The hivemind is conquering for me?

Hailey was looking out of the window of her office. ’Above’ her, she could see Leondis in all its glory. Civilian ships galore heading to the planet for enrolment. Her nerves were shot, still no news on him. She was beginning to wonder if he was actually going to come, it is not like he is obligated just because he said so. ’Especially with his strength...’

Hailey remembered back to their first meeting, she felt the presence of a powerful figure and simply thought it to be an old codger. To her surprise it was a kindhearted young man who had managed to nestle his way into her heart, not with his power or status, but by actions, words and simply being himself.

She then sighed at the last part. Being himself. Hailey wished she was straight from the start. Told Apollo about her status as a Princess. What if things changed? What if he felt betrayed at her for keeping this to herself?

’No, Apollo is too kind. He is still only my friend. He will understand why I kept it a secret. Surely. Besides... It’s not my fault he is an adorable bumpkin, oblivious to Spartari politics.’ Hailey began to get lost in her imagination about all the ways Apollo could react. She especially liked the ones where he hoisted her into his arms like the princess she was and consummated their engagement then and there.

”He, hehe. Hehehe.” Suddenly from behind her she heard. ”Cease laughing like that Hailey, you sound like a pervert.” Turning around, Hailey glanced at Nerissa as she was maintaining her equipment.

”I’m not a-” ”- There is drool at the corner of your mouth, wipe it away.” Nerissa interrupted, causing Hailey to turn red in embarrassment before deflecting attention away from her. ”So, Nessie, Are you excited about Apollo’s arrival?”

Nerissa looked up from her weapon at the sudden nickname Hailey just gave her. It wouldn’t stick, but she would let it slide for now, the woman was clearly in a heightened state of emotions.

”It will be good to see the cause of my intrigue, yes. I also look forward to our Spar. While I know he cannot beat me without using that power of his, I am still fascinated to see what he can do at such a young age. His growth is... admirable to say the least.”

Hailey turned back out to the window and followed up. ”Do you think he has gotten stronger?” Nerissa smiled underneath her mask for a moment before returning to a neutral expression.

”Apollo is... Unique. That is a given fact. To survive Psionic decay from the extended research I have conducted into it. Genetic Scientist or no, to be able to survive and treat such a condition. You have to be built differently. Despite his laid back temperament, I can tell Apollo is most certainly something different. I could tell the moment I laid eyes upon him. Then there is the fact that he has stated himself he has more than a fair share of Psionic powers. That leaves me even more curious... Will he have more? It makes my existence yearn to know more about my subject of intrigue.”

Hailey turned around once more and raised her eyebrow at Nerissa who had already gone back to cleaning her gun. ”It is really weird when you do that, you know? You go days without speaking, then when Apollo comes up, you talk a lot.” Hailey would have to look out for Nerissa, she could be a rival, even if the Praetorian didn’t think that way.

”Without looking up from her weapon, Nerissa simply stated. ”Better than fantasizing lewdly in broad sunlight about a man who doesn’t know how obsessed you are with him.”

”I wasn’t! I’m not-” Hailey began to defend herself before a chiming sound began to play on her desk. In an instant. ”HELLO! *ahem* I mean, yes? Yes? Really? Positive? Perfect. Thank you.” Hailey then placed down her communicator and smiled at Nerissa.

”That was an old comrade of mine, He just informed me that VIP designation #18202422 has passed his checkpoint and is scheduled to arrive here in two hours.” Knowing that those numbers were Apollo’s designated spacefaring classification, Nerissa stood up and using her power, materialised a spear in her hand.

”I am going to go planet side and await Apollo there. It will also give the newcomers a chance to admire my form like they always do beforehand so when I speak to Apollo I won’t have to do anything drastic.”

She didn’t wait for Hailey to reply to her and began walking out of the room. As her spear clanged against the corridors as she walked. A smile crept on Nerissa’s face. A swelling of excitement was building up within her.

She was eager to watch the source of her intrigue. Ready to be shocked when he blurts out vague pieces of information, like the time he mentioned her Ichor. She was also looking forward to watching him endearingly at his lack of knowledge in other areas.

She was looking forward to watching over him all hours of the day, watching as he attends classes he finds intriguing. In that same train of thought. She was curious what he would attend. Perhaps Spartari common sense.

”Hmm~” Her back suddenly straightened out even more perfectly than usual. She hadn’t expected to make herself laugh and stifled herself immediately, she couldn’t remember the last time such an action occurred. Perhaps with her goddess?

The action itself erupted her less combative side and an impulse began to build up within herself. She couldn’t help it. It had to be done. Even when he isn’t here, the intrigue, the curiosity is still there. That needed rewarding. When she saw Apollo again she was going to do it. She was going to have to.

Boop his snoot.

...

A ship landed on Leondis and immediately an armed escort rushed to greet the inhabitant as her frame exited the vehicle. Two techno-mechanics adorned in white robes approached their colleague in red, who was holding a small box, and spoke.

”Lady Jocasta, We weren’t expecting you here? Is all well? Do you require military aid for an incursion into hostile space? Say the word and we will have a fleet-” They were suddenly cut off ”-Move out of the way and stop trying to kiss my synthetic ass, I am not here for you. Where is the academy enrolment taking place? I am picking up an apprentice and never mind I have hacked through your flimsy excuse for a firewall... Honestly Betheta, pull yourself together that was disgustingly shoddy for one of our order... Just go about your business and forget I am here. I will be gone in a matter of hours...Hopefully. Ugh, I always forget about the gravity on this planet, I should have dismantled some of my gear, but I am trying to impress my new apprentice after all, I have got to pull out all the mechatendrils and flex.”

Out from her robe, six mechanical tendrils began to help her heavy frame walk towards the destination. ” Ah I can’t forget to flirt with that A-”

Jocasta’s muttering became out of earshot as the two techno-mechanics looked at her with shock. ”I can’t believe your firewall was breached... Didn’t your engineering blueprint earn you seven awards?” He spoke in a binaric squawk, to which the shocked Betheta simply stated in return. ”Eight...”

”Still, you got off easy compared to who you replaced... I heard that Jocasta tortured the traitor even after death... And with her previous grants, I would bet good components that those aren’t just rumours.”

Betheta shook her head hearing that before squawking ” I don’t know about all that, but I tell you what though, I feel sorry for whoever that apprentice of hers is. They must be crazy to agree to work for her.

...

Jocasta arrived at the front of the enrollment area. It was open, her readers were fluctuating. So much raw power in one location, she was practically blind. No this wouldn’t do. Making her way through the crowd, she arrived at a guard post who immediately recognised by her robes the position she held and simply let her do whatever she wanted with all technology.

Using one mechatendril, she sat upon it to support her weight while the rest began plugging into various pieces of machinery. She should have had an incredibly difficult time breaching through all the defensive subroutines, but considering the fact she had rebuilt 87.76512% of them, it was a cakewalk.

A few minutes later, she was complete. Eyes, everywhere, microphones picking up every sound, every conversation. She could see couples having sex in the barracks, she could see the shipyard workers, the comings and goings of everyone and everything. Inside of her mind.

She had not just hacked the main Military operations base on this part of the planet. No, she had become it. There would be no waiting. She would claim her apprentice and leave swiftly after. There were lessons to teach, experiments to conduct, equipment to converse with.

She was excited to meet this Ronnie once and for all!