"Very well, Commander."
"Zome, I realize the difficulty of your position, and would normally allow you a certain grace period to reacclimate yourself to the duties of command. Unfortunately, circumstances do not permit this. Do you have even an estimate for us as to how much additional time will be required to find an acceptable natural enemy to the Leapers?"
"I do, Commander. It is my belief we have already found it."
"Explain."
"For some time now the Scientists have been investigating a species of warm-bloods indigenous to this planet. They are small, only about a half meter in length, and are completely harmless to the Tzen. Their specific food is the eggs of the Leapers, which they sniff out and burrow after, each one consuming ten to fifty a day. It is our belief that seeding the Leaper-held planets with large quantities of these warm-bloods, coupled with a concentrated ground and air strike against the adult Leapers, could effectively eliminate that species of the Insect Coalition." His voice was uncharacteristically enthusiastic.
"Warm-bloods are notoriously short-lived," interrupted Horc. "How will they survive the flight back to the colony ship?"
"This particular species is highly prolific," answered Zome. "They should be able to produce new generations while on board the transport ship to replace those that die."
"If they are so potentially effective," interjected Zur, "why have they been unable to eliminate the Leapers on this planet?"
"The natural enemy for this species, a carnivorous plant, also abounds on this planet. It claims such a high percentage of the species' population that only its high reproductive rate has allowed the species to survive at all. For this particular planet, we would raise a high population in the colony ships to offset the normal mortality rate. Then, including the carnivorous plants on the target list along with the adult Leapers, we would dump them back here to deal with the eggs. By the time the plants reestablished themselves from seeds, the warm-bloods' work should be done."
"What do they eat besides Leaper eggs?" asked Horc. "What would we feed them in transit, or on the colony ships for that matter?"
"We have induced them to accept a chemical substitute in the lab, one which we can easily produce, even on board ship. I should note that we were careful to test one thing. They will not eat Tzen eggs:"
"How hard are they to catch?" Zur inquired. "What will be involved in obtaining a breeding stock to take back with us?"
"There is a particular chirp they emit when ready to breed, a chirp they use to attract a mate. It is possible to reproduce this sound mechanically, and properly amplified by the Technicians, it should be easy to draw them to our fortification for capture and transport.
"This trait is particularly advantageous, since if they begin to overpopulate the target planets, we will be able to attract them to a central point for disposal or dispersal."
"I have a question, Zome."
"Yes, Commander?"
"The species you describe seems to be the perfect solution to our problem. In fact, it is so perfect, I must inquire as to why it was not brought to our attention before?"
For the first time in his presentation, Zome hesitated before replying.
"Tzu does...did not like warm-bloods. She was at best reluctant to recommend spreading this species or any warm-blood through the universe. As such, she delayed reporting our findings while she searched for another alternative. She was investigating another predatory species of Insect, one outside the Coalition, when she had her encounter with the Ants."
"What was her objection to warm-bloods?" asked Zur.
"She expressed what I believe to be a personal theory. It maintains that considering the brain-size-to-body-mass ratio, that the warm-bloods are potentially intelligent, even more intelligent than the Insects or even the Tzen. If properly directed, that intelligence could be a potential threat to the Empire. "
"Warm-bloods?" interrupted Horc. "A threat to the Empire?"
"Having insufficient data to calculate the relative intelligence of warm-blood species, much less the probability of such an occurrence, she was prone to treat all warm-bloods with equal suspicion."
"I'm no Scientist, Zome," Horc commented, "but I find that theory hard to accept. To challenge the Empire would require not only intelligence, but technology. To the best of my knowledge, warm-bloods are not physically able to operate machines, much less develop them."
"As you have said, Horc, you are not a Scientist. Species of warm-bloods have been discovered with grasping forepaws not unlike our own hands, and therefore capable of operating machinery. What is more, until we discovered the notes of the First Ones, we would have insisted it was physically impossible for an Insect to operate a machine. Intelligent beings will develop devices which can be operated by their own physical configuration."
"Zome-" Zur began, but the Scientist raised a restraining hand.
"Before we pursue the subject further, I would like to clarify my own position. I personally disagree with Tzu's theory. If nothing else, I feel the narrow temperature range warm-bloods can tolerate negates their effective danger to the Empire. However, as a Scientist, I must acknowledge the possibility-just as Tzu did. I merely discount the probability."
"Tzu's apprehensions are noted, Zome," I said. "However, I believe we are in agreement. Any species we find will have potential dangers inherent, and searching for a probably nonexistent perfect species is both time-consuming and dangerous. The one benefit I can see to the species under examination is that if we have made a mistake, it can be recalled by the chirp machines. If there are no objections, then, I will accept the designated warm-blood species as our target, and we will proceed with collection." Once our target was agreed upon, the mission proceeded smoothly. The chirp machine devised by the Technicians drew the warm-bloods in at such a high rate that for a while we were hard-pressed to construct cages fast enough to hold them.
