BOOK 2: THE BOOK OF THE NEW WORLD

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 1. Colonists. 
Chapter 2. The Commandments.
Chapter 3. Ecstasy and Fear.
Chapter 4. Contacts.
Chapter 5. War.
Chapter 6. A Time of Peace and Plenty.
Chapter 7. The Prophet.
Chapter 8. A Find for Algreth.
Chapter 9. The Beyond.

Chapter 1. Colonists. 


Algreth, Naleen and Alreegar climbed warily down the vertical face of the boundary fence. Not being 'tree ants', they had all experienced imbalance before when climbing vertical faces of any great height and this metre-and-a-half of sheer planking had a similar effect. The fence was made from rough-sawn taper-edged timber and its surface presented no problems in providing a grip for their clawed feet. Thus, their decent was quite rapid.

Near the bottom, they could see long grasses and then soil. Before this could be reached however, there was a crosspiece of much thicker wood to be negotiated and this formed a ledge on which many web spiders had built their traps. Occasionally one of the trio snagged a leg against the strong, clinging strands but they cut through them matter-of-factly and marched on, before the long, groping forelegs of the investigating spider could grasp them and pull them onto its venomous jaws.

Not that spiders were ever thought of with terror. In fact, they were normally the hunted ... or at least, their surface patrolling cousins were. Foraging ant packs frequently downed a much larger surface spider without any great loss of life. As is often the case where predator meets predator, it is the will to win which determines the outcome. The spiders were known to be cowards when tackled in strength by a resolute hunter pack and their bloated bodies formed a very substantial proportion of the food upon which ant colonies sustained themselves.

The three ants quickly threw off the fears they had known in their prison and by the time they reached the bottom of the fence hunger had become a dominant motivating force. On reaching the base of one of the supporting posts, they began to search the more familiar soil surface with their antennae for scent patterns and to look about them for the slightest movement; for anything which could be eaten. They were rewarded almost immediately.

A young wood-louse had left the security of a split plank of wood to explore – prematurely, for it was not yet dusk. The first he knew of the pain and terror that was to beset him was when one of his fourteen legs was seized in a fierce grip. He hunched his hard, segmented body immediately into a protective shield but he could not free his leg from the vice of serrated teeth.

Algreth had attacked automatically, although not trained as a forager. Joined by the other two within seconds, the outcome was inevitable. The wood-louse died slowly and in stark fear. There was no creature to come to his aid and he had no way of fighting back. He provided a tasty snack.

Some distance into the region of high, waving grasses and tall-stemmed wild flowers in which they found themselves, they discovered a much more substantial meal. This one again presented no threat to its attackers but it was much more difficult to overcome.

It was Naleen who first sensed the sweet odour of a caterpillar on a leaf above her head. She shouted and released a calling smell for the others and then raced up the plant. It was always a problem pushing through the protective hairs of these creatures and when she did, to sink her mandible points into its soft, juicy flesh, it was only to produce a violent jerk that tore it out of her grasp. It plopped down onto the soil below.

She was met by Algreth and Alreegar on the surface and the three of them fought to subdue the fat, bucking caterpillar. Eventually, the torn muscles and sprayed on venom weakened their prey and they began to gain the upper hand. Normally a small army of ants would have been given this task. The resulting supply of food, though, was far too much for just the three of them so, after feeding themselves until they were gorged, they sprayed their trail with recognition scents – as they would normally have done for the benefit of the own communities – and left the chewed carcass behind. They paused now to 
take stock of their situation.

"The brightness fades", said Naleen. "What shall we do now?"

Algreth was wiser in the ways of the 'Universe covers', however.

"The water droplets will come soon … many, many, I fear. It is not yet time for the darkness-period. Let us seek shelter."

They searched for a broad-leafed plant or something better. Algreth and Alreegar knew that many droplets would cause the surface to swim with water and make any plant a poor shelter. Even as they searched, a blinding flash of light came.

"The Brightness of the Gods", breathed Naleen. This was something she thought she knew about, living as she had, near a house. She was not prepared for the sense-stunning crash which followed the flash, however. As an underground worker, she had only heard the muffled reverberations of thunder before; never, as now, its undampened fury. She cowered lower, her antennae flattened. The large raindrops beat down upon them now in an ever-quickening tempo.

Soon the topsoil had become saturated, then awash, with the drops lashing it unmercifully. The darkness was now at its peak, relieved only by periodic flashes of total brilliance after which would come the antennae-numbing crashes … which then seemed to roll around the universe.

The din from the falling water-drops was considerable and the three comrades felt all their senses assailed in a most unpleasant way. Although the body-pores through which they breathed were shielded and their bodies protected by wax and natural oils, the rain was so tumultuous that they began to feel some discomfort at the lack of oxygen.

Somehow they dragged themselves forward until, when they were as miserable as they had ever been through physical discomfort, they reached a huge root … so large was it that they did not even recognise it as such. It was the base of a giant ash tree, separating from the main trunk and arching out into the soil. Here they sheltered, gradually recovering their spirits. They were still there when the true darkness of night fell.

* * *

The three awoke in the half-light preceding the true dawn. They looked out across a soaked world and they each sensed the heavy moisture content that now pervaded the air. The rain had stopped, though, but it was much cooler than of late and the trio briskly explored the rough, curved surface of the exposed root and lower trunk of the mighty tree that sheltered them. They separated and it was as Algreth returned alone to where the sheltering root met the soil that he came face-to-face with a red, male ant, even larger than he. He sensed the attacking intent of the other and, before his adversary could do anything, Algreth raced in and seized a foreleg.

The other ant had already started an instinctive but impossible manoeuvre: he tried to swing his gaster into the venom-squirting position. As he was still clinging to the bark of the tree, however, and at a steep angle as well, his grip on the bark faltered and he almost fell. When Algreth's powerful jaws crushed his leg, he did fall.

Algreth stepped forward in a flash, spitting out fragments of hair and leg. The bigger male was now in a pitiable state but Algreth felt no pangs of conscience as closed for the kill. The other ant had fallen on his back and become covered in wet, clinging soil particles as he scrabbled to regain his good five feet. Although young, he was still weak from the previous week's exertions following the nuptial flight with its consequent sexual activities. He was programmed to die, anyway. Now he wasted valuable energy by again arching his gaster and squirting venom at random.

Fortunately for Algreth this all missed. He was able to pick his spot and bite into a vital area. He stood back warily but it was all over. The death throes ended and the alarm scents released during the battle soon brought Naleen and Alreegar.

"I don't know where he came from", Algreth said, surprisingly cool. "But it was him or me, that was clear."

Alreegar made a closer examination of the stricken ant and waved his antennae in agitated surprise.

"He's an Al flyer! … There must be a royal female around here somewhere. We could have another fight on our claws."

They resumed their exploration, this time together and with much more caution. It was Naleen who found what they all half-expected to find: a tunnel entrance. It was well hidden around the other side of the tree-trunk. Its position had been well chosen for it had not only escaped flooding but was still dry. A second large root pushed out from the tree and the entrance was right under its protecting bulk. Soil heaps lay around and, as they approached the tunnel mouth which gaped before them, they could hear a faint scratching noise underground which told them that the queen was excavating still.

"What shall we do?" whispered Naleen, looking for leadership. 

"If she is an Al colonist, she will not be alarmed if we released our recognition scent into the tunnel", reasoned Alreegar.

Algreth avoided buzzing his agreement for this was a penetrating sound. He twitched his antennae instead in a way that meant the same thing. They both did as Alreegar had suggested any waited. The scratching stopped and there was a long pause.

Presently a pair of large antennae could just be seen and they all sensed a new ant odour but one which the two Al ants recognised as having the same origins as theirs. The young queen emerged very, very slowly, prepared to fight.

Algreth quickly said, "Al greetings."

The queen did not respond immediately but carefully studied and sensed the trio. That they were obviously not hostile, was her conclusion.

"How and why have you come here?" queried the queen, then, remembering her training, "I am called Sulenanda."

"I am Algreth", and, touching his comrades in turn with an antenna, Algreth introduced them. He then plunged into the lengthy explanation of what had befallen the Al and Na colonies during the ten days since Sulenanda's nuptial flight. She listened carefully and her whole demeanour showed the sadness she felt. Algreth was more hesitant when he came to explain about the fight with her mate, but the queen accepted this by saying, "It was his natural reaction to defend the new city ... and yours to defend yourself. It is done."

Algreth was glad it was accepted so easily.

"We would like to join your new colony …" He awaited agreement from Naleen and Alreegar and they quickly buzzed their ascent. "… for we have no other home now …or none that we can find."

"You are welcome here for there is much to be done", said Sulenanda.

Algreth turned to the others. "I think we would like to help you dig this brightness-period but, after the next darkness we must have a meeting to decide the path our future should take."

And so it was. Eventually, they ended their second day in the new world by slumping wearily into a sound sleep, safe under the roots of a tree whose size they could never comprehend.

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Chapter 2. The Commandments.


The whole community was present at the first meeting of the new council … all four of them. They sensed each other slowly and silently, almost as though awaiting a signal. Presently, the young queen decided that, as founder of the colony, she should take the lead.

"This is an unusual meeting. Normally a colony-founder must await her first hatchlings before any such assemblies can be held. Her first mate will have died, so she is alone for many, many brightness-periods. Now, there are the four of us, joined together by accident. We can plan and make decisions that will not only affect our lives but all those who will live here. Most important, those decisions can be taken from experience of what has gone before. Has anyant anything to say?" 
She looked at each in turn.

"Yes, Sulenanda. I have many thoughts on this matter." It was Algreth, of course, who responded. "Whether or not they are accepted should depend on how many of us agree that they are wise thoughts. We … the new Council, that is … must agree, or at least, decide on several things. We must build a nest of words from which all future happenings may hatch so that our colony may thrive and yet be content."

"Well, that sounds wise enough, Algreth, but start to build your 'nest' so that we may judge the rest." It was Alreegar who spoke.

