"Take a stance at any of the paddings there. Do you want something to drink to listen this... Uh... Long story?" The Head Follower asked Nile, in which she nodded and requested for bark tea. Of course, the (in)famous and legendary; "Commoner's Tea." It was the most affordable and easy to procure for their position as Followers, in the dwelling they are housed in.
Nile then takes the largest soft round paddings on the room. Being the quarters of the Head Follower, it makes sense that it has some luxuries such as that to accommodate someone her size. Of course, she sat the one right next to the table. Where both of them can be on direct line of sight and contact.
Ssssssssssssssstttttttt...
As Nile waited for her tea to boil. She observed the room she is currently in. Being the dwelling of the Head Follower, she might be able to find something interesting to grab her attention. Unfortunately, she didn't, all she sees are the usual objects that a Religiosa of the Head Follower's age would have. Well anything, except for the one that is being on a altar like part of the room. A small, but large indoor tree that was lit up by small sticks slowly burning away, and a picture of what seems to be two other Religiosas. Of course, Nile recognised what the altar means, but she didn't say anything until her tea was finally finished to be served to continue their conversation.
"Head follower. Will you please tell me now, why Molt is... In that condition? What exactly happened on that planet that affected him so... Much?"
Nile's concern voice, echoed in the room. The Head Follower buckled again, but this time, she did not retreated as she looked at the window. Nile did the same as she watched what the Head Follower was looking at. Though, all she saw is just the same brown field and blue haven. Nothing really to point out on, except that a bountiful harvest will arrive soon in the next lunar cycle or two.
"My... Mate, almost did not made it on that planet."
"!!!"
At the mentioning of mate, Nile of course recognised the green fellow that kept on visiting their dwelling. He is of course, a guard of the inner gates estate of the Ent Clan. A good and skilled fellow that never stops yapping, with Molt being his comrade in the dwelling, they are in such conundrum. To think that he almost died, at the same planet Molt was in, gave Nile a sinking feeling. Because that meant, if the circumstances were just any different, Molt or the Head Follower's mate, would have died.
"How... How is he?..."
"He is recovering fine, thankfully... However, I doubt he can wield a weapon properly if he is now missing a claw."
At the mentioning of that, Nile instinctively buckled. Loosing a claw after all, is equivalent to loosing one's identity. Loosing one meant loosing one's honor, loosing another, meaning one is lost to the world as a walking phantom. Because no one would want to work with a crippled Religiosa, let alone one without claws. They could be branded with the Source of Evil, the moment they commit a crime. Or even if they didn't, there could be a possibility that they would be blamed for the misfortune upon that hits the hive. Thus, the most likely outcome of the situation like that is... Execution under treason and public discord.
"What is he going to do with his job?!" There, she saw the Head Follower cricket in relief as gratitude was plastered on her saddened face.
"Thankfully, our master have understood the circumstances and have not evicted our returning warriors and followers. Our master even plans to atleast provide them with metal claws... Perhaps this would finally be the decision to stop sending our swarm to that death trap of a planet. Atleast... I hope so it would be."
Nile nodded, as indeed, they are starting to get a shortage on their swarm. Not to a dangerous degree, but enough to cause some slowdowns and problems in their everyday workload. Especially with the younger followers, whom have never returned. Nile taught that they could possibly be in the battlefield, however, thinking about it, it makes sense that none of the nymphs have returned. In the planet where there is nobody but them and the Aliens, most of them would have...
"..."
Nile decided to cut off her crawl of thoughts, and instead focus on the matter at hand at something more tangible. "Metal claws... Wouldn't he be discriminated for using technology to replace his claws?"
Metal claws, of course is usage of a cybernetic limb to help replace the lost of one's limbs. They are so good at their job of replacing the owner's limbs, that they are even much stronger and better than their original. Hence, also the hatred for using metal claws for replacing oneself with a soulless metal corpse. Of course, Nile understands why, but there are a lot of Religiosas being judged and discriminated because of it. It would definitely be saddening to think that that green fellow would be hated upon because of his circumstances, of a event far beyond his control.
"That's why the Ent Clan will be planning to take the responsibility of the causalities in the invasion, under the Ent banner. And just like what I told you, it might just be hopefully the case would be the final decision to stop sending more swarms..."
