It had been several days since the battle and the FOB improved greatly. An observatory was added to study the stars and gain an understanding of its location. Although the probability of success was rather small. It had scanned pieces of the entire sky and not one star was a match with the data in its Archives. Nevertheless, it was a creature of habit and order. It would scan every visible and invisible star until it had a definite answer.

From what it understood so far, it was not in the solar system. The planet it was on had three moons, although the other two were rarely visible. The system itself possessed at least six planets and none of them matched the solar system planets. The only similarity with the solar system was that this planet was also the third rock from the sun, right in the habitable zone of the G-type main-sequence star with the same solar ma.s.s. In fact, the distance from this planet to its sun was exactly 1 AU.

"The Priestess is almost here," Emily suddenly said. She was sat on one of the observation decks that were recently built when Somnus' armor was replaced. Her legs dangled from the edge and her arms were resting on one of the superalloy bars.

[Ammunitions: CIWS rearmed. Current ammo status: 98%]

The Princess' living conditions had been improved. Until her housing was constructed - within a few short hours - she stayed within the warmachine. Somnus' manufacturer had a.s.sumed that one day a machine like Somnus would need to be a shelter for VIPs or carry living and breathing soldiers. Its manufacturer was wrong. Until now, Somnus had never carried living ent.i.ties with its spartan chambers. But the Princess was not a soldier, nor a VIP, so Somnus had the drones build a temporary lodging so that the warmachine could leave her at FOB Alpha.

[Pa.s.sive radar: No contact.]

[Optical sensor: No contact.]

[Observations: No signal.]

"Define: Communication method," Somnus rumbled.

"Telepathy," the Princess said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

[Archive match: Telepathy, the ability to transmit information without signals, allowing instant and range-unlimited communication. Threat level: 10]

"Share technology. Comply."

The Princess looked towards blinking red light next to the base of the railgun, as if a.s.suming that was the malevolent eye of the machine. "You need a Communication Jewel. Do you have one?"

"Define: Communication Jewel."

"It's a... I am not really sure. But you can talk to people with them," she said and then tapped her head. "The people I talk to told me what happened at Solus Hill. They say you killed everyone from Arsalan."

"Affirmative."

"Well, almost everyone. There were some survivors. They say that Arsalan is requesting support from the Empire. All the surrounding countries are on edge because of you," she said with a thoughtful look.

"Survivors are result of proximity to friendly forces. Could not engage," Somnus' voice was low. The repurposed sonic weapon could recreate any wave, and add any type of overtune. It could mimic the human voice, even though Somnus chose not to. It was mechanical, robotic, but understandable.

"That is not what I mean, Lord Somnus," the Princess said. "When we fight, we do not kill everyone. A fight is over before it truly begins. The other side surrenders and we accept the surrender. If they flee, they are no longer combatants. That is the civil way."

"Designation "civil way" is inefficient. If enemy is still functional, enemy will fight again. Suggestion: Annihilate."

"That is immoral and inhumane."

"Variable "moral" is undefined. Designation "Somnus" is not human."

[Perimeter breached. Contact bearing 95.]

In the distance to the east, a lone rider appeared. She wore white robes and a golden staff, wrapped in white silk, was slung over her back. In contrast to her robes, her black hair cascaded down her shoulders and back.

[Probability match: Priestess, 86%]

"Contact, east. Potential hostile. Return to your quarters. Comply," Somnus' voice rumbled.

Emily looked towards the east, narrowed her eyes and smiled, "That's the Priestess!" The Princess jumped to her feet and waved to the rider, as if such a gesture would be visible at this distance.

"Cease communication efforts and return to your quarters. Comply."

"No!"

[Psyche Evaluation: Motivation a.n.a.lysis: 58% Rebellion, 42% Conspiring with enemy.]

[OPCOM: Designation "Emily" is potential Forward Observer, using techonology: Telepathy.]

One of the CIWS turrets spun up and pointed at Emily.

"Final warning: Vacate observation deck."

Emily gnashed her teeth and then wordlessly went down the stairs of the observation deck, and through a hatch on the side of the armor.

The gates of the FOB were nearly constantly open at this stage of the FOB's development. Drones pa.s.sed through it on an hourly basis. It took a few minutes for the rider to arrive at the gates and once she did she was unimpeded.

The Priestess knew what she was looking for, as she dismounted in front of Somnus and bowed to it. "Great Somnus, I am High Priestess Arcadia, disciple of the G.o.ddess Het. I was instructed to provide a Divination."

She didn't even pay a second glance to the drones, or the wondrous technology that surrounded her. Nothing seemed to phase her.

At least she is to the point.

[No such coordinate.]

Your lack of understanding of idioms and expressions is appalling. You need to work on it.

["It" undefined. Do you mean: Work on understanding of idioms and expressions?]

Just... do the d.a.m.ned Divination thing.

"Affirmative," Somnus rumbled. "Proceed with activity "Divination"."

Arcadia cleared her throat. "Lord Somnus, preparation will take some time. Do you have a place where I can stay?"

[OPCOM: Motivation: Sabotage probability: 34%.]

She's a Priestess. What could she possibly do? Gospel you to death?

[OPCOM: Motivation: Proselytize probability: 62%]

"Affirmative." A hatch on one of Somnus' legs opened with a hiss, revealing an elevator.