The hivemind is conquering for me?

”What’s in the trunk, Ness?” I asked as we made our way towards the shipyard.

”Mostly ammunition and medical supplies. And your minigun.”

”Oh that’s handy, I-” I suddenly stopped mid stride, my eyes nearly bulging out of my sockets. ’Fuck me I forgot!’

Nerissa did not stop and cheerfully shoulder checked me. ”What are friends for if not remembering to pick up each others slack? Besides, you probably forgot to hydrate like I always tell you to do last night and it clouded your preparedness for today.”

*Ahem*

Iilr suddenly coughed before the conversation got awkward and spoke up. ”S-So here we are up ahead.” He said, pointing to a ship.

The ship was large, roughly the same size as the Thanatos mercenary vessel. Only this one was heavily ordinanced with guns literally all over its outer shell. The outer shell itself was classic spartari Colours. Red and gold and was definitely a high class warship.

I let out a whistle and nodded my head. ”Thats quite the ship. Who does it belong to?”

”Oh, yeah it is. It belongs to Skaja’s family. Her entire family has so many military accolades they can just buy ships like this outright for free. It’s kind of crazy.”

Nerissa then hummed in confirmation. ”Yes, I didn’t realise she was of the Bloodshield clan. That was a surprise to me when I found out. I worked a mission with her grandmother, Sviedana, once. She was an incredible warrior.”

”Bloodshield? That is a hard ass surname.” I admitted and a moment later a voice chimed into the side.

”It’s not really a surname, it’s our clan’s name. Our planet is a bit different from regular Spartari Customs, but we are loyal warriors like the Fabbarinth so we get to keep our native culture and customs.”

Skaja then turned to Nerissa and bowed slightly. ”Praetorian Nerissa, your words move me. I am sure my Grandmother would cherish your praise, though I never heard her mention you in her stories?”

”I say ’worked with’, but we never interacted. I saw her descend from the sky with her wings and crash clean through a Drakoshi Dinnac mech with that spear you now wield. I have seen a great many things in my life, but that is something that has stuck with me. Tell me, is your grandmother well?”

Skaja smiled. ”She is, she has taken the role of guardian after great grandma retired a few decades ago. She is enjoying beating up our recruits all day everyday.”

She then turned to me and asked. ”So, Archon, ready to get your hands in the thick of battle? Rearrange your enemies’ guts instead of your allies?”

I chuckled at her banter as we continued to walk along. ”I am. How are you feeling?”

”Oh, I am usually worried for my new recruits, but knowing who is coming with us? I am eager instead. Come on, let’s hustle. Like the other day, you are the last one here.

...

Arriving in front of the ship, the rest of the squad was present with loved ones they were saying goodbye to. Skaja walked off to deal with something with Iilr so I walked over to those I recognised.

I approached the group from behind and spoke up once close enough. ”Hey guys.” I said and everyone turned around. Lena instantly grinned and ran up to me and gave me a big hug. ”Apollo I am so fucking excited! But don’t worry, I spent all last night pouring out my energy so I wouldn’t feel the urge to use my fire on the ship! How about you? You wanna blow off some steam?” She asked and she got a reply from behind her.

”I think Apollo blew off plenty of steam last night... Seriously dude, you were shaking the whole fucking house, is your Sepiida alright?” Francesca asked, prompting me to smile slightly embarrassed.

”Janine is fine. Sorry if we woke you up at all.”

Francesca shrugged her shoulders. ”Meh, it’s your house, be as loud as you want. It got cry-baby up though didn’t it? We have been training all night as well as packing up our shit, hence why we left the note that we would meet you here.”

I then turned to the ’cry baby’ in question and asked. ”How are you feeling Tammy?”

Tamara looked at me, a rage burning in her eyes. Though it was not directed at me. ”I need to pop some skulls off bodies already. The sooner we leave, the better..” She spoke in a cold eerie tone and I didn’t blame her. If I was in her shoes, I doubt I would have handled the situation much better.

