Chrysalis

The Colony has distinguished itself in battle across its existence, displaying sharp tactics, excellent training and sound strategy at all levels of warfare. Such a thing is highly unusual for a swarming monster type, but the irregularly high levels of intelligence obviously made it possible for the ants to accomplish many things that are atypical.

In small numbers, they are smart. They move quickly, engage carefully, retreat expeditiously and attack aggressively when the opportunity presents itself. The caste system provides them a strong balance of specialists, making teams of ants well positioned to handle a wide variety of situations.

In larger groups, they become very deadly. Capable of digging and fortifying positions in a matter of hours, they can be expensive to dislodge the moment they gain a foothold. With a strong command structure and perfect discipline, they present no weaknesses, no chinks in the armour. They must be confronted directly, head on, or not at all. Only a skilled and determined force can match them.

In a swarm, they show their true might. The endless tide of ants is a foe like no other that I have ever witnessed. The concentrated power of their collective is overwhelming and they will sweep away whatever lies in their path. Against that indomitable horde, I have seen nothing succeed, and I have tried much.

• Excerpt from the war diary of an unknown general.

Advant watched as a continuous stream of ants marched through the portal, four by four. There wasn't room for more sadly, the big soldiers barely fit, side by side.

The scouts could fit through five by five, and the generals six by six, which helped.

The Colony was going all out in its assault against the rivals they had found here in the fourth stratum. Every member of the family felt the burning rage within their inner core, an unsettling anger that would not end until either they, or the termites had been put to rest. As always, the Eldest had the right of it, they could not both exist on Pangera, one had to go.

and fours, these represented the best of what the Colony had left to offer, the sixes already here and involved in the fight. From what she'd heard, the battles above had been intense,

reaped a rich harvest in the fighting above. Along with the victories that had been won

be over. When the enemy had been put to rest, its queens destroyed and brood fed to the larvae, they could retreat back to higher in the Dungeon, concentrate on developing their holdings, refining their advancements. With the added security of having the Mother Tree locked in as an ally, the Colony

she hoped

light of the portal they emerged, turned to meet her salute, and then vanished down the roots and underground, on their way to

core, but had been assured that this was what it would take. Nothing short of overwhelming victory could be accepted here, anything

join the

tier fours were fresh recruits, graduates from the academies in the first

settle her nerves. She should be confident, the Eldest was involved in the attack, along with all the most powerful fighters

spare. Powering the gateway to bring this many

each with their spears, shields and matching uniform. The ranks weren't as neat as the ants had been, the precision wasn't there as they turned to salute

this fight. Yet here they were, answering a

all, at the end of the column came five ants, each bearing an individual on their back! Strange saddles had been

Pangera is going on here?" she demands of the

snaps out a quick salute. "We are the inaugural ant cavalry division. The generals required all legs on the tunnel floor so we have been taken out of training and sent to