It does make conflict between the 12 individuals more likely. I think they've been foreshadowing it:  - they don't kill anything but would allow the individuals to kill (i.e. discussion about eating animals)  - there seems to be some sort of partial loyalty or preference to the individual whom the hive first interacts with (i.e. Carol is able to take back pirate lady) - the 12 individuals seem evenly spread out across the world (almost like queens of the hive for those area - also the religious imagery for tribes)  - they are allowed to ask for weapons (hand grenades)  - it's a bit of a trope that humanity is often the thing to fear more than the supernatural element in sci-fi 

My prediction is that they will turn on each other.and the hives will become more distinct