"Warlock Star," it read "the situation in The United States, though tragic, is under control and slowly being resolved. The situation in Asia, however, is desperate. Your forces are needed there far more than they are needed in The United States. An all out effort is being prepared to stop The Com in East India. I request that you immediately contact the Somali president and request that your forces proceed to this endeavor rather than to The United States. The First Speaker."
Samuel went immediately to the new president, who greeted him warmly. When he asked what was needed Samuel handed him the communiqe. The president read it then nodded.
"Of course!" he answered. "We have been having similar thoughts ourselves. You may deploy your forces where they are needed most."
"Thank you!" Samuel acknowledged.
"Before you leave," the president continued, "a personal matter. Your family's support in my organizations is greatly appreciated. Your daughter's tireless efforts in assisting my son in dealing with the media impressed him muchly. She is a young woman far wiser than her years. My son would very much like to escort her to a few public functions. Of course he would not do so without your consent."
Samuel knew this was coming. He had seen the young people looking at each other, knew full well what was happening. Though there were ten years difference in their ages the signs of love were unmistakable.
He drew his thoughts back to the present. "I would be very honored," he assured, "if your son was to escort my daughter. This would be very pleasurable to her. However, I would not want any thoughts of a permanent relationship for at least a couple of years."
The president nodded. "I will make my son aware of your desires," he assured, "and I express his thanks and, mine."
"You must excuse me, Mr. President," Samuel concluded. "To get our forces to East India in time to join General Sid before the fighting begins, we must hurry!"
"Of course!" the president answered. "May Allah and your fathers be with you. May their strength give your hand thunder and their wisdom strengthen your mind!"
Samuel bowed again and quickly hurried out. It seemed like forever before his troops were finally deployed, but the day finally came when he arrived at Duad Sid's headquarters, and was ushered into the great man's presence. He took Samuel's hand and shook it strongly. Where he wasn't Spiritist Samuel forgave this breech of protocol.
"Come!" the general insisted, "Gather around everyone! It is my custom," he told Samuel, "to listen to the opinions of each new arriving officer, to have him give me his opinion of the situation, and explain how he would deal with it. Please, do not be embarrassed! Our line of defense is clearly marked on the map. Do you think we can hold these five passages, keep the enemy from moving further west?"
Samuel shook his head. "No sir," he answered. "We will make a valiant effort. We will do the enemy much harm. But we will not be able to hold him. The force deployed against us is too great. Our only hope of victory is to take bold and sudden action, to use the enemy's over confidence against him and then, even if we are successful, I doubt we can win little more than a stalemate, tie the enemy down here, and hold him. The decisive victory that will finally turn him back will have to come elsewhere."
The younger generals around Sid looked shocked, but the old warrior only nodded in agreement.
"I feel," he continued, "You have a plan."
"Yes," Samuel nodded. "It is not without risks. Many things could go wrong. But I feel it is the best chance we have."
"Continue," Sid insisted, "continue."
The younger officers crowded even closer, not wanting to miss a word.

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