The hivemind is conquering for me?

As I continued my jaunt around the field hospital, I couldn’t help smirk at the last interaction. I knew I was at least conventionally good looking, being modest, but I was kind of proud my flirting worked. I didn’t want to be too aggressive like with my women, but I thought I put on a good display. Liv didn’t recoil from my touch after all, that must have meant I did something right.

Of course I had the added benefit that the woman was oozing faith of me, but a pick up was a pickup and I succeeded.

It was also fun to do something different to war as I had been doing a lot of fighting, and passing out, recently.

It made me want to do it a bit more, but I wasn’t going to flirt with just random people. ’Hmm~ Where are the nymphs when you need them?’ I thought as I began to walk back to the main fortress before I heard someone yell with an anger that shook me to the bones.

”Apollo Lambdason!”

Turning around was a very angry and familiar figure, Francesca with Tamara following behind her. It was odd seeing the one angry and the one looking concerned flipped, but I couldn’t linger on that for long as Francesca powerwalked towards me and pointed.

”You! Tree! Lean down now!” Francesca commanded and I obeyed. As she reached me she lifted up my shirt and began inspecting me with medical intensity.

After a couple of moments she let out a relieved sigh before

*Slap*

”Oww!” Francesca suddenly let out a wail after smacking me in the face. I just stood there stunned as the blow didn’t hurt me in the slightest. Physically at least.

Upon seeing that, Francesca turned to Tamara and declared, ”Tammy, slap him!”

*SMACK!*

No remorse, no hesitation. I got bitch slapped hard to the point my ear was ringing.

”Why?” I asked, holding my cheek and flashing my largest puppy eyes, saddened by the fact my own allies would hit me so.

Francesca just looked at me wide eyed before commencing a swatting assault against my chest.

”What did I tell you!?! I told you not to go out on your own, you dumb ass of a man! We have been worried sick and you turn up at the end of the battle looking the way you did! I told you to bring us with you idiot! Why didn’t you bring us with you, stupid meat head! Who told you to fight a Warlord on your own! We thought you were dead you stupid fire fucker!”

Francesca then ended her swatting assault and began to shake her hands as she had not held back, knowing I could take it. She then manifested some of her healing waters around her hand and then just looked at me, pouting.

I then turned to Tamara who maintained eye contact with me for a few seconds before looking away. ”Um, I was worried as well. We all were.” I watched as the woman curled a finger around her pink hair for a moment before turning back to Francesca who was still pouting, seemingly waiting for me to speak.

”Oh, um. Look. I am sorry that I left without telling anyone, but I was seriously angry. Gabrielle was nearly killed protecting me. Sithrik was killed protecting me. I just didn’t want to put anyone at risk any more. Especially considering that the Warlord declared me a target. I wasn’t having more of my friends put down, so I took things into my own hands. I won’t ask for forgiveness as on my own I really could do damage against their back lines, but I will say I am sorry for not telling anyone and leaving you all in the dark.”

Francesca let out a sigh before shaking her head. ”You are lucky I like you, Apollo. Tammy knows I can hold a grudge. Especially when I tell people to do something and they do the opposite! *Ahem* I suppose I can understand your reasoning, but you didn’t exactly remove all the risk Apollo. Eight of our squad were killed in that last siege. With twenty seriously injured. Just remember all actions have consequences. You might have pulled that Warlord away, most likely saving those twenty injured, but the risk was always still there. It’s war, Apollo. We would rather fight together than be separated.”

...

Tamara watched as Apollo became reflective after he heard that. He looked sad. Tamara didn’t enjoy seeing her caring friend look like that so she swiftly changed the subject.

”So Apollo? How long have you been up for? What happened before I slapped the silly out of you?”

...

Looking at Tamara, I lost my train of thought, so I replied honestly. Oh, not much. I was hungry so I got something to eat, spoke to Sigismund, ate some more then came down to the field hospital where I spoke with a nice woman.Then the rest you know.”

”What woman?” Tamara asked quietly.

”King Sigismund? He is here now?” Francesca practically shouted at me, making me wonder what I had done wrong this time.

”Um... Yes?” I replied, looking nervously at Tamara in case I was due another walloping.

”How long ago was this talk you had with him?” Francesca inquired and I shrugged my shoulders.

”Not too long. Less than thirty minutes ago.”

Francesca began nodding her head and muttering incoherently to herself for a few moments before turning back to me. ”Ok, buddy. You are off the hook. We will speak again later. I just realised Tamara and I need to do something. Tammy, come!”

Francesca began walking away and Tamrara and I shared a glance before she followed behind after giving me an awkward wave.

’Scary woman.’ I couldn’t help thinking and began to walk in the opposite direction for safe measure.

...

Sigismund was receiving a checkup by a group of Techno-mechanics. The new drug was doing wonders, but considering he was still clinically testing it himself, he needed to be checked.

”Results are stable, my King. Nothing new to report. This is the longest span in your chart you have gone without lobotomy. Though I personally would recommend speaking with the lady Jocasta after this war about scheduling one as you are used to them.

Sigismund nodded hearing that. He supposed he should still have them every so often. They did work wonders and this stimulant was only a bandage holding back to tide. A strong, sturdy bandage as long as he took it, but a bandage all the same.

”Very well, now hurry along with the rest of the tests and get me back in my armour. I have Drakoshi to kill.”

”Yes, your grace.” The techo-mechanic bowed before scuttling off to his colleagues.

Sigismund then proceeded to close his eyes for a few moments. He might as well rest while he could. But the moment he did so, a Praetorian entered the room.

”Your grace?”

Sigismund let out a sigh.

”What is it?”

”There is a woman outside, one of the Psionic elites here from the college. She is demanding to see you.”

”Demanding? Hah. Did you get the name?” Sigismund asked, not bothering to open his eyes.”

”Yes. A Francesca Maleer. Also a woman with pink hair is with her, though she didn’t state a name.”

Sigismund rolled his closed eyes. Psionic pups were always pretentious. ”Tell this Maleer, she can demand nothing from me and be grateful I am in a good mood otherwise I would- Wait! Francesca Maleer?”

”Affirmative, sir.” The Praetorian replied.

”Out. Everyone out. Now!” Sigismund demanded and all but the Praetorian left.

Sigismund stood up and fixed his clothes slightly before nodding to the Praetorian. ”Send them in and guard the entrance.”

...

A few moments later Sigismund watched as two women entered the room. The moment he saw them it was like the last forty years had not occurred. The reports from Hugo were correct. They hadn’t aged a day.

Sigismund wanted to go down there and hug them, well Francesca at least. It was like he was seeing a branch of his life that could have been.

Instead, he just gave them both a smile and a soft nod. ”Francesca. Tamara. It’s good to see you both after all these years.”

”It’s good to see you as well, your grace. You are certainly more mature now, just like Hugo.” Francesca said and Sigismund laughed after seeing Francesca grimace slightly at calling him ’Your grace.’

”Hahaha! Don’t worry. I have the run down of what happened. Basically no time passed for you correct? I can understand why you are having trouble calling me your grace considering all the trouble we were back in the day. For now, why don’t you just call me Sigismund? Like in the old days.”

Francesca nodded her head. ”Sure, sounds fine, Sigismund. Tamara?” Francesca nudged Tamara who had just been staring narrowed eyes at Sigismund since they entered the room. The action prompted her to scoff.

”Pfft. Fine. But only because you are king now. Otherwise, just know, I still think you are a massive pervert.”