The hivemind is conquering for me? Chapter 756: Step 1: Infiltrate

Dispatching the Drakoshi proved effortless. By the time I eliminated three, Tamara and Skaja had slain one, while Nerissa took care of the remaining foes.

From the corner of my vision, during our clash with Ulf, I spotted him hit by the flamethrower and feared the worst, leaving Zircon inside a corpse briefly to feed. Rushing over, bracing for a burned body, I breathed a sigh of relief seeing a bald, nude Lena instead.

Even so, drawing nearer, I inquired, "Lena, Ulf. Are you two okay?"

Lena swept ash off her breasts before flashing two thumbs up. "Oh yeah, these fire bastards aren't so hot. Their fuel hit only about eight hundred degrees Celsius. Kids play with fiercer flames! It couldn't harm me even if it wanted, weak-ass fire punk. Nothing like..." She trailed off, muttering about 'real fire'.

Skaja approached next, kneeling beside Ulf to examine his injuries, then nodded to herself—'field treatable.'

"We're fortunate Lena was here. Her flame resistance just saved your hide, you big oaf." She remarked, punching his shoulder on instinct—a move she regretted immediately.

"Ah, crap, sorry!" She blurted, as Ulf groaned in pain but laughed it away.

By then, Francesca and Greg had dashed down the slope ahead of the group. They checked Lena first, but after Baldy's cheerful greeting, they turned to patching Ulf.

As the rest reached the riverbank, Skaja announced, "We can't tell if this patrol was watched or when they're expected back, so we're racing the clock now. Everyone into the water—Ulf, you holding up?"

Francesca answered for him. "Lena blocked nearly all the flames. Most burns are first-degree, with a few minor second and third-degree patches I'm handling first. If a bit of pain doesn't hinder his fighting, he'll manage. The chilly river will soothe the rest anyway."

Skaja laughed at that. "Hear that, Ulf? Think you can push through some hurt?"

The brute rose, rolling his shoulders, nodding thanks to Francesca and Greg for the quick fix before grinning. "Yeah, I reckon I can handle a touch of pain—not like I've been gored or anything..." He smirked, then glanced at Lena and quickly looked away from the scantily clad woman.

"Hey, thanks. I'd be toast without you."

Lena stepped up, innocently kneading his arms. "No sweat, but dude, those burns look prime. Shame to heal 'em completely." She switched topics fast.

"Apollo, got any extra clothes? Can't battle with my rack hanging out... Or can I? Wonder if the Drakoshi'll fall for my womanly wiles~" She teased alluringly, jiggling her breasts seductively.

I stared briefly before shaking it off as Nerissa handed Lena clothes conjured from her ability. "Your grav-gear seems fine, so you're set." Nerissa said, then slipped behind me.

Skaja eyed Nerissa briefly before dismissing it. "Okay, team, as I said, time's ticking—into the water, gear up with whatever keeps you from drowning."

I observed the group entering the river; from those without full coverage, came oohs and aahs before they sank past their heads.

Sithrik plunged in next, and her scales made the water bubble on touch. I worried momentarily, but once fully submerged and vanishing, the bubbling ceased.

She ran hot, yet not enough to boil a whole river dry. Only unrestricted Sol could manage that—or me unleashing a mini sun, which would doom us all, including myself.

Shoving aside the dark thoughts, I dove in. The water felt frigid, I figured. The river plunged deep too. Hitting bottom, I'd dropped at least four times my armored height—roughly eight feet.

Plenty deep to conceal us.

Visibility was poor below, but upward, planetary moonlight danced on the surface, confirming no threats beneath.

'Way better than the ocean.'

Plus, semi-aquatic Sithrik navigated fine here and offered to guide us visually. She even let others huddle near her body—her red, faintly glowing scales and the warmed water serving as our beacon.

…

Grav-gear pinned us to the bed, but water resistance slowed our few-mile trek. Still, the scheme held firm.

We'd passed Drakoshi view long ago; fortress floodlights swept the river overhead, but depth shielded us.

Soon, Sithrik twisted toward me, nudging my helmet before gazing up. We'd made it. I signaled Skaja and Nerissa nearby with standard gestures, passing it along the chain.

Gyrokinesis lifted me to surface beside Sithrik. We hugged the wall. Others ascended slower to dodge the bends, but joined quickly.

I beckoned Iilr; he nodded, summoning his Psionic ropes.

Grasping the ends, I found a wall-base spot to exit fully. Blending leaps, flight, I scaled the towering walls, halting at the parapet to peek. Two drowsy guards stood there, flanked by gun turret towers. Tying rope secure while watching, as I prepared to vault over, Sithrik clambered up smoothly. Amazed, I pointed to the right-hand guard.

She mimicked a nod sans shoulders; I took left.

Before the guard processed it, Zircon pierced his brain as I eased the body down quietly. Turning to check Sithrik, I caught her squeezing the Drakoshi's neck till its head burst free.

I lunged, snatching the flying head mid-air to prevent a splash alerting others. Secured it, then hid the body and fastened more ropes. Climbers lagged, so with multi-ton strength, I hauled ropes up sequentially.

All topped out and mustered, Skaja assumed control. She directed securing adjacent towers for exit. Success—no Drakoshi gunners detected us.

On our end, Morrgan pulped one skull barehanded—shocking from his dainty look—while Ulf silently smashed his hammer, turning another skull to mural.

Next, fallback established. Wall doors to other sides got two-watch pairs. Incoming Drakoshi? Terminate.

Bubble, Vine, Francesca, Greg as support drew sentry duty; rest divided. Iilr, Kephissa, Morrgan sneaked solo to rig walls with explosives—good luck sent.

Nerissa, Rhea, Lena, Skaja, Ulf hunted Drakoshi brass, leaving Willow, Sithrik, Tamara, me for last duty.

I eyed the upper walls left to climb unseen.

Ours: neutralize the Boomstick.