"Right!" Algreth looked determined. "We must make our decisions by counting those who think so also, and those who are against. If two are for and two against, Sulenanda's voice will decide." They buzzed their agreement to this, a new concept for ants. Algreth continued.

"Secondly, all citizens should be allowed to become members of the Council. The Al community did not allow aliens to become members of its Supreme Council. I believe that if anyant is accepted as a citizen, they should be able to become elected as a representative."

"Can any alien but an ant become a citizen?" Sulenanda sought clarification.

"No", said Algreth firmly. "A cased-wing is simply a visitor and cannot have the same status as one of our own race."

They thought carefully for some time. These new laws – for that is what they were – posed new concepts beyond their experience. With Naleen already tacitly accepted on equal terms and the other Al ants being from another colony, the first part was already fait accompli. No-ant spoke up on behalf of the beetles which were rarely welcome. The 'motion' was carried.

Algreth had had plenty of moments, while searching out his lenses, to dream about his utopia. He hastened on.

"Further", he said. "I would like to see other colonists accepted more readily into our city as citizens …"

"Is that not dangerous?" broke in Alreegar, seeing it from a military perspective.

"I have discussed this often in the past with other scientists", argued Algreth, quickly. "An exchange of knowledge could bring enormous benefits. And, think how much knowledge is lost when a new colony is formed. Apart from the royal-female's training and the knowledge passed on to her before she leaves, there is only the wisdom we are hatched with … that given to us by the Gods."

"That may be true, Algreth, but I was told many, many things before my flight. I feel I know much of what there is to know about the universe."

Algreth almost despaired. He knew that the acquired worldly wisdom of many, many brightness-periods, nay, seasons, were as the huge tree over their home compared to a small plant. He tried to explain some of this as tactfully as he could to Sulenanda.

She was aghast. "But, surely, …. I thought most of the knowledge of life had been told to me …" She stumbled in her naivety through a dawning realisation. "This must be so." She admitted his logic at last.

Algreth was coming to the conclusion that in Sulenanda they had an unusually fair-minded colleague – and it was becoming obvious that she was, indeed, more colleague than leader.

"If antkind is ever to reach a high state of development", concluded Algreth, "we must pass on knowledge from each established city to each new colony. Furthermore, we must learn from our neighbour-cities."

Alreegar was still not convinced. "I think we tread a dangerous path if we trust our neighbours too far. If we have their citizens in our midst, how shall we be prepared if they become hostile and attack us?"

"Why does one city attack another?" parried Algreth. "Nearly always it is due to suspicion, not because there is a real cause. If we get to know each other better, the suspicions will not exist. We could even unite against our true enemies … Share food when one city is low and its neighbour has too much. Much good could come of this, I know."

There was a long, thoughtful silence. Sulenanda spoke.

"You have given us much to think about, Algreth. I think we should take several brightness-periods to reach a decision so that it may be a just one. Are there more things we need to discuss at this meeting?"

"May I speak a thought?" Naleen asked in her quiet, unassuming way. The others buzzed encouragement.

"We have a great deal of work to do. Let us debate but one new thing at each meeting, otherwise we will have a city of mere words."

The others were amused by this but saw its sense.

"Well spoken, Naleen", acknowledged Sulenanda. "There is but one thing, however, left to decide … What duties will each of us carry out until our sisters and brothers hatch next season? It seems we have four main areas of work represented here … I, breeding; Naleen, food-processing; Alreegar, foraging and defence; Algreth, our thinker … you must be our link and overseer. But take care in the upper world, Algreth and Alreegar. There are many dangers and you will have no army of fighters until next season to aid you … Until next early-brightness, then. To work!"

Antennae touched briefly, the contact with Naleen sending a shock of pleasure through Algreth. Then they parted.

* * *

Gradually a working system evolved and at each meeting a new part of the 'nest of words' was built. One thing they decided, on Naleen's suggestion, was not to name the hatchlings after the city. Sulenanda did not mind at all. She tended to be more concerned with practical aspects and, especially, the design of the city tunnel and chamber complex. The business of the Council meetings was varied and came as a welcome daily relief from the sheer hard work they all had to do. Algreth frequently wondered how a single queen ever managed.

Alreegar began to think that Sulenanda's warning about the dangers of the upper-world was too pessimistic as she made her wide-ranging daily sorties about the city. On the fifth day, her relaxing vigilance almost cost her her life.

She had struck out on a new path from the city. Already she had set out a network of paths almost like the first two rings of a spider's web except that the fence intersected them. Each trail was marked by a strong, lasting scent. The new radial path took her away from the fence and – although she could not know this – towards the centre of the plot of land adjoining the Parkinson's garden.

Still a wilderness, it was mostly long, uncut grasses, already beginning to turn straw coloured, and tall, wild flowers including rosebay willowherbs and poppies. Some of the construction timbers, left over as the bungalow was being built, had been scattered haphazardly around and some of these pieces had been there for some time. In one split piece, a colony of earwigs lived and one of the older adults had ventured out looking for food. The two insects met suddenly and sensed each other almost at the same time.

The shock of the meeting almost caused Alreegar to act instinctively and to rush forward to attack, whilst releasing 'come to my assistance' scents. She remembered the true situation just in time: there was no fighter army to hasten to her assistance. She compromised by adopting the venom-squirting attack/defence posture with her gaster pulled right up under her thorax so that the anal jet could be aimed forward. Alreegar was usually pretty accurate and she had a full sac of the highly toxic venom. She hesitated though, awaiting any further advance from this familiar adversary. The earwig on the 
other hand had no experience of battle with such a creature as this … and he lacked the aggressive nature of a soldier ant. Slowly and cautiously he began to back off. Soon he was but a faint sound in the grass jungle. Alreegar relaxed.

In the following months of mid and late summer, Alreegar completed her system of surface tracks and contributed an enormous variety of food for Naleen to process. She did not have time to tend aphids – the 'sweet-bodied ones' – although she found plenty. Neither did she risk injury by attacking ground spiders. Her main supply of proteins came from earthworms, caterpillars, wire-worms, green and black fly and other injured flies. She also found a bumble-bee dying from insecticide poisoning, a half-eaten mouse, several damaged or dying-from-old-age butterflies, a broken bird's egg and a large variety of larvae and pupae. A pleasant change from protein came when she found a toffee dropped a workman.

Naleen worked steadily on this supply of food, providing 'instant' meals for the others by regurgitation and putting the surplus into storage. Some of this was waxed as a protection. On the occasions when she no food to work on, she would accompany Alreegar or Algreth on foraging expeditions.

She was beginning to like Algreth – more than she revealed to him – and she was easily aware of his love for her. Something in their early relationship delayed the inevitable love-making: some magic spark was needed to forge the final bond. As it was, they were content when in each other's company and they chatted easily about the past and the future. Naleen could now talk without distress of the events leading up to the Na city catastrophe and its subsequent outcome.

Algreth found his new position unique and, at first, he was not sure on which of his many duties he should place most emphasis. Each day he kept the others informed as to what was happening in each sector. It would have been easy, after the daily Council meeting, for the other ants to lose themselves in their individual jobs so, he provided a common thread that linked them together as one unit.

He did his share of foraging too, and also helped with tests and calculations … although even he had to struggle with numbers. But, Algreth found the time, occasionally, to slip back into his former role in the Old World. When he came across a suitable drop of moisture, usually hanging from a leaf or its stem, he would use his skill to scan the distant horizon and to puzzle over what he saw. How did the Gods fit into this new environment, he wondered? Would they make their presence known in some new fashion? Many of the old 'signs' appeared to be missing from this new world. It seemed totally different  from that of his old life and it gave him food for thought. 

His mind was as lively as ever and, quite apart from the philosophical paths his thoughts would follow, he continued to come up with many original practical ideas. His tremendous contribution to the new society that would soon blossom and expand, was already apparent to the others … the wise suggestions for a constitution by which it could be governed. He was the 'elder statesman' as well as leader/co-ordinator of the group and he was the first the others looked to in any crisis.

The remainder of the season's cycle passed uneventfully, however, except for one near crisis. Although it never materialised as such, it came as a shock and frightened them all.

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Chapter 3. Ecstasy and Fear.


Algreth was happy. He strolled along with Naleen by his side, both enjoying the relaxation of each other's company, pleasant conversation, and the warmth of late-summer sunshine. Occasionally their paths diverged as a sturdy flower-stem or stalk of grass stood in their way, but they carried on talking. All was well with their world for food stocks were high, a good city complex had been dug out, and a working system had been agreed in council. Now they could afford to relax a little as autumn began to paint out all the greens and replace them with warm yellows and reds.

They were well outside the shade of the tree and the heat made them pause: there was no particular reason for them to walk too far. Algreth, as usual, made the major contribution to their discussion.

"It could not have been otherwise, Naleen."

"But, that doesn't make sense … we haven't been born again. All we did was to be enclosed in a container for a while … admittedly, in a strange manner that we do not understand. Or are you saying that you do understand? That you can explain everything? If so, Algreth, you'd better explain it to me."

"When I told you that I had looked through the container wall, you agreed that what I saw and described to you must have been the Structure by the Na city, yes?"

"Agreed."

"And that we must have passed through an entrance into the Structure?"

"Yes, Algreth. But other Na citizens have explored inside the Structure and found sweet-foods there … But, no Gods."

"How did your astronomers or thinkers explain the Structure", Algreth pressed.

"We had no astronomers … And, I don't know what you mean by thinkers. We are all thinkers, surely."

"Naleen, my love …" There was an awkward pause. The words had slipped out. Both realised the significance but Algreth attempted to hide his sudden embarrassment by hurrying on. "The Al city has … or, had … many scientists, priests and clever thinkers who thought deeply about the Gods and matters concerning The Beyond and other things outside our world. Surely the Na community had these also?"

"I know of no such ants, Algreth. The Structure is there: what is there to think about?"

