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What is this?

….I was…Playing something….

He couldn't feel his eyes anymore. Couldn't see like he was accustomed to… Yet why then could he see? Or was it more like he could… Feel?

This can't be real… I'm dreaming… Surely…

Life, or existence, couldn't be this cliche! It was just not possible!

He'd been up late as usual playing Starcraft, as always he was the Zerg. He'd always enjoyed the more wild and out there characters or races in any game he played, so between Terrans, Protoss and Zerg. There hadn't even been a question about which race to pick.

And what he saw before him. What he could feel around him…

It was Zerg. He was this building… This hive… He could feel it, see it, the fleshy walls, the slimy ooze and mucus that birthed Zerg - as well as rejuvenated them and this… Hive… This… Hatchery for Zerg. Although perhaps he wasn't quite this building… It felt more… Transcendent then that.

He couldn't feel his body at all. He should be panicking, this was a scary situation to be dropped into. As much as he enjoyed playing them in a game, he wouldn't want to meet the Zerg in a dark alley.

But somehow he wasn't afraid or panicking - a lack of proper glands, he supposed, almost clinically. He could feel hundreds of tiny minds at the back of his mind. Zerg larvae and drones. When he focused on them he could order them around, he felt he could even control them completely - like their limited consciousness was just an extension of his own. Just focusing on them he accidentally sank into a drone, getting a view of what it was doing - from its point of view - when he concentrated on it.

Weirdly he felt he could still split his attention and control the others as well, like this was nothing at all. Like his mind could be everywhere. It was a weird feeling. Maybe that's why he felt so… Detached. From everything.

Why am I not… Sad? Afraid?

Nothing interesting. Just munching on the thick carpet of creep - the corrupted fungus like ground that spread around Zerg settlements. He made the drone look around, finding a lot less than he'd expected. Only the Hive itself, working as the hatchery of the settlement. Drones and larvae milling around doing nothing but eating.

There were no other buildings. No defenses, no Zerglings for protection, nothing.

He looked around as far as he could with his drone sight. The small Zerg settlement - or perhaps camp, would be a more fitting word, was nestled in a small clearing in a thick jungle. The trees were absolutely massive. The size of skyscrapers. He couldn't even see the sky under the thick dark canopy.

Darkvision confirmed for Zerg, he supposed. Since they could actually see anything in this space no natural light ever reached. He looked around, wishing he had the proper body to sigh with. The absolute thickness and massiveness of the jungle left no room for light on the jungle floor. A jungle like this would have animals… Predators. He felt a jolt of something crawl up his spine. Or perhaps this drone's spine. As he markedly lacked one himself.

I'm completely unprotected. As a race every other being would want to eradicate.

He couldn't feel panic, not really. But there was a feeling of discomfort. Something alien, pushing him. To survive. Evolve.

He wondered briefly what had happened to bring him here. Made him into this… Was he an Overmind? The Overmind? He didn't even know. He didn't know where he was, if there was more Zerg around, whether he was all that was left… He could remember all his life before. His human mind was here, he was still somehow… Matthew. Yet… none of the feelings were there. Just information. Thought patterns. Blended with something primal. That something - wanted to eat. Evolve. Spread.

He looked around at the multitude of drones milling about lazily. The larvae, ready to evolve. With a thought from him - over a dozen larvae devoured a last bit of creep before suddenly rolling into a nearby spawning pool attached to his hatchery, turning into cocoons, the red and purple flesh beating in time with his imaginary heartbeat. Perhaps the swarms' heartbeat. In his mind he now knew.

In four hours those 12 larvae would become 24 Zerglings.

Mind whirling, a million questions came to him, and somehow his mind split its focus evenly and followed thought patterns to answer each question and think it out in real time. It was a wild experience, something a human mind could have never have handled.

He had an overabundance of drones, somehow. Making him wonder who or what was here before him? With nothing much to mine or anywhere to grab resources from, at least not without risking drawing back enemies to the undefended camp… The new Overmind, and yes he was going to call himself that for now - put his mental hooks so to speak - in a few drones, and put them towards producing two sunken colonies.

Basically the Zerg style defense mechanisms, once completed they would add some safety and hopefully kill anything that made its way into camp.

Something was odd however. In the games there were restrictions on evolutions of buildings - to build a sunken colony normally you'd need a few prerequisites. Like an evolution chamber and a creep colony. Yet somehow he had all the information about the varieties of buildings and Zerg evolutions. All from the start. No progression needed there, just build it - straight from his mind. It might also mean he would have the opportunity to experiment and create his own evolutions…

It would make things easier, but added the fear he was likely truly alone. Whatever power brought him here, whatever ill luck, would not give him such a power if he wasn't all alone and faced with nothing but enemies. The Zerg were dangerous enough without the ability to freestyle evolve based on whatever races or resources he'd run across.

Because the building was done on Zerg territory - the creep. His drones could manage it fairly quickly, yet he still felt it would be hours away. He somehow knew that if there was no creep it would take hours longer for any building to form.

It meant the swarm could not take over territory quite as quickly as in game. Frustrating but logical. In a real world setting - things rarely progressed in minutes. It meant however that he'd have to be careful to protect any expansion efforts with enough force until the creep settled in - and expansion could progress much faster.

He'd be defenseless for now, but he couldn't do anything about it. So he brooded while planning several steps ahead, using the rest of his drones to gather what resources they could from nearby. Nothing but plant matter and lumber - but to a Zerg, anything could be absorbed into resources.

Luckily the massive skyscraper trees were not the only trees around, and his drones could fell the more normal sized trees by spitting a mucus that worked like acid onto the trees - eating through the bottom trunks until the tree would fall. To eventually be dragged back by the drones.

They brought it into the Hive. Where he felt his presence existed - in the flesh - so to speak. He had a feeling that at this early stage, if he lost this building he'd die. It felt tied to him right now, like he could not venture far from it. Perhaps it was the weakness of the swarm, only existing in such a small number here. Or perhaps it was his weakness, he could not say for certain - he didn't have enough information.

Any attempt to reach out and see if there were Zerg elsewhere on the planet failed. Again, he did not know if it was due to any particular weakness of himself, or if the swarm truly was down to this singular hatchery. He had a feeling it was.

If this was some game - to someone powerful enough to do something this insane. Then planting a lone Zerg Hive somewhere. That would be the game. See if the Zerg could thrive under him, expand. Swarm.

Or if it would be destroyed before accomplishing anything.

