The Bug Wars by Robert Asprin

Zur thought about this for several moments.

“I see your difficulty,” he said at last, “but I may have a possible solution for you, if I might suggest it.”

“Accepted,” I said.

“You are being overwhelmed with possibilities. There are so many variables you are unable to focus on any one course of action. My suggestion is this: Choose an arbitrary force, a specific number of Warriors, and a random selection of equipment. Then go ahead and devise a battle plan as if that was all you had to work with. Organize your assault and estimate your casualties. Then halve the force and devise a new plan. Then double the original force and plan it again. If I am correct, you will rapidly discover that in one situation you are handicapped by a shortage of Warriors, in another there are excess Warriors. Perhaps in one situation you will find yourself realizing that two or more pieces of equipment would take the place of ten Warriors. In any case, by establishing some of your variables as constants, you should be able to better analyze the problem.

I considered this. It seemed a logical approach.

“I will attempt to implement this method, Zur,” I said. “It seems an efficient approach to problem solving.”

“It is one of the primary systems employed by the Scientists’ caste,” Zur commented. “I see no reason why it should not work equally well for a Warrior.”

Somehow, this made me uncomfortable, but I withheld comment.

“This is actually the reason for my intrusion,” Zur said, placing the box he was carrying in the corner. “It may aid you in your efforts.”