The hivemind is conquering for me?

After leaving the first Castellan, the run in I had with the second was similar. Only a man this time. Once the task was complete. I landed on the ground by Cassian, who was looking at me with an awkward smile, probably trying to determine my reaction to what I just witnessed.

”I tell you what, Cassian. You knights are made of tougher stuff. To willingly go through that. You have balls of steel. Nothing but respect.” I stated and watched as Cassian’s face boomed with elation.

”Haha! I knew it! Lord Sentinel, I am glad you see it the way we do. Some others have called us monsters or traitors upon witnessing such dedication to the order. I am glad you see it for what it truly is.”

After that, I helped around a bit around the Order camp. There wasn’t much for me to do except move heavy stuff, but even that ran its course after a couple of hours. At which point I took my leave.

Upon returning back to the command section of the camp I was flagged down by a fellow purplehead.

Landing beside her I immediately received a hug. Pausing for a moment as even now, thanks to her special power, the hugs still felt criminally good. With my arms wrapped around her, I asked with a serene tone.

”Hey, Gabrielle. How are you?”

”Mmmhh. Better now.” Gabrielle replied, before sighing and hugging me tighter.

”Is everything alright? Did you need me for something?” I asked, hoping she was alright. I hadn’t had much time to check in on her the past few weeks with all the bouncing from battle to battle. It wasn’t like in the bunker. Every moment was either fighting or sleeping.

”Do I need a reason to hug my favourite Sentinel? It has been too long. The last time was on your birthday and... *ahem*” She suddenly pulled away, turned her head to the side and began to play with her hair.

I was confused by what she meant for a moment before recalling what happened on my birthday. I had hugged her whilst naked and she accidentally got a hand full of Mr Johnson. A simple mistake, but it had probably been occupying her mind.

”Oh. I hope I didn’t embarrass you too much back then? I am just comfortable in my own skin and forgot I was nude.”

”W-What? Oh you mean- Never mind.” Gabrielle said, confusing me as she suddenly smiled like a burden had been lifted. She then took a deep breath before continuing,

”Apollo. I am requesting to be deployed at your side tomorrow. My instincts are urging me to warn you of danger. And trust me. My instincts are razor sharp.”

’They knew you were alive after all, my sweet boy.’

I raised my eyebrow hearing that. I did trust Gabrielle. A lot. More than I probably should for an unaffiliated human, but I just did. Something inside me has always liked her. It was hard to explain.

I still remember the joke I made to myself before I left for the college about finding a second mommy like Valerica. Gabrielle fit the older woman model, but it felt more like she was my daughter or younger sister as bizarre as it was since I often took care of her when she had her emotional attacks.

*Snap*

”Apollo? You zoned out, silly boy. You need to work on that when talking to people, others wont be as understanding as I am.” Gabrielle said after clicking her fingers in front of my face.

”Sorry. Where were we? Oh right. Of course. I would feel safer with you at my side 100% And I do trust you.”

Gabrielle just stood there, smiling at me with squinted eyes of delight for a moment. It was adorable. She then sharply inhaled, clocking on to what she was doing, making me smile, but she coughed and changed the subject.

”Ok. Well, I won’t bother you further than this final point. Apollo. Tomorrow is a big day. Have you eaten?”

I shook my head. ”No, not yet. I was going to-”

”-Nuh uh. Apollo I have spent long enough with you now. I know how you think. You are going to mess. You are getting a large, nutritious meal for that bottomless pit of a stomach and not just meat and carbs. You need veggies. In fact. I know you will skip out of it if I don’t, so come on, I’m coming with you and watching you eat. Let’s go.” She said, taking my hand and began to guide me.

I found the ordeal funny with her looking out for me like she was now and quipped, ”Oof. Yes mom.”

My joke really tickled her as she stopped, thought about the joke for a moment before laughing for two straight minutes before taking my hand again and walking me to the food in complete silence.

...

’He called me mom! I can die tomorrow and be happy! Wait no... I can’t die. Then I can’t see my son reach his true potential. What a dilemma...’ She thought as she watched Apollo inhale his food.

