Chrysalis

Chapter 262

"Ok. Let's try this again. The enemy is down there. We can see them, we are in a superior position where they cannot fight back. All of the advantages are ours. So, what are you going to do? What is your strategy?"

The twenty hatchlings and I are positioned in one of the original four farms, clinging to the ceiling out of harm's way. I lured a monster out of the towards the edge of the open space and tied it down with a gravity bolt. The poor creature is labouring on the ground beneath us, barely able to move, whilst I try to teach these hatchlings how to fight.

The particular young worker I've been trying to teach twitches a little as I focus on my attention on them fully. I'm not sure exactly why but these workers seem a little cowed by me. Perhaps it's just that I'm older and larger.

"Well, I see the monster down there."

"Right."

"I know that I have numerical superiority."

"Right!"

Maybe this time I'm getting through to them.

"I also know that we have a positional advantage here, and the ability to attack our opponent when they can't fight back."

"Yeees?"

Here we go!

"So, I will charge down to engage the enemy, forcing myself into its jaws so that by my sacrifice my fellow workers will be able to attack without being harmed!"

DAMMIT.

Immediately the rest of the hatchlings respond positively.

"Ooo, that's a good idea!"

"Curses! I should have thought of that."

"That has to be the right answer. It's flawless."

The worker who suggested it is now staring at me like a puppy waiting to be praised. Almost wiggling with joy as the praise of his fellow hatchlings rings in his ears.

Ugh. This again.

"WRONG!"

*Thwack!*

I slap the worker

have to say this?!

the

feel a splitting headache coming

the plans that you put forward are you allowed to act in a suicidal way. You should always act to minimise the loss to the colony to as great an extent as possible. It is possible for you to resolve this situation without any losing any workers, easily! So you

as if I'm speaking

in some way unsatisfactory. I've been trying for thirty minutes to get them

like a personal failure on their part. They burn to

clear that they aren't going to value themselves for their

to me, all

antennae focus on

earnest,

you wish to serve the colony?" I

"Of course!"

"Yes!"

day is done for the

slow down there. So I take it, you also wish to serve

"Naturally!"

the heart of the

will throw my life for the

to the side, just chill

take a moment

to benefit the colony, can you do more to serve the Queen, when you are

"….."

any other situation this would be ridiculous but

to serve the colony for a time, and then die in dutiful

be able to do more for the colony whilst still alive? Especially after you've

selfish as if throwing up vile poison and the hatchlings with respond with horror

"Selfish?!"

"NEVER!"

accused of selfishness?! I would

I nod sagely.

in you, it is your duty to

closer

better, one with

before deciding that yes, more workers is clearly superior to less workers. The ant logic of strength in numbers is strong with

is the colony supposed to

"…"

hard. Time

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