Interstellar Age

Chapter 286 A Botched Seduction Attempt

Terminus arrived on the world of Midgard, which much to her surprise was a thriving metropolis. One where the citizens of the Silber Enclave wanted for nothing. And where all their needs were met by a fully automated robotic labor force. Even law enforcement was handled by Legion Series Combat Droids, who were a special model designed for less than lethal combat, riot control, and the apprehension of suspected criminals. 

In truth, she was a young Hive Queen, having only just reached the age of maturity, and was raised her entire life in the Hive Fleet Behemoth. Where she had been born and raised with the purpose of replacing her elder sister, who she had never known. 

A small diplomatic host of Nesurian insectoids were accompanying her. After all, they were what one might call a vassal of the Hive Fleet Behemoth, and thus, they were obliged to follow Terminus as if she were their actual queen. 

While the Nesurians looked like overgrown anthropomorphic locusts with humanoid faces. Terminus was a far more sinister looking bug. She had a jet black carapace that almost looked like it was made of obsidian, and amber colored wings. She also had a light blue pattern across her carapace, which resembled a human female's body in many ways. While her hair was the same color as the pattern on her carapace. 

She also had curled black and amber antennae on her forehead, and instead of white eyes, they were the same amber color as her wings. Terminus's feet resembled high heels, while her hands resembled monstrous claws. And she wore a beautiful amber dress that appeared to have been woven by some kind of silk. 

  Erich was quite surprised when this insectoid woman stepped into his throne room and curtseyed before him with a sign of respect. She then spoke in the Nesurian language, which was translated to Erich's ears by his NeuroLink. 

"Greetings Emperor Erich Jaeger, my mother sends her regards and wishes to establish diplomatic relations with your empire. I have heard the tales of your heroism, which were critical to the destruction of the Hive Fleet Terminus. You have our thanks for such gallantry, as our species considers the Naraku a blight upon the galaxy. 

But where are my manners? Please forgive me, I seem to have forgotten to properly introduce myself! My name is N'aleth Tsukaria, and I am the princess of the Nesurian Hive. 

Terminus tried her best to put on the act as a diplomat from a friendly insectoid species. But the Naraku cosidered all technology that was not a part of the hive to be an abomination, and with all the advanced technology of the Silber Enclave surrounding her, she had a hard time controlling her impulses. 

After all, the Naraku developed a unique form of biotechnology which was a living member of the hive, and could be communicated with via the hive mind. Yet, these alien humanoids relied on inorganic technology to traverse the stars and live their daily lives. It was truly reprehensible. 

Tia was not the only one who noticed the forced smile on the diplomat's face. After all, Erich had enough experience with alien life to tell when one was forcing them to be kind. And thus, he leaned forward on his throne, and observed the insectoid woman carefully, before saying something which damn near cracked her facade. 

"That's funny, because you don't seem sincere in your good will. Tell me, is there something that I have done to offend you? Or perhaps you and your people have intentions that differ from your words?" 

The Nesurian host immediately became anxious when they realized that Erich may have caught onto their master's schemes. So much so that they actually began to emit a chittering sound. This, of course, alerted Erich's guards, who were all Legion Series Combat Droids. After all, with their built-in sensors, they could scan the biometrics of an individual lifeform, and the Nesurians were abnormally anxious. 

It was at this point that Tia smirked; she was hidden within the crowd and was observing the Nesurian host, while scanning their anatomy. No matter what Terminus might claim, the differences in her anatomy proved she was not the same species as those locusts nearby. And thus she was quick to point this out while silently communicating with Erich. 

"Master... There are several notable anatomical differences between this so-called princess and her delegation. You may not believe Tia about her theories regarding the Naraku. But Tia can confirm that this princess does not belong to the Nesurian species, and that when she spoke about the destruction of Terminus and how brave your actions were, they were indeed insincere. Shall Tia order the guards to apprehend the fraud?" 

