ing room of Power Station One, at the heart
of the Fences surrounding the planet Ten Hsiao-p'ang, examining damage
reports. The Cubans, after trying for a week to storm the defenses of
both planets at once, had decided to concentrate their forces upon Teng
along, believing, correctly, that once it fell, the power of the other
would be diminished as well. Though Dark's shields still held, the
outlook was not bright. For even a mirror may be destroyed by a well
aimed and determined laser; and the colonies had to hold out for
another month at least.

"I don't know why I try," he muttered to himself. He switched off the
last tracer diagram, leaned on the railing heavily.

IT'S FUNNY, REALLY. LIKE A STUPID GAME I CAN'T POSSIBLY WIN. I JUST
PLAY IT BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO. This assault had become
a symbol, and more than a symbol to him. If these planets fell,
crushing forever his last dreams of a home, then the efforts of a
lifetime had been wasted.

Here he had resolved to make his final stand. No more running:
fleeing from his body's weakness, and before the haunting loneliness,
the creeping paralysis of a life without love, companionship, or the
simplest human feeling of attachment. Here he would stand, until he
was either conquered or set free, or surrendered in death the slender
sinews that knitted his soul to flesh. A defeatist's attitude, some
might say, but for this important difference. He had spent a lifetime
learning how not to surrender, and he did not intend to lose.

An under-officer, the closest thing to a friend he had, approached him.

"Richard. Commander Chang says his station can hold them no longer.
They've singled him out and are pounding it apart. The fields are
overloaded and the power can't be channeled back fast enough."

"Tell him he HAS to hold them. I'll release the Harrier Squadrons as
soon as they're massed and I know it's safe. Then we'll try to rotate
him in; but no promises."

Kim looked dispirited, started to walk away. Dark clasped the thick of
his sleeve.

"Tell him I haven't forgotten them. It will just be a while longer."

When the time came, he released the Harriers. Their mission was
successful, and the more damaged stations were rotated back into the
inner circle, replaced by those that had not yet faced the enemy eye to
eye. But a dozen ships were lost and that tactic, by its very use, had
been rendered less effective. The adversary knew it