#~ the eclipse swarm ~ (space bug verse)

[silverymusings]

Like I did with Liyore, I wanted to write up some character summaries for the Eclipse Swarm to give an what kind of shenanigans are around. So here's that~

~ EZ ~

The soldier who initially managed to withstand swarm mutation. He has since served in several studies and been part of various station and ship security teams.

Recently, he was 'retired', put into stasis in a government facility.

~ Ton ~

Accidentally infected while he was defending his town. When he showed minor signs of mutation he was exiled, and has since been wandering space alongside his starship Cow.

~ Raine~

A scientist interested in exploring the extent of hybrid capabilities.

~ Dan ~

Pushed into joining the hybrid program due to his martial arts expertise, Dan is a transfusion hybrid who has been assigned to various stations and ships. ( @danthekickingman )

~ Taylor ~

Taylor was offered up by his parents to be used for hybrid experiments. Though initially considered a failed attempt, he was cleared as stable after being assigned to a ship alongside Rouge and Quack. ( @tailoringtay )

~ Dirk ~

Unknown origin. Dirk has allied himself with the swarm, though it's a loose loyalty. He prefers to keep to his own devices. ( @venomousovereignty )

[danthekickingman]

@rcsetorn and ✨Space Bugs ✨

It was quiet in the elevator, save for the subdued swoosh of the passing floors.

She could simply let the silence sit. But...

"Did you receive the file on the new addition to our crew?" she asked, eyes glued to the dimly glowing display on the wall in front of them.

It had been a quickly moving process - these things always were. They had to be. Moving through space without a hybrid on board as a recipe for disaster that few could afford. By now, the stasis chamber was probably already installed.

It's occupant would be along shortly after - if he wasn't already there.

[venomousovereignty]

There was nothing a moment more - then, there it was again, the pulse of a signal.

It was gone just as fast. This time, however, it was obscured not by absence but by sheer presence.

The entire area was filled with it.

"My. Visitors, all the way out here?" a voice questioned from the dark.

The source of sound was just as impossible to pinpoint as the energy, bouncing off the jutting rock structures and jagged walls of the cave in an indiscernible tangle.

"Here for some sightseeing?"

Exploring near @venomousovereignty's cave~

╼ ༺ :||          Pocketing the eyepatch, her eye quickly attuned to the newly revealed landscape. Night clear as day, Beatrix looked about in the darkness without restraint. Though she took in the clarity of their surroundings, her team's cautious steps shifted loosened stones were less reassured.

"I can't detect anything within the immediate vicinity. But keep your weapons at the ready for whatever may be ahead."

Almost entirely blind beneath their visors, there was the silent nod of confirmation. Though down a hybrid in the chance they were skirting about a nest, their present objectives were deemed to outweighed current risks. Fortunately it was this eye which held some form of minor comfort this team.

...

And suddenly, it was there. In the darkness of a cave, less a visible figure, but more of a electric signal sensed. Present, and then gone just as quickly.

Beatrix sharply alerted the other two with a brisk exhale through her teeth

What was it? And where did it go?

[silverymusings]

More verses~ This one is based on a dream I had involving Dan, which has since expanded, including ideas from friends~ owo

~ The Eclipse Swarm~

~ Premise ~

The first encounter with the swarm would go unrecorded. As did the next, and the next.

Nothing survived to tell the tale.

It wasn't until the swarm laid waste to the entire planet of Medeal that news managed to leak out, finally alerting the 8th Quadrant to the danger now lurking within its expanse.

The reports were chaotic, but several factors came through consistent; the aliens were insect-like, appearing in large numbers, shrouded in darkness. All attempts to destroy them had failed.

Over the next few days, scattered communications came through from Medeal, but soon, each sputtered into silence. The military attempted to come up with a plan, temporarily sealing off routes to the planet, but the swarm soon started to move again, tearing through any spacecraft in its way.

