Consciousness returned slowly, accompanied by a soothing display playing over her eyes. Puffy, white clouds floated in an infinite blue sky.
There was a hissing in her ears that calmed her, making her feel as if she was floating. She lazily watched the heavily forested landscape as it drifted past.
Her legs jolted as the chair she was strapped to rose from the bottom of the tank she had been resting in. A gurgling and swishing noise from above signaled that her restful sojourn was almost over.
She shuddered as her body lifted out of the liquid, her skin protesting as it was exposed to cooler air. She gave a low moan around the gag plugging her mouth, annoyed that she had been removed from her comfortable womb-like tank.
She tried to move, but her arms were still secured to the chair back. A soft touch along her collar bone stilled her motions, and she shuddered as fingers trailed over her shoulders.
The soothing display in her mask intensified, seizing her thoughts and guiding them down more useful paths. Everything was as it should be. She was prepped for Installation.
She wanted it so badly. To be joined to Hive. To be with Hive.
The eye symbol fixed in the center of her vision stared at her. Saw all parts of her. She just knew that it was Hive looking at her, judging her. Wanting her.
She was prepared.
Something hot and hard pressed again her chest, against her breastbone. A searing pain accompanied the hard pressure, and her body vibrated in pain.
She chewed on the gag and watched the eye. Pain was nothing in service to Hive. Being a Drone was everything. She was a Drone.
The mantra brought her through the agony, and soon the pain subsided. She breathed more regularly, her body slowly calming. She could feel something rigid and hard on her chest. Something had been embedded into her.
She shuddered, thighs tingling. Hive had branded her in some fashion. Made her its slave. She was a Drone.
There came a hissing sound and the bulb gag inside her mouth deflated. The dancing colors on the screen went dark. The ache from her chest returned, but not as severe as before.
Hands were on her head, torquing the helmet she wore upwards. The rubber slipped from around her neck and head, leaving slick, sweaty skin behind. The gag popped out of her mouth and she blinked dumbly in the bright light, vague shadows dancing around her in perfect synchronization.
"Hello, Q-Three," said a velvet voice. "You're looking quite stunning."
The shadow woman brushed a hand over Zoe's oiled skin, pausing to gently cup one of her breasts to give it a soft squeeze. "You are very close to experiencing everything Hive has to offer. Are you ready?"
Zoe worked her stiff lips. "Yes, Mistress. This Drone is ready."
The Drone chuckled. "I rather think our roles will be reversed soon, but I'll leave that up to Her."
Two other Drones moved semi-circular rigid metal pieces down from above, fixing them around Zoe's neck. They locked together with a click, holding her head in place. The first Drone ran her fingers down Zoe's chest, then stood back. "Welcome to the Hive," she said with finality.
An articulated metal arm with a bulbous tip swiveled in from above. The tip had a large, blue orb on the end, with a circular black marble suspended in the center, making it look like a primitive eye.
As it swung closer, Zoe understood what it meant to do. It wanted to stick that orb inside her mouth and Install it inside her. To link her permanently to Hive. There would be no turning back after that. She would be a Drone for always and ever.
She cranked her mouth open and waited passively. She wanted to be Installed so badly. To join with Hive in perfect harmony.
The tentacle curved, shoving the globe past her lips. She almost choked on its girth, but waited patiently for it to finish its job.
A sharp jab at the back of her upper throat, and she was in ecstasy. Her consciousness ascended from her corporeal body, expanding to encompass the bright lights of nearby Drone minds. She could feel each one individually, tasting their thoughts.
She dipped inside the brain of the Drone standing in front of her, catching a glimpse of her bound body. The tentacle was slipping out of her mouth, leaving its cargo behind, the shiny blue ball embedded in the back of her throat.
It pulsed gently inside her mouth, glowing that unearthly color. Installed so deeply it could not be removed.
Her eyes flicked to her chest, spotting an oval aquamarine gem that had been embedded right above the curve of her breasts, taking pride of place in the center of a sea of blue skin. She could get lost in the shiny facets of its surface, but she had too much she wanted to explore.
Taking in her body as a whole, she gasped. Her time in the tank had remade her skin, smoothing out her features and coloring her a dark blue. All blemishes had been removed, her breasts perfect orbs. A vision of feminine beauty.
She looked perfect. She had been Converted. She was Hive.
***
G-Fifty Seven stood at attention in front of the fortress gatehouse, watching the bridge over the drawbridge with perfect clarity. He breathed deeply, savoring the gas that flooded the interior of his helmet.
In his hands he clutched his gas projector. Similar in shape to a flamethrower, a hose attached to the rear connected to the chrome tanks on his back. The weapon was capable of aerosolizing the gas and shooting it up to fifty feet, making it easy to hose down any attackers. Those not used to the effects of the gas would find themselves becoming very sleepy and suggestible, easy prey for the other guards.
He had been ordered to watch the entrance and detain any intruders by the Queen of this castle, and he obeyed her implicitly. It was his sacred duty to defend her from any harm. His Queen would help Hive to grow, and he would prevent anyone from stopping her plans.
He was not alone in this task. Many other guards were scattered around the perimeter, taking up positions in their sleek, black outfits. He knew there were more on the walls and in the towers as well, hidden away. If he found a threat, they would act as one to neutralize it.
