DAYS SURVIVED: 45
COLONY SIZE: 4 (insufficient)
DAYS UNTIL FLOODS: 135
The nest gland burned with constant urgency now. Not pain—urgency. The genetic memory understood what Kai's human mind was still trying to accept: four wasn't enough. Not for what was coming.
He needed at least eight. Maybe ten. A real colony with redundancy built in. Specialists who could back each other up. Enough bodies that losing one or two wouldn't mean extinction.
The math was brutal but clear.
"We're expanding," Kai announced during the morning briefing—a habit he'd started once Shadow began asking strategic questions. "Three more kits minimum. We need diversity. Different skill sets."
"What kinds?" Shadow asked immediately, already thinking tactically.
Kai had been planning this for days. He'd mapped out the gaps in their capabilities, identified weaknesses, designed solutions.
"First: a builder. Someone who can excavate fast, reinforce structures, create the infrastructure we need for surface survival. Twitchy's good at security, but we need someone who can build what Twitchy designs."
Twitchy's ears perked up. Yes. Need that. So much need that.
"Second: a scout. Long-range reconnaissance. We need to know what's beyond our territory. Where the high ground is. What threats we'll face topside. Shadow's learning leadership, Bitey's combat, Twitchy's security—but we're missing intelligence gathering."
"And third?" Shadow pressed.
"A heavy. Someone bigger than Bitey. Pure defensive capability. Something that can hold a position against anything. When the floods come and things get chaotic, we need an anchor. An immovable object."
Bitey bit the air dismissively. I'm immovable.
"You're aggressive," Kai corrected. "That's different. You attack. We need someone who defends. Who stands in one place and doesn't move no matter what hits them."
The genetic memory supplied images of World Cat defense specialists. Massive. Armored. Built like living fortifications. They didn't hunt—they held territory. They didn't chase—they endured.
"Three more," Kai repeated. "Starting today."
POD 4: BUILDER STRAIN
The hunting took two days. Kai needed specific traits—excavation capability, structural understanding, tireless work ethic.
He found a termite nest in a collapsed section of tunnel. The insects were master builders, creating structures that could withstand tremendous pressure. He killed a dozen, selecting the largest, the ones with the most developed mandibles.
He also took down a beetle species he'd been tracking—specialized front legs that could move earth faster than anything he'd encountered. And a spider that built reinforced webs, understanding tension and load-bearing in ways that seemed almost architectural.
The genetic cocktail was exact. Deliberate. He was engineering a solution to a specific problem.
BROOD POD 4: ESTABLISHED
Genetic template: Construction specialist
Predicted traits: Enhanced excavation, structural analysis, obsessive work ethic
Development time: 4-5 days
Warning: Construction specialists may prioritize building over other necessities. Monitor for self-neglect.
"Four days," Kai told his waiting kits. "Then we have a builder."
Shadow was already planning. "Where should we build first? Surface access points? Emergency shelters? Storage—"
"All of it," Kai said. "Everything we can manage in a hundred and thirty days."
POD 5: SCOUT STRAIN
For the scout, Kai needed different traits. Speed. Endurance. Enhanced sensory capabilities that could operate at range.
He hunted flying insects—couldn't use their wings, but their eyes were incredible. Compound structures that could process information faster than anything ground-based. Navigation instincts that could map territories in minutes.
A fast-moving spider that hunted by pursuit rather than ambush. Leg structures optimized for speed over power.
And a peculiar beetle he found in the upper tunnels—one that seemed to sense air currents, could detect movement through pressure changes alone.
BROOD POD 5: ESTABLISHED
Genetic template: Reconnaissance specialist
Predicted traits: Enhanced speed, superior sensory suite, long-range capability
Development time: 4-5 days
Warning: Scouts may take unnecessary risks to gather information. Establish clear safety protocols.
Two pods growing simultaneously. The energy drain was significant—Kai's mass dropped to 14.1 grams despite aggressive hunting. He was burning reserves faster than he could replace them.
"You need to eat more," Patch said—
Wait. Patch didn't exist yet. Shadow. Shadow said it.
"You need to eat," Shadow corrected, bringing cached meat to Kai. "You're getting thin."
"I'm fine."
"You're not. Bitey, get more food. Twitchy, find water. Kai needs both."
The kits moved without question, following Shadow's orders. When had that happened? When had Shadow become the one who coordinated, who managed, who led when Kai was focused elsewhere?
Good, Kai thought. That's exactly what I need.
POD 6: HEAVY DEFENDER STRAIN
The heavy would be the hardest. Kai needed mass. Armor. Immovability.
He spent three days hunting the largest prey he could safely take down. A massive grub that had probably been growing for months. Beetles with armor so thick his Crushpoint Strike barely penetrated. A scorpion he found in the deep tunnels—all armor and defensive capability, built to withstand anything.
The genetic material was almost too heavy to process. The pod grew larger than the others, requiring more nutrients, more energy, more of everything.
BROOD POD 6: ESTABLISHED
Genetic template: Heavy defender
Predicted traits: Maximum armor, immense strength, defensive specialization
Development time: 5-6 days (extended due to mass requirements)
Warning: Heavy defenders require 2-3x normal caloric intake. Ensure adequate food supply.
Three pods. All developing simultaneously. The energy drain was catastrophic.
Kai's mass: 11.8 grams. He'd lost nearly a quarter of his body weight in less than a week.
"That's it," Shadow said firmly. "No more breeding until you recover. We can't lose you to starvation while trying to expand the colony."
"The floods—"
"Are a hundred and twenty-five days away. You'll be dead in twenty if you don't stop. We need you alive more than we need more kits right now."
