Formicea

 

Now that Olira is occupied I might look for something for myself.
I mean, I have here the assembled knowledge of all the Formicea culture.
As far as culture goes for them at least.
There must be something of interest for me here.

Since I don't know really what I'm looking for I might as well ask a scholar.
For this purpose, the one at the entrance seems good enough.

 

<Ehk, skria!/Ahem, Likriades, was that right? I, I wanted to ask something.> (E)

<How can this scholar be of assistance, princess?> (L)

<I wanted to learn about possible sources of light. It might be no problem for most drones, but humans need much more light. So it would be helpful to know about ways to permanently brighten larger areas below the earth. Would you know of some?> (E)

 

This would really help, I believe.
Mum is still partly uncomfortable because she cannot see well in the nursery.
In fact, only a small partition of the hive was prepared so that humans would be able to see here.
And if I ever want that humans will frequently traverse the tunnels of the system, and leave money and goods in return, they'll need to have a degree of visibility.
Which barely exists down there at the moment.

I guess if I explain why I need them this will avoid comments that this would be redundant.
Also, it might be important for the answer.
In theory, one could make light using torches.
Just that because of the smoke everyone inside the room would in time suffocate.
The same goes for poisonous stuff and so on.

 

<Would you need more light stone, princess?> (L)

<I'm aware that the reserves must be limited. I am certain that this is a precious material and not so easy to come by. Am I right?> (E)

 

It's a stone.
Some kind of ore.
Even I know that such material won't regrow and illuminating the underground is by far its best application.
This is one reason why I wouldn't sell greater amounts of them, even if Olira asks.
It would be too wasteful in the long run.

 

<There is indeed only a set amount of them available. They're usually found in the deepest layers of the system. Around where the temperature starts to increase drastically.> (L)

<You see, I want to create bright spots on a larger scale- So I'd need something that is more available. For example, I saw in the tunnels glowing moss and mushrooms. What about these? Could this be the solution?> (E)

<Ah, those. An interesting idea, and partly utilized. The difficulty with cultivating glowmoss lies in its need for water. If the environment has not a certain saturation of humidity it will eventually succumb.> (L)

 

I am not sure if "glowmoss" is the right word, but as always the pheromones in the first place convey intent or perception.
In this case, the subject is basically described as a "moss that glows", which might be linked to the first assessment of a worker or hunter with their limited mental capabilities to intricately analyze a discovered something.

 

<And the mushrooms?> (E)

<Glowshrooms are difficult to control and tend to consume the foundation enzyme the hive is built upon. Like this, they'll usually get destroyed in the hive's vicinity. If you are interested I can guide you to the respective vessel.> (L)

<If you would be so kind.> (E)

 

He doesn't lose time and soon I am brought to another hall.
Everywhere are holes carved into the concrete of the building, utilized to each hold several pods.
I notice the scent of different pheromones around me but can't make any sense of them as they're simply too many and threaten to overwhelm me, even if each of them is faint.
The scholar on the other hand walks straight towards his intended location, moving with clearly aimed steps.

 

<This is the wished vessel. I hope you'll be able to learn about your interest. I'll bring vessels about other things which might align with your requests.> (L)

 

The scholar leaves and I'm left with the pod.
I already know from last time around what to expect and open it.
Directly I sense the scent, feel the rush of thoughts, and a moment later I can align my mind and make sense of what it wants to tell me.

This one is about the glowmoss.
Basically, it's referring to the whole process of the item being discovered by a drone, getting reported for the first time to a scholar, then it's brought to the hive.
After this, the Formicea apparently started some experiments, if you could call them this.
I notice how especially wary they were about bringing anything foreign to the hive.

However, the illumination was a great advantage.
Even insect-eyes, which are used to the dark, need some, or the drones cannot work efficiently.
After it got analyzed, the moss was brought to the mycelium.
But unfortunately, it didn't prove to be effective, as it was truly very water-consuming and like this detrimental for the watering of the wanted food mushroom.
As it seems there is no infinite amount of water and it's necessary to conserve some.
After that, it was only used sparsely or at places far away from the hive with sufficient humid conditions.
This explains why they still mostly use the stones here.

