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story identification - Genetically modified humans study insectoid alien miners with super-intelligent hive-mind


This is a short story that appeared in a collection. Two genetically-modified humans (corporate anthropologists, basically) travel to a planetoid inhabited by an insect race that is mining the planet in order to study the race. While there, they are practically ignored, as the individual members of the race lack consciousness. The humans determine a type of pheromone is used to control the worker caste, and co-opt several members to create a living area. They make plans to put the mining towards human ends, but before that can happen they are discovered. The presence of the artificial pheromones wakes up a hive-mind, super-intelligent bug, who then bargains with the surviving member of the team (the man) after killing and taking over the female member of the team.


Probably 10-15 years old.




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