Inside the control centre of the Ant Federation’s high command, Field Marshal Jolie put the phone down. With a grimace, she turned to Supreme Consul Kachika and said, ‘Joya has been located. Two soldiers in the 214th Division saw her enter the imperial palace of Gondwana as they were returning from the mine-laying operation. It seems our suspicions were correct. She has defected.’

‘The shameless traitor! I dread to think what she’s told the dinosaurs.’ Kachika began pacing up and down the control room, wracking her brain for the best way to respond to this unwelcome twist. ‘Weren’t listening devices installed in the skulls of all of the dinosaurs in the palace?’

‘Joya destroyed the repeater we erected outside the palace. A team has been sent to fix it, but for now we have no way to eavesdrop.’

‘No doubt she went in there to betray the Ant Federation’s war plans.’

‘I would imagine so. Which puts our entire operation in jeopardy.’

‘What is the status of the mine-grain-laying operations?’

‘Operation Disconnect is 92 per cent complete. Operation Decapitate stands at 90 per cent.’

‘Is it possible to detonate the mines ahead of schedule?’

‘Of course! All of the mine-grains can be detonated either with a timer or remotely. We have already established a network of repeater stations to extend the coverage of the interrupt signal across the dinosaur world, which means we can detonate the mines that have already been deployed at a moment’s notice. Supreme Consul, it is time for decisive action. Give the order!’

Kachika turned to face the screen displaying the map of the world and gazed at the colourfully twinkling lights of the continents. After several seconds of silence, she said, ‘Very well. Let us turn a new page in Earth’s history. Detonate!’

*

The science minister had finished his account and Joya’s head was now awhirl with shock and dismay. For a long moment she felt as if she was on the point of collapse.

‘So, Professor, what’s it to be? Will you keep your promise and reveal your great secret to us, or will you be choosing… another route?’ Dadaeus bared his impressive fangs in a dangerous smile.

‘This is… This is just appalling,’ stammered Joya. ‘You’re monsters, all of you. But we ants are no better…’ She clasped a feeler to her quivering thorax. ‘You must act fast. Quick! You need to call the Supreme Consul of the Ant Federation immediately!’

‘You haven’t given us an answer—’

‘Your Majesty, there is no time to explain. They already know that I am here, and they may respond at any moment. The fate of the dinosaur world hangs in the balance, and with it the fate of the planet. You have to believe me! Make the call now. Hurry!’