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!*

an antennae down hard I slap the worker on

many times do I have to say this?! You. Are. Not. To.

right" the workers

splitting

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

look at me as

plan in which they don't die is in some way unsatisfactory. I've been trying for thirty minutes to get them to value their

not dying seems to be like a personal failure on their part. They burn

about this the wrong way. It's clear that they aren't going to value themselves for their own sake,

all of you!" I

antennae focus on me

earnest,

to serve

"Of course!"

"Yes!"

before this day

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

"Naturally!"

heart of the

my life

side, just chill

moment

answer this question for me. Can you do more to benefit the colony, can

"….."

be ridiculous but the fact that they are

hatchlings pipes up dubiously, "we were to serve the colony for

able to do more for the colony whilst still alive? Especially after you've taken Biomass and experience that could have gone to others? Are you

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

"Selfish?!"

"NEVER!"

would rather

I nod sagely.

If the colony has invested resources in you, it is your

lean closer to

to consider. Which colony is better, one with one hundred workers,

more workers is clearly superior to less workers. The ant logic of strength in numbers is strong

is the colony supposed to increase

"…"

that hit them hard. Time for the final

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