The area outside the tree was completely wrecked. All the buildings were down. Kendra walked around the town.

“How you doing Shayla? Is Corey okay?” Kendra asked the shopkeepers.

“Yeah, Corey and I are ok.” Shayla answered. “I think Corey is helping look for survivors.”

There was a scuttling sound and a large group of ants began to stream out of the openings in the ground.

“Are those from the Tree?” Shayla asked.

“Yes. Treebo has decided to help with the clean up.” Kendra replied. “I don’t get the tree at times. It seems to ignore us then saves us.”

“Who knows the mind of a tree?” Shayla asked. “I guess we were lucky the Tree was prepared for those whales.”

“I guess.” Kendra replied.

“Do you know exactly what those things were?” Shayla asked.

“Treebo called them meowbies.” Kendra replied. “It appears Treebo can combine and make new animals using his pods.”

“The respawn pods?” Shayla asked.

“Yes, the respawn pods.” Kendra replied. “Apparently they are more powerful than expected.”

“That’s good, right?” Shayla asked.

“Mmm.” Kendra shrugged concomitantly.

The new group of ants began clearing away debris. They were an eye watering blue. They positively glowed in the daylight. They made short work of the debris. Several people were pulled from the rubble. Not everyone found was still alive. The survivors were pulled to the side for the healers to care for. The bodies were taken back below.

A very blue and very large ant walked up to Kendra.

“I am Shidel.” The blue ant introduced herself. “Treebo sends his regards. He wants to know where the idiots who brought the monsters here are.”

“Nice to meet you Shidel.” Kendra responded in kind. “I haven’t really been looking for them.”

Shidel chittered in annoyance. “Find them. Bring to Treebo for judgement.”

“What does he plan to do with them?” Kendra asked.

“He will provide judgement.” Shidel replied.

Kendra turned to Shayla. “Do you know anything about the people who trained the monsters here?”

“I heard some yelling before the attack.” Shayla replied. “Sorry, I don’t really know all that much. You know, being inside running a store and all that.”

“Alright.” Kendra clapped her hands with a determined look. “Spread the word. Find the idiots.”

Kendra continued on, followed by Shidel. “What are you doing Shidel?”

“Following you.” Shidel replied. “Tree has said you are the speaker. You require a guard. All queens have a guard.”

“I’m not a queen, Shidel.” Kendra told her.

“Tree says you are, so you are.” Shidel told Kendra. “Are you calling Tree a liar?”

“No, not that.” Kendra hastily replied. “I’m just a little taken aback about all this.”

Kendra and Shidel wandered over to the destroyed inn.

“Kendra.” Keeley ran up to Kendra out of breath. “Sarah died during the attack.”

“She was sworn to Tree right?” Kendra asked.

“Yes.” Keeley sniffled. “But I haven’t seen her yet and the blue ants took her body away.”

“The body was taken to the vats.” Shidel answered. “Your friend will be back tomorrow.”

“Why’d you take the body?” Keeley asked.

“There are many resources in the body.” Shidel answered. “It would be a shame to waste all those materials.”

“That’s awful.” Keeley answered.

“It takes much energy to grow the new body.” Shidel answered. “Did no one explain the process to you?”

“We didn’t come here to discuss the respawn pods.” Kendra interrupted. “We are looking for the people that brought the monsters here. Do you know anything?”

“Oh, it’s those army pukes over there.” Keeley pointed at a group of people in fatigues.

“Thanks.” Kendra said.

Kendra walked over to the group. “Hey, are you the assholes that led the monsters here?”

“What if we were?” Asked a guy with captain’s bars on his tab.

“Yeah, these are the idiots.” Kendra turned to Shidel. “You wanna help carry them to Tree?”

Shidel reared up on her legs. She let out a shriek. Several other blue ants ran over to her and bowed low. “Carry these fools to the tree.” Shidel commanded.