Chrysalis

The ants were not aware of the age old adage from Earth "battles are won on the training ground", but they certainly knew how to throw their efforts into wholehearted preparations regardless. Not that much changed once the invasion forces had been spotted, the Colony had been working full throttle on building capacity and shoring up their defences already. It was however, undeniable that the imminent threat added a certain frisson to the air.

Perhaps the mandatory rest observers were a little less diligent, perhaps a few more workers decided to push their next torpor back a few hours, perhaps those teams training in the various expanses within the Colony's territory took a few more risks. Everyone pushed that little bit harder, trying to eke out that final edge that would help the family to survive.

As the workers, crafters and soldiers raced to complete their tasks, far to the East of the Colony, the initial skirmishes had already begun.

POW! POW! POW! POW!

"SHOT OUT!"

"Two kilometre clearance! GO! GO! GO!"

"Next team in five! Five! Keep clear of the sight lanes and watch your abdomens. I want those antennae sharp and eyes focused. I'm talking every lens!"

The last team to fire their long range acid barrage raced through the tunnels, putting a solid distance between themselves and the enemy as stealth specialist scouts kept an eye on the response from the Golgari. Most scouts took extensive range extensions in their acid setup, but not all invested in extensive acid setups like the Eldest. Those that did chose to divert Biomass investment away from more typical mutations, like improving the mandibles or carapace, and instead poured those points into becoming dedicated acid artillery.

"Did we hit?" One scout asked her sibling as they ran to the clearance zone. "I didn't even see them."

us lined up pretty well. Even if it wasn't a direct hit, with that much acid in the air, something must

back to

heavily mutated legs whipping through the air and sending the terrain flashing past. When they finally arrived at their destination, they

the centre of it all stood an ant larger than

group, "head to the back and rest your legs. We have a stash of Biomass back there, make sure you fill up, mutate if you can and get ready.

head and scuttled away to take their place amongst the hundreds of other ants. Burke watched them go for a moment before turning back to eastward facing tunnel entrance, waiting on

goes it?" Advant asked, approaching from

are you

too long, so I'm sticking to

traverse walls and roofs as they wanted. They could solve the problem by improving the strength

how's it going?" Advant asked

or at least, unleashed the

so we don't really know if

idea isn't to inflict damage, remember. The whole point is try and fatigue

"I know."

of each ant’s energy. If ten ants were able to wear down a single Golgari, that would be a worthy trade. The healer had pointed out that fatigue would be a far greater danger for

just wish we could engage them more directly," Burke said, "it

like Leeroy," Advant joked, "be patient. We aren't going to be able to beat these block-heads without fighting smart. If it comes down to it and we have to swarm them through the