Chrysalis

Sure enough, it doesn’t take long before Vibrant comes sprinting out of the office, even more energetic than before.

“It’s amazing, Senior! They know soooo much! Even though they have rock-rock heads!”

“Hey, they just have a second layer of rock skin, it’s not like their heads are actually filled with rocks.”

“I thought they just had thinking rocks.”

“What the heck is a thinking rock? You know what, I’ve seen weirder things on Pangera than that. Sure. Go and evolve, have fun. At least the torpor police won’t have to bother chasing you for a while.”

“I wish I could evolve while running. That would be amazing!”

“No it wouldn’t and don’t ever try it. In fact, it’s banned. I don’t want to find out if that's possible. Evolving is the only extended nap I ever get anymore and I refuse to have it taken from me.”

It’s also the only time I get free from the endless influx of the Colony’s Will. Not that it’s necessarily a bad thing, having the desires and impressions of my family thudding into my mind in a never ending stream. It just gets overwhelming at times.

“Have you spoken to your crew about what they’ll be up to while you’re down here?” I ask Vibrant.

It’s hard to believe she’s a leader, given her easy-breezy attitude, but not only is she a member of the council, she’s also a certified, bonafide commander of her own personal army. I wonder if they’ve come up with a name for themselves yet? Vibrant’s speedsters? Always Accelerating Ants?

Goodness knows.

they all have to evolve

is fine. A more powerful speed-squad is only helpful to the Colony after all. In fact, of all the little groups running around, hers is the fighting

it, then. Good luck!

to get a mythic evolution that turns her into the ant equivalent of a fighter jet, or

its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon;

front two legs together and offer a silent prayer to the unnamed ones. Whoever’s job it is to catch Vibrant

find a chamber to evolve in and I shake my head. The Colony is getting stronger, so it’s all fine. In fact, I wonder how long it is until Brilliant and Solant evolve again? The other Colony Champions have been making great contributions lately, but those will only grow in scope

and Invidia all down for the count, I seek out Odin and find the wiry demon outside of Sarah’s chamber. He’s sitting eerily still, like a statue, just… watching. What is up with Sarah and her ability to get these weirdos to follow her around? First was Jim, and now this

there, Odin. How’s

demon jumps in surprise as I smack a mind bridge

did you find me? I was in

my eyes. Also, learn some mana

I hadn’t

his mental voice is quite mature, giving me the sense he was a lot older than me when he died. Doesn’t mean much though, I’m his elder on this side of the divide, and

smell you. Ant antennae are quite sensitive to scent. There’s also your gravitational field. I

that field be absurdly

[Yep!]

An awkward pause.

just hanging around outside of Sarah’s evolution chamber

lithe demon

She’s already such an… incredible engine of death. I