Chrysalis

“Be careful, Tribune. The monster may attempt to manipulate your thoughts.”

Morrelia frowned.

“I’ve received mental fortitude training and raised my Skills to the commander level,” she said evenly. “I will of course remain vigilant nevertheless. Thank you for your diligence, Legionary.”

[What’d he say?] Anthony’s voice echoed in her mind.

[They’re still worried you’ll manipulate me,] she sighed.

[I mean… is it possible to communicate in any way without allowing for the chance of manipulation? I’ve seen what the brathian do to people with just words. It’s not pretty.]

[You know as well as I do that a mind bridge allows for more than just communication. How did you defeat Garralosh again?]

[Ugh… I’d rather not remember, to be honest; that was nasty. Alright, this is the place.]

The ants’ forward operating base wasn’t anything special, yet. There were hundreds of carvers still working on it, and she knew full well what miracles they could accomplish.

[Are there really rooms in there for us?] she asked, a little sceptical.

[Of course! We’re an accommodating group of insects. Unlike your Legion.]

Morrelia felt a pang in her chest.

[Are you thinking of the bolts we shot at you?]

[Of course I am! While I was falling out of the sky as well. That’s such a cheap shot.]

a

purpose of the Legion is to protect people from the Dungeon, and to that end, they’ve determined you shouldn’t be allowed to descend any

giant ant turned to regard her directly, the many lenses in his

It’s the right goal, just the wrong target. But hey, I

in relief. At least he wasn’t going to hold

to know,] Anthony continued, [is what you think. Am I

her on

the Legion has helped us stand firm against the Dungeon since

do right by the Colony, and we’ll

what happened at the

was sucked out of

That whole

[Was? So it’s resolved?]

a

quickly right next to her was unnerving, to say the least. It was hard to believe this was the same

have trouble fitting into the nests,] she

and he was probably right. [This is what you came for, right?

said, looking

ants, hard at work on a myriad of tasks around her. It was clear the Colony was only beginning to

are working on this above?] she asked. [I assume this isn’t

a laugh. [The initial invasion force is being prepped above. It’s going to be around

[A million?!]

is the fifth stratum, Morrelia,] he told her condescendingly. [We aren’t going to make any progress being half-hearted about it. Here, take a look at

area where a group of

are the wuffers,] Anthony told her, [I love these guys. I don’t