The Bug Wars by Robert Asprin

“Perhaps the Technicians could devise a spray cement for us to use,” Heem persisted.

“I will inquire as to that possibility,” I intervened. “However, realizing we are in this predicament due to the Technicians’ inability to comply with a simple request, and considering the lack of time before our departure, I do not feel it would be wise to rely completely on a new discovery as a solution to our problem. Another answer will have to be devised.”

“Commander?”

“Yes, Zur.”

“Perhaps we are treating the lake as an obstacle instead of utilizing it.”

“Explain?” I requested.

“We know the eggs are vulnerable to water. Couldn’t we simply drop one of the water darts we used against the Aquatics into the lake with instructions to direct its cold-beams against the lake floor at this point? Such an attack would flood the chamber, effectively destroying the eggs with minimal loss of personnel.”

“What would prevent the Ants from evacuating the eggs through one of the tunnels?” asked Kah-Tu.

“We could collapse the connecting tunnels with Surface Thumpers,” replied Zur.

“How could the water dart determine the precise spot to apply its rays?” commented Tur-Kam.

“The chamber is of sufficient size, the precise spot would not be important,” Zur countered.

“I have to disagree,” Heem injected. “In the campaign against the Aquatics, we discovered the cold-beam’s effectiveness is severely restricted by water. In fact, it is doubtful that even with a precise target the beam would be able to break the chamber.”

“Commander?”