Chrysalis

It feels good to be charged up and not on the verge of a horrible death! Whoo!

Thankfully we were able to make it to the discreet Dungeon entrance the colony had prepared close to the forward HQ without too much mana leaking out of our cores. Using my sub-minds I tried to turn the external mana manipulation up to 11 and drag the mana down into all three of our cores with some success. It certainly helped to level the skill, if nothing else. Shifting mana in three different directions was a heck of a lot harder than just pulling it in one, so the strain on my sub-brains was also increased. They were fairly cooked by the time we reached the Dungeon and I was happy to let them recover in peace.

Not now though, now we are back in the game!

Even better, I took my chance in the Dungeon whilst the wave was still ongion and chomped through the monsters who spawned as I was waiting for my core to refill. I didn't get a heap of Biomass but I got enough to tip me over to 65 in the bank! Good thing too since I didn't think I could possibly eat any more…

I digest fast but not quite that fast.

Upgrading my stomach is going to be one of the best things about this next evolution, I swear, even more than the stats.

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Ready to roll, the three of us made our way topside and then toward the forward HQ, the planning centre of this opening stage of the war effort. I left Tiny and Crinis on the surface and plunged down in the dark chambers packed with ants of all varieties rushing in every direction, zooming at my face and then climbing straight over me as I tried to get my bearings, waggling my antennae about to pick up the scent trails I needed.

It was interesting, almost frightening to watch how quickly the ants were learning and adapting to new situations. As a species, we Formica Sapiens had never faced a threat like this, heck, most members of the colony were only a few weeks old! But somehow, under the pressure of this existential crisis, the ants were pouring all of their energy, concentration and newfound mental power into absorbing everything they could. It was strange to sit in a room with ant monsters and listen to them propose ideas, debate, look for solutions, weigh risks. I suppose it's only now that I'm starting to realise that even I had underestimated what a difference making the colony more intelligent would cause.

Speaking of arguing ants, I found the planning chamber and the members of the council inside, along with Vibrant, already arguing with each other the next steps. It didn't take long to work out what the main issue was.

"We don't need them" Victor said flatly.

"I lost dozens of scouts in the last attack. I'm not going to sit on my abdomen and pretend this threat is less dangerous than it is. We must secure their assistance!" Wills spat back.

Victor twitched, visibly angered by the statement.

do not underestimate the threat, Wills! You should know better than anyone - " she began to defend

now" I broke in, "I think this might be the first time I've ever heard any of you siblings argue with

slowly into the chamber but nonetheless each member of the council in the chamber froze, whether they had been arguing or not. Seems like I had been right after all. It wasn't only Wills that possessed a deep seated

I raised them! Maybe a few 'thwacks!' will

was the healer, Mendant, who turned

welcome back. I am pleased to see you

calm and soothing as always, but I couldn't help but detect

continued to step forward until I had placed myself between Victor and Wills, both of whom

I said mildly, "whilst it's nice to see some passion from the leaders of the colony, and dissenting opinions are an important part of effective

this kind of conflict between the members of the council. So far they'd been able to reach a consensus in a peaceful manner every time. It seemed that emotion was beginning

offered to help us

Hmm.

in order to prevent further losses, whilst Victor didn't agree with bringing them in. Perhaps she didn't want to increase the number of unknown

usually. Somewhat different,to see ants taking on such human characteristics. Perhaps when each member of the colony is a barely thinking drone, it's no real loss when one dies, but when they have developed minds and personalities, voices and ambitions,

would become much riskier from now own. I've no doubt that the trick we used in the last battle would no longer be effective, some sort of workaround having been implemented to prevent such fruitless waste. This meant we needed to continue to adapt and try new tactics without knowing

factors was just a recipe for

risky no matter what we do"

Wills stirred.

"more options can't

I turned on her.

doesn't mean that risks shouldn't be managed. If things aren't properly thought through it will be a heck of a lot more

stared her down and she stepped back from

was my point" Victor chimed in, "there is just too much risk in bringing a force we don't control to

turned around to face