Metamorphosis 6: Old Friends and New Additions pt2

A/N: I haven't had this much muse to write in a long time! I'll take that as a good thing, but I will also attribute it to all of the generous and helpful reviews you have been leaving me. They really do help me with the story, mostly for inspiration but also by getting me thinking about certain things and keeping me on my toes!

Special thanks go out to TimberlineWolf, Akuma-Heika (twice), Izwan and Blackhole1 for the very kind and helpful reviews they left me! I am very grateful, and I hope that you all know how much your feedback means to me! That being said, I also thank the others who continue to read my story, and know that I would love to hear from you all as well!

Dan the Larvae and I hope you all enjoy and that you will leave me your feedback, thoughts, ideas, comments, and questions in the form of reviews! They really do help me in various ways, as some can help me improve the story while others can just help inspire me to write more (and faster!).

(Unknown Point in the Past, Norad II)

"So, where are you guys from?"

It was one of the many times we had free time on the Norad II and we were sitting around the recreational room table with cards laid out. Our full squad wasn't assembled, for a couple guys wanted to get a bit of shut eye, but it was nice and relaxed. Gerolf and James, as well as the begrudging Hunter, were playing poker jovially with each other as well as the cold and distant Pierre.

I already knew where they were from, given how I read their profiles, but I was more curious as to what they had to say about it. The place they originated from was, well, interesting to say the least.

Gerolf, who was keeping a strong poker face, responded first, "Well, Hunter and I are from a place some people call Deadman's Port," after a brief pause, he added, "We don't intend on ever going back."

From across the table Pierre nodded grimly, "From what you've said about your time there, I can see why. Laws may be influenced by ignoble people at times, but having no law at all is just plain wrong."

My smile turns into a more neutral line as I recall what I know, "I've heard about that place…I take it that you both are here in the military looking for a more stable life?" I end it with a smile, trying to lighten the mood some.

Gerolf smiles back at me, his eyes closed as he recalls some memories, "Something along those lines…and by chance we met with some recruiters, so we saw a way of getting a new life away from Hell itself."

"Do you miss your families?"

As soon as I asked it, I regretted it more than the bad hand I had. Both of the two soldiers from Deadman's Port tensed up, as if I had struck them in some chink in their armor. They hadn't been expecting this question.

His tone sour, Gerolf stares down at his poker hand, "Hard to miss what one has never really had. Some distant relatives of mine rose me, but they didn't mind having to feed one less mouth."

I bite my lip, sensing the pain from his voice. On the other side of him now came the voice of Hunter, "Pretty much the same here, but we lived through it. We don't ever have to go back there now, nor do we have a reason to."

Gerolf nodded, his stare focused on the cards akin to what might call a "thousand yard stare". Feeling sorry for bringing up such bad memories (something I knew a good deal about), I reach a hand out under the table and take the tall man's open hand in my own. He blinks as he feels the touch, but doesn't react beyond that except to take my own hand as well.

James shrugs at the whole conversation, not having grown up in the same dire straits, "Well, everything is better here, isn't it?"

Hunter scoffs, "Everything except the food. It went from being gruel to being processed gruel. Would it kill anyone to have cake here once and awhile?"

James, lanky as one could be while still being healthy, sended a snark at his more broad ally, "I think you might be better off without cake, my friend-"

Hunter pointed a finger threateningly at his friend, "Make a crack about my weight and you'll regret it."

"Ahh, come on, no reason to be so heavy-handed-"

James never was able to finish that sentence, Hunter tackling him to the floor and instigating a two person brawl. Pierre and Gerolf both shrugged it off as something normal, so I did the same and turned back to our card game. I chuckled when I saw Gerolf put his cards down so that he could pick up and check those belonging to the two men wrestling about on the floor.

"Look who it is again!"

That laughing didn't last long. The voice was the same one as that…irritating Marine the other day. Everyone still seated at our table turned towards the doorway of the room and were met with the sight of the five men we had seen the other day, men who all had various bruises and marking adorning their body. I made a mental note to thank the two privates for actually standing up for me, and effectively at that.

Still pinned to the floor, James noticed the Marines at the door and tried to escape his larger friend's grip to no avail, "Hey, let go! Let me at 'em!" Hunter now glances at the door and scowls at the newcomers, letting go of James as he does so. James starts to get up, but Hunter sends a punch into the man's gut as final penance, "Oww! What was that for!?"

The vocal one of the Marines looked straight at Swallow and gave a loud scoff, "Are you gonna run again, girly?"

