The hivemind is conquering for me?

Earlier:

With the war all but over, the Phalanx would be able to kill off the rest of the Drakoshi stragglers with trivial ease.

As a result, the Praetorians had pulled back and together, were conducting a meeting in the secrecy of their advanced tech.

”I object to this, I just want it on the record!” Rhapso proclaimed for all to hear as Phoebe removed her helmet and placed it on the table before everyone else.

”So you have said, Rhapso, but everyone else wants to see and discuss it. He might be your friend, but we are your family. Agree with the vote.” Thespius stated calmly before turning to Phoebe and giving her a nod.

A few moments later, a projection emerged in the air for all to see. It was from a few weeks ago when they launched the siege for the orbital gun. It was from Phoebe’s point of view. They were trying to catch up to the Warlord in the image.

Some of the Praetorians were mumbling to themselves, noting the Warlord was stronger than usual.

However, they quickly became silent as a massive burst of energy sent the Warlord reeling through the air. The line of sight followed for a moment before quickly snapping back to a figure floating in the air.

Even through the recording, the Praetorians had a scale for the power that Sentinel Lambdason was wielding at that moment. It was insurmountable.

Thespius even had his eyes wide. He had heard the story a couple of times already, but seeing it first hand was something else.

The projection then ended, pausing as Sentinel Lambdason stared directly into the projections point of view.

The Praetorians didn’t know what to think about what they just saw, so they all turned to their leader for answers.

”Well... He is definitely strong in that state, I will give him that.”

”Thespius.” Polymede interjected. ”This video doesn’t do the aura he was letting off in his presence justice. Honestly, I am not lying here when I say that it was borderline Div-

”Poly! What did I say about speculation?” Nerissa snapped. ”Finishing that sentence could have severe repercussions against his life. If you make that claim boldly, with no evidence... The ramifications could be severe.”

Polymede pointed at Nerissa accusingly. ”And I told you, I think you are hiding something from us, your kin. For that anomaly.”

”Enough!” Thespius scolded. ”There will be no arguments between us, am I clear? Good. Now, Polymede. Nerissa has a point. Finishing that sentence has dire repercussions for the lad. A lad whom many of us have now shared a battlefield with. Who we have shared a phalanx with. That holds weight to me, I don’t know about the rest of you.”

There was a murmur of agreement. It had been a very long time for many of the Praetorians since they shared a combat formation with one not of their order. Longer still since someone was able to keep up and not be a liability.

Thespius then turned to Nerissa. ”Though I do agree with Polymede on one thing. You and Rhapso have grown close to Apollo. Too close. I believe that you would keep secrets from us at this point and that hurts me. So, if you have anything to disclose to your kin, now is the time.

Nerissa and Rhapso shared a look, Rhapso subtly shook her head, but Nerissa sighed and turned to Thespius, dejected.

”When I spoke to Artemis on multiple occasions, I brought up this subject. I had been curious about some of the things I had seen... She doesn’t think Apollo isn’t what Polymede is suggesting he might be.”

I see... She doesn’t think that, does she? Now, as much as I want to believe the words of one of our gods, Artemis is not fully whole, as such her words cannot be trusted as absolute fact. So tell me, Nerissa. What do you think Apollo is? Do you think he is just a generational talent? Unbelievably powerful for his age, or do we begin to entertain the suggestion Rhapso made months ago when you visited from the college? Do you recall what she said?”

Nerissa shook her head in denial. She remembered, of course, it was the whole reason this road of revelations began. She was about to protest the questioning before a voice cut in.

”I wish to put to vote for Apollo becoming a Nymph friend.”

Everyone turned to Phoebe, Thespius included and looked at her with shock.

”Sister, you cannot be serious?” A Praetorian shouted from the side. Many others shared their take and asked their own questions. One didn’t though.

One proceeded to glance at Nerissa and Rhapso, seemingly peering through their helmets to the faces below. Their emotions were easy to read to her. The relief they didn’t have to answer that question. The fact they didn’t want to. They were hiding something. Something big.

’Curious.’