Erich did not say a word. Instead, he stood up and approached the insectoid beauty. Which caused the woman's heart to rapidly beat. This was something that Tia immediately noticed, and because of this she made damn well sure protective measures were in place to protect her master, while warning him of the dangers current present to him.

"Master... Tia would not advise to approach the unknown insectoid. It is unknown what her plans are, or whether or not she intends you harm?" 

There was only one problem. Terminus had silently unleashed her pheromones in Erich's direction while he was sitting on his throne. Because of this, it was almost as if he had completely come under the Hive Queen's spell. His mind only had one goal to make with this insectoid. And thus Terminus was smiling, albeit playing a convincing facade that she had no idea what had captivated the foreign Emperor while he spoke to her. 

"I'm curious. I have never met an insectoid that didn't look like anything other than a hideous bug... Just what does your body look like under that dress? Do you have breasts, or nipples?" 

Terminus wore a wicked smile on her pretty face, and was just about to say something when the Legion Series combat droids fired stun weapons at the Nesurian host, Terminus, and Erich. All of the targeted individuals immediately fell to the floor, incapable of moving. While the Legion Series Combat Droids apprehended Terminus and her host. 

Erich looked particularly wronged as he struggled to move and get closer to Terminus so that he could accomplish his biological imperative. While Tia got in his way and stepped on him. 

"Sorry Master... But this is for Master's own good. Tia does don't know how it happened, but Master has been drugged by this little bug... It would appear that Tia will have to run some experiments on her to find out how to fix Master..."

After saying this, the Legion Series Combat Droids moved swiftly, while carrying the Nesurian host off to the interrogation chambers. As for Tia, she personally escorted Terminus away, while the the remaining droids took Erich to the medical facility within his palace. 

---

By the time Terminus could talk again, she was heavily restrained by several robotic arms. While Tia performed a biometric scan of her anatomy. She once more confirmed that the woman was indeed not a Nesurian, before commenting on her incredible physique. 

"Just as Tia would expect from a remember of the Naraku Royalty. That body might look small in comparison to that of an average Germanic female, but there is considerable strength inside of it. And your claws? Far more dangerous than they appear...

Did you know that the chassis of the Legion Series Combat Droid which Tia designed is cable of withstanding the impact of all known small arms across the galaxy, and can even survive a direct attack by a plasma blade?

But curiously enough, Tia believes that your claws would very well be able to tear them apart. It would appear that Tia will need to make some modifications in the event that another devouring swarm was to attack Master's Empire...." 

Terminus was, of course, baffled, and dismayed by the fact that Tia had so easily guessed her origin, despite the fact that nobody in the galaxy knew what a Naraku Hive Queen looked like. 

"How.... How did you know? That's not possible, you wicked mechanical devil!"

Tia raised her brow when she heard this and scoffed before making an assumption about the Naraku that was fairly close to being accurate. 

"Curious... The Naraku are one of the few species in the galaxy who use bio-technology. At first, Tia thought that this was because these things were hatched as members of the Hive, and were thus easier to control. But now Tia believes that this might be the result of some form of religious dogma. Tell me bug, is Tia's assumption correct?" 

Terminus was visibly disgusted by Tia's very existence, and was quick to shout out the beliefs of the Naraku. 

"All who are not a part of the Hive are an enemy of the Hive! This includes your abominable technology!" 

Tia was naturally curious about this revelation, and as much as she wanted to interrogate Terminus for information regarding the complex society of her species. Tia had more important things to ask. And thus she sighed heavily before pulling out a specialized needle that was designed specifically to pierce through the carapace of a Naraku Hive Queen, which was harder than a diamond. With a sinister smile on the robotic beauty's face, she explained what her serum was. 

"This truth serum will force you to divulge everything you know to Tia. Alas, it has not been tested on insectoids. And because of this, Tia has no idea how it will affect you, or your hive mind. So brace yourself, little bug... Because this might very well be incredibly... Painful!" 

With this said, Tia injected the serum into Terminus' bloodstream. All the while Erich was recovering in the medical bay from the Naraku pheromones he had been doused with.