By the time the Zerglings exploded out of their cocoons shrieking to the canopy above, exulting in the presence of their Overmind - he was already marshaling half of his remaining drones into using their last resources to build more sunken colonies around his heart. The Hive.

He also added a spore colony. A Zerg defense against flyers - able to shoot bone spines with such force it could pierce attacking ships, let alone organics. Should be enough for any flying animals that could perhaps exist in this dark forest. He added more creep colonies as well just outside their clearing - attempting to spread the creep. Watching through his swarms eyes as it slowly spread around the large trees, crawling up the tree trunks for about a dozen meters before they stopped spreading up and continued to expand out.

He didn't want to move too fast, and grab something or someone's notice - but he also didn't want this solitary clearing to be the only area defending his existence. He wanted more buildings and many more defenses between any enemy and the heart of the swarm. Him.

Keeping half the Zerglings behind as defense, roaming around the outer edges of the clearing. He sent the rest out in a roving band. Following along, borrowing their eyes, their senses, as he watched. They'd cover more ground if they split up, but that had its own risks. He wanted them to be enough to take down any animals or other beings, in case of an encounter, more than he wanted speedy information.

They couldn't leave anything alive to follow them back. His main concern was twofold. Scout for possible enemies so that he knew what areas to stay clear of. And scout for resources.

The Zerg needed minerals as well as organic matter and gasses to properly grow. He didn't even know if he was in the correct universe for Vespene gas - surely he wouldn't be placed in the original universe?

But there could be different options for that, if he could find any volcanic areas that would ensure a possible replacement, swamps were a possibility as well, and this whole area seemed a mix of one big swamp and jungle. The big worry was that if this jungle stretched far, would there be enough mineral deposits nearby for expansion of his swarm? And would there be anywhere close for volcanic gasses?

He'd need to find out, soon. And so at the same time as he continued to slowly pump out more larvae and turn them into drones - for continued building of creep colonies and defenses - and Zerglings for scouting and defense. He at the same time followed along his Zergling scout force as they slowly moved their way through the thick jungle floor - another two scouting forces eventually watched over likewise, as they were born and sent out in the opposite directions of each other.

Wildlife was rampant, and absolutely dangerous. His Zerglings survived due to numerical superiority and the Zergs inherent abilities. Their wounds healing on their own as they moved, slowly but surely. He'd only end up losing two Zerglings during that first week of scouting. Going further and further afield from his Hive. Noting down mentally, the locations of mineral rich earth, as well as one decently sized mountain about five days travel away. So covered in flora and trees everything was - he hadn't noticed he was on a mountain - until one of his Zerglings had fallen down a crack and into a naturally formed cave.

It would take him months to grow the creep enough to reach the mountain at this level - as he lacked the resources to really run production into overdrive on drones and other Zerg. The mineral rich earth he found several locations of, on the way, would give short term boosts once reached - but the mountain would give him the resources to really expand - perhaps even to start playing around with evolution strains.

If he could find a replacement for Vespene gas. That still eluded him. Organic matter could be recycled and its biodiversity added to the Swarm, it is what he was using right now for the energy and resources to birth more Zerg, it was not nearly as effective as Vespene, but it worked. The gas was what accelerated the evolution of Zerg creatures, tweaking the metabolism and unlocking the potential of the swarm.

Two days after finding the mountain, he found his original scouting group reaching water - either the sea or a very large lake, and just as he was about to despair, as his other scouting parties had found plenty of mineral rich areas - as well as swamps, but no volcanic ones - he noted the turmoil of its surface, the bubbling and steaming.

There was volcanic activity under the surface!

The Zerg was an adaptive species, some tweaks could have underwater collection performed - the beauty of the Zerg, we were organic, so extractors could be changed to suit the need.

With but a thought he sent one lone Zergling to swim out - an action that took a while as the Zerglings were not made to swim. And eventually it managed to dive, closer to the activity - giving the Overmind a better look into the murky depths. Everywhere his Zergling could see there were glowing cracks at the bottom of the sea.

He'd found a site of volcanic activity. Enough he'd be able to get there… Eventually. The gasses that could be extruded from below wouldn't be an exact match, but they were adaptable. They would find flora and swamps and find a mix of all of it together that would make something they could use.

It would take months…

Luckily he'd so far not encountered anything that could be an actual threat or a sign of civilization. But he had an uncomfortable feeling he knew where he was.

There was a taste to things, so to speak. The more of the planet's resources that were devoured into the Hive and repurposed for the Swarm - the more he could feel it. Everywhere. Around him, in the air, the earth, the sea. In every creature and piece of flora. A force that encompassed all.

Now where had he heard that before…

And he was on a planet that appeared to be made of skyscraper sized trees…

He'd have to confirm it, once he felt more secure. But the signs were pointing towards it pretty clearly. If this was indeed Kashyyyk, the home planet of the Wookies. And he was indeed in the Star Wars universe. Then the Vespene gas problem would eventually be solved, there were plenty of gasses in this universe that could make a good replacement.

When he pondered his own memories of the Star Wars universe - he found that he could remember details with perfect clarity. An Overmind benefit perhaps. If this was indeed Kashyyyk, then he'd be able to infest most of the planet long before they would know. He existed on the bottom level to all appearances. The most dangerous place in the shadowlands. Or so the Wookie's description of it told.

The shadowlands, or the netherworld, they called the bottom level, because none returned alive. The Wookies lived on the top level - and practically never went near the bottom level. Only the most suicidal or those actually seeking death ventured below. Or those criminals sentenced to die in the shadowlands.

If he kept the creep from growing upwards until he was ready… he could infest the planet completely. Never even alerting the Wookies. If any of their people went below far enough and died to his swarm - they wouldn't even question it, as they saw it as suicidal to begin with, the creatures that normally inhabited the shadowlands were enough of a deterrent.

If he worked carefully, he might be able to spread out from Kashyyyk without anyone even noticing he was here. And create billions upon billions of Zerg. Unnoticed.

All that was left for the moment. Was simply the grind of expanding the creep until they got the volcanic gasses and he could begin to experiment with evolution.

And perhaps… One day… The force.

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The Shadowlands were dark, damp, and utterly silent, save for the occasional distant cry of a predator stalking its prey. Thick, ancient trees with trunks the size of starships blotted out any light that might pierce the thick canopy far above. Moss and fungus clung to every surface, and the air was thick with the heady scent of decay. It was here, at the base of a massive mountain veiled in vines and roots, that the Swarm began its slow and deliberate expansion.

