Chapter 40: 41. A New Point of View
Anikin POV
The trip to the Hive went by more quickly than I would have anticipated. Seren had seemed to stop moving for the entire trip, something about torpor, which I would guess is their word for sleep. It was actually when Seren woke and began to move that I realized we were there. Seren had directed Riptide to land at one of the hangars near the Hive.
By the force, the sheer power coming off of that thing... thick, heady, and seductive, yet also... strangely possessive, protective and loving. It was only when Seren spoke that I was snapped out of my daze.
"Come," she said, "I will show you were you will be staying, then show you around the town."
"That sounds like a lovely idea, Seren," Padme said in that politely gentle way she had. She's just perfection given form.
It was a High-end Hotel, meant for visitors to their planet. The furniture gave the room a rustic feel, cozy with down home earthy tones. It was perfect.
"I love the room, Seren." I said.
"Yes, your mother thought you'd like it. She decorated this one herself."
"My mother is here?!? How is she? Is she safe?"
An annoyed buzz. "Of course she's safe, she here with us. She works in the markets selling fruits and vegetables to the former slaves." Seren stated.
That caught my attention. They participated in slave trade?!?
"Wait... former slaves?" Padme asked.
"Yes. Mother goes out and searches through the slave markets for specific individuals in an attempt to reunite as many families as possible. She also purchases children when and where she finds them. She does not think the same as humans do, but understands family is often of great importance to most species. In fact, one of the ships arriving later today will be bringing more people, who will be granted citizenship if they choose to stay."
"And if they do not wish to stay? What happens to them then?"
"They are free to leave if they wish." As Seren spoke, she picked a few fruits from a stall nearby, placed them into a bag, and handed the stall owner the proper amount of credits. "It would be holding them against their wishes if we were to keep them here by force. This would cause issues with the Republic. We are Dark, not evil. Or stupid. War serves no purpose for us, and we would prefer to avoid it if possible."
At this point, I spoke up. "And what if they choose to stay? What do you do with them?"
"A mandatory three-year plan, in the first year of which the individuals will slowly be brought back to a healthy weight. Then in the second year, they will be made to attend a mandatory education, in which our laws and culture will be taught. After this, in the third year, they will be placed in job rotations so as to help them find work that suits them." Here she paused and turned to me, antenna twitching. "Your own mother assisted us in the development and implementation of this plan. We also have job fairs, and other such things. We have mandatory schooling on three levels for children: classes for those who struggle, the standard classes, and then the advanced classes. Adults too, can persue higher education through the holonet, as we offer support for this as well. There is no reason to not persue ones dreams, save for the individuals own lazy nature."
"Is that why your companies are always so successful?" Padme asked.
"Our biotech is superior to most modern weaponry. It also dissolves into a base protein slurry when it... For lack of a better term, 'dies'." Seren replied.
"...And what about you? Or those like you?" I ask.
"We also dissolve, though my individual with an independent mind has that mind preserved in the collective consciousness of the Swarm, until such time as the replacement body is ready to hatch. And yes, before you ask, this makes us virtually immortal. Every single vespid down to the unhatched eggs would need to be destroyed for us to truly die as a species, not just as individuals."
As we talked and walked throughout the market place, Seren seemed to suddenly go stiif. It was shortly after this, that I felt the Force itself seem to shiver with excitement. I turned to Seren and asked, "You sense it too?"
"Mother. Mother is returning to her Hive."
"... Are you okay? Is it hurting you?"
"No," she said, "quite the opposite. Mother is... She is so far superior to us in terms of genetics and sheer power that she is practically a god to us. Her presence... Like a drug. Her will is so strong it's impossible to even consider resistance, and that bleeds into her aura. That's why the Force sensitives we found are all so eager to please her. Because they can Feel her. Now, imagine if your permanently telepathically linked to the said entity."
By the Force... The sheer power needed for that... The Jedi Order is lucky these creatures have no interest in enslaving other races. It would be laughably easy for my Queen to- wait. When did I start thinking of her as 'my Queen'?
Her aura is already affecting me and yet... A part of me can't help but WANT MORE! A whisper of power brushed around me, seeming to taste my presence, before ultimately recognizing me and receding, and the effects of her aura on my mind slowly began to fade.
A whisper of excitement replaced the drug-like haze, and I somehow instinctively knew Ashla was looking forward to our meeting. The things I could learn from her, if only she would teach me... But how to convince her?
Seren had recovered from the haze, and stood now, tall and strong. I could vaguely hear a million voices, speaking and sing in perfect harmony about their triumphant Queens valiant return, new brothers and sisters in tow.
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Yasha200215
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