devourer colony had been pouring all their efforts into experimenting and developing was finally complete. It was now gathering its strength, preparing to strike.
“You've worked hard.”
Elise expressed her gratitude in a calm voice to Kerrigan, who had held out until the very last moment.
There was no need for complex words anyway. Their feelings were shared every second through the hive mind.
This is undoubtedly a historic moment. What should I name it?
Lin Miao felt a surge of excitement. He was certain that this was a deeply meaningful moment for the Great Devourer race and for himself as their god.
It was just like when they had first mastered the Stargate technology and stepped into another world.
Compared to this vast universe, they, who had once been small and insignificant, were now stepping into an even broader and grander stage.
That colossal body was indeed far larger than any variant that had appeared so far.
It was several times larger than a Behemoth, which was capable of carrying hundreds of troops. This massive body itself proved that the creature belonged to a system entirely distinct from existing mutants.
Its overall shape resembled a giant sphere encased in an exoskeleton, but as it took flight and began to move, its form shifted into something akin to an octopus.
To sustain its colossal body, it not only utilized the genetic traits of various mutated organisms but also extensively incorporated the newly acquired astral formulas of the Goddess of Light Association.
They had modified and equipped the holy core—which the Goddess of Light Association used to float their massive, heavy Sky Islands—in their own way. At the same time, they created a Karl coupler, a biological connector that linked the holy core with the magic heart to amplify their power, and installed it at the center.
Multi-layered crystalline psionic membranes formed over the exoskeleton to prevent bodily fluids from evaporating in a vacuum.
The outer skin was a protective mucus film capable of blocking radiation, and a special blood that remained fluid even under ultra-low temperatures flowed through its veins.
“We are heading into space now.”
Elise looked up at the sky and smiled. Having focused on her experiments without a single moment of rest, she had finally created this variant.
Six tentacles immediately extended from its back, spreading out rigidly before propelling it forward at high speed by releasing massive bursts of energy from their tips.
The Hive Mothership soared toward the heavens, rapidly climbing in altitude. Its exoskeleton turned a glowing red, emitting a screaming resonance that echoed throughout the hive mind.
This scene unfolded in the northeastern part of the Terra continent, deep within the heart of the Great Devourer's territory—a place deemed a forbidden zone by the survivors.
If anyone had witnessed this sight from afar, they would likely have collapsed to the ground in terror, completely surrendering to the Great Devourer worship that had recently been spreading rapidly across Terra.
“How about we call it the Hive Mothership?”
Lin Miao named the first of this new variant to emerge in the colony the Hive Mothership.
As soon as the Hive Mothership was complete, it was immediately transferred to Cadia via the Stargate.
Its target, of course, was the spaceship Rum, which was currently lurking somewhere in Planet Cadia's orbit, biding its time.
“Captain, reinforcements will arrive shortly.”
“How did things get this out of hand...”
Adian, the captain of the Rum, stared blankly into space, muttering to himself as he listened to the report.
Seeing the Great Devourer at a disadvantage, Goddess Hestia believed this was the perfect opportunity for revenge.
At Adian's request, a massive price had been paid through his connections to hire additional mercenaries.
As a result, an armed fleet from Adian's home planet was currently scheduled to arrive as reinforcement.
Their plan was to resupply, and then join forces with the armed fleet to bomb Cadia, completely erasing all traces of the Great Devourer.
Currently, Adian and the crew of the Rum were waiting for the reinforcements that were about to warp in.
“Captain, look at this.”
“Hmm?”
Just then, Vice Captain Ryan walked over and showed him something.
Adian's eyes widened when he saw the radar screen.
“What is this?”
“I don't know. Something is approaching.”
The radar was displaying something they had never detected before.
In the silent expanse of space that should have been completely empty, an object explicitly marked as "unidentified" by the radar was boldly making its way toward them.
“Could it be a spaceship?”
“If it were, it would show up as an unidentified spaceship. But this... there doesn't seem to be any data on it at all.”
Elena, who had a background as a researcher, shrugged. At that moment, they didn't pay it much mind.
After all, this was orbit—a space that belonged entirely to them.
“Just in case, prepare to move. Let's find out what it is and see for ourselves.”
Adian instructed the crew to prepare for launch, deciding to investigate the matter personally.
Conveniently, the unidentified object was slowly drawing closer to them.
“What on earth... is that?”
Finally, when they were able to confirm the object with their own eyes, Adian and the other crew members were left completely dumbfounded.
It was something they had never seen before in their entire lives.
It was neither a simple space rock nor a metallic starship, but a colossal entity hurtling toward them at an incredible speed.
Adian observed it closely through the magnified screen.
Its entire body was covered in an obsidian-like exoskeleton, with blue veins of energy pulsing through the gaps.
At the tips of the six tentacles extending from its back, plasma flames flickered.
Just like the thrusters of a starship.
“C-Could it be?!”
Adian turned pale with terror, unable to squeeze out another word.
However, having already calculated its approach, the Hive Mothership brought them within range. With a sharp click, its forward carapace split open, fully prepared to fire its ultra-large Disintegration Cannon and Heavenly Wrath Bio-Thunder.
“...Enemy vessel detected.”
Aboard the Hive Mothership,
Celia stood wearing her mask, her eyes flashing. Utilizing the abilities of the prey Elise had devoured, she had further modified the symbiotic carapace ants, allowing them to operate in the harsh environment of outer space and arming herself with them.
Rate on N.U.