The mountain's mineral-rich earth promised the resources the Overmind needed to fuel his growing hive. The creep, alive and pulsating, spread out from the hatchery in a slow, relentless tide. At first, it oozed across the jungle floor, seeping into cracks and wrapping itself around roots and stones. It pulsed faintly, a living carpet that seemed to breathe in tandem with the Hive itself. The Overmind directed its spread with careful precision, ensuring that the terrain was thoroughly claimed. Where the creep touched, it left behind a network of bio-organic fibers that acted as both foundation and circulatory system, channeling resources back to the Hive.

At the mountain's base, the drones worked tirelessly to prepare the site. The Overmind had sent them in waves, accompanied by Zerglings for protection. The drones, insectoid creatures with powerful mandibles and acidic saliva, began digging into the earth. Their movements were almost mechanical, and unrelenting. They spat streams of caustic mucus onto the rock, watching as it hissed and bubbled, breaking the stone into manageable chunks. Their claws worked in tandem, prying loose minerals and collecting them for transport.

The minerals were absorbed into the creep, which acted as a living conveyor belt of sorts, transporting the raw materials back to the Hive through the tunnels running right below it. The Overmind could feel the minerals flowing through the network, each fragment feeding into the Hive's growth.

The drones had carved out a series of tunnels within the mountain itself, their acidic saliva etching pathways that twisted and branched like veins. These tunnels were reinforced with layers of creep, the organic material hardening into a flexible but durable shell that protected the interior from collapse while spreading his influence.

The further his creep spread, the closer he could set up secondary Hives capable of spawning the drones needed for the resource gathering.

Further into the mountain, the drones uncovered veins of rare crystals that glowed faintly in the darkness. The Overmind observed these with interest, noting the faint hum that seemed to emanate from them. It wasn't just sound - it was a feeling, a resonance that tugged at the edges of his awareness. The crystals were heavy with the Force, their energy suffusing the very rock they were embedded in. The Overmind directed the drones to extract these crystals with care, ensuring that none were damaged.

Above ground, the creep continued its steady advance, climbing the mountain's slopes and spreading outward from the Hive. The Overmind observed its progress through the eyes of his drones, noting how the creep adapted to the uneven terrain. It clung to vertical surfaces, wrapping itself around tree trunks and rocks. Tendrils extended outward, probing the environment and anchoring the creep to any available surface. Slowly but surely, the mountain was becoming an extension of the Swarm.

Kashyyyk itself was falling, his creep that had been so slow to grow, expanding more rapidly the more resources he was fed.

As he had no natural enemies as of yet, he spent all his resources back into the creep and drones, with only a minimal amount on defenses and battle Zerg. More interested in expansion at the moment.

At the volcanic lake, a similar transformation was underway. The water's surface was shrouded in steam, the result of volcanic activity bubbling beneath. The lakebed was riddled with cracks that emitted plumes of gas, their faint glow visible even in the murky depths. The Overmind had adapted a new strain of drones for this task - sleek, aquatic creatures with fins and gills that allowed them to move through water as effortlessly as their land-bound counterparts navigated the jungle.

These aquatic drones, slimy and glistening, slid into the water with barely a ripple. Their movements were smooth and deliberate, their bodies designed for efficiency. They dove deep, their sensory organs attuned to the vibrations and currents of the lake. When they reached the volcanic cracks, they began constructing extractors - living organisms that anchored themselves to the lakebed.

The extractors were grotesque but functional, their bulbous bodies expanding and contracting as they drew in the volcanic gases. Long, sinewy appendages extended into the cracks, siphoning the gases and filtering them through an organic membrane.

The extractors converted the gases into a form that could be absorbed by the creep, which extended into the water and connected to the extractors via tendrils. The Overmind monitored the operation closely, noting how the gases were transported back to the Hive through the underwater network via bulbous sprouts which his drones carried back.

The first batch of gas arrived at the Hive a day later, and the Overmind immediately sensed its unique properties. It was volatile and potent, similar to Vespene gas but with an added layer of complexity. It resonated with the same Force-infused energy he had detected in the mountain's crystals. When the gas was absorbed into the Hive, the Overmind felt a subtle shift - a deepening of his connection to the Swarm and the environment around him. The larvae incubating within the hatchery grew faster and more robust, their genetic potential unlocking in ways that had not been possible before.

As the creep spread further across the jungle floor, it began to attract attention. The wildlife of the Shadowlands was not unaccustomed to change - predators and prey alike had adapted to the harsh environment over millennia. But the Swarm was different. The creep's advance disrupted the natural order, smothering plant life and altering the ecosystem.

Small creatures that ventured onto the creep were quickly consumed, their biomass absorbed and repurposed for the Swarm's growth. Larger predators were more cautious, skirting the edges of the creep and observing the drones with wary eyes.

The Overmind anticipated resistance and prepared accordingly whenever he expanded into an area that necessitated more than the minimum spend on defenses. Sunken colonies, Zerg defensive structures that resembled organic cannons, were constructed at strategic points along the creep's edge.

The Swarm's defenses were put to the test when a pack of predators - hulking, reptilian creatures with razor-sharp claws and teeth - attacked a group of drones working near the mountain. The Overmind responded instantly, sending a wave of Zerglings to intercept the attackers. The battle was brutal and swift, the Zerglings swarming over the predators with relentless ferocity as the colonies fired relentlessly at the invaders. The Overmind observed through the Zerglings' eyes as they tore into the creatures, their claws rending flesh and bone. The predators fought back, but they were outnumbered and overwhelmed.

When the battle was over, the drones moved in to collect the remains of the predators. Their biomass was absorbed into the creep, their genetic material analyzed and stored for potential future use. The Overmind noted the efficiency of the operation, satisfied that the Swarm was capable of defending itself against the jungle's threats.

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He had been right to not overspend on defenses as of yet, the fauna could not pose a major threat to the Swarm on their own.

With the mountain's minerals and the volcanic gases now flowing steadily into the Hive, the Swarm entered a new phase of growth. The Overmind directed the construction of additional hatcheries and evolution chambers, ensuring that the Swarm's production capacity could keep pace with its expanding territory. New strains of Zerg were developed, each tailored to the unique challenges of the Shadowlands.

The Overmind's focus returned to the Force-infused properties of the resources he was harvesting. The more minerals and gas he absorbed, the more attuned he became to the energy field that permeated Kashyyyk. It was as if the planet itself was alive, its essence flowing into the Swarm through the resources they consumed. The Overmind began to experiment, infusing the larvae with small amounts of the Force-infused gas to see how it affected their development.

