The hivemind is conquering for me?

Rendezvousing with the rest of the group, they were surrounding one of my kills. A wiry man with glasses was doing an examination of the creature. "Such spectacular muscle structure! So dense and powerful. And that skin, The man looked up at me realising I was close by. "You, Insane killing man!

Let me buy your kills from you! I will give you a generous price as this skin will make excellent clothing."

"Gellon, pull yourself together, you are practically frothing at the mouth." Mindy chastised her subordinate. "I work directly for Kathrine buddy, if you want to buy my stuff, talk to her." I said not wanting to deal with it. I just planned on maybe eating them all.

Suddenly the man with the bull tattoo spoke with a gruff voice. "Right, lets not spend all day staring at corpses, we have a job to do. Paul, you are in command correct? Take point and tell us where we are going"

"Right, thank you Dolan. Everyone fall in!" He waited a moment for the mercenaries to listen up. There are 22 of us down here, we will split up into teams of four in case more of these reptiles are down here. Apollo you will be in a group with one other as you are already worth a solo group with your armour."

I nodded at his logic and saw no fault. Paul then continued. "Ok then, I am not your teacher and you are not children. I trust you to choose your own groups." As the groups began to form, Mindy placed her hand on my arm. Looking at her, she explained. "I am sticking to you like glue big guy.

I can tell even without your armour you have at least a foot over me and would be an ideal meat shield." She joked with a smile.

Joke or no, it was true though. The woman was 5ft4 and built with a thin frame. "Sure I have no issues with this outcome."

After the groups were formed, Paul began to hand out backpacks. "This place does not seem to be the place the high ups are looking for. However, A place as old as this, anything not nailed down is valuable. Sweep and retrieve and watch out for those reptiles. Move out!"

Walking through the ruins reminded me of the ancient history of my old world. Marble pillars and open buildings reminded me of the ancient Greek world. I was pulled out of my thoughts by Mindy who asked. "Hey do you not need a flashlight?" She asked her gun outstretched with a flashlight attached. "No I am fine thanks, I can see in the dark."

Mindy presumed my suit was the cause of that, but thanks to my augmentation, seeing in the dark was the same as seeing in the day. As we were walking, I picked up a plate, ridden with dirt I assumed was valuable. Just as I placed it in my bag, gunshots were heard in the distance.

"Should we regroup towards the source?" Mindy asked for my opinion. "Nah, It was only a short volley, most likely took down whatever they were aiming at. Just to be safe though, lets start sweeping in that direction." I replied. Mindy seemed satisfied with this approach as she was still worried for her troops.

Five minutes of walking and talking later, Mindy and I ran into a group composed of Serpents swords. "Captain." They stood and saluted upon seeing Mindy. "At ease troops. Do you know anything of the shots heard earlier?" Mindy inquired.

"Yes captain, We ran into the group shortly afterwards. One of those big reptiles emerged from the shadows and while the group did not kill it, they sank plenty of ballistic rounds into it." The mercenary in charge of the small group said.

"Where were the group when the shots took place?" I asked. "Um, two streets that way then turn right." He asked confused. "Thanks." I said before moving in that direction. Mindy looked at her men a moment before turning around to follow me into the darkness.

After catching up, she could not help but ask. "What's your plan killer?" She asked saying my apparent new nickname. "Kathrine asked me on this mission for extra security. I am securing the safety of all the men down here by hunting down a threat." Mindy scrunched her forehead.

"You do realise all these men are hardened mercenaries with years of experience, they don't need babysitting." She said with more snap than to be expected.

I turned to her surprised by her aggressive tone at a simple remark. "Have I done something to upset you?" I asked genuinely confused. Mindy realised what she had just done and turned red. "Sorry, No you are right, everyone could do with extra protection." Mindy seemed to pause contemplating sharing with a stranger. After a few seconds of inner turmoil, she decided why not.

"It's just that my husband is becoming over bearing. We are trying for a kid you see and he has it in his head that I should be locked up in the ship under constant protection to make sure nothing bad happens. I don't need protection, I have been fighting for years and having a kid wont change who I am. Sorry if I overshared." Mindy looked to the ground as we walked.

" I agree with your sentiment." I said causing Mindy to look up at me. "What do you mean?" She inquired. "Your husband is getting defensive of you because he wants to protect the soon to be carrier of his genetic lineage. That being said, he should not be trying to throw his need for control onto you. You are a beautiful yet strong woman with more than just looks goings for you.

You should not be locked away like some breeding sow just for your protection. Heck, my partner and I for one of our first dates entered into a bloody battle together. I was worried for her and she was for me and I wager she is 100x more protective than your husband is, yet she let me go."

Mindy listened to my every word intently. She was glad to get the frustration out of her system and into a sympathetic ear. "Do you have any suggestions on how to speak to my husband about this?" She asked. "Yes in between some good head an he will agree to every point you make." I said as Mindy's eye went wide in shock. I laughed hard before I resumed. "Sorry, I am used to speaking my mind freely.

Honestly though, Just be the woman he most likely fell in love with. The strong mercenary, not the lovestruck wife."

Mindy began thinking over my words as we arrived at the sight of the shooting. "16 spent casing and the blood leads off in that direction. If the troops only got body shots, the Dino may still be alive for hours to come. lets follow the trail."

Mindy was silent a while, contemplating what I said before she felt the need for uplifting conversation. "So you and Lady Kathrine were in a big battle? That does not sound like her" She asked curiously? Looking at her I replied. "What Kathrine and I have never been in a battle before? What are you- Oh that, Kathrine is not my partner that I was referencing." "Wait she's not?" Mindy said in surprise.

"But there are rumours about you two." "What that we are fucking? Yea that is true. We are not a couple thought, she is married technically, with kids. We are just relieving tension during a long mission."

Mindy's impression of me took a nose dive, not realising the truth. "So you are cheating on your partner who is so protective of you?" "Cheating?

No she is aware of the relationship Kathrine and I currently have." I said as I bent down to investigate a print of the beast. "She knows that there is no love involved however, and is just a way to make a few hours pass by pleasurably." Mindy was surprised by this, She knew of polygamy in partners, but she had never seen the need.

Her thought on this however, were cut short realising what I had just said.

"Ho-Hours?" Mindy said with a red face. "Don't make up lies... Men can only last a few minutes before they release and grow exhausted." I stopped dead in my tracks and melded my helmet back into my suit letting her see my face for the first time. The sympathy and pain on my face did not diminish my looks as I said. "You have only ever been with your husband huh?"

My question and the expression on my face stunned Mindy a moment leaving her stood still as I continued to walk forward. She caught herself eventually before rushing to my side once more. "What do you mean? How did you know?" I stopped walking and faced her seriously for a moment, Sympathy and anguish evident in my eyes once more. The words I was about to say could hurt her deeply.

"I- uh... I don't know how to tell you this... Poor thing.... But I think your husband is a two pump chump."