"..."
Nile didn't say anything more, as admittedly, as much as knowledgeable she is about military machines. Outside of it, she is dumber than what other folk thinks of her. She often relies on the much cunning and smarter Molt, who always helped her since they were young nymphs. Politics and social cues are the last thing she would dwelling, and hurting the Head Follower with ignorant words would be the last thing she did.
Still, she must want to know what exactly happened on that planet. Earth, is it's name. A odd way to call one's core and home world. It is like calling one's parents just parent, not even mother or father, or simply as not acknowledging their names because it is easy on the tongue to say for convenience. Then again, they are aliens, but how could such a oddly named and backwater planet from the middle of nowhere hurt Molt? Let alone, the clearly combat oriented mate of the Head Follower, who could crushed Molt without stopping for a break.
Her face seems to show rather obviously, as the Head Follower crickets, and closed the windows with a swipe of her stubby mandibles. Being a non-combat oriented strand, definitely helps Religiosas like the Head Follower to be effectively better at everything else aside from combat. Something Nile envied a lot, as she could have helped Molt at the time of his worst. However, she must focus on the event at hand as the blinds finally covered them. With only the artificial lights from the room and altar, lighting up the place.
"Dear. Whatever I tell you now must not escape out of your tongue. Do you understand? I only learned of this information because of my twin nymph at the hive. If it ever leaves outside the estate, we would be in big trouble, and none of our accumulated statuses will ever help us out of trouble. Do you understand?"
"!!!"
Nile was of course, startled. It was one thing if they got themselves involved with High Followers, as atleast, if they were ever in trouble. They could use their statuses to circumvent that by the reasonings of the situation being their responsibility to look after. However, the Head Follower's sister, despite her saying it is her twin, were actually 8 cycles apart in age. They only, in the surface, look alike. However, anything else after that is a star's difference. Her sister is a Grand Follower, the highest position of a Hive like that of the Ent Clan. Anything higher promotes one to royalty, which of course, information is almost impossible to be leaked.
Grand followers are terrifying in the estate, as they are the equivalent of a Commander on the battlefield, atleast, in terms of authority. Of course, that means they have massive influence on the Ent Clan and position of power, thus, being trusted by the Ent Clan with the authority they are bestowed. For the Ent Clan's case, that means a Grand Follower of the Ent Clan's smallest territory, could mount to about 50 thousand followers and 10 thousand high followers. In other words, it is like commissioning a small army, and of course, with a Alpha leading them in terms of combat. A Alpha, like Nile. Thus, outranking her instantly. Messing with a Grand Follower is simply asking one's descendants to become a drones for life.
However, that also means the information she is about to receive is as close to authentic.
Nile nodded silently with conviction, seeing her with that face. The Head Follower only cooed, and tapped her shoulder in reassurance.
"Of course, I know your not the type to spread information and cause trouble. Your not Molt's comrade for a reason after all..."
This also, brings Nile to a coo. As the mentioning of Molt brought her to calm herself. The Head Follower then let her go as she grabbed her tea and began to slowly drink it, as she finally recounted the story. With narrowing eyes and a darkened face, she is now burdening this poor nymph in front of her with information that could possibly cause unknowable damage to the whole of the Confederation. Her knowing this was a privilege and a curse, and now, she is now willingly sharing this information with a outsider by circumstances. She silently prayed to the Deity Religiosa, to give her strength, as she finally dropped the bomb.
"Earth... May actually be... The wrong planet we have landed. In fact, it may could have possibly be... A colony of Earth. Than Earth... Itself."
"WHAT!!?"
"I understand that may sound ludicrous. But hear me out." Nile immediately shut up, as uneasiness dwell on her face. Of course, it is understandable why.
This is not the first incident with their committee. As that is exactly how they found out about two certain species outside of their system. Of course, they aren't the Hu'mns. They are the rebellious 3rd Worlders, and the other... Was a whole different species entirely. Another... Confederation, per say. It was highly classified and is being treated as taboo, but the information is leaked anyway as almost all of the population knows about it. However, it was being held quiet to not fear the wrath of their Deity. This Other Confederation are strong enough either militarily or economically to force the Religiosa to sign a pact of non-aggression and economic treaties. Of course, she has no idea how big the Other Confederation is exactly, as only their nobles and royalty know what is their true extent. It was enough even for the Deity herself, Religiosa, to appeal to them and allow their Confederation to be apart of this... What they call, the Communal Meeting of Comradery.
