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Description
Speed-painting project rendered with Corel Painter IX.

Nixra was tired and sore. Mating season had come and gone, along with her chance to breed. Another female had beaten her off and stolen her mate of choice. By the time she'd recovered her strength, it was time for the workers and not gestating females to prepare the nest for new arrivals. Now weeks later, the next generation of Irken people was being born.

It was her turn to stand guard over the nursery, and she had plenty time to think about the breeders. To all the females with enough strength to live through the mating season and give birth to a healthy brood, the perks were unimaginable. Never again would they lift a finger to defend or work or do anything not related to reproduction. That was supposed to be her fate, but since she'd failed to supply children during her first season, she would never have the chance again. In a few more days she would be barren, her lot in life a warrior female.

A shadow caught her eye and she walked down the hall to pick up the larvae that had managed to crawl away from the pile. She looked at it's eyes, the only thing that established any kind of link between the two creatures. At least she'd be more of a mother than any of the fat, happy cows tucked away in the hive.

And at least she still had her figure.

Description
Speed-painting project rendered with Corel Painter IX.

Nixra was tired and sore. Mating season had come and gone, along with her chance to breed. Another female had beaten her off and stolen her mate of choice. By the time she'd recovered her strength, it was time for the workers and not gestating females to prepare the nest for new arrivals. Now weeks later, the next generation of Irken people was being born.

It was her turn to stand guard over the nursery, and she had plenty time to think about the breeders. To all the females with enough strength to live through the mating season and give birth to a healthy brood, the perks were unimaginable. Never again would they lift a finger to defend or work or do anything not related to reproduction. That was supposed to be her fate, but since she'd failed to supply children during her first season, she would never have the chance again. In a few more days she would be barren, her lot in life a warrior female.

A shadow caught her eye and she walked down the hall to pick up the larvae that had managed to crawl away from the pile. She looked at it's eyes, the only thing that established any kind of link between the two creatures. At least she'd be more of a mother than any of the fat, happy cows tucked away in the hive.

And at least she still had her figure.