Fighting the exotic enemy, striking against diamond-hulled warglobes or pursuing them into high-pressure atmospheres, was completely different from any kind of warfare that Lanyan had ever considered in his simulations. His prior plans would have been effective in any conflict with the Ildiran Empire or a rebellious Hansa colony.

The deep-core aliens, though, were something else entirely.

This would never be a war based on infantry and ground troops. It would not be won by capturing and occupying territory, probably not even through negotiation. If the enemy truly lived deep within a giant planet, where hydrogen itself could be compressed into metal, what possible overlap of resources or territorial needs could the two sides have? What could the aliens want? Lanyan knew in his gut that this would be a war of utmost destruction, employing heavy weaponry—perhaps even doomsday bombs—as well as massive, invincible starships. Individual soldiers would be useless, infantry and handguns completely irrelevant. Instead, the EDF fleet needed trained navigators, pilots, and gunners for the integral weaponry on heavy battleships.

On the Goliath’s bridge, King Frederick called an end to the tour. Basil Wenceslas must have instructed him to limit his visit to no more than an hour. The Juggernaut crew had other duties to perform.

“Gentlemen,” Frederick said, “we are most pleased and impressed. I find the Goliath completely satisfactory, and I declare it ready to depart. This Juggernaut will be the flagship of our awesome new Earth Defense Forces.” When he smiled, his wrinkled face reclaimed some of its youthful glow. “I trust you’ll one day honor me with a brief cruise around the solar system?”

“That can be arranged, Sire,” Lanyan said, then remembered the public-relations reminder Basil had given him. “I’d like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to every citizen in the Terran Hanseatic League. Their support, their sacrifices, and their continued belief will help to ensure a thorough and decisive victory. We humans are a strong race. We spit at adversity, and we always triumph in the end.”

King Frederick beamed. “Well spoken, General. I will issue a royal command for the new, expanded fleet to launch with all due haste. Once we defeat these cowardly aliens who strike without warning, we can return to our normal and prosperous way of life in the Hansa colonies.”

The King’s retinue applauded while the media representatives gulped up every image to enhance and broadcast to their viewers. General Lanyan’s heart swelled with enthusiasm and confidence, but in his mind he knew the reality would be significantly more difficult than his speech had implied. Glancing across the Goliath’s bridge, he met Stromo’s eyes. Both men understood, held the same reservations.

The new Terran battlefleet was far superior to anything Lanyan had commanded before. Their ships were more numerous, their weapons more destructive. But in reality they knew almost nothing about the capabilities or motives of their enemy.