Generated:
Post last updated:
on a lark
allforthehive
allforthehive
The trees are only moderately shady, but they're certainly better than nothing. They're growing little black nut-like things that aren't like anything she's seen. A bettle scurries up one tree.
There is a door set into a little hill, a few dozen rows of trees in. From the shape of the little hill it might be covering a staircase leading down.
There is a door set into a little hill, a few dozen rows of trees in. From the shape of the little hill it might be covering a staircase leading down.
allforthehive
allforthehive
The tunnel is flat enough that she's in no danger of tripping. And it gets better once her eyes adjust.
About five minutes of walking down the tunnel brings her face to face with some sort of adult-human-sized insect pushing a big cart.
This creature is surprised! It stops the cart and asks, "What are you?"
About five minutes of walking down the tunnel brings her face to face with some sort of adult-human-sized insect pushing a big cart.
This creature is surprised! It stops the cart and asks, "What are you?"
allforthehive
allforthehive
"The Great Hive holds a hundred and more planets, but have found nothing more intelligent than a Yart. This is momentous. I want to introduce you to our scientists and our Princess."
There are several subtle changes in its scent during this, that seem to be used almost like tone of voice in humans.
There are several subtle changes in its scent during this, that seem to be used almost like tone of voice in humans.
allforthehive
allforthehive
"She is the leader of the hive, whose wisdom helps us grow on this new world. Please wait, I will ask the warrior forces to inform the Princess of you."
It scuttles off to that 'control panel' and touches its hands to it.
"The Princess would indeed like to meet you. This place is far from the central hive, however. She will send a vehicle."
It scuttles off to that 'control panel' and touches its hands to it.
"The Princess would indeed like to meet you. This place is far from the central hive, however. She will send a vehicle."
allforthehive
allforthehive
"That word is not quite translating in... Whatever you are using to translate. I do not know what a 'bug' is. Hivers have exoskeletons and come in many different shapes, and the Princess is the mother of hundreds of thousands of us. Hivers mostly eat sweet things, fruit and juice and sugar."
allforthehive
allforthehive
The desert continues to be hot and sandy. The Hiver doesn't seem to mind. It walks to the edge of the little orchard and sits in the shade of a tree and points.
The thing it points at is a low, wide shape making its way towards them, kicking up a fair amount of sand along the way.
The thing it points at is a low, wide shape making its way towards them, kicking up a fair amount of sand along the way.
allforthehive
allforthehive
"Something with magnets. I'm not an engineer. There is metal under the sand, it pushes on the metal to fly, but it can only go so high and only where the metal is."
Hovercraft thing tilts backwards as it comes close, slowing down. When it lands, a much bigger Hiver leaps out of a window, lands deftly, and asks, "Greetings, worker. Little one, you are the visitor?"
Hovercraft thing tilts backwards as it comes close, slowing down. When it lands, a much bigger Hiver leaps out of a window, lands deftly, and asks, "Greetings, worker. Little one, you are the visitor?"