Post by him on Nov 22, 2021 7:27:58 GMT
LITHORIAN SPACE
A Sadashi diplomat sat within an organic meeting room, tentacles bunched up under it's hood and mind reviewing it's memories under the refracted green glow of Lithorian biojuices.
It had come under orders from it's highest echelons, designated as their bearer of bad news-a week ago, a monitoring mindweb had detected signs of an extremely catastrophic event coming from an area near the domain of the Devils, along with horrid distortions in the Strands of Life yet unseen before this point. It was also coupled with a massive, yet insidiously subtle straining of the Strands within the core of their enemy's realm, as if something was forcefully manipulating them, and the revelation had driven the upper echelons into a panicked frenzy unlike anything before. Indeed, many of those in the know had plenty of correlations to make.
Whatever had happened, and whatever implications it had in turn, caused what was once just a drawing board meeting over their enemy with their newfound friends to be organized and scheduled within less than a planetary cycle. Such haste was rarely seen, and to the diplomat it only lended more credence to the severity of the situation.
There were other reasons to be here beyond their archenemy, of course, and as it went over what else to talk about it was certain this meeting would undoubtedly end beneficially. But pleasantries and bartering could certainly wait; dealing with the Devils took precedence, lest whatever they had just done would be done yet again.
It stared at the ever-so-slightly-shifting walls, making out patterns in the folds and creases around it as it waited. The shaped, discoloured flesh almost seemed like blackened, burnt cloth, albeit unmoving, moist and interrupted by green lines of biojuice veins.
In a sudden motion,one of the chamber's walls receded to create an opening,allowing the jellyfish like alien to see something standing in the hole.
It was none other than Naz'kid,her body thoroughly enveloped in her cape,leaving only her head sticking out the top,curved shoulder pads and tendrils at the bottom. She slid across the floor effortlessly,eight scarlet eyes fixed upon the Sadashi diplomat intently and showering it in their glow
It is good to see you,but I assume such a hasteful assembly bodes anything but good news. Tell me,is it about those insufferable vermin? she said,eyes narrowing as the subject of the savages was brought up. Though their relationship with those creatures had far less history than the Sadashi,it was every bit as distasteful
"Pleasantries upon this one." A voice in her head came from the body before it, 'eyes' silently flashing as it nodded and rose to speak.
"This one guesses succinctly, and well. Of our matters this cycle, though, it is most dire."
A psychic projection soon made itself from nothing above the table, a glowing memorymap detailing the Clanhold's territory. Vibrant bunches of lines swirled and flew from a great fountain below it, while some lines 'tightened' and turned red around the territory of the vermin. Notably, though, a massive red bunch was centered around a star system just a little bit outside their territory, the lines swirling up from the fountain like a black hole stealing from a sun.
"Several macrocycles ago, we had detected a massive, forced tightening in the Strands of Life, unlike any seen before; it had been violent enough to cause our forms many systems away to report in minutest detail, and while this one knows not of the exactions it had brought many mindwebs to frenzy. This, to the belief of the Mind, had been the culmination to the subtle tightening of the Strands present around Clanhold's territory, alongside several communications between the Devils that had talked of some accursed 'project'."
"We had not been able to investigate. Such a violent tension...no, strain, had already caused fluctuations in our mindwebs when we had neared, and our beasts of burden to fray and retreat. Yet it could not be ignored, for what they had done once they always will do again."
It's voice had taken a more dire tone as it spoke.
"Thus, this one was sent to petition: Send a fleet, and discover what they had done."
It expunged a small, saclike polyp from it's underside, hovering it outwards for Naz'kid to hold. "That one contained the raw memories concerning; this one had been informed not to indulge."
Naz'kids eyes narrowed as she scrutinized the psychic projection,being well aquainted with such means of displaying information. She watched with interest as the leylines strained and heaved,no doubt in unnatural ways.
This is......worrisome. To think those simple creatures are tapping into arcane powers.....on such a scale aswell she muttered to herself,clearly these vermin were not contempt to just sit by quietly. No,they just had to keep popping up along The Almighty's path,such a thought brought subtle ripples of anger within her.
