The hivemind is conquering for me?

Ecumenopolis, 4 named in the same fashion as the rest of the 7 planets in this solar system formed 1 out of 7 super city planets that made up the Spartari core worlds. Ronnie had painted a good picture for me on the way here about the planet but seeing it in person was something else.

The planet itself had a circumference of 150,00km around its equator and like Ronnie had said the planet was split into two different ways of life. The northern hemisphere of the planet had jungles, deserts, large plains and mountains alongside even a couple of oceans that were split up between the landmasses.

From observation the lights of the cities were shimmering in beautiful and intricate patterns as though the inhabitants of those cities had come together to display their proudness of the city they lived in.

The southern hemisphere however had an extremely contrasting look. There were no visible oceans or unique climates, no. All that was visible was a concrete maze of towers and lights from one side of the planet to the other and most likely behind as well as it turned on its axis.

The contrasting difference in each hemisphere reminded me of the cyberpunk setting from my old life but from what Ronnie told me the majority of the southern hemisphere is pretty safe however a large amount of underground gang warfare takes place the further south you go.

Looming ever closer to the planet, Ronnie finally flew the ship close enough to a gigantic space station that orbited around the planet where almost all the planets ships are required to dock. Almost there a voice rang out through the communications of the ship once more. “VIP Designation #18202422 you are permitted landing in special class landing zone-crrzt”

The radio cut off for a moment before a deep yet energetic voice cut out the audio and another message relayed. “Negative on that permission, VIP Designation #18202422 is given clear permission to land inside of planet at the Strip airport over and out.” The previous voice one more chimed in to the communication upon checking the rank of the command given.

“Understood sir.” I looked over to Ronnie to see if he had been expecting this and from the look on his face it seemed he had.

Meanwhile on the spaceport, a man in a red and black military uniform who appeared to be in his mid 40s placed down the communicator he had just used to relay his message to the VIP ship. A smile was plastered on his thick moustached face before he not too discreetly checked his surrounding in case someone caught the sight of his sharp teeth.

Upon realising he was fine he let out a sigh but still he became hyper once more. For that ship had been the one he had been waiting for eagerly just like the rest of his family. Stabbing himself with his pen in the leg to stop himself from thinking about family outside of home, The man then continued with the act he was playing called ‘work’ before his superiors caught wind.

…

From what I understood via Ronnie, is that ships aren’t usually permitted inside the planet to keep pollution levels down. So getting permission to fly into orbit was actually a big deal as the only other types of air vehicles you would see were air cabs and large public transport shuttles.

Most personal transport was done through electric ground vehicles, though in the northern hemisphere there were some fly zones that were heavily regulated for wealthy and powerful people who owned small personal fliers.

Our landing zone from my guess was on a large piece of land that stretched 500 km from the equator into the northern hemisphere below us. The landmass was roughly rectangular in shape and made me smile at the implicated name of the strip.

The ship, under Ronnies control, landed smoothly on at the strip airport and I left him to collect my things. Entering my room to collect my power armour pack I was momentarily stunned. Orchid was wearing a crop top and a pair of pants that clung to her form pristinely.

“O-Orchid you look really gorgeous right now.” I could not help exclaim as other than the spacesuit, I had never seen here wear anything other than her combat armour.

Orchid smiled gleefully at my compliment before responding. “Thank you Apollo-mate, Although Orchid still does not like wearing these clothes, These feel loose and free enough that they don’t make Orchid uncomfortable.”

Putting my backpack on my hand automatically reached out and squeezed Orchids rear as it was a natural thing to do when something looks that good in pants. Orchid did not even flinch and just wore a sly smile as we made our way back to Ronnie as it seemed Onyx was going to ride in my mind for a while.

It did not take Ronnie long to gather his things and we were now below the ship and walking towards what looked like a customs. The guards who were stationed there supposedly to check luggage all placed a hand up to their helmets as if receiving a message. Afterwards they stood to the side ramrod straight and waved us right through.

Assuming the action was the work of this bio cult leader Sophia, I had made a point in my mind to thank her once we arrived at our destination. “So Ronnie, How long is it from here to home?” I asked taking in the cool night breeze.

“Usually from here it would be a 15 minute air cab, but Mother had said to be inconspicuous on the way back as we would have already drawn a bit of attention and to take a land vehicle back which is right around the corner and will take around 2 hours.” He replied with a hint of longing for his home so close.

Ronnie brought us to a sleek designed electric car with no windows, which I assumed would be see through from the inside like the ship, It looked fast but for all I know It could be a push car. As we got closer the doors of the car automatically opened and man around 6ft4, who was almost as wide as he was tall stepped out.

“Oi crumb, are you Ronnie?” The man said in a voice that seemed put on. “Uhm yeah thats me?” Ronnie replied with confusion. ” “Well about time, I’ve been sitting here for hours under lady Sophia’s instructions. I assume one of them is the asset?” The man eyed both me and Orchid warily but his mannerism did not change.

“Yes the man, I assume your hired help and not inner circle?” Ronnie chose his words carefully as to not break protocol regarding family talk. ” Yeah hired metal, she has hired me a few times but does not allow anyone with metal into her full employ as you should well know.” Ronnie gave a curt nod while I just stood there like a lemon trying to guess what the slang meant.

With not much else said between them, The man turned around and miraculously fit back into the car. “Uh, you two should get in the back and I will ride up front with our new friend.” Ronnie said in a way that was more a suggestion then a statement.

Walking with my hand still firmly lodged on Orchids behind, we made it to the door and I opened it for her before following behind her. As I sat down The large main piped up. “Uh if you guys want some privacy back there there’s a blue button in front of each seat feel free.” “Thanks ill take you up on that.” I said and pushed the button.

With the privacy barrier up the man let out a sigh and began to drive away. The front was quiet for a little while before the driver grew curious and asked his passenger. “Hey crumb, who are the lordlings in the back? They must be important if lady Sophia paid me the amount of Credz she did for a simple drive.”

Ronnie was angered by the lack of respect towards his father and mother but knowing the brute did not mean ill intent and could squash him like a bug he replied in warning. “The woman is important but the man is VERY important to mistress Sophia. It would be in your best interest to just drive and forget they even existed.”

The man gave a little chuckle but took the words seriously. “Alright pip I get It, no need to put on your tough guy act was just curious is all.” The man was more than curious now but knowing the asset was tied to lady Sophia, he decided it would be in his best interest to be silent for the rest of the trip south below the equator as people who piss her off tend to go missing.