“Nonetheless, I think it behooves us all to admit that if worse came to worst and we went back on active operations against the Manties, our best option at this point would be to adopt a basically offensive stance. Particularly now, while they’re hopefully unaware of our true potential, a hard, carefully coordinated offensive offers us at least the potential of neutralizing their fleet and driving them back onto the defensive in a way which might convince them to negotiate seriously with us for the first time.

“No one in the administration, with the possible exception of the Secretary of State, would even consider suggesting that we run such military risks in an effort to unjam the diplomatic process. I’m certainly not proposing that we do any such thing, either. I’m simply pointing out that when it comes to devising war plans, I feel we need to look very closely at the advantages of a powerful offensive strategy rather than restricting ourselves to a purely defensive one.”

“In the final analysis, an offensive strategy is a defensive one,” Giscard said thoughtfully. “When it comes right down to it, for us to win, the Manty fleet and industrial infrastructure both have to be neutralized. If they aren’t, and if we don’t manage to do it early, then even with all Shannon’s accomplished at Bolthole, it’s likely that we’ll end up looking at a situation very similar to the one Esther McQueen faced. Except that with the new ship types, any lengthy stalemate will be even bloodier than it was then.”

“Exactly.” Theisman nodded firmly. “Only an idiot would willingly go back to war with the Manties at all. If we have to, though, then I intend to fight to win, and to win as early as we possibly can. I don’t plan to ignore the possibility of a more defense-oriented strategy, and Arnaud and the rest of the staff will be working on that as well at the New Octagon. But to be perfectly honest, any defensive plans are going to be primarily fallbacks in my thinking. That’s one reason I wanted to talk to the three of you in person. If it comes down to it, you and Lester are going to be our primary field commanders, Javier. And your position at Bolthole is going to become even more critical, Shannon. So I want all of you to understand exactly what and how the President and I are thinking.”

“I think we all do,” Giscard told him. “Or, at least, I’m confident we all will before you head back to Nouveau Paris, at any rate. The thing I wonder is whether or not the Manties are smart enough to figure out the same thing.”

“You and me both,” Theisman told him with a sigh. “You and me both. In a way, I hope to Hell they are, because maybe then they’ll also be smart enough to help avoid ever letting it come to that. Unfortunately, I don’t think we can count on it.”