The colony buzzed with activity as the ants worked tirelessly, mining tunnels and consuming the food stockpile to fuel their efforts. The new base was beginning to take shape, with each caste of ants fulfilling its designated role.
The digger ants, small and nimble, focused on excavating the tunnels, their tiny mandibles slicing through the softened earth with ease. Soldier ants were stationed as sentries at strategic points, scanning the surroundings for potential threats. Worker ants, the backbone of the colony, were everywhere—hauling food from the stockpile, feeding larvae, tending to eggs, and assisting with mining. They also accompanied the controlled ants in exploring the nearby area, expanding their knowledge of the surroundings.
Gerhan, seated in his private chamber beneath the roots of the tree, watched his colony's progress through the eyes of his controlled ants. His skill, [Random Eggs], had proven invaluable in shaping the future of the colony. This time, he focused on creating three eggs that would hatch into ants larger than even the soldier ants.
"These new guards will be 1.7 times the size of a soldier ant," Gerhan thought, pleased with his decision. He envisioned their imposing figures—while the diggers were only a third the size of a human finger, and the workers matched a finger's length, these new guard ants would combine the size of a palm with the length of the fingers. "Perfect for defending the colony against larger predators," he mused.
As of now, the colony consisted of:
• 27 Worker Ants
• 7 Soldier Ants
• 13 Digger Ants
The numbers had only slightly increased since only three days had passed, but Gerhan was content with the steady growth. The rhythm of colony life was orderly and efficient, with no wasted effort.
The cool, damp air in the tunnels provided a comfortable environment for Gerhan to think. He considered plans to fortify the area around the colony—walls, watchtowers, and even traps came to mind. But after some deliberation, he dismissed the idea. "Why bother building outside?" he thought. "The surface is dangerous, filled with predators and unpredictable weather. Underground is safe and comfortable. I don't need to be seen to rule."
The thought of becoming a behind-the-scenes boss amused him. He imagined commanding a massive army of ants, their numbers stretching into the tens of thousands, perhaps even millions. "Yes," Gerhan thought with a growing sense of pride, "I'll be the hidden power in this forest, unseen but unstoppable."