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!*

hard I slap the worker

times do I have to say this?!

the

feel a splitting

to the colony

hatchlings look at me as if

they don't die is in some way unsatisfactory. I've been trying for thirty minutes to

be like a personal failure on their part. They burn to sacrifice themselves for the colony, to win something in the exchange and go down in a blaze

going to value themselves for their own sake, but perhaps I

to me, all of you!" I

sets of eyes and antennae focus on me

earnest, it's

you wish to serve the

"Of course!"

"Yes!"

before this day is done

take it, you also wish to serve

"Naturally!"

heart of the

life for the Queen

the side, just chill out there.

moment to compose

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

"….."

any other situation this would be ridiculous but the fact

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

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

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

"Selfish?!"

"NEVER!"

of selfishness?! I would rather die! Unselfishly …

I nod sagely.

colony has invested resources in you, it is your duty to repay the colony with dutiful service, NOT pointless

closer

other thing to consider. Which colony is better, one with one hundred workers, or one with two

more workers is clearly superior to less

the colony supposed to increase its numbers

"…"

hit them hard. Time for

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