The rest of the colony agreed. Even Bitey, who usually argued with everything, supported Shadow's position.
"Fine," Kai conceded. "But the moment these three hatch, we're evaluating whether we need more."
"Fair."
DAYS SURVIVED: 50
HATCHING DAY
The builder emerged first.
It hit the ground and immediately started digging. Didn't stop to orient. Didn't wait for instructions. Just dug. Claws moving with mechanical precision, earth flowing away in controlled streams.
"Uh, hey," Kai said. "Want to maybe meet the family first before you excavate the den?"
The kit paused. Looked at Kai. Looked at the wall. Looked back at Kai.
Can I dig?
"Sure. Just... not here. Let me show you where we actually need excavation."
Kai led the kit to a collapsed tunnel section they'd been meaning to clear. The kit took one look and got to work. No hesitation. No questions. Pure, focused labor.
"Dig," Kai said. "Your name is Dig. Because that's literally all you want to do."
KIT DESIGNATION: DIG
Traits: Obsessive work ethic, excavation expertise, structural understanding
Specialization: Construction and infrastructure
Warning: Kit shows signs of hyper-focus. May neglect eating/sleeping when engaged in projects.
Shadow immediately took responsibility for making sure Dig ate and rested. Left food at work sites. Physically pulled the kit away from projects when exhaustion became dangerous.
The scout hatched next.
It emerged at speed, rolling out of the pod and immediately sprinting around the den, mapping every surface, every angle, every potential exit. Faster than anything Kai had seen at that size.
"Quick," Kai said, watching the kit complete its fifth lap in thirty seconds. "Your name is Quick. Because you make the rest of us look like we're standing still."
KIT DESIGNATION: QUICK
Traits: Exceptional speed, enhanced sensory processing, natural pathfinding
Specialization: Reconnaissance and intelligence gathering
Family bond: Moderate (independent personality, but loyal)
Quick bonded immediately with Twitchy—two paranoid minds that understood the value of knowing everything about your environment. They'd go on patrol together, Quick ranging far while Twitchy maintained close security, sharing information through scent markers and body language.
The heavy took longest to emerge.
When it finally broke through the pod membrane, everyone stopped to stare.
It was massive. Twice Bitey's size. Three times Shadow's. Built like a living tank—thick armor plating, heavy bone structure, legs that looked like they could support a building.
The kit took one step and the ground trembled slightly.
"Tank," Kai said simply. "Because that's what you are."
KIT DESIGNATION: TANK
Traits: Maximum armor, immense strength, defensive specialization
Specialization: Heavy defense, position holding
Warning: Requires 3x normal food intake. Plan accordingly.
Tank moved slowly—had to, with that much mass—but with absolute confidence. When the kit settled into a position, it was like watching a boulder take root. Immovable.
Bitey immediately tried to fight Tank. Lasted about five seconds before getting pinned under one massive paw.
"Tank doesn't attack," Kai explained, pulling Bitey free. "Tank holds. Get it?"
Bitey bit the air sulkily but seemed to understand.
DAYS SURVIVED: 52
COLONY SIZE: 7 (Kai + 6 kits)
Seven. A real colony now. Specialists who complemented each other. A functioning unit.
Kai gathered them for their first full colony briefing.
"Listen up. We have one hundred and eighteen days until the floods. Here's how we survive:
"Dig: Your job is infrastructure. We need surface access tunnels—multiple routes, redundant paths. We need emergency shelters topside. We need all of it built strong enough to survive what's coming. Shadow will coordinate your projects.
"Quick: Scout the surface. Map everything within a thousand body-lengths. Find high ground. Find water sources. Find threats. Report everything to Twitchy.
"Twitchy: Security and threat assessment. You take Quick's intel and turn it into defensive plans. Mark safe routes. Mark danger zones. Keep us alive.
"Bitey and Tank: Combat team. Bitey, you're offense. Tank, you're defense. You work together. Bitey breaks things, Tank holds the line. No solo heroics from either of you.
"Shadow: You're my second. You coordinate everyone when I'm hunting or planning. You make sure Dig eats, Quick doesn't take stupid risks, and Bitey doesn't get Tank into unnecessary fights. You're learning to lead. This is your training ground."
Shadow straightened, taking the responsibility seriously.
"Questions?"
"What about you?" Shadow asked. "What's your role?"
"Survival," Kai said. "I make the hard calls. I take the risks no one else can take. I make sure we all make it through this."
"And if you don't make it?" Shadow pressed quietly.
"Then you lead. And you do better than I did."
The colony dispersed to their tasks. Dig immediately vanished into a tunnel, excavating with single-minded focus. Quick and Twitchy headed for surface access. Tank settled into a defensive position near the den entrance. Bitey prowled the perimeter looking for things to fight.
Shadow stayed with Kai.
"We're going to need more, aren't we?" Shadow said. "Seven isn't enough."
"No," Kai admitted. "It's not. We need at least ten. Maybe twelve. But I can't breed again until I recover my mass. Another week minimum."
"What if we don't have a week?"
"Then we make do with what we have."
Shadow touched one of the carved stones—Stone 7, the one with the Maker figure.
"They failed," Shadow said quietly. "Even with warnings. Even trying their best. They still failed."
"Yes."
"What makes us different? What makes you think we'll succeed where they didn't?"
Kai looked at his six kits. His dysfunctional, brilliant, barely-functional family.
"They stood alone. We stand together. Maybe that's enough."
Shadow didn't look convinced. Kai wasn't either.
But it was all they had.