Chrysalis

As the villagers return to their homes and the rapidly expanding buildings that make up their new town, I breathed a deep sigh of relief. That was not something I had expected to have to deal with upon my return. Turning to one side I face Sloan, the general and organiser of this human round up.

[Gather your siblings together Sloan] I growl at him, [I need to have a word.]

[Of course Senior.]

He scuttled off to find his siblings. I'm sure I'll find them later down in my chamber, where I'll have to explain a few things to them. It's not their fault. I failed to explain the relationship I was trying to cultivate with the village and its potential benefits to the colony. I forgot to explain the concept of leaving friendly people well enough alone! In truth, a dramatic oversight on my part and not a fault of theirs. They saw a wealth of Biomass and experience in such close proximity and sought to claim it, as any good monster should.

At least disaster has been averted and the workers have been warned off attacking the villagers. My insides sweat when I think about how close to a massacre we had been. The only reason the workers would have left the humans alive was so they could feed the experience to the Queen since they weren't resisting in any way. The thought of those men, women and children being funnelled into the Queens chamber, believing they were about to experience something miraculous, only to have their lives ended by my mother's jaws … it's disturbing to say the least.

No need to think on what might have been! The worst case scenario has been averted and I'll work hard to make sure that something like this doesn't happen again! For now, it's time to introduce the Queen to my new creation!

Climbing up the nest with Tiny and Crinis close behind I pass numerous workers who are all happy to call out with their customary advice:

"Work hard, Senior!"

sure you're working till you

"Hi there Senior! Work!"

I GET IT.

can create a hobby or something for them, some sort of ant

continues to spend almost all her time in this room, being defended from the ever-spawning nightmares of the Dungeon by her

see the vague outline of the Queen between the seething mass

shifts closer to me, the workers peeling away from her head

minibus is really quite the impressive sight. I can only image the havoc that would have

nest so soon child? I had heard that you were out exploring?"

Much exploring was happening! But I've managed to cook up something that I think will be extremely useful for the colony and I need

is it that you need me for young one? You usually don't

is definitely a tone of amusement in her voice as she continued

in exchange for being left alone. I

otherwise wouldn't be able to utilise. Those trees offer no sustenance to us, but through these aphids we

that I had Tiny place on the chamber floor.