"Next, I want to know if there are girls among the chaotically evolved ones who have a particular set of abilities, which could've been overlooked. Especially since this ability might be even rarer than 'Precognition'… Telepathy. Has there been anyone who could send thoughts right into the heads of the people?"
I watched with hope as Researchina, Worriesgone, and Ambrosia frowned in thought at once.
This ability was *definitely* in the list of available ones. Several months ago, I had missed the opportunity to take it, but now things were different.
Finally, Ambrosia's face lit in recognition.
"I think I know who you are talking about, Necty. At first, she showed no signs of special abilities upon ergence, but I've told the Chief Nurses to tell even seemingly insignificant things. This bee is still in school right now, but there were rumors that sotis they heard her speak when her mouth was closed."
Researchina nodded.
"Yes, I've heard the sa, and was planning to put her through an extended job and ability evaluation. However, the war efforts made put the project off. The Researchers have been upgrading our fire pots instead."
I've noticed the extra technology in my colony status by now, so I knew what she was talking about.
〔Primitive Incendiary Bombs〕
Brainpower requirent: 27000
Allows creating incendiary bombs.
Military: 50 per 1 thousand affected soldiers.
〔〕〔〕〔〕
"Ah, yes. Those… Great work with them, I must say, Researchina."
The Science Adviser raised her chin proudly.
"I'm glad to expand my knowledge and serve the Empire. While you were gone, we also made minor improvents in many existing technologies and created a prototype of steel! The latest happened just recently, so we didn't have ti to show it. But we will."
I raised my finger.
"This is even better, Researchina. Absolutely! But first—I need to talk with this bee. Did she pick her na already?"
"No, she was waiting for her job evaluation to pass, as most bees do nowadays. For now, she responds to B568-114."
I nodded.
This was a common identification system, which was made a while before my disappearance. Although unique nas were good and all, many bees didn't pick one until they picked their future job.
Until then, Teachers and Nurses had to call them sohow, and Archivists had to record everybody in their logs. Researchina proposed to just use temporary numbers, like before nas beca a major thing, and thus, this system was born.
B568-114 ant that she was registered 568th in the 114th brood of my daughters.
It was mind-boggling to think how few broods there were compared to the size of Hive Supremo! Just by looking at it, you'd think the amount of bees here was uncountable.
"I need to talk to B568-114 before we can finish any plans. Call her here."
"This will take so ti," Ambrosia said. "Since she was in school, she should've evacuated with other students to a nearby hive before the human attack. I doubt she returned yet—our priority was on cleaning this place, not on bringing back those who evacuated. But I will send a ssage to her so she can et you tomorrow morning."
"Really? Aw, damn. Well, there's no point in talking about my plans yet, then. If the telepathy doesn't work as I need it to, it will be for nothing."
There were a few sighs of disappointnt across the room; then Things-Things perked up.
"Then, Father, you can solve other problems first, yes-yes! We have almost no materials left for the fire pots—the right trees have been cut everywhere where Material Foragers could find them!"
"And Bloodimina's army doesn't have any, either way. They have been sending reports through dragon riders, but the last one ca two days ago," Bloodhero added. "I fear without the fire pots, her soldiers won't be able to get through humans' defenses and our attack won't have as much effect as it needs to."
"And…"
The Empire Council had plenty of ti to fill the rest of my evening.
But afterward, Ambrosia's soft embrace welcod , killing 99% of stressful thoughts. The remaining 1% was chased off by her kisses and other things.
She was so enthusiastic that we broke our bed. The golden nails weren't tough enough to match a Queen who spent an entire month celibate!
Our next bed was going to have iron nails.
***
Next morning, B568-114 ca to the Council Chamber. For now, it was empty except for . And a few Attendants waiting outside. And Destroyer, who refused to leave my side even inside the hive after the fright I gave her.
B568-114 looked like an average young bee, except for the 'Telepathy V' on her gene list. Upon seeing us, her face brightened with awe.
"Father! Oh, it's an honor to see you so close!"
I smiled warmly at her.
"Oh, c'mon. I'm just your dad—it shouldn't be such a big deal."
B568-114 blushed and lowered her face.
'But you are so great… Of course it's an honor! Everybody was so sad when you disappeared; then you reappeared and saved us!'
I jolted in my seat upon hearing this—the words appeared right in my head, bypassing my ears entirely! It didn't look like B568-114 herself was aware of what she was doing, either.
"Have you heard this, Destroyer?" I asked, turning to her excitedly.
"Heard what, Father?" she looked at with a frown. "The last thing you said?"
I shook my head.
"Father?" B568-114 asked in confusion.
I stood up and approached her.
"My dear, have you ever noticed that you can speak directly into people's heads? Or that other people can't?"
She gasped.
"They can't? But they do it to all the ti!"
'What is she talking about?' I wondered and got my answer imdiately.
'Like, right now,' B568-114 said telepathically. 'You said a thing right in my head.'
I recoiled a bit.
"I didn't say anything! Are you reading my thoughts?"
"Reading? But I don't know how to read yet. I've just learned all the letters…" B568-114 blushed again. "Teachers said my writing is pretty, and that it's good."
I chuckled, looking at her with adoration.
"Ah, dear. Alright, let explain to you what I'm talking about—and then I will have one very, *very* important question for you."
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