"Naleen! If anything is not natural … that is, if it does not live and die … as the plants do … or if it has an unnatural shape or form …"

Algreth was struggling to explain the viewpoint of an ant used to a natural world and, therefore, capable of noticing anything 'unnatural'. Naleen was used to a different world – one largely composed of man-made objects. To her, it was more likely that plants and stones were created by the Gods. Algreth was like a sighted man explaining what he sees to someone who has always been blind.

"But, we must have been taken by a God, Naleen. The manner of our capture; the nature of the container; and, the release into another world … Could these have been other than by the will of the Gods?"

"Certainly I have no answers, Algreth. Maybe you are right in this."

"Then … if a God took us … for whatever reason … and went into the Structure, the Structure must be the home of a God or a family of Gods. It could be a God city … but I have no further evidence on that ... Naleen! Will you come with me?"

Algreth seemed suddenly charged with energy and Naleen struggled to keep up with the rapidly increased pace of her longer-legged companion.

"Not so fast, Algreth", she pleaded.

It seemed only a short time before they found a large piece of jagged glass blocking their path. Naleen did not recognise it as the material of their erstwhile container but Algreth, who had discovered it on an earlier outing, was quick to explain.

"Look", he said, excitedly. "This is the same substance as the container was made from. It is a poor lens … but, look through it."

Naleen peered curiously through the dirty, translucent material.

"Back a little", advised Algreth.

She moved slowly backwards. Then … she could just make out a familiar-looking but very blurred shape. It dawned upon her that what she looking at was a Structure – but, somehow different from her Structure. Algreth waited eagerly for her to absorb what she had seen. He could contain himself no longer, however.

"Another God nest", he breathed. "If I am right, this tells us that there may be a God city reasonably closeby made up of individual nests similar to this." He was so excited at sharing his knowledge that he moved closer to Naleen and touched his antennae against hers. It was a moment of tender intimacy and she succumbed to his excitement and his sharing of the thrilling discovery.

"Naleen", he almost whispered. "We have learned about the Gods … seen where they live …"

Despite his preoccupation with this matter, it suddenly evaporated. More important was the closeness of the ant he loved. Suddenly, he was tapping her body gently with his antennae. Startlingly, she responded. Algreth was never again to recapture this moment of incredible ecstasy. For the next five minutes the world of ants and gods was forgotten as they made love.

* * *

As the lovers returned to their new city home they sensed sound vibrations; shrill, penetrating – and frightening. They increased their pace. Aware of a rustling and then a shadow falling across them, they instinctively crouched low.

Thud. Fine soil particles showered about them. Grasses were flattened like a fighter's antennae in battle. They were enveloped in noise … and leaves. Fear hurled its shafts into their minds but, then, all was suddenly still. Again, a shrill, vibrant whine screeched at them; then, 'thud' again, not far away. A ground-shaking thud. Naleen gasped, "What is it?"

For once, Algreth was at a complete loss.

* * *

Sulenanda was tired. Although she had completed the main tunnel structure many brightness-periods ago, she was still trying to get the egg storage chambers shaped to her satisfaction. Her huge jaws ached with the effort.

She broke off from her task and sought the company of Alreegar, for she knew that Algreth and Naleen had left the underground complex. Algreth, true to his new role as co-ordinator, had informed the remaining pair of his plans before leaving. Sulenanda found her army commander-designate standing near to the tunnel entrance, doing nothing in particular. The latter was wishing she had some Coltac to chew, for there seemed to be nothing more demanding of her energies at the moment. Paths were laid; there was no pressing need for food to be found; no dangers threatened. Strangely, she did not 
enjoy this inactivity.

The two females looked at the scene before them with mixed feelings. Sulenanda was content. She had accomplished all that was expected of a colonist and more, thanks to her three colleagues. Alreegar, though, felt impatient for a busier life and for an army of fighters to command. She had wintered before and found no satisfaction in the long sleep. Once, she had awoken prematurely to find several of her companions dead from a marauding attack and this impressed itself into her darkness dreams. She was a typical soldier in her thinking.

Both sets of antennae stiffened together. Sound vibrations alerted their senses. These seemed to continue for some time - a mixture of thuds, variable-pitch noises, and then a hideous, brain-scrambling whine. It seemed to be above them. The whine changed to a deeper, unpleasant growl and tiny specks of hard-plant stem floated down about them.

Thud … fairly close. CRASH. A shadow darkened the universe cover briefly, then crisp, brown leaves whirled about them. Then a creaking crash and more leaves, rustling and flying about.

Both Sulenanda and Alreegar and, several metres away, Algreth and Naleen, heard quite clearly the strange vibrations that followed these more terrifying noises. Algreth already suspected that they were sounds which the Gods used to communicate. He had no way of interpreting their meaning, of course …

"Is that enough, then, Mister Halkin? I could chop the whole tree down if you like."

"No, thank you. I just wanted a little more light letting through but I like a tree in my garden. Gives it more 
character." 

Still recovering from their terror, the four ants did not realise that what they heard guaranteed them safety – for this year and for many to come.

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Chapter 4. Contacts.


Joe Parkinson leaned on his fork and surveyed his handiwork. He had started turning over the soil and generally tidying the garden last week. Already, many of the hundreds of daffodils in the garden were nodding their trumpet heads wisely in the March wind, as though approving his work. Joe felt the cool breeze through his loose-knit sweater and wished that he was in his armchair watching a film on TV.

He placed his wellingtoned feet carefully on the edge of the rockery so as not to loosen any stones then stepped down onto the slabs. He was gratified to find they no longer rocked unevenly under his weight and, remembering the ants he had destroyed last year, he squatted down for a moment and studied the rockery and then the soil on the other side of the path. There was no sign of life.

His wife walked around to him and handed him a mug of coffee.

"I thought this might warm you up. Brrr … it is chilly. Have you seen anything of our new neighbour yet, Joe? I thought I heard him doing something in his garden not long ago."

"I've been too busy."

"Well, I'm sure he'll be moving in any day now … "

"Rufus! Get off the garden, you stupid mut. Sorry, love … If I see him, I'll have a natter over the fence. See if there's anything we can do to help."

"Good. Sue at the shop thinks he's a bachelor. Perhaps he'll be getting married soon."

"Here we go! Don't worry; I'll ask all the key questions … Are you married yet? Why not? Divorced? Getting married soon? What sort of washing machine have you got?"

"Joe! I'm going in anyway. It's too cold for me out here."

"OK … I'll get on with feeding my friend the robin."

Eventually, Joe had collected enough weeds and dead flower stems to barrow them to his compost heap. This lay close to the boundary fence that separated his garden from the unkempt plot next door, the plot where a new bungalow had gradually materialised over the last year. This was to be the home of his new neighbour – or, was it 'neighbours'?

He looked over the fence and saw a bearded, dark-haired man of about thirty collecting up rubbish and generally tidying up.

"Hello", he called out, cheerfully. "It's a bit cool today."

The man straightened up, still holding a piece of planking. Joe studied the face carefully. The hair was rather long, he thought - although men had been wearing their hair long for enough years now for Joe to have got used to it. But, it was the eyes more than the hair that caught his attention. They were a clear, penetrating blue and they seemed to see right into his mind. Joe could not avoid drawing a comparison with the normally accepted Western world portraits of Jesus. Perhaps the hair was darker. To shake off the strange effect of this cool gaze, he tried a deliberate mental blasphemy … Christ, he thought, what a man to have as a neighbour. Verbally however, he simply introduced himself.

"I'm Joe Parkinson."

They reached for each other's hand over the fence.

"My name's Dave Halkin." The voice was soft but it had a strong, impressive quality. It went with the image, Joe admitted to himself.

"I expect you're about ready to move in. If you need any help at all, please don't be afraid to ask." Joe smiled. Again he thought, he doesn't look at all a shy sort … quiet but pretty self-reliant, I should imagine.

"Thanks. I may take you up on that."

Joe looked up and down his neighbour's ground, from bungalow to the hedge at the bottom of the garden.

"You've certainly got a lot of work there, Dave. I just hope you're fit. It would finish off my back to have to begin 
all over again with a new garden."

Dave turned his back slowly and followed Joe's gaze. "I keep pretty fit … but, I don't intend to lay out a formal garden. I'm one of these 'natural garden' freaks, I suppose. I want to plant a lot of wild flowers and some flowering bushes. See if I can increase the butterfly and bee populations. Don't worry, though; I'll make sure you don't get a lot of dandelion or other seeds floating across … and I'll keep the couch grass away from the fence."

"Oh, don't worry too much about it, Dave. I must say, I admire a man who can cope without modern insecticides. I'm afraid I use them quite often but, maybe you're right … the blighters keep coming back, anyway."

"Well, I know a lot of people worry these days about what all these chemicals we spray about all over the place are doing to us. But, that's just my philosophy. I shan't preach about it or get upset if you continue to use them." There was a slight pause, signalling the near end of their conversation.

"I think I had better let you get on", said Joe. "Those branches you had cut down last year will take some sawing up. You decided not to have the whole tree felled, then?"

"I feel the same way about trees as I do about insects and animals … the world's losing too many of all of them. The few branches which are sawn off will let more light through and supply me with logs to burn."

"Right, Dave! I'll press on … Don't forget: if you need any help …"

"Thanks again, Joe. I'll remember."

* * *

Later, Joe and Mary discussed their younger neighbour and his 'strange' beliefs. Joe apologised for not having asked his 'key' questions after all, though he guessed Mary would not take long in finding out the things that interested her, anyway.

"I don't think he's a crank", Joe said. "Somehow he rather impressed me … but, I suppose that could have been because of his Jesus-like appearance. The meeting was quite friendly, that's one thing. He seems a nice enough chap to have as a neighbour."

* * *

It had been decided at the Council meeting that Alreegar and Algreth would make a longer trip than usual; an expedition into unknown territory, to establish contact, if possible, with other ants. They would try to assess possible dangers and to see if Algreth's revolutionary ideas on peaceful co-existence were, indeed, practical.

