"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.