Chrysalis

Chapter 710 - The Sanctum of Sleep pt 2

The nameless one came back to herself precisely eight hours later, rested and refreshed. Truly the greatest experience of torpor could only be enjoyed here, on the fulcrum of eight amongst her fellow members of the order. As the rest of those on her shift came awake and began to move off their segment they greeted each other in the hidden language, signing with their antennae and exchanging plans for the day. As they passed the acolyte on the outer edge of the fulcrum they greeted her as she did them, exchanged a few signs with the now ending shift and then they were away, ready to start the shift.

The nameless one was eager to begin. Sixteen hours of solid work lay in front of her and it was imperative that she make a fast start. They never skipped their rest in the order, which meant they had to work harder, faster and more efficient than every other member of the Colony, otherwise how could they hope to police them? So it was that all of the newly awakened broke into a sprint the moment they were clear of the inner chamber, running to their assignments as fast as they could, vanishing into the Dark Passage and emerging from hidden exits all over the nest. The nameless one did not join them immediately. Her rank was such that she needed to make an additional stop before she could begin her work.

She rushed through the sanctum, completely soundless, until she came to a small, elaborately carved chamber in which an acolyte stood completely still. She approached respectfully.

The Eldest rests, she greeted the acolyte of shadows respectfully.

Eight hours a day, came the reply and both genuflected.

What word from the shadows? The nameless one asked. Is there a task?

There is, came the solemn reply. The many-headed beast has stirred against us once more, seeking to escape their responsibilities and our notice.

Again!?

So soon? Are we sure of this intelligence?

The acolyte eyed her reproachfully.

It is not for us to question the shadow, she reprimanded.

The nameless one bowed her head in repentance.

If not for the shadow, we might not have come across this news. The many-headed beast is cunning beyond compare, it has hidden its plans deep. The acolyte waggled her antennae in a slow chuckle. Just not deep enough.

When and where do I strike? The nameless one asked.

Go to the confluence of ways, beneath the croca-star. A waypoint has been established and an acolyte of planning will meet you there. Shadows take you, sister.

I go.

So saying, the nameless one turned and ran. To tackle an enemy on this scale wasn't something that usually came up, but things had been hectic in the Colony lately, and many were beginning to push the bounds… They would learn, of course, that it was impossible to escape from the order. Though they slept the most, there were none who worked harder, of that, she was certain. Once more into the Dark Passage, the hidden way between the tunnels. Long had the carvers and mages in the order laboured on these narrow tunnels. Undetectable, devoid of light and intricate in their design, they were woven throughout the very heart of the Colony and reached nearly every part of it. Even the new satellite nests had the Dark Passage woven into their design, carvers of the order building the tunnels and establishing the secret network right under the noses of their siblings as the nests were established.

Everywhere the Colony went, so too did the order.

She ran through the still darkness, her antennae constantly moving, feeling and sensing for the hidden location markers carved into the walls. It was additionally tense in the Passage during the Wave, she had to constantly be on the lookout for monsters. Although she ran past a few, she knew that these were pets, controlled by the core shapers within the order who had tasked their charges with sweeping the tunnels clean. She gave them their space and continued to run.

After ten minutes of zig-zagging, she arrived at the confluence, a wide meeting point of many tunnels close to the heart of the Nest. Many of her siblings were here when she arrived, moving from tunnel to tunnel, gathering into teams, or meeting with the present acolytes of action to coordinate their strikes. She had other business. She turned her attention and antennae to the roof and began to feel her way amongst the descriptive carvings there. The entire ceiling was an elaborate mural, though she had met none who could claim to know who carved it, which contained many scenes radiating out from the centre of the chamber, each filled with breathtaking beauty. It was the outer edge of the chamber that contained what she sought, and she headed there directly and began moving clockwise around the edge. At various points she came across various monsters defeated by the Eldest emblazoned on a star as if they had become part of a constellation that illuminated the Eldest's strength. Eventually, she found what she was looking for, a croca beast, jaws wide open and a savage gleam in its eye, as if ready to leap off the stone and consume the ants around them.

The croca-star.

She approached the nearby acolyte and greeted her. Genuflections complete, they began to discuss the mission.

The many-headed beast has made plans to skip torpor and gather in one place, which will give us the perfect opportunity to strike, the acolyte told her.

Do we know the meeting place? The nameless one asked.

We do not, though our every effort has gone into discovering just that. From what we have been told, the location has not been shared with any not of the beast.

The beast grows ever more cautious.

Indeed.

Where can I rendezvous? I am eager to begin work.

I will lead you. There are three teams assembled for the task, with two more on the way. Find your place amongst them quickly, we cannot allow this breach to occur.

The nameless one nodded. Once one ant thought they could get away with skipping torpor, the desire seemed to spread like a contagion. Every attempted breach needed to be put down harshly. Only that would be enough to discourage infractions. It wasn't possible to get everyone, the Colony was just too large for that, but they would try, and some days, they got very, very close. She followed the acolyte as they raced down a side tunnel and it wasn't long before they entered one of the small operation chambers that dotted the Dark Passage. Small, compact spaces in which the order could gather to run localised operations, serving as a planning headquarters, gathering place and briefing room, all in one. Inside she found a full team awaiting instructions.

Welcome, nameless one, she was greeted by a general who stood over a map a carver had magically engraved on the floor, please join us.

She signed her greetings and got to work, familiarising herself with the operation further. She quickly learned that timing was of the essence, only an hour remained until the breach was expected to occur, and they still didn't know where. It was possible they could try and nab the targets separately, but that would create a logistical nightmare. And if they weren't careful, word would leak the moment the first target went down, driving the rest into hiding. They would still be caught, but only at a great cost of time and energy. The order had to be efficient, otherwise they would be ineffective.

The work quickly drew her in as they discussed theories, options and strategies. Plans were proposed, debated and discarded rapidly as the discussion evolved. In ten minutes, they had a working plan and scattered through the tunnels, ready to return forty minutes later for the final briefing.

To think she had been ready to hunt down a few miners and soldiers in this shift, now she had much bigger fish to fry.

It had been a while since the nameless one had put the Council to sleep.