“Have you considered the possibility of creating our own tunnels?” suggested Heem.
“Clarify?’ I requested.
“It is a known fact that Ants utilize cold-beams in the construction of their tunnels. As we also have cold-beams, it occurs to me we could employ them in a similar fashion. If we sank a Bore shaft, say here, we could then use the cold-beams to tunnel horizontally to reach the egg chamber.”
I considered the proposal. It seemed to be an effective and ingenious solution to the problem. I was about to comment to that effect, when I noticed Zur was consulting the data tapes.
“Do you have something to add to the discussion, Zur?” I asked.
“One moment, Commander. I seem to recall…yes, here it is.”
He studied the data tape before continuing.
“I regret to say horizontal tunneling will not be possible in this situation.”
“Explain?” requested Heem.
“Although it is true the Ants employ cold-beams to bore their tunnels, it is merely to supplement their own abilities. Constructing a tunnel requires more than boring a horizontal hole. It also involves some type of bracing to prevent its collapse. The Ants accomplish this with a form of cement they make with their own saliva. We have no such ability, and to attempt to construct a tunnel without support could only be disastrous.”
“What if the tunnel is through solid rock? Wouldn’t that negate the necessity for additional bracing?” Heem asked.
“That is what I was checking on the data tapes,” Zur replied. “The region of the second anthill is characterized by loose, sandy soil, not solid rock.”