The results were extraordinary. Zerglings born from these larvae were faster, more agile, and displayed an almost preternatural awareness of their surroundings. They moved as though guided by an unseen hand, reacting to threats and opportunities with uncanny precision. The Overmind realized that this was just the beginning - if he could unlock the full potential of the Force-infused resources, the Swarm would evolve into something far beyond its original design.

The expansion of the Swarm continued, relentless and unstoppable. The jungle floor was gradually transformed, the creep spreading outward in all directions. The mountain became a hive of activity, its tunnels echoing with the sounds of drones at work. The volcanic lake was a hub of gas extraction, the underwater network growing more complex with each passing day.

The Shadowlands, once a place of darkness and death, were now the domain of the Swarm. And the Overmind knew that this was only the beginning. The galaxy was vast, and Kashyyyk was but the first step on a journey that would see the Swarm rise to unimaginable heights. With the Force-infused resources fueling their evolution, the Zerg were poised to become something new - something unstoppable.

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A year later, Kashyyyk.

The Wookie let out a deep growl, the sound reverberating through the towering trees of the Shadowlands. His fur bristled with a mixture of defiance and grief. He had been declared a madclaw, a title of disgrace among his people, after killing an offworlder with his claws - a crime punishable by exile.

But the offworlder had deserved it, he told himself, gripping his bowcaster tightly. The human had killed his mate during a drunken quarrel, laughing as her blood stained the earth. The Wookie's rage had been unstoppable, his claws shredding the offworlder before he even realized what he had done.

Now, he stood alone in the Shadowlands, far below the safe heights of the Wroshyr trees where his people lived. His punishment was exile to this dark, unforgiving jungle, a place where even the bravest feared to tread. The elders believed the Shadowlands were a death sentence - whether by the claws of its predators or the slow, creeping madness of solitude.

The Wookie - his name unspoken now, as was tradition for madclaws - took his first cautious steps through the dense undergrowth. The air was thick and humid, clinging to his fur like a wet blanket. Moss dripped from the enormous tree trunks, and twisted roots snaked across the ground like the limbs of sleeping giants. He moved carefully, his sharp senses on high alert. Every rustle, every distant growl, set his nerves on edge.

He did not intend to die easily. His bowcaster was primed, and a blade hung at his hip. If the jungle claimed him, it would remember his defiance.

Hours passed as he trudged through the gloom. He hunted small creatures for sustenance, their bitter flesh doing little to quell the gnawing hunger in his stomach. He rested only briefly, his ears twitching at the slightest sound. The Shadowlands offered no comfort, only an unrelenting sense of being watched.

It was during one of these cautious pauses that he noticed something strange. The ground ahead was... Different. The dark soil was no longer visible. Instead, a slick, purple carpet stretched across the forest floor, pulsating faintly as though alive. The Wookie narrowed his eyes, his nostrils flaring as he sniffed the air. It stank of decay and something else - something unnatural. He crouched low, his instincts screaming at him to avoid the strange substance, but curiosity drove him forward.

As he stepped onto the pulsing ground, the texture shifted beneath his paws, soft and squishy like rotting flesh. His growl deepened, a low rumble of unease. The Wookie moved cautiously, his eyes scanning the area. The creep was everywhere now, climbing tree trunks and snaking across rocks. It was as though the jungle itself was being consumed.

The first attack came swiftly. A blur of movement shot out from the shadows, and the Wookie barely had time to raise his bowcaster. He fired instinctively, the bolt of energy striking the creature mid-leap. It crumpled to the ground in a twitching heap, and he finally got a good look at it. It was small, no larger than a Wookie pup, but its body was grotesque - a mix of chitin and flesh, with sharp claws and an eyeless, gaping maw for a face.

Another creature lunged from the side, and then another. The Wookie roared, spinning to fire again. His bowcaster hummed as it dispatched two more of the creatures, but they were fast, and their numbers were growing. He switched to his blade as one closed in, slashing downward and cleaving the beast in two. The ichor that spilled from its body was thick and black, staining his blade and fur.

The Wookie fought like a cornered animal, his roars echoing through the jungle. For every creature he killed, two more seemed to appear. They swarmed him, biting and clawing, but he refused to fall. His strength was immense, and his fury unstoppable. Yet even as he fought, he knew the battle was hopeless. His muscles burned, his breath came in ragged gasps, and still, the creatures pressed in.

Finally, his blade shattered against one of their hardened carapaces, leaving him defenseless. He swung his fists, crushing one of the creatures against a tree, but the others were on him in an instant. They swarmed over his body, their claws digging into his flesh, pinning him to the ground. He waited for the killing blow, ready to die an honorable death in battle.

But it didn't come.

The creatures hissed and clicked at one another, their movements suddenly coordinated. They dragged him forward, their claws digging painfully into his arms and legs. He roared and struggled, but their strength was overwhelming. They carried him deeper into the infested jungle, the creep growing thicker and more oppressive with every step. The Wookie's rage was tempered by confusion. Why hadn't they killed him?

The answer came into view minutes later. The jungle opened into a clearing, and the Wookie's breath caught in his throat. Before him was a nightmare made flesh.

Towering structures of organic material rose from the ground, their surfaces pulsing with veins of sickly green and purple. Spires jutted into the air like the bones of some colossal beast, while fleshy sacs dangled from twisted tendrils, their contents writhing within.

The ground was alive with activity - more of the creatures he had fought, along with larger, more grotesque forms that defied comprehension. One massive beast lumbered past, its body a mountain of flesh and claws, its mouth large enough to swallow him whole. Others scuttled and crawled, their movements alien and unsettling.

The Wookie growled low in his throat, his ears flattening against his head. He had heard stories of monsters in the Shadowlands, but nothing could have prepared him for this. The creatures dragged him toward one of the buildings, a bloated mass of flesh that seemed to breathe. Its surface was slick and glistening, and a gaping maw opened to reveal a tunnel lined with writhing tendrils. He resisted, but the creatures pushed him forward, forcing him inside.

The interior was worse than the exterior. The walls were soft and pulsating, oozing a foul-smelling mucus. The air was thick and humid, making it hard to breathe. At the center of the chamber was a pool of viscous liquid, its surface rippling as small, worm-like creatures swam within. Above the pool, embedded in the ceiling, was a massive, unblinking eye. It swiveled to focus on the Wookie as he was forced to his knees before the pool.

