“As we reach low altitude, scatter and search individually. We want a large, deep cave in the low mountain range, not more than five hundred meters from a water source, preferably with an overhanging ledge. Avoid the forests and high-altitude flying at all costs.”
As Kor had pointed out, there were still worker Wasps about. It would not pay to have them discover the presence of lingering Tzen to vent their vengeance on.
“Commander, may I suggest-“
“You may not, Ssah! As you pointed out, this is my decision to make and I have made it. You have your orders.”
The team scattered, each taking a sextant to canvass. Our flyers skimmed low over the rolling foothills, racing to find refuge before our time ran out. Each pass through my sextant took longer as the search pattern widened. I began to grow concerned. The pattern might spread too far without success, and then we would be in danger of being unable to regroup our flyers if the power source stopped.
I banked the flyer into another turn and started back through my sextant, alert for any sign of a cave such as we were seeking. In another few sweeps I would have to break off the search and try another plan. If we flew too far apart, we would be unable to contact each other telepathically.
“Commander I have a cave.”
“Message confirmed, Ssah. Is it large enough to get our flyers into?”
“I have already flown in and back out again successfully. It will suit our purposes.”
Not for the first time I noted Ssah’s tendency for unnecessarily reckless action. However, this was not the time to go into it at length.