Sigma 16 T2 - Chapter 93 - Spidertalk (Patreon)

Big Red’s eyes locked onto Talia, the intensity of his gaze making her feel small and vulnerable. The realization hit her like a punch to the gut—Big Red was the undisputed ruler of this place. His authority radiated from him, an invisible force that demanded respect.

“Why-Maker-Come-Nest? Outsider-Forbidden-Here!” Big Red’s voice echoed through the chamber, each word a sharp click that reverberated off the metallic walls.

Chittering filled the air as spiders of all shapes and sizes emerged from the floor edges, their legs skittering over the smooth surfaces. Others descended from above, their bodies silhouetted against the glowing crystals. More poured in from the avenues, filling the street behind Talia. She glanced over her shoulder, her heart racing as she saw the mass of spiders blocking their exit.

“Uhh,” Talia stammered, trying to steady her voice. “I came to meet you and learn more about your kind. I brought some HEM gifts.”

Big Red’s eyes narrowed. “Where-HEM?”

Talia swallowed hard. “I gave it to a hurt spider,” she admitted.

Dapple chirped in agreement. “HEM-Repair-Damage-Undone!”

Big Red began his descent from the white pyramid, each step deliberate and heavy. He loomed over Talia and her companions, his size dwarfing them all.

He reached out a leg and poked Hot Pink’s back. “Maker-Device-Is-Eye?” he asked, his voice a low rumble.

Talia nodded, her throat dry. “Yes, I’m recording things.”

Big Red’s eyes bore into her, demanding an explanation. “Why-Maker-Spy-Tch’Llik’yzz’Lrr?”

Talia took a deep breath, feeling the weight of Big Red’s gaze on her. “We aren’’t spying, we just need more information,” she said, her voice steady despite the tension in the air. “Rosetta, my AI, specializes in languages. She can help us understand each other better.”

Big Red’s eyes narrowed, his legs twitching slightly. The other spiders chittered among themselves, their movements creating a symphony of clicks and chirps that filled the chamber.

Talia activated her wrist console, summoning a hologram. Rosetta’s face materialized, a soft blue light illuminating the surrounding area. The spiders fell silent, their eyes fixed on the hologram with rapt attention.

“Rosetta,” Talia said, her voice firm, “show them what you can do.”

The hologram shimmered and shifted and Rosetta transformed into a spider; her form mimicking the intricate details of the Tch’Llik’yzz’Lrr. She began to move, her legs clicking and chirping in a dance of communication. The spiders watched, their eyes wide with fascination.

Talia couldn’t decipher the gestures or sounds, but it was clear the spiders understood. They leaned closer, their bodies swaying in rhythm with Rosetta’s movements. The atmosphere grew tense, the air thick with anticipation.

“Neo,” she whispered, her voice barely audible over the spider sounds, “what do we do if things go south?”

[Notice: This unit advises caution. Contingency plans are unlikely to succeed if native lifeforms invoke hostilities.]

Talia glanced at Neo’s message on her HUD. She knew the stakes were high, and any misstep could lead to disaster.

[Recommendation: Maintain current course. Attempt to establish mutual understanding and cooperation.]

Talia’s frustration bubbled over. “It would be good to know what Rosetta is saying to them!”

Almost immediately, the translation started playing in her helmet. Rosetta’s voice filled her ears, cheerful and animated. “Greetings, esteemed Tch’Llik’yzz’Lrr! I am Rosetta, a translation AI specializing in xeno linguistics. Your language is fascinating, with its intricate blend of chirps, clicks, and leg movements. I am particularly interested in the somatic codes which are used by the Makers.”

Talia’s eyes widened. Rosetta was speaking rapidly, her enthusiasm palpable. The surrounding spiders watched with rapt attention, their eyes wide and their legs twitching in response to the hologram’s gestures.

“Your communication methods are a treasure trove of information,” Rosetta continued, oblivious to the stunned reactions. “The way you integrate movement into your language is unparalleled. It’s a living testament to the ingenuity of your species and your connection to the precursors! My mission is to bridge the gap between our languages, thanks to your unique linguistic structure.”

Big Red’s eyes narrowed, his attention fixed on the hologram. The other spiders shook with agitation. Something wasn’t right.

“The precursors, or Makers as you might know them,” Rosetta went on, “are theorized to have created multiple client races, including yourselves! Your language shares remarkable similarities with the uncovered artifact! By understanding your communication, we can unlock more secrets about their technology and culture! It’s an honor to work with you, and I am grateful for this opportunity!”

Panic surged through Talia. Why did she sound like a stupid GPT? “Rosetta, stop! Stop! You’re going to overwhelm them!”

Rosetta’s hologram froze mid-gesture. Silence fell over the chamber, the only sound a faint hum from the crystals.

“Just translate with the spider hologram for me,” Talia instructed.

“Confirmed,” Rosetta replied, her tone neutral.

Talia cleared her throat, feeling the weight of a hundred eyes on her. “I’m trying to learn more about the precursors because the Blues are coming through a Gate with weapons of war. I think they plan to attack and try to take over the HEM fields in the desert. I don’t know how, but the Tch’Llik’yzz’Lrr, the Ferroin, and precursors are all connected. Your language is related to the precursor language, and I found an artifact and hope to learn what it is.”

Big Red leaned closer, his massive form casting a shadow over Talia. “Maker-Not-Maker?”

She swallowed hard. That was not the take-away she wanted the spider to have. But there was no way she could be dishonest to them. “If by ‘Maker’ you mean the precursors, then no, I’m not. I’m from another planet called Earth, where humans come from.”

A low murmur of chitters filled the chamber, the spiders exchanging glances and subtle leg movements.

Big Red’s eyes narrowed. “If-not-maker-then-taker.”