Unlike the first two, it was thwarted with military might and negotiations. On the other hand, their encounter with the Hu'mns was a... bloody one.
A very bloody one.
One they are definitely never going to comeback from, unscathed.
"My sister told me how there were arguments that the Luminous System, was not actually Earth and the Hu'mn's birth system. Multiple committees have warned that this may be not what they thought it would be, because of the 500 cycle and more gap of the discovery of Adventure 1. Because that meant, for instance, the 3rd Worlders, whom have a similar feat of the Hu'mns and only few 100 cycles late, would be stealing technology from the Religiosa before they even knew we existed. Which of course, is impossible by science."
"Then where is Earth then?!"
"I have a similar question. Because apparently, one of the committee folks on board the Grand Expedition have noticed a transmission signal from 5 starlights away, from the system. Which means, they have a colony. However, that's not the only one they have discovered."
"Wait, wait, wait just a nik! Are you then trying to say that we are struggling to fight a mere colony? And not a properly occupied planet?!"
"... Unfortunately, yes and no. We are struggling because of the home field advantage, even more so when our ancestors were trying to conquer the 3rd Worlder's core planet. As the colony is a properly organised and occupied planet. However, that is not what me, my sister, and our master is worried about. It's about it being a colony, and do you know what that implies?"
"Uhh... Sorry Head Follower... I'm not the brightest, so I'm struggling to answer that right now..." She said as her antennas dropped. "It was Molt who usually answer these things for me..."
The Head Follower's antennas also dropped, as she patted her shoulder for reassurance and sadness for bringing Molt accidentally back to the conversation.
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"Sorry Nile... I'll answer it for you then, sorry for bringing him up..." Though, despite what she said. It seems to be that she is in a much more pain than Nile.
"It means, just like how we devised our tactics at our colonies, we would only put our disposable military units and equipment for a cheap defence. Because in the end, our main navy would come in and help them with the defence. So what we are facing now is potentially their disposable military, however, we are non the wiser, as we have also send our old disposable ships to war on the Hu'mns. Thinking it was a easy victory. With only the Lines; 1, 2, 10, and the System Jammers being the newest one on the front."
Of course, Nile has definitely heard of that. The fleet that was tasked for the subjugation were old, but not old to the point of rusting and decomposing itself from it's age. They are still ships of war, about 4-5 generations old sure, but are still very dangerous assets to a planet that doesn't even have FTL capabilities.
Well... Atleast, that's what Nile used to thought. As the ongoing situation with Molt and the swarm, is not looking great.
"However, as you already know, spaceships are instantly much more powerful than any planetary equipment. No matter how old or new it is, as they are still a asset, and are prone to technology stealing. Hence why the Hu'mns have only 1 ship capable of fighting ours, because they weren't expecting any attacks of the like."
"Wait, why only one?"
"Yes, only... one. We have later know that there are supposed to be 3, but for some reason, there is only 1. Which concluded the committee's theory of there being a colony, and potentially, a much larger Hu'mn territory. Which is probably why they are so adept at planetary defense against planetary invasions, because of the large territory they are protecting from a theoretical enemy species as well."
Her panicked and agitated tone startled Nile, as it has been awhile she have seen the Head Follower having such a reaction on her face. It is not the fun one either, as her face scrunched and her stubby mandibles forming into a closed wrist. Hesitantly, of course, she continues her question.
"But... how does that answer the situation Molt is in?"
"Nile dear, you are asking the wrong question. The question should be why are they even allowing a situation like Molt for a whole cycle if they know how formidable the defence is!" Anger and fear dripped on the Head Follower's tongue as she continues alarmingly with aggression. Nile was about to tell her to calm down, but she was stopped as the Head Follower cut her off."Do you know what's happening on that planet?... Do you know how truly bad the situation was when I first heard of it...? Do you know how much the army has been keeping us in dark of the situation our swarms... My Nisha is in...?"
