Chrysalis

The Queen was in her chamber much the same as she had been over a day ago, covered in workers and resting peacefully. She hasn't had any reason to go out and fight lately so I hope she's enjoying a period of relaxation.

Considering the measly supply of Biomass that the workers have been extracting from the surface there hasn't even been much laying to do. I'm not sure if Queen ants can get bored but perhaps she might be feeling that things have become a little dull?

[Bored?] she responds when I ask her, sounding for all the world like she didn't even understand the word, [why would I be bored?]

[Well, there isn't much to do at the moment?]

[Foolish child] she chides me, [the colony is not under threat and you have provided food and a great hope for our family. I am content, as we should all be]

How is this giant ant monster always so positive?! Such a good mother!

Before I can get too emotional I need to focus on the present.

[So you've received the Biomass we sent up?]

[Yes. The children have been working as hard as they can. They found it and brought it to me]

[awesome]

I stare hard at the Queen for a moment, trying to judge whether she's upgraded herself as we discussed. Rather than accuse my own my own mother of lying, which would be rather tactless, I try a different angle.

[Is it ok if I check on your core? There may be more that I can do to improve our chances]

[of course child]

She answers without hesitation. I seriously doubt that she's even capable of doubting her own children. I wonder if all the ant Queens are like this?

of information that nearly knocks me off my six feet. Okok. Here we go then. Ah, this is the bit I'm looking

been surprised if she had neglected my advice in order to produce more young. I believe that she considers producing young as her primary responsibility and the best way to serve the family as a whole, so it's only natural that she would prioritise it

front of me I can plainly see the upgrades to the three egg

efficiency of the organ

utilises less deconstructed mass to encode the same material,

Egg production Gland +5, Gives a bonus +2 to all stats

Fantastic!

the sort of thing I spoke to the Queen about. After studying the organs carefully, I estimate that these two advancements will synergise together to boost the egg production by 10%! Possibly

ten eggs per year once the colony gets rolling. My dream scenario would have the Queen producing about

might not seem like much but it's enough to make my mind boggle! That's a huge deal! The ants will be so weak that

hatchling worker, I would guess that for each Croca Beast that was hatched would be able to make eight worker ants, perhaps more. An extra two stats on one Croca won't make that much difference but for

can

every worker is going to be getting this boost from the Queen I make a few minor adjustments, bending my mind to its limits to enforce them. I trim down on the workers a little, basically shaving one point

is that the ants will be produced more cheaply than before but

immediately congratulate her on the wise choices

upgrades will mean more workers and the +2 to all stats was perfect. Great

pleased to be praised in this way. [Are we ready to lay the first generation of

on a

about the next generation are clearly exciting

Not yet!] I say

Why?] I can tell she is genuinely disappointed. Sorry

to get another +2 to all stats to stack with the existing advancement that will absolutely insane. Game breaking even. I'm not kidding, +10 for the

is silent for a moment. I can almost feel her

feast from below, it'll surely get you to +10! I'll make sure the workers bring every bit of it

child] she