Chrysalis

As the voices of the new hatchlings ring throughout the room, and I start to wonder just what it is that I've done, another voice sounds within my mind.

[Original Species has been detected. New species type has been assigned.]

Gandalf?! What the heck are you on about?!

Is he saying that the new hatchlings are recognised by the system as a different species to mine? I did make a lot of changes…

Does this mean that the workers will attack them? That would be terrible!

Before I can process the implications of what is being said, the voice of the grey one continues to speak.

[You have been designated as the progenitor of this new species. Do you wish to align your species, and that of your colony, with this new archetype?]

Uhhhhhhhhhh.

Yes?

I suppose?

The instant I assent within my mind, there is an audible rumble around and within me. A lethargic feeling rises up through my limbs and claws towards my mind, dragging me down into the lassitude I recognise as Torpor.

[Crinis! Watch me …]

Before I can finish the sentence, my thoughts slow like congealing grease until they move no more.

…

I'm up!

long was

around me and try to process what has happened. To all appearances, not much has changed. The hatchlings are still congregating together, shouting and arguing with each other with increasingly loud voices. Something that has changed, is the workers.

Is everything alright?]

it's been since I last spoke

a few moments, I haven't even made it up the

a few seconds? What in the name of

I agreed to have mine changed. Maybe I should

status, my species has changed. No longer [Formica], but

crawling down the tunnel from below

Wait a second!

I rush down the main tunnel of the nest, passing Crinis on her way up. I ignore her confused questions and throw myself into the Queens chamber. Behind me I can see more workers making their way in from outside, crowding the entrance and crawling over each other to make their

grown eerily still. The stillness feels so strange here, in this place of motions and activity in the heart of

the way I find

boy. I hope I didn't make a

if I'm reading the situation correctly, the moment the new generation was born, the system recognised that a new species had been created, then gave me, the creator of that species, the right to change the entire

Queens chamber for any sign of motion. It only took a few seconds for my species to change, why is it taking so much longer for them? Is it because I'm already quite close to what the new generation can evolve into, whereas the others aren't? What's going to happen to the workforce? Will they all change into new hatchlings? What exactly is going to

I'm so confused!

The new hatchlings!

who was carefully climbing down, trying not to obstruct

match, even as the workers who had tended them have grown still around them. Feeling somewhat anxious about the changing situation, I don't have that much

you, shut

"…."

That was quick.

immediately quietening down. I didn't realise I had this much charisma as a leader. I'm impressed with

have a slight situation in the nest at the moment, so I need you to

senior!" they respond

you to guard the nest from below the Queen's chamber. Crinis, head to the top of the nest but stay within the anthill, don't let anything but