If that ship escaped with a cargo of eggs, we would have failed and the Empire would be in grave jeopardy.
“Ar-Tac, Commander. Assuming command of second anthill.”
I forced my mind away from the escaping spacecraft. Raht was dead.
“Can you confirm completion of Raht’s mission?”
“Affirmative, Commander. Flyers report water level in lake dropping rapidly, indicating egg chamber successfully destroyed. Are commencing our withdrawal.”
“Casualty report.”
“Seventy-two percent so far, Commander.”
“Acknowledged. “
“Kah-Tu, Commander. All targets in third anthill have been destroyed. Eighty-seven percent casualties so far. We are encountering strong resistance on our withdrawal attempts. Remaining force is insufficient to regain the surface. Request reinforcements.”
I was afraid of this. The weather conditions were having their expected effect on the retreat.
“Reserve force has been totally committed. No reinforcements are available.”
There was a pause before the reply came.
“I understand, Commander. Request permission to release our flyers to rendezvous with transport.”
“Permission granted.”
“Acknowledged, Commander.”
Kah-Tu was dead. She acknowledged this and was attempting to salvage part of her strike force.
“Space-shuttle Leader, Commander. We have encountered the Ant spacecraft and destroyed it.”
“Report.”
“Spacecraft was apparently unprepared for combat. By going into low orbit, we were able to intercept it before it had an opportunity to change course from launch pattern. Cold-beams were effective in completely destroying the craft.”