Only a single attacked craft managed to escape. Upon it, several wounded soldiers began mutating, falling to madness as they rapidly transformed into insect-like beings. One soldier, however, seemed to maintain his body and sense of self. He was able to relay crucial information to the 8th Quadrant military, most notable of which was a method to kill the swarm.

A bug could only be killed by another bug.

Several groups sprung to action all at once, each taking the new knowledge and rushing to transform it into a solution. From this hybrids were born; mixes of 8th Quadrant beings and insect matter that were capable of combating the swarm. Such hybrids are now common aboard most space faring vessels - the most common targets of swarm attacks - while the military attempts to push back against further advancement of the insect hordes.

So far, the flood has been slowed. Nothing, yet, however, has managed to stop it completely.

~ Setting ~

Very scifi. Technology is futuristic, ranging from shiny and sleek to more grime-y, depending on the planet and social sphere. There is a unified government and military throughout the 8th Quadrant, which is made up of several systems and hundreds of planets.

Space travel is common, through fairly treacherous, especially on ships that don't have a hybrid aboard. Stations can be found all throughout the quadrant, and are typically protected by two or more hybrids. Planets are attacked less frequently by swarms, though if enough insects gather, they will attempt to take over entire globes.

~ Details on the Swarm ~

The swarm is comprised of a wide variety of insect-like beings. They hunger constantly, consuming anything in their path that isn't metal or rock. They live as a hive mind and can freely communicate with each other within certain ranges

They are unable to function in full light. When exposed to light they quickly become lethargic, eventually falling into a state of hibernation

Swarm beings cannot be harmed by anything except other swarm beings. When an insect limb is severed, it quickly becomes extremely soft

If an insect feels trapped for too long, it will explode

When organic entities such as animals or plants are exposed to insect matter, they will be infected and begin to display insect-like mutations. Upon infection the hive mind can be heard, and infected individuals may be swayed by its influence. The more swarm matter and the more prominent the mutations, the louder the hive voice will be, until eventually the host is completely transformed. After full transformation, there has been no record of any host resisting the will of the swarm

There are several classifications of swarm insect, including warriors, scavengers, conductors, and behemoths. Insects within these categories can vary in size and shape

Warriors and Scavengers are the most common types. Warriors tend to lead swarm attacks, tearing into ships and dismantling defenses. Scavengers follow after, consuming and gathering remaining organic material which they either bring back to a hive or to behemoths

Conductors are less common, but there is typically at least one per swarm group. Conductors are capable of directing insects with more precision, serving as leaders of sorts, while also being capable of generating darkness fields. Within a darkness field, light will be severely dampened or completely absent, allowing insects to move freely within

Behemoths are rare, typically being gigantic in size. They are the most powerful of the swarm, and are rarely seen unless involved in a planet takeover

~ Details on Hybrids ~

There are two types of hybrids: graft and transfusion

Graft hybrids has been fused with insect matter, typically in the form of a body part such as a limb. They undergo photon radiation therapy to prevent the infection from spreading. Graft hybrids can function in light so long as their insect aspects are covered, and are less susceptible to the hive mind. They are, however, only able to kill the swarm with infected parts of their body

Transfusion hybrids have been given transfusions of insect blood. Because their entire body is infected, they can freely fight the swarm, though they are more susceptible to the hive mind. Like swarm insects, they become lethargic and eventually fall into a state of hibernation when exposed to bright light

Some hybrids volunteer for the process, while others were taken, sold, or infected on accident

Most hybrids are assigned an 'expiration date' after their initial infection, after which they are to be 'retired' from service

[danthekickingman]

Edith’s reaction was more neutral - her expression steady as the navigator’s report came through.

At least Beatrix was excited. She offered a short, amused huff before gesturing curtly to the other officers.

“This way.”

In a matter of seconds they were gone. Beatrix was left alone in the glaringly bright room, only the alarms left now to keep her company.

That, and the hybrid.

He remained unmoved, even through the blare of approaching danger. Thirty more seconds passed. While the ship shifted into lockdown, the hybrid continued his slumber.

Then the field passed through the room.

