V2 Chapter 10 Making A Decision

"Look, I don't mind what you end up doing either way." Decker huffed, he sounded somewhat annoyed but his face didn't show it. "If you want to begin heading to a new world then go ahead and if you don't want to then don't, this back and forth argument we're having isn't getting us anywhere."

It had been three days since I bought those 3D printer-like things, Connor and Jonas were having a field day experimenting with them. Anyway, currently I was speaking to Decker through the System, I had actually already added him as well as all the other Alternatives that I knew to my system contact list.

"I know I know...I just can't decide where to go." I sighed causing him to roll his eyes at me.

"Think about it this way, what is it that you need? What is it that your Sanctuary needs? I know you have followers so ask them, walk around and observe, find out what it is you need then figure out where you what to head to first."

"Fair enough." I muttered. "I'll see what I can figure out."

"Good, call me back once you have made an actual proper decision." He said before abruptly hanging up on me.

To explain the current events, well, I've been thinking about heading off on my next "adventure" if you want to call it that, mostly because I'm feeling the itch again. I've never been one to stay put in one place for too long after all, thankfully I'm not the only one who thinks that I should be heading out. 

The main issues that my followers are facing right now are definitely hastening my decision to get a move on. In fact one of said issues is resources, sure I had put some in the ground but it's not like we have anything currently that we can use to mine them. And yes, I could have just spawned them on the surface but like Ophelia had previously brought up, I'd rather not be relied upon for everything. 

As such it would probably be for the best that I go to another world and gather what we so desperately need from them for now. Actually, depending on which world I go to I may also be able to find new and interesting things that I can use to boost the capabilities of myself and my forces. The problem with that however is that I need to be rather careful, after all if I head to the wrong world I might end up either dead or worse.

"Welp, that wasn't very helpful." I mused while sitting up from my laying position under a tree just out of town.

(Welp, I already know that my human followers need mainly resources and manpower but I guess I could check in with the others as well.) I thought as I got to my feet.

Taking a second to just breathe and stretch for a moment I decided upon my course of action. (Let's head over to Darook and the other Yautjas first.)

I could have just walked over to them but I didn't really want to travel several hundred kilometers to get there, so I decided to just go the easy way. And what pray tell is the "easy way" I speak of you maybe asking? Well simply put, I bent the fabric of space around me, something that was surprisingly easy to do within my own Sanctuary considering I could also tamper with time here let alone space. Basically I shorten the distance between me and their location by altering the distance between us, a fact that allowed me to travel there within several short seconds.

And before I go any further I know you're going to ask, why not just talk to them through your hive mind instead of going to find them yourself? I mean, yes, I could have just telepathically communicated with everyone without moving from my original position but honestly I also wanted to see just what exactly they had all been up to.

(I should probably be far more alarmed by the fact that I am messing with the laws of physics but...well...I'm used to it at this point.) I thought to myself with a sigh as I suddenly arrived within a heavily forested area.

"Anyway, they should be around here somewhere...ah." I hummed before noticing a figure hidden in the trees above me, in fact I probably wouldn't realize that they were there if it wasn't for my Xenomorph senses.

"Hey Enu." I called out, not that it was necessary considering that she probably noticed me the instant that I appeared.

(I forgot how intimidating they are...) I thought as she jumped down and landed in front of me with the kind of predatory grace you'd expect from such a creature. (Still though, the biologist in me can't wait to observe them up close and personal.) I chuckled internally.

"H-hello...cl-clan c-ch-chief." The Yautja in question struggled to say.

(I'm surprised how quickly they are picking up an entirely new language.) I thought before smiling and opening up a link.

<<If it's easier for you then just use the hive mind now.>>

Enu and the other Yautja had been picking up English recently, as for why they were learning it so fast, well, that was mostly because of the hive mind. In fact I was genuinely shocked at just how useful it had ended up becoming, I am honestly glad I picked the Gifts I did during the Trial. Although I must admit, I still feel weird around them, after all we had been trying to kill each other not too long ago. 

Actually you could probably say that about all those that I forcefully indoctrinated, not that I had much of a choice considering the circumstances. Still though, at least I can try and make up for it by helping them out where I can, even if it doesn't make much difference in the grand scheme of things. Anyway, after chatting for a little bit Enu led me to where the others were currently located, they had moved their ship deep into the forest and had been getting used to their new environment.

Entering their ship I took a moment to just admire the primitive looking yet incredibly advanced architecture that now surrounded me. Honestly up until this point I hadn't really had much time to focus on the Yautja, so now that I had some time to think and process past events, well, I couldn't help but internally fan girl over the fact I was in a real alien spaceship. Of course I made sure to keep a completely calm and stoic expression on the outside, gotta keep up my mysterious image after all...at least I think I managed to keep a straight face anyway...

