The Bug Wars by Robert Asprin

The new Warrior joined us, and the trainer passed the helmet to him without a word. The brevity of his inspection was not lost on me or the trainer.

“Your comments?” I asked.

“None, Commander,” The trainer replied.

Her assistant started to step forward, but she held up a hand to restrain him.

“I am responsible for this portion of the, training,” she continued, “and therefore stand ready to answer for any transgression which may have transpired.”

“Face the Warriors,” I said.

She hesitated, then turned and stepped to the edge of the walkway.

I raised my voice to address the entire bay.

“It has been brought to my attention that the progress in training I have viewed today has been falsified. If this had not been discovered, had I been allowed to think you were more prepared than you are, I might have committed you to battle before you were actually ready. If that situation would have occurred, you would have been soundly defeated. The Empire’s campaign against the Ants would have failed, and we would have been too depleted in numbers to mount another attack.”

I pointed to the trainer.

“This Warrior was responsible for your current phase of training. Her neglect of duty does not constitute a difference of opinion or an affront to any individual, group, or caste. It is a direct threat to the Empire.”

I signaled to Zur. His alter-mace came off his harness and struck in one smooth blur of motion. The trainer’s body hurtled off the walkway and crashed limply on the floor below.

“She dies not as a Tzen and a Warrior in a duel or in service to the Empire, but as an Enemy and a threat to our existence.”