The Web of Hemun

The world was tearing itself apart at the seams.

The War had ended, but the economy had suffered a heavy blow. Inflation skyrocketed, and the value of the Fei plummeted. Riots filled the streets as trade lines were still in shambles, severing the connection between the planets that made the food and the planets that needed it.

Planets like Hemun.

The polls said it all, trust in the government was at an all-time low. The Prime Minister had promised that peace would lead to the return of the bounty that had once defined the Collective, but it seemed like nothing had changed.

It was Chaos.

It was perfect.

Representative Antone was floundering. Three and a half decades of work had gone into supplying the Interplanetary Collective of Worlds with the necessary resources to build ships and weapons for The War. In return, Hemun got promises of food and fortune when the battles ended in a glorious victory for the Collective. Those promises loaded the freight ships with ores and the passenger ships with young men and women. And just like those ships, the promises came back empty when the glorious victory turned into a tactful negotiation for peace.

Antone had to increase security around his home and the Collective’s administrative buildings as the riots worsened. Even the Planetary Government felt the weight of the people’s opinions, with nearly a tenth of Hemun’s People’s Planetary Assembly resigning within the first year after the peace treaty was signed.

Antone had spent years shilling for the Prime Minister’s plans and promises, which drove Hemun to the brink of collapse. The people expressed disapproval in the only way they could think of. Fires, threats, and death. Both the Assembly and Collective Governments were cowering; the people were uncontrollable.

At least, so it seemed.

As soon as the chaos in Hemun reached us on our home planet, we began planning our strategies to help. Agents were sent to create hosts, who then proceeded to help us map out the sides of the conflict. In one corner, the Collective and the Assembly, acting as the “brave and noble” leaders Hemun had elected by cowering in their respective buildings and giving pleading speeches behind the safe barrier of their holographic projectors. In the other corner, sixteen disorganized groups of people, all with their own demands and agendas, divvying up the planet like gangs splitting up a city. Altogether, the rioting masses comprised 48% of Hemun’s population, the rest desperately trying to ride out the storm to return to some semblance of their normal lives.

With this information, a plan was drawn up, and the time came to offer our services. We created more hosts, climbing the social and political ladders until we found our opening. Olivet Degmas, a business tycoon and outspoken anti-war figure, had expressed his willingness to stand with the people of Hemun but still pledged support to both the planetary government and the Collective.

The perfect lynchpin between both sides.

He was ours within days.

======

I was surprised when I heard Olivet’s request. While the man had expressed his willingness to stand with us in the past, he had retreated from the public when the riots had started in force.

Sitting in my office, I replayed the message over and over, pondering each frame.

“Good Afternoon, Representative Antone. I would like to request to speak at the next meeting of the People’s Planetary Assembly on the situation that Hemun is in. I have ideas of how to reunite the people with their government, and I would like to make an offer to assist you.

Please respond to this message as soon as you can.

Thank you.”

Olivet’s composed face filled the screen of my desk. His words intrigued me. None of Hemun’s Senators nor the other members of the Collective I had contacted could propose effective ways of pacifying the public. But Olivet’s assured demeanor led me to trust him. I was ready to do whatever it took to safeguard the peace and freedom of Hemun and the Collective.

Pressing a button on my desk, I spoke.

“Please invite Olivet Degmas to the next meeting. He has something he would like to tell us.”

======

The Assembly building was designed for intimidation. A circle of one hundred chairs surrounded a singular stand in the middle. Light shone from every direction, leaving whoever was on the stand hopelessly exposed to the rest of the Assembly. Here, Olivet stood, turning slowly to look at all of the People’s Planetary Assembly members before his eyes came to rest on the balcony above the circle of chairs.

Representative Antone sat across from the Assembly Hall’s main entrance, positioned above the Assembly to show his superiority to those below him. A steel gray symbol of the Interplanetary Collective of Worlds adorned the wall behind him as he looked down upon the Assembly, looking down upon the man who had requested their presence.

