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!*

antennae down hard I slap the worker on the

have to say this?! You. Are. Not. To.

the workers

splitting headache

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 if I'm speaking

trying for thirty minutes to get them to value their own lives, to think of own safety

not care about their own lives, not dying seems to be like a personal failure on their part. They burn to sacrifice

that they aren't going to value themselves for their own sake, but perhaps I get them to value

to me, all

antennae focus

earnest,

serve the

"Of course!"

"Yes!"

day is done for the

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

"Naturally!"

the heart

life for the Queen before

there, to the side, just chill

take a moment to

can you do more to serve the Queen,

"….."

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

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

for the colony whilst still alive? Especially after you've taken

if throwing up vile

"Selfish?!"

"NEVER!"

selfishness?! I would rather die! Unselfishly

I nod sagely.

is your duty

lean closer to

better, one with one hundred workers, or one with

moment before deciding that yes, more workers is clearly superior to less workers. The

colony supposed to increase its numbers if

"…"

hard.

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