Chrysalis

[I thank you for your cooperation.]

[To you as well. I hope that your research is of some use to the Colony.]

[I wish the same. If you wish to view our published work, you can find it in the pheromone library. There are copies in every major nest.]

[Wonderful. I will read with interest.]

Torrina placed her pen away and shut the book in front of her as the interviewee, a tier six mage, amongst the first, turned and walked out of the room. With more ants reaching the sixth tier, it became more important than ever before to correlate their evolutionary options and choices. Granin in particular had been obsessed with it, almost as obsessed as the Colony itself, which was why the triad had been busy interviewing and documenting every tier six ant they could get to talk to them.

Which was all of them that they could reach. Once they realised the fruits of their research would be delivered to the Colony, they were only too happy to help.

If only her own colleagues had been as forthcoming with information, they would have been able to achieve so much more. The petty rivalries of the shaper circle seemed even more absurd to her now than they had when she was a student. Perhaps the day would come when social discord and competition would arise amongst the ants, forcing the siblings to struggle against each other, but as of yet, that day had not dawned.

A level of cooperation that bordered on the fanatical, that was the defining trait of the Colony in her eyes. In many ways, Anthony himself exemplified the trait. There was nothing he would not give of himself for his new family, even if he would never say as much.

She stood from behind the desk she had been provided, ensuring she didn't scrape the immaculately woven rug under the carved chair. Once again, only the best had been provided for her use, and she was careful not to damage any of it. Furniture such as this would have cost her a small fortune amongst the golgari.

As she stepped out of the “office”, she found Corun emerging from his own room next door. The young shaper gave her a broad smile, the stones of his true skin grinding together as he did so.

"Another day done. Got everything you need?"

Torrina nodded.

"I don't have any more mages or core shapers to interview, if that's what you mean. I'm not sure if that will satisfy Granin though."

Corun pulled a face and laughed.

"I doubt it. I'm done with the soldiers, scouts and generals that are within reach as well. For the time being, we won't have any choice but to move on to something else. Hopefully, moving down to the fourth to see what Anthony is up to."

the easy manner gained through years of association and friendship between them evident in their

evolving this early, he's only been tier six for what? A couple of months at the

of tier four and fives. Even if they're weak, that's still going to be a lot of experience. He might want to

"Damn right it is."

boulder. How he managed to move so quietly covered in such a crude stone, Torrina

greeted their elder and leader of the triad, "I'm guessing

Granin grunted.

the fourth, apparently. The rest are on the front lines of the expansion war. We just can't

enthused with his work, as she imagined he must have been in his younger days. He was obsessed and determined to burn the candle at both ends if it meant

you determined anything yet?"

flicked a glance at

said. "Let's

and Torrina shared a look at his caution, but they were conditioned to follow the triad leader and

beautiful, dim light, illuminating the intricate carvings, woven rug and tasteful

of ash and smoke that was the skyline of the third stratum. The ominous red light bleeding from the outside into the corridor, infusing it with a macabre glow. Despite the

volume not being utilised, but for now a segment close to the top had been allocated for the allies of the Colony to use. Barracks, training rooms and medical facilities for the troops, along

embarrassed when she'd asked them why they'd chosen to place their rooms and corridors as the external walls of the nest out of curiosity. They'd timidly told her of their thoughts on a new technique, muttered something about crumple zones and then assured her they'd done everything they

all. They wanted the dark and security of their cramped chambers and

of stairs they arrived at their private rooms, greeting the few humans and golgari they saw along the way before filing into Granin's chamber, the large shaper closing the door

the secrecy?" she asked him,

to his plush

taken the ants awhile to grow used to the idea of furniture specifically for golgari; their true skins didn't allow for the same comforts as a human might welcome. Her people didn't like soft or fluffy things, and needed materials that were durable enough not to scrape or dent when exposed to the

some time, the ants had developed a soft, springy material that was firm enough not to be damaged by them, strong enough to hold their weight, and with enough give to provide

and Corun sat as Granin leaned forward to discuss

matters of concern. The first of

considered his words for a moment before

six ants, but tell me what you think is unusual about them. I want to see if

two younger shapers glanced at each other before Corun

good evolution options, even at the basic level. Good stats and more than acceptable bonuses almost across the line. I've only encountered a