After making our way back up to surface, we rendezvoused with Kathrine in her tent, to which Caleb then handed the sack containing the artifact over. "Well done everyone, now I know afterpleting a mission is usually a time to celebrate, but as I told you below, The world we are standing on is currently a traitor to Spartari now and that makes the next stepsplicated."


    Kathrine looked around the room to all the leaders. "The base is already underway to being a dug in fortress so we can defend ourselves until Spartari arrive in case we are found out. However, I want to offer you two a chance at doubling the money you will make off this mission." she said towards Dn, Jacob and Mindy.


    "What do you mean?" Dn asked. "While I will be fine with you being here defending the base, Spartari will double your pay if you act as ground forces during the siege that will be the. If we can take out the defences of the city across the way, It should function as a perfect drop location for the rest of Spartari.


    Of course you can decline this offer and stay to defend the base that is fine, you will not get the bonus however. Please take a few minutes to think it over. Apollo, over here please."


    Kathrine called me over to the side of the room. "What''s up?" I asked. "We have the artifact. I need you to run to my room on the ship and look for a small pyramid on my desk. Flip open the top third and press the button, that will activate the warpne for Spartari toe through. Once the Spartari have taken out a considerable amount ofthe anti air, we will be able to leave."


    "Ok, but answer me first, I know it probably has to do with politics, but why cant we just leave now?" ''Oh my handsome man, smart in some ways, a durd in others.'' "If we suddenly took off without a reason, the local forces will consider something amiss and may call in their new allies for aid.


    Also, after our geological survey cover, we were supposed to report our findings to the leaders and return all the gear we borrowed which will take a few more days. We simply don''t have the time as I am under direct orders from The king." Kathrine exined.


    I found logic in the her response and then left the tent to follow her instruction. "Kathrine, Spartari needs my help and I will answer the call, three quarters of my men will aid Spartari any way they can, while the rest will stay here and protect our way out." Dn said as he saluted.


    "Very good Dn, This will go on your old record as Auxiliary work, your pension will receive an increase alongside the bonus I mentioned." Kathrine replied, making Dn even happier.


    Meanwhile Jacob and Mindy were still at odds, but a deal seemed to be met. "We have also agreed to help Spartari, but we will only give over a quarter of our troops to the cause, led by me while Mindy will defend our assets with the rest." Jacob spoke for the two of them.


    Kathrine was a bit disappointed in Jacob, but understood where he wasing from. While Caleb was just sat at the table getting a quick nap in as he had no choice in the matter.


    On the ship, It seemed Kathrine had already prepped the soldiers that did not go down to the temple as they were all equipped in their war gear, looking very serious. Some of them were even equipped with the guns the Deimos were using.


    I had to excuse myself a few times from the super extroverts who love to converse with literally anything that moves and I eventually made my way to Kathrine''s quarters.


    Inside on her desk, just as she said was a small metal pyramid. I opened top and saw the red button. I paused a moment to think what would happen when I clicked the button. I was condemning the world to aary decimation, followed by being ruled over by super racists.


    Activating Jewel''s imprint, My eyes were instantly drawn to her presence across the stars, This would be her meal one day anyway so my actions today are nothing but a Pindrop in its history. Finding strength from the one I love I proceeded to click the button.


    Minutes after I clicked the button, Aeletha was behind her desk, sittingfortably and drinking her tea. Although she has lost her sight, she could still remember the visions she had before she arrived here. Any moment now, Rekosh will enter her room and exin to her some troubling news.


    As soon as she had that thought, She could hear her bodyguards loud footsteps and heavy breathing. As he barged through the door, Aeletha furrowed her brow over theck of decorum, but let it go considering the circumstances. "My seer." Rekosh said as he bowed. "I have urgent news. A Spartari war warpne has opened and their forces will be upon us in approximately 8 hours!"


    Aeletha sat back in her chair. "That Hyllus woman is clever. She would not have been able to bring such a device with her, we would have clocked it, she must have flown it in beforehand." Aeletha paused a moment.


    "It is a good thing we told the Thurx to be on FTL standby, they should arrive just as the Spartari will, ry for them depart as soon as possible." "Of course my seer." Rekosh bowed and was about to leave, but he heard a thump behind him. He turned around and could see Aeletha having a seizure on the floor.


    ''Oh not again.'' Rekosh had left his seizure kit in his room as his master had not had her gift active for thest week. He walked over to Aeletha and ced his finger into her mouth to bite down on. He began to winch in pain, but fortunately for him, the seizure did not go on for long.


    Aeletha shot up in an instant and began to spit out the disgusting taste of Rekosh out of her mouth. "Did you have a vision my Seer?" "Not quite. It was strange. It was like I hijacked another''s seers vision for a moment. Truly bizarre." Aeletha snapped out of her thoughts. "We must go down to the at once.


    Inform the leaders. Tell them to avoid the mercenaries until the inevitable battle begins, Call in for extra back up from the coalition. I fear our Drakoshi ceasefire pact with the mongrels is at an end."


    "Of course mydy, but why must we go to the? Surely it would be better if we retreated you from this sector of space?" Without her power, she would usually agree, but. "Because the answers I seek regarding my loss of power are to be found below. And I am most curious indeed."


    In her little hole in the woods clearing, Onyx felt a tingle go from the tip of her tail to her brain. "Yuck, what was that?" She felt as though something just ticked a vision she had in the past. ''Another with foresight? Perhaps.'' Onyx would not be able to tell as those with the gift are not able to see others who have foresight in their visions.


    Theck of unknown, the feeling had caused had made her anxious. After she was done here, she would rush back to Apollo faster than she nned to maintain his safety. "I wish he did not have to rely on the queen for his mental strength. Otherwise, I would not have had to waste my week in this woond and could have had him all to myself instead of that Inferior female."


    With her mood now soured, Onyx simply went back into torpor so she did not have to think about it and when she next woke up, she would be almost within her universes arms again.


    As I was strolling back to Kathrine''s tent, I saw Mindy sitting on some boxes nearby. She looked deep in thought as I walked over. "Hey Mindy." She jumped in shock at being snuck up on before smiling at me. "Oh hey you, is everything ok? What did Kathrine make you do?" She asked.


    "Oh nothing important, what had you so deep in thought that the man in the most recognisable piece of armour on the base can sneak up on you." Mindy smiled at the jab, before her face turned solemn. " I think after the mission is over, I am going to end it with Jacob.


    You and my talk with Kathrine had made me realise that my life just isn''t how I want it to be." "I am sorry you are having to make that choice, that must be hard for you." I replied sincerely.


    "It is, but it is also freeing. I will be my own woman again and not Jacobs co captain."


    Mindy felt emboldened by the thought of her new freedom as she leaned forward on therge box she was sitting on and kissed me. I was a little caught of guard, but reciprocated in kind. After a moment we both parted ways and with her eyes closed she whispered. "I can''t believe a kiss can feel like that. You are dangerous my friend."


    I simply smiled at thepliment before I left Mindy and re-entered Kathrine''s tent.