Klaxon by Robert Sheckley. Short summary

5 seconds

Intelligent bugs interfere with the construction of the Intergalactic Fleet on their planet. A telepath comes into contact with them, and relations improve.

1 minute

A grandiose construction is underway on the planet Klaxon, the only habitable place to live. It’s necessary for the creation of a military base.

An intergalactic fleet will be stationed there to strike at the enemies, the Khalians. Admiral Esplendadore is in charge of the construction.

Many specialists with different skills, including young Leia, who has telepathy, take part in the project.

But construction drags on — the buildings keep settling and falling down. Fleet scientists speculate that intelligent beings are interfering with the construction, although they have not been detected on the planet.

Suddenly, the Admiral’s living module is carried away with it by millions of bugs. They turn out to be sentient beings, making contact through Leia. They demand to move the construction from the valley, which is their home.

The admiral is forced to agree. In addition, the beetles have offered to help in the construction as much as they can.