A Failed Rescue

Ranger Team: North Epsilon
Affiliated Facility: Network Center
Employee Number: 42
Date: October 16th, 1992

I should have known getting my brother-in-law a job here would backfire. My wife said he was just “down on his luck.” Then he runs into the termite nest for no reason. And if I don’t rescue him, my wife will have “oh yeah? Well you killed my brother” in her back pocket every argument for the rest of our lives.

I brought 451, 510, and my trainee 684 on mission to rescue 707 from termite nest in the wood pile.

510 passed out. Spores got through the gas mask. We left her by one of 707's audiologs, hoping to pick them both up on the way out. 451 had a bit of a mental breakdown and tried to blow up the wood pile with explosives. 684’s whereabouts are unknown.

We observed strange behavior in termites. In the aftermath of a fight with black ants, soldier termites coated in tang were separated from the group and led away from nest. Avoiding contagion, maybe? Meanwhile, workers seemed to be in a state of ecstasy, possibly due to spore-rich environment.

I found 707 in a big chamber, at the edge of a giant pit in the earth. He held a larva in his arms. He tossed it into the pit.

I called out to him. Nothing. Even tried his real name.

But he didn’t react. I had a feeling he had a new name, one written in scrapes on wood, pronounced by chews and spits. For a moment he stopped swaying and looked me in the eye. He was grinning! Like Bobby McFerrin. Don’t worry, be happy. Then he jumped.

I got out of there fast as I could. I don’t know what I'll tell my wife, but it won't be the truth.