A booster beam call to the transport ship brought the crew back to full active status, and the cage problem was soon solved. The Technicians on board began constructing large holding pens, and daily runs from the shuttle craft began filling them, leaving us with empty cages to fill.
The ground team was not lulled just because the end of the mission was in sight, however. Horc and Rahk had taken assignment on board the ship looking after the warm-bloods as they were ferried up, leaving us with only seven team members on the ground. To counterbalance our weakness, Zome and Ihr armed themselves from the arsenal and accepted temporary assignment with the Warriors as guards, leaving only Krahn to collect the warm-bloods and load the cages.
It was interesting that these two, Zome from the Scientists and Ihr from the Technicians, would volunteer for this duty. I had detected in Zome's eagerness to accept field assignments a hunger for action and admiration for the Warriors. In his case, it was a chance to try another role without changing castes.
Ihr was a different story entirely. From the onset of the mission, she had been openly disdainful of the Warriors, to a point where Horc had found it necessary to reprimand her several times. Her willingness to stand guard could only be interpreted in one way she was out to prove that she could do a Warrior's job as well as or better than any Warrior.
Two non-Warriors, one friendly, one hostile-I did not care what their motives were. They were Tzen, and I was glad to have them armed and watching the perimeter.
Despite the smoothness of the mission I was uneasy. My Warrior's instinct told me no plan, including our current one, would transpire as predicted.
I was right.
I was in conference with Zome when it happened. We were discussing the necessary quantities of warm-bloods to transport and had reached agreement. The load currently waiting to be picked up and one more should provide breeding stock of sufficient quantity for the proposed project. It was then the call came.
"Attack Alert! Weapons ready!"
I reacted instantly to the message beamed into my head, as did every other team member in sight. We
waited for clarification, but none came. The message had been in a strained tone, negating identification.
"Who sounded the Alert?' I beamed at last.
There was no answer.
"Mahz!" I beamed. He was currently covering the gun turret.
"Yes, Commander!"
"Anything on the Network?"
"No, Commander."
I pondered the problem, weapon in hand.
"Commander!"
It was Hif's voice beamed into my head.
"Report, Hif!"
"I have visual contact. Something moving toward the fortification from the Southeast...fifty meters out"
"Identify!"
"Unknown. I can see brush moving, but that's all."
"All members pull back to the fortification!" I beamed. "Mahz!"
"Here, Commander."
"Anything on the network to the Southeast?"
"No, Commander."
The team was assembling now, Zur hastily assigning them positions with gestures and telepathy.
"I can see it now, Commander," came Mahz's voice.
"It's Kor!"
"Kor?" I echoed.
It was Kor. We watched her final painful approach, Zur moving to help her. She was badly mangled and missing one arm.
"Hold your position," I beamed to the rest of the team.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Zur assisted Kor to a position behind our defensive line and eased her to the ground near the base of the fortification.
"Permission to leave formation, Commander?" called Zome softly.
"Reason?"
"To bring medical supplies and administer-"
"No!" Kor's voice interrupted, firm, and surprisingly calm.
"Kor!" Zur admonished.
"I must report first...important."
"Commander, she'll die if I don't-"
"They are going to attack...the Ants...They'll try to stop the information from reaching the Empire..."
"Commander!" Zome was insistent.
I made my decision.
"We'll hear her report. Zur, I want you to rearrange the defenses. I want you, Zome, and the ranking Technician...Ihr, stationed near enough to hear this report, but I want you all facing outward to watch for attack."
"Yes, Commander," and he was moving, acting instantly to carry out the order.
"Thank you, Commander," whispered Kor weakly.
I ignored her.
"Mahz!" I beamed.
"Yes, Commander!"
"Put on a booster band and contact the transport immediately. Tell them we need the shuttlecraft down here as soon as they can manage it."
"Yes, Commander."
"Ready, Commander." Zur was back.
"Very well, Kor, proceed with your report."
"They have machines...They...they're studying us...using data to plan tactics-"
"What kind of machines?" interrupted Ihr.
"How are they studying us?" asked Zome.
"Ihr, Zome, I will say this once. We will not tolerate interruptions to this report. Kor! You are of the Warrior caste. You therefore know how to report in a concise orderly fashion. Cease this undisciplined babbling and report properly!"
The rebuff seemed to calm her.
"Yes, Commander. We were captured...all three of us..." She paused as if trying to organize her thoughts. I waited patiently, wondering about the fate of the other two captives.
"Some sort of stun ray...carry it slung under their bodies... Maximum range unknown...trigger mechanism unknown. We were hit at about fifty meters...They struck Vahr and me first, possibly because of our weapons, then took Tzu...Only saw two weapons. So they can be fired at least twice without recharge or reloading...Effect is immediate...full loss of motor nerve control and partial loss of mental faculties..."
She was weakening. I noticed the wound from her missing arm was still bleeding. Using my hand, I tried to pinch off the arteries. I was not wholly successful, but at least now she was losing blood at a slower rate.
"The Ants were both swift and organized in their movements...We were stripped completely, weapons, harness, even booster bands before we could think clearly enough to try to send a message."