It was, perhaps, a dangerous time to try such an experiment, for there were only the two other remaining founder-members to cope with all the incubation and hatching work which had to be done in the next few weeks – should anything befall the explorers. It had caused fierce debate among the four of them, Algreth arguing that a colony-founder would normally have managed this task alone, anyway. Strangely, it was Naleen who had voted against the idea, with the queen uncommitted. The latter had expected to work alone, as Algreth had pointed out, and she could see the wisdom of Algreth's viewpoint. That the first brood would present her with an enormous workload was undeniable but, she had been bred for just such a task.

The two remaining females watched the explorers leave, with some anxious soul-searching, especially by Naleen. Apart from her personal loss should anything happen to Algreth, the new colony badly needed the expertise and the wise counsel of both 'Als' if it were to have any chance of following the new commandments.

The first day of the exploration was uneventful and a surprisingly large section of the garden was explored. They soon left the little network of marked pathways, some of which were still blocked by fallen branches, far behind and they pushed on into the central region of the garden. They travelled about twenty centimetres apart – just within sight and easy call of each other – so that they could rush to each other's assistance if necessary. But they met few creatures during the first day. A few early bees were about, braving the cold winds in their search for pollen, but little else disturbed the air above them. On the surface, various insect forms were only slowly gearing up to the warmer, busy mating season that lay ahead. The two slept under a strange, red, square-faced stone … which Algreth thought had all the signs of being God-made. This was yet another indication of the presence of the Almighty Ones in this new world and, remembering what had befallen them in the old, both their minds knew a tingling of fear. As Algreth drifted slowly into sleep, he wondered why he had ever assumed for a moment that this wilderness would be free from Their presence.

* * *

The next day, the two comrades reached a spot almost equidistant from the bungalow and the three boundaries enclosing the wild garden at its back. A lorry had left deeply rutted tracks where it had entered a rear gateway to deliver building materials close to the bungalow. They crossed these with no trouble but paused to examine the small puddles of water still held in the ruts. Although tiny by comparison, both were reminded of the 'forever-water' of the old world.

The almost vertical walls of the ruts provided them with a new phenomenon: upon reaching the edge of a puddle, they saw their own reflections for the first time. Their initial reaction was that they faced other ants through a 'skin' but, upon touching the surface of the water, they realised that they were a part of the whole reflected scene. This excited Algreth's scientific mind more than it did Alreegar's, who seemed to accept the situation for what it was.

Algreth puzzled over the implications as they traversed the ruts, but neither spoke. It was just after they had regained the normal level ground, that a new apparition confronted them.

"What in the Universe is that?" gasped Alreegar.

It was an old water cistern that had been on the land since it was part of a cow pasture. Originally galvanised to protect it from rusting, it had gradually succumbed to the elements and was now blotched with crumbling, reddish-brown areas.

Their first contact with an alien race of ants came even as they stood before the dark and, to them, possibly threatening bulk. A leaf moved and Algreth's sharp eyes immediately saw a small, dark ant pushing through towards them. He quickly released a 'I am friendly' scent, even before he spoke and this caused Alreegar to swing round in surprise.

"What …?" began the latter. A voice cut across her – but it was like no language they had ever heard before, even the tone being harsh and alien.

"Stap right da", it sounded like.

Algreth answered it, although he was not sure if it required an answer. "We are friends", he said. "We come in peace."

"Stap da", the red-black ant replied. It had laid its antennae back, which did not bode well, but it did not rush to attack either – which would have been a normal reaction.

Alreegar would have been completely nonplussed if she had had to work out, alone, what had been said. She was fortunate to have the agile brain of Algreth beside her.

"I think she says, 'Stop … stop there", guessed Algreth. "It may be a distortion of the way we say things."

"Wotyazay?" the small, red-black ant barked sharply. "Wotyazay?"

Suddenly, many similar small ants appeared and the critical moment had arrived. They were obviously only just holding back from an attack on the two ambassadors, mainly through curiosity and the strange fact that their comrade had not already done so. A harsh dialogue opened up between several members of the pack and the two Als struggled to pick out a few words or phrases.

"Oni too?" … "fram …"; "Wottam say?" … "Nah … gill dem …"

To Alreegar, it was complete gibberish and all her instincts told her to adopt the fighting position but, somehow, she managed to curb these and to wait for Algreth's lead. He, however, was committed fully to a peaceful approach and to displaying this intention to the aliens. Speaking softly again, he enunciated clearly and slowly …

"We … come … in … peace. Not … to …fight."

A tiny ant moved to the front and Algreth was relieved to see her antennae were lifted slightly. He thought the alien had plenty of courage, as she was only about as long as one of his legs.

"Cam bote. Cam", it snapped. Algreth was beginning to suspect that the harshness in their tone was quite normal. He interpreted the sounds as a command to follow. Sure enough, as he moved slowly and carefully forward, with Alreegar quick to fall in behind, the party of red-black ants closed around them in a neat, escorting circle. With the tiny ant leading, they all moved closer to the old cistern.

Surprisingly, the diminutive leader stepped through a small hole in the side of the tank and led them across its flat bottom to a larger hole that had crumbled away a central piece as big as the diameter of a cup. Algreth sensed the strong odours present but could not guess their meaning. He saw not one but three entrances leading into the mixture of soil and rust particles at the lip of the hole.

Although he could just make out the faint shape of antennae in the darkness of each tunnel, he watched as the leading ant marched straight in without giving any audible signal. Algreth guessed they were being checked in some other way, though, but in seconds they were all past the guards and heading downwards into the blackness. Some of the tunnels were a fairly tight fit for the bigger Al ant but he squeezed through without mishap.

The party stopped in a surprisingly large chamber and Algreth and Alreegar both sensed the presence of several more ants, including a much larger one, although they could not tell exactly how big it was. Probably the royal female, thought Algreth. Then he felt his body being examined and, the antennae's touch suggested that this ant was as big as he. The antennae were then removed and he sensed that it was now Alreegar who was being examined. He willed her to stand quietly. He had already been surprised at Alreegar's restraint in view of her training. Algreth has already developed a strong regard 
for the military leader and it was still growing. Then came the harsh tone of the examiner's voice, much louder than those of the ants in the escort party. 

"Saaa! Yacam 'n peace, eh? Va fram yacam?"

"Al … greetings. We … come … from … a …"

"Nanid zay schlo: Ah un'schtand ya. Saaa! … Ya fram Al zity? Lang vekvay. Ahhh! Ecams sumvan ook'n un'schtand ya Als."

A new voice spoke, with only a slight accent. "Al greetings. I am a male who flew here two seasons ago. I have learnt that most flying males die but, for some odd reason … maybe the food I ate … I didn't. I am called Sutril. This is our leader and Mother-of-all, Listra … "

"Lastra; Lastra. Not Leestra", the queen snapped impatiently. "Ya stal cannat zayda zounds prappa."

"I am sorry, Lastra. I do try."

"We come to find other colonies … other cities … and to make friends", Algreth almost babbled in his relief. "We are from a new colony but we will have many hatchlings soon. It is about a brightness-period's walk away." The last bit he stuck on to try to remove any threat to the territory of these ants. 

He could not believe their luck in having found a friendly voice to interpret for them, as the communication problem would have made it very hard to get their message across.

"We would like to form an alliance of ant cities", Algreth wasted no time in broaching his main proposal. "We would all pledge to defend each other against a common enemy and to share food and knowledge."

Sutril repeated all this in the distorted speech of the Listrians, for he knew his queen would not have completely understood what was said despite her earlier claim to understand. There was a short pause while Listra considered.

"Gourd!" she said suddenly. "Gourd! Ah lak dat idee … Ya! Bat, canvee truss ya, eh?"

"You are welcome to send a party to see our city and to meet our colony-founder … " Algreth went on to give a potted history of the calamities which had befallen them in the old world and how they had come to join Sulenanda. Sutril butted in at intervals with his translations.

"Saaa, den. Nax light vee zendt a party vit ya. Day vil spek vit ya lidder, dis Zula nanda. Na, Zutril vil schau ya ar zity, yaa?"

So, they went with Sutril, who explained that the queen really was Listra and that she was a good, thoughtful leader. Her age, he said, had been estimated as at least fourteen seasons.

"Whether or not that is true, she is certainly very old and she gets tired easily", explained their guide. He was very interested in what they could tell him about the old world and fired many questions at Algreth and Alreegar. Algreth was more interested in forging the alliance and getting verbal agreements than in mere sightseeing and resurrecting old memories, however. He recognised, even so, that Sutril – whatever power he carried other than his present duties – would make a useful friend and ally.

As they continued their tour even Algreth's interest was roused, however, at some of the differences in their cultures. There was no information department and priests were few and far between – more like philosophers, really. They were workers too. There was no special council or other organised assembly but several elder ants met with Listra every day – unless she was too tired or not in the mood.

The Brell was a small community, too, for a city of this size. Although the Listrians had readily found a place for Sutril, they did not easily tolerate dropouts or passengers. That might make for a more efficient society, Algreth supposed, but he still thought the Listrians could be taught a thing or two.

Certainly, there were no astronomers or even scientists; at least they were not recognised as such. But Algreth met some sharp minds in his brief tour of this community and they were to be found in all sections. There was all too little time to seek out the deep thinkers and to exchange ideas, for he and Alreegar had set a limit of only four brightness-periods before they must be back. On schedule, they set out with but four Listrians for company. The queen had promised that, if these reported back favourably, she would help to forge friendly links with them and with other red-black ant communities.

* * *

By late May, three other large ant communities, all related to the Listrians, had joined together in an alliance. Algreth had visited each city in turn - Listria, Trida, Naban and Surma – as ambassador and he had got a reciprocal agreement on food, exchange of ideas, and also agreed a defence pact.

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……….

Chapter 5. War.


Cassiada ruled firmly and alone. She subscribed to no council wrangles or indecisiveness. Her wishes were commands and her commands were absolute. Several times in the past, subjects had stopped her to query something or had actually raised a voice to object. She had simply killed them! She was judge and executioner – and she was totally ruthless.

