Young ant, may I ask your name? My name is Ari, just a confused soul who landed himself in your prison.
"Now then, Ari, about the invasion—what exactly did you hear Vladimir saying?" asked Celeste.
"The invasion will happen in two days. You need to gather everyone who's able to fight and strategize in order to gain the upper hand and surprise our enemies," said Ari.
"He's right, Your Highness. Anyone able should join us to repel our rivals," said Anastasia.
"Very well then, I will form a meeting and ask the elder ants for their opinions on the matter before we organize a strategy."
"There is not much time for that. We have to put everything in place quickly, or we'll be overwhelmed," said Ari.
"I agree with him. We need to act now. Waiting on some old geezers to make a decision as a collective group will only take up time that could be used doing something else. I'm afraid we can't afford any more of that," said Anastasia.
"The colony elders' decisions have never been wrong. Also, Anastasia, refrain from insulting them."
"Apologies, Your Highness."
"Normally, I would consult the elder ants before making any kind of advancement. However, I'll make an exception this time since this is urgent and a risk to the colony and every ant in it."
"I have an idea on how we can deal with the invasion and minimize casualties. However, you and your whole colony will have to put your trust in me. I know you might not comprehend the fact that a prisoner, whom you treated poorly, is assisting you with the invasion. I mean, what reason would I have to help you guys out? I don't really know myself, but the decision is up to you, Queen Celeste," said Ari.
"Put our trust in you? You're not even a part of our colony. Why should we put our fate in your hands?" said an agitated ant servant. "There's no way I'll allow you to lead us to our deaths."
"Fine. I'll give you full control of this operation. However, it won't be for free. You'll be compensated. If your strategy helps us get out of this alive with minimal casualties, then I will give you your freedom in exchange."
"That seems fair enough. Does that work for you?" asked Anastasia.
"I agree with your terms. Now then, come. It's time I shared my plans with you."
"When I was in my cell, I overheard Vladimir near the outer wall. The only thing separating us was the wall. Judging from where the meeting took place between Vladimir and the ants from the neighboring colony and the direction they left in, it's safe to say their colony is southwest of ours. We'll send a team to scout ahead and follow the enemy army. But before that, I want them to locate the colony. If they successfully find it, they will signal us, and we will get in position and prepare. This team will act as our cavalry when the time is right, ambushing the enemy and preventing them from retreating.
"I would prefer Anastasia to lead this unit, as she is a strong leader and a calm and quick decision-maker. As for the ants staying here, we need some of the worker ants to build a wall in the direction they will arrive, preventing the majority of them from entering the colony. We will charge at them from the front. After this, we will have some of the military ants stationed to ambush from both sides, boxing them in and overwhelming them. It's a simple yet effective strategy, and it all depends on whether I got their location right," said Ari, trying to catch his breath.
"That's a good approach. I like it. Not too shabby for a prisoner, Ari. Let's get started with the preparations."
"Not too shabby, yeah right. I used this strategy a whole lot in a video game called The Chosen One: Rise of a New Empire when I was alive. Hopefully, this all works out just as I planned it."
"Your plan is astounding. I have never heard of something so absurd that might actually work. However, your plan has but one flaw—what about finding Tanya? She is a priority as well since she will one day rule this kingdom," said Queen Celeste.
"Oh, believe me when I say this, Your Highness—Princess Tanya is safe where she is. Vladimir might have planned for your downfall, but he would never do anything to harm her. So rest assured, I'll find her. You have my word."
"A hundred and fifty of you will be joining Anastasia. You'll be the ambushers. A hundred and fifty of you will attack from the front under the command of Ari."
"Isn't that ant a prisoner? Why the hell should we take orders from him?" whispered a military ant to another.
"Just bear with it until this invasion is over. We will only cause more problems if we refuse to listen to him. Remember, we all have the same goal, and that is to save this colony."
"I guess you're right. My judgment of our situation was clouded by the fact that we have to take orders from a prisoner."
"And a total of a hundred and fifty of you will ambush the enemy from both sides, trapping them," said a military ant.
"We are finished with the walls. They might not be as sturdy and durable as you wish them to be since they were done in a day. However, they will be enough to protect us," said a worker ant.
"Nicely done. That will just about do it. What's your name, by the way?" asked Ari.
"My name is Flint, just a humble worker ant."
"I see. I will remember that."
Their work ethic is insane. They didn't even slack off once. I think my opinion of them is starting to change.
"How are you still so strong? You are covered in a lot of wounds," said Seth as he tried to stand up, weakened from the beating he took.
"I was the one who taught you all you know. I made you, Seth. And for the record, I'm still way stronger than you in my current state. Just be lucky that I spared your life. You could have shared the same fate as these unfortunate souls," said Vladimir as he looked down at the corpses of the military ants that tried to imprison him.
"So you did betray us for real then. That ant was telling the truth," said Seth as he passed out.
"Now then, time to find that scum and kill him in the most agonizing way possible," said Vladimir as he left.