“I have great hopes for this war,” Shawnkyr was saying as the shuttle ramp met the deck of the Pillory. Her blue profile was strong and jaw set, an almost masculine air of confidence squaring her shoulders. The slick black hair of her people was tied in a severe knot on the back of her head, leaving the red glow of her eyes to leap out from her countenance without competition. “Terephon has been a magnificient success, even taking into account the loss of Teneniel Djo. At this rate, we could have the Baci subdued within a month.” “Excellent.” Anyone else might have smiled. * * * “Anything.”