Living in Cera instead of the hive took a bit of adjustment. Regina mostly had to struggle with things she hadn’t anticipated, or perhaps failed to consider. Among less important things like the equipment and infrastructure — they actually had running water in the palace, but it had to be heated manually if you wanted hot water — were aspects of being a Hive Queen. In particular, her range was still not unlimited and moving this far east meant she had trouble with getting drones into Nerlia.

Regina had originally planned to have some of her hive’s sapient drones stationed in every corner of the Empire, at least close to the important borders and key transit points, so they could use the psychic link and relay messages if necessary. It would essentially be a communication system for their new country. Similar to passing messages along signal fire or heliograph lines but with people instead, and no delays or need for intermediate stops, at least in principle. Unfortunately, it was just as range-limited as the psychic link, naturally.

They still managed to get at least some part of that planned network up. Regina had given orders to give priority to court messages and military communication as well as, obviously, alarm signals, but otherwise everyone was free to talk to the drones and ask to have messages passed. They would probably have to start charging fees or keeping waiting lists soon. On the other hand, it wasn’t the only means of quick distance communication, given the System and magic, so she was confident it wouldn’t be too bad. And while it was a boring job, the drones could rotate in and out, maybe some would even like it. Besides that, she was curious to watch it in action and see what it might show her regarding the psychic link.

Being in Cera did mean the other avenues of communication were better, though. The Cernlians had finally repaired the magical alarm signal connected to Forest’s Watch, and there were other, similar ones. More importantly, they also had roads the hive hadn’t had to build first.

Now if only they could find some way to have teleportation in addition to message passing. Leian had apparently done something like that on Haven, so it had to be possible. Well, it probably wasn’t as easy here, maybe because of a difference in magic, or even interference from the System or something, but Regina suspected it would still be possible. For now, building better roads and using flying drones as transport would have to do, though.

Regina watched the core of her ‘court’ form around her, trying not to laugh at the struggles of the hive with Cernlian architecture and sensibilities. Originally, they’d tried to put the drones all up in their own suites, but that hadn’t lasted long. Watching newcomers try to figure out how to address the Hivekind, especially since they probably couldn’t tell them apart without consulting the System, didn’t know their ages (which were much too young), and might or might not know about her relationship with them, was always funny. She hoped both sides learned something, at least.

Regina had also set up a provisional hatchery, for obvious reasons. Ira and some of the drones who usually helped her care for the eggs as well as those responsible for helping newly hatched drones had mostly come with her. Those who didn’t relocate at once did so after a few days, when the last clutch in the main base had hatched. It caused no end of headaches in regards to security — Regina refused to allow the possibility of that place being compromised, if it meant the Ceran courtiers had to go out of their way to avoid it then they had better well do that — and also allowed more people an idea of the hive’s inner workings, so to speak, than she wished, but there was really nothing for it. She wondered how drones hatching in a city rather than entirely hive-controlled territory might affect things, but that was one thing they probably wouldn’t see all the effects of until much later. For now, the new drones didn’t seem to have any trouble, thankfully.

Regina quickly fell into a routine, one that didn’t differ all that much from what she’d had previously. She still took her duty of adding new members of the hive seriously and guided the Evolution of those Swarm Drones in her vicinity when she could. She also spent some more time talking to humans, naturally. It was kind of nice, even if she didn’t feel as secure as she would have in her base, even if she knew that was probably irrational. Still, the longer she stayed the more she developed an itch between her shoulder blades, almost an urge to focus on the hive’s territory, and she had to sternly tell herself that this was part of her territory too.

It actually helped. Which was probably the best indicator of how she was feeling towards the Empire in general and this place in particular. Although it probably wouldn’t work for any territory in the south the hive had just gained from the gnomes.

And on the topic of places like that, she was also farther away from their main army now, but actually closer to some other locations of interest in the war. In particular, several gnomish cities they’d managed to locate. Although she was good enough by now and her range far enough that it didn’t make much difference either way.

The hive was still preparing their first major attack on a strongly defended city in the Gnomish Confederation of the East. While Regina made sure to stay up to date, she left most of the work regarding that in Ben’s hands. He seemed to have decided to work around the city a bit and capture as much as possible of the surrounding territory, first, probably as some compromise with the caution she’d urged. It definitely made it harder for the gnomes to prepare some kind of surprise attack on the hive. Their lines were about as far as he was willing to extend them now, though, which meant that taking the city was the immediate next step.

It’s going to cost us heavy losses no matter what we do, Ben told her calmly as they talked about it. I just hope we can confine those losses to the Swarm Drones.

Having my sapient drones die for this war would be a bit counterproductive, Regina said lightly. But they both knew she wasn’t fooling anyone, and she was serious about this. Take whatever precautions you deem necessary. If that means having to postpone or even entirely cancel this assault, that’s what we’ll do.

If I thought it was better in the long run to try and make peace with the gnomes, I would have suggested that a while ago, Ben answered. He clearly tried to sound reassuring. This isn’t just about Bea and Ken and Pat and Lou, however tragic their deaths might have been. This is also about any of us who might be killed in a conflict with the gnomes in the future.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

You’re right, of course, Regina sighed. Considering everything we’ve seen of the gnomes, we can’t leave them as a strong potential threat. Although I think we do need to find some kind of peace, obviously it’s better if we’ve won or at least are in a decidedly stronger position for that, and we’re just not there yet.

We might be soon, if this goes well. So, do I have your authorization to continue, My Queen?

Yes, of course. Show them who’s boss.

Ben smiled and withdrew from the conversation with her to talk to his commanders and focus on the coming fight. Regina thought about what he’d said for a minute before other concerns reclaimed her attention.

