Path of the Hive Queen

The room was quiet for a moment as everyone considered the recording they had just seen. It was one thing to hear about the gods, it was a bit different to actually see them in person. And, well, arguing like spoiled children. About the fate of the world; that made it worse.

“Well, thank you for not throwing me to the wolves,” Regina finally said.

“Perhaps you shouldn’t thank me,” Alianais said quietly. “I must confess I considered it for a moment. Given the threat the Mesen pose …”

“If it’s to protect the rest of the world, I can hardly blame you,” Regina answered, shaking her head. “I don’t think we would have gone quietly, but still, if it’s a choice between the rest of the gods’ help in fighting off an existential threat of that of my hive, it probably wouldn’t be wrong to want the former.”

“That’s assuming they would help,” Janis muttered. “Or wouldn’t help now.”

“I rejected the false dichotomy they placed before me,” Alianais said. “Leian was right. We need everyone. And perhaps this is not the end.”

“You think you can still convince them?”

“Leianaleine believes they might have been ‘playing hardball’, as you would say,” the goddess explained. “Trying to extract concessions from us by holding their cooperation hostage. Not that it wouldn’t still be stupid.”

Regina frowned, considering it for a moment. She could see why Leian might think so. The gods should be smarter than to completely deny cooperation in the face of this threat. But she was also concerned they might be too optimistic and projecting their own hopes or thinking onto the other gods. Plus, while something definitely rubbed her the wrong way about the scene she’d just seen, she just didn’t really think that was it. Although she might be wrong, of course.

“I suppose that might be better than the alternative,” she said grudgingly. “I’m not convinced, to be honest, but the two of you know your esteemed colleagues better than I do. Uh, no offense,” she added at the goddess’ look.

“No need to apologize,” Alianais sighed. “This is too important to get hung up on such things. I am trying not to be overbearing. I do value your input.”

That was probably the closest she would come to an apology for possibly being a bit of a bitch before, but Regina still appreciated it. She nodded.

“I don’t want to ask this, but is there a chance they were, uh, influenced?”

Alianais frowned. “I very much doubt it. They are still themselves and acting like themselves. Unfortunately perhaps,” she added, then made a face. “And it should be impossible to psychically influence gods. The Mesen have never done it before to my knowledge. As for other types of influence … no, they might not be acting intelligently right now, but they would still know better than to make any deals with the enemy even if they were approached. Denying their existence or approach is one thing …”

“People can turn to denial when they’re afraid,” Iseis muttered.

“Perhaps so.” Alianais sounded unhappy. “I suppose it’s easier to convince ourselves that they won’t come if there’s no real proof.”

Regina supposed that seemed like the most plausible answer. Not that she didn’t want to shake the gods until they saw sense if they really were just in denial, or even playing power games. But dwelling on that wouldn’t get her anywhere.

“Is there anything you need from us while you and Leian try to find the Mesen?” she asked. “For that matter, may I ask what exactly you’re doing?”

Alianais regarded her silently for a moment before she clearly decided to get on with it. “For now, we are focusing on collating information. Leian is still canvassing the solar system, while I am coordinating my followers to look for potential hints. Unfortunately, there are a lot of false leads. We are also analyzing the visions and information we do have. Berren is compiling all information we have on the Mesen, going through his and Leian’s memories, but unfortunately, they’re largely several centuries out of date.”

“Are you using the System to help the search?” Regina asked.

“Oh, good idea,” Galatea said. “The System is spread across the whole world, isn’t it? Its mana should come in contact with any foreign elements. I imagine processing the data is the hard part?”

Alianais nodded slightly. “I will ask Leian to focus on it when she returns, but she is mainly occupied with her current search for now. Unfortunately, we haven’t made much headway with the System. And yes, it is everywhere people are, or monsters. Which I suppose leaves uninhabited wilderness, but those are rather rare, and the lack of other life would make it easier to find anyone hiding there, anyhow. More likely, they are hiding in inhabited places, if they are here. Actually finding and identifying trace amounts of foreign mana or other hints from the System is the true challenge.”

“I suppose computers would be useful,” Regina mused.

Alianais smiled faintly. “They would have to work with mana. Although if you wanted to attempt to make some, I certainly wouldn’t complain; they might indeed be useful. I believe we will likely have a biomagical system set up by Leian and Berren sooner, even if it might not be as good.” She paused, glancing at Galatea. “Perhaps you could help, Galatea.”

