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 on the

times do I have to say

the workers

a splitting headache coming

You should always act to minimise the loss to the colony to as great an extent as possible. It is possible for you

hatchlings look at me as if I'm

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 lives, to think of own safety as

a personal failure on their part. They burn to sacrifice themselves

thinking about this the wrong way. It's clear that they aren't going to value themselves for their own sake, but perhaps I get them to value it for

to me, all of

of eyes and antennae focus on me

so earnest,

serve

"Of course!"

"Yes!"

die before this day is

slow down there. So I take it, you also

"Naturally!"

is the heart of the

life for the Queen before

you there, to the side, just chill out there.

a moment to

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

"….."

In any other situation this would be ridiculous but the fact that they are thinking at all is a

hatchlings pipes up dubiously, "we were to serve the colony for a time, and then die in

whilst still alive? Especially after you've taken Biomass

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

"Selfish?!"

"NEVER!"

selfishness?! I would rather die!

I nod sagely.

you, it is your duty to repay

closer

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

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

the colony supposed to increase its numbers if you

"…"

hit them hard. Time for the

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