Standing up slowly, Gerolf holds his hands up and takes a step towards the hostile marines, "We don't have to go through this again, guys. Five of you couldn't beat just James and Slambert here."

"That was in a hallway when we couldn't surround you. Now? I don't think you guys are going to do so well."

Pierre stands up as well, not saying a word, while Gerolf whispers to me, "Hey, Emily?"

"Yes?" I respond, whispering as well. No-one had made the first move, but everyone could feel the tension building. The other group of marines was spreading out, almost like a pack of wolves, but still no-one jumped into what was about to be an undoubtedly large fight.

"You know how you can't attack a fellow soldier?"

I nod, as it is something I could never bring myself to do…at least without great reason or orders to do such a thing, "Yes, why?"

"Can you in self-defense?"

I smiled widely, knowing where this is going, "Of course I can."

"Then I suggest you do that."

I turned my gaze towards the closest of the disrespectful soldiers, giving him a cheeky smile as he glared at me. I heard a grunt on the other side of the room, as well as a body collapse on the floor, and I knew that this conflict had officially begun.

The man in front of me dashes at me, but I sidestep him and he crashes into the table our cards all lay on. He starts to get up, but I grab him by the back of his regulation shirt firmly, "Hey, what are you-?"

Using my grip, I planted a foot on his spine and press his body into the table (which was luckily bolted to the floor), "You b-" before he can finish his slur I punch him with my free hand in the back of his neck, "Ahh, damnit, get her off!"

I draw my fist back to strike again, but a loud voice with a thick Southern accent causes me to halt completely.

"What is tha meaning of this?"

I removed my foot from the back of the marine and plant it firmly on the ground, turning abruptly to face the Captain of the ship, General Edmund Duke. He towered above all in the room, even Gerolf given that my friend was on the ground with a knee on the primary antagonist's throat and not at full height, and his broad shoulders made our leader appear quite menacing with his face in a scowl as large as it was.

I threw up a salute and addressed our commanding officer, speaking in a dutiful tone, "These soldiers have been harassing me for some reason related to my neural resocialization, sir, and have been instigating conflict. We were defending ourselves."

He furrows his thick brow, "Is that so?" looking at the various one on one fights that he had halted in the room, he gives a huff and then a laugh, "I would call the military police to drag these disrespectful children to the brig, but seeing as that is your job, Emily, I'll let you have the honor along with your friends here."

I continue my salute, "Thank you, sir!"

"Think nothing of it," he turns to the others in the room and sends a harsh glare as he jabs a finger at them, "Now, listen here boys, I won't be having no infighting. Alpha Squad is not some backwater group of yokels, you hear me?"

My squad all stands up fully and salutes the General as well, each having a hand on the marine they had been fighting. Duke looked them all over and then tilted his head towards the exit, "Make sure they stay in there a few days. That should serve 'em right. When ya'll get back you'll be cleaning this up, but don't worry, yer not in any trouble."

"Yes sir!" We all reply on our way out, which in the case of me was a cheerful reply.

Rough, short tempered, and impulsive, Edmund Duke was barely officer material, but he managed to get the job done with his generally sound military tactics. However, his strong handed ways and large, imposing body had commanded respect from those who did not see him as a shaved gorilla.

Had.

(The Present, Planet Char)

"Target and fire!"

"Eat lead!"

The Zerg had not expected to come under fire, their inactivity making the Swarm lax at points. While Kerrigan may know of the approach of the mercenary soldiers, not every one of her many minions was aware, and by the time some were it was too late for them. Be it a sniper round or concussion grenade, the trio of mercenaries war tearing through an outpost they had come across with relative ease.

Taking aim with his rifle and ending the life of a Zergling without thought, the sharpshooter chuckled as he continued to fight, "Do we even shoot lead?"

The one in the heavy Marauder armor grumbled as he continued to fire at the small base before them, "I don't know, okay? It's just a saying."

"A pretty stupid saying if we don't actually-" the sharpshooter began to snark back when his boss, who was currently hovering in the air both above and behind them, shouted.

"Do you two ever give it a rest?"

"We're fighting just fine, aren't we?" the sharpshooter complained as he fires again and kills another Zerg minion.

As the Hatchery before them finally collapsed and a group of small creatures emerged from it to rush at the attackers, the mercenary leader snaps back at his man, "I can see that you're fighting, but it should be the Zerg that you focus on, not eachother."

The Marauder merc fired one of his grenades and killed two of the creatures before they could even leave the wreckage of the hatchery, "Fine, fine. Can it, Feld. We got to drag these bodies back to the ship."

