Build Sequence Is Key

A Hero's Part

Jason stayed looking over the bug's shoulder until the new overlord hybrid was done. All the geneticists stepped back and gave themselves high fives all around. They were proud of their work.

"How do you like it?" Red and black said.

Floating above them was a newly evolved overlord. There was nothing about it that looked like Julia. But this could have been because the overlord species had such an amalgamation of racial facial features. Its brain case dominated everything else.

"We are calling it a matriarch. What do you think?"

Red and Black had asked a second question in a row without waiting for the answer to the first.

"The name is great."

Overall of the matriarch was larger than a normal overlord. It also was much slower and floated lower in the air. The reason for this was evident. Tons of mammary glands hung from the very center of its body, the lowest point. Insect like legs grew out from the lower structure of the skull/spine that was the bottom of the matriarch.

In mammals the mammary glands would have been located in rows symmetrically spaced running down the belly. However on the matriarch this was not the case. Sacs hung narrow at the top and then drooping down like a tear drop. All the sacs originated from the same general location. And there was no symmetry at all. Instead maybe twenty of these sacs gently moved up and down as some mysterious internal chemistry changed the height at which they persisted.

Large nipples were conveniently located at the bottom of each sac. It was going to be easy for the dragons to nurse.

"This looks good." Jason said tentatively. He still was conflicted mentally about Julia being cloned for the model of this matriarch.

"Excellent, I think you will need at least ten of these maybe more depending on how much your dragonets feed. But I suggest starting with ten."

"Just keep this one for now. I want to see if this situation will work first before we go adding more."

"Of, course, of course. Let us know if you have any other needs. We would be happy to help."

"Wait! I never asked your name?"

"Oh, we don't have names." Red and black said easily. Going back to its work Jason was left there awkwardly standing around.

Eventually Jason left. It was going to be really interesting to find out more about these Zerg and genetics.

Once he left the evolution chamber he was tempted to really look into the other Zerg and Orc buildings. But he decided against it. He could spend hours here learning. Frankly he could spend years here it looked like.

However, right this moment he needed to either get into the combat training or go back to his cube. He needed to check on Nicole and see what was happening with his friends. His start in the game is still delayed and he didn't know what he was missing out on.

Jason ended up going back to his cube. But not before remembering to check his next mission. Once he read the info their he confirmed his decision. It was probably better to check in with Nicole first.

When he materialized inside his cube he was again accosted by Nicole who had been waiting for him.

"What were you doing for so long!"

"Ah, I was studying..."

He tried to say something in response to her question. But she talked over him again.

"It is okay, it doesn't matter. Come on, the others want to have a planning meeting."

She grabbed his arm and would have literally pulled him out of the cube if he hadn't scrambled to get up and out.

"We just got out of our mission. By the way we all saw the score you racked up for us. Nice job beating the second mission like that."

Jason blushed, "It is not all good. I just checked my next mission and I have a challenge from Julia's team."

It was only a few steps to the table at the center of the dorm room. Here Nicole stopped and turned around to face him. Her black side didn't quite touch the table, she was not one to slouch.

"Ugh, that sounds like a team battle, then."

"A team battle?"

While they were talking their other team mates gathered and started listening in.

"Yes, challenges can be made at any level. Individual, team, county, country as well as within the space station for entities recognized by the system. Could be anything really. The system really likes challenges, for some reason.

Jason raised his brow, 'Something I will have to ask Cecelia about.'

"So what is your plan?"

Nicole asked Jason after she had made sure everyone knew what they were talking about.

"Um, actually I didn't know we would be challenged. But, honestly I planned on loosing any confrontation. Julia is way more powerful than me. I could never beat her."

Jason looked down ashamed now that he had to explain.

"What? Then how did you bear her already?"

Shaking his head he explained, "By using her assumptions against her. She thought I was new to these types of games and that I would be a pushover."

He shrugged.

"I took advantage of that. That's all."

"Then why can't you do that again?" This time it was Ruth who asked. But Nicole had opened her mouth and then closed it to nod like that was what she was going to ask.

"Because, they are going to be ready for it."

Jose spoke, "Well, I don't think we should just give up."

Jason's heart fluttered. This was his crush. She was asking him to try. And suddenly he couldn't speak.

"..."

Nicole smacked him on the back, "What's the matter, car for your tongue?"

"..."

He really didn't want to make a fight of it. There was so much more to loose if he actually tired.

"Let's put it to a vote. All in favor of at least trying raise your hand."

Everyone else raised their hands.

"K then, it looks like we don't even have to ask for nays."

Jason put his fingers to his temples and tried to massage them. Nicole slapped him on the back and laughed.

"Looks like you got to try buddy."

Inside his head he heard Cecelia speak, -Have you forgotten what I said about getting Julia to come over to your side?-

'Argh, I was trying to forget.'

-Just saying you do have a chance to do this. Julia will definitely switch sides.-

'...'

Out loud Jason said, "Alright, alright. I'll do it."

"Good! What is your plan then?"