The hivemind is conquering for me?

Upon opening my eyes I realised I was touching the ground. Looking around for my blanket, Sithrik was coiled up next to me, the end of her tail was still touching me, but with her brill covering her eye, she was fast asleep.

’I suppose if you aren’t a bed-bug, specifically created to wrap around a being for multiple hours a day, you get uncomfortable quickly.’

As I got up and brushed the dirt off my T-shirt and trousers I realised I had done something bad. Because Sithrik wasn’t human, I had allowed her to basically sleep with me like it was nothing.

She was an intelligent creature who had made it abundantly clear she was interested in me. I had to be careful, I still barely knew anything about her, but I knew I shouldn’t be treating her like an animal, so the nap time would be a one off.

I smiled at the sleepy snek before donning my armour and leaving the tent and looking around. The sun was already setting with a pink and orange sky above us, but from what I was told, the days here are quick at fourteen hours.

It would be a welcome change from the two days of day and night back on the moon, but honestly. Anything different than burrowed out cave walls above me was a welcome sight. I loved my Hively home, but man was I sick of rock after eighteen years.

I began to stroll around the base seeing what was going on, while simultaneously filling up my minigun drums with bullets. My purchased gift from Fergus did better than I reckon even he expected. The mini goobers couldn’t handle the firepower.

However, a sudden thought occurred to me as I looked down at my arm mounted weapon. ’Jeez, guns really do make killing impersonal... I killed hundreds of those big bastards today and only now realised... Yikes.’

I know I killed more on bastion, but that was different. That was hive war. I was helping my lovely lady feed. To the hive it was basically a dinner date. This, however, was actual war, I should be aware that I am killing, not just pointing my weapon and going ’brrrrt’

I then thought of Zircon, seeing her in the chains of my Mindspace and smiled. The bond we had was different. With her I had to feel a life being taken. Hear the wetness of their lungs filling up with blood. The sound of bone being sliced through. Meat cut.

It was more gruesome. Visceral. But it also made me aware. Made it so I knew what I was doing. And that this was the path I have chosen.

’Plus, I saw you feed a bunch today! That’s good. We need to get you nice and healthy so you can materialise again.’ I spoke directly through Zircon’s bond to me and the sword began to quiver in delight.

I smiled at the thought of Zircon having access to her hive queen form again. Her shadow was already so beautiful. Her three legged appearance was already so unique compared to Jewel’s template who, at least, apart from special mating related circumstances, had four legs, though some did have none, I was so curious about what her bio-forms would look like now if she had the opportunity to make them.

My thoughts about Zircon’s bio-forms then shifted into something that instantly aroused me. The thought of Zircon and Jewel in the same room. Both in their massive bodies, getting along because of me... Creating eggs or bio-forms out of our collective genes....

Two hives... One Apollo...

’Now that is what I would call a proper harem right there.’ I thought with a perverted smile on my face.

I had made the mistake, however, of relaying all that through my bondage link to Zircon, who even in her broken state managed to overpower her bondage for a split fraction of a second, materialise next to me and began spinning round me at a dangerous pace, her body practically singing with how much she was vibrating.

”Whoa, easy girl, let’s not draw attention. You are just a sword for now remember? How about if you calm down, I’ll look around and find some oil and give you a nice rubbing?”

Zircon immediately stopped acting frantic and forced herself into my hand. I chuckled at her and rubbed her hilt affectionately with my palm. I spotted two Phalanx patrolling and began walking towards them for their aid in this endeavour before I heard in the distance.

”Where is he?!?”

’Uh oh.’ I thought, recognising Gabrielle’s voice. Better I show my face before her emotions spike, them being the main trigger of her power.

Running over, I apologised to Zircon and promised to rub her long and hard later as I placed her back in my Mindspace.

...

”If you knew who I was-grrr. Just get your commanding officer here right no-Apollo~ You are ok?!?”

Gabrielle shouted, barging past the guard, who had tensed up at my presence. She then hugged me happily before hastily pulling back and circling around me. ”Some cosmetic damage, but no penetration. Good.”

She then stood directly in front of me and let out a long breath of relief. ”Oh, I was so worried about you. When your pod got shot off course I was so close to losing it for ages before we got the communication you were fine. Then that bitch of a Hyllus had the nerve to ask you and Nerissa to go gallivanting off to save some other people... Not on. Not on at all. Totally out of protocol.”

”Gabrielle, take a breather, ok? I am fine. See. Just a few small skirmishes. I am sure I will have you by my side the entirety of the mission to come.” I spoke and the tenseness evaporated from her being and she simply nodded at me.

It was then the Phalanx she had been yelling at walked meekly towards us. ”Forgive us, Sentinel. I do not know procedures with your presence, but Centurion Cockburn was adamant the Psionic squad was not permitted into the base until he had checked them for... Volatiles.” He spoke and I could tell under his helm he gave Gabrielle a heavy glance.

Not wanting to ruffle any feathers when not needed, I simply smiled at the man and put him at ease. ”Not a problem, we will wait outside. Go inform him I will keep them out until he arrives.”

The man then saluted me and I did so weakly back before he scurried off.

As I walked to the lesser defended side of the base, Gabrielle attached herself to my arm and looked up at me with a smile. ”So, Nerissa told you about your Sentinel status? How does that make you feel?”

I shrugged my shoulders and replied honestly. ”I don’t really know. I mean, The Centurion of this place shit a brick once Nerissa told him I was one. As long as I don’t have to do annoying things because of this title, I am fine with it. If there comes a moment I start getting paraded about though, I am running off home and hiding. I don’t like public speaking and publicity stuff.”

I still recalled the hell of having to pose for pictures in front of the Royal palace... Never again.

Gabrielle tightened herself around my arm and spoke. ”Don’t worry, I will make sure that never comes to pass. Plus I have worked with Sentinels before. Most of the time it was their choice to work with us, you are pretty high up and slightly separate from the Spartari food chain at this point. Though I won’t lie, your Sentinel status is public, I found out the day before we left. People will try to curry favour with you and those you are affiliated with now. My advice, just ignore them.”

I absorbed everything Gabrielle said. Aside from her occasional... Outbursts. She had a smart head on her shoulders and I would be a fool to not listen.

After reaching the edge of the base, the two remaining knights from earlier were guarding the entrance to the base, they both turned to us in unison before the one on the left spoke.

”Sentinel Lambdason, a word if you would be so gracious to spare your ear?”

I gestured for the fifteen foot tall battered and damaged suit of armour to speak and he did.

”The Order of the Guardians owe you a debt that cannot be repaid. Although we lost some of our most noble and valiant in our war today, because of your timely aid against those three silver pauldron scum, and the vile tide they commanded, my brother and I live and have been able to communicate your valiant vengeance of our battle brother back to our orders forge world. Know this, my sentinel, should you ever require mine or my brother’s aid, you need but ask.”

The duo then leaned their war machines downwards into a deep bow and I was about to thank them for their offer, as I had a hunch downplaying myself to a group of knights would not go over well, but before I could speak, Gabrielle shouted out in shock.

”HE FOUGHT WHAT!!!”