Alex's head was filled with buzzing, as though hundreds of people were whispering in his ears at once. Unused to the sensation, he shook his head hard, but the voices seemed to come from inside his skull. He couldn't shake them off.
He frowned and forced his breathing to steady.
Then Diana's voice sounded in his mind as well.
[Attention, all five-man squad leaders. To ensure orders get through, I am opening my communication channel to you. Guide your squads after receiving your instructions.]
Alex looked to either side.
Several of his squad members were still picking at the bugs on the backs of their necks, their expressions blank. Clearly, they hadn't heard her. Ahead and to his left, however, another appointed squad leader abruptly straightened, his expression solemn.
Alex looked away, certain now of who had access to that order.
This must have been the hive's command hierarchy. It could actually transmit a commander's orders straight to the squad leaders!
[Now, prepare to mount.]
At the order, the attendants led over two hundred warhorses.
These horses stood a head taller than ordinary warhorses, with snow-white coats, long, powerful legs, and a faint spiritual glow in their eyes. Supplied exclusively by the elves-Iserama warhorses.
Alex didn't move immediately. Instead, he turned to look beside him.
His four squad members were staring blankly at the elven warhorses, clearly unsure what to do.
[Fifth squad, mount up! Stop standing around and move!]
Alex tried shouting into the squad channel.
All four stiffened. They looked around in surprise, clearly experiencing a voice drilling straight into their skulls for the first time. For a moment, they couldn't even work out who was speaking.
Only when they saw Alex staring at them did they realize the voice belonged to their commanding officer.
At last, they