Morning light filtered faintly through the colony's upper tunnels, casting pale streaks across the packed soil.
The air smelled of damp earth and carried a faint warmth from the sun above — a quiet sign that the day had begun.
Worker ants moved through the lower corridors, antennae shifting slightly as they hauled supplies and cleared debris from the lower tunnels.
The sound of their steps — firm and even — blended with the low hum of the colony coming to life.
Patrols began their rotations, exoskeleton clanking with each movement.
At the main entrance, twelve soldiers stood assembled.
Their exoskeletons caught the light in muted bronze tones, small traces of dust clinging to the joints along their arms and legs.
Each one stood upright, posture straight, antennae angled forward.
Sheathed mandible blades rested at their sides, the faint clink of metal marking their readiness.
The air was still for a moment — the kind of stillness before movement — broken only by the quiet shift of feet against the soil.
Valeria stepped forward, arms crossed over her chest.
"I'll make this brief," she began, voice calm but authoritative.
"Your objectives are clear: locate the earthworm tunnels, neutralize any found, and mark all carcasses for retrieval if the location is safe for our worker ants.
You will be divided into two teams. Team A will cover the southern sector sightings.
Corporal Beatrice will lead the operation, with Corporal Quinn, Lance Corporal Ari, two other Lance Corporals will be accompanying you as well, and finally Private Nova."
The two unnamed Lance Corporals exchanged a brief, stiff glance, antennae twitching sharply.
Their eyes widened slightly, lips parting just a fraction — a silent flush of embarrassment at being overlooked, their names unacknowledged by their Commander.
"Team B will cover the northeastern sector," Valeria continued.
"Corporal Lily will take point, accompanied by Lance Corporal Isla, Lance Corporal Rory, and three other corporals from the expedition team."
"I'm flattered that you put your faith in me, Commander."
Lily's grin turned teasing, her antennae tilting slightly.
Valeria's face remained calm, but the faint furrow between her brows deepened.
Her chin lifted slightly as she regarded Lily, voice measured yet edged with quiet authority.
There was no anger — only expectation.
"I expect you to take this mission seriously, Lily.
Though the earthworms are not direct threats, they're dangerous underground — capable of collapsing the tunnels they've dug.
The lives of your team are in your hands."
Lily gave a short laugh, though her grin faded as she straightened.
"That's a lot of responsibility for a Corporal," her voice steady.
"I'll complete this mission, Commander Valeria."
She saluted crisply, the plates of her exoskeleton shifting faintly with the motion.
Beatrice's armored feet clicked softly against the ground as she straightened, antennae flicking forward.
"Understood, Commander."
Ari adjusted his stance, exoskeleton flexing lightly.
His gaze flicked toward Nova, who stood rigid nearby, antennae twitching with restrained motion.
A faint glare lingered in her eyes — not hostile, but sharp enough to make the air between them feel awkward.
Seriously… what's her deal? He looked away quickly, trying to focus on the mission ahead.
On the opposite side, Isla shifted slightly, adjusting her sheaths.
Her antennae moved in small, deliberate sweeps as her eyes lingered on the others across the formation.
I wanted to be on the same team as Ari… me, him, and Rory — we always go through everything together, she thought, lips pressing into a faint line.
A sudden hand gripped her side.
She let out a quiet squeal, antennae snapping upright as her thoughts scattered.
"Focus. I'm not losing anyone under my command today," Lily whispered close to her ear, tone teasing despite the words.
Isla gave a nervous nod, cheeks warm beneath the morning light.
Rory stood nearby, posture steady and alert.
His jaw tightened as his gaze drifted over the group.
The faint scrape of his sheathed blades brushed against his sides when he moved, and his antennae tilted forward — silent, watchful, already taking measure of his team.
Valeria's gaze swept over the assembled soldiers.
"Proceed with caution.
The tunnels are unstable, and the earthworms' movements pose a risk to the colony.
Maintain formation, stay in constant communication, and report any major changes or encounters immediately."