Olivet made our first address, slowly turning to look at each member as we spoke.

“Leaders of Hemun, The people are at a breaking point. Every day, the riots worsen, and more people find themselves starving, without homes or the basic necessities of life. The leaders of the people are edging closer and closer to compromising with one another and uniting against you. It is time for action to be taken before the halls of this Assembly are stormed, and we become powerless to resist their demands.”

The Assembly was sent into murmuring. Olivet raised his eyes to Antone, addressing him directly.

“The Collective has always been based upon the peace and unity of all creatures in the galaxy. Today, that peace and unity is shattered. We must act before the government topples off of its fractured base.”

Antone sat back in his plush leather chair and studied Olivet. Rubbing his chin with his hand, he spoke.

“We have tried everything in our power besides military intervention.”

The Assembly nodded.

“It’s impossible to please the people.” one, Xinan, said, “How in the name of Ancient Earth do you think we’ll succeed?”

Olivet smiled as we gave our reply.

“The shattered remains are reforming into a new whole; today, we have the ability not only to accelerate that reforming but to ensure that the new whole unites with the government and not against it.”

Xinan scoffed, addressing Olivet again from her seat.

“How do you intend to convince every group to do that? They can’t even decide how to work with one another against us, and you’re proposing they can all join us again?”

Olivet turned to face her. Locking eyes, we spoke once more.

“We have recently come in contact with an extraordinary creature, one that not only understands your problem but is ready and willing to help solve it. This creature can implant ideas into the leaders of these factions and make them more receptive to your requests for peace. If you allow them to live and work on your planet, they will, in turn, stop the riots that you all face today.”

Silence filled the assembly hall as the weight of our words sank in. Xinan sat, eyes wide as she processed our meaning.

Olivet waited, feeling the tense atmosphere build as our words echoed in their heads.

Antone broke the silence. He shifted forward to look down at Olivet from his lofty balcony.

“Are you suggesting that we use a hive mind to force the people into subservience to us?”

He had picked up on our indications. The Assembly around us broke into noise again.

“A Hive Mind? On Hemun?”

“How could this happen?”

“Why would we work with a monster like that?”

A quick bang from Antone’s Gavel silenced the Assembly, allowing us to answer.

“We are suggesting that we assimilate a small number of the faction’s leaders to tactfully de-escalate the situation, allowing the Collective and the Assembly to step in and suggest solutions to the problems causing this unrest.”

Antone looked at us, his face melting from confidence to fear and anger.

“Are you still Olivet, or are we speaking to a puppet?”

We smiled wryly. The picture had been completed before the time was right.

“We are The Web, Olivet is alive and well. We kept his consciousness tucked away in the back of his mind instead of fully integrating him with us. However, he is here; he can see us and approves of our message if it means peace for the planet he holds so dear.”

======

I sat back in my chair on the balcony. Olivet was gone. In his place was this monster that I had heard stories of since I was a child. A creature that stole your body and your mind, integrating you into a singular consciousness as it spread like a disease across planets and solar systems.

How did this hive mind get onto my planet? How did it survive the purges the Collective ran before the War? My mind was alive with questions, but one stood above the rest.

Why did what it was saying make sense?

We could use the hive mind to bring the people back to our side and calm the anger enough that they see the benefits of the Collective again.

Would that be considered a bio-weapon?

Below me, the Assembly was devolving into a screaming match. A million conversations overwhelmed the senses and drowned out all thoughts. Picking up my gavel, I brought it down hard, the bang echoing through the hall over the noise. The people went quiet, and I again addressed Olivet, or whatever it was in his head now.

“You are suggesting I surrender my people to you for you to control?”

Olivet looked at me, his expression calm and placid.

“We could leave our Hosts’ minds at any time. We would ensure your people’s anger is quelled and then return to where we came from.”