In the end, the attack on the city — Ins-On-A-Rock, apparently, in Global — started in the middle of the night. Gnomes appeared to have superior night vision, too, for obvious reasons, but the hive still considered it a minor advantage. They still lived by a day-night cycle with most activity during the day and most people asleep at night, especially in a city out in the daylight like this one. Their soldiers might be less alert. It couldn’t hurt, anyway.

To avoid alarming them, the hive’s troop movements weren’t sudden and abrupt, but subtle and spread out. A lot of drones were moved, but rarely in the same place at the same time in large numbers. Ben slowly, over the course of hours, drew together drone soldiers around the city. Then infiltrators started. Some drones were sent to try to fly into the city or climb the walls, trying to stay discreet. The defenses would stop most of them, but it was worth a try. Others started tunneling. For the gnomes, especially, this wasn’t likely to be an easy entrance, but it couldn’t hurt to try, either.

As soon as the gnomes raised the alarm, the artillery began attacking. Ben had gathered and was now deploying some of the largest pieces they’d used yet. Most of them were operating purely on physical and chemical principles, but a few were enhanced a bit with magic, on the delivery mechanism or payload. The hive also had a rare few drones with a Class relating to modern(ish) artillery and was deploying them as well. The cannons and mortars fired in a set pattern, crewed by teams of drones who’d worked with them before and usually using several Swarm Drones to quickly load projectiles. Some of those were explosive.

The gnomes responded. They must have improved on what they had, they showed a much better artillery capability of their own than Regina had seen before. Of course, they did have a major city and its installations. Cannons and even a few high-angle guns shot their own ammunition towards the hive’s forces. Most of the shots fired into the air were spent harmlessly, the winged drones too agile to let a cannonball catch them. The more typical arrows and javelins enhanced by Class Skills had more impact.

They also targeted the hive’s ground troops, field fortifications and their own artillery emplacements, though. Several of them gave way with a crack or a small explosion.

Janis quickly reoriented their assigned protectors and ordered for magical shields to be raised. Some Workers sent out War Drones they controlled directly and made adjustments to the berms and ditches they needed to put their artillery in to protect it against that counterfire.

The battle raged on, meanwhile. The hive sent forth their ground troops. They would take heavy casualties, but they needed to put pressure on the gnomes. Ben directed their movement himself, trying to press the attack as much as possible while not just sending them to their death. Regina watched the Spells and shots coming from the gnomes’ fortifications and for once, didn’t try to calculate anything. She just sat there and focused on their enemies, on the battle plan, anything but the lives snuffed out in the psychic link.

It had been a while since this many drones died in such a short time. The sensation made her sick to her stomach.

Finally, the gnomes’ fire let up. It had to. The hive’s commanders took advantage by pressing the attack with flying drones while the ground troops closest to the city reached the walls, at last. The first waves were almost exclusively War Drones. Now, their Delver allies pushed to the front, though, followed by some sapient drones.

They got to work on the walls. They were sturdy, expanded and reinforced by both mundane means and magic, but they were also old. They would fall.

In the meantime, the artillery duel continued, livened up by the inclusion of flying drones and the bombs they dropped. The gnomes had clearly set up shielding for the city, but it was still a situation that inherently favored the hive. The drones ignored the populated, civilian parts of the city and focused on what they’d had marked out as military targets for a while.

Here was where their preparations truly shone. They’d crafted maps of their target, made plans of attack, experimented and perfected party dynamics with fighters having different Classes and Abilities. Not everything could be accounted for, no plan survived contact with the enemy, but it helped.

Regina sat quietly and watched as the battle raged on. It felt like it took days and moments at the same time. Her fingers were curled into her shirt and she was starting to feel thirsty but was too focused to get up and get a drink. She’d ordered everyone not to disturb her and she was alone, watching a battle many kilometers away while her children fought and, in too many cases for the Swarm Drones, died.

Breaching the walls didn’t take too long, but it was a difficult fight from there to truly control enough of wall to count for something.

Eventually, they did manage to get a foothold, and then in short order several bridgeheads. Regina watched closely, trying to anticipate counterattacks from the gnomes. They retreated a little, clearly reorganizing and readying themselves, before pushing the main breach the hive had made. Their response was just a little disorganized, though. The Delvers congregated on that spot, working smoothly together in experienced parties. Sapient drones on flying drones supported them. Combined with the crush of War Drones, it allowed them to defend their position and throw back the gnomish soldiers coming for them with vigor.

Of course, even once the walls were no longer much of a problem, the city still wasn’t won. It was built as a warren of buildings, with several lower walls, and the gnomish military had strategically dotted outposts and set up checkpoints.

Regina sighed and quickly conferred with Ben, who gave the order for the drones fighting at the front to rotate through. Those who’d been fighting would get some rest, while fresher ones cycled in. That way, they could keep up the pressure without stalling too much, but wouldn’t have to fight on fumes.

When the street fighting started, it was predictably vicious and bloody, but the War Drones were pretty much incapable of showing fear or letting it get to them. Under the command of the hive’s officer, they pushed on, taking street by street. Many of the gnomish military outposts were only burnt-out shells by now, and more of them would follow.

Regina watched for a bit before contacting Ben again. Don’t forget to get some rest as well.

I can hardly sit this out, you’ve put me in command, he protested.

It’s not going to fail without you there, just a few hours of sleep will keep you sharp enough for later. Janis can take over and then get a bit of rest after you.

Fine. She almost heard Ben’s sigh audibly. The battle, though … it’s as expected, but somehow different.

I know what you mean, Regina said quietly. There’s so much death.

They both fell quiet. Then she roused herself and with another stern reminder to sleep, she closed the connection.

The hive would win this battle, and she was relieved about that, she just wasn’t feeling like she could celebrate.