For the first time, he felt real fear.

"You are honored," A voice spoke, not aloud but directly into his mind. It was cold and alien, devoid of compassion or malice - a simple statement of fact. "Your body will serve as a vessel for the Swarm. Your essence will join us, your uniqueness preserved within the collective. Resistance is futile."

The Wookie roared, baring his teeth and thrashing against his captors. He would not be taken without a fight. But the creatures held him firm, and one of them stepped forward, carrying one of the writhing larvae from the pool. The Wookie's eyes widened in horror as the creature pressed the parasite against his chest. Its tiny claws dug into his fur, and then it began to burrow.

The pain was indescribable. The Wookie screamed, a guttural howl of agony that echoed through the chamber. The larva forced its way beneath his skin, its slimy body wriggling deeper with each passing moment. He struggled to claw at his chest, desperate to remove it, but the creatures held his arms in place. His vision blurred, his strength fading as the parasite reached his spine.

The voice spoke again, calm and unyielding. "You are one with us now. Your sacrifice will bring the Swarm to new heights. Rejoice in your purpose."

The Wookie's struggles slowed, his roars fading into weak whimpers. His mind was consumed by the parasite, his thoughts unraveling as it took control. Memories of his mate, his home, his honor - all of it was taken, to be used by the cold, unrelenting will of the swarm.

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A month later,

The Overmind pulsed with quiet satisfaction, its awareness spreading through the labyrinth of creep that stretched far across the Shadowlands. The Swarm was thriving, its growth fueled by the resources of the jungle and the volcanic gases from the depths. But this was only the beginning. The Overmind's thoughts turned upward, to the world above - where the Wookiees lived in their treetop villages, unaware of the danger below.

Through the Wookie captive it had hijacked, the Overmind gained an intimate understanding of their society. Wookiees were proud, fiercely loyal creatures, but there were always outliers: those exiled for breaking taboos, those who lived on the fringes of their communities, those overlooked by their kin. These individuals would be the first to fall. The Overmind's plan was simple yet insidious - infect the periphery, and let the infection spread inward.

The Overmind sent a small force of Zerglings and infested Wookies into the dense jungle, tasking them with locating vulnerable targets. The infected Wookies were driven by the Overmind's will. Their familiarity with the terrain and their understanding of Wookiee behavior made them perfect infiltrators. They avoided patrols and traveled under the cover of darkness, guided by the Overmind's omnipresent awareness.

The first target was a Wookiee hunter who lived alone, far from the main villages. The Zerglings swarmed his simple hut, tearing through the wooden walls in seconds. The hunter fought valiantly, his roars echoing through the jungle as he swung his massive club. But the infected Wookies subdued him, their strength far beyond normal. The Overmind watched through their eyes as the hunter was dragged into the Shadowlands, his struggles growing weaker with each step.

Over the following days, several more Wookiees were captured. Some were loners, others were outcasts. Each was brought to the Hive, where the Overmind's plans unfolded. Some were implanted with the parasites - small, writhing creatures that burrowed into their hosts and took control of their bodies. These infected Wookiees were then sent back to their villages, their behavior carefully controlled to avoid suspicion.

Their secret task had already been set by the Overmind.

Others, however, were destined for a different purpose. They were brought to the evolution chamber, a grotesque structure deep within the Hive. The air inside was thick with the stench of decay and the hum of pulsating flesh. Fleshy pods lined the walls, their surfaces translucent and slick with mucus. Within each pod, a Wookiee floated in a viscous liquid, their forms twisted and distorted as the Swarm worked its terrible magic.

The Overmind observed through the chamber's many eyes, its attention focused on the genetic experimentation taking place. The Swarm had recently defeated a terentatek, a massive predator infused with the Dark Side of the Force to be force resistant. The victory had come at great cost, with many Zerglings and hydralisks lost in the battle, but the terentatek's DNA was a prize beyond measure. Its strength, resilience, and resistance to the Force were unparalleled, and the Overmind saw its potential as a foundation for a new strain of warrior.

The DNA of the terentatek was spliced with that of an ultralisk, the Swarm's most fearsome ground unit, and combined with the Wookiees' natural strength and agility. The pods in the evolution chamber churned as the genetic mix was tested, the liquid inside bubbling violently as the experiments progressed.

Not all attempts were successful. Some Wookiees were unable to withstand the process, their bodies breaking down into sludge that was absorbed back into the Hive as biomass. The Overmind felt no regret - each failure was a step closer to perfection. The chamber was a symphony of grotesque creation, the Wookiees' roars of pain muffled by the fluid that enveloped them.

Finally, after countless failures, one pod began to pulse with a steady, rhythmic beat. The Overmind focused its attention as the pod's surface split open, spilling its contents onto the chamber floor. The creature that emerged was unlike anything the Swarm had created before.

It stood nearly three times the size of its original Wookiee form, its hunched frame bristling with power. Its fur had transformed into a coat of sharp, spiked quills that gleamed like polished obsidian, each tip capable of puncturing armor. Tentacles draped from its back like a macabre mane, their sharp tips dripping with a venom potent enough to dissolve flesh on contact. Its forearms bore massive bone claws that jutted outward, wickedly curved and seemingly unbreakable. Beneath them, the Wookiee's original claws had been reinforced, each digit tipped with talons that could shred through steel.

And most importantly, it remained force resistant, with its hide able to resist lightsabers and blasters.

Its face was a mask of rage and hunger, its eyes glowing with a faint, malevolent light. The Overmind could feel the terentatek's essence coursing through the creature, its resistance to the Force and predatory instincts now fully integrated. The Wookiee-turned-beast let out a guttural roar, its voice shaking the very walls of the chamber.

The Overmind's voice filled the creature's mind, calm and commanding. "You are the culmination of our efforts. A perfect fusion of strength, resilience, and destruction. You are the future of the Swarm."

The creature stood still, its breathing heavy, its gaze fixed on the Overmind's presence. It did not question, did not resist. It existed solely to serve.

The Overmind saved the genetic template of the creature within the Swarm's memory, ensuring that the process could be replicated. The remaining Wookiees in the chamber were prepared for transformation, their pods adjusted to mimic the conditions that had produced the success. As the Overmind watched, the chamber came alive with activity, the fleshy pods glowing with an eerie light as they began their work.

The Overmind turned its attention back to the first successful creation. "You shall lead your kind in battle. Your strength will crush our enemies, your resilience will shield the Swarm. I shall call you… My Behemoths."