Before the team moved, Lily inhaled deeply and shouted,
"Ari! Be sure to take care of Beatrice — protect her even when she doesn't ask for it!"
"Um… Lily…" Ari's voice caught slightly, posture stiffening as he glanced at her.
Beatrice pinched her temple lightly with two fingers, eyes narrowing as she shot Ari a sharp glare.
"Seriously, so annoying. Ignore whatever nonsense she spouts. You… got… it?"
She leaned in, eyes level with his, and Ari instinctively stepped back, feet scraping faintly against the packed soil.
The teams moved as one, feet scraping lightly over the packed soil.
Ari's gaze flicked toward Nova again, catching the quiet judgment in her eyes.
Nearby, Isla's eyes met Rory's for a brief, loaded glance — tense but unspoken.
Faint morning light glinted along their bodies, casting long shadows across the tunnel walls.
Without a word, the soldiers split, one group moving toward the southern craters, the other toward the northeastern sector.
The southern edge of the colony marked the boundary between the packed soil of their home and the untamed forest beyond.
A ramp of hardened dirt led upward from the last tunnel exit, opening onto the outskirts where the sunlight filtered unevenly through the trees.
Ari led the way, exoskeleton plates glinting faintly in the dappled light.
Each step pressed carefully into the uneven ground, sending subtle vibrations up through his armored legs.
His eyes scanned the disturbed soil ahead, noting the dark streaks of slime and the gaping mouths of hollowed tunnels twisting beneath the forest floor.
Beatrice's gaze didn't waver from the tunnels.
"Stay close enough to see each other, but keep a careful distance.
Test the ground before stepping.
One wrong move could trigger another collapse since we don't know where else might be hollowed out."
Her armored feet shifted against the soil, the faint scraping echoing softly in the quiet.
Nova kept her place a few paces behind Ari, eyes fixed on the ground ahead.
Every time he crouched to check the soil, she did the same a moment later — quieter, more deliberate, as if comparing her movements to his.
Her fingers brushed against the sheath of her mandibles, and her lips tightened before she rolled her eyes subtly each time he spotted something she hadn't noticed first.
He doesn't seem to notice her at all. That, somehow, makes it worse.
She exhaled quietly, adjusting her stance and straightening her posture — sharp, focused, matching his pace without a word.
Corporal Quinn and the two other Lance Corporals flanked them, eyes alert as they advanced.
Their antennae twitched faintly with each shift in the air, reacting more to focus than instinct.
Every few steps, one of them glanced toward the tree line or the uneven ground ahead, watching for movement or fresh soil disturbances.
Their armored feet pressed lightly over roots and hollow patches, each step deliberate.
Small stones skittered beneath their soles, clinking faintly against the packed earth.
Every sound felt sharper in the silence, tension stretching between them as they kept a steady, cautious pace through the forest outskirts.
Ari paused briefly at the edge of the large crater.
Several hollowed-out tunnels twisted beneath the surface, dark and uneven.
The faint scent of damp soil and decay rose sharply to his nose.
"This is it," he murmured, voice low.
"The huge crater that opened while we were patrolling the area."
Corporal Quinn crouched slightly at the edge of the crater, fingers brushing lightly against his sheathed mandibles.
His armored feet shifted carefully over the uneven soil, exoskeleton plates catching the pale sunlight.
"This crater looks much like the one Private Nova's patrol team described," he said, voice steady.
His gaze swept the hollowed tunnels beneath the surface, eyes narrowing as he studied the earth.
"But based on your report, you didn't sight any earthworms here. We cannot take this lightly."
"You led the way well, Ari," Beatrice observed, exoskeleton shifting slightly as she adjusted her stance.
Nova's jaw tightened.
Her gaze flicked toward Ari, then back at Beatrice.
Little the Corporal… the one who trained me, holds him in high regard, while there are little to no expectations for me.
Her fingers brushed lightly against the hilt of her sheathed mandibles.
