Deep Mind

Deep Mind hive

Edict's government-employed mantis family, vulnerable to financial ruin or political retaliation from his choices.

Story so far

Edict identifies his family hive as Deep Mind. Because it is employed by the Burrower government, its members cannot mate with a for-profit hive without a bond, license, trial, and counseling.

Giving Carl the prepaid loot would make the family repay the government and leave it unable to survive. Refusing Vrah could bring revenge from her much wealthier clan, while mating with her would mark Deep Mind as disloyal. Edict chooses death to protect them from all three outcomes.

Role

Deep Mind is the family and honor obligation motivating Edict's sacrifice.

Relationships

Edict — He sacrifices himself to preserve the hive's finances and honor.

The Burrowers — The hive works for their government.

The Dark Hive — Cross-hive coupling with the corporation would require formal authorization.

Sources — 1 recorded facts, by chapter

Chapter 38

Edict's government-employed mantis family, vulnerable to financial ruin or political retaliation from his choices.