You needn't worry,emissary. We shall investigate this,and if need be,act accordingly. I believe I know just the one for this operation the lithorian's eyes glowed brighter as she spoke,reaching across the colossal expanse that was their lord to link with another of her kind
A quick round of telepathy followed,naz'kids words represented by the mounting scarlet light of her eyes while whoever was on the other side seemed to make the creature's many horns rattle and hitter with their responses.
In the end,she held out her hand for the polyp to levitate upon,just in time for the entrance to open once again.
Another one of the aliens heaved itself inside,its form so alien even to Naz'kid that the sadashi would be forgiven to think they're different species
Some similarities were there,coincidental as they were. Similar tendrils sprouted from its underside to sprawl across the floor,only this one had more,their undersides full of pulsing suckers and lined on either side by growths tipped with spines,closing in on themselves like hungry maws.
Its texture too was utterly different,far from Naz'kids inky black smoothness,this ones had epidermis was a mix of dark blues and greys. The texture was tough and leathery,with bulging veins and beating pustules all throughout. Indeed,there were things moving under its skin,hidden nightmares just barely out of sight.
Its outstretched two pairs of many jointed arms,single red eye fixated on the two before it as hooked external teeth parted to reveal the vertical slit it called a mouth
You requested my pressence,no? it hissed,tiny tentacular growths below the jaw opening to heave foul fumes in rythmic fashion. Longer tendrils,equally gaping at their ends and attached to its mid section shot up like maddened serpents,instead taking fresh breaths in,for a given manner of fresh considering the environment
Yes,Kriqno,I did. I have an assignment for you and Skreid. You see,those things you faced before are up to something ,and you two are going to see what it is. she said,handing out the small polyp whom Kriqno promptly grasped
Our guest gave that to provide all the information you need,make sure to link with it. Naz'kid uttered in a lower tone,promptly clapsing her hands together as she turned back to the envoy
Now then,is there anything else?
"Yes. These three matters are, thankfully, of far less threat." It said, the projection swirling and twisting into the form of a few datapigs. Notably, one was floating, with a very pronounced, deformed lump sitting on it's head, displacing the eyes, ears and mouth.
"First, some of the datapigs in our stock had recently mutated. We theorized it to be a side effect of our latent psionics, as they resonated far more to the Beyond than most-to their detriment, perhaps." it spoke, in a slightly bemused tone. "However, the Mind had seen potential use in these aberrants, as they were capable of limited speech and projection, and given time they could be honed into something greater.
Thus, with your permission, the Mind had requested to use a quarter of the given population for accelerated evolution testing. Should our results bear fruit, this one shall be the first to enjoy them."
"Second," The projection shifted again, this time to a picture of a set of routes from the Sadashi's territory to the Lithorian outpost in the Corridor. "the Mind has expressed wishes to begin trade soon. Seeing as the Devils harried us so, we would need to start with lighter loads, but given a successful route we could send this one what you require in exchange for desired materia."
"Third, and relatedly;" the projection shifted a final time to a family of odd creatures, with Sadashi ships herding them. "we had begun to make efforts with controlling the insufferable Xenadan swarms near us, with promising results. The opening of a route would mean we could herd such beings to this one freely, perhaps glean more on their nature, or on how we could mould them into a better state."
Naz'kid sighed with relief,happy to know they were heading into less urgent discussion. She watched carefully as the jellyfish like alien presented its topics,gave its presentations and argued its points. Two of the predicaments in question were certainly unusual,catching her interest almost immediately
I see,while I certainly see the benefit of having potential brothers in arms for the journey ahead,I cannot stress the fact that you should exercise caution. Developing and nourishing a new species is not an easy task,we would know. The process has to be under the tightest of scrutiny,with carefull attention in developing the character of these lifeforms. One can make a menace just as easily as they can make a benefactor. Regardless you may proceed she waved off to the alien,accentuating her point
As for trade,we would be more than willing engage in such.We have great schemes for this sector of the galaxy,and mutualism lies at their foundation. We shall gladly escort any convoys you send out,in case our six eyed "friends" get any ideas
Lastly,we have quite a deep understanding of void based ecosystems given their prevelance in our home territory. Therefore,we can confidently say that if there is any use,potential or curiosity about these creatures,we shall find it. You are thus welcome to herd them our way.
