Chapter 266 The beast slumbers no more (1/2)
The hatchlings are herded into my chamber where Tiny is instructed to keep a keen eye on the situation whilst I go to find Vibrant and see what the situation with the workers is like. I find Vibrant hovering around the two hundred larvae that recently hatched, fetching chunks of food that my cla.s.s had brought in and just dumping it close to the grubs as she races back and forth, trying to make sure the ravenous little things get fed.
Whoops!
The workers tending to the grubs are so omnipresent that I didn't even think to make sure they were getting fed! Thank goodness Vibrant was on the job. They wouldn't have starved to death in such a short time by any means, but their development would have been delayed if they went too long between meals. The larval stage of an ants development is primarily for them to stack on ma.s.s. They have nothing to do but eat, eat and eat some more. The faster they bulk up the faster they are ready to go into their coc.o.o.ns and take shape as proper workers of the colony.
”Vibrant! How are things with the workers?”
”Hold on a sec, Senior! I need to feed these grubs!” she yells as she rushes past me at a full dash.
”Aren't they all fed?”
”Nope!”
Dangit. No point being lazy, I'll pitch in and help. The bulk of the food was stacked in the Queen's chamber and it doesn't take us long to deliver it to the remaining grubs who immediately wiggle their ungainly bodies to a position in which they can munch at it. They don't exactly have the best mouthparts for this but they are giving it a red hot go!
As we worked, I asked Vibrant again what was going on.
”I've started to see a little movement amongst the workers. The higher evolved ones and the workers I was leading were the first to start moving” she announces cheerfully.
”Where are they?” I ask.
”Oh! Everywhere!”
”….”
Turns out they are scattered all over the nest in various chambers. After rus.h.i.+ng here and there I eventually find a worker showing signs of life. This fellow looks like he might've been on his second evolution, an advanced worker of some kind. Impressive! I do have the distinct impression that they should have been a bit larger than they currently are though…
”Haaa …. Hrrrrr”
Whoa! The ant is talking! He's developed the Pheromone Language gland whilst sleeping?!
”Hey there buddy. How are you doing? You sleep ok?” I ask.
”Hen, han … ” as movement slowly returns to the worker, they continue to try and speak using this new mutation.
”Take your time champ. No need to rush.”
”Harr…. Havvv. Have.”
”Have? Have what?”
”Have … I … died… for the colony?”
”… No.”
”… Dammit.”