Hissikkid Diplomacy (Hanshin)

[Ares]

Seven hideous abominations buzzed over Patria Elementum, the beautiful nation of the Sprites. Insula Elementum was ahead, a volcanic island sitting placidly on the beautiful lake. A glass-like bridge of pure ice, maintained by Water Sprites, extended from the peaceful shore, across the placid waters, and to the beautiful city's entrance. However, the tranquil effect was quite obviously marred by the fact that seven, black-armored Hissikkid Domates whizzed over the landscape.

The seven insects flew over the ice bridge, their obsidian carapaces shining in the sunlight. Each bore four, glowing red eyes, a pinkish crest, a huge spike instead of a left forearm, clawed fingers on their right, digigrade legs, and six wings that buzzed from the sheer speed of the vibrations.

The Domates blasted over the last part of the bridge, their wings humming like some enormous wasp. The seven foot-tall insects finally reached the end, and landed in front of the city. Their hideous presence brought stares of horror from the Sprites neaby, as their exoskeletons shone darkly in the sun...

The foremost Domate clacked his mandible and screeched shrilly in some hideous language, a harsh clicking and squealing. When the Sprites didn't understand, he attempted to deliver whatever he was saying again. Yet again, the Sprites couldn't understand Kittikid, the Hissikkid language. He was getting angry, apparently so he reached into his back carapace, and withdrew a small, wasp-like creature of a greenish color. The Domate spoke again in his insectile language, and the little winged insect in his left hand turned to face the Sprites, and translated into Basic.

"We of the Great Hissikkid Hive Mind will speak with your leader. Now."

The six hulking Domates behind the obvious leader tightened their grip on what they were holding in their only grasping hand. They all toted a huge, menacing battle staff with a blade on each end, and many serrations and saw edges. These were not weapons of war... These were weapons of intimidation.

 

[Hanshin]

((Just so you know, the bridge isn't frozen unless visitors are addressed and welcome. I'll give an excuse, though.))

The peaceful tranquility of the city was only half-hearted that day, as the guards were all edgy at the lack of Water sprites to unfreeze the bridge. They had been called off to douse a small rumbling in the volcano. Many flame sprites objected to the preventative measures, but they were overruled due to the danger the fires posed to the other Sprites and the wall surrounding the island, which was highly susceptible to extreme heat. Of course, the invasion of hideous beings brought the level of discontent even higher, causing many of the population to consider going to bed early and sleeping it all off.

All of the bystanders looked confusedly at one another, not willing to speak for their nation due to the fact that they were merely civilians. Then, many Wind sprites began to gather at a large building in their district. Gradually, a great wind began to flow from the building to the visitors, amplifying the voice that it carried on its shoulders. "Who are you, who invade our peace and make outrageous demands without courtesy or respect, armed with tools of dismay? State your intentions, and be they acceptable, you will be granted an audience."

As if on cue, half of the assembly of guards that was stationed at the gate arrived at the scene, and Earth sprites were signaled to stand around the insects in formation, prepared to imprison the newcomers if anything went ill. The leader of this force looked up at the creatures and grimaced. "They don't look like good news, no they don't" He grumbled to himself. "They don't look like good anything, really".

 

[Ares]

The hulking Domate growled and chittered again in his harsh language to the little translator insect. I spoke again, now the the Sprite who was speaking from the building some distance away.

"We are the Hissikkid Hive Mind. We will speak with the Leader of the Sprites."

The one who was in the front looked with a sense of almost detatched curiousity at the large number of guards gathering around the group of seven Domates. The obisidian-carapaced insects seemed unfazed, but there was still a sense of irritation in the air around the huge creatures. The one in the lead screeched and clacked his mandibles together again in Kittikid. The translator wasp translated in its harsh accent, "We have been armed so that we will not be unjustly murdered by your overly agressive 'defense' force." The second-to-last word was spoken with a measure of mild disgust, and a hiss.

The seven stood, their four eyes glowing balefully as they glared at the security force...