If you may,I would like to make a proposal of my own. We are well aware of your species complex nervous system and deep affiliation with the psion field,a quality which we have in common. We have been developing various chemical cocktails designed to enhance such areas,derived from our very own life giving fluids. We believe your sort may develop a certain.....fondness.....for them given time,and would be willing to ship them to you in sufficient quality. I have samples with me,should you wish to test their performance first-hand prior to any agreements
"Quite. They shall be reared well, worry not." it said, it's body 'nodding' in affirmation. "To train the mind is an art we had mastered well."
"As for the routes, we will find a most succinct path. One the Devils shan't find easily, and which our herd shall have found easy movement." The projection disappeared, tiny pink particles left behind and slowly drifting in the air. "Though, with how they have considered us quarry to be bled and dried, be warned it may take some time."
The cocktail Naz'kid talked of, more than anything else so far, procured the immediate interest of the Sadashi diplomat, the 'eyes' dilating somewhat as she spoke. The description brought forth purchased, yet faint memories of a lost art, from the bygone era of the Republic. Something about a plant, sautéing the seeds in organ juices. Pleasant memories of psycho-hallucinogenic dosage sessions, too, traded from a more carefree member of it's kind.
Either way, the diplomat was hooked. Perhaps it would be a useful supplement for their beasts of burden and war, or a way to see into the Strands themselves, or some other good usage.
"A most intriguing proposition... This one shall gladly sample, then." As it spoke, it's tone shifting to one of curiosity, it moved in turn; it floated slightly higher in preparation to move around, and the tentacle-arms unfolded, it's 'hands' embracing in a neutral fig-leaf position in anticipation.
Naz'kid was happy to see all three agreements proceeding without issue,each no doubt destined to offer many advantages,perhaps even tools in their careful dance with the six eyed menace that threatened their sphere of influence
You needn't worry. Should our plans come to fruition,you shall never again have to fear these "demons"
As for your sample.... she revealed a strange creature clutched in one palm. Most of it was some kind of transparent sac of fluid,only firm and rigid like glass. The rest was a fleshy bud,wriggling with life before the both of them.
As the sadashi gripped the thing,it would find that the very tip blossoms open like a twisted flower.
It can either be ingested or injected with immediate effects. As for the dispenser,it taps into the mind once in physical contact,so as to make the process easy enough for even an animal to do it. Those not inclined with the Psion are perfectly able to direct it,thus it should be trivial for your kind she stated factually.
Indeed what she said was correct,as this living hybrid of syringe and fluid drinking bottle started showcasing instructions, on how to safely inject or drink its contents,directly within the thought train of the wielder,after quickly becoming acquainted with their biology of course.
"Good." it said, a tone of satisfaction taking over as the 'eyes' closed upwards.
Then, it's attention was directed to the fleshbud, and almost immediately it was eyeing it like a hawk. It could feel the gentle stirring of the Strands, almost like singing, as the bud threw instructioned thoughts into it's mind with only short notice. To the Sadashi's perspective, it seemed almost like a goblet, swirling and changing in form and shape and color.
Soon, enough, the creature found itself being inserted into the Sadashi's underside, the tentacled arms guiding it into a point of sufficient insertion. Once inside the visceral mass, an external suction-stomach suddenly plunged around the drinking point of the creature, sucking out the fluid quickly before quickly disgorging it out.
With the mixture imbibed, and the creature resting within the right tentacle-arm, the jellyfish alien awaited the effects of the fluid with an eager curiosity. Already, it felt a tingling in the tentacles, a clarity of mind, and a shift of perception...