The Behemoth roared once more, its voice a declaration of its allegiance. The Overmind felt a surge of satisfaction as the creature stepped forward, its massive form casting a shadow over the chamber. This was the beginning of a new era for the Swarm. With the Behemoths at the forefront, the Zerg would become unstoppable. The galaxy would fall, one world at a time, and the Swarm would consume all.

His mind was the Swarm, the Swarm was his mind, he'd let go of the weakness of his previous life, using his knowledge for the good of the swarm.

He was no longer the weakling Matthew, he was only the Overmind.

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Kashyyyk, shortly after the Naboo crisis.

The Republic shuttle descended through the thick canopy of Kashyyyk, weaving between the ancient wroshyr trees that rose like sentinels from the dense jungle floor. Quinlan Vos, a rugged Jedi Knight with piercing eyes and a distinctive yellow tattoo running across his face, stood at the viewport, his brow furrowed. Behind him, his Padawan, Aayla Secura, adjusted her lightsaber hilt at her waist. The Rutian Twi'lek's blue skin seemed to glow faintly in the dim light of the cockpit, her lekku twitching in agitation.

"Master," She said softly, her voice tinged with unease. "There's something… Wrong. I can feel it."

Vos turned to her, his expression serious but calm. "I feel it too. The Force is heavy here, like a storm on the horizon. Stay alert."

The shuttle landed in a clearing near the Wookiee village cluster, its thrusters kicking up swirls of damp earth and leaves. As the ramp descended, the humid air of Kashyyyk enveloped them, thick with the scents of moss, bark, and distant decay.

They were met by a group of Wookiee chieftains, their towering forms imposing even in their welcoming gestures. Their deep growls and barks conveyed both gratitude and concern, translated by a protocol droid standing nearby.

"Several of our people have vanished," The droid relayed, its metallic voice at odds with the raw emotion in the Wookiees' tones. "Most recently, a hunter from the eastern reaches of the villages. They were skilled, cautious… Yet even they disappeared."

Vos inclined his head respectfully. "We'll do what we can to find them."

…

Over the next several days, Vos and Aayla immersed themselves in the lives of the Wookiees. They climbed the dizzying heights of the wroshyr trees to visit their villages, each one nestled in the canopy like a hidden fortress. The Wookiees were hospitable, offering food and shelter, but beneath their gratitude was an undercurrent of unease.

Aayla spent time with the children, showing them simple tricks with the Force - levitating small objects or guiding leaves on the wind. Their laughter was a brief respite from the tension that clung to the air, and she used the time to also probe about anything unusual they might have seen. Meanwhile, Vos spoke with the elders, their gruff voices recounting tales of the habits of those Wookies lost inexplicably. Yet even their wisdom offered no clue to the strange disappearances.

At night, the two Jedi would sit together on the wooden platforms overlooking the endless jungle. The glow of the village's bioluminescent lights above them, and the distant calls of nocturnal predators filling the silence.

"Master," Aayla said one evening, her voice barely above a whisper. "It feels like… The jungle itself is watching us."

Vos didn't respond immediately. He sat cross-legged, his hands resting on his knees, his eyes closed in meditation. When he finally spoke, his voice was heavy. "The Force here is clouded. There's something deeply wrong beneath all of this, something other. But it's elusive. We'll have to trust our instincts."

Their investigation led them further into the wilderness, to the edges of Wookiee civilization. The final village they reached was perched on the boundary of the Shadowlands, its platforms balanced among the colossal tree trunks. The air here felt thicker, heavier, and both Jedi could sense the tension among the Wookiees. Their movements were stiffer, their growls quieter.

As they explored the village, the Force seemed to pull them toward its center, where the largest wroshyr tree stood. Its bark was pristine except for a patch near the base - a dark, purple blemish that pulsed faintly, like a wound that refused to heal. The sight of it made Aayla shiver.

"Master," She said, her voice tight, "This… It feels alive. But not in the way it should."

Vos crouched near the patch, his fingers hovering just above its surface. The air around it seemed warmer, heavier. "It's corruption of some sort," He said grimly. "I can feel the pain in the tree. It's wrong, but I don't know why."

Before they could delve deeper, the atmosphere shifted. The once-quiet village erupted into chaos. Wookiees charged at them from all directions, their massive forms moving with unnatural synchronization, like they were one.

Vos ignited his lightsaber, the blade springing to life with a hiss. "Aayla, get ready!"

Aayla's saber joined his, its glow illuminating her determined expression. "Master, what's happening? Why are they attacking?"

Vos parried the first blow - a massive club swung with crushing force, cutting through it and sending the Wookie back with a force push. "They're being controlled! I can feel the wrongness inside them. It's some kind of parasite."

It had somehow been hidden from them, but now that they were acting, he felt it as clear as day.

Aayla hesitated, her saber raised defensively. "But then they're innocent! I can't -"

Vos blocked another attack, deflecting the blaster fire into hands and legs, his voice sharp. "You have to defend yourself, Aayla. They'll kill us if you don't! Just disable limbs if you can."

Reluctantly, Aayla deflected a Wookiee's attack, using the Force to push him back. Her strikes were designed to incapacitate rather than harm as she reluctantly severed limbs. Vos, meanwhile, fought with ferocity, his blade a blur as he disarmed attackers and aimed for their legs and arms with an easier mind than Ayala.

Better to have to use a prosthetic going forward then dead or under continued control of a parasite, he thought.

The fight was brutal. The Wookiees came in waves, their immense strength and numbers overwhelming. Vos spun and dodged, his lightsaber carving arcs of green light through the air. The sheer force of their attacks and their great number pushed him to his limits. Aayla fought beside him, her movements more graceful but also more hesitant.

"Master, there are too many of them!" She shouted, her voice tinged with panic.

Vos glanced at her, his expression grim. "Aayla, listen to me. You have to leave. Get back to the Council and report this."

"But Master - "

"Go!" He roared, parrying a blow that would have crushed her skull. "That's an order!"

Aayla hesitated, her eyes filled with anguish. But she nodded, retreating toward the edge of the village. "I'll come back for you!" She called before disappearing into the trees.

Vos turned his full attention to the fight. He spun low, slicing through the haft of a club before slamming the hilt of his saber into a Wookiee's gut adding the force to push him away. Another lunged at him, and he sidestepped, sweeping its legs out from under it wincing at the damage. But for every Wookiee he incapacitated, two more seemed to take their place.

