It was weird, but maybe inevitable, Regina supposed, that when she’d finally crack and talk to someone about her plans, her goals and motivation, it would be June rather than someone from her hive.

The drones largely already knew. And anyway, she didn’t really want to hear their responses, because what would it matter? If they were in agreement, then well, she was their Hive Queen; it would only confirm that they relied on her to make these choices, regardless of the morality. And if they didn’t, then what did it say that not even her own drones would support her? It probably wasn’t a coincidence that the closest she’d come to hashing this out before was with Janis.

As she walked into the hive’s outpost and tried to turn her thoughts to the work waiting for her, Regina had to ignore the remaining anxiety bubbling in the pit of her stomach. Talking to June about it had been tense, even if it also felt freeing to voice a few of her thoughts. Her answer was everything she could have realistically hoped for, at least. Regina knew that. It didn’t necessarily make her feel at ease.

But she supposed it was probably good for her to have a student like this. Especially one who could challenge her, without making things personal.

Regina had known how June viewed her before, at least in vague terms. She had to admit she hadn’t really returned that sentiment. But now they had evidently grown a bit closer, and she found she didn’t mind it so much. I’ll have to come up with a proper lesson plan, both practical and theoretical. I can’t limit it to magic or even medicine. She found herself smiling slightly at the prospect as she joined the crowd of her drones in the base.

This one was built a bit differently from their other settlements, mostly because it had grown in fits and spurts over time, as the hive allocated more of their focus here. Originally, they’d just expected to use the existing Cernlian village. Then Regina’s watermill, workshops and similar buildings started to be built. Eventually, they’d bitten the bullet and constructed a proper compound, focused on underground tunnels connecting the existing structures. It wasn’t a bad idea to have bases with different layouts than the rest, of course. If someone ever tried to infiltrate this one, she hoped they would have a hard time. Not that they’d ever had problems with that before, but that didn’t mean it couldn’t happen, especially since this location was close to the human kingdoms.

The inner part of this base only housed Hivekind drones. While more humans had been trickling in, and a few were allowed into the outer parts of the base, there was no reason for them to be in these underground chambers. The others were already discussing building housing structures between the village and the hive base; Mia wanted to use it as an opportunity to explore building slightly more modern structures. Maybe not quite the apartment complexes of the past, but it would be good to have experience with how to quickly and reliably build for amenities like running hot water, or electricity. And once we do it for those recruits, the others are going to want it as well. And the drones, obviously. Regina smiled. Lightbulbs were still a bit tricky, but she liked the idea of her hive having lights and modern comforts.

Regina didn’t spend much time in her rooms today before she headed out again, going to the hatchery. It gave her the opportunity to take in the state of the base and the hive in general, but she was also looking forward to what she was going to find.

She’d only made a few eggs of each type to test out the new Form Drones, which meant that her Ability’s boost to their number didn’t kick in. Apparently, it counted separate ‘templates’ of Form Drones, despite being part of the same Swarm Template, as different things. She supposed it made some sense considering the apparent differences in their biology. But she also didn’t really mind at the moment, since she just wanted to learn what it would do in practice.

The first type were similar to War Drones, specifically several heavy melee-focused Evolved variants. She supposed the main advantage would be that they started with this capability. They were relatively big and heavily armored with the Hivekind’s normal shell, with sharp blade-arms. Considering the current level of warfare the hive operated at, and what she saw for the future, it wasn’t ground-breaking. The second type might be a little more useful in that regard. They were small and slight compared to the first, but quick on their feet, and would probably be able to keep up with horses for at least a short while. They’d hopefully be good for skirmishing. The real advantage would probably be the third type, however. They were built like Winged Drones, just slightly smaller, with a slender build and extra-large wings. Their forelimbs were reminiscent of the Drone Shooters, with similar javelin-throwing capability. They probably wouldn’t be very accurate, but she could tell Tim was already looking forward to seeing them in action.

Her own interest was more focused on the last type she’d experimented with, though, which had arguably seen the most change. Their basic body type was similar to other Swarm Drones, but they sported large eyes and instead of blades or anything similar, they were equipped with spade-like growths more suited to digging, along with sharp claws and maws. She’d actually managed to give them the ability to spit acid, something she hadn’t been sure was possible. She still wasn’t sure how useful it would really turn out to be, but she was looking forward to finding out. Logistics and infrastructure were going to be key going forward. Digging trenches in the war would be a nice ability on its own, but being able to build at least partly-underground bases and connecting tunnels more quickly would be gold.

If Leian was involved, Regina would thank her for the choice of Template unlock. Maybe she’d really have to go and pray at some point.

Regina stuck around until at least one of each type had hatched and amused herself by sending them on random errands around the room, in the guise of testing out their physical strength and flexibility. Unsurprisingly, they were all about as smart as the other Swarm Drones. Although looking through their senses showed the third and fourth types had quite good eyes. I’m going to need to name them. Maybe put it to a vote? Anyway, they understood her orders quite well and once she got a few of the other sapient drones to test them, theirs as well. Mia was actually on the way to look at and probably put the first of the new tunnel-builders to work.

Regina didn’t hang around for long, though. Instead, before leaving, she added some more Form Drones to the eggs incubating here, taking advantage of the bathroom adjoining the main hatchery space. Mia actually arrived just in time to help her clean herself up a little in there, which provided what she supposed was a nice bonding opportunity.

“You’re doing well?” she asked as she pulled her hair back with some hairpins Mia had made for her. “Anything you need?”

“Nothing beyond the usual,” Mia replied with a smile. “Although, there are a few of us wanting to expand the entertainment options, writing books and the like. Can we appropriate some resources for that, Mother?”