’At least she had gone from sad to angry though. I was better at reigning in her anger. Sadness would be a whole new ordeal. I then turned back to Francesca and gave her a look over, more specifically her armour.

It was quite unconventional and didn’t cover her arms at all, but what was incredibly unique about it was that it was made of blue scales that were clearly an organic material.

Noticing my lingering gaze, Francesca smiled, not jumping to conclusions, and explained. ”My armour? Pretty cool huh? It’s made out of a Psionic beast we killed a few years ago. It was super enriched in water Psionics and when I wear it I am able to draw in my healing waters at an accelerated rate.”

”And the gemstone?” I asked, pointing to the large tropical ocean blue gem in the middle of her chest.

”Oh! That’s the beast’s eye. It fully crystallised upon its death. Nothing special about it, it just looks cool and well... I am a woman. I like big pretty gems. Sue me.” She said playfully while shrugging her shoulders.

I then turned to Tamara who was just wearing a casual shirt and pants. ”Do you have any goodies I haven’t seen yet Tammy?”

She nodded and pointed behind herself. ”On the ship already. All packed.”

I then proceeded to pat Tammy on the shoulder and smiled at her. ”Well when the time comes, I am looking forward to popping some heads with you.” My words seemed to have an affect on her as her anger subsided for a moment into what looked like genuine happiness towards me before her anger overtook her once more.

”I’m going to lay down before one of these perverts looks at me wrong...” She murmured before walking towards the ship.

”We’ll check in later, Apollo. See you on the ship.” Francesca said as she followed Tamara who was storming off.”

With them gone I wrapped my arm around Lena’s shoulder. ”So, I have my bestie acquired. The only thing that needs to be acquired now is-”

”-Apollo!”

Conjuring the woman in question. Gabrielle and Hailey exited the ship as Tamara and Francesca entered. Gabrielle ran over and hugged my side unoccupied by Lena and asked if I was excited. Repeating the standard answer to that question again, my mind was elsewhere however, as I watched Hailey walk over in her military attire.

”Hey babe, haven’t seen you in that for a while. Looking good.” I admitted.

Hailey remained stoic in the face as she walked over to me. Before stopping right in front of me. ”Apollo, you will be glad to know that once you leave, I have made progress in selling your formula to King Sigismund. I will be leaving to meet with him shortly after you depart. Hence why I am dressed like this.”

I opened my eyes wide in surprise. ”Wow, that was fast. Look at you, working so hard for me. It is very sweet. Thank you so much.”

Hailey looked at my face, her coolness present in her current garb, taking over as a mask-

”Shit!” Hailey suddenly cursed and looked away before looking back at me. She then jumped into my embrace, forcing me to let go of my friends to support her as she proceeded to kiss me passionately for a few moments.

When she pulled away her face was red and while I still held her she struck my shoulder. ”Curse your good looks. I was supposed to stay calm and composed in this attire and look at me. Kissing you like that with a crowd watching. Ugh, I am going to miss you, Apollo. So much.”

I reached forward and stole another kiss from her lips, enjoying the softness of them before placing her down. ”And I am going to miss you Hailey, but would you do me a favour while I am gone?”

Without needing to even ask it, Hailey nodded her head. ”Don’t worry. I will take good care of Orchid and Janine in your absence. You have my word.”

Hailey then turned to Gabrielle and the duo gave each other a knowing look, before hugging each other. I found it sweet considering their relationship.

Hailey then turned to Nerissa and frowned before asking me. ”Apollo, why don’t you take that trunk Nerissa is holding to your ship quarters. Gabrielle will show you the way, I just need to have a word with her before you go.”

”Oooh! Apollo! Let’s see if your room is any special because you are an Archon!” Lena exclaimed and began to pull me away. I saw no reason why not to go and took the trunk from Nerissa and was dragged away.

Hailey then waited until her man was out of earshot before folding her arms and narrowing her eyes at Nerissa.

”Alright, out with it. What did you say to Dickon to get Apollo sentinel status?”