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

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

right" the

feel a splitting

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

hatchlings look at me as if

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

seems to be like a personal failure on their part. They burn to sacrifice themselves for the colony, to win something

to value themselves for their own sake, but perhaps I get them to value it

me, all of

sets of eyes and antennae focus on me

so earnest, it's quite

wish to serve the colony?"

"Of course!"

"Yes!"

day is done

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

"Naturally!"

the heart of

throw my life for the

there, to the side, just chill out there.

take a moment

colony, can you do more to serve the Queen,

"….."

this would be ridiculous but the fact that they

if…." one of the hatchlings pipes up dubiously, "we were to serve the colony

Especially after you've taken Biomass and experience

throwing up vile poison

"Selfish?!"

"NEVER!"

of selfishness?! I would

I nod sagely.

right. If the colony has invested resources in you, it is your duty to repay the colony

lean closer to

thing to consider. Which colony is better, one with one

and mutter amongst themselves for a moment before deciding that yes, more workers is clearly superior to less workers. The ant logic

supposed to increase its numbers if you

"…"

them hard. Time for the

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