The hivemind is conquering for me? Chapter 804: Alien Bunker?

Sithrik guided us towards a dilapidated tree, its surface marred by charring. She ascended the dead wood, and as she observed my bewilderment, she instructed,

"Peer beneath the tree."

An undercurrent of anticipation colored her tone, prompting me to comply. I looked below the tree, initially seeing nothing, but after a brief pause, a glint caught my eye.

"Metal?"

*Clunk clunk*

My suspicion was confirmed as I tapped against the metallic surface.

Sithrik's tongue flicked out before she continued,

"Not merely metal. I sense air beyond it. It's a door."

Trusting my companion, I closed my eyes and extended my telekinesis. Harnessing my Psionics, I began to probe the metal surface, reaching into unseen areas. After a moment, I detected a small indentation. With my telekinesis, I started to work at the edges, prying them apart. My mental focus intensified as the doors resisted, but with a final effort,

"Oh, shit." My surprise was evident as the ground beneath me gave way, initiating a slide. I found myself in an unfamiliar corridor bathed in a crimson glow.

"Apollo, are you unharmed?" Morrgan's voice echoed from above.

"Yes, I'm fine. I suspect this is some kind of bunker... though it doesn't immediately resemble Spartari architecture, based on my initial assessment."

A body then slid down the earthen chute, joining me, followed closely by another wriggling down.

"Whoa. This place looks wild."

The walls bore a striking resemblance to the scorched wood of the tree above, yet touching them revealed a cold, metallic texture. Dust motes danced in the air, suggesting a long abandonment of this place by its creators.

"Apollo, this location presents an ideal operational base. Situated behind Drakoshi lines, its entrance is too small for Drakoshi passage. We should conclude our reconnaissance and return here with the others to formulate our strategy." Morrgan proposed.

I hesitated, my gaze fixed on the shadowy expanse of the corridor. A primal urge to press onward, to explore its depths, surged within me. My instincts screamed for me to advance, to discover what lay ahead. But the mission took precedence.

"A sound plan, Morrgan. We shall proceed as you suggest. Sithrik, might I request you remain here? Explore this facility and report your findings when I return with the others in a few hours?"

Sithrik coiled herself partially around my neck. "Naturally, I shall fulfill any request you make."

Smiling, I reached down and affectionately patted her head. Sithrik's braille-covered eyes closed, indicating her pleasure at the contact, before I gently detached myself.

"Let us depart, Morrgan. We shall rendezvous here later."

...

After observing her companion depart, Sithrik commenced her exploration as requested. Her experience thus far had been rather enjoyable. This conflict, this 'concept war,' was a stark contrast to traditional hunting. Though the creatures she once pursued posed a far greater threat than mere bullets.

She relished learning these new aspects alongside her companion. 'Still... why must that peculiar, sweet-smelling male intrude upon our private moments? Apollo mentioned finding me appealing. That clearly signifies his desire. This would have been our opportune moment. I could have ensnared his diminutive serpent, employing my formidable physique to constrict it internally, much like consuming a delectable meal... Ugh.' The mere thought sent a shiver of anticipation through her core. However, this was not the time for such musings.

As she ventured deeper into the peculiar structure, Sithrik felt a growing disquietude due to the absolute absence of life. This entire planet had been unsettling, with only trees and vegetation populating its surface. Not a single prey animal could be found. The silence was profound. Too profound.

She understood the reason, of course. On numerous occasions, she had felt her very being nearly fracture when moving through dense pockets of gravitational force, a phenomenon she had only recently become aware of. It made perfect sense to her that her mate and lover could stand against such a vast, all-encompassing power. She undoubtedly possessed impeccable taste in choosing her king.

Sithrik then began to drift into a daydream as she explored. Her lewd fantasies and wandering thoughts were abruptly shattered upon entering a chamber where a series of white lights suddenly illuminated.

She then raised her head to a human-like height and advanced, surveying her surroundings. The room was spacious, though not exceedingly so. While Sithrik's understanding of technology was limited, having spent the majority of her two hundred years of existence in a jungle environment, she was a rapid learner, especially with her recent close proximity to such devices. Even though these were unlike anything she had encountered before, she recognized their purpose.

Weapons.

...

