“Raht, Commander. Borer units landed and functioning.”
“Acknowledged.”
Second anthill! Something was wrong. The third anthill should have reported in before the second.
“Kah-Tu!” I beamed.
“Yes, Commander.”
“Report status immediately.”
“Encountering unexpected surface resistance, Commander. The Ants are digging new holes to the surface as fast as we can seal them.”
The kaleidoscope display on the View Screens confirmed this. Despite the frenzied efforts of the flyers, Ants were boiling to the surface and dashing angrily about.
“There are loose soil conditions in that area, Commander,” Zur informed me. “It is doubtful we will be able to successfully stop that countermove.”
“Proceed with Borer unit drop.” I ordered.
“Acknowledged, Commander.”
We had fought the Wasps to gain air supremacy. Now was when it should prove its worth.
“Zur!”
“Yes, Commander.”
“Alert your reserves to stand by and report back to me.
“At once, Commander.”
If we were encountering difficulties this early in the assault, it could be taken as guaranteed we would need the reserves before it was over.
One of the View Screens went blank.
First anthill! I waited.
“Zah-Rah, Commander,” came the report. “Flyer down.”
“Report,” I ordered.
“Reason unknown, Commander. Flyer was dropping Surface Thumpers and failed to pull out of run. Assumed mechanical failure.
“Acknowledged.”
I had hoped for more firm information. Mechanical failure in a flyer is rare.
“Kah-Tu, Commander. Borer units landed and functioning.”
“Acknowledged.”
Third anthill. The battle was now joined on all fronts. I checked the screens. The Ants were gathering in clumps and rushing the Borer units.