With the abundant food stored over the last few weeks, Gerhan's colony had grown rapidly. His workforce had increased to 38 ants, and the numbers were still climbing. With more manpower at his disposal, he decided it was time to explore and map the surrounding region systematically.
He envisioned a map room—large, organized, and detailed—and began constructing it deeper within the colony. The current layout of his colony was expanding, now resembling an intricate system:
• Entrance Chamber: Connected to the main room for quick storage and egg placement.
• Egg Storage Room: Dedicated to organizing the eggs.
• Food Storage Room: Overflowing with the bounty collected by his workers.
• Larvae Chamber: A bustling area of tiny, wriggling lives.
• Pupae Chamber: Sheltering the promise of future workers, soldiers, and diggers.
• Empty Room: Currently unused but reserved for future needs.
• Gerhan's Living Quarters: Positioned further down, offering privacy and safety.
The map room, a priority for Gerhan's grand ambitions, would be constructed even deeper. He imagined it growing into a vast hub where he could strategize his conquest of the forest.
The ants continued their relentless work, bringing back scraps from small and large carcasses alike. Gerhan didn't concern himself with the details of their finds—so long as food flowed in, he was content. Using one of his controlled ants to bring him chunks of meat, he fed himself as he lay eggs rhythmically. Over time, he'd grown accustomed to this routine.
"Well, this is a great life," Gerhan mused aloud, shoving another piece of meat into his mouth. "But won't I get too fat?" He dismissed the thought with a chuckle, his mandibles clicking. "Oh, well."
Using his controlled ants to scout the forest, Gerhan noticed something unusual. The air felt heavy, and dark clouds loomed over the horizon. The leaves rustled as a cool breeze began to roll in.
"Looks like a little storm is coming," he thought, watching the shifting sky.
Four hours later, the storm arrived. Rain, which hadn't fallen for weeks, poured down in a steady torrent, drenching the forest floor. "Good for digging, I suppose," Gerhan remarked. He decided it was a good time to recall his workers from the field.
As the rain intensified, he officially named the different types of ants in his colony:
• Worker Ants: The main labor force, tasked with gathering food and general maintenance.
• Soldier Ants: Larger and stronger, built for defense and combat.
• Digger Ants: Small and efficient, specialized for tunneling and construction.
Currently, his colony housed:
• 25 Worker Ants
• 7 Soldier Ants
• 6 Digger Ants
Digger ants consumed less food and grew quickly, making them a practical addition. Soldier ants, on the other hand, required more food and took longer to mature, but Gerhan wasn't concerned. "I'm rich with food right now," he thought confidently.
Suddenly, a cool drop of water landed on Gerhan's head. Startled, he looked up to see that the ceiling of the entrance chamber was damp, and water had begun trickling inside. A steady stream followed moments later, pooling at the base of the chamber.
"Flooding…" he muttered, his eyes narrowing.
Realizing the danger, Gerhan immediately instructed his ants to seal the colony's entrance. With the storm raging outside, the colony needed to stay dry and safe. His ants responded with precision, working quickly to block the entryway with mud and debris.
As the rain continued to pour, Gerhan stood in the main chamber, watching the water pool at his feet. "A storm like this could wipe us out if we're not careful," he thought, his confidence tempered by the realization of the forest's unpredictable dangers.