Chapter 575: A small change in reality
The work camp where Precio-Us were living still felt the consequences of the incident even three days later, when I had time to visit this place. As an astral projection, since I was only there to speak with Precio-Us.
The buildings were mostly repaired, and this area wasn’t covered by the ash cloud, but there was still a subdued mood over the bees flying down the hallways, carrying things around, or even washing the walls.
A part of the inner buildings was turned into makeshift hospitals for the wounded, and Physicians from the nearby sub-hives were treating bees there. Normally, since this work camp was too small for its own hospital and only had a few Physicians for treatments of small wounds and illnesses, these bees would’ve been carried to another sub-hive to heal.
However, because of the quake, the hospitals were still overflowing with wounded. Even our fast regeneration couldn’t fix broken wings and limbs so quickly... Especially for older workers who had thinner skin and slower regeneration.
Precio-Us bees themselves weren’t affected, though. They were all active and helping their sisters repair and maintain the small hive with so much dedication that they didn’t even twitch or try to locate my astral projection with their eyes when I appeared near.
If I didn’t sense the telepathic probes of the hive mind themselves, I’d think they didn’t notice me at all.
They weren’t the only ones, of course. Most other bees in his work camp were young and had the full telepathic gene. But they couldn’t use it with as much precision as Precio-Us could. They would realise that I came around as an astral projection, but not immediately.
But even if the hive mind themselves were spread all over the hive, today I came for a serious topic; so I went to one of Precio-Us’ private rooms, and their attention followed me there.
***
The room was a laboratory, or perhaps an archive. The hive minds worked not in ways I could fully understand.
For example, I knew that the pages of notes were there for some incredibly complex calculations and visualisations, not for memorisation. But why was one of the tables covered in various geometrical shapes carved from wood?
’We use them to help ourselves focus on an aspect of the Divinity Sound. The calculations are for another project—we wrote them down to show Researchers later. We wouldn’t write anything related to Divinity Sound on paper, of course, Father,’ Precio-Us replied, reading my mind.
I let out a breath—hive minds read my thoughts much more often than any other bee, not that I was going to get annoyed at them for it—and went to hover near the pile of wooden shapes.
Precio-Us sent a single bee to represent her. This bee sat on a chair near the table and smiled at me.
’Father, you’ve come to ask more about the Divinity Sound. You haven’t decided yet whether you will give us more people? Please, do! It will be vital for the Empire, we are sure.’
’I hope so. You know that it’s not so simple to just invite new people to your hive mind.’
Whoever will enter a hive mind will essentially fall asleep forever. Their memories and personalities will become a part of a whole, but they themselves will be essentially dead to the world.
This wasn’t scaring bees, but it was scaring ME, so any new additions to hive minds were evaluated carefully. It was bad enough for me that any young Hardbees would instinctively join a new hive mind just because they could.
The Precio-Us bee nodded, looking unhappy.
’We know, but those are silly thoughts, Father. One day, you will see that there are no downsides to being a hive mind! But, yes, the Divinity Sound. We’ve thought about it a little in the past days. Look!’
The bee gestured to the table behind me. I glanced there.
Nothing. Just a table filled with several dozen wooden shapes: cubes, pyramids, spheres...
Suddenly, one of the spheres on top of the pile changed shape, becoming a cube in the blink of an eye, only to turn back just as fast!
If I weren’t staring right at it, I’d miss it. There were no sound effects, not even a displacement of air. Nothing to indicate that I didn’t imagine it, except for the pleased mood coming off from Precio-Us.
’This is it, Father! The power to change reality. Just a little... One block at a time. But if there were more of us, we’d be able to do more. This was only the second step... the next ones will be a hundred times more impressive.’
’Precio-Us! What—What if someone noticed this?’ I admonished her. ’You should’ve been more careful! Even the walls... No, even the thin air can watch us! Have you tested this before?’
The gods could be watching at any time, especially when I was present! I had no way of telling whether they were or not, but if they were, our species was doomed!
The Precio-Us raised her chin.
’No, we didn’t. But we knew that only a demonstration would have the highest chances of convincing you, Father. We need more people—at least twenty thousand more—and a new location where we could study the Divinity Sound in seclusion. So that our sisters are safe from us.’
I paused to count to five and calm down.
This little demonstration was a great proof that high intelligence didn’t mean high wisdom. Bees and their recklessness...
But Precio-Us were right—I was entirely convinced.
No matter my fears or doubts, I knew that we had to satisfy Precio-Us’ demand and expand their hive mind.
’I will arrange a new work camp built for you on the other side of the mountains, amid the usnea trees. And I will ask the younger hive minds about whether they want to join yours.’
The Precio-Us bee beamed at me.
’Thank you, Father. You won’t regret it!’
I huffed.
’Yeah, yeah... Famous last words!’