His muscles burned, and his breath came in ragged gasps. The Force flowed through him, guiding his movements, but even it could not offset the relentless onslaught. A Wookiee's massive arm slammed into his side, sending him sprawling. He rolled to his feet, his lightsaber flashing as he cut down a nearby platform support, forcing his attackers to back away momentarily.

But the reprieve was short-lived. A massive Wookiee tackled him from behind, its weight driving him to the ground. His lightsaber skittered away, extinguishing itself as it hit the wooden planks. Vos struggled, his teeth clenched, but more Wookiees piled on, their combined weight pinning him.

He craned his neck, his vision narrowing as he saw one of the infected Wookiees approach, its face devoid of emotion. A massive, clawed fist loomed above him.

"Aayla…" He murmured, his voice fading as the fist descended. Darkness swallowed him, the last thing he felt a deep, overwhelming wrongness in the Force.

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Quinlan awoke to a rhythmic, wet pulsing, like the heartbeat of some enormous creature. The air was stiflingly humid, filled with the acrid stench of decay and something fouler - something alien. He tried to move, but his arms and legs were bound, encased in fleshy, organic constructs that writhed slightly, as though alive. His eyes snapped open, and he recoiled, blinking against the sickly green light emanating from the walls of the chamber.

Above him, a grotesque, massive eye dangled from the ceiling, its surface glistening with mucus. The eye pulsated as it focused on him, its unblinking gaze radiating a sickening intelligence. The very sight of it made his stomach churn.

To his left, Aayla Secura stirred, a quiet groan escaping her lips as she regained consciousness. Quinlan's heart sank as he saw her. She was restrained like him, her limbs held in the same pulsating organic matter. Her blue skin was smeared with streaks of black ichor, her lekku twitching in fear and confusion.

"Padawan," He said softly, his voice hoarse. "Aayla, are you alright?"

Her eyes snapped open, panic flashing across her face as she registered her surroundings. "Master?" She whispered, her voice trembling. She struggled against the bindings, but they held firm, writhing slightly as if mocking her efforts. "Where are we?"

"I don't know," Quinlan replied, his tone calm despite the knot of dread in his chest. "But stay calm. We're alive. That means… This thing wants to talk."

As he spoke, his eyes flicked to the two hulking creatures standing beside the eye. They were monstrous, towering over him even at a distance. Their forms were grotesquely twisted, their hulking bodies a fusion of chitin, bone, and muscle. Their fur, if it could still be called that, had hardened into sharp, spiked quills, and long tentacles dripped venom from their backs. Quinlan could sense no life in them, no presence in the Force. They were voids, utterly unnatural.

The voice came suddenly, not through sound but directly into his mind. It was a cold, alien presence, its words jarring and wrong, like nails scraping across raw nerves.

"Behemoths," The voice whispered, filling his thoughts with its weight. "They are my Behemoths."

Quinlan flinched at the intrusion, a sharp pain shooting through his skull. He instinctively reached out to the Force, seeking its guidance, but the moment he tried, a searing agony ripped through his mind. He gasped, his head pounding as though it might split open.

"Master!" Aayla cried out, her voice breaking as she saw him wince in pain. "What's wrong?"

Quinlan forced himself to breathe, swallowing the pain as best he could. "They… Yhey've done something. I can't feel the Force. It's… Blocked."

Aayla's eyes filled with tears, her voice trembling. "How is that possible? Master, what do we do?"

He shook his head slowly, his gaze fixed on the grotesque eye above them. "Stay calm, Aayla. We're alive for a reason. This thing wants something from us. We'll figure it out."

He hoped.

It wasn't looking good.

The eye bobbed slightly, as if acknowledging his words. Then, the voice spoke again, louder this time, its presence like a vice tightening around their minds.

"Jedi," It said, its tone a mockery of formality. "We will add your power to the Swarm. Your biological distinctiveness will be added to the collective. Resistance is futile."

The words sent a shiver down Quinlan's spine. His jaw clenched as he forced himself to meet the eye's gaze. "If you wanted to kill us, you would have done it already," He said evenly, trying to mask the fear crawling under his skin. "What do you want?"

The voice ignored his question, continuing with a grim certainty. "We have figured out how to deny the Force."

At that, the Behemoths stepped forward, their sheer size and presence drawing both Jedi's attention. They let out guttural roars that shook the chamber, the sound devoid of life or emotion. Aayla's eyes widened as she realized what Quinlan already had. The creatures were voids, completely absent from the energy that bound all living things.

The voice pressed on. "Now, we need to understand how to give our Swarm the ability to wield it."

Quinlan's mind raced, the implications chilling. He could barely comprehend the threat these creatures already posed - mindless, unstoppable monsters capable of infecting others with their will. But if they could wield the Force…

Quinlan forced a smirk, his tone sardonic. "You know, we have classes for that. You don't need to go through all this trouble."

Aayla gave him a startled look, clearly shocked that he could joke in a situation like this. But she didn't know how badly he was struggling to keep himself together. The voice didn't respond to his quip. It seemed incapable of humor - or chose to ignore it.

"We will experiment," It said coldly. "We will use your biodiversity to enhance our own."

Quinlan's throat tightened. He didn't respond, unwilling to show the dread curling in his gut. The voice continued, its tone like a blade slicing through their thoughts.

"You will assist us," It commanded. "Explain everything you know. Make the process easier."

Quinlan's lips pressed into a thin line. He imagined these creatures, armed with the Force, spreading their infestation across the galaxy. The horrors they would unleash were unfathomable. "No," He said simply, his voice firm. "You'll get nothing from me."

The air grew heavier, the voice more insistent. "Your resistance is pointless."

Aayla let out a sudden scream as one of the tentacles from a nearby wall reached toward her, its sharp tip dragging a shallow, bloody line across her cheek. She thrashed against her bonds, panic overtaking her as more tentacles brushed against her skin, their touch cold and wet.

"Master!" She cried, tears streaming down her face. "Don't give in!"

Quinlan's heart twisted in his chest. He pulled at his restraints with all his strength, desperate to help her, but they held firm. The eye turned its gaze to him, and the voice pierced his mind once more.

"Her… Or you."

The words were like a dagger, and Quinlan's breath hitched. The tentacles around Aayla drew closer, one curling around her neck while another traced a line along her arm, its tip hovering near her eye.

"Help the process," The Overmind said, its voice calm and unrelenting, "And she will not suffer."

Quinlan's mind raced. He imagined the terrors these creatures would spread if they learned to wield the Force. But then he saw Aayla, her face streaked with tears, her body trembling as she stared at him. His padawan, the person he should protect above all else.

