“Contact Horc and have him get two flyers ready. You and I are going to-“
“Commander!”
It was Zome’s voice beaming into my head.
“Rahm here,” I responded.
“Set your arm-unit for the input unit by the anthill, immediately!”
Zome did not have the authority to give me orders: but something in his voice made me respond. Reflexively, I extended my arm to allow Zur to share the view as the scene swam into focus.
There was a frenzy of activity at the anthill. A party of Ants was returning, bearing aloft a prize. They were triumphantly carrying our three missing teammates. Judging from their lack of movement, they were either dead or unconscious as they were dragged out of sight down the hole.
CHAPTER TEN
The loss of three teammates had a definite impact on the remaining members. Of particular note was Tzu, sorely missed as a Scientist, and irreplaceable as the head of the Scientists’ team. Of no less loss, though some might dispute it, were Kor and Vahr. The loss of two veteran Warriors, particularly one of Kor’s abilities, could only lessen our chances of success or even survival. Although still nine strong, the team was disproportionately weakened.
The situation was serious enough to require my calling a staff meeting. I was loath to do this, as I felt our meetings were becoming needlessly frequent, but we could ill afford uncoordinated action or thought at this time. Lack of information, and therefore lack of unity, has doomed many a campaign in a crisis that could have been salvaged.
“An appraisal of the Warrior situation, Zur?” I asked, to begin the meeting.