The effects would be quite quick to settle and intense,manifesting less than a minute after the fluids were ingested.
First came a limpness and unresponsiveness of the body,characterized by the sadashi's grip on the creature becoming unsustainable.
Then came a vastly slowed perception of time,brought about by the Sadashi's own nervous system being spurred into overdrive. This proved to alter its senses and feelings,only amplifying the natural euphoric compounds found in the mixture.
Lastly would come the psionic awakening,spurred about by a concentration of micromandalas normally found in lithorian cells,the diplomat would find itself intertwined more closely with the psion field than ever before. This was a brief glimpse into the perspective of this alien race,who did not merely think to manipulate these forces,but did so as naturally as one took a breath,and were able to feed upon them like a plant on sunlight while they coursed through their unconventional forms. Suffice to say however,this was simply something else.
Naz'kid tilted her head as she watched the progression of the drug,noting down the responses of the jellyfish like creature for future reference.
I suppose you cannot perceive what I am saying,but if you can,then please do rate our product. I expect only absolute honesty,as there is always room for improving the formula
It seemed to ignore the Lithorian as the drug took hold, suddenly going silent then muttering to itself as it progressed, speaking quickly and rather uncharacteristically in a rambling spew-of-thought form. Despite already being closely entwined with the psion field, it still felt the full effects of the drug and the oddities of emotion it felt, lifting it's 'arms' as they shook like mad with pink electricity zapping inbetween the gaps. From it's point of view, it was practically seeing new colors.
It's 'eyes' darted around, looking at the mandalas of other creatures behind walls and able to discern their shape with perfect clarity. The creature it dropped seemed to zip straight back into the right 'arm', like it had never fell in the first place-perhaps it never registered dropping it when the arm went limp. Unconsciously, it also broadcast some of it's thoughts and memories out randomly, a side effect of taking the psychoactivants Sadashi normally utilized when in groups to have a shared trip. Nothing major could be gleaned-in honesty, they were all either quaint scenes of modern Sadashi life or just what it was seeing/feeling right now-but the phenomenon would certainly be worth noting down.
While it didn't quite consciously register Naz'kid as she spoke, it's subconscious managed to beam out a "Yes" in her general direction as the jellyfish-esque wandered around in it's own little world. It began to shift it's body somewhat, amorphing in subtle ways as it 'felt around' itself, the newly-made micromandalae allowing it to have far more knowledge of it's own being than before.
Naz'kid watched intently as the effects of the drug took hold,truth be told being somewhat surprised by the results,no doubt caused by this species having a greater affinity to the psion than most. Her horns vibrated again,listing off the results to various off-site personalities and updating Kriqno regarding the terms that had been established.
Meanwhile outside,Kriqno steadily made his way towards the dock yards to assemble a force,running into ginko quickly dashing past him,looking almost goofy considering her physiology
"Why are you in such a rush?" he inquired,causing the squid like alien to stop in her task
"There's been a breach and now section A is suffering from an infestation of hostile organisms. Some sort of experiment gone wrong." she said,tendrils tied up in a salute considering his greater status compared to her
"And jellar? What is he up to?"
"Already on site,he's waiting for me no doubt"
"Not any more,I'll let him know the situation is in his hands. You're going to accompany me in a fleet action"
"Understood. Lithoid sighting?"
"Nay,the six eyes. We're going to-" He paused,the glow in his eye intensifying as he received Naz'kids newest information,leading to some annoyance at the increased work ahead of him
"We'll be securing Sadashi trade routes until other assets are freed up. Then we'll go on a little investigation,something has been manipulating local leylines and we intend to find out what it is" he continued,snapping out of his brief trance
Ginko didn't ask questions,shifting her tendrils to express a different salute as she followed him towards the bio ships. It seemed she was in for a busy week....
Back in the meeting chamber,Naz'kid patiently waited for the jellyfish to finish its drug induced episode. She reflected upon what they had achieved today,this relation would no doubt lead to great things and further the Collective's ambitions. They had big plans for the times ahead afterall,and some vermin were not going to stand in their way.
