Sure enough, it doesn't take long before Vibrant cos 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 ."
It's also the only ti 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 tis.
"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 mber of the council, she's also a certified, bonafide commander of her own personal army. I wonder if they've co up with a na for themselves yet? Vibrant's speedsters? Always Accelerating Ants?
Goodness knows.
"Oh, they're super busy! So much running around. I told them they all have to evolve so they can kinda-sorta keep up with , otherwise I'll leave them behind!"
Well makes sense, I suppose. I'm guessing her followers are currently sprinting around on the third stratum trying to hoover up experience and cores as quickly as they possibly can. Which 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 unit that gets the most done, and it isn't close. Sothing about being able to get from hotspot to hotspot in record ti makes all the difference, I suppose.
"Fair enough. I'll leave you to it, then. Good luck! Hope it all goes well!"
She's probably going to get a mythic evolution that turns her into the ant equivalent of a fighter jet, or one of those rocket-propelled cars on Earth.
I clap my front two legs together and offer a silent prayer to the unnad ones. Whoever's job it is to catch Vibrant after this is going to need more luck than exists in this world.
Vibrant races off to 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 the higher tier they reach.
With Sarah, Crinis, Tiny 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 guy.
[Hey there, Odin. How's things?]
The demon jumps in surprise as I smack a mind bridge into him and start yapping.
[Whahow did you find ? I was in stealth.]
[You're going to need a few more ranks if you want to avoid my eyes. Also, learn so mana manipulation so you can conceal the energy coming off your core.]
[Ah. I hadn't thought of that.]
He gives off a cold and calculating vibe, and his ntal voice is quite mature, giving the sense he was a lot older than when he died. Doesn't an much though, I'm his elder on this side of the divide, and this is where we happen to be!
[I can also sll you. Ant antennae are quite sensitive to scent. There's also your gravitational field. I can pick that up too.]
[What? Wouldn't that field be absurdly weak?]
[Yep!]
An awkward pause.
[Soooo are you planning on just hanging around outside of Sarah's evolution chamber until she's done? Just hiding in stealth the whole ti?]
The lithe demon shifts uncomfortably.
[I just wanted to see what she turns into. She's already such an incredible engine of death. I can't imagine how she's going to improve on perfection.]
[You are a weird guy.]
I decide there and then I'm going to do Sarah a favour.
[Co on, then.] I prod the demon with my front leg. [Let's get moving.]
[Exchey! Stop that!]
[Nope. You're coming with . Sarah would probably appreciate so privacy and there's nothing to be gained by you sitting here staring at her. In fact, that's a profoundly odd thing to do. You're living in the Colony, so make yourself useful to the Colony. Let's get to it!]
Ignoring his protests, I continue to poke and prod the forr human until we leave the evolution chambers behind and make our way deeper into the nest. I don't think it'll take long for to find so sort of trouble to get into, it always seems to co and find when my friends aren't around, and sure enough, a runner speeds up to within ten minutes.
[Eldest! The brathian delegation has returned, and they wish to speak to you right away!]
That's a bit sudden. Couldn't they have sent word ahead or sothing? Good thing I've got nothing better to do.
[Sure, lead the way!]
I drag Odin along with and it isn't long until we find ourselves back in the spacious chamber the initial negotiations took place in. Enid is already there, sipping a cup of tea and chatting pleasantly with the sa scaled lady we spoke to last ti. Along with her entourage. In fact, I think there's even more of them this ti.
I wonder what they want?
User Comments
0 comments from readers