Nyra's lips remained neutral. The quiet hum of anticipation rippled through the formation as she spoke.
"Move out."
Her voice was calm and low. She turned and started walking.
With that command, the expedition began to move. Thousands of legs pressed against the earth in near perfect unison. A low, steady tremor spread through the soil as the formation advanced.
The workers strained slightly against the wheeled containers as they rolled smoothly over roots and stones. The wheels hummed faintly against the rough ground.
Back at the colony, Valeria and Corporal Lily stood near the entrance. They watched the shrinking silhouettes of their comrades disappear down the main path. A faint breeze stirred the dust along the ground.
Lily stretched her hands above her head and yawned.
"Well, I guess that's that."
Lily looked over at Valeria. She remained silent, her gaze fixed on the distant path.
"They might run into trouble out there. One of the reports mentioned a few flies in the area," Lily said, tilting her head slightly. "But Brooks and Nyra are strong. They can handle whatever comes their way."
Valeria let out a slow exhale.
"I trust them to complete the task," she said. Her antennae lowered slightly. "That's not our main problem."
Lily pivoted slightly, antennae twitching with curiosity, eyes searching Valeria's. "Then… what does?" she asked, tilting her head.
Valeria's gaze darkened, the tension in her face becoming harder to hide. "The days are drawing closer. That Tyrant will come soon… and when he does…" Her voice caught for a moment.
Lily hesitated. Her body trembled slightly as she glanced at Valeria. "Do you think… we'll be ready?" she asked quietly, uncertainty clear in her voice.
Silence hung between them for a moment. Valeria slowly shook her head and turned away. "I'm heading to a meeting with the queen and the elders to discuss some… matters. Hold down the defenses until I return,"
Lily straightened, squaring her shoulders before lowering her head slightly. "Understood, Captain."
The first few days of the expedition passed without incident.
Workers moved constantly, gathering berries, fruits, and any other provisions they could carry, while soldiers maintained a tight perimeter around the group. From time to time, soldiers cornered mealybugs or aphids, binding and securing them carefully to provide protein for the colony.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the air grew heavy and still. The rustling of leaves gradually faded, and the forest and grasslands around them became unusually quiet.
"We should stay on high alert," Beatrice said, keeping her voice low.
Brooks gave a slow nod. "You're right, Beatrice. We'll secure a perimeter tonight. Half of us will patrol first, then the other half will relieve them. All workers will remain inside the perimeter and get some rest," he said.
The soldiers moved quickly into position, each taking a specific section to patrol and making sure there were no blind spots along the camp's perimeter.
Ari felt a faint sense of unease settle over him as he walked his patrol route, two soldiers keeping pace beside him.
Something's out there… watching us.
The thought stayed in the back of his mind as his eyes scanned the dark grasslands beyond the perimeter.
Three of them. How can I sense them?...
If they wanted to attack, they would've done it already… so what are they waiting for?
His antennae twitched slightly as he kept walking, one hand resting near the hilt of his sheathed mandible.
Why am I the only one sensing this…?
Ari exhaled quietly through his nose.
No. I shouldn't say anything yet. If I panic everyone over a feeling, it'll throw the whole camp off balance. For now… I'll keep watching.
His eyes stayed on the dark grasslands a moment longer. Nothing moved.
"Think fast!"
Ari's antennae twitched as a berry flew toward him. He barely caught it against his chest, stumbling a step before steadying himself. The sudden impact pulled him out of his thoughts.
When he looked up, Evelyn stood a few paces away with a grin on her face.
"I guess all that training really paid off," she said. "You've gotten quicker… stronger too. That's reassuring."
Ari adjusted his grip on the berry. "Uh… Evelyn? Shouldn't you be resting?" he asked.
Evelyn quickly looked away, a faint blush spreading across her cheeks.
"That's… well, that's just how I am. I've still got plenty of energy, so don't worry about me," she said.
A moment later, she turned back toward him.
"Why don't you come take a break with me?" she asked, gesturing toward a nearby log.
"I can't. I still have to patrol the area and make sure you and the others stay safe. I can't stop now," Ari said.
Evelyn puffed out her cheeks and stepped closer to him.
"Come on… I won't keep you long. Just a minute, tops. Promise," she said, looking up at him with pleading eyes.
The two soldiers beside Ari immediately grew flustered at the sight, awkwardly glancing away from the pair.
One of the soldiers beside Ari clapped him firmly on the shoulder. The impact of the armored palm against his exoskeleton made him stiffen slightly.
"Go on ahead. We'll cover this stretch," the soldier said.
Ari blinked. "You're sure?"
"Trust me," the other soldier replied, the faint sound of his mandibles brushing against their sheath audible as he adjusted his stance. "You can't let a chance like this slip by. Good luck."
Their footsteps and the light scrape of armor gradually faded into the darkness as they resumed their patrol, leaving Ari alone with Evelyn.
Ari let out a quiet breath through his nose. "So much for patrolling the area…"
"Yes! I win," Evelyn said immediately, unable to hide the excitement in her voice.
"Oh sorry," she said, scratching her cheek.
Ari sat down on the log beside Evelyn. He peeled the berry in his hands and took a small bite.
"You need to relax more," Evelyn murmured. Her hands rested lightly on her knees as she leaned forward slightly. "You've been tense all day."
Ari looked at her in surprise.
"Have I?"
She shook her head lightly.
"You were stiff the whole time."
Ari looked down at the berry in his hand.
"You've been pushing yourself a lot lately," Evelyn continued. She kicked her legs lightly while bracing herself with her arms against the log. "Building those wheeled containers, standing watch over the workers... you barely had time to rest."
"Not nearly as much as you," Ari said. "You've been gathering berries and supplies nonstop for the past two days. That has to be exhausting."
"True... but I had my reasons for staying busy. It's my duty as a worker. And besides," she said softly, "it seems like it paid off, since you finally started noticing."
Ari sighed.
"Don't get ahead of yourself. I was only checking to make sure you were doing okay." He glanced at her briefly. "And... you're not exactly subtle when you keep staring at me."
Evelyn covered her mouth as a soft laugh escaped her.
"I guess I'm guilty then," Evelyn said with a soft chuckle.
She leaned her head against his shoulder. Her gaze drifted toward the first stars beginning to appear overhead, and her antennae settled gently against her back.
"Thank you... for your kindness, Ari," Evelyn continued softly.
Ari sighed.
"Isn't this the third time you've thanked me?"
A faint smile spread across her face, her eyes lowering slightly.
"Maybe... but I mean it every time."
He lightly nudged her shoulder with his own.
"Well, after working that hard, you deserve some rest. Just don't fall asleep somewhere uncomfortable."
"I'm fine," she murmured.
Her body relaxed against him a little more.
"I just like sitting here. It's peaceful."
Ari studied her quietly for a moment before letting out a slow breath.
"Honestly..."
Evelyn's eyes slowly drifted shut. Within moments, her breathing became soft and steady.
Ari leaned back slightly against the log, the cool night air brushing across his exoskeleton. His gaze lingered on Evelyn for a few seconds before shifting upward toward the sky.
Who would've thought I'd end up in a world like this...
At first, I thought this place was some kind of punishment for the life I lived before.
A world filled with the very things I hated most.
But maybe... that isn't it.
These creatures... they're more than just insects.
They think. They feel. They worry about each other. They laugh, struggle, and keep moving forward no matter how hard it may seem.
Nyra stood at the edge of the dark grasslands for a long moment, then turned back toward camp and walked away, her steps unhurried.