Why him? What makes him so special?
She pressed her lips into a thin line, shoulders tensing just slightly, exoskeleton shifting as she squared herself.
Beatrice's voice cut through her thoughts.
"And Corporal Quinn is correct.
When we descend into the tunnels, move with caution and stay ready — but do nothing without my signal.
Understood?"
The Lance Corporals and Private Nova straightened, feet clicking softly against the packed soil as they saluted.
Their antennae flicked forward, eyes fixed on Beatrice.
"Yes, Corporal Beatrice."
Beatrice crouched at the edge of the crater, eyes scanning the dark, hollowed soil below.
She exhaled softly, then leapt, armored feet landing firmly against the crater wall.
With practiced precision, she drove her mandibles into the packed earth, sticking them like anchors as she slid downward.
The faint scrape of metal against soil echoed through the quiet morning air, every movement controlled, deliberate.
The rest of the team followed in a tight formation.
Corporal Quinn and the two other Lance Corporals descended together.
Each landing was deliberate: armored feet pressing into the uneven soil, mandibles anchoring firmly.
They moved with caution, eyes scanning for loose patches or hidden hollows as they sheathed their mandibles once more.
Ari moved next, landing with the same fluidity, blades gripping the wall as he descended.
His gaze flicked ahead, scanning the tunnels with calm assessment, posture steady as ever.
Nova's chest rose and fell quickly, eyes darting nervously between the crater's edge and the tunnels below.
Okay… deep breath. You've trained for this. I can't hesitate in front of Beatrice.
Her antennae twitched slightly, and the faint tremor in her hand betrayed the tension she tried to mask.
She clenched her fists around her mandibles, heart hammering in her chest.
Alright… if he can do it, I should be able to.
Taking a hesitant step forward, she jumped, stabbing her mandibles into the crater walls as she skated downward.
Her landing was slightly off-balance.
Instinctively, she drove her blades deeper into the wall to steady herself — but her foot caught in a hollow patch of soil that opened into a small pit.
She stumbled forward, eyes widening in shock.
Ari's hand shot out, catching her wrist just in time.
His grip was firm, steadying her.
"Are you alright?" he asked, voice low but measured.
Nova yanked her arm free, slapping his hand away.
"I'm fine!" Her lips pressed into a thin line, eyes flashing.
I don't need saving. Especially not from him.
The team reached the base of the crater.
The largest tunnel lay ahead, its dark mouth opening into loose soil and jagged roots.
The air smelled strongly of damp earth and rotting vegetation.
Small stones and clumps of dirt shifted slightly under their boots as they approached.
Beatrice crouched carefully at the edge of the tunnel, feet pressing against solid soil.
Her fingers brushed lightly along the tunnel wall, tracing the thick, dark green slime coating the surface.
It was cool and slick, leaving faint streaks on her fingers.
She leaned closer, eyes scanning the uneven wall for areas that might give way under pressure.
"Be careful," she said, voice low and firm.
"Stay close enough to support each other, but do nothing without solid footing.
Move carefully — there may be other small pits."
Nova's chest rose and fell quickly.
Her eyes flicked between the tunnel and the uneven ground beneath her feet.
Her fingers pressed lightly against her mandible sheaths, hands trembling slightly.
The team entered the tunnel one step at a time, each soldier testing the ground before committing their weight.
Each carried a small cluster of glowing bioluminescent fungi, illuminating the walls and floor in muted green light.
Nova's eyes stayed on Ari, posture stiff, ready to adjust at any subtle shift in the soil.
Beatrice crouched occasionally, examining the tunnel walls and the dark green slime, noting where it was thickest or slickest.
Loose clumps of dirt and small stones pressed against their armored feet, scraping and shifting under each step.
Shadows from the uneven walls stretched across the floor, moving slightly as they advanced.
The team moved cautiously, feet steady, alert to any instability in the tunnel floor as the faint earthy scent of damp soil rose around them.