She allowed no other ant to do this job for her. Cassiada was almost twice as big as any other citizen in her colony and her jaws were truly fearsome. As her race did not squirt venom, as the Al ants did, she did not fear a dying reprisal. All she had to do was to avoid the flicking dart of death, sheathed near her victim's anus - and this she could do quite easily with her longer yet nimble legs. She was a fit five-year-old.

However, Cassiadans did not live in fear of their queen: their minds were programmed to accept orders and to follow their natural instincts. The orders – directly from the queen but also from her trusted lieutenants – rarely contradicted these instincts, for the whole community lived by its inborn programming. The system produced a rigidly ordered society – but one that did not develop very quickly.

Ant communities had been in the meadows that edged in on this side of the village since long before the Parkinson's house had been built. It was only when Cassiada made her nuptial flight, though, and landed in the sandy corner of the derelict plot next door, that the race really established itself so close to the be-gapped row of old stone and newer, red-
brick cottages.

Cassiada's colony had sited itself under a huge, sandy tussock and, soon afterwards, several sister colonies had followed. These formed raised, dry hillocks over each city which were similar to those in the meadow beyond the hedge. As they explored away from this corner, further into the tangle of grasses of the, at that time, derelict plot, they discovered a different type of soil; a soil which retained a high water content after rainstorms. So, the meadow ants restricted their territory to just their own sandy area. In that corner, however, some twelve thousand vigorous and perpetually hungry ants lived.

The sun was at its highest one day in mid-August when a chance encounter sparked a gigantic conflict of wills and sinews.

* * *

The foraging party of ten ants closed in on a find by one of their number. They were small, extremely dark red ants of the Trid race. They were aggressive enough to have warned off, over the years, any Cassiadans straying over the scent-marked border track into their territory. But the fat, dead worm they had now discovered and over whose body they swarmed hungrily, was releasing the delicious odours of its putrefaction onto the gentle breeze; a breeze which then carried the smell towards 
a small band of Cassiadans following the line of the frontier.

Halting, they waved their antennae excitedly, trying to locate, directionally, the source. There was no way that the invisible border – scent was no barrier – would prevent an incursion into alien territory when such a succulent feast beckoned.

At exactly 12.15, a small but bitterly fought battle took place on and around the bloated corpse of the worm. This encounter was to start a major war: a war that would cost nearly nine thousand ants their lives. The initial fight saw all but one of the Cassiadans killed and left only three victorious Trid ants to carry the news, and some of the worm's nutritious body fluids, back to the nearest worker party. Soon, a chain of Trid ants, jostling past each other in a two-way flow, linked the worm's corpse with the heart of their city.

When the surviving Cassiadan reached her city, she was already suffering intensely from sprayed-on toxins. She might have seemed fortunate to have escaped all but the fallout from a misdirected jet, but this would be enough to kill her, slowly and miserably. Although her legs already shook beneath her, she found Cassiada and related her story.

The queen was furious, realising that valuable food was being denied to her subjects if she continued to recognise the frontier as a limiting factor. She barked orders and released certain scents, then she raced to the surface and waited. By 1.30, a massive army had gathered around her and she set off for the Trid city.

Already though, the natural, unthinking reaction of the Cassiadan ants was visible: they did not advance on a broad front but in the traditional way, as a single column, two or three ants wide. This was to cost them dearly in numbers but, with some five thousand ants pouring down the trail, they still presented a fearsome and irresistible force.

Outlying foragers and fighters around the Trid city were soon swept aside as the battle column bore down on its goal. There the conflict reached a bitter stage, with the venom sprays temporarily checking the sting-flicking Cassiadan army. From behind, though, came that unstoppable pressure and, eventually, the only live Trid ants were those below ground.

These proved tenacious and hard to winkle out, for the dead attackers and defenders blocked the progress of the eager invaders. A siege set in, with an occasional defender being dragged out to die speedily in the grip of perhaps eight sets of serrated jaws. But Trid runners had sped on their way to get aid …. Soon, the Alliance was to have its severest test.

* * *

Alreegar was bitterly disappointed that she had a mere hundred fighters to put into the fray and, furthermore, they were small and inexperienced. The only thing they did not lack was resolve. The numbers were boosted by the addition of other workers, and Naleen insisted on joining this relief force for Algreth would be there, of course, and the chances of his return from such an all-out battle were slim. Not that they had a true picture yet of just how big the odds against them were. Alreegar gave a few instructions as to what the army was to do when it arrived at the battle site but they had a long trek to make before these would be put to the test.

* * *

Nearer to the Trid city was the Naban colony, another part of the Alliance. It was ruled by three queens, Nabis, Narla and Nestris, the latter being from a different breeding season. She was a young, big, and rather dissatisfied queen who quickly decided that she would accompany the Nabanian relief army. This was commanded by a seasoned old campaigner called Jetta who had only one and a half antennae. Her body seemed criss-crossed with scars but these were not easy to see against her dark pigmentation.

Naban was an old city with a big population and Jetta led an army of almost three thousand into the tangle of grasses that lay between the Nabanian hedgerow city and the Trid colony. The city itself lay under some huge stones that had once formed a base upon which the Listrian cistern had stood, in the days when it was used as a drinking trough for cattle.

Although very experienced as a fighter, Jetta lacked the finesse in a large-scale battle that Algar-Si used to possess. This resulted in the same approach as that of the Cassiadans – a single column – and this meant that the full weight of her force could not be thrown immediately into the fray.

* * *

Surma was a young city, situated in the same half of the garden area as that in which the new colony had been set up under the ash tree. Its army commander was a small, determined ant called Balanada who always seemed to be rushing everywhere at top speed. She led out an army of approximately one thousand but these had as far to travel as the force led by Alreegar. The Listrians were better placed.

The converging armies had a numerical advantage of nearly four thousand. The problem was, they were divided.

* * *

By early evening, the immediate vicinity of the entrances to the Trid city swarmed with Cassiadan ants and the sucked-out corpses of their dead colleagues and over a thousand dead Tridians. This was the scene that lay before the fastest of the Nabanian fighters as they broke out from the pathways they had followed. They immediately engaged the nearest Cassiadans but soon, the alarm scents and squeaks of pain from bitten ants, brought the bulk of the Cassiadan army to their defence. A dark tide of Nabanians poured from the trail in an endless flow.

Normally, the squirted jet of venom had a big advantage over that administered with a sting but, such was the density of fighters that this asset was lost. In fact, many Nabanians hesitated, fatally, to get a clear shot. Never-the-less, this was the major battle of the whole war and it raged for nearly an hour with no quarter given. Jetta and Nestris arrived with the central part of their army, not by design but because they had no way of progressing any faster.

Jetta was extremely able as a fighter. She had faced stinging ants before and knew that they needed to hold her closely and tightly to get the sting into her. There was no way she was going to let this happen easily and she bit and twisted like a demon. Nestris also did well. She had the advantage of size and strength and she soon laid a ring of dead and crippled enemy around her until, eventually, two Cassiadans seized adjacent legs simultaneously and she was tipped off balance. Once this happened, she was lost and soon overwhelmed.

Jetta was too busy to notice this and she just fought on. Even she began to tire eventually but, fortunately by this time, she found herself in a particularly thick mass of her own fighters. The rest of the army was now severely depleted and the Cassiadans concentrated on this last pocket of resistance. It was a remorseless war of attrition; an abrasive process that gradually stripped away the layers of brave fighters. Somewhere in this process, Jetta succumbed.

She was trying to shake off an opponent from her back and the antagonist's weight and her own tiredness allowed a wily opportunist to slip in and force its sting between the plates of her armoured body. She knew she was going to die then, but she coolly finished the task of dislodging the ant on her back, dispatching it for its trouble, before she turned on the ant which had stung her. She could not finish off this one, though, as the venom began to paralyse her nervous system. She 
crumpled and died with her comrades.

* * *

A small number of Nabanians managed to struggle away and they dispersed in all directions, demoralised and without a leader. Many were scarred or limping and would become victims to other predators.

Cassiada had survived with only a slight scratch, but she was alarmed at this new development and the knowledge that a vast part of her army had been destroyed. She had no way of checking the exact number of survivors but she was sufficiently worried to send messengers back to see if she could raise some support from her allies, just in case.

Although her colony was not part of an organised alliance, the other tribes in the sandy corner were similar in their origins and style of living and they made frequent contact with each other. Cassiada decided to take all but a small force of about a hundred back to her home city. A hundred would be easily enough to harry the besieged Tridians and to keep them penned underground.

The hot-tempered thoughts that had provoked Cassiada to start the conflict were now cool memories and, like many before her who had led a large army into battle, she was now regretting the high price she had had to pay. She led her tired and bedraggled column onto the path leading to home.

The last of the column disappeared and the remaining ants put four or five of their number to cover each entrance while the rest gorged themselves on the dead. It mattered not whether they were friend or foe.

Within minutes, the large Listrian army arrived and, although there was sufficient confusion for the besieging group to be able to collect into a defensive knot, they were soon annihilated. Among their attackers were some of the surviving, relieved Tridians.

A mixed force of Tridians – eager for revenge – and Listrians then hurried after the retreating Cassiadans but, although they picked off over fifty wounded stragglers, the main body crossed the borer trail to safety. It was decided not to pursue the Cassiadans further so, the Alliance armies returned to the Trid city. When the two remaining component armies arrived there, nearly an hour later, peace was restored and food gathering and clearance work was taking place.

* * *

It was several days later that Algreth completed his assessment of how successful his idea for a defensive alliance had been. Although the total number from the Alliance killed was in excess of four thousand, the Trid city had been saved and it was generally agreed as doubtful that any member colony of the Alliance would ever be attacked again by the Cassiadan races. The saddest thing for Algreth was the knowledge that the bulk of the Nabanian army – and their colony – had been wiped out. He wondered if this might affect their future desire to continue within the Alliance.

