It turned out that against a fully prepared swarm that had launched a surprise attack, a mere armed merchant ship and a few hundred heavily armed bandits had no chance at all. Most of the marauders hadn't even put up any effective resistance before the terrifying charge of the alien species shattered their nerve. They cowered, trembling, in hidden corners of the ship, thinking they could escape with their lives. One by one, they were dragged out of their hiding places like gophers and bitten to death.
If Shali had wanted to, all she needed to do was give the matter another thought, and she could have easily wiped out everyone hiding on the bridge. Still, it was surprising that a ragtag handful of marauders had made it all the way here. Perhaps they had some important information.
With that in mind, the little queen decided to go to the bridge in person. It didn't take long to learn the captive "captain's" identity. To her surprise, he was human—and apparently some kind of doctor.
But this so-called doctor looked completely unable to speak, as though even his thoughts had shut down. Maybe a hydralisk had already chewed up his brain. The girl pursed her lips in annoyance. "Looks like an idiot to me. I knew it. Since when did a troll ship have a human captain? Eat him."
The Overlord spoke with perfect composure, but to Dr. Warren, her words struck like thunder out of a clear sky. A deep shudder seemed to well up from his very cells, spreading from his pores to his spine and making his hair stand on end. On the brink of death, his mind suddenly cleared. He shouted, "No, wait! Wait! I-I-I'm willing to surrender, great queen! Exalted goddess! Please, spare my life..."
He