She met Kaine's eyes.
"The TSD's doctrine prioritizes holding strategic positions. But doctrine assumes both sides value the same things. The Vantir don't care about territory the way we do—they care about eliminating our forces. We keep fighting battles designed to destroy us because we're too committed to doctrinal thinking to ask whether the battle is worth fighting at all."
The room was absolutely silent.
Kaine stepped forward and took control of the display. "Let's test it."
She ran the simulation.
The TSD fleet began evacuating the station the moment Vantir forces entered the system. The support frigates docked. The destroyers formed a screen. The Vantir advanced, but cautiously—they'd expected a static defense, and the TSD's immediate withdrawal disrupted their approach.
Eight