With his boss shooting two more and him taking out the last one, the sharpshooter responds in a bored tone, "Got it, Slammer."

From above, the mercenary company's boss groaned, "I'm surrounded by i-"

Before he could finish cursing out his childish men, a voice broke in over his head transmitter, "Sir, we've accomplished our objective and have returned to the ship as per your orders-"

Speaking into the same device on his helmet, the company leader nods and replies, "Good, then wait for us. We'll be back soon-"

The person on the radio, the sharpshooter named Crowley, cut his boss off, "Afraid I'm going to have to not follow that order, as there is a swarm of Mutalisks incoming. We need to move and find a less hot area. I'll send you the coordinates when we can."

The boss smirks underneath his helmet, "Thank you for not just leaving us behind, Crowley."

"If I did that the pay would be half as much," was the monotone response he received.

"Yeah, sure. We'll await your transmission."

"Hopefully we'll see you soon," responded Crowley's quiet voice before the transmission ends.

His teammates having not heard the transmission, the group's leader looks down at them while they continue to fire at the Zerg base, "Okay, we're stranded for the moment. This would ordinarily be a completely bad thing, but it seems the main Zerg forces have not arrived here yet. We have a chance to take out some more of the buggers, and hopefully we can sell our recorded combat data for some extra cash."

The sharpshooter groaned as he took another shot, "Wait, sir, shouldn't we just hole up and wait this out?"

The boss nodded down to his man, respecting the suggestion, "I would agree with you, except for the fact that if we are found, it will undoubtedly mean we all are ambushed and we die without any hope of fighting back. I say we bring the fight to some of the lesser bases in the area and fight on our terms."

The soldier of fortune wearing heavy Dominion plating shrugged, "I've been thinking I was going to die every day since Mar Sara, so I guess I can be a little reckless for once. It does sound like the better idea of the two."

The sharpshooter rolls his eyes, an action hidden by his face concealing helmet, "Fine...but remember, Slammer here is much slower than us. How is he going to keep up with us in a fight?"

His leader chuckled as he landed, patting the bulkiest member of the group on the back of his metal Marauder armor, "Easy. Like usual, we send him in first. That armor of his can soak up incredible damage, even if it means he moves like a snail."

His face scrunching up, the sharpshooter groaned again, "Okay then...I'm game."

"If I wasn't wearing armor twenty times tougher than yours, I would completely object to being bait."

The boss gave a smirk that was concealed by his own armor, "Don't worry, you'll be fine. We've lasted this long, haven't we?"

(The Present, Emily POV)

Currently pacing my 'room' on my six legs, I sigh as I think about what I should do. As much as I want to, I have no idea how to communicate with my dear Larvae and he wasn't all that talkative himself. I stop pacing for a moment when I realize that...well, I miss people.

Gerolf, the General, our team...they all were people I liked talking to before. People who are now most likely dead. Duke would die before letting Arcturus Mengsk of all people become the leader of the Terrans in the Koprulu sector, and my squad was stationed on Mar Sara when these Zerg decided to pay a visit. That's not to mention Michael Liberty, the news reporter I was tasked with looking after who literally saw me die and was at ground zero of the Zerg invasion.

My shoulders slump. I miss them all...it was like having a family of sorts. Well, more like a family one gains when they marry someone, as the soldiers were all like Gerolf's own siblings. They drove him insane with some of their antics, but amused him with others.

The thought of the large man brought a smile to my face. He was one of the first people I would ever consider in my life to have been my friends, and he introduced me to so many others who I cared about to.

Looking down at my arm, brown with the carapace covering it, I give a sigh.

So full of life back then, and dead now...rest in peace, friends.

I had no one left. Not just here, but anywhere...I was such a bad person in my life before my service to the Confederacy that I didn't even have anyone from then to miss. No one from my time with the Confederacy either. I died, and no-one is mourning my loss.

That thought angers me partially, but for every part I feel sad I feel four times more sad.

Isn't someone missing me?

I feel a tear drip down my cheek. I am all alone. Knowing that no-one cares. I wish someone did...

In an attempt to change my train of thought, I move my gaze to the two arms sprouting from my back, "Hmmm...what do you think of my new limbs, Dan?"

My adorable companion rolls onto his back and clicks his mandibles together, garnering a smile from me. I decide to once again take his movement as the reaction I wanted.

I move the two arms a little, flexing them up and down, "I agree, they are quite annoying. So hard to control them, and what good are they anyways?"

