The Bug Wars by Robert Asprin

“What is it?”

“One of our Warriors, Sirk to be specific, has disappeared. “

“Explain.”

“He was on guard, fully armed and wearing a booster band for communication. He failed to report in, and has been unresponsive to attempts to contact him.

“Was he within the Defense Network?”

“Unknown, Commander. As you know, the detectors have been set to ignore the movements of a Tzen. As such, we have no knowledge as to whether he was lured outside the Network or if our defenses have been breached.”

“Very well. Institute a search at once.”

“It has been done, Commander. Mahz led the search party. That was him reporting in just now. There was no trace of Sirk, nor any signs of a struggle.”

“A search has already been conducted? Why wasn’t I informed?”

Zur hesitated before answering.

“The Warrior team has been dissatisfied with our conduct in the battle against the spider, particularly as it was witnessed by the other castes. As such, we were reluctant to sound the alarm until we were certain a crisis existed. We had no wish to look foolish in addition to being ineffective.”

“You haven’t answered my question, Zur. I am of the Warrior caste and would have held the information in confidence. Why wasn’t I informed?”

The pause was longer this time.

“Whether you are aware of it or not, Rahm, you have been becoming increasingly distant from the average Warrior. My team has not been insensitive to this, and tends to view you as something apart from the team. They were as reluctant to appear foolish in front of you as they were to avoid embarrassment before the Technicians or Scientists.”