Chrysalis

Chapter 850: Bug Zapper (961)

Is the Colony evil? The monstrous ant foe poses a conundrum, as far as enemies go. It's very easy to paint such alien creatures as 'other', distinct from the sapient people of Pangera, and therefore remove sympathy. The ants do not speak, in the conventional sense; they don't even make sound. When describing them to someone with no direct experience of them or their society, depicting them as mindless, soulless and evil, is almost trivially easy.

Unspeaking, unthinking killing machines. Tunnelling through the soil to strike where they are least expected. They have no mercy in them, no kindness. All they know is hunger, all they think of is war.

And such a viewpoint will be swallowed hook line and sinker by the average citizen on the street. After all, what do they know of the Colony? Nothing at all. It isn't as if an ant is going to pop up in the street and prove me wrong. Although their diplomatic efforts have spread further than any might reasonably expect, the common person knows not of these things and has never come into contact with a sapient ant monster.

For those of us with more information, with more academic rigour, we cannot state that they are evil. Their motives may be difficult for us to comprehend, and their actions may not always make sense to us, and therefore seem barbaric and unnecessary, but theirs is a rich and layered society that, while unified far more than our own nations, is not a monolith. They have their own disagreements, negotiations, and strange manner of decision making. They have culture, art, craftsmanship and all the other trappings of intelligent civilisation.

Perhaps what they do could be considered evil, but the Colony itself is far too complex an entity for such simple labels.

Excerpt from 'Modern Morality' by Arcurion.

Well, well, well. The ol' lizards have decided to try and set a trap for little old me. Unfortunately for them, I've never seen a trap I didn't want to stick my head in!

Wait…

Anyway, I'm going for it. I won't be dissuaded! Not that the Colony makes any effort to stop me. When I tell the local generals what I intend to do, they just nod as if that's what they expected all along. In fact, when I sally forth with Crinis, Invidia and Tiny in tow, we find an army of ten thousand ants has already been deployed, waiting in neat ranks for me to leave so they can tag along as I go to confront the wizard lizards.

"Uh, you lot are all heading out to the border?" I ask them, a little surprised to see them.

"Yes, of course. We expected you would go and want to make sure that things don't escalate out of hand."

"You really think the Ka'armodo would try and pull something?"

There's a pause as the general in charge looks at me steadily.

"… yes. We were concerned the… Ka'armodo would start something."

That tone doesn't seem down the line to me…

"You… aren't implying that I'd be the one to start something… are you?"

"Nooooo," the ant drags it out for far too long.

"Fine," I huff. "Be like that."

The way they're acting you'd think that I'm gunning to start a conflict with our new neighbours. I've been so patient with them that it practically hurts! After everything that they've done, don't we deserve the chance to kick their scales in?

The answer is obviously yes! However, it can also be true that the Colony doesn't necessarily need open warfare with an ancient race of powerful mages and their bonded servant race. Let's not be silly, we were lucky to get away with ticking off the golgari, I don't think we'll get lucky a second time. If we give the Ka'armodo a reason to mobilise their real strength, they would probably smash us. We need more time. Time for more ants to be born and trained in the academies, time for the ants in the third to amass experience and Biomass, evolve to tier six.

With enough time, we will be capable of withstanding any assault. The order of the day is to delay. Which is likely why the Colony are making a show of strength alongside me. The best answer to a belligerent neighbour is a show of strength. Let them know you aren't to be messed with.

So I can understand where the Colony was coming from, even if I was secretly hoping to get something started…

Wait! Don't even admit that to yourself! Dammit!

Ten thousand strong, we march through the blasted wasteland of the third stratum, the larval demons cavorting around our legs as we pass. When we finally reach the border, the lizards have beaten us there and through my connection to the hundreds of scouts pouring all over the area I can tell that the hundred lizards in front of us are only a portion of what they've brought to the dance. Trying to hide from the Colony. Foolish!

When I get there, one of the older lizards is standing at the head of their group, so I politely march over with my squad in tow and reach out to make contact.

[Hey there, chief! Nice day to be out for a stroll. Kind of makes me want to find a hot rock and just snooze. Know what I mean?]

The Ka'armodo eyes me through narrowed eyes.

[Yes. It is a pleasant day. The heat is dry, yet the ash is a constant irritation.]

[Couldn't your servants put up a barrier to keep the ash out?]

[I would not drain the Setsulah for such a frivolous reason. Our bond is a sacred trust.]

[Then enchant something. I can't be the first person to think of this…]

[You are not. Why are we discussing sleeping conditions? I am confused.]

I can tell that the last isn't just directed to me and one of the servants steps forward.

[I believe the insect is mocking you, Master.]

[What?] the centuries old giant lizard turns its glare on me.

[What? Hey! That's an unfair characterisation. I was trying to make conversation about a topic that you would find interesting to build common ground between us. Something we're both interested in. Ants also like warmer climates, keeps us moving, keeps us energised. The brood also need to be kept at a warm temperature. Much like an egg. See? We have a lot in common. Like termites, for example.]

The great lizard continues to stare and I lean in closer.

[You wouldn't happen to know anything about termites running rampant in the fourth stratum now… would you?]

The Ka'armodo continues to glare at me, along with its servants and those of another hundred lizards.

[I wouldn't,] he grates and all of a sudden the air has gotten quite tense.