“I’ll try my best,” Galatea said resolutely.

Regina considered it for a moment, wondering how she could best help. Unfortunately, the Empire’s industry really wasn’t anywhere near producing useful computers, and she didn’t have the first clue how to integrate them with magic. She should probably handle the larger strategic situation instead.

“Is there anything else I can do?” Regina decided to ask outright.

Alianais looked at her silently for a moment. “Do what you can to strengthen your Hive and your nation, Regina. Hone your power. And … win this war. You cannot afford to lose it, now more than ever. And perhaps the others will be more inclined to be reasonable if they must talk to us to accomplish what they want rather than being able to force the issue.”

“I understand.”

Alianais nodded, looking at everyone again, her expression contemplative. Then she turned. “I must go and resume our work. Good luck to you all.”

As usual, she barely waited for a response. Instead, she crossed to the desk, assumed the same position the statue had been in, and vanished. Regina glanced at the statue of the goddess once more, sighing as she turned to leave. She could sense there was nothing else for her here.

“Well, at least she’s friendly?” Galatea offered quietly as they made their way through the temple.

“Silver linings,” Janis muttered.

Regina hummed. She would have commented on it, but they were met by a group of priests just then. So instead, she turned to speak to them while a part of her attention lingered in the psychic link.

They managed to get through the conversation with the local priests quickly without offending anyone, and Regina politely declined their offers of hospitality. It didn’t take long before they were outside the temple again. Regina glanced around at the town. Rather fittingly, it was raining. She used a trickle of her magic to keep the water off her and her companions.

“What now?” Iseis asked. “Back to the capital?”

“Yes.” Regina absently scratched Thor’s shoulder, but paused before she actually climbed on. She looked at the others. “We also need to get things in motion. Janis, have you had the chance to see about our plan for the southern cities?”

Janis paused in climbing on her own drone mount, raising an eyebrow. “Kind of. We’ve done some planning, made some progress, but it’s not finalized yet. We could start actually sending people out to get started pretty soon, though.”

“Good, then please make sure to get ready, start preparations and get things moving. Tell me if there are any issues, otherwise I think you know who to talk to and they shouldn’t give you any trouble.”

“Of course. I might need your help to Conjure a few things for a plan B. The stuff that makes an impression.”

“No problem.” Regina looked at the others and sent an order through the psychic link. “Thor, if you would?”

“Yes, Mother. Please hold on tightly, we’ll be flying through a thunderstorm.”

They ascended into the sky quickly. Regina reinforced her magical shield against the rain, trying not to let water get whipped into her eyes by the wind. Then she stared out into the clouds and focused on the psychic link.

There was a lot of work to do. It hadn’t even been a day since she’d learned about the Mesen; she wasn’t sure it had even been a full day since the negotiations in the south and wasn’t inclined to check. At least that meant there wasn’t too much other work piled up while she was distracted, but Regina still had to make sure that everyone who should be informed, was, and delegate a few other duties.

She huddled closer to Thor’s back as a particularly large gust of wind threatened to send her shield flying, blinking against the storm around them.

Maybe we should have used a portal, Janis said. I think Iseis might just disappear out from under us.

Regina glanced back, then pushed her magic a little more to extend her shield further. I think it’s a little late now, but yeah. Also, we should probably get some sleep once we’re back, first.

That might not be a bad idea, Janis conceded. She glanced at the others again, clearly concerned.

Thor moved his wings harder and they shot upward. Regina tightened her grip, holding her breath for a moment. Then she saw the light up ahead. With a sudden burst, they broke through the clouds, out of the storm.

Thor leveled out, gliding across the sky with the storm below them, the other drones rising in a breathtaking wave to join them. Regina felt her breath catch again at the sight. The stormy clouds beneath them, dark and lit with the rare flashes of lightning, spreading out like a turbulent three-dimensional sea. It was beautiful. Only flying with her own wings would have made this better.

The others agreed, and they flew in silence for a minute, admiring the view. Regina reached out with her magical senses, tentatively using her elemental magic Spells to take control of some of the air and water, without actually exerting control. Watching the process was fascinating. It reminded her that no matter what they’d done, what she’d learned, there was always more beauty in the world to discover. Wow, I’m feeling poetic today, she mused. But it’s nice to see nature in full form like this. Just us and the sky.