"We were then carried back to the anthill and inside...We could see and think, but couldn't move...dim lighting...dumped on floor..."
She stopped and stretched her head back. I realized she was suffering from the pain of her wounds. I waited.
"Dumped on floor in room with dim lighting... We were examined...probed by their antennae...checked for sex...Knew what they were looking for...then piled together...Examining Ants withdrew...replaced by six guards...larger, heavier mandibles..."
"Finally gained control of motor nerves...Effects of stun beam wear off eventually...Examined chamber...Tzu said it was specifically a chamber for captives...one entrance, water supply...Particularly noted lighting...came from luminous rocks...not a natural formation...brought in...changed occasionally by guards... Light not necessary for Ants; must be for prisoners..."
"Examining Ants returned once we were conscious... Crowded first Tzu, then me toward Vahr...Tzu deduced they wanted us to breed...Vahr and I complied, Tzu would not... Warm-bloods brought and given to Vahr and me... Tzu prevented from eating...Pattern continued... Laid eggs, but would not let Ants near them... They did not insist... Suggested Tzu also comply...refused...Would not help Enemy learn about Tzen... "
"Began planning escape... Could approach entrance, but guards would not let us leave chamber...From entrance we could see another chamber across the tunnel...machines..."
"Commander!" came Mahz's voice into my mind.
"Rahm here."
"I have a report on the shuttlecraft "
"Delay report."
I focused my attention on Kor as she continued.
"Could not see entire chamber... There was a kind of View Screen...not full image like ours...stick figures on glowing screen... Display showed our fortification and the anthill...stick figures of Tzen around fortification... Number of Tzen changed from time to time...assumed showing defenses and patrols... Could not see controls or operators.
"Planned escape... Had noted speed of Ants while being carried on surface...used estimated speed and memorized turns taken carried in dark...Thought we could find our way out...Decided not to carry glow rocks...would pinpoint position... Vahr and I would provide fighting cover for Tzu's escape...get Scientist out..."
"Commander," came Mahz's voice again.
"Rahm here. "
"Intruders in the Network, Southeast."
"Identify. "
"Leapers. Twenty of them."
"Movement?"
"Holding position at seventy-five meters."
"Attack Alert," I called to the team. "Leapers massing. Seventy-five meters, Southeast."
I turned back to Kor.
"Continue your report."
"We made our escape attempt...Vahr began to act erratically...running back and forth...falling on floor...Finally ran to eggs and began smashing them with his feet."
"Three guards moved to subdue him... He fought... They seemed unwilling to hurt him... Killed one...Tzu and I made no move to escape...two of the remaining guards moved to assist...only one guard left on entrance..."
"There were several rocks in chamber...same size as my steel balls... Used one to kill entrance guard... We ran... Vahr broke loose and took position at entrance to slow pursuit..."
"Running blind in dark...Hit walls...Tunnels not patrolled...Ran into an Ant from behind...killed it... Ran into one head-on...caught me by arm... Tzu continued alone...Killed the Ant but lost the arm...kept running."
"Message beamed from Tzu...Encountered large number of Ants...blocking tunnel to surface... She ran down another tunnel...led them off..."
"I got to the surface without encountering another Ant...headed for fortification... Several Ants emerged and started after me, then turned back..."
"Commander!" came Mahz's voice, "More Leapers nort
h, accompanied by several Ants!"
"Confirmed," I beamed.
"That concludes my report." Kor's voice was suddenly coherent again. "Special commendation recommended for Tzu. She died like a-"
Her body spasmed, and was still.
"Mahz," I beamed, "status report"
"No visual contact, but instruments still show the two groups. No activity since the last report. They seem to be waiting for something."
"Estimated arrival of shuttlecraft?"
"The transport is in a bad orbital position. If they send it out it won't have enough power to lift off again. Earliest possible arrival is just after sunset"
"Update status as conditions change, but report directly to Zur."
"Confirmed, Commander."
"Zome!" I called softly.
"Here, Commander."
"Examine Kor and stand by to report."
"Confirmed."
He moved to Kor's body.
"Ihr! Analysis of Kor's report."
There was no response.
"Ihr!"
"Yes, Commander. I...in a moment."
I started to press her, then realized she was taking Kor's death badly.
"Ignore it," I beamed to her. "Make your report. You are acting head of the Technicians.
"But Commander," she beamed back, "the last thing I said to Kor...before she was captured...I said I thought the Warriors-"
"Warrior or Technician, she was a Tzen. So are you. Now report."
"But-"
"She's dead...and the rest of us could be the same unless we learn from her report. Now give your analysis!"
"The Ant's technology is apparently inferior to our own. The View Screen described indicates two things. First, they have not yet mastered direct input methods. Stick figures as opposed to full visuals indicate a display of manually input statistics. It is possible that there are several input stations, and also the possibility of several viewing screens displaying common data. It seems unlikely, however, that they would content themselves with representative figures if full visuals were possible.
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