Adam maintained his vigil by the tree.

One at a time, bees visited and examined him. Some were brave enough to land directly on him. Others just buzzed about. Through it all, Adam focused on his message of mutual help.

Between visitors, his inner worries bubbled up. These bees had never seen his like. Could they trust him? Similarly, could he trust his humanoid allies? Everything was so uncertain.

He did the only thing he could. He cleared his mind again. “We would be stronger together.”

And he waited.

After a time, he heard the buzzing of the approaching swarm.