The Colony on Meranda IV - Part 25

This post started off as a one-off response to a writing prompt in the Freewriters Community. Then I wrote a part 2 (with the outcome literally determined by a coin toss).

But that naturally leads to a part 3, which is where this short series comes in. I felt that doing it in just one post really wouldn't give enough time to build up a bit of suspense 😀 Enjoy !

Also, sorry for the gap between the last post and this one.... reality got in the way....

Image created by AI in NightCafe Studio

As the last Einheriar ship winked out in the HoloTac display, Dafang shook his head groggily, trying to clear the fogginess left behind in a brain that had focussed power on a scale no human mind was designed for.

It took a few seconds for him to become aware of his surroundings again, as the babble of the Merandan Hive Mind receded to become just a slight background noise.

He became aware of ASP-Brigadier Garrad staring at him, pale faced and almost in shock.

"What the... how... what was that ?"

Dafang sat down heavily into the nearest chair, slumping with exhaustion.

"That, Brigadier, was the concentrated, focused hive mind of Meranda. Dealing with an imminent and lethal threat when every other option was gone."

"Yes, but.... wait, are you telling me that was some kind of telepathic force ?"

"If you put it like that Brigadier, then yes, I guess it was."

Garrad frowned, and stood deep in thought for what felt like an interminable time. Then it was as if he'd reached a conclusion.

"Governor, that kind of power combined with the Spineders' threat to seed this hive mind across the Empire is just too much. You must realise that there is no way Imperial Headquarters can allow it to exist outside Imperial control."

Dafang felt a flash of irritation; he wasn't sure it was his own or fed through from the Spineders. "Brigadier, the Spineders have made clear that all they want is to be left alone. For Meranda to be left alone. They're no threat to the Empire. Not unless the Empire tries to take Meranda over again."

"You say that, but how do we know these alien beings are telling the truth ? The risk is just too great."

Shaking his head sadly, Garrad spoke in a flat tone.

"I'm sorry to say this Governor, but that little display of force was the signature on the death warrant of this world and everything that lives here."

Previous posts in this series;

• https://peakd.com/hive-161155/@alonicus/24-january-2025-mariannewests-freewrite-writing-prompt-day-2626-mother-love - the post that started it all, and introduced the spine-spiders
• https://peakd.com/hive-199275/@alonicus/escape-from-the-caves-of-meranda-iv - the sequel, where the science team escapes back to base and recommends the planet not be colonised. They were too late.
• https://peakd.com/hive-199275/@alonicus/the-colony-on-meranda-iv-part-1 - we meet the Governor Dafang and get the first hints that the colony isn't going to plan
• https://peakd.com/hive-199275/@alonicus/the-colony-on-meranda-iv-part-2 - Governor Dafang takes a trip to the Greenfields settlement, only to find it is not there any more
• https://peakd.com/hive-199275/@alonicus/the-colony-on-meranda-iv-part-3 - a fractious meeting of the co0lony's government, and a worrying foreshadow
• https://peakd.com/hive-199275/@alonicus/the-colony-on-meranda-iv-part-4 - this is where things start to really go sideways for the colony
• https://peakd.com/hive-199275/@alonicus/the-colony-on-meranda-iv-part-5 - Doctor Helen Thwaites returns to Meranda to reveal the cover-up
• https://peakd.com/hive-199275/@alonicus/the-colony-on-meranda-iv-part-6 - Garnes tries to arrest Helen, and gets told to go away
• https://peakd.com/hive-199275/@alonicus/the-colony-on-meranda-iv-part-7 - Meranda Base finds itself surrounded by a broad band of patterns
• https://peakd.com/hive-199275/@alonicus/the-colony-on-meranda-iv-part-8 - Mr Garnes makes his move
  https://peakd.com/hive-199275/@alonicus/the-colony-on-meranda-iv-part-9 - Mr Garnes' juniors aren't impressed by his self-promotion
  https://peakd.com/hive-199275/@alonicus/the-colony-on-meranda-iv-part-10 - Wardek breaks Dafang out of prison, but Doctor Thwaites is swallowed up by the ground.
• https://peakd.com/hive-199275/@alonicus/the-colony-on-meranda-iv-part-11 - The fugitives use micro-drones to find out what Garnes is up to.
• https://peakd.com/hive-199275/@alonicus/the-colony-on-meranda-iv-part-12 - Dafang finds out that Wardek was actually a senior NCO in one of the toughest units the Empire has
• https://peakd.com/hive-199275/@alonicus/the-colony-on-meranda-iv-part-13 - Captured by Imperial Marines
• https://peakd.com/hive-199275/@alonicus/the-colony-on-meranda-iv-part-14 - A whole battlecruiser goes missing
• https://peakd.com/hive-199275/@alonicus/the-colony-on-meranda-iv-part-15 - Helen Thwaites makes a re-appearance
• https://peakd.com/hive-199275/@alonicus/the-colony-on-meranda-iv-part-16 - Helen delivers the Spineders' demands
• https://peakd.com/hive-199275/@alonicus/the-colony-on-meranda-iv-part-17 - Helen and Dafang go underground to meet the Spineders
• https://peakd.com/hive-199275/@alonicus/the-colony-on-meranda-iv-part-18 - Dafang wakes up to find he's been absorbed into the Spineder hive mind
• https://peakd.com/hive-199275/@alonicus/the-colony-on-meranda-iv-part-19 - The return to Meranda Base
• https://peakd.com/hive-199275/@alonicus/the-colony-on-meranda-iv-part-20 - Garnes gets what's coming to him
• https://peakd.com/hive-199275/@alonicus/the-colony-on-meranda-iv-part-21 - The Einheriar enter the picture
• https://peakd.com/hive-199275/@alonicus/the-colony-on-meranda-iv-part-22 - The Einheriar break through the Imperial defence line
• https://peakd.com/hive-199275/@alonicus/the-colony-on-meranda-iv-part-23 - Wardek delivers "The Package"
• https://peakd.com/hive-199275/@alonicus/the-colony-on-meranda-iv-part-24 - The full power of the Hive mind is focused to destroy the Einheriar