The hivemind is conquering for me?

Making my way to Sophia, she smiled as I arrived and took my hand. ”Good, you are done with Jinx, come I want to show you off!” Wasting no time, Sophia made her way to an elevated platform by the bar where a microphone was set up.

”Attention all, Attention.” She said sweetly, yet everyone went silent as the woman demanded respect. ”I would first like to thank you all for attending this venue today. While tensions are running high here in the south, it is good to remember that a good party and a safe environment to relax are always a possibility in my borders.”

Some of the more bloodthirsty guests that were profiteering of the current war rolled their eyes at Sophia’s claim, but did not speak up as she continued.

”Now, while this neutral party is a highly tense affair with being in the same room as your rivals, I have pinched a few favors out of my contacts to bring in a truly neutral individual to keep the peace this evening.”

Some of the more gifted individuals rolled their eyes at that claim. White death especially so. He was keeping the peace because he respected Sophia’s balls so to speak and it would dishonour him to attack her while he is a guest in her home, while Zeona scoffed into her drink.

’Please, there is no one neutral enough in Spartari who would come here to mediate, this is clearly just a power scheme.’ She thought to herself. However, When Sophia called out a woman named Nerissa, Zeona’s eyes went wide with shock.

She was not the only one, everyone in the room became so silent that you could probably hear a mouse fart as the golden armoured warrior, who’s strength was unfathomable to most of the people present, walked onto the platform and stood tall next to Sophia. Tensions began to build up as the silence became deafening. ’What the fuck is a Praetorian doing here!’

She was not the only one thinking that and fortunately before someone could do something stupid, Sophia continued. ”Now, now all, no need to be so tense. Nerissa is not here as a member of the Spartari government, She is here as a close personal favour to me, to make sure everything stays neutral, just the way I like it.”

Some people scoffed at that statement, remembering the recent annexation of land Sophia was involved in.

”Now, Nerissa, anything you would like to add?” Sophia said and moved away from the microphone. As Nerissa stepped up, the gang leaders and the nobles were all silent once more. To hear a Praetorian speak, even the lawless gangers had to admit that they were excited.

”Thank you Sophia. Hello all, I am not here to judge your lifestyle. You may drink whatever you desire and take any substances you wish. As long as you respect the rules of neutrality, you will not have to deal with me.”

The room cheered, ecstatic as the simple statement. Especially the low ranking nobles. They had a story that could get them through the next century’s worth of hot goss. Meanwhile, Both White death and Zeona watched the Praetorian walk away and stand next to a face they had both become familiar with.

”Jinx’s Boytoy?” ”Jinx’s Kidnapped noble?” They both respectfully muttered. The man in question was whispering into the Praetorian’s ear as Sophia continued. ”Now that the issue of everyone’s safety is out of the way. I would like to take a moment to explain the true reason this party is happening.”

Sophia’s face turned sombre for a moment as she looked down at her feet. She then put on a sad smile and addressed the crowd. ”A very long time ago, I lost family very dear to me, on a planet devoured by the accursed swarm.”

I looked over in mild surprise with the amount of hatred Sophia was managing to fake into those words. Heck, it made me frown with anger for a moment like many of the guests below, before I remembered I was in love with them.

”I also lost someone who was to be my Fiancé when he grew up and over a long period of time, I managed to slowly heal from the past. That was until I realised that my Fiancé and his sister survived, by some miracle and great sacrifice on the local planetary defences part.”

Sophia began to shed tears as she told her story. Some of the feminine persuasion of the crowd began to clutch their chests, while one man was also balling his eyes out as he remembered his former partner he had lost.

Find more to read at empire

”In these last few months, I have had the pleasure of reuniting with my Fiancé and getting to know the wonderful man he has become and have formed a close bond with his sister, Orchid, where I now see her as my own sister too. Sadly, They both have to return back home to their teacher to further their Psionic training for a short while.”

White death raised his eyebrow under his mask at this information. ’He is Psionically gifted? Jinx never mentioned that, or anything about a sister. Interesting.’ While Zeona scanned the man carefully with her zoomed in retina.

’Tcch, No implants, cybernetics or even a shitty cred chip implant. As organic as the day he was born. Hmm, guess I will have to do this the old fashioned way if I want intel.’ She thought before downing her drink.

”Ugh, sorry for getting emotional everyone, this man just means a lot to me and I am truly glad we have managed to form a closeness, even with the engagement technically null and void. Apollo, would you like to come up here for a moment and address the crowd?” Sophia said as she looked in my direction with the softest and cutest eyes ever.

At this point, I could not say no even If I wanted to as I made my way to the stage. I did not notice that as I walked that Nerissa followed me like a bodyguard would as I was simply used to her presence now, though her behaviour caused a number of eyebrows to raise questioningly.

”Um, Hi everyone. My name Is Archon Apollo Lambdason as Sophia has lovingly said.” I said, causing a cute short stack behind the bar to shout. ”WHOO!” I let out a soft chuckle at that and continued.

”Now I know not all of you here know me nor I you, but I would like it if everyone enjoyed themselves tonight. You know? Just focus on having a good time and for one night, leaving all the troubles you have been going through at the door. Oh and I know it’s the beers and those types of beverages that are free tonight so two rounds of the strong stuff on me! Please enjoy!”

A wave of applause sounded by what was clearly the cultists at first before peer pressure caused everyone else to join in. Once I got off the platform and everyone returned to their fun, I walked over to Sophia and asked.

”Sorry, I did not know you were going to call on me. Did I do ok?” Sophia took my hand calmly and said, ”you did fine, great even, I-” Her words of encouragement were interrupted when mommy- I mean Valerica walked over and said.

”Oh my baby, you really were sheltered huh? Public speaking is not one of your strong suits. Just stick to your fighting and Psionic knowledge and let mommy handle that for you in the future ok?”

”Oof, was I really that bad?” I said and it was Kathrine’s turn to add to the dogpile. ”There was no real substance, handsome, but we all have our strong suits, you just stick to yours.” I then turned to Hailey who looked down, not wanting to point out my flaws while whispering. ”I thought buying everyone some drinks was a nice touch. That would have gone over well in the military.”

”Jeez, you don’t have to all look at me like I am dying... Well I am, but that is besides the point. It was only an improvised speech. Look, everyone has already forgotten.” I said as I gestured towards the patrons, most who had crowded the bar, looking to get wasted.

It was then my beautiful princess Orchid snuck up behind me and hugged my arm. ”Well, O-I thought It was perfect Apollo. Now, I did not put on this thing and spent hours getting ready to sit about idly. Let us have some fun before we get home and Jewel keeps you all to herself.”

I looked at Orchid wanting to refute her statement. ”That is not going to... Ok, yeah she is going to be super clingy when we get back...” I said, nodding my head in agreement as I let Orchid pull me onto the dance floor, where we both started dancing terribly, while also having a great time.