The hive was a singular, undulating organism, a membranous network of arterial corridors and archways of chitinous resin. Impossible structures of semi-organic architecture spiralled dizzyingly upwards and towered overhead, all pulsing with fleshy passageways and curving bony buttresses. The Gel’Ran were a symbiotic hive mind, an amalgam of individual organisms that worked in perfect unison as the Gel'ran Collective, each part of a greater whole.
It was strange to stand amongst them, a separate entity amidst a sea of unified minds. As a diplomatic envoy of the Sol Coalition, the Gel’Ran had offered accommodation within the central hive upon their home world, as eager to learn about human culture as mankind was to learn more about their mysterious neighbors.
“Ambassador,” an insectile humanoid addressed from the yawning entry of my honeycombed chambers. The Gel’ran were a fascinating brood. Every organism within the colony has been selectively evolved fulfill a certain niche, and upon a brief examination of the human psyche, the creature deigned to be my host was altogether alien yet unmistakably beautiful. Its carapace glimmered with scales of iridescent pink and platinum, multifaceted eyes shining like gems as it bowed before me. She was much taller than the average woman yet lissome and appropriately curvaceous; a chimeric blend of mantid and human anatomy. While the Gel’Ran possessed no distinguishable sex beyond the few mass-breeding organisms of their species, this one mimicked an anthropomorphic female in as close an approximation as the Gel’Ran could create on such short notice. What should have been outwardly repulsive was instead a welcomed reprieve from the legions of strange, skittering masses; an aesthetic beauty amongst brutalist efficiency. I could feel the gentle hum of its thoughts within my skull, a tingling sensation that stirred behind my brow, an echo of voices reverberating from deep within the hive.
Its voice was a curious thing. There was no sound, only thought translated through psychic resonance, a sensation rather than auditory stimuli. ‘Greetings, Ambassador, I has your biology properly adapted to our environment.’ As if determining the most appealing dialect, the Gel’Ran’s words took on an almost soft, feminine cadence. It extended a slender hand, two digits clasping mine in an alien greeting. A shiver ran up my spine as her thoughts lingered against my own.
“For the most part,” I offered aloud, “I must admit, acclimating to your hive’s biome has proven more difficult than I assumed, though proper use of my respirator has mitigating this to manageable levels.”
The host seemed embarrassed, as if my inadequate physiology was some fault of her own. Once again, its psychic tendril reached forth to communicate, “Many apologies! We would have — should have taken this into consideration.”
I waved off its concerns with a practiced smile, accustomed to assuaging the concerns of alien diplomats. They were a skittish breed, easily startled by perceived mistakes, especially those so unfamiliar with humanity. After centuries of isolation, it was only natural for the Gel'ran to be apprehensive about welcoming other races into their domain.
Her mandibles twitched in what appeared to be amusement, a foreign gesture that sent another tremor of psychic energy dancing along my flesh. ‘We can assist. Many sentiments have come to hive over millennia; this one is designed to assist.’
Three slender, exodermis encased digits stroked at the crest of my cheek in a graceful motion. My breath caught in my throat as the Gel'Ran leaned closer, mandibles flexing wide to reveal a glistening, viscous tongue; a translucent muscle of molten honey. Her touch left trails of static electricity across my skin, an invigorating tingle that awakened something primal deep within my core. Before I had time to protest, the host pressed her mouth against my own, thin chitinous lips coaxing mine apart.
The initial shock of the embrace faded as her utensil delved past my teeth, a cool slickness twined around my tongue, engulfing my comparatively useless muscle in its seemingly amorphous viscosity. It coated my throat, this nectar-like balm, and the throbbing hoarseness that had plagued me since my arrival immediately subsided. I shivered as her thoughts mingled with my own, a pleasant buzz that sent pinpricks of pleasure dancing across my scalp. With an involuntary shudder, I felt myself grow hard between my thighs, a throbbing heat straining against the confines of my finely pressed uniform.
She parted our embrace with a wet pop, a strand of pale fluid still connecting us. My head swam, dazed and euphoric, the Gel'Ran's psychic presence lingering in the back of my mind. 'You are improved?' She asked, mandibles clicking together excitedly. I nodded, suddenly aware of my erection, flushed face turned away in embarrassment. ‘Yes, improved,’ this time the words manifested at my mind’s edge rather than my lips, ‘but that was…’
She sensed my hesitation, antennae bobbing curiously as she cocked her head to one side. 'Apologies! Hive means well but perhaps—'
"No," I interjected, "it isn't that…just unexpected."
My arousal persisted despite the Gel'Ran’s obvious discomfort, my bulge tenting obscenely beneath my formal attire. I tried desperately to suppress the lewd thoughts that threatened to intrude upon her telepathy, shameful images of bending the host over my desk and ravishing her insectile body. She stood transfixed, watching as I struggled to compose myself, her psychic touch probing at the edges of my consciousness.
A flash of understanding flickered across her face as her expression contorted into one of delight. ‘Ah, yes! Do not be afraid human, Hive possesses rudimentary understanding of human biology but is eager and willing to expand knowledge. This one is equipped to accommodate and extract genetic material.’ She spread her unguligrade legs slightly, exposing a cluster of bio luminescent nodes nestled just above a hidden slit, three petaled folds unfurling like a blooming flower to expose a glistening orifice.
My cheeks burned hot with embarrassment, heart hammering in my chest as I stared transfixed at the Gel'Ran's newly formed genitalia; a dripping cleft of shimmering pink flesh. "That isn't necessary!" I stammered out, eyes darting frantically from the host's expectant gaze to her inviting nether regions.
'Nonsense!' She trilled telepathically, antennae waggling excitedly. 'Hive desires to learn and experience human relations. This is the purpose of ambassadorship, yes? You will provide necessary knowledge.' Something stirred within the hollow of my chest; apprehension, perhaps? It was warm, almost unbearably so, but not unpleasant. An irresistible compulsion washed over me, urging me towards the Gel'Ran host. I found myself drawn inexorably to her sultry form and the suctioning sex explicitly designed for my pleasure. Then again, there was the budding unease of giving myself so easily to a collective organism that fed on genetic material, repurposing it to suit the Hive’s greater function.
The host could sense my apprehension, tentatively exploring the outer folds of my psyche.