The hivemind is conquering for me?

Upon arrival back at the fort, Nerissa and Rhapso were not where I left them. Instead there was a Phalanx standing in their place. As I landed a bit away from them and put Onyx down gently, the Phalanx that was just standing there ran over towards us and saluted me.

”My Lord Sentinel! I have been instructed by the Praetorians to inform you upon your arrival that a leadership meeting is taking place at the summit of the fort and you are to go at once... Uh, respectfully, sir.”

I nodded at the woman. ”Thank you. Go back about your business.” I then picked Onyx up once more and flew to the top of the fort as I was not taking the ramps.

Effort.

Arriving at the top. I put Onyx down again outside the tent I could hear the usual shouting from. I then turned to her and said, ”Stay here. No wandering off.”

”Of course, my universe.” Onyx said, smiling sweetly. I then gave her a wink before heading into the room at which point everyone became silent as they turned to me.

Looking left and right, everyone was staring at me so I asked, ”What? Is there something on my face?”

”No, not at all. Apollo, glad you could make it, please come in.” Phoebe spoke calmly at the head of the war table. ”We had barely started before these two started arguing even though they both wanted the same thing. Which was to wait for you. So if THEY are done. We can begin.”

I took a glance at Serena and Skaja. The duo looked rather beaten up, especially Skaja. One half of her face was swollen and blue while the other half was caked in dry blood. I wasn’t sure if that was a battle injury or if the two of them finally came to blows. And I wouldn’t be asking until they were alone.

”Now, to catch our sentinel up. I just stated that the current threat of the war has gone from a class five war to a class seven major threat. Praetorian class. On the planet, we now are facing not one, but two Warlords as the appearance of the first one caused a second to sprout up. As a result of this major threat, I have taken command of the local forces and have requested reinforcements from my order.”

The room remained silent, if there were any objections to the Praetorians taking over, no one was stupid enough to say so.

”Now we lost a good amount of soldiers during our failed siege, however it could have been much worse. The biological enhancement the Drakoshi get from their Warlords make it so they did not give chase and the attack from our sentinel that sent the more Powerful Warlord away from the frontlines meant that the tactical withdrawal was safer by a significant amount.

That being said, we still are not in a tactically sound position. With two Warlords concentrated on one target, we will not be able to withstand a defensive siege as we stand. As a result we are going to have to give up this fortress and many others until the Drakoshi are pulled thin.”

I saw some of the Phalanx commanders frown at that, but they all held their lips.

”The more they stretch out, the better position we will be in as while we lost that battle, some good news. Our navy decimated theirs and their reinforcement ships. As a result the Drakoshi are now cut off without 99% of their cloning pods. The only ones they will have now will be planet side and that won’t be many which means every loss they take now will be more significant. Warlords or no Warlords.

And while still risky due to the orbital cannon in their possession, our forces will finally have access to tactical aerial support. Any questions or suggestions so far?” Phoebe asked the room.

One of the Centurions raised their hand. ”Praetorian. Your strategy is well and good, but how do we deal with the Warlords when they attack? I mean, we have all heard the stories. They are walking armies by themselves. Yes the Drakoshi numbers might be at risk of running out now, but still. Silver pauldrons are a significant threat to unprepared units of Phalanx, never mind a Warlord.”

”I understand your trepidation about the Warlords. As we withdraw, if the Warlords turn up in a region we, the Praetorians, are in. We will do our best to hold them off. If not, it will be up to local command to make rear guard sacrifices to keep them occupied.”

The room turned sombre upon hearing that, which surprised me as most of the leaders in the room had no problem sending millions into a headlong desperate charge.

”Now, for those who have not been on a battlefield with enhanced Drakoshi before. My brother-in-arms, Marnes, will explain now. Marnes.”

Marnes nodded and took the centre. ”The Drakoshi you have been fighting are dead. Gone. No more headlong charges to reach melee with you. NO more simple tactics. The Warlord’s presence causes some sort of biological lock in the Drakoshi DNA to unlock in their presence. Making the grunts smarter, stronger and more durable. And with this new advantage they don’t waste it. They will use tactical military warfare. They will make trenches. They will use ambush warfare. They will conduct espionage, sabotage. The big bastards will be shockingly sneaky.

Do not expect an easy fight at any time during the next battles. Just because they are not getting close unless needed, which is even worse than before, as they will not savour the kill, they will just rip you in half and move on.

Expect significant losses and plan accordingly. Be prepared for a bloody war to come and good luck I hope you all make it to our victory.”

Marnes’ words were brutal, but they were needed. Lives were going to be converted to just numbers at this point.

Phoebe then took point once more and looked around. ”Everyone of Phalanx personnel can leave. Tend to your soldiers. Have them rest if possible, but also be ready to move at a moment’s notice.”

After the majority of the tent had left and I was just with people I knew, Phoebe turned back towards me and inquired,

”Apollo? How are your injuries? We have all been very worried.”

”I’m fine, I just need another day. Ribs are quite tricky to heal.”

Phoebe proceeded to nod her head. ”Good. Now, those that are left in this room I consider strong enough to act counter the Warlords. So we need to come up with defensive contingencies for when we encounter them again.”

” You want me back in the fight with a Warlord?” Skaja asked? ”You do see my face right? I’m lucky it was only a side swipe or I’d be dead.”

”You and Apollo are capable of flight. That height advantage is needed against the Warlords. It keeps them from having a height advantage. Now, I won’t have you fighting the first Warlord, but the new one? The intel we have gathered is that it is a Dinnac. Which means it will be slower and much weaker than the Emoth one. As for the first one. There are a few ways to go about it, but first. Apollo.” Phoebe turned to me.

”Yeah?”

”The... Power that you used against the Warlord. Are you capable of using it continuously?”

I shook my head. ”No. I have no control of when I activate it. It activates near death and I am not comfortable allowing myself to enter that state. It basically charges my body past what my body can withstand normally. If I use it for too long, I will enter Psionic decay like I did at the Royal palace and I will do everything to prevent feeling that pain again.”

”I see. That is unfortunate. But we understand. Worry not. The sudden surprise of the Warlord left us unprepared for a direct confrontation with it. In future engagements we will be able to determine when to engage and disengage at will. But trust me when I say this. Once the reinforcements have arrived. I promise you that thing will be dealt with in accordance with the pain it has inflicted upon our allies.”

I smiled at her words. ”Don’t you worry. It’s personal now. The fucker killed my snake. So trust me when I say, only one of us is getting off this planet and I have all intentions of leaving.”

I then felt Sithrik in her danger noodle form, climb up my leg and make her way to her new spot on my shoulder. I then gave her a small stroke on her chin, at which point she made an adorable noise.

I almost lost my composure at the cuteness overload, but I felt Sapphire glaring at me from within myself so I let out a small cough and asked the room.

”So then. What are our next steps to finally win this war?”