 

[Hanshin]

The wind sprite didn't care for the way the military was agitating the situation, but they were acting on protocol, and even if things went bad they wouldn't cause needless deaths that would surely start a war. Unfortunately, these beings seemed like they wanted war, and she wasn't ready to give it to them. "Please state your intentions, great Hive. Even the commander of our military is rarely granted an audience with our ruler, so is the caution of our people. If your intentions are peaceful, you will be allowed to speak with him." The wind sprite was speaking in a soft, smooth tone, so as to not anger them, but worried it might cause them to think that their nation was weak.

She decided to add a touch of courtesy, "I ask that you do not think of our caution as hostility. We are merely exercising restraint, as we have never communicated with your Hive before" She avoided the term 'species', and instead took a word that would appeal to their hive mind, hopefully slightly relaxing them.

Meanwhile, the menacing look the large insects were giving them was causing the military earth sprites to become uncomfortable.

 

[Ares]

The Domate looked up at the Wind Sprite standing on the tall building with an odd detatchment. Such was a Hive Mind- he was simply a part of a whole. The hulking Hissikkid chittered in his harsh, insectile language once more, and the translator wasp spoke again.

"The Hive Mind does not wish peace as you intend it. Assimilate, and you will have a voice in our Hive. Resist, and be covered in the swarms of the Ten Hives. Your desire for peace will hopefully point you to most pleasant course of action."

The Domate seemed to be recieving a message of sort, as his glowing red eyes dulled for several seconds, and he froze. Then, the obsidian-carapaced insectoid screeched and chittered in Kittikid again, and the Traslator did his job.

"You have the privilige of being adressed by the One Queen's personal Domates. She wishes to enlighten you... If you peacefully assimilate, you will understand. But we will enlighten you anyway. We wish to not harm you, for you are not our enemies. You can be closer than allies to the Great Hissikkid Hive Mind Monarchy... or, alternatively, you can be overrun by our Hives. If you care for your citizens, then I hope you will know what the best choice is."

The Domates, still not seeming to think their demands were unreasonable, stayed relaxed. After all, they were the Elite fighting units of the Hissikkid Hive Mind, and, after all, they didn't care for life or death. The Queen was their mind, and their bodies were simply tools.

 

[Hanshin]

The wind sprite paused temporarily, considering her predicament. She lacked the understanding of this species to explain the situation in a way that the Hive could understand, and sacrificing a diplomat to join their collective might end in the Sprite becoming overwhelmed. However, she knew one individual who contained five seperate souls and minds in one body, allowing him to maintain individuality while sacrificing one persona to the beings. In her distant location, she signaled for the one in question to be summoned. "If it please the mighty queen, we will send an emissary to commune with you by joining The Hive Mind, and share our current condition of individuality, while we consider your request." The final clause was simply a formality, but necessary nonetheless.

The messenger opened the cruel metal door, but on its other side it was comfortably domestic. A water sprite sat up from the bed, and as the aura around its hand faded to red the flame in the fireplace was extinguished. "mmez eep ssea ennerrz" it exclaimed as it morphed to human form. "...is it this time?" he finished in an irritated voice. "It'd better not be another medical exam." The messenger, a flame sprite, gave a bow. "Master Vir" he began, and began to explain the situation.

 

[Ares]

The seven insects seemed to pause for a minute before turning into a circle and hissing clicking their mandibles at each other, apparently discussing, even arguing with each other. The lead one soon turned from the other six, and spoke in Kittikid to the translator.

It translated, "The One Queen has considered your solution, and found it acceptable."

The seven insectoids then seemed to get, be it possible, even more detatched from the huge phalanx of Sprite quards around them. One, in fact, crouched down in a position that was comfortable for a Hissikkid Domate's physiology. The lead Domate watched the buiding where the Air Sprite was speaking from. She seemed very reasonable, actually. By far more intelligent than some bumbling fools who dared to call themselves rulers on this continent...