A Sadashi diplomat sat within an organic meeting room, tentacles bunched up under it's hood and mind reviewing it's memories under the refracted green glow of Lithorian biojuices.
It had come under orders from it's highest echelons, designated as their bearer of bad news-a week ago, a monitoring mindweb had detected signs of an extremely catastrophic event coming from an area near the domain of the Devils, along with horrid distortions in the Strands of Life yet unseen before this point. It was also coupled with a massive, yet insidiously subtle straining of the Strands within the core of their enemy's realm, as if something was forcefully manipulating them, and the revelation had driven the upper echelons into a panicked frenzy unlike anything before. Indeed, many of those in the know had plenty of correlations to make.
Whatever had happened, and whatever implications it had in turn, caused what was once just a drawing board meeting over their enemy with their newfound friends to be organized and scheduled within less than a planetary cycle. Such haste was rarely seen, and to the diplomat it only lended more credence to the severity of the situation.
There were other reasons to be here beyond their archenemy, of course, and as it went over what else to talk about it was certain this meeting would undoubtedly end beneficially. But pleasantries and bartering could certainly wait; dealing with the Devils took precedence, lest whatever they had just done would be done yet again.
It stared at the ever-so-slightly-shifting walls, making out patterns in the folds and creases around it as it waited. The shaped, discoloured flesh almost seemed like blackened, burnt cloth, albeit unmoving, moist and interrupted by green lines of biojuice veins.
In a sudden motion,one of the chamber's walls receded to create an opening,allowing the jellyfish like alien to see something standing in the hole.
It was none other than Naz'kid,her body thoroughly enveloped in her cape,leaving only her head sticking out the top,curved shoulder pads and tendrils at the bottom. She slid across the floor effortlessly,eight scarlet eyes fixed upon the Sadashi diplomat intently and showering it in their glow
It is good to see you,but I assume such a hasteful assembly bodes anything but good news. Tell me,is it about those insufferable vermin? she said,eyes narrowing as the subject of the savages was brought up. Though their relationship with those creatures had far less history than the Sadashi,it was every bit as distasteful
"Pleasantries upon this one." A voice in her head came from the body before it, 'eyes' silently flashing as it nodded and rose to speak.
"This one guesses succinctly, and well. Of our matters this cycle, though, it is most dire."
A psychic projection soon made itself from nothing above the table, a glowing memorymap detailing the Clanhold's territory. Vibrant bunches of lines swirled and flew from a great fountain below it, while some lines 'tightened' and turned red around the territory of the vermin. Notably, though, a massive red bunch was centered around a star system just a little bit outside their territory, the lines swirling up from the fountain like a black hole stealing from a sun.
"Several macrocycles ago, we had detected a massive, forced tightening in the Strands of Life, unlike any seen before; it had been violent enough to cause our forms many systems away to report in minutest detail, and while this one knows not of the exactions it had brought many mindwebs to frenzy. This, to the belief of the Mind, had been the culmination to the subtle tightening of the Strands present around Clanhold's territory, alongside several communications between the Devils that had talked of some accursed 'project'."
"We had not been able to investigate. Such a violent tension...no, strain, had already caused fluctuations in our mindwebs when we had neared, and our beasts of burden to fray and retreat. Yet it could not be ignored, for what they had done once they always will do again."
It's voice had taken a more dire tone as it spoke.
"Thus, this one was sent to petition: Send a fleet, and discover what they had done."
It expunged a small, saclike polyp from it's underside, hovering it outwards for Naz'kid to hold. "That one contained the raw memories concerning; this one had been informed not to indulge."
Naz'kids eyes narrowed as she scrutinized the psychic projection,being well aquainted with such means of displaying information. She watched with interest as the leylines strained and heaved,no doubt in unnatural ways.
This is......worrisome. To think those simple creatures are tapping into arcane powers.....on such a scale aswell she muttered to herself,clearly these vermin were not contempt to just sit by quietly. No,they just had to keep popping up along The Almighty's path,such a thought brought subtle ripples of anger within her.
