Chapter Five - War

Dear friends, the war is over, what other dangers await us? 

War, I know, I know - War!  We have finally beaten our enemies and now we look to replenish our numbers.

It all began during the spring of our 3rd year.  We had just awoken from our yearly deep sleep.  The deep sleep is the time of year when we batten down our hatches and rest during the winter months.  It is cold outside, and the amount of food that is available to us is limited, so once a year in November I give out the order to move into the deeper chambers of the nest, and fill in all but a few of the nest openings so that we can hibernate.

Its a quiet time of the year, everyone is very lethargic and sleepy.  We survive by eating from the stores of food that we have built up over the autumn.  Of course, it is nearly always wet outside the nest, and the water seeps through the walls, so we never go thirsty.  We keep each other warm by huddling close.  There are very few eggs at this time of year, so there is no real danger to the young.

This spring when we could feel the warmth of the days seeping to our depths I gave the order to begin the yearly growth.  This is a hugely important time for us.  The eggs are laid, nurtured and raised in large numbers, the nest is expanded, and the feeding of the colony goes into overdrive.

After a few weeks of normal life, we began to notice more and more of our arch enemy Red Ants checking out our position.  Skirmishes on the front line of defence at our site entrances became more and more frequent.  I had a feeling for what was to come, this made me determined not to be caught short.  I gave the order to the nest to begin fortifying the entrances, and to begin collecting huge amounts of food.  I then began to lay my special eggs.  These I knew would be soldier type worker ants, and I needed them in large numbers.

After a period of about a month and a half my army of soldiers were ready.  I knew that in times such as these, it was better to take the battle to the enemy than to wait to be attacked.  I sent out a number of scout parties from the nest in search of the enemies position.  Soon they reported back to me the whereabouts of the enemy.

"Madam Queen" my Chief scout addressed me.

"Go ahead Mantriba" I replied.  I didn't know the names of all of my daughters, only those closest to me.

"We've located the enemy at 200 tunnels distance from our position in the direction of the sunset."

"Thank you Mantriba.  All of my scouts returned safely I hope?"

"I am afraid not my Queen, your scouts fought with all of their strength to protect me so that I could bring you the news of the enemies location.  I am the only survivor" Mantriba was visibly upset as she relayed this sad news to me.

"I understand Mantriba, you are free to go and rest.  Then, begin the recruitment of new scouts".

"Yes Madam Queen" Mantriba replied.  She left the chamber.

I gave the order that my soldiers had been waiting for.  Attack our enemies, and destroy them totally.

Now please understand, we are not in the habit of creating war, but we know without doubt, and with full conviction that we must survive at any cost.  This is what prompted the attack on our enemy.  Revenge for our lost sisters is merely a bonus.

The war went well.  Of the hundreds of soldiers we sent, a good number returned.  Carrying their trophies of war, the eggs, larvae and pupae of our enemy.  Distributed throughout the nest these were a very welcome treat that we all enjoyed feasting on.

As for our enemy, nothing remained of their nest.  Thankfully it was only a small colony, a new one perhaps only 50 or so individuals.  I do not know what would have happened if it had been a fully mature colony.

This was the first of the many wars that we faced during my lifetime.  Unfortunately this was not the only trouble that we faced in that year, but more about that next time, I am tired, and need my energy for the laying of my eggs, goodbye for now!