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

people from the

regard her directly, the many lenses in his

best to protect people. It’s the right goal, just the wrong target. But hey, I don’t think I’ll ever convince the people who run your outfit of that, so it

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

[is what you

for him to put her on

of the Legion has helped us stand firm against the Dungeon since the Cataclysm. There is tremendous value in it, yet… I

you do right by the Colony, and we’ll do right by

what happened at

an instant, all the energy was sucked out of the massive monster and

about that…. That whole mess

[Was? So it’s resolved?]

heck no,] Anthony muttered darkly, [not by a long shot. But that’s not why

right next to her was

have trouble fitting into the nests,] she observed as they walked toward the entrance to

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

right,] she said,

on a myriad of tasks around her. It was clear the

many are working on this above?] she asked.

course not!] he barked a laugh. [The initial invasion force is being prepped

[A million?!]

he told her condescendingly. [We aren’t going to make any progress being half-hearted about it. Here, take a look at these

a group of ants were tending to

[I love these guys. I don’t know why they