"Oh! Hello there Mother… I, uh, didn't expect to see you here!"
"In the brood chambers, child? Where else would I be?"
I can almost sense another thwack coming… The first one really hurt! She's had a serious increase to her physical stats since her evolution. I rub the top of my head with an antenna as I quickly ponder my response.
"Wherever you want to be, Mother?"
THWACK!
Ouch!
"You wouldn't be suggesting I would skip out on my duty to the Colony, would you?"
"Of course not! Who would ever think of such a thing?!"
Dangit, Mother! My poor head! What did I even do? Turning around to face my overbearing parent, I take a chance to see how she's been faring. She looks fine, no wounds or scarring to mar her carapace. That ever-present twinkle in her eye is still apparent, as is the unusual level of force she's able to generate with her antennae. There must be a 'mother' perk buried in the system somewhere that grants bonus damage when disciplining children, otherwise it just doesn't make sense.
"If you're mad at me, Mother, then please just tell me what I've done," I capitulate.
heart to try and get out of my well-earned 'thwacks'. I've once again evaded my responsibilities and brought danger down on the Colony. A few knocks on the head are the least of what I deserve. Instead, the Queen just looks down
at you, child. I am pleased
way of showing it…"
didn't quite
to see you in such good health! Managing to get out
I leave the Colony for a daily hunt in order to secure my own Biomass. The prey in the
love to have seen the council members' faces when they realised the Queen was going to leave their fortress of
going to assume you
The Queen sighs.
don't really want to say no, even if I do think it's a bit of a waste. Those
She shouldn't.
your escort is more than happy to be
no doubt that every member of her guards was carefully chosen to be the best at what they do. No
really is packed with brood. Dozens of brood tenders pick amongst the little grubs, ensuring that each is fed and cleaned, ready to take on the next step in their lifecycle and become a pupa. Pretty
I tip an antenna at the young, "are we still making sure each hatchling
pupal stage. When they emerge they are taken through the training program before they enter service. I try
get slack once the population started to explode. Must be hard for them to rustle up
being laid each day right now, could it be as many as a thousand
the creation of two new nests is being planned in order to extend
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