The journey back to the colony was long and quiet.
Soldiers and workers trudged onward together, their legs aching as they pushed the heavy wheeled containers over the uneven ground.
The air grew cooler as the daylight faded.
Long shadows stretched across the dirt path, and the tall grass on either side swayed in the evening wind, brushing against itself with a soft rustling sound.
Once they emerged from the forest, the clearing opened before them.
Above, countless stars dotted the dark sky.
"We made it," a soldier said.
His voice trembled with exhaustion.
The ants gradually slowed to a halt.
Several workers leaned heavily against their containers.
Others lowered their heads and let out tired breaths as the strain of the journey finally caught up with them.
Members of both colonies hurried forward to help.
Worker ants supported the injured under their arms and across their shoulders, helping them take unsteady steps.
Others lifted the fallen by the shoulders and legs, moving slowly and carefully as they began the long trek back to the colonies.
An ant from the direction of Celeste's colony stepped forward and approached Brooks.
"Sergeant Cassian. I never expected you, of all soldiers, to leave the colony. I see you've made the necessary arrangements," Brooks said.
Beatrice, who had been leaning against a wheeled container, slowly straightened.
"No way..." she whispered.
Her eyes widened slightly.
"Big brother..."
"It was Lieutenant Tavian's orders, so I'm obliged to follow them," Cassian said.
He started to walk away, then paused and turned slightly.
"Be sure to get those wounds looked at. You were injured as well."
Brooks let out a short laugh.
"These are only scrapes, but I appreciate the advice."
Cassian gave a small nod.
Without another word, he continued through the ranks of the expedition team.
His armored feet pressed into the dirt as he passed by the exhausted soldiers and workers.
He walked right past Beatrice without even looking at her.
She froze.
Her lips trembled slightly.
For a moment, she watched his back as he continued forward.
Then she lowered her gaze and slowly turned away.
One hand tightened against the side of the container before she let go and began making her way toward the colony.
Nyra stepped forward to meet the representatives from Queen Helena's colony.
After a moment, she turned toward Brooks and the others, dipping her head briefly.
"On behalf of my queen, thank you... for your help."
Her gaze shifted to the containers piled high with food.
She looked over them for a moment before turning her attention back to the group.
"We've gathered enough resources to sustain both colonies through winter."
"Well now..." Brooks said with a slight smile.
"It was an honor to fight alongside your soldiers."
Nyra remained silent.
After a moment, her gaze shifted to Ari.
He stood quietly, his attention elsewhere.
"Lance Corporal Ari."
Her voice was low and flat.
Ari jerked slightly.
"Yes?"
Nyra paused for a moment.
"No... never mind."
She turned toward her soldiers.
"Move out."
Queen Helena's forces began their retreat toward their territory.
The wheels of their containers rolled across the ground, producing a steady rustling sound as they moved farther away.
Ari watched them go.
What was that all about? he wondered.
After another hour of travel, they finally crossed the boundary of their colony.
A wave of exhaustion washed over the workers.
Several wiped sweat and dust from their faces.
Others bent forward slightly, drawing heavy breaths as their shoulders rose and fell.
As they entered the colony, workers and wardens alike stepped forward to welcome them back.
The sound of hands clapping spread through the area as the expedition team made its way inside.
Almost immediately, the workers turned their attention to the food supply.
They lifted resin crates and baskets from the containers and carried them into the colony's storage chambers.
The steady sounds of footsteps, shifting cargo, and quiet instructions filled the air as the harvest was moved inside.
In the recovery chambers, Lancelot collapsed onto a bed made of twigs, sticks, and leaves.
"I'm beat," he whispered under his breath.
His eyelids felt heavy.
They slowly drifted lower as sleep threatened to take over.
A short while later, Isla stepped into the recovery area.
She had already washed away the dirt and grime covering her body.
She stopped near the entrance and let out a slow breath.
Images from the battle lingered in her mind.
The screams.
The wounded.
The moment she had frozen in fear.
I was completely useless again...
Her fingers curled slightly against her chest.
Just like when the termite attacked our group during training. I was helpless. I couldn't save anyone.
Her throat tightened.
She lowered her head, blinking rapidly as moisture gathered in her eyes.
Then her gaze settled on Lancelot.
He was half asleep.
Heat rose to her cheeks.
Embarrassed, she quickly wiped at the corners of her eyes and turned her head away.
Her antennae twitched once before settling.
After a moment, she released a quiet sigh and straightened her posture.
Then she stepped over to his bed.
"Lance, wake up," she said, gently shaking his shoulder.
Lancelot groaned and weakly swatted at her hand.
"Buzz off," he mumbled.
Isla placed her hands on her hips.
"At least get yourself cleaned up. How can you fall asleep like that when you're covered in mud and dirt?"
"I'm fine," he muttered. "I'll do it later."
Isla stared at him for a moment.
"Honestly..."
She shook her head and sighed.
Silence settled between them.
After a while, Lancelot let out a long breath.
"You worked hard too, so why don't you get some rest?"
He rubbed the back of his neck and gestured toward the bed beside him.
Isla hesitated.
Then she dropped onto the bed next to him.
A few loose strands of hair had caught against parts of her exoskeleton, and she brushed them away.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
"Hey..." Isla said quietly.
"Do you think we'll rank up to Corporal after that mission?"
Lancelot rolled onto his back and placed both arms behind his head.
"Doubt it."
He stared up at the ceiling.
"Those flies were weak. Their threat level was only Lance Corporal at best. Taking them down isn't enough to get us promoted."
