Fletcher made a helpless gesture.

“We have to show people that our successes mean we’re back on our feet,” Cook said in a ringing voice. “The Windsor League agreed to join the Grand Fleet because of your Tannish System victory and the destruction of the alien Destroyer.”

Fletcher was shaking his head. “I’ve studied history. Coalition fleets quarrel all the time. The Battles of Salamis and Lepanto are prime examples.”

“Correct me if I’m wrong, but those coalition navies defeated their respective enemies, enemies just as feared as the New Men are now to us.”

Fletcher stared at the mountains in silence. He felt his resolve crumbling. Did Cook truly think he could do this?

“You’ll have the advantage of numbers,” the Lord High Admiral said. “My strategists are certain of that. The New Men can’t have our industrial capacity.”

“They have superior technology with their fusion beams and better shields.”

“The counter-attack won’t be easy,” Cook admitted. “They’re good, damn good. Until the Tannish System, we thought the New Men were unbeatable. But we did defeat them. Now, we have to push back. Free the captured planets, John. Smash the invasion armada. And—”

Fletcher looked at the Lord High Admiral.

“Find the coordinates to the Throne World,” Cook said. “We have to take the war to them if we’re ever going to be safe.”

“I don’t know,” Fletcher said, softly. “Who’s the Windsor League commander going to be?”

Cook hesitated before saying, “Earl Bishop. He’s the league’s third highest-ranked commander. He’s also a cousin to the king on both his mother and father’s side.”

Fletcher had heard of Bishop. “I know him,” the admiral said with a frown. “Bishop will intrigue for the leadership of the Grand Fleet. It’s in his blood. He’ll try to take command from me.”

“That’s another reason I want you to lead,” Cook said. “You’re a bulldog, a fighter. At all costs, you must maintain command of the Grand Fleet.”

Fletcher’s frown deepened.

“You’ll have to outmaneuver the earl politically,” Cook said. “Play the long game with him. Just make sure you keep the Grand Fleet united. You must find the enemy and defeat him. Nothing else matters.”

Fletcher ingested the advice.

“We have to counter-attack to keep the New Men off-balance long enough to rip the initiative from them for good,” Cook said. “Otherwise, those geniuses will have enough time to find another Destroyer or something like the ancient alien war-machine.”

“I still don’t think I’m the right man for this.”

“There’s no one else who can act as the glue,” Cook said. The old man straightened to his full height, and his voice deepened. “You’re duty-bound to accept the post, John. Humanity needs you.” The Lord High Admiral paused, studying the admiral. He finally added, “Are you up to the challenge?”