”Phoebe. I appreciate the points you have put before you, but it is not enough. The vote has to be unanimous and I can guarantee, you will not get every vote. I like the lad, despite what this gathering might suggest, but he is not a Nymph friend. Just your friend.”

Thespius sighed after saying that. He could feel a tension in the air. The fact one human could cause this much instability in his family, it troubled him. Taking a quick glance at Nerissa and Rhapso, he could almost physically see Rhapso anger towards him right now, it troubled him even more.

”Silence!” He ordered and the conversations stopped.

”This is clearly a sensitive subject. Everything brought up has caused turmoil. I suggest we put a pin in this for now and re-evaluate the situation should a time come when a more level foundation has been set. Instead of just hearsay and he said/ she said. For now, we shall leave it as this. Sentinel Apollo is our Ally, he somehow helped Nerissa bloom, twice, and has the capacity for extreme levels of power under intense physical duress. I think we can all admit to ourselves with these facts that whomever Apollo is. He is vital not only to Spartari’s strength, but to ours as well.”

Everyone agreed. No matter the stance they had on the human. Causing one of their own to bloom was still a massive deal. Seeing the emotions returning to a calmer state, Thespius nodded and stated,

”Good. Then we are done here. Nerissa, Rhapso. Good luck over in Coalition space. It has been a very long time since one of our order was there, not in conflict to clarify. Though remain cautious at all times.”

”Ok, bye.” Rhapso said rudely, grabbing Nerissa by the arm and roughly dragging her away through the barricade.

Once on the other side Rhapso started grumbling. ”You should not have brought up the Artemis thing. He thinks we know something they don’t.”

”We do know some-”

”Have you lost your sanity? By Apollo’s bulging biceps- Wait, shut up.” Rhapso spoke and turned around as another Nymph suddenly made her way out of the dome and towards them.

”Rhapso, Nerissa.” The Nymph spoke, her voice sounding melodic.

”Argyra” Nerissa replied warmly to the water Nymph.

Argyra stood there for a few moments in silence as she looked between Rhapso and Nerissa.

”What do you want? We need to go.” Rhapso asked, impatiently.

”This meeting has invoked ire to your kin, Rhapso. This upsets me greatly. Are you ok?”

Rhapso realising she had lashed out, took a deep breath before replying. ”I am fine. I just don’t like conspiring behind my friend’s back.”

”I see...” Argyra spoke. ”You and this Apollo have developed quite a special bond in such a short time, haven’t you? Is there a specific reason for this? Do you perhaps share a secret amongst the three of you?”

Nerissa frowned. ”Are you accusing us of something, Sister?”

Argyra raised her hands, slowly. ”Goodness. No. Of course not Sister. I simply wish to understand this rift between us that has been erected since your contact with this Apollo. Might I give my hypothesis on what has transpired?”

”No. Ness, start the bike.” Rhapso said, getting onto the passenger seat.

Argyra just giggled at Rhapso. ”I think Mr Apollo has fooled Lady Artemis. I think he has also either fooled you, or has told you some great truth about himself. Something so great that you have been, not so much forced, but you yourselves have promised to keep a secret.

Nerissa got on the bike and started it up, ignoring her sister. As she was about to accelerate away, Argyra stood in front of the bike and pushed its front suspension down with her body weight.

”Don’t worry you two, I won’t pry out of you whatever has transpired. Though I think I have a suspicion of what it might be. If I am right, tell Apollo hello from me and that at his convenience, I would like to speak with him. Oh! And that I won’t tell the others about this close conversation between sisters.”

Argyra then removed her weight from the bike and stood to the side. Nerissa and Rhapso just stared at her for a few moments before driving away.

”Hehe.” Argyra giggled to herself. ”Such sillies. So cute.”

Once they were gone, Argyra frowned. The Song Apollo sang in her presence the other day, the one with her goddess’ name spoken in it had spurred a false memory in her mind.

It confused her. For some reason at some point. She felt like she had seen the man out of the corner of her eye for just a second.

”Curious.” She thought before making her way back into the dome before her absence was noticed.