Nile didn't say anything as she just buckled under the pressure of the now angered female Religiosa. To the point the ends of her sensory mandibles on her body began to rise in retaliation of the defensive instinct her body is feeling from the Head Follower. It also been awhile she have felt such pressure from another Religiosa, atleast in person, then it would be the first time she have felt such anger and sadness from a fellow folk before in person. It was like her senses are being overridden by that pressure, as it keeps on building up and up, until eventually...
She blew up.
"They keep on sending them, wave after wave there, Nile! Nisha was being cycled in and out, over and over and over and over again! Do you know what he looks when I saw him?! His pristine green colour is literally charred with black and his own blood, Nile! I barely recognized him! I thought he was dead, Nile! I was ready to welcome him back after not seeing him for a long time! I was ready! I was ready to told him of our mating day! Yet he's barely alive! He's barely breathing! He could not even walk anymore! He lost 4 limbs, Nile! He was crushed to death by some metallic monster! A metallic monster guarding one hive!"
"ONE HIVE NILE! HE WAS CYCLED AND WAS USED LIKE A BATTERED BLADE! FOR JUST ONE! ONE HIVE! FOR ONE HIVE TO BE OCCUPIED! FOR WHAT?! 200 THOUSAND RELIGIOSAS TO MEET WITH MYRICA?! FOR ONE HIVE?!"
With that, her frustration, anger, sadness, grief, loneliness, fear, contempt, and gratefulness was all gushed out in one setting. With the nail on the coffin, was a large bang from the table. With their mildly hot tea, being spilled into the void.
"I... I almost wished that Molt and Nisha switched places... It disgusted me how I could think of such things to a nice fellow... A good comrade... A family nonetheless... Especially with you... To think I could have think such things like that, when we are in the same situation... Forgive me... Forgive me..."
SLAM!
The last one shocked Nile, not just because of the anger driven response of how brutalised her mate was, but also the number of deaths that she just heard. The Head Follower's apology being blurry to her hearing as the words, "200 thousand", kept on repeating on her head.
200 thousand.
200 thousand Religiosas not returning home.
200 thousand bodies, for one hive.
200 thousand that are will not be brought home to be mourned.
Of which, Molt or the Head Follower's mate, would have been apart of.
It sickened her.
It sickened her that she nearly threw up the phidea she have ate.
Nile did eat up the broadcast of their soldiers having minimal defeats and mostly wins. However, she never once considered, what exactly kind of win and losses? It was merely a matter of fact to her, that she didn't take her time to reconsider what are exactly the parameters of a win or a lost, their soldiers considered. If the price of 200 thousand Religiosas is considered a win if a key point is occupied, then what is exactly a 'Lost'?
"But... I thought we are winning?..."
"We are... We have already occupied almost half of their available landmass, and... have already began occupying the other planets... They just never mentioned how much the cost was."
With that, Nile went limped. As so many things began to cross over her mind, the possible think tank solutions to the problems. The possibilities of their losses being circumvented, the... The...
"How about the Grand Royal Admiral?! Surely he won't let th-"
"I don't know... He wasn't mentioned by my sister... I don't know how could such a brilliant folk even not prevent that... I just... don't know..." She said as she put her stubby hands on her face, her wings buzzing, and her mandibles cracking. "After hearing it from my sister... I'm surprised he even made it out alive... I... I thought he would be fine there. After all, it was just a subjugation of a minor species... Nobody expected that they could have... Killed so many."
"How many... Exactly?"
"I... I don't know... I just... Don't know..."
"..."
Don't know.
That word.
Don't know.
A good question, but also an answer of itself.
A answer one so curious that it must be pried, but also, a answer so mortifying, that should it need to be answered too after all?
"..."
With that, their conversation went to a halt. Just in time for Nile's consciousness to instantly listen to the voice behind the door. She did not think, she just run the moment the words have left from the fellows Follower's mouth.
"HEAD FOLLOWER! Molt'st has awakened!"