It was still cold up here, though. They probably shouldn’t stay too long.

I wonder if I could conjure up a storm, Janis mused after a while. It would probably take a lot of mana.

I probably could, Regina considered. I think with a bit of time to prepare, we could make a hell of a storm.

Hm. Pity you can’t take the field against the enemy, use it at the front.

Regina grimaced. Sometimes I wish I could, she admitted.

I understand. It’s different to send others to fight, and it sucks that so much of the fighting is so far away outside our reach … not that it wouldn’t be worse if it was closer, Janis added quickly. We don’t want them to invade.

Regina snorted softly. Yeah. There is that. I do wonder, though. This use of magic …

When did we start only thinking about war? Sorry, that was on me, I think.

No, she chuckled. Well, yes, maybe, but not what I meant this time.

Then what did you mean? Janis asked.

I suppose I just realized that using magic, or the System, to manipulate the weather on a large scale should be possible. If not by individuals, then groups of mages. And yet it doesn’t seem to be practiced, or at least not here. Magic and the System are used to help crops grow, but usually only in very local ways. Individual farmers using their Class Skills and such.

There have been attempts, Janis said slowly. But not many, I guess. Growing up, I’ve always heard that trying that sort of thing would be too risky. Attempt to control the weather for too long and there will be backlash. And the coordination and resources it would require to do that aren’t easy for a kingdom to gather, either.

So, this might be a case where not having enough knowledge of meteorological systems is more of a hurdle than finding mages with enough strength?

Janis shrugged. Maybe. You think this is one more thing the gods held us back on?

Maybe. Regina supposed she should be used to it. But every time they talked about one more area where people could have so much more, if not for the gods directly or indirectly costing them the opportunity, it made her angry. This was just one thing that her old civilization could never have done, or at least not without a lot more technology.

Are you going to try to do that kind of thing, across the Empire? Janis asked. There was a hint of concern in her mental voice.

Probably not, Regina answered after a moment of thought. They’re not wrong, trying to mess with the climate like that would be very dangerous. We don’t want to cause unforeseen and catastrophic downstream effects.

Yes, that’s probably wise. It’s something that will require careful research, Janis agreed.

Regina sent agreement and then let the connection fade, instead just letting herself take in the sight around her for a minute. Tentatively, she reached out again. She was still keeping up a shield, against the wind and the cold, but she no longer focused on it. Instead, she stretched her awareness through the storm behind her. Activating Water Manipulation, she tried to sense as much of the water in the storm clouds as possible. It was chaotic and overwhelming if she tried to take in everything at once, but Regina had learned how to process large amounts of information. It wasn’t the same, but the psychic link and sensing the other minds around her was still practice for something like this. And she supposed her high mental Stats probably helped.

Experimentally, she tried to quiet the storm beneath her a bit. Not still it; she knew that might not end well. Just calming it down a little. Make the clouds release slightly less water. And it worked. Surprisingly well, maybe because she was working gradually. She could even see the change in the tapestry of clouds beneath them if she focused.

I think I might have neglected my magic, Regina mused. But now … if we have to fight these Mesen … who is to say I won’t have to fight as well? I’m still one of our strongest people. She glanced at the others with her; her family and people who depended on her. I should spend more time practicing and preparing. Janis is already doing more, but she did say she felt useless — she can take over a few of my duties. It would be good, anyway.

She might be Empress, but she was also their mage with the biggest mana reserves, and the most powerful psychic by a large margin, now that Madris wasn’t around. It only made sense that she should act accordingly.

Not that Regina hadn’t already tried to delegate effectively, of course. It wouldn’t be easy to squeeze more out, but she’d try. She had to be able to rely on her people.

And it was probably time for another round of trying to disaster-proof the Empire, anyway. They should be able to function without her. And they would have to cope with sudden attacks even in the interior of the country. Maybe even the destruction of cities. They could at least try to prepare, make contingency plans.

And … Regina sighed to herself, maybe a few plans for in case the Empire itself collapses, too. I won’t let my project fail like that. The knowledge, the changes in mindset, the ambition, that needs to survive.

The gods should know that there was no putting some genies back in the bottle. Even if they struck her down, others would rise in her place. Her legacy would endure. Regina had to have faith in that. Not that she wouldn’t do everything in her power to survive. But she wouldn’t let her enemies win.