You needn't worry,emissary. We shall investigate this,and if need be,act accordingly. I believe I know just the one for this operation the lithorian's eyes glowed brighter as she spoke,reaching across the colossal expanse that was their lord to link with another of her kind
A quick round of telepathy followed,naz'kids words represented by the mounting scarlet light of her eyes while whoever was on the other side seemed to make the creature's many horns rattle and hitter with their responses.
In the end,she held out her hand for the polyp to levitate upon,just in time for the entrance to open once again.
Another one of the aliens heaved itself inside,its form so alien even to Naz'kid that the sadashi would be forgiven to think they're different species
Some similarities were there,coincidental as they were. Similar tendrils sprouted from its underside to sprawl across the floor,only this one had more,their undersides full of pulsing suckers and lined on either side by growths tipped with spines,closing in on themselves like hungry maws.
Its texture too was utterly different,far from Naz'kids inky black smoothness,this ones had epidermis was a mix of dark blues and greys. The texture was tough and leathery,with bulging veins and beating pustules all throughout. Indeed,there were things moving under its skin,hidden nightmares just barely out of sight.
Its outstretched two pairs of many jointed arms,single red eye fixated on the two before it as hooked external teeth parted to reveal the vertical slit it called a mouth
You requested my pressence,no? it hissed,tiny tentacular growths below the jaw opening to heave foul fumes in rythmic fashion. Longer tendrils,equally gaping at their ends and attached to its mid section shot up like maddened serpents,instead taking fresh breaths in,for a given manner of fresh considering the environment
Yes,Kriqno,I did. I have an assignment for you and Skreid. You see,those things you faced before are up to something ,and you two are going to see what it is. she said,handing out the small polyp whom Kriqno promptly grasped
Our guest gave that to provide all the information you need,make sure to link with it. Naz'kid uttered in a lower tone,promptly clapsing her hands together as she turned back to the envoy
Now then,is there anything else?
"Yes. These three matters are, thankfully, of far less threat." It said, the projection swirling and twisting into the form of a few datapigs. Notably, one was floating, with a very pronounced, deformed lump sitting on it's head, displacing the eyes, ears and mouth.
"First, some of the datapigs in our stock had recently mutated. We theorized it to be a side effect of our latent psionics, as they resonated far more to the Beyond than most-to their detriment, perhaps." it spoke, in a slightly bemused tone. "However, the Mind had seen potential use in these aberrants, as they were capable of limited speech and projection, and given time they could be honed into something greater.
Thus, with your permission, the Mind had requested to use a quarter of the given population for accelerated evolution testing. Should our results bear fruit, this one shall be the first to enjoy them."
"Second," The projection shifted again, this time to a picture of a set of routes from the Sadashi's territory to the Lithorian outpost in the Corridor. "the Mind has expressed wishes to begin trade soon. Seeing as the Devils harried us so, we would need to start with lighter loads, but given a successful route we could send this one what you require in exchange for desired materia."
"Third, and relatedly;" the projection shifted a final time to a family of odd creatures, with Sadashi ships herding them. "we had begun to make efforts with controlling the insufferable Xenadan swarms near us, with promising results. The opening of a route would mean we could herd such beings to this one freely, perhaps glean more on their nature, or on how we could mould them into a better state."
Naz'kid sighed with relief,happy to know they were heading into less urgent discussion. She watched carefully as the jellyfish like alien presented its topics,gave its presentations and argued its points. Two of the predicaments in question were certainly unusual,catching her interest almost immediately
I see,while I certainly see the benefit of having potential brothers in arms for the journey ahead,I cannot stress the fact that you should exercise caution. Developing and nourishing a new species is not an easy task,we would know. The process has to be under the tightest of scrutiny,with carefull attention in developing the character of these lifeforms. One can make a menace just as easily as they can make a benefactor. Regardless you may proceed she waved off to the alien,accentuating her point
As for trade,we would be more than willing engage in such.We have great schemes for this sector of the galaxy,and mutualism lies at their foundation. We shall gladly escort any convoys you send out,in case our six eyed "friends" get any ideas
Lastly,we have quite a deep understanding of void based ecosystems given their prevelance in our home territory. Therefore,we can confidently say that if there is any use,potential or curiosity about these creatures,we shall find it. You are thus welcome to herd them our way.