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……….

Chapter 6. A Time of Peace and Plenty.


The Alliance colonies soon adjusted back to their normal everyday way of life after the turmoil of the Cassiadan War, as it came to be called. The colony hit the hardest in terms of numbers lost, the Naban colony, became the subject of debate at the next meeting of the Alliance Council. Consequently, relief was given by supplying workers – police-fighters, food processors and foragers. There was no need to transfer any food as there was plenty about and winter was still a long way off.

A special meeting of army leaders was called by Alreegar - at Algreth's suggestion - to see if any lessons could be learned from the way the war had been conducted. Present at this meeting was Alreegar, Malak, who was Jetta's successor, Balanada from Surma, and Kraton, the new Listrian commander. Algreth would have liked to have been there too but he thought this might be an intrusion

The meeting started with a fair amount of self-congratulation and not a little boasting but, as the discussion steered towards an examination of the tactics, several points were made and it became obvious that the operation had been anything but efficient.

Malak had somehow survived, being in the spearhead of the Nabanian relief force, and had noticed how her comrades had succumbed, whereas the numbers in that force indicated that a greater impact should have been made on the enemy. After some debate on this point, Alreegar shrewdly assessed that the fault – so obvious, once it was stated – was that they had arrived at the battle scene and attacked in column formation. If they had gathered first before launching their attack and spread themselves over a broad front, they might well have overwhelmed the opposition. It was resolved that in future in this system would be adopted.

On a larger scale, the same error had been repeated … each army had arrived at a different time. There should have been a co-ordinated attack by a joint army group. The commanders then discussed methods of ensuring that the Alliance armies acted as a more cohesive force in future.

There was also some discussion on the best ways to fight a stinging ant or one which merely smears toxins onto an adversary. This drifted onto methods of overcoming other alien creatures in combat and the meeting then broke up. It had been very fruitful, Algreth realised when Alreegar excitedly passed on what had transpired.

* * *

The land which Sulenanda's colony was to inherit seemed to teem with other forms of life and these provided an abundant source of food. Although various adult insects could prove very elusive or difficult to either capture or subdue, the pre-adult stages were, almost literally, sitting targets. In the soil were many forms of larvae, pupae and eggs. Frequently, the keen sensing devices of ants would locate a juicy clutch of insect eggs, either buried beneath the surface or sticking to a plant. In the case of earwig eggs, though, the brood female would seal herself in with the eggs: she was not to be tackled! Live worms, too, were extremely difficult to deal with because of the thick mucus they exuded.

In the abundant flora, where packs of foragers roamed, many types of flying insects squeezed out their sticky eggs in large numbers. The caterpillars which often resulted from these were tempting targets. Most of these had one or more defensive mechanisms, however. They were invariably protected by stiff bristles or hairs; they often released vile secretions; and they could do a fair imitation of a bucking bronco should an ant manage to get in a bite … it usually needed a large pack of ants to subdue one.

Several reports began to filter through to Algreth and the small team of scientists he had set up, of a type of insect (they guessed that was what it was) outside their previous experience. Each report spoke of a loud chirruping or rasping sound high in the grasses. The moment an ant tried to investigate, the grass stem or leaf was thrown back in a violent reaction and the large, greenish creature detached itself from its perch and launched itself into the air and out of sight. It was several years before an injured grasshopper was finally caught and examined.

* * *

Algreth's relationship with Naleen continued to be close and Naleen always experienced a pang of concern when her lover's work took him into the dangerous world of the outer territories. Thanks to the forming of the Alliance, however, a major source of danger had been removed … that of running into a hostile, alien forager pack.

Algreth had also developed close relationships with other females. These included Sulenanda and, of course, Alreegar. These sexual-bond relationships were perfectly normal in an ant community and created no jealousy in Naleen's mind. In fact, the very close love-bond relationship between Naleen and Algreth was more abnormal as this was closer to that found in mammals. Perhaps it pointed to a development in ant evolution: in nature, very few species stood still in their behaviour patterns.

* * *

In the two years following the Cassiadan War there was a change in the landscape of the Alliance territories. The ants observed frequent signs of the work of the Gods and there were many instances of the usual associated crushings. Fortunately, these were individual rather than mass occurrences. The only case where a colony was affected by all the happenings attributed to the Gods did not involve many crushings – but it did involve the re-location of that colony.

It was the Listrian guards and surface workers who first felt a tingle of apprehension as they sensed the 'vibrations of the Gods'. Soon, the meaningless noises reverberated loudly inside and around their cistern cover. Then the rumbling sounds of its movement could be heard and frightening vibrations felt underground. All was pandemonium and activity as eggs and larvae were seized and carried to safety, though no-ant knew for certain just where safety lay!

The old, metal tank was somehow lifted into the sky, showering confused workers with rust particles, loose soil and hard clumps of solid mud. The noise receded and the cistern had gone forever. It took a day for normal activities to be resumed but life then went on as usual. Apart from the laying of new highway scents and the physical removal of some rubbish, little appeared to have been altered.

The sun blazed down on the exposed entrances when it shone but this was of no consequence. It was when the heavy rains came that the community realised that the soil was far too absorbent in this particular area: it was clearly unsuitable for continued habitation.

The Alliance searched for a suitable spot for its beleaguered member nation and soon discovered a new feature - which excited Algreth for a different reason when he eventually travelled to the area to examine it for himself. The place where the Listrians would make their new home, a new city complex, was at the edge of a newly-laid patio whose slabs looked all too familiar to Algreth. They were raised to a height of little more than half a slab length – about twenty centimetres - above the still-untamed garden. They sat on a bed of rubble (hardcore) topped with a generous layer of sand. With a full colony 
to dig and carry, a new city was soon constructed.

The other changes to occur at frequent intervals during the two years mainly concerned tree and bush planting and this took place mostly in an area towards the bottom of the garden which was thinly occupied by ants. The planted items were fruit and blossom-bearing trees and a selection of bushes designed to provide colour throughout the seasons. These included a buddleia, which was to attract butterflies and bees.

The grass was left uncut and several packets of wild flowers and herbs were sprinkled at strategic points to enhance the natural flora. The combustible rubbish was gradually collected and placed in an open spot ready for burning. Nesting boxes for tits and robins were put up and the human occupant suspended coconuts and put out other birdfood during the winter period. Finally, an ornate bird-bath, moulded from a light sandy-coloured stone mix was set in the centre of the garden.

All this was planned to present an idyllic view as it matured and the patio was tacked onto the rear of the bungalow with the object of affording a suitable vantage point. Here, the young occupant, Dave Halkin, could sit on warm summer evenings, enjoying the peace and tranquillity which only nature can truly provide.

In the micro-world of ants, however, there would never be a time to 'sit and relax'; to contemplate the surroundings, their lives and their future. They were programmed by nature to work and to always be busy. If they found themselves getting on top of the work to be done, and with a plentiful supply of food, they caused a rapid expansion in population or started a conflict over territory. Over-expansion seemed to create a much more aggressive attitude and it was this pressure that the alliance would have to withstand in the future.

* * *

An ant only remembers, in detail, facts directly related to survival. The few exceptions to this rule included the ants of the former Al city Information section, as these had been specially bred over many years to retain facts. With this special class no longer a part of the New World society, memories of the Old World and, even, the early adventures in the New, began to blur or fade. Neither does an ant harbour emotions, such as hate, over long periods.

Thus it was that Cassiada resumed her normal style of government without plotting revenge. The border contacts of the previously antagonistic ant colonies settled down into their old, pre-war pattern. Only an unusual triggering of old memories could re-kindle in Cassiada the violent emotions that had led her to start the mighty conflict against the Alliance. In the peaceful times they all enjoyed now, this seemed a remote possibility.

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……….

Chapter 7. The Prophet.


She came through the hedge cautiously and, almost immediately, made contact with four Cassiadan foragers. She should have been attacked at once as an alien but the foragers held back. It was not her size that caused their uncharacteristic hesitation, for she was quite tiny.

Whatever strange reason caused their restraint, the leader approached the alien without hostility and the rest of the party, now joined by a few others, just stood and watched. The alien walked slowly forward to meet the leader but without showing any outward signs of fear. Then she spoke, in a very soft yet arresting tone.

"Greetings, Stranger", she said. "I am called Qua-set."

"Greetings." The leader of the foragers' tone was suspicious. "Doesn't your name mean 'One who knows The Beyond'?"

The alien was surprised at this question and looked at and sensed the leader more closely.

"Not quite: Qua does mean 'One who knows'; Set means 'things that will happen'.

The leader digested this. "I am Casca", she said, then, "What is your purpose in our territory?"

"I know no boundaries. I roam where I will, for I can do no harm to anyant."

"That may be", grunted Casca. "But you will eat our food … What do you bring in return?"

"I bring 'eyes' within my body that can see things that are yet to happen … " Some of the nearer ants surrounding the two either buzzed in surprise at this boast – or snickered. "One thing I have seen concerns your queen. Perhaps I may meet with her?"

The whole party left the damp region beneath the hedge, with its scattering of red haw berries, sparse straggly grasses and dank, fungal smells. They headed out into the centre of Cassiadan territory and into the sunshine.

"You have survived a great war", commented Qua-Set. "Did this cause hardship among your race?"

Casca had set a pace which she hoped would cause a slight discomfort to the smaller stranger in her efforts to keep up and she was a little taken aback at the easy, conversational tone.

"No hardship: we are a strong race with a determined queen. It was long ago." The answers were terse.

"But, did you not suffer many deaths?"

"We are as many as soil-pebbles. What are deaths to us?"

Qua-Set allowed a silence to descend and only the scrabble of their feet disturbed the air as they singled out onto the main approach road to Cassiada's city.

* * *

The meeting with Cassiada herself was not altogether satisfactory from the point of view of either of the two ants. The queen had a certain curiosity about the predictions which might be made - but not about the little prophet herself. Qua-Set had hoped for a more receptive mind and found the queen very rigid in her thinking. She upset Cassiada somewhat when she mentioned Algreth and by saying she would like to meet him too.