I stop moving my arms when I notice another change that my eye hadn't caught. The bulge of my chest was now twice as large, which was somewhat saying something given the large space the carapace took up. I couldn't tell if this was an addition to the armor itself or whatever lay beneath it, for I wasn't even sure if I had anything beneath this carapace, "And why did she make my chest cavity larger? It's not like I'm going to be wooing any men, and I still can't use them to feed-"

A voice suddenly cuts me off from behind me, sending a chill down my spine, "I needed room to place new organs, so it was a necessary action. Don't flatter yourself."

I turn around and see Kerrigan stalk across the room towards me, "Oh, my Queen, I didn't see you come in."

Kerrigan smirks in an amused fashion, "I could tell. Now, if you're done wondering why it is difficult to see your lower body, I have a task for you so we may test out what I've added to you," she nods towards the exit, "Come."

I bend over in a fake bow, truly only doing so because I desired to scoop up Dan in my arms and take him with me, "As you command, my Queen."

She ignores my impudent ways and walks out, me quickly following in her footsteps. It was about time I got to do something again.

I follow Kerrigan through the dimly lit, pinkish purple halls of whatever this place is until she stops in the same room that we had been in before. Throughout the room there are a great deal of organic looking structures, structures that actually appeared to be throbbing at moments like a heart, and I scowl as I wonder just as to what we are supposed to do here.

Kerrigan, no doubt sensing my confusion, speaks, "As a caretaker of the Swarm, you will need to familiarize yourself with some of the abilities I have granted you."

"Such as?" I ask her as I place Dan on his delicious Creep.

"Luckily for me, you weren't totally devoid of psionic power when I began crafting you into what you are now. You were far from even being able to read minds, but I've amplified the small dormant power to be found in you. You are not psionically powerful, and you won't be able to read other people's minds, but the way I've modified you, you should be able to handle a simple Zerg force," I raise an eyebrow and she rolls her eyes, "You should be able to control fellow Zerg that are not being controlled by a stronger force, such as myself, and they shall obey your every command. Got it?"

My brow does not unfurrow, "What need would I have of controlling others if I am a caretaker?"

"It will allow you to protect your Brood more effectively if the Zerg around you are bound to your will. They will live and die by your command, and it is your primary directive to help the growth and expansion of the Swarm. I will let you test your power soon, but for now I will direct your attention towards another power you have," Kerrigan turns towards the part of the room where I first found Dan. Where I picked him up are many more Larvae, and the nearby area contained what appeared to be dozens more, "You see those Larvae?" I nod silently, and she waves a hand. Where one Larvae once lay, there was now a green cocoon. I blinked, not understanding as to how such a quick change could happen, but I can read the smirk on Kerrigan's lips, "This should only take a moment."

"Is that a cocoon?" I ask stupidly after a moment of staring at it.

Kerrigan pauses for a moment, and by the time she responds the green cocoon has torn and where it once was sat two of the small beasts that ripped me apart on Mar Sara, "Was should be the right term to use. They are what is known as a Zergling now. Each Larvae contains the DNA of the more advanced strands of Zerg in them, and generally one Larvae becomes one larger creature. However, the genetics of a Zergling are so simple that for every one Larvae comes out two Zerglings."

I nod to her and pick up my own pet Larvae, "I think I understand...so Dan here could become twin beings, or a larger Zerg creature, within moments?"

Her shining eyes meet my own and send an instant chill all the way down my back and even through my lower abdomen, "Yes. Now, I want you to try this. All you must do is focus your attention on the Larvae over there and imagine what strain you wish them to become. As you can see Zerglings nearby them, I would suggest going with that genetic pattern out of mere practicality."

I withhold a groan as I place Dan back down, "I'll try..."

Kerrigan responds in a venomous tone, "Do or don't do, there is no try. Now do it, or I'll turn your little pet into one of those Hydralisks you despise so much."

I hold my arms up in a peaceful manner, hoping to whatever god Zerg worshipped that she would not hurt poor Dan, "Okay, okay!" I close my eyes and begin thinking. I'm not sure exactly what to think about or focus on, so I recall the image of those Larvae over there and the Zerglings who now were sitting next to them like patient dogs. A weird sensation washes over me, one I had never felt before, and I open my eyes, "Did I do it?"

On the other side of the room now sat another green cocoon, which answered my question. Kerrigan nods to me, seemingly pleased for the moment, "Good. Now, this should become easier the more you do it until it is not even a conscious thought anymore. Continue transforming the Larvae over there into Zerglings until they all are. Then we will move on."

I nod to her, deciding that there are worse things she could be having me do, "Okay."

