Many might wonder: the Haemonculi can control Zerg—doesn't the Swarm have genetic locks?
Yes. Amon installed genetic locks when he engineered the Zerg. But these locks only activate when genetic modification is attempted. Simple study? No problem.
Firstly, the Haemonculus didn't alter the Zergling's genes. He studied its body, interfaced with its nervous system externally, and triggered metamorphosis into a Baneling based on its organ functions.
Secondly, the Zerg's genetic locks aren't impregnable against true genetic masters. Narud's fusion of Zerg and Protoss genes proves this. Even Abathur once acknowledged Narud's skill.
Finally, Zerg designs have been plagiarized—by primal Zerg. Abathur was absolutely livid. That kind of plagiarism.
Dissecting Zerglings is commonplace. StarCraft 2's Terrans captured Ultralisks for research.
The Zerg Swarm's lowest point: after the Overmind's death. The new Overmind and Cerebrates, UED-controlled. Any thought of rebellion, and UED executed the new Overmind.
The Zerg Swarm is not invincible. An invincible Swarm is one that's macroed well.
Again:
As long as objectives are achieved, the Swarm cares not for casualties.
†Hm. Nydusara's doing well. Daily reports.†
No direct hive mind link to Commorragh. But daily Zergling messengers delivered Nydusara's memories.
†This constant network disconnection though… Abathur. Any solution?†
"Webway navigation: incomprehensible. Warp: no solution. Currently: none."
†Right. Should've known better than to ask.†
Fair enough. Webway: Old Ones black tech. Even the Emperor—a polymath—took extensive study to comprehend. Abathur, an evolutionary biologist, studying Webway navigation? Wrong specialization.
†Anyway. Three domains: Warp, Webway, realspace. Webway I can access freely. Warp's the problem.†
The Overmind didn't dwell on minor issues. No solution now doesn't mean no solution ever.
Current priority: resource accumulation. More units. Creep generates biomass—just slowly. Might need to ranch some Ork worlds later.
Force buildup: critical. Ultralisks especially. The Hive war demonstrated the value of overwhelming ground superiority.
If Ultralisks weren't so resource-intensive, he'd mass-produce them like Zerglings.
Then, Kans reported: "Webway Gate reactivated. Numerous hostiles emerging."
†They DARE return?!†
Addicted to Zerg capture, are they?
†Cowards who only bully the weak. Come, Kans. Show them the Swarm's terror.†
"As you command."
Exiting a Webway Gate directly into this? Monumental stupidity. The Overmind had fortified every gate since the Dark Eldar's first incursion.
Emerging Dark Eldar immediately confronted distant, fleshy bio-structures.
[Designation: Spine Crawler]
[Body Length: 10m–150m (variable)]
[Role: Ground defense unit]
[Armament: Spines]
[Description: Rooted in creep, these towering monstrosities are a fresh conscript's nightmare. Do not be deceived by their quiescent length—they can extend to nearly double their relaxed state, impaling unfortunate targets with their apical spines. Particularly effective against heavy armor.]
Ranks of Spine Crawlers encircled the Webway Gate. A single twenty-meter passage remained—intentionally left for Swarm units to enter the gate. Precisely Ultralisk-width.
Initially, the Spine Crawlers held fire. Then—the Dark Eldar emerged in force.
Last time: a single squad. This time: over three hundred within a minute. Dozens of hovering skyboards.
Dozens of Wyches.
Evidently, the Haemonculus found Zerg anatomy exceptionally intriguing. He'd expended considerable resources to hire this expedition.
They had miscalculated one crucial factor.
The Overmind's indifference was not permission.
The moment these hundreds of Dark Eldar formed up, distant Spine Crawlers opened fire. Primary targets: airborne skyboards. Massive spines thrust forth with devastating reach.
Dark Eldar reflexes perceived the attack. Perception alone did not guarantee evasion. The lead skyboard was impaled. Immediate detonation.
"AMBUSH!!!"
"Disperse! Disperse!!!"
Bottlenecked at the gate: disastrous. Dark Eldar scattered. Skyboard pilots: some accelerated, some ascended. Attempting Spine Crawler range evasion.
Several skyboards were downed before escape.
Then—a secondary bio-structure perimeter beyond the Spine Crawlers. Tubular, vermiform organisms. Disgorging immense acid projectiles.
The Overmind had planted Spore Crawlers beyond the Spine line. Acid shells detonated on skyboard impact. Shrapnel acid showered numerous Dark Eldar.
"DAMN IT! What IS this?!"
"This is NOT how the previous expedition described this planet! We've walked into a TRAP!!!"
Dark Eldar evasion: exceptional. Spine Crawlers still hounded them relentlessly. Wyches, however, displayed audacity. Blazing velocity carried them to the Spine Crawler line. A Crawler attacked; its colossal spine plunged into the earth.
Upon closer examination: a Wych had already traversed the spine's length, sprinting toward the Crawler itself.
Velocity: exceeding 80 kph. For humans: impossible. For Eldar—specifically, Wyches—not implausible.
Wyches wielded spears or glaives. Their razor-edged weapons carved into the Spine Crawler's massive spine. Each strike: grievous lacerations.
Spine Crawler armor: tissue-paper before Wych armaments.
Yet the Crawler's immense scale rendered these wounds superficial. It continued engaging airborne skyboards.
Wyches strategized. Then—the earth began to tremble.
Countless Zerglings and Hydralisks surged forth. A revelation for the Dark Eldar.
"This MANY?!"
"This density—I've only seen it from those Tyranid bugs!!!"