If you may,I would like to make a proposal of my own. We are well aware of your species complex nervous system and deep affiliation with the psion field,a quality which we have in common. We have been developing various chemical cocktails designed to enhance such areas,derived from our very own life giving fluids. We believe your sort may develop a certain.....fondness.....for them given time,and would be willing to ship them to you in sufficient quality. I have samples with me,should you wish to test their performance first-hand prior to any agreements
"Quite. They shall be reared well, worry not." it said, it's body 'nodding' in affirmation. "To train the mind is an art we had mastered well."
"As for the routes, we will find a most succinct path. One the Devils shan't find easily, and which our herd shall have found easy movement." The projection disappeared, tiny pink particles left behind and slowly drifting in the air. "Though, with how they have considered us quarry to be bled and dried, be warned it may take some time."
The cocktail Naz'kid talked of, more than anything else so far, procured the immediate interest of the Sadashi diplomat, the 'eyes' dilating somewhat as she spoke. The description brought forth purchased, yet faint memories of a lost art, from the bygone era of the Republic. Something about a plant, sautéing the seeds in organ juices. Pleasant memories of psycho-hallucinogenic dosage sessions, too, traded from a more carefree member of it's kind.
Either way, the diplomat was hooked. Perhaps it would be a useful supplement for their beasts of burden and war, or a way to see into the Strands themselves, or some other good usage.
"A most intriguing proposition... This one shall gladly sample, then." As it spoke, it's tone shifting to one of curiosity, it moved in turn; it floated slightly higher in preparation to move around, and the tentacle-arms unfolded, it's 'hands' embracing in a neutral fig-leaf position in anticipation.
Naz'kid was happy to see all three agreements proceeding without issue,each no doubt destined to offer many advantages,perhaps even tools in their careful dance with the six eyed menace that threatened their sphere of influence
You needn't worry. Should our plans come to fruition,you shall never again have to fear these "demons"
As for your sample.... she revealed a strange creature clutched in one palm. Most of it was some kind of transparent sac of fluid,only firm and rigid like glass. The rest was a fleshy bud,wriggling with life before the both of them.
As the sadashi gripped the thing,it would find that the very tip blossoms open like a twisted flower.
It can either be ingested or injected with immediate effects. As for the dispenser,it taps into the mind once in physical contact,so as to make the process easy enough for even an animal to do it. Those not inclined with the Psion are perfectly able to direct it,thus it should be trivial for your kind she stated factually.
Indeed what she said was correct,as this living hybrid of syringe and fluid drinking bottle started showcasing instructions, on how to safely inject or drink its contents,directly within the thought train of the wielder,after quickly becoming acquainted with their biology of course.
"Good." it said, a tone of satisfaction taking over as the 'eyes' closed upwards.
Then, it's attention was directed to the fleshbud, and almost immediately it was eyeing it like a hawk. It could feel the gentle stirring of the Strands, almost like singing, as the bud threw instructioned thoughts into it's mind with only short notice. To the Sadashi's perspective, it seemed almost like a goblet, swirling and changing in form and shape and color.
Soon, enough, the creature found itself being inserted into the Sadashi's underside, the tentacled arms guiding it into a point of sufficient insertion. Once inside the visceral mass, an external suction-stomach suddenly plunged around the drinking point of the creature, sucking out the fluid quickly before quickly disgorging it out.
With the mixture imbibed, and the creature resting within the right tentacle-arm, the jellyfish alien awaited the effects of the fluid with an eager curiosity. Already, it felt a tingling in the tentacles, a clarity of mind, and a shift of perception...
The effects would be quite quick to settle and intense,manifesting less than a minute after the fluids were ingested.
