We continued to watch the outpost for a while, gathering any information that we could from the distance we were at. We gathered some things, but not much.

First, there were too many Drakoshi to count. We watched as thousands left the camp to head to other parts of the warfront, but it barely put a dint to their numbers.

Second. While the outpost had no walls, those blue shields were up all around the base. They looked larger and sturdier so I doubted we could...

"Hey, Ness..." I started. But she must have read my mind

"No, I cannot create another one. I need to know the blueprints of the or how it functions perfectly. I do not remember exactly how to manufacture it. I only made one with my Psionics before and I then knew of its location bringing it here. I cannot do that again. Plus the shields would be able to take the majority of the blast. Not worth it."

"What are you talking about?" Tamara queried. Prompting Rhapso to state.

"That’s classified."

I looked up in the sky after hearing that. "I suppose orbital bombardment is out of the question as well?"

Gabrielle nodded her head. "Yes. Our naval fleets are too similar in power. Right now they are in a perfect limbo. Each side cannot move. When something tries to break through, the majority of the force gets shot down like we just saw. If the Syracusias try to get in range for an orbital bombardment. Something might happen to tip the scales. They won’t risk it."

Rhea and Willow began to look around, not at the camp, but the surroundings. Noticing this I asked. "Ladies, have you spotted something?"

Without turning to me, Rhea pointed ahead. "No, but that’s kind of the point.The Drakoshi like to build outposts and such in low ground near elevated terrain to counter artillery and the like, but it does leave them open to one thing."

"Lack of visible range." Willow continued. "Since it’s going to be trouble to get into that outpost we are going to have to play the long game. Break supply lines, target scouts. Ruin their lives. We are looking at long term irregular warfare. Hit and runs and the like. I’d wager if we don’t do anything, we have a week before they attack the fort again. But if we can disrupt them. That might extend which means."

"More time for reinforcements to arrive at the fort and more time to build up their defences..." I finished off her thought.

I then nodded my head. "Alright. This isn’t my field of expertise. I’m better at larger scale conflicts. I’m open to suggestions on how we should approach going forward."

I was expecting Rhea or Willow to go first, but Morrgan suddenly spoke up.

"We split into groups of two. Strongest and weakest to balance things out. We scout the surrounding twenty miles, looking for hidey holes, cave systems and strategic assets. Anything that we can use in advantage to stay out of Drakoshi’s eyes. If we spot Drakoshi in a certain location. We take a moment. Observe what they are doing. Why, for how long. If something can be disrupted. Do so, but make sure you have a fall back spot first. Don’t be caught in the open. I suggest these pairings. Apollo and I as well as the snake. Praetorian Nerissa with Willow. Praetorian Rhapso with Rhea. And Gabrielle with Tamara. Each of us branch off from here in a different direction and meet back up in twenty four hours with all the intel we have gathered. Does that sound good?" He asked at the end.

I could tell a few eyes were raised, but not in a bad way. "Um, yeah. What he said." Rhea stated before shaking off the surprise. "Good thinking, Morrgan was it? I see that plan as logically sound. Let’s move out." 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

...

We wasted no time after that. Morrgan Sithrik and I began to run further east to scout there. We would be going past the outpost which meant more chances of running into Drakoshi so we had to be careful.

After about forty minutes of running and Slithering. We arrived at a small burnt woodland. The three of us slowed our pace to have a look round. Sithrik slithered ahead exclaiming she could smell something so I let her do so while Morrgan and I looked elsewhere.

After a few minutes of looking around, Morrgan walked up to me.

"Hey. So I want to make sure I didn’t overstep earlier. You are supposed to be the leader and everything. I just-"

I patted the man on the shoulder. "Hey, you said you wanted to prove yourself, that was some quick thinking. You did good."

The man smiled at me. "Ok, thanks. I just wanted to make sure I didn’t push any buttons. Although we have shared a few combat missions already, I don’t know much about you. I mean, the other elites talk, but a lot of it is becoming a little hard to believe."

"Oh?" I sounded off, intrigued. "I knew the Phalanx had begun to spread a few rumours about me, but the Psionic squad? That sounds interesting. What are they saying?"

Morrgan scratched the back of his head. "Oh, well not so much rumours, more just trying to fill in the blanks about who you are. We don’t know much. You are a first year with a dispensation for gene enhancement then you become a sentinel at eighteen you are clearly well adapted to war and leadership. Plus you have a harem of female elites who-"

"Pause right there, my good man." I said, holding my hand up. " I don’t have a harem of warrior elites on this planet. It is pure coincidence that my friends and allies are all women. Now I’m not blind, they are all attractive yes, but that is not the reason they are around me. It’s not the reason any are on this mission. Every single one is capable. Do you understand this?"

The man smiled at me. "Yes, of course Sentinel. I thought as much anyway. It’s mostly the other men being jealous. Still, they all hold you in high esteem. I hope you knowing that they are talking about you doesn’t bother you."

"No. It doesn’t bother me. At all. They are allowed to speak their minds freely. I’m not a dictator... Though, if I may ask. Are you not also jealous like the rest of them?"

Morrgan suddenly chuckled. "No. I’m not. I’m more fluid with my attractions. I don’t like male or female. I like personality. Actions. A person’s mind. A person’s looks fall in afterwards... Though if someone is cute or I find them hot to look at, you will catch me staring..." He said, suddenly staring directly at my face.

I spotted his smirk in my peripherals and just decided to look ahead. Morrgan then continued.

"How about you? What’s your type? Though I am sure I have the answer already."

Choosing my next words carefully as the guy was nice, I replied.

"I am similar to you. I go for personality first. But I am attracted to female forms only... Well kind of. I don’t think I’d have a problem with androgynous characteristics and agender traits. Again, it’s all about personality."

Morrgan nodded his head. "Ah, I see. So this is doing nothing for you huh?" He said pointing to his shirtless body. He had a skinnier frame than I did but his body was in tip top shape. He was also not bad looking. Good facial structure and long black hair added to his charismatic appearance, but.

"No. While I can objectively say you are a good looking dude, I’m not attracted to male fronting individuals at all. Sorry."

The man shrugged. "Hey, no bother. We both know what we like. Nothing to apologise for... Anyways, this talk has been enlightening. Allowing me to get to know our powerful leader in a more grounded way. So thanks."

I smiled at the man and patted his shoulder again. "Happy to do so. To be honest I’m a bit socially awkward so I don’t know what’s considered a normal conversation. If you are enjoying this and I’ve had a positive influence on you, I’m happy."

The man said nothing, just continued to smile at me as we scouted through the woodlands for a few more minutes before he spoke once more.

"Hey, Apollo. Can I show you something interesting? I think you will-"

"-Apollo, my darling! I found something!" Sithrik suddenly declared as she slithered rapidly to me.

"What is it?" I asked curiously, but she shook her noodle.

"Come Sssee. You will not be disappointed." Sithrik then wasted no time. As she used her head to boop my back, pushing me ahead.

Morrgan stood there for a moment shaking his head as he thought to himself.

’You two are unbelievable! First waving at him like an excited child every time he looks over when we are supposed to be undercover and now touching him and asking him about his sexual preferences. We are lucky he is adorably clueless or he would have clocked on by now!’

’But he is our friend now! He gave us some strength back!’

’Plus he is hot and it’s good to know more about his preferences.’

Morrigan just sighed internally at herselves.

’Just behave before we get caught.’

’Morrgan’ then proceeded to follow behind, also curious about what the snake found.