(A few days after the events of the last chapter).

A predatory cat with black fur moves through the brush. It is hunting for prey and something has caught her attention. A short time later she reaches her target, a piece of meat hanging from one of the trees, tied to a rope. An obvious bait, but the feline predator doesn't know that. She sees the tasty meat in front of her and continues to approach. Just below the dangling meat, the ground is unusual. With her fine senses, the huntress notices the trap. Other animals probably wouldn't have noticed the pitfall, but the Everglade Forest also harbors resourceful hunters like this one.

The predator circles the strange area, not able to find a safe path to its destination. It sets to leaping to reach the piece of meat from the air, landing safely on the other side, but a sudden push from behind foils the plan and the predatory cat plunges into the camouflaged pit in front. Wooden spears and hungry, spider-like drones await the hapless hunter at the bottom of the pitfall. The predatory cat doesn't stand a chance.

A few seconds later, Sylvia and Karina appear at the edge of the pitfall, gazing down at their slain prey. It was Karina who explained to Sylvia how to build such a trap. With the help of Sylv workers it was easy to build it. The push came from Sylvia's new telekinetic ability.

Some time later, they are both sitting together with a good piece of meat from their catch. They are sitting in a new underground chamber that was also built on Karina's advice. It has a small vent to the surface in one corner, under which some wood is already piled up. With her fire magic, Sylvia is just starting a fire under the wood, while Karina is safely placing the meat above it and seasoning it with some salt from her bag, which she still has. With Sylvia's fire magic, the fire is quickly kindled and the process of roasting begins.

Karina is not thrilled with the food mush the Sylv produce and has taken it upon herself to convince her hostess to construct a safe fire pit. A fire on the surface would be dangerous here in the depths of Everglade Forest, as the sometimes magically inclined predators do not shy away from it.

The Hive Queen watches with interest as Karina prepares the meat over the fire. The construction of this place has just been completed and this is the first time the fireplace has been used. The flue works as intended and the smoke can escape upwards. Sylvia already knows roasted biomass and prefers it raw or processed by her swarm. For humans, on the other hand, it seems to be the other way around.

The swarm has continued to grow and the Hive complex has been expanded with a Hatchery. This allows for the production of larger Sylv units. While Sylvia sits with Karina in the new chamber, the first large unit is put into production in the Hatchery. The creation of the first Hive Commander. A key unit for the swarm, which can assist Sylvia in controlling the swarm. This in combination with Warrior drones should be sufficient as an escort to find the way back home safely.

While Karina prepares her food, she asks Sylvia, "It's really impressive how quickly the Sylv can build underground structures. I didn't think I would be able to enjoy a normal meal so soon. However, I wonder why we don't try to return underground. Wouldn't that be safer than proceeding above ground with an escort?"

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This seems to make Sylvia quite thoughtful. Then she answers: "I don't know. I haven't thought about that option until now. My decision to create a escort seemed to be the right choice for me at that moment." The Hive Queen is silent for a moment and then continues talking, "Underground, you move slower and would have to check the surface periodically to get your bearings. Above, I can recognize things I saw when I was taken into the forest. Besides, it's not impossible that we might encounter dangerous hunters underground."

Karina agrees with a nod, but asks anyway, "I agree with your points. On the other hand, it's also true that it would probably be safer. I know of only a few monsters that live underground, and most are not native to the Everglade Forest. Encountering such a creature would be very unlikely, unlike on the surface. Are there any other arguments for your approach so far?"

Hesitantly, Sylvia replies, "Well, I've already made some progress with my planning. Besides, my choice feels right. Not necessarily how I'm going to implement it exactly... I mean creating the escort in the form of a Hive Commander and warriors." as she says this, she seems to realize something important and continues, "I NEED a Hive Commander!"

Karina reacts irritated and asks, "Why do you need such a creature and what is it anyway?"

"It is important to the swarm ... a central role ... I shouldn't be commanding on the front lines as the queen ... I shouldn't be solely responsible for managing so many drones. The size of the swarm keeps increasing, but there are not more intelligent ones like me. I am currently the only one who can be called upon by the drones to deal with complex problems … This can't continue!" replies Sylvia as she comes to this realization herself.

"So there is more to it than I first thought. The way you told me, you weren't quite clear about it yourself. Then we'll stick with what you've been doing. A few small adjustments would be a good idea, though. How about using the tunnel to bridge part of the distance. Your drones can have already dug a good distance underground in the meantime, by the time the escort is ready," Karina suggests.

"That sounds like a good idea. We won't get too far, though, since the Hive Commander is even bigger than you. The tunnel would have to be wide enough to let him pass or the escort would have to advance on the surface. But a wider tunnel takes longer to complete ...", Sylvia replies.

"I see.", Karina answers with a nod and continues, "How can I imagine this Hive Commander? What does he look like, what can he do?"

Sylvia has to think about this for a moment until she retrieves the knowledge from the depths of her mind and then answers, "The Hive Commander is almost twice the size of the Warriors, which in turn are three times the size of the simple worker drones. This one is an intelligent Sylv creature just like me and can help me manage the swarm. Like the other Sylv, it has six limbs with which it can move or attack. He also has a tail, which he can use to defend himself. He is heavily armored and meant to be a commander on the front lines." She pauses for a moment and adds, "My role in the swarm is to develop it and set the course for it. The Hive Commander is there to obliterate the enemies of the swarm. Therefore, he is quite different …"

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Strains for the Hive Commander: Acidic Spines Ranged Attack, Razor Claws, Venom Production, Reinforced Hide, Improved Hardened Carapace, Rapid Regeneration and Improved Vision

Melee Warrior (Named: Brawler): Razor Claws, Venom Production, Improved Strength, Full Body Chitin Armor, Improved Hardened Carapace, Rapid Regeneration

Ranged Needle Warrior (Named: Venator): Needle Spines Ranged Attack, Venom Production, Improved Vision, Heat Vision, Ceiling Runner, Optical Camouflage

Ranged Acid Warrior (Named: Roach): Acidic Slime Ranged Attack, Improved Vision, Full Body Chitin Armor, Improved Hardened Carapace, Rapid Regeneration, Tunneling Claws