”That pile of greens aren’t going to finish itself Mr.” She suddenly said sternly.

”I wsh gwting to twm!” Her baby said, mouth full. Even now handsome as anything.

Gabrielle just put her elbows on the table and watched him. Her handsome son. How she created such a perfect individual with that waste of human was beyond her. Every moment she lay eyes on him she was glad he took no traits from his father. Or her for that matter.

Except for the hair colour. But that could be a Psionic chance.

It was better that way though. It made her potential decision even easier. Nothing looked the same. Nothing to compare. Nothing to notice. Their genes could be unrelated at this point with his science for all she...

”!!!” Gabrielle’s eyes suddenly went wide as she proceeded to slam the table.

”*Cough* Fuck *Cough* Scared the shit out of me. Gab, are you alright?”

”Apollo, can you tell me about Millie?” Gabrielle answered his question with a question.

”Millie? As in my Grandma? That’s a bit random, but sure. What do you want to know?”

”Oh!” She suddenly exclaimed, smacking her head as an act. ”Silly me. Context. Just sitting here now. I was thinking about your gene experiments and how you found out Millie was your grandma, still crazy that, isn’t it? I digress. You mentioned once that your DNA was related, but much lower than what it should be? Is that because of your own enhancements?”

...

’Wow gene talk with dinner? Is it my birthday again?’ I thought. It had been a while since I’ve had a good chinwag about this. Nodding my head I explained.

”Yes. Millie and I are related now the same way I would be with a second or possibly third cousin. But the fact we share that much with my enhancements is the only thing that made me know for certain we were related. Honestly, if she was my great grandma, I wouldn’t have picked up on it.”

Gabrielle nodded her head along in thought before she asked me. ”Ok. So what is it going to take for you to not be related to her anymore? How much enhancements do you need to undergo?”

I looked away for a second in thought. ”Eeerm. Not much to be honest. What you see right now as my body is pretty tame to what I can actually do. I like looking human, because duh, I am human. But honestly, and don’t tell anyone this as I could get in trouble, even with my dispensation, but If I put the work in, I could probably change my biology so much that I won’t even look human anymore.”

Gabrielle then leant in and reached across the table, placing her hand atop mine. ”So you are saying, theoretically of course, that if you wanted, you could change yourself, or perhaps even me into something completely different? Change my biology so much that I would not be related to any of my relatives? If I had any... Or perhaps the other way? You could make yourself or someone else so much like someone else that if you didn’t know any better, you could make them look like siblings on the genetic level?”

’What the fuck?’ I couldn’t help thinking as she stared at me intently. For some reason, the way she was looking at me, it was like she was hinting at something. Like she knew a secret I didn’t. Just what was it?

Talking about changing biology and talking about relatives...

’No. She can’t be... No, I am delusional. She doesn’t know. How could she? I’ve even distanced myself from willow to not raise suspicion.’

Realising I paused again, I quickly replied, ”Well... Technically. With enough research and testing. Other scientific rigamaroles, yada yada. Yes. I suppose it’s possible. Heck with enough time and effort I could even turn myself into a snake like creature if I wanted my gene science is that crazy... Though don’t tell Sithrik that... She is right behind me isn’t she?”

I quickly turned around, using my Psionics on my eyes to look around for the invisible snek, sighing in relief when I didn’t spot her. I then turned back to Gabrielle who was simply smiling at me.

”That is fascinating to know Apollo. Thanks for indulging me. Who knows? Perhaps I might ask you to turn me into one of your family members one of these days? Haha! Could you imagine? AHahahahahahahaha- Eat before your food gets cold.” She suddenly shifted on a moment’s notice, taking a sip of her drink. Bamboozling me.

’Wait? I am confused like crazy now. Was she just hinting that she knew about the bio-cults? Or not?’

I shook my head. I was probably just misreading something again. That sounded more like me. Though, the talk of family and changing DNA and genes and becoming a member of my family...

’Just where has this come from?’