Chrysalis

When I finally come across Jim, he's shivering up against the wall of the tunnel as dozens of ants keep watch on him, some literally on top of him.

[Jim! You made it out, alright I see!]

[Anthony! Thank the- WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?!]

[You mean Crinis? She's my pet.]

[THAT is your pet?]

[For sure, she's great. Anyway, why are you shaking like a leaf in a storm? Something wrong?]

[Every cell in my body is screaming at me to escape from these ants. I swear they are tasting me in their minds. They look hungry, Anthony!]

[You can't tell if an ant is hungry by looking at them, Jim.]

[I can sense it.]

[No you can't! Besides, what would be the point? We ants are always hungry.]

[Nooooo. Don't eat me, Anthony! I have a family! My poor worm children!]

[You aren't going to be eaten, Jim!] I scoff at him. [If the Colony was going to eat you, you'd be eaten already! Just relax for a second.]

[It's hard to relax when literal predators are climbing on you.]

He has a good point. When it comes to insects and small organisms, ants are just about kings of the hill. Worms are just one of the near infinite number of things that ants will prey upon as they seek out the protein they need to raise the ravenous brood.

[Just take a minute to appreciate your achievement! You're free! You made it out! If you want to, you can slither into the wall and vanish. Back to the Dungeon!]

think I need to rest before I can enjoy it. Besides, I can't feel at ease knowing what Sarah is going through. If she doesn't fight,

get word of an active ant colony soon and will start to mobilise their no doubt considerable resources against us.

let you rest here then. I'm going to go talk to the leadership and see what we can

do you mean? What's

hard to explain. Let's just say, I made ants as smart as

did WHAT?!] The

I get defensive.

wanted to help

the intelligence of humans? Do you have

made a super cool Colony of

can't take it anymore. I'm going to

under the watchful eye of his ant protectors. What's his deal anyway? I don't see how smart ants are any worse than smart apes or smart rock-skinned people. In fact, aren't they just better? I mean, I'll take my current family over my old one in a heartbeat. No time to worry about that now. I need to find whichever members of the Council were foolish enough to come all the way

for me to turn up for a chat. They dug out a convenient meeting chamber for us to use so we don't block off the tunnel, which still has a ton of traffic moving through it as ants go about

it's wonderful to see you

operation was a success." Sloan tips her

to pick up

learned a lot. About a heap of things, which I'm happy to share a bit later

to adjust. The Vestibule continues to pump me full of energy and keep me fresh, but the emotional fatigue

be back with you all. Thanks for coming

danger and GLORIOUS battle we

"Shut up, Leeroy."

"Yes, Eldest."

even are we? How far from the nest have we

straight line across the surface from the nest.

"HOLY MOLY."

of a long

guys even manage

In a matter of weeks?! What the heck have they had to do in order to