"That ant! He is trouble. He persuades all the colonies to do as he thinks and they all follow meekly, like the sweet-bodied ones. We Cassiadans and our allies prefer to be independent."

"I have sensed your dislike for him, Cassiada. One day you will have the satisfaction of seeing him at your feet … but, this will bring you no lasting joy."

"At my feet?"

Although they were in the total darkness of the queen's chamber, Qua-Set could picture the new alertness in Cassiada's stance. And the eagerness in her voice was apparent.

"What do you mean, 'At my feet'?"

"I cannot see all, Cassiada. Only that you will be standing over his body and that he appears to be dead."

"There must be another battle", muttered Cassiada, almost to herself. "And this vile creature is killed and I am fetched to see the body."

The big war-queen took little further interest in Qua-Set but said that the prophet could feed in the city before resuming her travels. She made it plain, however, that in dismissing Qua-Set, she was expecting her to continue on her way – and soon!

* * *

Upon leaving the sandy, corner region of the garden, Qua-Set meandered about for a whole day before meeting a Surman party. As before, she was given an astonishing let-off for she had no scents of the Alliance group. She was directed at her request towards the Sulenandan sector where she hoped to meet up with Algreth.

When she finally arrived at the city, news of her presence in the area had preceded her and she was given a pleasant and hospitable welcome – laced with some awe. Algreth, however, was out exploring t some distance from the city so, Qua-Set was given a conducted tour of the underground complex.

She was amazed at some of the advanced thinking that had gone into this society and began to realise the power of Algreth's mind, for her guide seemed to mention his achievements at almost every section they visited. What she had never revealed to any other ant was that she had had a vision of a sort of 'super colony' … a city far ahead of any other she had ever visited or even heard of. Sulenanda's city could not yet match that vision but, it was obviously well on the way.

* * *

When she finally met Algreth, Qua-Set was disappointed. Perhaps she had expected to see some outward sign of greatness, but Algreth was just another large ant. His speech was simple and direct and Qua-Set wondered, after a long conversation they had together, whether this was the secret of his thinking processes: that they were so simple and uncluttered. She noted the warmth and compassion in his ideas and thought, sadly, what a pity it was that Cassiada could not really know this ant. Despite her powers, Qua-Set did not know if Cassiada would ever recognise this side of him before she came to stand over her 
fallen foe.

The little alien did not relate details of all her visions or make many prophecies about Algreth's future. Certainly she did not mention the vision of his demise. The most she did was to hint at the possible greatness of the Sulenandan society. One other strange but rather unclear vision she had had she did tell Algreth about ……

She had seen an ant looking through a single, detached eye. Through this eye could be seen, with great clarity, a mystical, un-antlike face. Suddenly, Qua-Set knew rather than saw that the ant – the watcher in her vision – was experiencing a powerful and very frightening emotion which caused it to stop peering through the eye.

Algreth was extremely excited at this revelation for he saw the obvious connection with the work of an astronomer. Was the watcher me, he queried. What sort of face had the watcher been observing? Qua-Set struggled to explain that this vision of hers had been unusually clouded or blurred – perhaps due to the state of mind of the observer, she guessed.

Algreth soon passed on, from the things Qua-Set had revealed, to thoughts of the nature of this strange power she had. He had a scientist's scepticism that demanded proof that these visions really would come to pass. We shall see, he thought, 
but, none-the-less, he was greatly intrigued. It was not known that ants have a part of their body which specifically provides thoughts.

The Al thinkers themselves had inclined to the view that each live ant had an aura of awareness and 'thinking particles' which could not be seen. When an ant slept, these retreated into the body, still able to produce dream-thoughts while not being aware of the real world. When an ant died, the particles scattered and were lost. Algreth spent a long time trying to tie this theory in with Qua-Set's prophetic powers after she left.

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……….

Chapter 8. A Find for Algreth.


The beetle was still hunting at early-light and he was ravenous. Somehow things had gone very wrong during the darkness-period. First, he had lost his mate.

Already hungry from a lean period of searching for food, he had forgotten all this when the scent of a receptive female had drifted across his path. He was high in the ash tree where he hoped to flush out something tasty from under a crisp, withered leaf. His mind had immediately switched off the subject of food and he began to court the female as his excitement mounted. As part of their courtship ritual, she raised the hard casings that covered her wings and launched herself into space. The male followed quickly, determined not to lose her.

Suddenly, a strange high-pitched squeak vibrated against their antennae and then came a violent swishing and the male was sucked into a vortex where he sensed a presence which was instantly gone. So had the female – a bat had found a juicy meal.

Disappointed and bewildered at this turn of events, the male half glided, half flew, lower and lower. The tall grasses cushioned his landing and he resumed his hunting on the garden surface. It was here that the faint, first light of dawn found him.

* * *

The Listrian ant had become separated from her foraging comrades by an odd mishap. Although others of her small party of ants had climbed onto a fallen, curling leaf to explore, this had suddenly been caught by a gust of wind and blown away. Most ants quickly let go and dropped back onto the ground but this one was on the inner surface of the leaf and the centrifugal force generated by the fast-rolling leaf kept her pinned to its surface. When it suddenly stopped and she stepped back onto terra firma, her balance senses were completely disorientated. Having travelled well beyond the tribal scent trails, she was for now hopelessly lost.

She bustled about in a random search pattern. Although she released 'help me' scents and scanned the area frantically, there was no sign of life. When she did hear, eventually, the scrabble of an approaching body, she could tell straight away that it was something far too heavy to be an ant. A moment of indecision, caused by the situation she found herself in, kept her rooted to the spot.

Suddenly the grass leaves before her were pressed aside and a large, black beetle stepped out in front of her. By luck, the brightness temporarily blinded the giant predator and, although he could detect the ant-smell quite strongly, he could not focus on the exact location. In that instant she turned and raced into the jungle of grasses and long-stemmed plants.

The chase that followed became a relentless pursuit. The beetle had a strong scent to guide him and was faster over the ground but the small ant was not so easily impeded by various obstacles and her sudden twists and turns kept momentarily confusing the hunter.

The pursuit seemed to be heading for an inevitable and violent end when the ant, beginning to tire, stepped out from between two grass stalks to find a strange, misty object towering over her. She had discovered the broken-off end of a glass bottle that had once held a workman's lemonade, somehow missed during the clearance of other rubbish. It lay at a slight angle to what would have been the axis of the complete bottle, with a jagged piece of the side trodden into the ground and the circular, slightly dished end rearing up like a watchful eye.

The ant had no time to wonder at this phenomenon: she quickly started to climb up the canted face. Her feet found a purchase on a surface still slightly moist from the early morning dew. At the top she rested and awaited her fate with stoic resignation.

The beetle squeezed between the two grass stems in time to see his quarry making her ascent up the bottle end. Scenting victory, the beetle attempted to follow but his heavier bulk prevented his clawed legs from getting any grip on the film of moisture, and the surface it covered was far too smooth. The beetle slipped back several times then circled around the eye, making other attempts to climb at likely-looking spots. However, after he had been dunked on his back four or five times – an unpleasant position for a beetle – he decided to give up.

He was getting extremely tired now and aware, also, that daylight hunting did not suit his nature: he was more at home in the cool darkness of night. This glaring light made his antennae ache and his eyes sting. He was too hungry to give up easily though and, for more than fifteen minutes he prowled hopefully around the strange object up which the ant had climbed. Eventually, though, he gave up all hope that the ant was ever coming down again and he sourly trundled off to find a cool den.

The ant waited for what, to her, seemed an eternity, for she was not used to such a long period of doing nothing at all. She tried to make the time pass, until she felt safe, by combing soil and other debris from her body. It was almost an hour after she had first discovered this odd refuge that she walked down and began the long, difficult search for her lost home city. But, even as she started her trek, she had already come to the conclusion that the object that had saved her life was God-made.

It was a foraging pack of Sulenandan workers who finally discovered the weary and dispirited ant, still utterly lost. Algreth's Alliance pact it was that now saved her life but, for Algreth himself, it was to have a much more exciting conclusion.

* * *

Algreth heard the story of the 'found alien' on the grapevine. He almost stopped listening to the rather boring, third-hand account of the alien's adventure when he heard the 'big eye' mentioned. In a flash his mind had re-focused on what was being said. He politely asked the worker to repeat the relevant part. The description of the 'eye' sounded somehow familiar …

It was round, misty, but with the brightness visible through it … and it was almost too smooth to walk on. It was about twenty to thirty body-lengths across …

Then it came to Algreth. Yes; of course! It sounded just like the container in which he, Naleen and Alreegar had been kept in. It could well be the same material as the piece he had shown to Naleen … but, if it really was shaped like an eye too! He grew more excited the more he thought about it. He knew immediately that he must seek out the Listrian worker and find out from her exactly where the object lay. He decided to set out at early-light, after the next brightness-period.

* * *

It proved a long tiring day for Algreth. The journey to the distant Listrian colony; the searching out of the forager who had discovered the 'eye'; the questioning; getting permission from her leader for the ant to accompany him … "When you have shown Algreth the object, hurry back. We have a busy workload this brightness-period." The leader had not been very sympathetic to his mission. Most worker ants tended to be preoccupied with their jobs, Algreth knew.

Finally though, in the early evening, Algreth and Suton – for this was the alien's name - arrived at the 'eye'. Algreth was so excited that his antennae trembled but Suton was more worried about the possibility of the beetle still being around … and her leader's instruction to hurry back. She quickly excused herself and disappeared into the grasses leaving Algreth standing, pondering the nature of the discovery.

Algreth walked slowly round it, eventually touching it carefully with his antennae. His memories stirred and he knew that this was exactly the same God-made substance as the prison container. He thought about its composition and racked his brains as to what reason it might have been placed here for. Was it being used for anything? Would a God arrive to retrieve it? How long had it been here? A hundred questions popped into his mind but, he guessed, few if any would be answered. The Gods retain Their mysteries, he thought.