“Of course,” Regina replied with a smile and maybe a bit too much enthusiasm. “I’m sure we’d all appreciate that, and the war isn’t so dire we can’t do anything else. So, are you writing a novel?”

“Making a board game, actually,” Mia admitted, smiling tentatively. “I’m still figuring out the rules, but it’s a lot of fun. Carving a few sets and pieces is good for keeping my hands busy, too.”

“You’ll need to challenge me to a game once you’re finished.”

Mia tilted her head. “Sure, but I won’t go easy on you, my Queen.”

“That’s fine, I can always figure out how to cheat,” Regina replied. “Huh, I suppose card games would be unsuitable when you can just see your opponent’s cards as they do.”

“You’d definitely win any hand of poker if it was just a matter of looking through our eyes,” Mia agreed with a teasing smile. “Anything else I can help you with, my Queen?”

“Nope, and I should get going. Thanks, Mia.”

Regina headed back to her room, but froze after she’d only taken a few steps. Janis was calling for her attention, and a few moments later, she noticed that other drones were doing the same. Without saying anything, Janis directed her attention to several Winged Drones currently hovering close by the Esemen positions.

Regina hurried back to her room while she checked on them and what they saw, then dropped on her bed and closed her eyes before she focused on her other senses. It confirmed what the drones were seeing and added a bit more detail. While she was distracted with the focus drones and talking to Mia, the Esemen had moved Marianne closer. They must have ridden hard to get her from her remote position to the largest remaining gathering of their forces. They must have tried to disguise her, as well, or her drones would have alerted her earlier, but looking down from above, it was hard to tell one human from another, especially if they made her wear different clothes with a hood.

She watched silently as they appeared to shuffle Marianne Neralt between a few other people, then a small group of them parted from the others and stepped out in the direction of her hive’s forces. Judging by what she could sense from them, she suspected they were pretty strong, probably an elite cadre of the Esemen or something like that.

They didn’t go far, just far enough to make it clear that they had moved in the direction of the hive’s position, and came to a halt. Regina nudged a few of the Winged Drones to come closer and get a better look at them. It confirmed what she’d thought pretty well. She recognized a few of the faces as leaders, and they were kitted out with weapons but not actually brandishing them.

She reached out to Janis, who had been waiting and watching. They might be trying to open communications, she said.

Yes, I think so too. Should we send someone to talk to them, my Queen?

Regina considered for a moment. Keep gathering forces close to them, but keep a safe distance and be reasonably discreet, she said. I don’t want any sapient drone to get too close, for now.

She sensed Janis’ focus intensifying, as the other girl evidently tried to guess her intentions, before she gave a mental confirmation and turned her attention to making sure her plans were carried out.

Regina took a few seconds to look through the Swarm Drones in the area, especially the Winged Drones, before she picked one that would work best. It was in the upper range of their levels, at 38, close to the next Threshold and Evolution to sapience, but not so rare that she couldn’t afford to lose it.

Regina assembled a few other flying drones as an escort, then took them closer to where the Esemen had apparently decided to try and talk. They’d chosen the location well, an open field where neither side had really started on fortifications yet, but they were both close enough to see what was going on if they spent a bit of effort, which they obviously would. It hadn’t been the site of even a moderate skirmish so far, though, which meant tempers would hopefully be cool.

Regina had the drones circle once before she brought the drone she’d picked down, carefully guiding its movements so it managed to more-or-less hover before the group of humans, a meter or two in the air, where it would hopefully look a bit more imposing. It wouldn’t manage to hold that for long, but at least it should make an impression.

One of the humans, who she recognized as an Esemen general, cleared his throat and took half a step forward. “We want to speak to the Hive,” he announced in its general direction.

There was a moment of silence. Regina made the drone slowly tilt its head towards Marianne.

“They have not unduly harmed me, although they have restricted my movements and carted me around like a sack of potatoes, and I have not seen Ria,” Marianne said. “They want to open negotiations, I understand.”

“Essentially,” the man replied with a good-natured smile.

Regina waited for a moment, weighing her options. But she supposed she’d known where this was going from the moment she sent the drones, and she still didn’t want to send in and risk one of her sapient drones.

The drone opened its mouth. “Speak,” it hissed at them, the sound garbled.

Regina winced a little. She hadn’t kept up her practice at speaking through Swarm Drones since Galatea, and the AI had quickly figured out how to parse it correctly. Still, this should be understandable. Hopefully.

It caused a small stir among the Esemen, and they traded looks. A few further back whispered to each other, but she couldn’t quite make out what they were saying.

“Of course,” the previous speaker answered, clearly making an effort to hide it if he felt any surprise. “We would like to cease hostilities with the Hive. We are aware that you will not want us to remain in control of this territory, but dislodging us forcefully would cost you time, resources and troops you do not have to spend. We can talk it out and come to a mutually beneficial agreement.”

Regina snorted where they couldn’t see her. I guess I should be flattered that everyone wants to negotiate now, she mused. Then she took control of the drone’s vocal apparatus again, shaping it carefully.

“Tomorrow at noon. Five pines’ hill.” A small pause. “Bring Ria.”

Then the drone turned and flapped its wings, Regina only looking at the Esemen long enough to check that they’d heard and understood. She didn’t want to get caught in a long conversation, or give them the opportunity to tell her excuses for why they couldn’t bring Ria to the talks.

If they decided not to … she could always just keep fighting and kill them. She’d considered adding that to the end of her statement, but decided that some things should probably remain unspoken. And hopefully they didn’t take this as an excuse not to bring Marianne, she realized after a second.