The hivemind is conquering for me?

Ten minutes of cursing out Serena later, Gabrielle had calmed down enough and was now sat down, arms crossed with a vibe that warned everyone around her ’Talk to me, you die.’

I found it very sweet how protective she was of me. She was like my daughter, looking out for my best interests, only she was older.

It was a weird relationship.

After cooling her down, I looked around and found Iilr, walking over to him I asked, upon noticing the members of our group were still a little light. "Where are the others, Iilr?"

Iilr pointed in the direction they just came from and replied. "Skaja spotted a group of Drakoshi from above on our way to rendezvous here. She took some troops with her to deal with them. I doubt they will be long now."

A few minutes later, I saw a golden figure in the sky flying towards us at pace. Below her I saw figures approach from behind a rolling hill. I recognised them, which is why when I saw one of them being carried like she was wounded I felt my heart lurch, especially considering the one in question was here voluntarily.

Skaja landed in front of us, unfurled her wings and removed a device around her neck before she reported. "They ambushed us in a gravity dense pocket. Even worse, half of them suddenly sprouted out of their armour mid fight. The fight was still easily won, but Lena took a stab to the gut after dodging into a seriously vicious pocket of gravity. Francesca has her stable and Greg knitted her up as best he could before he expended his energy. Plus, with her Thermokinesis, the odds of her getting an infection are slim to none. She will be fine after a bit of rest."

After breathing out all of my relief Skaja looked round and grew curious. "Why are we outside the perimeter like a bunch of vagabonds? Has something happened?"

I shook my head. "No, the centurion wanted to make sure everything was safe for his base in regards to our Psionics. But he is taking his sweet ass time getting to us."

Skaja rolled her eyes hearing that. "Typical. We are here of our own volition and the fuckers don’t trust us because of our Psionics... Anyway, glad to see you alive. How’d things go on your special task? You save the elites?"

I nodded my head. "Mhm. Nerissa and I Killed three silver pauldrons in the process and forced them to route."

Skaja raised an eyebrow and her eyes changed colour to green for a mere moment before returning to her golden eyes she had when using her armour. "You managed to kill three of them? Even with the Praetorian that is no trivial task without heavy ammo, I am impressed. Good job. That will slow down Drakoshi organisation for a few days till one of the ugly fucks grows enough to take on such a mantle. Anyway, I am going to check on everyone else. Glad to have you with us, Apollo." Skaja said with a genuine smile and a pat on the shoulder before walking off and immediately checking on her squad.

I then turned and walked away from the base and towards that had now made their way over.

Lena was wincing with each step Tamara was taking while holding her, meanwhile Francesca had her hand covered with water and had them placed against her wound. Lena upon seeing me smiled and held her hands out for uppies.

"Apollo! The fucker got lucky and gutted me. Can I have a cuddle to make me feel better? Oh, and don’t worry, after the fuck-knuckle got me. I wrapped my whips around its body and burned it into chunks."

Francessa immediately pushed Lena back into Tamara and chastised. "No, you need to let me heal you. Your body is averse to my Psionics and it’s taking more energy for the effects to work."

A lightbulb suddenly turned on above my head hearing that and I moved forward gently ushering Francesca to the side. It seemed she took her role as a healer quite seriously and was about to chastise me now, but I explained.

Psionics clash. I can use Cryokineisis, but because my Pyro is so much stronger, I struggle to use it. Lena is like me. Pyro and Thermokinetic. You’re expending too much energy filling her up with a negative energy to her usual. Let me help her."

Thinking about my Sol and our discussions about fire. How it can be destructive, but also purifying. I willed it and the palm of my hand engulfed in flame. Lena’s eyes went wide, but not in fear. In delight.

Francesca, however, was not having it. "Not a chance! You are not cauterising her wound when I am perfectly able to heal her without scarring, now move away before-"

*TSSSS*

Lena’s flesh began to sear and crackle under my hand and her whole body jolted. Francesca went to observe Lena’s face, assuming she would be in pain, but she looked... Well, she had seen glimpses of that type of face before, behind closed doors, she never expected someone being burnt to elicit that type of response.

"Ooohh~ Fuck yeah! Feel the burn!" Lena moaned gutturally. Tamara then pulled a face hearing that "Eww." And promptly attempted to drop Lena. I exerted my Gyrokinesis and kept her afloat long enough to cradle her, at which point I finished cauterising and pulled my hand away, after which Lena was panting heavily.

She then stretched herself out in my arms and began laughing. "Hahahaha! Fuck a duck and call it chuck! I didn’t expect to get excited like this in the middle of an active warzone, and by my bezzie mate of all people, but shit man, those are some good flames! Ah~"

I laughed and brushed a piece of Lena’s hair from her face casually as she smiled up at me. "Glad you are alright now. Do you think you are ok to walk?"

The glee on Lena’s face instantly vanished after I said that and she began to look around before letting out a winch.

"Tssst! Oh, actually, now that I think about it. Owie. I am in so much pain~ I can’t believe you burnt me Apollo. I am already sooo~ body conscious about my arm burns and now you give me another permanent scar? I could cry. *Sniffle* I think it’s only fair that you carry me for a bit."

Francesca then walked forward and checked the burn and commented. "With the burn being this fresh, I could probably heal it so there will be no scar tissue and-"

Lena backflipped out of my hands before hiding behind me with the agility she was usually known for before screaming in anger towards Francesca. "Don’t you touch it! I swear if you touch it I will rape you in the mouth! You hear me? I will rape you in your fucking mouth! Do you not feel the magnitude of Apollo’s fire?!? Its so fucking pure! So perfect! To rid a burn from his fire, A gift as great as this from my best friend? It would be abhorrent to do so! It would be like-"

She suddenly stopped and jolted in place before looking up at me robotically. "I-I mean. Owie~ My burn hurty!"

...

"Are you buying it?"

...

Walking back to the rest of the group Lena was sulking when I looked at her, but out of the corner of my eye I kept seeing her smile as she looked at her burn. I was glad I could help her, as funny as her reaction was.

Upon returning, I spotted Cockburn running in a full sprint before stopping before us and panting. He then saluted and declared. "Apologies, Sentinel. I was on call with the command chain. Of course your squad is free to enter the base. Apologies for the inconvenience. The Mess is about to serve food so all of you, help yourself. I’ll escort you myself."

Skaja then stepped up and spoke with authority. "Centurion, this... Sentinel? Is under my command. I am this warbands leader. We need to discuss our collaboration for the next few days, but for now. I am on board with food. Lead the way."

Centurion Cockburn nodded his head and apologised for the misunderstanding before we were ushered to the food tent. The first thing to hit me was the smell... It actually smelled pretty good.

Nerissa was already in here, pushing a spoon through her gossamer face covering. Upon noticing me, she gave me a little wave and put another tray on the table from the chair next to her.

I smirked, knowing that was meant for me and immediately ran out of the line before sitting down next to her. However, upon looking at the meal in front of me as I sat down, I frowned, getting Deja-vu.

A big brick of mystery meat. Though unlike at home, there was other stuff like some veggies. to go with it.

"I asked for the most calorically dense thing they had and they gave me this." Nerissa explained.

"Have you had any?" I asked curiously and she simply laughed at me before continuing to slurp up her stew.

I shrugged though. It wasn’t like I didn’t eat my mystery meat back home. Here will be no different. Picking it up. I took a bite and my eyes immediately went wide. There was a flavour profile for sure.

’Goodness me, is it all salt?’