What had been blinding light vanished within a second. In its wake followed absolute darkness - not a hint of a display or even the surrounding stars to be seen.

It was there, in that suffocating, sound numbing void, that Beatrix’s company finally awoke.

He didn’t take any time to shake off the slumber. As soon as his eyes opened - invisible to any who required light to see - he bolted from his position, sprinting at breakneck speed in the direction of the elevator.

Up, coming in through the left side of the hull. He drew on the details of the map he’d been shown earlier, already routing out his path as he dashed past Beatrix.

Aside from a brief glance, she was completely ignored.

╼ ༺ :||          Whilst the officers gave report, Beatrix remained fixated on their hybrid. Common as the units were, something about their handling never sat too well upon her mind. Willing, or unfortunately unwilling, to have donned this lifestyle, there were those she'd known to remain in stasis only as needed. As if their humanity had been revoked. Then there were those that have lost it, warranting these tight nit regulations. Though unsure of Dan's circumstance, protocol was protocol.

Crew medics were obviously relieved and eagerly met the officers as they helped moved Dan's body into place. From here, she could make out a few relayed messages. Minor things his file would not possess and a transfer examination.

Content as the captain was overseeing this smooth transaction, Beatrix turned her attention upwards milliseconds before alarms flashed and echoed within the room.

WARNING!.. WARNING!..

It was then the navigator came across the comm, calm and clear for everyone aboard Griffin's Heart. "Darkness incoming. Scans currently show an estimation of ten insects entering radius. Type unknown. At minimum one controller type suspected. Cannot complete lockdown with transfer ship docked. Take precaution."

"How fortuitous~" Much to everyone's dismay, Beatrix held a pleasant smiled and drew her pistol. She wasn't worried, but it was the excitement that may have been more unsettling for their visitors. Too... welcoming for a fight.

"Edith, see that our guests and crew are escorted to safety. I want to see our new hybrid in action."

[danthekickingman]

"Hm," she hummed without intonation.

Neither the grimace nor the sigh were lost on her. Admittedly, even without knowing her student's thoughts, Edith suspected the same - this was an assignment meant either to rattle or to irritate their crew.

That, or both.

But she would make no judgement. Not yet - not until she witnessed the situation with her own eyes.

When the elevator stopped she followed after her captain, squinting from the brightness of the room compared to the elevator. The stationed medic stepped forth to deliver a prompt report. An aptly timed one, too - for the moment the last word left their mouth, the doors to their left hissed open.

Two logistics officers greeted Beatrix with a sharp "Sir!". Between them, a third figure was presently slung - and it was this one that they had been waiting for.

Dan Maerin. The new hybrid assigned to their ship.

He matched the image in his file. Scar marked skin, greying blond hair. The height fit, too - he was much taller than the officers flanking him, his feet dragging along the ground while they held him by his arms.

Eye color was less obvious. He was, after all, unsurprisingly unconscious.

"We'll get him over to his station," the left officer barked out. With practiced coordination, she and her companion began lugging the hybrid between them over towards the back of the room.

╼ ༺ :||          Having resorted to staring out into space and seemingly searching the sea of endless stars, Beatrix would break from the void with a few soft clicks of a slim tablet.

"Dan Maerin. Male. Served on three prior spacecrafts, including," Beatrix paused as her lips pulled back in a thinly veiled grimace, "Station Azalea..." No that their failure fell on this hybrid's fault, however the reputation was a small blot on his records. Scrolling further down, Beatrix added, "Quite skilled in martial arts."

"...but disinterested in military service."

The screen dimmed instantly.

As the elevator reached its destination, she sighed irritably. She couldn't help but feel this specific assigned operative was some sort of subtle jab, but didn't feel inclined to share those sentiments with Edith. They were, of course, merely suspicions. Without word Beatrix exited with her second following suit into a still vacant stasis chamber.

Within the sterilized, and blindingly white room, one of the crew medics approached with salute. "Captain. Excellent timing. Logistics are presently in decontamination with the hybrid."