This time I try to do it without closing my eyes, but I still focus in the fashion I had before. Surely enough, another Larvae transforms into an egg, and then another, and another. I continue this process over and over to the point of exhaustion, constantly sending these messages or whatever they were to the adorable Larvae in the room. I made sure not to focus on Dan at all, even as he rubbed up against my legs, as I did not care for the idea of turning him into one of these dog monstrosities.

After what must have been fifty transformations, I let out a breath. There were no Lavae currently left over there at the moment, and so I let out a tired "I'm done..."

"Done with this task, that is. Now, you must learn to control them. Focusing on them like you did before, make one Zergling approach us. Focus on it, then think of it approaching us."

I don't want to show my exasperation, but I can't help but frown. It was taxing enough on me to just do a simple message, but I now had to control one? Despite my reservations I attempt to do just what Kerrigan commanded and I focus on the Zergling. At first nothing happens, the one I am focusing on just standing around, but I continue to focus and sure enough it turns its attention towards me. It doesn't move, but it does send me a look as it stands still. I try again and think of it approaching me while also thinking of it.

In a blur, the small creature dashes towards us, leaving its twin behind, and halts right before Kerrigan and I. My Queen nods to it and then looks up at the remaining batch of Zerglings, "Good. Now, focus on a small group."

I turn my gaze towards about a dozen of the small creatures, focusing on them all and repeating what I did with this one Zergling. Immediately after I sent my command to them, the horde runs up to us and stops next to the one already here.

Kerrigan extends a finger towards all those that still remained where they hatched, "Now comes the true test. Will the remaining ones over here."

I bite my lip anxiously, not sure if I can pull off such a feat. I still try to do so with the over eighty 'lings still over there, focusing now on them all. I give them the same mental command to come over here, but this time around there is no response. Like they hadn't even heard me. I try again, but nothing else happens and my shoulders sink, "I...I can't do it."

She looks up at me and sends a piercing leer my way, "You are not to leave this room until you do. Again."

I try to reason with her, holding my hand out towards the last group that came here, "These twelve are all I can manage."

Kerrigan does not take lightly to this, grabbing Dan by the face and hoisting him off the ground, "It seems like you need further incentive."

Knowing that she could kill me, and definitely Dan, I reach a hand out towards her and gasp, "Please, stop!"

She narrows her eyes and nods towards the other Larvae. I lower my head shamefully, but I try once again to focus on the other Zerglings. They don't respond initially, but I continue focusing on them and after a moment, my anger at the danger poor Dan is in clouds my mind: I can't focus on any one of them specifically, but I soon feel them all turn their gaze towards me. Shortly thereafter they sprint over and come to a stop in a messy formation surrounding Kerrigan and I. Having completed her task again, I send a glare back at Kerrigan before looking down at Dan, who is wiggling in midair as she hold him by his head, "There...are you happy?"

Kerrigan lets out a 'hmmph', literally tossing Dan into the air towards me. I move a little and catch him as she speaks, "It'll do. It seems that when properly motivated you can accomplish your objectives. I would suggest trying to motivate yourself from here on out."

I nod to her weakly, feeling drowsy all of a sudden. I think that it must be the use of my powers, powers I did not have before. Kerrigan takes note of my sleepiness and scoffs, "You're lucky that I've increased your constitution some since we last met. Your exertion right now would have probably been too much before. Don't worry about your strength, it will return in due time."

"My body-"

Before I can ask my full question, she cuts me off and continues, "To clarify my previous point, your carapace has been extended and generally strengthened. I could still tear through it should I wish, but it can withstand the gunfire one might encounter from Terran forces," "I still need to shape your face, but that can come another time. A bullet to the brain would be crippling even with a carapace protecting it."

"How strong is this..." I visibly recoil as I say the word aloud, "carapace?"

"Tougher than a Hydralisk's, which is saying much while also saying little," she responds with a smirk, "Too much armor and you would have trouble carrying out your duties faster than a slug, too little and I risk losing my dear pet project."

"I see. Do you intend to just send me off to the frontlines of some conflict I know little about?" I respond with a hint of snark in my tone.

"Of course not. You are to remain in this place until my tests have concluded. We are making excellent progress and I would hate to lose you so soon."

"That being said, I will have you stationed at an outside Hatchery from this point out. You could start helping and stop being a burden now."

"Yes, my Queen."

"Follow the Hydralisk once more to your destination, and when you arrive stay there. Protect and help nurture the hatchery in whatever manner you can. Many things should make sense, just click in your mind, upon arrival."

I scowl, thinking, Great. Another Hydralisk...

"As you wish, mistress."