074 - Mi-Kark, Restaurateur

The Underempire, despite its many successes and glorious expansion, is still a militaristic state with harsh laws and iron grip on power for one ruling caste. It faces therefore unique challenges that no other realm on the surface must struggle with - how to keep the massive population in line while still making sure that enterprise, inventiveness and social order prevail? This was especially jarring in the few biggest hives of the Underempire, vast, sprawling cities bustling with citizenry of ever kind, including even non-bugs from the surface after stern immigration process. But while Ants might be many things, no one ever accused they’re of lack of industriousness and economy-oriented planning. They knew that their growing empire will need to slack on some rules and give people some leeway to grow, to form firmer societies and to enrich them with new skills and capabilities - even if that meant a fierce propaganda machine and indoctrination to ensure that the One Vision is upheld in every corner of the empire. It creates an uncanny sense of false normalcy in the bustling cities - stalls and eateries fill the busy streets, big spires emerge with businesses, factories and offices of growing bureaucracy match the peculiar uniformity of message and thought, ensured by the Correctness Police and aura of oppression.