Gerhan's strategy was unfolding. He had decided to mobilize a portion of his colony to target the small water stream, seeing it as a potential source of food and resources. However, his ambitions didn't stop there. He began experimenting with food sources, searching for something sustainable, like mushrooms or other vegetation that could be cultivated near the stream. Unfortunately, most of the fungi he discovered proved inedible, and two ants had already perished testing their toxicity. For now, meat remained the most reliable option.
A small but capable ant army was assembled for the hunt—six soldier ants and twelve worker ants. His three enormous soldier ants were still maturing, so this was all he could spare without hindering the colony's development. To maintain stealth and avoid drawing attention, Gerhan split the group into six smaller units, each consisting of one soldier ant and two workers. The groups moved in staggered formations, spaced apart but heading in the same direction.
The journey to the stream was uneventful until one group spotted a fox lounging lazily on the ground. The ants wisely avoided it, skirting around the predator to reach a dense bush near the water. From this hidden vantage point, they observed their prey—a single brown bunny grazing some distance from its group.
The plan was simple: use numbers to overwhelm and take down the bunny, despite its size being larger than any of the ants. Gerhan's controlled worker ant watched the scene intently as the bunny sniffed the air and began approaching the bush. The reason became apparent—hidden among the leaves was a small, maturing fruit. The bunny had likely caught its scent and was moving in for a closer look.
As the bunny thrust its head into the bush, it was met with a terrifying sight: dark red ants, their twitching mandibles glinting ominously in the light. The larger soldier ant acted first, latching onto the bunny's face, gripping its nose and cheeks tightly. The smaller worker ants swarmed, pulling the creature further into the bush.
The bunny's initial shock turned to panic as it began shrieking, its cries echoing through the area. This commotion sent the other bunnies fleeing, their instincts urging them to escape before identifying the threat. The green-skinned deer nearby also bolted, unwilling to risk a confrontation.
The lone bunny's fate was sealed. As it struggled, the ants worked tirelessly, gnawing at its tough skin. It was not a quick death; the bunny's thick hide slowed the process, making its demise a painful and prolonged ordeal. But the ants were relentless, their coordinated efforts eventually bringing the bunny down.
As the lifeless body collapsed onto the ground, Gerhan felt a grim satisfaction. "This is just the beginning," he thought. The ants began dismantling the carcass, preparing to transport it back to the colony. This successful hunt was a significant milestone, but Gerhan knew it was also a dangerous gamble. The forest was full of predators, and any misstep could spell disaster for his fledgling empire.
Still, with the prize of fresh meat secured, the colony's progress seemed inevitable. For now, Gerhan would savor the victory, already planning the next move in his rise to dominance.