Chapter 180: Chapter 169: Claims, Questions and Demands

Most of the drones near Regina as part of the gathering army were War Drones, since Regina and Ben, who was focused on implementing the general strategic idea, kept Winged Drones further back. They were mobile and didn’t really need to gather in one spot, as long as they could quickly reach where they were needed. Still, there were a few of them around, and also a few sapient drones. Regina considered calling them out to attack the visitors, but quickly abandoned the idea.

Judging from how Galatea reacted, they were clearly powerful, especially the psychic. She also wasn’t sure how much of a danger one presented, or if they might be able to somehow use her psychic connection to her drones against her. And she had clearly revealed herself now on purpose.

“Perhaps we should simply talk to them,” Galatea suggested, clearly thinking along the same lines. “I’m not sure we’ll be able to escape, and to be honest, I’m not sure you’d win a battle of wills.”

Regina grimaced. Thanks for the vote of confidence. But she didn’t speak that thought aloud, since she really didn’t have any experience fighting another psychic. And Galatea wasn’t wrong about the situation.

The drones around them had already formed up into a defensive formation, and Regina quickly ordered them to stand down and only attack if they were directly threatened or she gave the command. She did not want this to escalate if it didn’t have to. Thor flapped his wings, rising and falling in the sky a little as she tried to keep his position.

Just then, she felt another mind reaching out to hers. Regina stiffened and instinctively tried to withdraw, but it wasn’t possible — she could still feel the thought sent at her.

Come down, please. We have matters to discuss.

Regina tugged on her mandible, a shiver racing down her spine. This was eerie.

After a second, she realized it could be a lot worse, though. She could sense the other woman’s mind, and while it had reached out to her, it was only a gentle nudge. One that could presumably turn into a much stronger attack. But still, she was pretty sure the other psychic hadn’t picked up anything except possibly some surface impressions of her mind.

Get down, she told Thor, barely managing to keep her emotions out of the mental communication. There’s nothing for it. And I want to see her, at least.

It was a shame she didn’t have a Keeper with her, but Regina pushed that thought out of her mind. Instead, she ordered everyone else to stay away. She didn’t need more drones getting hurt if it came to a fight. At least sapient drones, she’d throw Swarm Drones at the problem if she had to.

Thor slowly, reluctantly, started the descent, with the others around him following suit. Regina ignored their anxiety and instead focused on the people she was going to be dealing with. They stood in an open meadow that made for a good landing spot for the Winged Drones, and Thor chose to set down far enough away that there was still a bit of distance between them, but she still got a good look. Surprisingly, while the hood of her cloak hid most of the leading woman’s figure, Regina could tell she seemed to have dark skin. But it was a deep shade of black she’d never seen before, with a slight grayish tint to it.

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