The hivemind is conquering for me?

Leondis: Ecumenopolis 7.

In a war intelligence room, twelve people sat across from each other on a long conference table. Nervous energy permeated throughout the room with occasional glances at the thirteenth seat that was currently absent. The twelve present were all early of course, the man they were waiting for was not someone who you wish to grace with lateness.

*step step step*

Footsteps approached from outside of the room. The majority of those inside began doing last second adjustments to their black and red military attire in order to look their best. The door opened and all stood and saluted the imposing figure that entered the room. ”A thousand victories to you, my King.”

The man ignored the cacophony of ass Kissing as he strode directly to his chair.

The King looked around the room, his grizzled face staring at every single one of the individuals present. His sword-like eyebrows frowned, realising that two Sepiidans were present for the meeting.

’What is our empire coming to?’ He thought with disgust before clearing his throat. ” I have taken time out of my war effort and called this meeting as there is intel that must be discussed and plans to set into motion. Sit.”

As all took their seats, Sigismund remained standing, giving a side glance to Jocasta who was seated to his right who then used one of her metallic tendrils to plug herself into the large desk.

As she did so, a holographic image of a young man with purple hair appeared for all to see, causing mumbles of confusion from most present. As soon as the King started speaking, silence took hold of all those present.

”Before you is an image of a fine young warrior by the name of Apollo Lambdason. Some of you might recall that name from our engagement on the conquered neutral world now named Decima. He was a part of Lady Kathrine Hyllus’ mercenaries that paved the way for our troops.”

”Oh, was he the one the mercenaries mentioned in their interviews?” One of the Sepiidans spoke up, causing the King to glare daggers at him until the Sepiida practically fused himself with his own chair.

After the uncomfortable silence caused by the king’s glare he finally broke it with a firm. ”Yes.” After, another picture of Apollo was brought up with him between Kathrine and Valerica Hyllus in front of the royal palace on Ecumenopolis 1.

” I had the opportunity to meet Apollo myself not too long ago. He has a spirit within him that I recognise. We seem to be kindred spirits him and I. I digress. After meeting him, I found he had a hatred of the enemy known as the swarm that could rival my own hatred for all the Xeno, all the Alien, all the traitors. Which I know that in the upcoming video I am about to show you, I have not dubbed him to be a traitor for being in Coalition space.”

Sigismund had managed to get access to the raw, unedited version of the battle of Bastion. In the Video. A Shaky camera was recording someone. ”We have identified that Alien to be the Seer of the Coalition.” Jocasta spoke up from the side, causing a series of gasps across the table as the woman appeared to be in critical condition.”

They had all heard that the Coalition took immense casualties up north by the swarm, but for the most part, they assumed it was just shoddy aliens being shoddy at war. That was until the Camera turned to what was implied to have put the Seer into that state.

Even through the video. Even without being in its actual presence, a feeling of fear built up within those present at the table upon witnessing the gigantic creature in the video. ”We have no idea what that thing was, what we do know is that it massacred our enemies in uncountable numbers.”

A Techno mechanic wearing white robes noticed something the kind said, causing her to ask. ”My King, you said ’was’?” Sigismund smiled at the woman before indicating his head towards the video as he muttered. ”Just watch.”

A few moments later, seemingly out of nowhere, an alien piece of equipment descended into the video. The video was too far away to hear whatever was being said between the Seer and this piece of Armour, but what those present did notice was that the giant creature seemed to stop in its tracks in its presence and when the figure shouted. ’You!’ the giant creature seemed to back away in fear.

The rest of the video played out, and those present were in shock of the image of the being in the video, wailing blows down on the corpse of the creature. Once the video ended, King Sigismund spoke. ”I am sure you understand from context, but the man in the video is the same man I have called you here for today. While we cannot quantify the current power of the beast for it lies dead on that treacherous world, I have personally dubbed that creature to be on my level of strength at a mild rage so, our young warrior must be close to that strength.”

That caused a great deal of commotion. King Sigismund was in his late seventies after all, despite not seeming to age in nearly twenty years. It was natural he was so powerful, but this child? For him to be at that level of strength already?

A large woman, nearing 8ft spoke up. ”Your grace. What else do we know about this man? Where has he been trained? Is he affiliated with any nobles? More importantly, what is his political stance?”

Sigismund smiled at the woman, causing her heart to race, though not in fear like the others would. ”I’ll let your brother tell you. Hugo!” Being beckoned, Hugo emerged from seemingly nowhere, a surprise considering the man’s height and frame and walked towards the table.

Hugo ignored the wide eyed, sadistic look of his sister and trusted the King will protect him from the maniac. ”Apollo Lambdason hails from the planet Apollo- minor. A fallen world devoured by the swarm over eighteen years ago. By some unfathomable luck, Apollo, who was born on the same day to one of my Olympus agents, managed to flee the planet and had been living in the outer rim until recently.”

There was a murmur among the group before Hugo continued. ”Due to his unique position of being the only human born on that planet, it is by law that he is the Archon of said planet. Still, very little is known about Apollo or his upbringing. What we do know is that he has an adoptive sister named Orchid and has ties to a ghost crime boss that goes by the street name ’Mother Sophia.’ More recently, it seems that Apollo has fallen into extreme favour with the Hyllus main family. With Valerica Hyllus personally requesting the king for permission to adopt Apollo into her family.”

Those present looked to the King for confirmation. Giving them a slight nod before continuing from Hugo’s point. ”Not only that. He also has ties to Princess Hailey Athena, whom I assume most of you forgot existed? Dickon’s first child. He has been spotted visiting her numerous times and the two of them performed a Carcer at Queen Elaine’s party.”

A gasp enveloped the group in unison. This powerful mystery figure was building ties with the military, the civil court, the nobility and the underworld? Was this Apollo planning something nefarious?

King Sigismund watched all those in his war room seemingly have the same thought in a moment, causing him to chuckle, causing fear to grip the hearts of most present. ”Oh don’t give me that look. No your reasoning is justified, If it were anyone else I would suspect the same, but Jocasta…”

After being called on, Jocasta began to speak. ”I have personally spoken with Apollo. Scanning his immaculate body as I did so. When I asked what he wanted out of life, he simply said to keep his loved ones safe. His heart beat stayed steady when I asked that so he wasn’t lying. I am a good judge of character. He does not want any power.”

That sentence caused those present to short circuit. Didn’t want power? Were they sure the man was even of Spartari? Suddenly, the large woman spoke up, asking the question everyone wanted answered.

”So, if you haven’t called us here for a debriefing on an assassination target, what is the reason for the briefing on this man? I assume we aren’t here just to fangirl over him?” Sigismund snorted after hearing that. It was actually rather funny.

As he moved away from the table, he walked over to the window, the training of new soldiers happening right below him. The future of Spartari. Those that would sacrifice themselves so that Spartari can continue to thrive.

As he stood there, the two Techno mechanics that were present, Jocasta not included, gasped at the same time upon realising what Sigismund was about to say.

”Apollo is said to be joining the college for a time next semester. After he is done honing his mind there. I plan to take him into my service to groom him as my replacement. He is the perfect candidate.”