 

[Hanshin]

A wind sprite stepped out of the crowd briskly, with an air of discontent. "mep zzeep rvenzeez eneer esstez" it said nonchalantly. Quickly, a Flame sprite jumped out next to him. "What he means is, er..." He mulled over the Wind Sprite's odd sounds, tapping the side of his head with a finger. "Anyway..." He opened a scroll with the seal on it. "Please accept this emissary, whose willingness to join the Hive Mind is unparalleled. I hope that this will conclude external negotiations at this time, although much will undoubtedly continue between this sprite and your greatness." A last gust of wind carried the final words to the insects.

The Earth sprites dissipated their formation and moved back to their commanding officer. Also, the flame sprite gestured in a friendly way towards the Hissikkid, his discontent entirely gone. "Zerrrr" He muttered, nodding his head, as if to concur with what the Wind Sprite had said.

 

[Ares]

The Hissikkid Domate nodded after the Flame Sprite spoke. In his huge, clawed left hand, he took the scroll, and spoke in the harsh Kittikid language. The Translator wasp continued, "The One Queen is most pleased. To seal this deal," the wasp said, "I have a gift for the Leader of the Sprites in return. The Hive Mind believes in adequate repayment, so for your leader, we gift her this."

The hulking lead Hissikkid reached onto his back, pulling off the huge, bladed battlestaff. It was a long, black metal rod with many, many jewels of a variety unmatched on any piece of jewelry, save that of royalty. The battlestaff had shining, polished blades. A single tassle hang from one end, decorated with a vibrant feather. The huge, black-carapaced Hissikkid laid the intricate staff on the ground in front of the Flame Sprite.

"Negotiations have gone far better than expected. The One Queen thanks you all."

 

[Hanshin]

"Thank you, great Queen. Your gift is most generous." The flame sprite responded, closing the scroll and lifting the staff with great difficulty. He then floated slowly back towards the Wind district, leaving the lone wind sprite with the Hissikkid. He looked up, and managed to muster a confident facial expression. "Peezr" He said, bowing.

---

Really, insects. Why insects? Why in this wonderful, lush world did I get stuck with giant bugs? Oh well, it could be worse. I could be stuck with blood-sucking demons. I guess I should make the most of this, and enjoy this long venture. It wasn't often that I get an opportunity like this to maintain control for so long.

Hey, no one else wanted to deal with the Insects, or else you wouldn't get the control. That's why you're doing it, because you're good at dealing with other species. Also, you know a helluvalot more about linguistics than any of us, especially Rocky.

Excuse me? I can hear you, you know. Just because I have slightly less intelligence than you doesn't mean i'm any less important. Anyway, I at least know more about personal hygiene than you!

And that's not saying much, mr. mud-face.

All right that's enough everyone. You're all just pissed that Gusty gets the body. C'mon, it won't take that long, and he'll be trapped in a Hive mind. Who knows, he may lose his individuality and have to be mentally beaten back into submission!

I know you're cheering them up, but please stop there...

 

[Ares]

The Hissikkid Domates looked at the Sprite. He was small, but he seemed to emanate power, exude energy. A figure to be respected. The black-carapaced insect clicked and hissed in Kittikid, and the little wasp said to the Sprite, "The One Queen senses much power and strength in you. As a gesture of respect, you may choose to have the position of a Hive Domate, if you so wish."

After waiting for him to respond, he continued in his insect language to the unseen Spritre residing on the hill. The wasp dutifully translated, "The Queen has one last request before we leave- we wish to transport a small number of air troops through the air over Patria Elementum. If they go unmolested, then we will not interfere with anything your people do. Is that a suitable request?"

 

[Hanshin]

Should we take it? Refusal could be viewed negatively. I'm not sure what a Domate is, but it seems like an honor. I vote yes.
Sure, why not
I don't like it...
Nah, seems harmless to me
Do it.
Okay, four out of five is yes.

The wind sprite nodded, understanding why that request would be presented. "You may, as long as you maintain an altitude of four hundred meters." he wanted them below Patria Ventus' cities, but still fairly high.

So how do we accept?
Vir nodded.