First came a limpness and unresponsiveness of the body,characterized by the sadashi's grip on the creature becoming unsustainable.
Then came a vastly slowed perception of time,brought about by the Sadashi's own nervous system being spurred into overdrive. This proved to alter its senses and feelings,only amplifying the natural euphoric compounds found in the mixture.
Lastly would come the psionic awakening,spurred about by a concentration of micromandalas normally found in lithorian cells,the diplomat would find itself intertwined more closely with the psion field than ever before. This was a brief glimpse into the perspective of this alien race,who did not merely think to manipulate these forces,but did so as naturally as one took a breath,and were able to feed upon them like a plant on sunlight while they coursed through their unconventional forms. Suffice to say however,this was simply something else.
Naz'kid tilted her head as she watched the progression of the drug,noting down the responses of the jellyfish like creature for future reference.
I suppose you cannot perceive what I am saying,but if you can,then please do rate our product. I expect only absolute honesty,as there is always room for improving the formula
It seemed to ignore the Lithorian as the drug took hold, suddenly going silent then muttering to itself as it progressed, speaking quickly and rather uncharacteristically in a rambling spew-of-thought form. Despite already being closely entwined with the psion field, it still felt the full effects of the drug and the oddities of emotion it felt, lifting it's 'arms' as they shook like mad with pink electricity zapping inbetween the gaps. From it's point of view, it was practically seeing new colors.
It's 'eyes' darted around, looking at the mandalas of other creatures behind walls and able to discern their shape with perfect clarity. The creature it dropped seemed to zip straight back into the right 'arm', like it had never fell in the first place-perhaps it never registered dropping it when the arm went limp. Unconsciously, it also broadcast some of it's thoughts and memories out randomly, a side effect of taking the psychoactivants Sadashi normally utilized when in groups to have a shared trip. Nothing major could be gleaned-in honesty, they were all either quaint scenes of modern Sadashi life or just what it was seeing/feeling right now-but the phenomenon would certainly be worth noting down.
While it didn't quite consciously register Naz'kid as she spoke, it's subconscious managed to beam out a "Yes" in her general direction as the jellyfish-esque wandered around in it's own little world. It began to shift it's body somewhat, amorphing in subtle ways as it 'felt around' itself, the newly-made micromandalae allowing it to have far more knowledge of it's own being than before.
Naz'kid watched intently as the effects of the drug took hold,truth be told being somewhat surprised by the results,no doubt caused by this species having a greater affinity to the psion than most. Her horns vibrated again,listing off the results to various off-site personalities and updating Kriqno regarding the terms that had been established.
Meanwhile outside,Kriqno steadily made his way towards the dock yards to assemble a force,running into ginko quickly dashing past him,looking almost goofy considering her physiology
"Why are you in such a rush?" he inquired,causing the squid like alien to stop in her task
"There's been a breach and now section A is suffering from an infestation of hostile organisms. Some sort of experiment gone wrong." she said,tendrils tied up in a salute considering his greater status compared to her
"And jellar? What is he up to?"
"Already on site,he's waiting for me no doubt"
"Not any more,I'll let him know the situation is in his hands. You're going to accompany me in a fleet action"
"Understood. Lithoid sighting?"
"Nay,the six eyes. We're going to-" He paused,the glow in his eye intensifying as he received Naz'kids newest information,leading to some annoyance at the increased work ahead of him
"We'll be securing Sadashi trade routes until other assets are freed up. Then we'll go on a little investigation,something has been manipulating local leylines and we intend to find out what it is" he continued,snapping out of his brief trance
Ginko didn't ask questions,shifting her tendrils to express a different salute as she followed him towards the bio ships. It seemed she was in for a busy week....
Back in the meeting chamber,Naz'kid patiently waited for the jellyfish to finish its drug induced episode. She reflected upon what they had achieved today,this relation would no doubt lead to great things and further the Collective's ambitions. They had big plans for the times ahead afterall,and some vermin were not going to stand in their way.