The Assembly members looked up at me. This decision was above them. This was a decision I had to make myself.

“I officially adjourn this meeting,” I said, “The Assembly and I will consider your suggestion and return to you with our answers.”

The Monster in Olivet’s body bowed. 

“Thank you for your time. We pray that you carefully study the situation. Our agents are already in positions where they can help Hemun return to its former glory; you just need to say the word.”

With that, the hive-mind left, allowing the guards to usher it out of the circular room. When the door shut behind them, the Assembly erupted into chaos again.

“We need to call the Collective. We’ve been infested with a hive mind!”

“This could be the easiest solution to our problem, though; if the creature can calm down our people, we can re-stabilize ourselves.”

“How can we trust that they’d do as they say?”

“What did it mean when it said it was already in a position to help?”

Standing, I exited out the back of my balcony and walked down the stairs towards the room’s main door.

I had to speak to the Assembly as an equal.

On my way down, I considered the hive-mind’s offer. It was certainly less violent than calling in the Collective’s troops. If they kept their word, Hemun would return to its normal way of life quickly and efficiently.

But would they keep their word?

Could we trust something that takes over minds and bodies to truly leave after they did what they promised?

Would rebuilding Hemun’s peace and unity be worth the risks?

Straightening my disheveled clothes, I took a deep breath.

I had to pretend I had the answers. The Assembly was counting on it.

The doors opened, and I walked to the exposed central platform.

======

Two days after our initial meeting with the Assembly, an invitation was sent to Olivet’s home.

“Olivet,

We, the members of the People’s Planetary Assembly, would like to formally invite you to our next meeting to discuss our decision on your proposal. We expect to see you in three days.

Thank you,

The People’s Planetary Assembly and Representative Antone

The news was well received, and plans were soon made to bring Olivet through the riots around the administrative buildings and to the Assembly Hall.

We wondered if they would accept our proposal, but as a show of good faith, we refrained from creating hosts inside the administrative buildings or the Assembly Hall itself. We continued laying the groundwork for our plans, creating hosts, and integrating more and more citizens of Hemun into ourselves. We held leading positions in four of the sixteen factions, working to unite them under one banner. Meanwhile, the riots were still worsening. Rumors began flying that the People’s Planetary Assembly, or at least Representative Antone, was planning on fleeing the planet and managing it from a distance.

The people cannot serve a leader who runs away from them.

We continued our work, expanding our influence under the radar, waiting for the Assembly and Antone to speak. Waiting to see if they would speak in support of unity or against it.

======

The room was quiet when Olivet’s body entered the building. It calmly approached the center platform, under the watchful eye of the Assembly and myself. Looking up at me expectantly, It waited.

I spoke.

“Hive mind.”

“We are Web.”

“Web. We have gone over your proposal, and though we find that it would be an easy solution to the problems facing Hemun, we cannot in good conscience allow you to strip the free will of our people in the name of conformity.”

A long, uncomfortable silence followed. The Assembly sat at the edge of their chairs, waiting to hear what the creature said.

“As we promised, we would not permanently control the minds of your citizens. If you reconsider, we would –”

The sound from my gavel interrupted the monster.

“The case is no longer open to d-discussion.”

I could not stop myself. My voice cracked in the middle of my deceleration, and I stumbled over my words. The hive mind’s face broke into a grin as it sensed my fear, and I could feel the blood drain from my face. Nevertheless, I pushed forward.

“The Collective is based on the free will of the people. We refuse to do anything to undermine that free will, even if it means risking peace and unity. We demand that you release your hold on any citizens of Hemun and leave. Otherwise, we will notify the Collective to remove you from our planet by force.”

Once again, silence filled the assembly hall. We waited for the hive-mind’s response with bated breath.

“Very well. You have made your decision.”

A collective breath seemed to escape the members of the Assembly. The hive-mind continued.

