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!*

down hard I

many times do I have to

right" the workers

a splitting

to the colony to as

as if I'm

as if any 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 own

on their part. They burn to sacrifice themselves

way. It's clear that they aren't going to value

all of you!" I

and antennae focus on me with laser

earnest, it's

you wish to serve the colony?"

"Of course!"

"Yes!"

this day is done for the

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

"Naturally!"

is the heart of the

my life

side, just chill

moment to compose

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

"….."

They are seriously thinking. In any other situation this would be ridiculous but the fact that they

to serve the colony for a time, and then

after you've taken Biomass and experience that

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

"Selfish?!"

"NEVER!"

would rather die! Unselfishly …

I nod sagely.

colony has invested resources in you, it is your duty to repay the colony with

lean closer to

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

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

supposed to increase its numbers if you die

"…"

that hit them hard. Time for

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