The Bug Wars by Robert Asprin

“Here is the prototype of the Borer unit, Commander,” Or-Sah said, leading us into a large chamber.

High above us, work crews were laboring, furiously constructing additional units. We ignored them and studied the unit at our level.

One feature that was immediately apparent to the eye was the additional armament. The weapons at the top of the dome were heavier and more numerous, and there were additional weapons mounted along the perimeter of the unit.

“Have the lock-out mechanisms of the auto-weapons been modified?” I asked.

“They have,” Or-Sah confirmed. “They will now recognize and bypass a Tzen in their field of fire, though I personally have never understood the need for such a requirement.”

I kept my silence, but involuntarily my head lowered.

“On our last mission,” Zur commented conversationally, “the Commander lost a team member because one of the auto-mounts opened fire while he was in line with the target.”

“But the specifics of this campaign state that no Warriors will be on the ground outside the Borer units,” the Technician argued. “Why should the Technicians have to waste valuable time designing-“

“Are the walls of this tube in their finished state?” I interrupted.

“Yes they are, Commander.”

“Why haven’t they been treated for cold-beam immunity?”

“Because it isn’t necessary, Commander,” Or-Sah replied. “The Energy-Drain units should render the Ants weapons ineffectual.”

I found the patronizing tone of his voice irritating.

“And if they do not, every Warrior in the tube will be vulnerable to having his escape route cut off,” I commented.