The hivemind is conquering for me?

The walk through the compound grounds was spectacular. The grounds were a mixture of a cityscape like structure mixed perfectly with the planet’s native flora. There were beautiful trees with these wispy branches that held out these massive leaves. Each one looked ready to break off from their own weight, but they held on.

As we walked, to our left was a long queue that led alongside the one of many long dormitory buildings. There were four in total, seeming to be the average years someone studied here.

I wasn’t sure if I would do a linear four years, I had a hungry wife at home after all, I couldn’t leave all that time, she would get hangry and come looking for me. Hence why I opted for the much longer decade of residence. I could come back and forth over and over. Heck, for as long as Spartari exists until Jewels’ hunger swells over past our agreement. ’This might end up becoming a base of operations for me, away from the cults, not that I would forget my cute cultists.’

Orchid was frowning, as usual, as she walked past everyone. She didn’t like the fact a lot of them were talking about Apollo, or as the majority were referring to him as, ’The man in the bubble.’

She didn’t want attention on her everything, he was already a magnet for trouble and sluts, he didn’t need more hassle. As she walked, a prey was suddenly pushed out of the line and into her walking path. Apollo had told her to keep her speed around drone level so she couldn’t avoid the man as he bumped into her.

”Oh, Shit! Sorry...I.” The man’s eyes widened as he looked up to the face of the woman he bumped into. ’So beautiful.’ He thought and needed to talk to this woman, but in the end, she spoke first. ”Move. Now.”

”What?” The man said, before realising and moved to the side. ”My Bad, Hi I’m...” He started before the woman walked off. Just as he was about to speak again louder, his friends suddenly pulled him back.

”Dude! That was pitiful!” ”Bro, that rejection was painful.” ”Ha! Dude you never had a chance, look at that dude! He is living the dream right now and Oh shit! It’s the guy that is with Praetorian! Ha, it’s hopeless. Bro is basically the chick magnet!” ”Yeah, he is right, forget about it Moran!”

Moran wasn’t phased, especially as the woman looked back at him. ”Nah guys, that is clearly the guy’s sister, see purple hair. look he is even here with his mother as well, it is obvious.” That got a wave of laughs .

”Bro, that chick over there and that guy over there also have purple hair, it’s just a coincidence. You are just wishful thinking bro.” Moran wasn’t having it as he looked at the woman walking away. ”Nah, I’ve got an in. Just watch me.”

...

’Disgusting creature looking at me like that... Orchid should ask Apollo if Orchid can just kill a few of them... Surely they wouldn’t miss a few humans... Especially that one.’ Orchid was hating this already. At least in the cult, the hybrids were only half human... This was so disgusting. Humans were disgusting.

’Only the subspecies Apollo is from is acceptable with Apollo being the exception above exceptions even then... He is perfect.’ Orchid looked at Apollo’s strong, powerful back and her rage washed away. She drowned out her senses and focused on the rhythm of his breathing with each step he took. Calm and composed. Predatory. Perfect. ’Orchid could gaze upon Apollo for millions of years. If only she could trap him in a box and gaze at him forever and ever...’

...

”I can’t believe you are going to be a teacher, that is awesome!” I exclaimed and nudged Hailey slightly. A smile crept upon the corner of her lips, hooking it upwards. ”Really? Can I look at your class itinerary? I want to see if you are going to be in one of my classes then. It will be fun seeing me all strict, you have only seen my happy fun side so far.” She said, causing those that actually knew Hailey to look at her confused. Even now, before she was addressed by Apollo, her face was as cold as ice.

Reaching into my jacket pocket, I picked out my itinerary and passed it over to her as she looked over everything with an interested eye. ”Hmm~ Oh, you signed up for the Psionic guns first? That’s a rare one, I am sure they are delighted to get your stipend... Interesting choices Apollo.” She then handed back the itinerary.”

