Kady didn't hide his grimace as Chipendale approached, after Kady had given his full report. He cringed from the grasshopper-sized chipmunk as he reached over a heavy hand and dropped it on Kady's head a couple times. Even shrunk down he was still as ugly as any chipmunk Kady had seen. Behind Chipendale, tied up near the maps he was always working on, was the other human he'd stolen, named Kyrin. He was sleeping for now.
"Well done lad, you'll be a chip off of Hopper's block yet, based on everything your mother told me," Chipendale said without an ounce of sincerity.
"This is the golden opportunity we've been waiting for," Chakira said, and began to drape herself around Chipendale. "With their tunnels collapsed, the ants are completely exposed. We could strike now, and make them all bird-feed, just like they did to my boyfriend." Her eyes glittered.
"As marvelous of a plan that is love, it's actually not."
She pouted, drawing back. "What do you mean?"
"Their tunnel being collapsed means the ants are now on high-alert." He reached into a coat pocket, and pulled out a cigar and lighter. "They won't go down easily unless their spirits are broken first, them and the circus troupe both. And Kiara could escape in the chaos, and you wouldn't want me to lose my own chance for vengeance, right?"
"Of course not!" She was clinging to him again, and Kady had to roll his eyes and look away. It was the exact same way she had acted with Hopper. "What should we do, then?"
"I think it's high time we stopped having Kady skulk around, and instead have him actually do some undercover work."
"What?" Kady asked.
"Join the ant colony, be another visitor for them to house." He pointed with his cigar, stepping a bit closer. "Get close to Kiara. Get close to her, and you'll be getting close to Flik, from the sound of things. Then, when you get the chance, you'll be able to kill the bug who murdered your dear ol' daddy yourself."
Hopper wasn't actually Kady's dad, but it didn't matter. He was the only dad he'd ever known. Kady's mouth was set in a grim line. "Okay, I'll do it."
"Good lad! Then, once Flik is dead, all the ants will lose their nerve. And you, Chakira, will be able to restore the natural order of ants serving grasshoppers. Much better than killing them all and leaving nothing."
Chakira smiled wide. "And without the ants beside them, those circus freaks will be outnumbered, and we'll be able to destroy them easily. You're a genius."
"I know." The two huddled closer.
"We'll need to come up with a plan for getting Kady into the colony, and for making a good impression on Kiara." She flicked her hand, and Kady began to turn and leave.
"Just a minute, boy," Chipendale said. "Imposing on the ants' hospitality will require a good explanation, one that tickles their… sympathies. They're soft for bugs in danger, after all." He was grinning again, teeth clenched around his cigar. A tremor went down Kady's back.