Chrysalis

It took a good bit of travel before we were able to reach the first staging area on the path between the nest and the anticipated direction the horde would be travelling. A steady stream of workers ran back and forth in long lines, bringing information back to the nest or returning for designated rest periods.

I found it curious that even with their enhanced senses and intelligence, which removed the necessity for the ants to move directly on top of a trail like regular ants on Earth would, they still chose to do so. The result being that I was treated to the sight of hundreds of ants the size of large dogs hustling about in long trails, one after the other.

The main difference between this and looking at an ant trail back on Earth, other than the size of course, is that I could hear the chatter between the workers as they ran.

"Keep it up! Run hard!"

"We've got this! Push, push, push!"

"So much work to do, no time to slow down now!"

"Lift those claws! Don't forget you have six legs, not two like a human. That means three times the work!"

"Work hard for the colony!"

"FOR THE COLONY!"

Endlessly.

fast they run or how tired they are, they can talk continuously. It was interesting to hear them pump each other up and encourage one another as they ran,

enthusiastically shouting and cheering the workers onto glorious deeds and greater efforts. I'm looking forward to catching up with Vibrant when she makes her way to the front lines. From what

lot faster than anyone anticipated. With Vibrant fired up for the job it's going to get done at light speed, which can only be a good thing. The faster it's done, the sooner those soldiers can get to the front and help with our campaign here to chip away at the horde, and the more food will be built up by those remaining behind to hunt, adding to the stockpile that will have been amassed. If things go like I think they will, the production of eggs may not slow down

up, scouts are being sent out and preliminary ambush preparations are being made. It isn't much to look at though. When I arrived, I would have

dirt around and carrying it away from the site itself. A large hole in the ground was the only sign

ground as workers climbed all over each other as

personal space, so having ant and dirt shoved in my face constantly made moving around a little disorienting,

to enter a chamber

to see you made it to the front in

my attention. "We're ready for an ambush already? Do we even have eyes

Victor shook her head.

locate the horde but they are yet to return. We expect them to make contact with the horde tomorrow and then make their way back. Of course, that is conditional on the horde travelling on the stone trail you described to

Victor. It's called a

waved her antennae

strange human convention, it matters not. We have dispatched workers to scout and

terrain. I could see roads, surprisingly detailed little building to represent what I think are