The others took a look at the hive below.
“Brothers, we need to know just what is going on down there. This is reconnaissance, not engagement, so stealth and discretion is required. We can’t properly cure this infestation if we don’t know what they’re here for and how they get it.”
Getting out of sight of the Bug Hive, Nala and the Special Team sat in a circle as they created a holographic map of the area.
“Creating a Hive in the ruins of a major port suggests to me that the Bugs are not nothing more than alien insects of a rapacious nature.” Nala said, “Their activity suggests not only intelligence, but a level of knowledge regarding the sciences and the technology one may make of them.”
“It also suggests experience with warfare against life forms similar to us.”
“Correct, Red.” Nala said, acknowledging Red’s astute observation.
Another spoke. “While we’re quite capable of doing without access to the lake’s water, many of our allies are not so fortunate.”
“Especially if they’re still dealing with predation by the Sons of Ken.” Red said.
“Yellow’s political assessment is also correct.” Nala said, “You begin now to see the threat that this Hive presents.”
Another now spoke. “Is it correct that this specific Hive has not engaged in offensive action, but instead acts as a node in a logistical network? I notice that combat-specific Bug forms are few, and that they focus on rapid-response forms. This suggests a security force, not a staging ground, and therefore I suggest that what this Hive has for a mission has less to do with battles and more to do with strategic or economic concerns.”
Nala nodded. “Blue, you’re sharp mind never fails to amaze me.”
“Blue’s noticed what I noticed, and I think I know why.” The fourth spoke now. “These ruins are between the Bugs and what I noticed with previous operations in and near Bug Hives, which is the very natural world itself. They’re an alien life form, so they cannot help but to either adapt to our world or make our world adapt to them. As they are insectoid in nature, what they’re doing is to impose their form of life upon our world.”
“That would explain why the Sons of Ken are also opposed to the Bugs.” Yellow said, “I think that we could have quite the change in affairs if we could provide proof to the Sons that we share a common enemy.”
“At least they would lay off of us for a while.” Green said, wryly.
“So,” Red said as he turned to Nala, “what are we looking for?”
“Information, Red. I think that this Hive, being that it’s one that links up so many closer to home with points further north, has a higher-order Bug form somewhere within its perimeter. If not, then I am certain that something else exists within that space which performs the same function. Nothing else explains why this Hive isn’t constantly throwing war-form Bugs at us. We’re going in there, we’re going to find it and then we’re going to pull a job on its brain.”
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