Isla frowned.
"Don't act like you had it easy. You struggled just like the rest of us," she said.
"Maybe."
A faint grin appeared on his face.
"At least I killed a handful of them. How many did you take down?"
Isla immediately crossed her arms.
"Well... you got in my way. I would've landed at least one if you hadn't interfered."
Lancelot snorted.
"So annoying..."
He ran a hand through his hair.
"No matter how you look at it, I was the one who delivered the final blow."
His grin widened slightly.
"Who knows what would've happened if I didn't intervene?"
Isla opened her mouth to argue.
The words never came.
Her shoulders lowered.
He's right...
The thought left a bitter feeling in her chest.
Lancelot's grin faded.
He opened his eyes and stared quietly at the ceiling overhead.
"If anything, Ari deserves it more than the three of us."
His voice was calmer now.
"I can't help but wonder..."
He paused briefly.
"Is he really the same as everyone else?"
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"Or is he different?"
In the colony's grand meeting chamber, Queen Celeste sat upon her elevated throne, her dark eyes sharp and attentive.
The elder ants were gathered in a semicircle before her.
Low murmurs drifted through the chamber as they shifted in place and exchanged quiet words.
Valeria stood near the queen with her arms crossed.
Her posture remained steady, her expression composed and unreadable.
When Beatrice and Brooks entered, the room fell silent.
Ant servants strained against the massive boulder sealing the chamber entrance.
Their shoulders pressed against the stone until it finally shifted with a deep grinding sound.
Dust shook loose from the walls as the opening widened.
The heavy rumble gradually faded.
Only the sound of Beatrice and Brooks' footsteps remained as they crossed the chamber floor.
"Brooksy! Trissy! You made it back in one piece!" Lily called out, raising a hand in a playful wave.
One of Beatrice's antennae twitched faintly.
She continued walking without acknowledging her.
"That's so mean," Lily said with a grin.
"Corporal Beatrice. Lieutenant Brooks. I see you have returned," Valeria said.
"Yes, Captain Valeria," Beatrice said.
She snapped a crisp salute.
Queen Celeste's gaze moved between the two of them.
"Corporal. Lieutenant."
Her voice was calm, yet the chamber seemed to grow quieter as she spoke.
"I trust your expedition met with success. I have yet to review your reports."
She rested one arm against the throne.
"Speak, and let the council know what took place."
Beatrice stepped forward.
Fatigue lingered in her face, but her voice remained steady.
"Seven days ago, we enacted our treaty with Queen Helena's colony. Both our military and worker forces collaborated to gather the resources necessary for our survival."
Several elders listened intently.
Beatrice paused briefly.
Her fingers brushed against the leaves wrapped around her side before continuing.
"At first, everything progressed smoothly. We navigated through dangerous territories and avoided known threats. Our workers labored tirelessly while the soldiers protected the them."
She drew a slow breath.
"However, as we prepared to return, we were ambushed by a fly swarm. It was led by a fly named Zippy."
Several elders scoffed.
"Flies?" one elder muttered.
"Those pests are nothing."
"Elder Junon," Queen Celeste said.
Her tone never rose.
Yet the elder immediately fell silent.
"Allow her to continue."
"Individually, yes. But they attacked in overwhelming numbers."
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"They demanded our collection. When we refused, they launched an assault."
The chamber grew still.
Valeria released a slow breath.
"Casualties?"
Beatrice's expression tightened.
"Between both colonies, twenty five soldiers and seventy two workers were injured."
"We lost twelve soldiers and seven workers."
Queen Celeste slowly closed her eyes.
The chamber remained completely still.
"Thank you for your report, Beatrice."
"It was an honor, Your Majesty."
Beatrice bowed.
Queen Celeste then turned her attention toward Brooks.
"Do you have anything to add to this report, Lieutenant?"
Brooks chuckled softly.
His posture remained relaxed.
"Beatrice covered the gist of what happened, so I'm afraid there's very little I can add."
"However..."
He paused.
"What I can say is that our colony's growth is becoming increasingly evident."
Several members of the council exchanged glances.
"Our soldiers fought well. Our workers endured incredible hardship."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"And despite the losses suffered, we returned with enough resources to sustain the colony."
Queen Celeste gave a slow nod.
"I see."
Not long afterward, the meeting came to an end.
As elders began dispersing throughout the chamber, Valeria motioned for Beatrice to follow her.
Once they were far enough away that no one could overhear, Valeria stopped.
Her arms folded across her chest.
"I know you're tired from the expedition," she said quietly.
Her gaze remained fixed on Beatrice.
"But before you return to your chambers, I need to ask something."
Beatrice straightened slightly.
"Did our lance corporals perform adequately during the ambush?"
"I would say they performed exceptionally well," Beatrice replied without hesitation.
"Especially...considering their lack of experience."
Valeria nodded once.
"And what of Ari?"
Beatrice fell silent.
For a moment, she stared at the ground.
Then she lifted her gaze.
"You were right."
The words came more slowly than before.
"I didn't believe you at first."
Concern lingered in her eyes.
"But now I do."
Valeria's expression hardened.
Beatrice's jaw tightened.
"Ari is... strong and the more he fights the mire he progresses."
The air between them felt heavier.
Valeria lowered her gaze slightly.
A shadow passed across her sharp eyes.
"I see."
For several seconds, neither of them spoke.
Then Valeria exhaled.
"We might need him."
"Something is coming."
The words were quiet.
"And I only hope for his sake and ours that we can control him..."
Her voice trailed off.
"...before it's too late."