 

When I put the pod away I ponder the experience and realize that the "unfortunate" came from the pod itself.
Apparently, the one whose pheromones I read here was a bit frustrated about this development and their personal thoughts affected me.

As I regain my senses I become aware that Liquiades already brought me another pod.
I give my thanks to him and use it.
This one's about the glowing mushrooms.
The same as before it gives me a rundown of the chronological history of this mushroom and the swarm.

One thing I certainly get out of this is that it absolutely shouldn't be kept within the hive.
The damage my mind processes as a first-hand experience was severe.
It wasn't uncontrollable growth, but if left unattended it might within a week have collapsed the hive as it consumed the solidifying agent that makes up all the structures here.

 

After that, I skip through more pods about the topic of emitting light.
Particularly interested I'm in some kind of glowing fish which was found in an underground cave basin.
Not that I think it might be helpful, but it sounds so exotic and interesting.
I kinda would want one as a pet.
Maybe I can?
Then there are also glowing insects or some plants that shine with lower intensity as the moss or mushrooms.
Even some underground creature's blood is shiny.
Others have glowing, acidic body fluids they throw up as an attack or a special limb they use as bait.
An especially ferocious monster that killed many drones on its own had glowing saliva.
None of these could be harvested efficiently, though.

I finish my pod.
When I plug it back up with the earthen cap I worriedly state a question.

 

<Skreo, skri, scriak!/Say, Liquiades. Those pods... Isn't it kinda wasteful what I'm doing here? I mean, I notice how the scent grows weaker. The number of usages must be limited.> (E)

 

I don't really want to destroy their books by using them.

 

<Princess, this is the intended application. What would they be good for if not to guide a broodmother? This is our role after all.> (L)

<Role?> (E)

 

What is he speaking of?

 

<Ah, there. See!> (L)

 

He points to the other half of the hall and there I see another scholar fiddling with a pod.
Then he opens it and...
Vomits into it!

 

<A scholar's primary role is to experience the contents of a pod. After this, he produces pheromones in accordance with the relayed contents and relays the experiences without any differences, as long there are no new insights. We have special pheromone glands which can create all varieties of concoctions. So a perfect copy can be created and we will assure that always enough for usage are prepared.> (L)

 

That's... an interesting system.
If not for this vomiting part.
I certainly cannot deny that this was informative and went much faster than reading.

But I'm not sure if I'm much further with my problem.
The moss needs water.
So for long tunnels, it won't do to just place them.
There would be no one to water them sufficiently.
Maybe if the area is close to water, but this won't usually be the case.
This leaves the mushroom.
But the way it reacts with the agent is a problem.
I mean it grows so fast on it that...

 

<Wait! Could this work?> (E)

<Princess?> (L)

<What if we would fill vessels with the agent and use it for the mushrooms to grow on? How long would the mushroom last with a smaller clump?> (E)

<Difficult to answer. The mushroom isn't consuming the substance instantly. Rather it spreads considerably fast on it, weaving fine lines through the matter, which disrupt structural integrity. It might last for a longer period with such a source.> (L)

<So... Would it be possible to create a larger system of tunnels relying on such a source of light instead of the usual stones?> (E)

<If it's patrolled regularly and the vessels were renewed three to four times a cycle it might work. It also depends on how suitable the natural environment might be for it to grow.> (L)

 

This sounds great.
Instead of sending people with a torch through the tunnels, I can make them look somewhat appealing.
This is one of the greatest issues while dealing with humans who are still extremely apprehensive of the Formicea.
Appearance matters, who says anything else lies.
As I don't want to smell more pods at the moment, I give my farewells to the scholar and move back to the main hall.
I'm a bit dizzy, as while the intake is simple receiving all those pheromones put a strain on my mind.
Since I'm done with my research I should check on Olira.