Fifteen hours elapsed before Morrgan and I returned to our designated meeting spot. It seemed we were the last to arrive. Upon our arrival, Nerissa's immediate question was,

"Where is Sithrik?"

A smile touched my lips at her concern for Sithrik's well-being. "Have no fear, she is safe. But I will address her whereabouts shortly. For now, I wish to hear everyone's report. Gabrielle, Tamara, you may begin."

The pair exchanged glances, and Tamara then signaled for Gabrielle to take the lead. "Unfortunately, our findings were quite limited. The southern region consists mostly of rugged cliffs and level ground. We did have to eliminate a small scouting party. We left no sign of our presence...

"We disposed of them over the cliffs, naturally, after dispatching them. No one will be returning with any information." Tamara elaborated with additional details.

"I understand... I suppose that's acceptable. We still require some time for preparations before we can afford to be noisy, but you did what was necessary. Well done. Rhapso? Rhea? It's your turn now."

Rhapso inclined her head. "Our discoveries were also not extensive. We found a few concealed spots suitable for rapid evacuation, but nothing substantial enough for multiple fallback points. Rhea observed land tracks, indicating they've established a supply route originating from the outpost and heading north. We'll need to disrupt that to cut off supplies to the sector."

Rhea added, "We also encountered four patrols, but we successfully avoided them."

I could feel Gabrielle and Tamara directing a look toward Rhea, but I paid it no mind.

"Alright, thank you. Excellent work, both of you. Now, Ness, Willow? Did you find anything?"

"Nothing of note. From our position to Fort Amberrock, the continuous conflict has obliterated nearly everything. Only desolate, scorched forests and open plains with sparse elevated slopes remain now. Willow and I have nevertheless deployed several hundred traps in anticipation of their forces advancing again. Although, if our mission is successful, it will be quite some time before they inadvertently trigger them," Nerissa stated calmly.

I then turned my attention to Willow, expecting her to speak, but she simply remained standing there, offering me a charming smile.

"Very well, the overall news isn't the best, but fortunately, Morrgan and I can secure victory. We ventured into some burnt woodlands approximately forty minutes' travel from here. Within, we discovered a bunker, entirely concealed underground, with its entrance previously buried under earth. This bunker is ancient and… it doesn't appear to be of human origin. The Drakoshi have no conceivable way of knowing it exists. It's the perfect location for a base behind enemy lines. Sithrik is currently inside; I requested she remain behind to explore the facility, so we should be able to navigate it easily upon our return. As for the findings to the east, Morrgan?"

"Yes. Abundant dense forests remain. The terrain is mountainous, with several cave systems that we didn't have the opportunity to investigate. We also discovered water purification outposts that the Drakoshi were guarding, along with a significant quantity of scattered ammunition caches."

A smile spread across my face as the others also began to grasp the situation. "The Drakoshi believe their overwhelming numbers at the outpost are sufficient to deter any forces from entering their territory. This once again proves their sheer lack of intelligence. With this advantage, we can advance to their eastern flank, dismantle their infrastructure, and eliminate anyone and anything attempting to enter or exit that fortress. So, prepare yourselves; we have some very interesting months ahead."

...

Moving swiftly through the deep subterranean passages, Onyx felt completely at ease amidst the profound darkness. Her precognitive abilities had become somewhat indistinct following the recent battle, experiencing a degree of interference. She was uncertain of the cause, but she identified the location of its source, thus confirming it wasn't another individual with foresight, but rather something immensely powerful.

Ordinarily, she wouldn't be overly concerned; she had managed for months without her powers on that moon. However, with Apollo facing relative danger, and as his protective cloak and shield, it was imperative that she pinpoint this source of power and either destroy it, consume it, or present it to Apollo, depending on its nature.

Onyx then rapidly transformed into her stalking form as a creature suddenly shrieked, lunging at her. It was one of those lesser insects that Apollo had previously vanquished, only now it was twice its former size.

Onyx remained motionless as it charged forward. At the last possible moment, she shifted her position and brought down one of her sword-like appendages, cleanly severing the back of its neck and ending its life in a single, decisive strike.

Sampling the blood from her appendage, she gave a slight nod before reverting to her humanoid form. She would consume it later; for now, just beyond the corpse of the insect lay the source of the power.

She tilted her head to the side, gazing at it with a sense of profound curiosity.

"What in the name of my universe is that?"