“What did you used to do?” Alli asked cheerfully, her voice a rumble in the wind. The Ladybug was a giant compared to the tiny ant that rode on her back.

BA1331 wiggled his antennae and thought before giving a stock answer. Being away from the Colony this long had made him more self-aware. “I am a worker- I mean I worked at the Plant.”

“Ooh, one of the proletariat. Nice. I’m with you all the way, cousin. The revolution is coming!” Alli gave a fist pump in the air that somehow didn’t disrupt her flying at all.

The small black ant was quiet. There was no way for his ride to understand that revolution inside the Colony was impossible. There was something in the air that kept everyone happy and oblivious. He was pretty sure he could never go home again. There wasn’t a way to fit in and forget everything. He was too different now.

“We’re coming up on the LZ. Descending in three. . . two. . . one. . .” Alli dropped to the ground and retracted her wings. “It’s all walking from here on in. Welcome to Elm’s Knot.”