For the first twenty minutes of Algreth's exploration and ponderings, he remained very close to the thing. He even tried to climb up it but it had now dried off and his feet scrabbled in vain for a claw-hold so he soon gave up the idea.

Inevitably he moved a little further back, almost into the grasses, and walked around it again. His initial excitement had evaporated by now for it seemed that no answers to his questions would be forthcoming this brightness-period. Suddenly he stopped and his antennae pointed rigidly with renewed excitement. He was facing the full circle of the 'eye' and, as he looked at it, he realised he was now looking through it. It was another, yet unique, lens.

He gradually moved further back, at times biting in exasperation at grass-stems which impeded his view. It took nearly an hour, though, before he could get an uninterrupted view from just the right distance. It was a combination of the lens – or, rather, multiple lenses – of his ant's eye, specially bred for long sight, and the glass-formed lens of the bottle end that permitted the miracle …. The vision of a distant creature.

He could see a large figure, still slightly blurred, like no insect or mammal species he had ever encountered. Just behind it, he was aware of the much more sharply defined image of a huge structure. He had already seen a distorted view of one of these structures before and he knew it to be, in his own terminology, a 'God Nest'. It was not so high as the one he had seen in the Old World but it had the same square 'eyes'.

He adjusted his position slightly again as he had been taught and the focus sharpened on the creature in front of the structure. Algreth's body fluids cooled with an unreasoning fear for he was looking, undoubtedly, at a face. But it was like no other face he had ever seen before.

It had two eyes, set in front. These appeared to be gazing over the grasses to where Algreth stood. The eyes were puny little things, though, compared with an ant's, observed Algreth. This prompted the question in his mind: did a God – and he knew that this was no mere creature of the natural world – not require good vision? Perhaps She (Algreth automatically assumed the gender) could 'see' with Her mind. A God would be all-knowing. This would explain why there were no antennae too.

The astronomer-scientist continued to puzzle over the facial features for some time before he began to get a strange feeling that he should not be here, looking at a God in this manner. Even as he reached the decision that he was an intruder, the God's eyes seem to lower steadily until he felt they were boring into his mind. A God would be all-knowing, he thought again.

Suddenly dazed, he backed off on shaky legs, then turned and began his long trek home. He was almost there before his legs returned to normal and his brain started to function again with its customary sharpness. For some strange reason, he could not bring himself to tell anyant, even Naleen, of what he had experienced.

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……….

Chapter 9. The Beyond.


Algreth had realised for some time that he was getting old; really old, that is. He was now nine years old. He had been lucky not to have suffered some lasting physical impairment and, he appreciated this when he considered the many battles and escapades he had been through. Any ant would have done well to live through nine seasons.

It was his mind that was beginning to go. Although he could delve back further into his past then ever before, recalling quite trivial incidents with great clarity, his recall of recent happenings was letting him down at all sorts of awkward moments. He knew, too, that this had been noticed by Naleen and the others. He wondered what they would do about it: and what he should do about it.

In the Al city, senile ants were usually allowed to live in the Brell, where they often died quickly, anyway, before establishing any sort of relationship with the oddly-assorted citizens of that community. In other ant communities, senility or failure to perform normal duties resulted in swift termination, frequently administered by a section or group leader. In Sulenanda's city, however, there was no precedent to follow. Algreth was the first to reach this venerable stage.

Algreth pondered over the problem often. He himself preferred the sudden bite and the quick paralysis that followed to the awkward moments of incapability and the worrying about what might happen. Normally, an ant tackles life's obstacles with a fearless resolution but, already, Algreth was experiencing moments of indecision or unreasoning doubts. His solution was to take more frequent and longer exploratory walks. He could think his nostalgia-steeped thoughts and, if some predator 
pounced, well ….!

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* * *

It had been a pleasantly warm day with occasional bursts of hotter, sunny brightness when Algreth decided he would visit the Cassiadan border. It was a sudden decision, typical of the way his mind was now working, and the idea came to him while he was ambling along in totally the wrong direction.

It was a long way to the border and his old joints seemed to be saying it was even further but he plodded on. His mind twinkled and sputtered with a mixture of intruding memories and sudden ideas imposed on a backdrop of simple pleasure at the warmth of the brightness, the familiar background buzz and the heady scents of the 'smell-leaves' which some plants carried at the end of each stem. He particularly enjoyed the rustling in the tops of long grasses far above his head; this was a sound peculiar to the New World but he had grown used to it and liked and accepted its soothing whisper.

His thoughts helped to make Algreth forget the tedium that such a long trek would normally have invoked and to mask the tiredness in his limbs. He finally arrived at the distinctive scent-line and he walked slowly along a parallel course, some ten to twenty centimetres inside Alliance territory.

Quite suddenly, he was aware of an alien standing motionless on the boundary. It was a large female. She had apparently not heard his approaching steps or detected his scent. She was quite 'turned off' it seemed, simply standing and thinking in a deep reverie. He was not sure how he knew but he had a growing certainty come to his mind that this ant was Cassiada herself. He stepped warily towards her.

As soon as he made the first approach steps she became aware of him and she stood calmly, awaiting his purpose.

"Al greetings!" he said, not realising that an archaic phrase had popped out. "I am Algreth of Sulenanda's colony. I believe you are Cassiada."

"Yes … I am Queen of all Corbelia." He had not heard of that title before. Had the stinging-ones formed an alliance too?

"It has been many seasons since the Great War, Queen. I come in peace. May we not walk together and talk for a few time-periods?"

"Certainly, Algreth. I was here with but my thoughts for companion."

They fell into a slow, equal step together, following along the boundary line. As was often the case, Algreth opened up a dialogue.

"It is a pity that our races could not live in harmony, Cassiada. There are many benefits from a peaceful co-existence."

"I know of your work in forming the Great Alliance, Algreth. True, the benefits are there. So, too, are the benefits in defined and observed boundaries, with each community regulating its own way of living. It is only when the borders are crossed that trouble occurs."

"But, it was your race who crossed the border and started the Great War", pointed out Algreth.

"True, Algreth. And we paid the price. I am saying, though, that nothing in your alliance idea appeals to me … and I say this to you: your Alliance will not last. I predict a period of wars that will make our Great War seem like a squabble between two eight-legs." (Ants were always scornful about the fighting powers of spiders.)

"That may be a true prediction, Cassiada, but I believe you are wrong. Things will not be easy … paths are seldom straight and free from obstructions. The Alliance has lasted for four seasons now and it will overcome its problems."

They walked on again, locked now in silence. This time Cassiada broke the silence first.

"I have heard that you do not obey Sulenanda's orders but those of a ruling council. Tell me, Algreth, how such a system can work?"

"There are faults with every system", Algreth replied, thoughtfully. "But our way means that all sections of the community are represented and their problems are considered fairly. Also, we have a range of expertise to bring a solution to each problem. Surely you cannot expect to know all about the many different aspects of your society, Cassiada?"

"I know enough", the queen said, huffily. She decided to let that subject drop but she quickly introduced another. "I hear, also, that you have ants called priests and they and other ants talk about The Beyond and about what form the Gods take. What have they concluded in these matters, Algreth?" Her antennae tips quivered slightly with barely suppressed mirth. Algreth did not notice this, however, and he answered seriously – and, eagerly.

"The mysteries of The Beyond will never be known, Cassiada. Never! Of this I feel sure. I have found ways of seeing into The Beyond … but behind this lies another Beyond. We ants are not made to penetrate all the secrets of the Gods. There are worlds beyond worlds, I believe, and only the Gods may know them and walk in them and know their full meaning."

The war-queen was a little disconcerted by Algreth's sincerity – and by his conviction which he so forcefully expressed. She sobered.

"And will we ever know the Gods?" she asked.

She waited a long time for his answer and, despite herself, she felt a certain anticipation as to what he might say. Like many another ant, even Cassiada was carried along by Algreth's charisma. When he finally answered, his voice was low and it almost trembled.

"I believe I have seen the face of God", he stated simply.

Cassiada was aghast at this revelation. She almost poured out a barrage of questions but her mind was whirling. Like Algreth, she was well past her best years and sometimes she produced the same irrational thoughts. Now, a strange thought, accompanied by oddly turbulent emotions, took a grip on her deteriorating brain.

She thought intensely of Algreth … a very old ant thinking his strange thoughts and telling his unbelievable tales. He had been the scourge of her race! A hatred akin to that she had known so long ago welled up in her mind. She turned suddenly and, from her slightly superior height, bit down on his exposed and vulnerable mid-section.

Algreth's old legs buckled instantly but he was not aware that his assailant was endeavouring also to thrust her flexible stinger beneath his armour. He filled the last split-second of his life with a subconscious, random flick-view of memories. It was almost as though dying had released a cage-full of beautiful memory-birds.

He saw his trainer, Abreth, and heard again his words of wisdom. He saw soils and plants of the Old World and felt the flat yet rough surface of slabs beneath his feet. He imagined the panicking ants when catastrophe struck the Al city, and then he was staring out of his translucent prison. Then he warmed to the sight of Naleen's face and he smelled once more her special body-scent. He was looking through his new lens and his body fluids chilled again as he studied the alien face … the face of God.

The God's eyes seemed to bore into his … and on into his mind. Algreth wondered if He ... now, how do I know this God is male? he puzzled … was going to speak to him. To poor, humble Algreth. He had passed on his simple thoughts and ideas to antkind … yet all seemed to respect him so. Why was that? Perhaps this strange God-face was trying to tell him something he should have grasped before, during his long life.

Yes! …… He was sure now that he had bridged the unfathomable gulf. He had reached across the void. Reached into The Beyond. Pleasure flooded into his body: exhilaration ….

* * *

Two ants had appeared at Cassiada's side. They looked at the stricken body on the ground at her feet. 

"He's dead", one said, matter-of-factly, to her queen.


The End