Nile immediately ran towards the door, nearly tearing it apart as she instantly got to the quarters Molt have rested. Everything went a blur as the next thing she knew it, she was now holding Molt for her dear life. Never letting him go, despite how the other followers told her to let him go to stabilise his condition. Nile only got defensive as she closed her eyes and continued to be stubborn, stubborn to not answer that question. That I don't know. She doesn't want it yet, she doesn't want anybody to confirm it to her yet. She just wants the I don't know, as the answer. It is a much better outcome than truly knowing the horrors that be
However, Molt who noticed her overprotective reaction then touched the back of her neck softly. Usually, it is forbidden for males to touch a female's neck, as that is essentially showing one's weak spot in a fight or mating. However, Nile didn't care as Molt caresses it cautiously.
"Nile...? Is that you?... "
"Yes! Yes! It's me, I'm here now. So make sure to not cause anybody problems, alright?! I'm here now, so you can now rest easy. Alright?"
"Sorry... I just didn't recognised on how you looked like..."
His hoarse question retracted Nile, as she questioningly looked at him in a confused and worried expression.
"Hey, what are you talking about? It's me! How could you not recognize the great me!"
"Sorry... I just... Have a hard time looking at you..."
"Wha...? What?..."
Nile, upon hearing that, then looked at the others with a worried expression. Only to see grim and sad faces around. One of them, who seems to be an expert in healing, due to his uniform, then crawled up towards Nile as he calmly explained on what is up with Molt condition.
And upon speaking...
"I'm sorry Lady Nile'ht—"
Nile's whole world...
"But based on my emergency quick examination upon him—"
Was shattered.
"It seems be that Molt'st, is blinded by some chemical toxin that damaged his eyes and... Lungs."
"... What...?"
"In other words... I don't see the possibility that he would be talking and seeing well from this star forth, unless metal... Transplant is given. Because as of now...
I doubt he can even function properly, with almost half of his senses damaged."
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"[...]"
"[PRIORITY NOTIFICATION!(1)]"
"[...]"
*[Would you like to read the >>PRIORITY NOTIFICATION<
[">(Y) or >>(N)]"
"[Yes. I approve.]"
"[>>(Y) or >(N)]"
"[...]"
"[From Union General, L.D Dickson. Contents of the message; >>WAR REPORT<<, would you like to open the document]"
"[...]"
"[WAR_REPORT.pdf]"
"[...]"
"[I a p p r o v e .]"
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Megaclaws - Unit of measurement for kilometres
Claws - Unit of measurement for metres
Line Type - Class of the ship (i.e destroyer class, cruiser class, etc.)
Scratchers - Religiosa Artesian
Line 3 - Religiosa Light Cruiser Type
Rider - Religiosa pilots
Knits - Unit of time of hour
Lifter - A lift or elevator
Seekers - Religiosa camera term
Line 1 - Religiosa Battleship
Line 2 - Religiosa Heavy Cruiser
Line 6 - Religiosa Corvette
Line 10 - Religiosa Super Carrier
Plasma Directional Stations - Protected Plasma Glass Domes
Fissile Engines - Fission Powered Engines
Cycle - 1 year
Lunar Cycles - 29.5 - 30 days
Planetary Cycle - 1 day
Nimbs - 1 minute
Niks - 1 second
Carapace - Religiosa nautical term for Hull
Nymph - a term for Religiosa youngling
Shipmaster - A captain of a ship
Hive Commander - A General of more than 1 million troops
Iron rings - A term for massive amounts of satellites
Fleet Shipmaster - Equivalent to a Captain or Commodore controlling multiple ships
Hive - A informal term for any location or area with high population.
Swarms - Equivalent to a clan, team, group, etc.
Nymph seekers - Equivalent to a Drone
1 unit - About 8.2 m/s (Earth's gravity is 9.8 m/s & Venture's gravity is 9.94 m/s)
Phidea - a bug like herbivore mammal that mainly eats saps of plant life
Alpha - A female designation for a very powerful Religiosa; Mostly being attributed to combat attributes and status, closely stereotyped with knighthood
Follower - A Religiosa term for a human equivalent of a; Subordinate, servant, subject, etc.
Pents - Religiosa currency; about $1.02 - $1.08, if by the standards of modern day (2024) currency
Myrica's Zone - The mythological Deity of Death; it is also being used as Dead zones, the Human equivalent of the Edge of Space
Strand - A evolutionary specialised path of most species of Excel, Religiosa included. It can occur only twice a lifetime of any creature.
Bark tea - A tea made out of a medicinal plant's bark
Drone - A derogatory term for slave