“But ask yourself this, Representative, you hold the people’s free will over the peace and unity of your own government. Will your people feel the same?”

With that, the hive-mind turned and left the assembly hall. The guards followed after it, and the door shut behind them.

I stared at the closed doors as the meeting ended. Soon, I was alone in the hall, my mind ablaze with questions and worries. I pressed a button on my desk.

“This is Representative Antone from the Planet Hemun. I am officially requesting the assistance of Collective forces in rooting out a hive-mind from among our people.”

======

Our plans would not be stopped; we had come too far to fail.

If the government of Hemun refused to listen to our suggestions and take the assistance we so graciously offered, it’s time for a new government. 

The four factions we controlled were unified, and the leaders began discussing a new government under the command of all people, one where the citizens of Hemun would truly be united. The leaders of these factions offered their followers a new method of connection that would bring peace without the concern of greedy leaders or politicians who isolated themselves from their people.

The leaders offered the people of Hemun the Web.

And the people were willing to try it. Soon, the four factions were entirely composed of our agents, and factions that had once been bitter enemies were coming to us in hopes of joining the cause of peace and unity.

Then, the terrified government played right into our hands.

A month after we left the Assembly hall, the skies were filled with Collective Spacecrafts. Their silver, metal bodies darkened the sun as dozens and dozens of Collective Peacekeepers streamed into Hemun’s atmosphere. Over the airwaves, Representative Antone called for all suspected members of the Web hive mind to be turned over to collective officials for treatment. Any groups caught hiding agents would be dealt with with what he referred to as:

“The necessary amount of force.”

With terror, the people watched the Peacekeeper Armies fill the streets around the government buildings and assembly members’ homes. Nevertheless, our agents continued in their mission. People flocked to us willingly, joining us in the name of peace. Even the Collective Peacekeepers seemed to falter as they hunted for us, seeing the anger and desperation in the eyes of the citizens and hearing our promises for a new, peace-filled galaxy. These Peacekeepers, many of whom had seen firsthand the atrocities of the War, were now being ordered to forcefully put down any rebellion against the Collective that had caused all this pain. We soon received our first Peacekeeper Agent, working our way into their ranks and undermining their remaining efforts to remove us from our new home.

Hemun was in chaos, but it was a new chaos, a beautiful, organized, productive chaos working towards a singular goal.

It was our chaos.

======

Did the people hate us this much?

All over the news, word of this new government was rising.

No, not a government. It couldn’t be called a government. It was the hive mind.

People willingly turned over their minds and bodies to the hive mind, and for what?

“You value the people’s free will over the peace and unity of your own government. Will your people feel the same way?”

I repeated the monster’s words as I watched the news continue to report on the rising members of this new “government.” Even the peacekeepers the Collective had sent to root out this creature had fallen under its power, arming its new army while stripping us of our defenses.

I had done my best to lead Hemun. I trusted the Prime Minister’s words when he said that The War would end in victory. It wasn’t my fault that it didn’t.

Why do they blame me? Why would they rather give up their free will than stay with the government that had given them so much?

The Collective had quarantined Hemun, stopping the peacekeeper reinforcements and stranding everyone on this planet, held at the mercy of this monster.

They left me here alone.

Every day, my authority meant less and less; every day, the hive mind crept closer to its goal like a disease killing my planet.

The citizens, consumed by rage, were being infected, the peacekeepers, tired from battle, were being infected, the Assembly, though still trying to hold strong, wouldn’t last long in a world turned against them.

And me, the man who tried to hold it all together, who believed in the power of his people’s free will, only to watch it be freely given away.

I could have called the peacekeepers on Hemun’s citizens themselves and forced them into submission with threats of violence.

Would they have preferred that? Or would that have also driven them to this monster?

I looked down at my hands, clenching and unclenching them.

I would have given everything to preserve my people’s free will. But if they would rather give it away, then I would give everything to protect my own.

Even if it means leaving Hemun without a leader.