Dapple trembled beside Talia. “No! Not-Taker! Is-Friend-Of-Nest!”

Hot Pink bounced on her legs, excitement radiating from her vibrant exoskeleton. “Share-HEM! Tasty-HEM!”

Talia smiled, her hand gently petting Dapple’s back, even if it didn’t calm her pounding heart as she met Big Red’s unwavering gaze. The weight of his words hung in the air, thick and heavy. She knew this moment was crucial. Any misstep could turn the spiders against her.

“Big Red,” she began, choosing her words carefully, “I’m not here to take anything from you. I’m here to learn and to help. The Takers are a threat to all of us, and together, we can stand against them.”

Big Red’s eyes narrowed, his legs twitching slightly. The other spiders chittered among themselves, their movements creating a song of clicks and chirps that filled the chamber.

[Notice: User’s diplomatic approach is advisable. This unit suggests emphasizing mutual benefits.]

Talia took a deep breath, nodding subtly at Neo’s message. “We have resources and technology that can benefit your nest,” she continued, her voice steady. “In return, your knowledge of the jungle and the precursors can help us defend against the Blues.”

Big Red’s gaze softened slightly, his massive form shifting as he considered her words. The other spiders watched intently, their eyes glinting in the dim light.

“Share-HEM,” Hot Pink repeatedly chirped, bouncing on her legs. “Tasty-HEM!”

Dapple added her voice to the chorus. “Friend-Of-Nest! Protect-Nest!”

Talia felt a surge of hope. The spiders’ support was crucial. She needed to build on it. “We can provide more HEM,” she said, her voice gaining confidence. “And we can help strengthen your defenses.”

Big Red’s eyes softened, the tension in the air easing slightly. “Not-Maker-Not-Taker,” he rumbled, the title resonating through the chamber.

Talia took a deep breath, grateful for the shift in tone. “The Blues have been attacking us,” she began, her voice steady. “They’ve advanced across the desert, aiming for the HEM deposit near my base. We need to defend it, and I believe we can share the HEM with you.”

Big Red’s eyes narrowed, his legs twitching as he considered her words. The other spiders chittered among themselves. Mosty repeating ‘HEM’ over and over.

[Notice: User should demonstrate technology to solidify alliance.]

Talia nodded subtly at Neo’s message. She reached for her wrist console, activating a hologram. “These are shield belts,” she explained, pointing to the holographic image. “My spider companions are wearing them. They can stop the Takers’ weapons.”

Big Red leaned closer, his massive form casting a shadow over Talia. His eyes focused on the hologram, curiosity evident in his gaze.

“Watch,” Talia said, gesturing to Hot Pink. The vibrant spider stepped forward, her shield belt shimmering as it activated. Talia pulled out her survival tool and aimed it at Hot Pink. The beam dissipated harmlessly against the shield.

The surrounding spiders chittered in amazement, their eyes wide with fascination. Big Red’s gaze remained fixed on the demonstration, his legs twitching slightly.

“I can make more of these for all the Tch’Llik’yzz’Lrr,” Talia continued, her voice steady. “We can work together to protect our homes from the Blues.”

Big Red’s eyes narrowed, his attention shifting back to Talia. “Not-Spy-On-Nest?”

Talia shook her head firmly. “No, I’m not here to spy on you. I want to work together and be friends.”

Big Red’s gaze softened further, his massive form relaxing slightly. The other spiders chittered among themselves, their movements creating a symphony of clicks and chirps that filled the chamber.

“Together,” Talia continued, her voice steady, “we can ensure the safety of your nest and my base.”

After a moment of tense silence, he clicked his mandibles in a gesture of acceptance. “Not-Maker-Not-Taker-Alliance,” he declared.

Dusky chirped excitedly, her legs twitching in a dance of joy. “Not-Taker-Talia-Brave! Fought-Giant-Worm!”

Hot Pink bounced on her legs, her vibrant exoskeleton shimmering. “Rescue-Tch’Llik’yzz’Lrr! Talia-Saved-Us!”

Dapple, more subdued, added her voice. “Talia-Good-Friend. Shares-HEM.”

Talia smiled, feeling a surge of warmth at their support. So they knew her name, after all.

“We’ve faced many dangers together,” she said, her voice steady. “And we’ve always come out stronger.”

Big Red’s eyes narrowed slightly, but he nodded. “More-HEM-Needed.”

Talia tilted her head. “Why do you need more HEM?”

“Nest-Power-Low,” Big Red rumbled. “Needs-HEM-To-Be-Safe.”

“Are there specific defenses or weapons you need it for?” Talia asked.

Big Red’s mandibles clicked in irritation. “Nest-Strong. Takers-Cannot-Hurt-Nest-With-Enough-HEM.”

Talia pressed on, sensing an opportunity to understand more. “Can you give me specifics?”

Big Red’s eyes narrowed further, his legs twitching with agitation. “Not-For-Not-Makers-To-Know. Not-Taker-Give-HEM”

Talia’s heart pounded, but she stood her ground. “I want to be friends, not your servant. I need to know if it will affect us.”

Big Red hissed, the sound echoing through the chamber. The gathered spiders shifted uneasily, their eyes darting between Talia and their leader.

Big Red considered her for a long moment before his mandibles clicked. He turned to the gathered spiders and hissed a command. The spiders dispersed, their legs skittering over the metallic surfaces as they retreated into the shadows.

“Not-Taker. Lost-Ones. Follow,” Big Red commanded, turning and moving deeper into the nest.

Talia exchanged glances with Dusky, Hot Pink, and Dapple before following Big Red. Her mind raced with questions about where he was leading them and what secrets the nest held.

[Notice: User should remain cautious. Unknown variables present.]

She nodded at Neo’s message, her determination solidifying as they ventured further into the depths of the Tch’Llik’yzz’Lrr nest.