Moving on though, it wasn't long before we ended up reaching the room where the others were currently located. <<What do you require of us clan chief?>> Darook was the first of the group to speak up when we entered.

<<Got something for us to fight?!>> Dengwei asked, his eyes were practically glowing with a hunger for battle and the need to fight worthy prey.

<<Maybe... >> I responded, causing all of them to perk up somewhat. <<However, I first need you to answer a question of mine that have currently.>>

<<And what would that be?>> Anow'ka hummed as she turned away from the computer she was tapping away at.

<<My question is rather simple, what it that you currently need? Is there anything desperately require at the moment?>> I asked, causing Dengwei to immediately respond.

<<A hunt!>>

<<I wouldn't say no to a hunt, however I believe she is looking for more broad answer.>> Ootora mused with his arms crossed in front of him.

After a moment of thought Darook spoke once more. <<There are a few things we could use currently I suppose...>>

<<I'm all ears.>>

We continued to talk and from what I could tell the group of Yautja didn't really want all that much, a fact that made a little sense to me I guess. I mean sure they would like various things which they could use to maintain, repair or replace their equipment, of course they already had some stuff on their ship to help with such things but every little bit helped. In the end however, all they really desired or wanted was for something to do, something to hunt and kill. Thankfully though, giving them such a thing wouldn't be all that difficult for me considering my new line of work, if you could call being an Alternative "work" anyway.

<<You sure that's all you need?>> I asked Causing Darook to nod.

<<Indeed, in all honesty we don't really require much else.>>

<<Well then, I suppose should be off.>> I sighed as I turned to leave.

Before I could exit the room however, Ootora quickly spoke up as I passed by him. <<May The Black Warrior guide you to a great and glorious death.>>

<<Ermm...thanks? >> I mused a little awkwardly.

(Wasn't The Black Warrior some kind of Yautja death god? If only I had more time to truly dive into their culture and religion.) I grumbled internally as I made my way outside.

Putting my desire to study the Yautjas and their people aside for now I turned my attention to my next task. (Guess that Navara is next on my list, although I don't know how much help she'll be but I might as well check in on her.)

With that all done and out of the way I quickly warped space again and began heading towards one of the cave entrances that led down into the underground tunnel system. And so, as I entered and moved through the winding tunnels I began to notice hive resin covering the walls, a fact that made my instincts feel at ease.

Moving on though, it wasn't long before I began encountering large numbers of various types of Xenomorphs, most of which were currently in a dormant state. They were hibernating to put it simply, of course that didn't mean all of them were asleep, in fact I could feel several hundred that were very much awake, some of which were heading towards me from what I could tell.

Despite this fact however, I ignored them for the most part in favour of heading in the distance of my true destination. "Should be just up ahead..."

(I wonder how much of the tunnels they've converted into a hive by this point? I mean I could just check in the command room but where's the fun in that.) I thought before coming to a stop once I entered a large open chamber filled with Ovomorphs.

The thing that caused me to stop wasn't the Ovomorph, no, it was the massive Xenomorph Queen suspended in the air by the hive resin that surrounded and clung to her body. <<Hello there Navara.>>

<<Mother... >>

This was the first time I had actually seen Navara up close like this, I'd long since gotten used to being around Xenomorphs and so I didn't have much of a visible reaction to her appearance. Despite this I couldn't help but sigh internally, after all it still felt odd to have a child with such a "unique" appearance.

Navara wasn't alone either though, in fact Alpha, Gamma and Delta were here as well, however they were seemingly in hibernation from what I could see. I mean, yeah, I could have just woken them up with a simple thought, however I decided to just leave them be for now.

(I'm still surprised that she can speak through the hive mind...although I guess it makes sense, considering how the connection affected and increased the intelligence of my other children.) I thought while turning my attention back towards her.

<<So...is there anything you need?>> I asked after explaining why exactly I had come.

<<I desire...what...mother desire's...>> She answered.

Hearing her I could only shake my head somewhat. <<I mean on a more personal level, do you or the hive need anything?>>

<<Growth...expansion...purpose... >> Despite the lack of description it wasn't hard for me to understand what she was saying.

(Yeah, that's about what I expected.) I hummed internally.

<<Mother is...troubled...? Conflicted...?>>

<<Something like that.>> I sighed before changing the subject. <<Anyway, you should get your brood ready just in case, things may end up getting rather hectic soon.>>

<<Children will be ready...we ready...will come when mother calls...>>

<<I'm Glad to hear that...>>