”So?” I asked. ”So what?” She replied. ”So, am I going to be in any of your classes? It would be fun to see you acting strict like you said. Show me some of that Centurion gravitas.” I chuckled out.

Hailey’s back suddenly went ramrod straight, her chest stuck out as her posture seemed to immediately gain phantom height. ”That is Tribune to you, Citizen!” She said so loud that some people we walked past with military service jumped into salutes.”

”We are on a private base where there is no military jurisdiction. In fact ranks are irrelevant. And If they were, I am an Archon, I outrank you here, Tribune... Teacher, student hierarchy not counting.” I jested, causing Hailey’s posture to break into something more cheerful as she took my arm playfully.

”Yes, Archon, but I am a Princess, this is my empire, I outrank you!” She declared. I looked down at her as she looked up at me smugly. ”Wow, you got me. I totally forgot the whole princess thing, what was that? Five minutes? Yeesh. Nerissa, is there a section of the library to help with short term memory difficulties? I think I actually have a problem.”

”It is not your short term memory Apollo, its all the random factoids you should not know about and yet do, taking up all your new memories. I’d suggest you tell me how you know all this stuff so you can dump that information out.”

Feeling playful by Hailey’s response to me, I quipped out. ”Cool it, Loch Ness monster. I can’t be giving out all my secrets at once, you would have an intrigue overload.” Nerissa suddenly went silent.

I was going to ask why when suddenly Janine exclaimed. ”Apollo look, we made it to the library side entrance! We are only a few minutes away!” She exclaimed, causing me to smile at her. ”Hey, I’m glad to see you glad. I’m just excited to move our stuff in!”

As my concentration got broken, Nerissa was looking at me with shock underneath her mask. His little nickname she had just retrieved meant more to her than just the words. A big secret thought lost might have just sprouted up. ’Is he aware of Albion? He can’t be... It’s literally impossible, unless... Oh how intriguing...’

She would probe about her nickname later as it was more likely Apollo just thought of something completely random. He was prone to randomness and luck after all... That was the most likely case.

She then returned back to the conversation at hand as she heard Hailey ask. ”Oh, Apollo. Where is your minigun? Did you not declare it? Or have you managed to fit it inside your arm like the rest of your armour?”

”Oho, you remembered about my armour? Very nice. No, my beloved minigun was destroyed as I underwent some... Training. That I went on a few months ago. Such a shame, I loved that thing.” I said and got an apology from Hailey.

Meanwhile Gabrielle’s face began twitching as she heard what her son just said. ’Training? Fucking training?!? That fucking teacher of his, this Jewel, she sent my son into Coalition space to fight those bug bastards for Training! When I meet this bitch I am going to wring her neck in for endangering my son! He was almost branded a traitor, it is a good thing Sigismund likes him...’

She knew she was the biggest hypocrite in her thinking and that she had no right due to literally abandoning her perfect baby in her post pregnancy deliria, but he was back now... His safety was her number one priority now. She couldn’t fathom him getting injured... She.

She had to change her thought track as her emotions were getting hectic to the point her son noticed. ”Hey, Gabrielle, are you ok?” I asked, followed by Hailey. ”Should we go off to the side, Gabby? Let you cool down? Or warm up? We don’t want your dampening to go off, do we?”

Gabrielle took in a deep breath, feeling proud her son and daughter figure were such kind souls. ”I-I am fine, thank you. Just a little PTSD. No biggie.” She said, causing me to feel bad. Hearing this, my brain and heart suddenly had an idea, due to the events of yesterday and today.

Opening my arms to full width I beckoned with my fingers. ”Do you want another hug? You can ask anyone here, I give the best and most comforting hugs.” I declared, causing numerous nods of agreement.

Gabrielle began shaking, out of pure excitement and looked over to Nerissa, thanking the Praetorian from the bottom of her heart for her quick thinking yesterday. She then composed herself with grace before casually nodding your head.

”Sure thing Apollo, that sounds perfect.”