Chapter 1689 – Words of the Council

As the Colony expanded, it wasn’t possible for the Council to be involved across every issue, and reliance on them for decision-making would have made the Colony slow, and unresponsive.

Other networks arose organically to make up for the shortfall, and these worked mandible in mandible with organisations like the Antministration to ensure that the decision-making process was transparent and documented, while also based on solid and factual information.

In this way, the role of the Councillors changed. No longer were they expected to ‘be in charge’ of their entire caste, as such a thing was impossible. Instead, they took on projects, led by example, and sought out problem areas that needed to be addressed, ensuring the Colony ran as smoothly as possible.

Respected and given their due deference everywhere they went, the first students of the Eldest have always been a powerful force within the family, acting according to the wisdom that was imparted to them.

– Excerpt from the private notes of Historiant.

Laughing back and forth, enjoying some Biomass and a few cups of tea, the Council and I have a great time chatting. They all congratulate me on making it through my evolution, which is rather nice of them, and I thank them all for their hard work for the family.

Only after reminiscing, and threatening to thwack them, do they finally concede and start telling me what’s been going on around the Colony.

“Solant has been pushing hard out in the tunnels,” Sloan says. “There’s been two waves since you went to sleep, Eldest, and she used them the same way as before, stockpiling huge reserves of liquid mana to cleanse hearts. The second time around, the Krath still didn’t realise what was happening, and three hearts were taken. Last time around, they realised the danger and fought like heck to prevent it.”

Hmmm. Sounds about right. There weren’t any surviving Krath after the initial invasion, so they wouldn’t have realised Solant’s strategy at first. Clearly they figured it out, though.

“How many hearts did she get after the last wave?” I ask.

I’m worried it was none.

“Eleven,” Sloan tells me. “She was probably disappointed, but I have to admit she was brilliant in her tactical and strategic execution. Outwitting the Krath is anything but easy.”

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Eleven? Holy moly. If we keep extending down, I wonder how many we need to get through to establish a route to the sixth…. If we pull that off, the entire world will sit up and take notice. I mean, our achievements so far are already enough, but actually creating and holding a safe path will change Pangera forever.

“That’s impressive stuff,” I say. “So it’s going well?”

The rest of the Council flinches.

“I’m not sure I’d say that…” Tungstant equivocates.

“The invasion of the fifth is sucking up everything the Colony can produce,” Burke tells me bluntly. “The vast majority of new graduates go there, our metals, the Biomass needed to support that many ants, it’s putting other areas of the family at risk.”