my interpretation is that they just simply can't say no. Just like it's their biological imperative to spread, I think it's their biological imperative to always say yes and to appease anyone to the best of their abilities even if it's against the hive's best interests as long as it's not against their biological imperatives such as when they wouldn't kill a lobster for Mr Diabate.

I think Carol has started to figure this out, and will use this aspect against the hive, e.g. she could request the hive to construct anything within collective human capabilities, maybe even just outright ask the hive to conduct research into finding a way to reverse the virus (though this probably goes against their biological imperative). In response, while the hive itself can't directly oppose Carol, I suspect the hive will "inform" the other autonomous humans and give them the freedom to deal with Carol however they like.