The Bug Wars by Robert Asprin

“Zur,” I beamed, “the hot-beams are effective against the Ants?”

“Most satisfactory, Commander,” came the reply.

“West group is closing, Commander,” Mahz beamed. “Moving slowly.”

“Confirmed,” I replied.

“Enemy incoming,” I said to Ihr softly.

“Ready, Commander.” Ihr’s voice was tight.

I reminded myself she was a Technician and as such unused to combat.

“West status report?” I beamed to Mahz.

“I can’t see anything,” Ihr complained, glaring through the gathering twilight shadows.

I ignored her.

“Still closing, Commander,” came Mahz’s report.

“They’re out there,” I informed Ihr.

“Then let’s see them.”

Before I realized what she was doing, she rose and fired blindly to the West. Her hot-beam immediately touched off a small brushfire. In its light, I could see a small group of Ants gathered behind a large piece of machinery.

“Ihr…” I began, but too late.

A ray lanced out from the Ant’s machine, cutting her in half at the torso. So much for the self-styled Warrior-Technician. The beam shot out again, opening a gash in the fortification dome behind me.

“Cold-beam!” I broadcast to the other teams, kicking Ihr’s body to one side.

“Shall I try for it, Commander?” came Mahz’s hail.

“No! Continue watching for the tunnel.”

I did not want to disclose the turret gun’s presence until absolutely necessary, particularly not with cold-beams around.

I moved along the trench to my left, then cautiously raised my head for a look.

“It seems to be a large, bulky mechanism,” I beamed to the force at the fortification. “Any indication of similar devices in the area?”