“Teaching me to suck eggs, Herzer?” Edmund said, smiling faintly.

“No, just wondering what you’re really planning,” Herzer admitted. He’d never been able to guess, but… it didn’t keep him from trying.

“With any luck at all, it will all be moot,” General Galbreath noted. “If Colonel Carson succeeds, the war will be over.”

“And he is training well,” Edmund said, distantly. “Herzer, have you taken a look at the Icarus force?”

“Not in depth,” Herzer admitted. “Among other things, I’m not cleared for full information. But I was sparring with the colonel earlier today and he’s a formidable fighter. If many of his men are like him, they’re going to do well.”

“And if we have the fuel tanker…” Galbreath said, breathlessly.

“That’s it,” Herzer said, nodding. “We keep the fuel and as soon as the New Destiny reactors run out, only Sheida and the rest will have power.”

“And then we’ll be able to stop this bloody war in its tracks,” Galbreath added, nodding. “No need for an invasion. For that matter, if we can track down the New Destiny Key-holders, and I’ll bet a lot that Sheida will have that well in hand, we can get back to a real life.”

Herzer looked at Edmund and raised an eyebrow.

“Color you pessimistic, boss?” he asked, lightly.

“There are few actions that are in and of themselves war winning,” Edmund admitted. “Think of it this way; if New Destiny gets the fuel, are we just going to roll over?”

“No,” Galbreath admitted, frowning. “Not given what they’ll probably do to the world.”

“I’d keep fighting,” Herzer said, working his jaw. “With my last breath.”

“There you are,” Edmund said, quirking one cheek in a grin. “And so will New Destiny, if only to keep from having us capture them alive. And the lack of intel on New Destiny’s plans makes me suspicious. I know they have to be planning something; they’re not asleep. But what is the question.”