In parallel with the road-building, so heavy furnace-working was going on, too.
At Researchina's request, a half of our forges were temporarily given to Researcher Bees. It didn't harm production much, since by now we were low on tal to be forged.
Instead, fresh clay was brought over.
Since mortar wasn't a thing yet, our furnaces and kilns were all made from raw clay, or from bricks put together with clay. Heat made the clay dry, and if a (fragile, primitive) furnace broke, it can be easily fixed with more clay.
Now, in dozens of forges, hundreds of Craftsn Bees (also requested by Researchina) were making new furnaces next to the old ones, while Researcher Bees nearby told them what exactly to do and wrote down the results.
And each of these furnaces was different from all others. There were different shapes, different approaches to slting—each of which could work in theory, and thus, could only be tested in practice.
Instead of conducting all the necessary for research experints one by one, Researchina conducted all the experints at once! It was less efficient, but it sure saved a lot of ti.
Especially since even now, the colleagues of these bees were making more prototype schematics.
Later, the knowledge gained from the first experints will be used to produce the third wave of furnaces… and so on, until one of them actually worked.
I had to really applaud Researchina and her girls for developing so many experintal prototypes in the first place.
Earlier, when the railway was still in the road-planning stages, the Researcher Bees, who currently stood over Craftsn Bees' shoulders, spent hours drawing schematics.
Hundreds, no, thousands of bees, for *hours* on end. There were dozens of thousands of bee-hours in this research project, and there were going to be way more by the ti it was complete.
And sohow, the brains of my daughters didn't boil and pour out of their ears after all this. It was incredible.
"You *are* incredible, you know it, Researchina? You and all your girls."
"We will be incredible after the experints produce success," she replied.
I shook my head and went to deal with other things. My oversight was needed in many places; the larger the Empire beca, the more grease, honey and headpats was needed for it to run smoothly, even with the love and loyalty of my adorable daughters.
However, when I had a free hour, I found my Chief Artist Bee, Worriesgone, in the art workshop.
***
The place was one of the most interesting ones in the Hive Supremo. Artist Bees have gathered materials of all kinds and experinted with various kinds of arts here.
Wax tablets were still the most popular, but I saw many drawings on more durable materials: mostly wood carvings, but there were a few attempts to paint on leather with coal. There were also wax, clay and wood figurines made in a similar style.
Besides the symbolic images of and bees, there were more detailed pictures of various subjects, although overall, it still looked like child drawings.
Music wasn't forgotten, either—drums and crude bone flutes were carried by Artist Bees and lying on shelves.
"Father!" Worriesgone greeted . She looked like I interrupted her in the middle of an art lesson to Lieutenant Artists. "I'm so glad you ca to visit us. We all missed you."
The Artists sure looked like it—all full of cheerful smiles despite the sickly appearance that made want to wrap them in a blanket, give them so hot cocoa, and never let them et the cruel and scary word outside.
"I'm sorry for not dropping in more often, girls. But I've seen your works all over this hive and even outside of it, so I know you were doing a great job. Hell, the Empire even has a culture stat now, and I bet it's all *your* doing!" I said, patting Worriesgone's head. "Now, I see you are really doing well."
As much as I tried to be a good father, I'd have to be a literal god to give all my daughters enough attention. The least I could do was to make their efforts feel appreciated when I could.
Worriesgone blushed a little and looked down shyly.
"Thank you, Father. It's very little compared to what Craftsn or Researchers do, but we try our best. And I know it will take too long for you to give headpats to every Artist, but can you pat heads of my Lieutenants, too, please?"
I was going to die at this mont despite having many days of lifespan left—die from the cuteness overdose.
"Of course. *Of course* I can!"
I gave a vigorous headpat to every eager Lieutenant Artist, and this was when I saw my undoing.
A dozen of Sergeant Artists stopped drawing and just watched from the sides like holess children watching toys in shop windows during Christmas.
I took in a deep breath and flexed my hands.
…Half an hour later, my hands were tired, but I finally got to my actual business here.
"Worriesgone, every bee is a hard-working one, but Researcher Bees at the Project Hotwheels work especially hard. Yet they won't accept my praise! Can you make sothing that will boost their self-esteem a little? Inspire them, perhaps?"
It'd be nice if this little art project gave Researchers not only a morale boost but also an inspiration to complete their work faster.
Worriesgone smiled.
"Of course, Father! We heard that 'Project Hotwheels' will be vital for the hive… it's an honor to take part in it, even so indirectly. We will do our best work."
"I know you will, my dear."
And they did—before the end of the day, a massive pale green caterpillar leather banner was hanged in front of the main laboratory.
Instead of the usual symbolic images, there was a picture of my face that was recognizable as a face. Below it was written, "FAZER LOVS YU VERY MUCH".
Regardless of spelling, it did what it had to. I spied a few Researchers actually glancing at the banner and smiling. And this was just one of the several dozen pictures and figurines made over the next few days.
And, whether it helped the actual research speed, a week after Project Hotwheels' start, Researchina's forceful ways produced results.
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