The hivemind is conquering for me?

”Oh! Apollo! I almost forgot!” Willow suddenly rushed to my side after I dismissed everyone. She then pointed behind her though nothing was there.

”We found some Drakoshi Generators at our location. Nerissa had us acquire them for the bunker, but we haven’t touched or looked at them. They are in the next room over.”

I reached out and caressed her cheek and winked at her. ”Thats my girl.”

Watching Willow, or any cultist, squirm with delight after complimenting them always felt good so after watching her skip out of the room in a good mood, I followed and turned the opposite direction.

The generators they brought back were not big, but not small either. Bringing out the disc Astra had given to me, I clicked the centre to activate it I asked. ”How will these do for power?”

Astra then proceeded to reply. ”Generators will provide a small boost to my energy crisis. But I will require much more going forward.”

Hearing that I nodded. ”Understood. Don’t fret, we will be looking out for more energy sources for you throughout our missions.”

”My gratitude Apollo. The more energy I receive, the more I shall be able to help you. Though I advise you to focus on your primary objectives first.”

I nodded at the little device in my hand. ”Sure, but I am in the train of thought that since you are providing us a safe refuge and I am technically your new owner, it is only fair I get you back into tip top functionality.”

”I see. Thank you, Apollo.” Was all Astra said after that and I smiled.

”No problem. Now, I will go find one of the more tech savvy amongst us to help you with whatever you need doing with the generators. I’m more likely to damage you and myself if I try to help haha.”

...

After unloading that task to the brainiacs, I found a sleeping quarters and began to get undressed. I might not be mentally tired yet, but with the missions we will be doing going forward, the battles, the skulking, the intense rigamarole of guerilla warfare. Resting when I could was going to be priority number one.

So with that in mind, I lay down on the triangular looking cot and closed my eyes and drifted to sleep.

...

Two Months Later:

Forward Outpost: Seabreaker

Clan Oizik were furious.

A group of little humans were running round their territory doing inconceivable damage here, there and everywhere. What’s worse is that their tactics were constantly changing. Stealthy, to straight out assaults. No matter what the small warband did, they succeeded.

What’s worse, there were so few. The fact that their assault to access the beachhead had been postponed for two months because they had no logistics, their weapons were running out and every time help was requested from out of their territory, the reinforcements were picked off with shocking efficiency, was all because of a group of quirked aliens no larger than ten in total... They didn’t know what to do.

They were stumped, furious and had no solution.

Well, they had one, but it was proving next to useless.

The clan as a whole, not just the offshoot participating in the war, had offered resource bounties to the other clans for the death of each of the individuals. Not only that, but any information on any of them was being rewarded heavily.

The only information they had was from a clan Dinnac warboss called Kragg. Apparently the leader of theirs, the one the warlads have begun to call ’purple reaper’ was responsible for an attack up north a few months ago, just before he appeared in the south.

The description of his quirks also aligned. The ability to shoot fire and somehow control gravity lined up with what Oizik had been dealing with.

”We ain’t gonna be able to catch the coward. We need to just rush the fort and kill the pinkies. Enough bounties. Enough of the catch the humpel game we have been playing. We are strong. We are Oizek. We ammas everything we have and KILL!” One of the warleader council stated in anger.

”We can’t! Our supplies are dwindling. We barely have enough munitions for a full assault and the humans are smart enough for a lesser species to understand they need to reinforce that little fort. The scouts that have been able to come back have reported more and more coming to the fort. Heavy weapons that can hurt even us alongside those chassis.” A second countered. Angering the first one.

”Then wot we s’posed to do then, Ay? *Ahem* We cannot just sit idle while the cowards continue to bleed us like we should be doing them Pink skins! We are a disgrace to the name Oizik! We should have been in the water months ago and winning, dominating this planet!”

”Oi! Watch your mouth before you speak ill of our Oizik! On the clan’s honour I will ritual kill you here and now if you foul once more.”

Suddenly the Two Drakoshi began to flex their muscles as a murderous glint emerged in the duo’s eyes.

”You want to ritual? In this backwater galaxy? Come then. Show me-”

”-Enough!” A powerful voice bellowed. Everyone present went silent as the largest and most powerful amongst them shouted out.

The fourteen foot tall Drakoshi, on the verge of becoming a warlord, looked out amongst the room.

”The cowardly humans won’t fight us fair. So be it. We are strong, but we are smart. Smarter than Emoth. Our choice is simple. I will use favour with the clan. Promises I can keep once I become a warlord. I know an Emoth, a good fighter. Strong personality. Favoured by a queen. Follower of Gazik before his death. Massive grudge against humans. If he hears about a powerful human causing trouble for our clan. We will take an ego loss, but our problem will be dealt with and we can resupply for a true assault.”

The other Drakoshi present looked around, concerned. ”Boss... You are willing to lose clan reputation? That would not be a good look on the queens that back Oizik. We cannot obtain outside help. We must deal with this ourselves, surely the other clans will look down upon such...”

’Cowardice.’

Everyone present wanted to say the work, but only one did.

”Cowardice.” The Boss proclaimed. ”It is true. The clan will look weak for a moment. We will be laughed at, but the queens won’t. They will see this for what it is. Diplomatic tactics. Something we aren’t supposed to use before becoming a warlord. But because I am so close, while I will take a hit to my rep now, once I become a warlord, I will be seen as a risk taker. I will gain favour with a queen and our reputation will skyrocket greater than before.”

The council began to murmur, weighing the pros and cons of the situation. However, before they could think on it more, a messenger ran inside.

”Council! Vim reinforcements were attacked on the way from the north! It was the Purple Reaper! At least eighty warlads and a few hundred meat shields. Vim are not happy and are seeking war appeal and death tax.”

The council looked around to one another. Purple reaper struck again and because of it, Oizik had been bled once more. The clan could take a rep dive in order to make it back in no time.

Seeing the silent agreement, the boss spoke. ”Very well. I will make the communications. Send troops to the last known location of the enemy. It may be futile to find the reaper, but we must try.”

...

Taking off my armour as I landed in front of the bunker I wiped my brow. Solo missions were tough going. I was lucky to have found a gravity pocket in the road so dense that when the Drakoshi passed through all it took was a little nudge and all their spines snapped like twigs.

Still that was after rigging an entire bridge to detonate and sabotaging some air defences.

”*Yawn* Long day.” I muttered as I entered the bunker. My eyes went upwards to the scanner and gave Astra a salute.

”Hey, are they all back?” I asked as I began to walk.

”Affirmative, Apollo. All accounted for and are amassing in the kitchen.”

I smiled hearing that. ”Great. It’s been a minute since I have seen everyone together. Were they all well?”

”Affirmative, Apollo. Rhea’s chemical burn has been responding well to the ointment I have synthesised. She has stated no more pain, just tenderness.”

I let out a sigh of relief hearing that. ”Good. Glad to hear. Now, I am starving. Anything you recommend tonight? I really enjoyed that stew-like dish from your stores the other night.” I said as I made my way to the kitchen

However, as I entered, I found myself slightly startled as everyone inside was huddled together as they shouted.

”Happy birthday!”