Jakob was on top of the small hill, making a rough headcount for all the Insects around. All in all, he got the following:
10 Bees, 7 Grasshoppers, 5 Arachnoids, 2 Antoids, 8 Mantis, 1 Dungbeetle, 18 Butterflies, 5 Dragonflies, 8 Ladybugs, 2 Rhinecoros Beetles, and 4 Crickets.
"Sigh. That´s not going to be an easy task. I am counting 5 different habitats, 1 of which is usually not on the ground. And everyone knows that I am not the best builder if I don´t have a sturdy foundation. Oh Well. Nothing will happen if I don´t start. Let´s do this."
Jakob started by making a general outline of the area. For that, he searched for a big chunk of rock that he could use as a writing surface.
The whole area encompasses about 500 meters, more than enough for now as well as expansions later on. That is the area between the small hill to the north and the start of the mountain range to the south. So on one side you had the mountain, a hill on the other and between those 2 there were a lot of trees and other green vegetation to the east and west respectively. This is also the spot where the fruit collectors came to yesterday since there are a lot of fruit trees mixed in between.
The main structure of the Hive would obviously be in the middle. No one really knew why but it was always built like a mix between a bee and a wasp hive. Into the mountain range, the Manti could start carving out some rooms for themselves. Their sharp claws and strong arms allowed them to cut even through mountain stones. Which in turn someone else could use again as building materials. It´s a win-win situation.
The Bees and Butterflies would have to make their own nests if they wanted to do their usual and make small silk cocoons on top of trees. They had some really old and strong trees on the west side, so that should suffice for now. In the future, if their colony grew they will have to grow more trees or dig them out from somewhere, but that is a problem for a different time.
For the rest of the colony, they would have to build some basic houses for now. While Jakob was an Antoid he preferred to stay in a clean and well-ventilated house instead of underground. And so did the rest of the members.
With a plan in mind, Jakob walked over to the swamp where most of the Insects were still sleeping. He didn´t want to wake them up but they had a lot of work to do and little time. While their biology allowed them to stay outside for extended periods of time and even harsher climates, no one enjoyed these types of situations. After they got their more established humanoid forms they also lost some of that ability.
Jakob climbed on top of a small tree so everyone could hear him and started clapping in his hands so everyone would wake up.
"Listen, everyone.", god I hate speaking to so many people, "I have a plan for the upcoming few days and I would like everyone to hear me out."
Jakob waited a while until the different groups of Insects finished their chatting.
"I am sure not everyone here knows me yet, so I will introduce myself again. I am Jakob, an Antoid and builder. I was involved with constructing the last hive, both as a builder and architect. I know every one of you is going through a harsh emotional time, but now is not the time for grieving. If we want to survive we all have to help each other out. Even more so than how we already did. So I ask again. Who is willing to listen to me?"
A loud murmur was going through the small group of Insects. Everyone seemed preoccupied with their grief, unmotivated until Bea stood up with a glint in her eyes. "Okay, real talk. That Ant over there lost his wife, his social standing, and almost his son. Yet he stands there, offering you hope and purpose. I for one will do as he says because he at least is trying to make something out of this situation. We are Insects after all, giving up is not who we are."
After Bea sat down again everyone was quiet so Jakob could continue. With a mischievous smile he continued his practiced words.
"Okay so for now I cannot offer you too much. We are lacking in manpower, building materials, and time. I want this done as soon as possible and I can´t even offer those that want a home above ground any real idea. But still, here is my plan for the next few days. I want to build our new Hive over there, next to the mountain range, in between the small hill. That will also be our south and north end of the Hive for now. Mantis, I want you to start cutting out your own rooms out of the Mountain. Just make sure you make one Hallway and connect the rooms to each side of the hallway. There aren´t too many of you so it shouldn't take you more than a day or two.
Everyone with wings, as I said, if you want a nest in the trees for now you will have to do it yourself. We can help and provide you with materials but I have no real way to construct anything up in a tree. I hope you can understand that.
Tzkrrt my friend, I know you like your home underground, and I also know that you are more than capable of doing that on your own. Can you start working on your home after you dug out and have made as many clay or dirt bricks as you can?
Everyone else should prefer regular houses instead of something special. I will construct most of those. All I need are the materials. We need a lot of wood and bricks, clay, dirt, or different plant matter works just fine.
After the Manti are finished with some of the stone we can even do that. I won´t be able to provide you with any furniture until we are finished with the general housing though.
Everyone else that is not proficient with building materials please raise your arms."
A few insects raised their arms, mostly butterflies. Jakob nodded approvingly.
"Good, that is about 1/4th of all of us here. You can do two very important things. Scout, and gather food. Everyone that can produce anything from themselves that we can eat would also be very appreciated." Jakob said while looking at the Ladybugs in general.
We will also need some water, which we luckily have near here, but we don´t have any way to store it currently. Arachnoids, I hope that you can provide us with some basics storage webs to gather the water to get it into the Hive. I will be right here for the next 30 minutes. If you have any questions I will try to answer them. I hope everyone agrees with my current plans."
Jakob took a deep breath after finishing his speech. He said a lot more than he wanted to but he got caught up in his old builder self.