Even if she told him not to.

"You win," He said finally, his voice hollow.

Master Yoda and the Council would figure this all out before it could spread too far. His assistance wouldn't let this creature win, he thought, hoping he wasn't dooming the galaxy.

"Master, no!" Aayla sobbed, shaking her head violently. "Not for me. Please!"

Quinlan closed his eyes, unable to meet her gaze. "I'm sorry, Aayla," He whispered. "I can't let them hurt you."

The voice didn't respond with words, but Quinlan could feel its satisfaction, a cold, creeping presence in the back of his mind. The tentacles withdrew from Aayla, leaving bloody streaks in their wake. Quinlan sat silently, his heart breaking as he prepared for what was to come.

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A week later,

The Overmind's awareness expanded infinitely, his thoughts split across countless dimensions of perception. He was the beating heart of the Swarm, but his mind was not confined to Kashyyyk. The living network of the Zerg stretched far beyond the shadowed jungles now. His parasites, insidious and relentless, had burrowed into the minds of Wookiees and offworlders alike, hijacking their bodies to serve his will. Every ship that departed Kashyyyk carried his children - eggs, drones, Zerglings, and parasites - all carefully hidden within the cargo or, in some cases, the bodies of his unwilling hosts.

Each ship was a seed of conquest. In the weeks since his infestation of the Wookies had begun, dozens upon dozens of vessels had departed Kashyyyk, each bound for a different world across the galaxy.

Some had attacked the Wookies for profit and ran off in the night carrying slaves destined for Nar Shaddaa, others transported rare Wookiee wood to the Core Worlds, and a few were smuggler ships seeking refuge in the Outer Rim. None of them held free will anymore and carried the Swarm within their holds. Wherever they landed, a new colony would take root, hidden, slow. The galaxy, vast and teeming with life, was the perfect breeding ground.

The Overmind knew about the coming conflict - the Clone Wars. The Republic and the Separatists would tear themselves apart, distracted by war and politics. The Jedi Order, though powerful, was stretched thin even now. And the Senate? The Senate was nothing more than a collection of squabbling bureaucrats, blinded by their own self-importance. They would argue endlessly, too paralyzed to act decisively.

Orbital bombardments? No, not while the Overmind left most Wookiee villages untouched. For now, he would exploit their indecision. But even so, caution demanded he spread the Swarm beyond Kashyyyk. In case they surprised him when they found out.

In taking two Jedi, he had started the clock.

In his evolution chamber, one of the many grotesque pods lining the walls began to crack open. The air in the chamber was heavy with the stench of mucus and decay, the pulsing walls casting a faint, sickly green light. The Overmind's attention focused sharply on the pod as it split apart, its viscous contents spilling onto the fleshy floor.

Aayla Secura stepped out, her once-vibrant blue skin now tinged with darker, almost iridescent veins that pulsed faintly with the life of the Swarm. Her eyes, once filled with warmth and determination, now glowed with a cold, unnatural light. Her lekku twitched as she adjusted to her new form, her movements graceful yet alien as wings stretched out from her backs, a second set of arms stretching languidly. She was taller now, her body enhanced with Zerg physiology. Bone-like ridges protruded from her arms and back, her nails elongated into razor-sharp claws. Yet her face remained untouched, a perfect echo of her former self.

The Overmind felt her thoughts brushing against his own, her mind utterly subsumed by his will. She retained fragments of her old identity - memories, skills, and knowledge - but they were no longer hers entirely. They belonged to the Swarm.

"You are my queen," the Overmind spoke directly into her mind, his voice resonating through every fiber of her being. "A perfect synthesis of ingenuity and Zerg evolution. You will lead my Swarm into the galaxy."

Aayla bowed her head, her expression serene. "I serve the Swarm," She said, her voice carrying an unsettling duality - her old tone layered beneath something deeper, darker.

The Overmind regarded her with a strange sense of satisfaction. He had no glands to replicate human lusts for now, but he understood aesthetics, and there was something pleasing about her form. She was his own Kerrigan, a queen of the Swarm capable of independent thought. Her memories of Jedi combat training and the Force, though now different in execution, were valuable assets. She would be his perfect weapon, a beacon for the Swarm's expansion.

The Overmind turned his thoughts outward again, his awareness leaping across the galaxy. Despite the vast distances, he could still feel the presence of every Zerg organism, every Hive and colony. The connection was unbroken, the Swarm's unity absolute. Ships that had already reached their destinations were beginning to release their cargo. On the desert world of Tatooine, larvae hatched in the shadow of a moisture farm. On the industrial moons of Corellia, parasites infiltrated dockworkers and spread among the local population. And deep in the underbelly of Coruscant, one of his most promising Hives had been smuggled into the lower levels, hidden among crates of contraband.

Coruscant was a jewel - a planet-city teeming with billions of beings, each one a potential host. The lower levels, shrouded in perpetual darkness, were a perfect breeding ground. Crime lords, gangs, and forgotten souls roamed the depths, their lives unnoticed by the Republic above. If the Hive thrived there, it would spread upward, unnoticed until it was too late. The Overmind felt a thrill of anticipation. Coruscant would be the heart of his galactic infestation one day.

But his plans were not without obstacles. The Jedi Order would inevitably investigate Kashyyyk further, drawn by the disappearances and the growing wrongness in the Force.

Quinlan Vos and Aayla Secura had already proven to be formidable adversaries, and their failure to unlock the Force for the Swarm in its entirety was a setback. Yet their capture had still been fruitful. The Overmind now understood the Jedi better on an organic level - their weaknesses, their methods. They would fall, just as the Wookiees had fallen.

Aayla, his queen, stepped forward, her movements confident yet deferential. "The Swarm spreads, but the Jedi will not sit idle," She said, her voice calm. "What would you have me do?"

The Overmind's response was immediate, his voice filling her thoughts. "Lead the Swarm. Ensure the survival of our new colonies. The galaxy belongs to us now. Infest the outer rim!"

Her lips curved into a cold smile, her clawed hand brushing against the bone ridges on her arm. "It will be done, Hail the Overmind."

The galaxy was vast, filled with life and potential. The Overmind saw it all, not as a collection of worlds and peoples, but as resources waiting to be consumed. With Aayla by his side, with the Swarm spreading to every corner of the galaxy, the Republic, the Jedi, and the Separatists would all fall in time.

The galaxy belonged to the Zerg.

Resistance… Was Futile.

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