Joint Defense Headquarters, Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado, USA January 2152

Admiral George Doolittle grunted in bittersweet satisfaction as he viewed the enormous display showing a map of human and Andalite space, human territory in green and Andalite in red. His own people had made impressive gains during the first month of the war, evidenced by the green shading over several formerly red areas. Luck, he thought, the 'lites weren't expecting us to hit so hard. They'll regain their balance soon. A few small smatterings of red were scattered around the fringes of human territory, but after Harvest the Andalites hadn't attacked a major human world. If anything, the Andalites seemed to be on the defensive, focusing on holding back Earth forces. A strike will come soon, Doolittle thought, not at Earth, but…somewhere.

Doolittle sighed as he turned from the display back to the conference table at which sat military leaders from all over the world. After the Joint Defense Initiative had been instituted and the war had started, Doolittle was promoted from commander-in-chief of the U.S. Earth Sector Fleet to Supreme Commander of JDI Forces. He liked the little bonus and parking spot the title gave him, but could have done without the circumstances under which he got it.

"Ladies and gentlemen," the admiral said, "as you can see, we're doing quite good for ourselves." He waved at the map. "But sooner or later the Andalites are going to get off their blue butts and launch a counter-offensive. We have two options on how to deal with that: end this war now before the offensive comes, or else figure out where they'll hit first, next, and after that and prepare accordingly. Personally, I opt for option one, but that's likely wishful thinking. I'm open to suggestions."

"I don't think we need to worry about Earth," said E.U. Admiral Pierre Dietrich, voicing Doolittle's earlier thoughts. "At least, not initially. We can open a Z-space rift at a moment's notice so it'll take the Andalites months to get here. We'll have plenty of warning to prepare our active defenses and strengthen them if necessary."

"Yeah," Doolittle agreed, "but it's not Earth I'm worried about, it's the outlying planets. I'm particularly concerned that the 'lites will take another stab at Harvest. The prism cannon there's out of commission and a good chunk of our Harvest fleets are in shambles."

"Can't we shuffle our fleets around to fill the need at Harvest?" asked one American commander.

"We could, but that would make another system more vulnerable," replied a PSA officer.

"We just agreed that Earth can't be attacked anytime soon. Can't we use parts of the Earth fleets?" said another American.

"Earth's too important. It needs all its defenses on call in case the Andalites can find a way around the rift," said a European officer hotly.

"That's unlikely," spat a PSA commander.

Doolittle rubbed the bridge of his nose in frustration. He could see where this was going. But before he could step in to quell the developing argument, Chinese General Xiao Li spoke up.

"We could still go with option one, you know."

Everyone in the conference room looked up in surprise; it was the first time any member of the Chinese contingent had spoken that day.

Admiral Doolittle blinked. "Option one? End the war now? You mean take the fights to the Andalites now?"

"Why not?" said Li, strangely composed. "Do we not have the resources?"

"Resources?" said Doolittle, scratching his chin. "Yeah, we have resources. Problem is, turning those resources into ships and weapons." He shrugged. "I guess we do have the firepower, but it would likely mean taking most of our forces away from defending our systems."

"Then it would have to a swift, decisive blow," replied Li.

An officer from Macronesia spoke up. "The Andalites would figure out where we're going and wait for us to come out of Z-Space. We'd likely not even have a chance to get into position around the planet for a bombardment."

"Who is talking about attacking the planet from space?" questioned Li.

Every one stared at the Chinese general in silence.

"Are you suggesting…" began Doolittle, catching on.

"I'm suggesting we play to our strengths," said Li. "In the 150 years we've known the Andalites, I would hope it has become clear to everyone that they are quite skilled at stellar warfare. We're no slouches ourselves, but the Andalites have been at it longer. In an orbital attack on the homeworld, we would likely be able to damage the planet and their defensive fleet, but it probably won't be enough and the cost would be exceedingly high."

"So," said one American general, "just because there would be losses is no reason to scrap an assault. Hell, in the Second World War, General Eisenhower was expecting 70% casualties at D-Day and he still went ahead."

"True, General," replied Li. "But your Eisenhower was out of options. We're not. We have one more option, and it just so happens to be something at which, I believe, humans are more skilled than Andalites." He paused for dramatic effect, apparently enjoying the fact that he held sway over everyone in attendance.

"Well?" said one admiral impatiently. "Out with it, man!"

"Ground combat. We invade the Andalite homeworld."

This crated an uproar among the meeting officers.

"Invade!"

"Send in troops!"

"Land?!"

"What?" exclaimed Shipleader Joon-soo Hyun from the PSA. "Invade the homeworld?! Land troops?! That's insane! Even if we could get an invasion force there… I mean, supplies…logistics! It's crazy! Admiral Doolittle?"

"It's an interesting suggestion," Doolittle said, getting stares of shock from everyone, particularly from Shipleader Hyun. "Especially because the Andalites wouldn't expect it. Hell, I mean if your jaws were going through the floor at the suggestion, I can just imagine the Andalites reaction when dropships and APS's start landing on their homeworld." Doolittle turned to Li. "General, you have one week to get me an outline of this proposed invasion operation. If you need anyone or anything, tell me who and what." He raised his voice. "Dismissed, everyone!"

The crowd got to their feet and as everyone dispersed to go back to their posts in the 200 year old complex of bunkers and missile silos, Doolittle heard them muttering to each other. He distinctly heard "nuts" and "crazy" thrown around a few times.

Well, maybe it is crazy, Doolittle thought. The old cliché just crazy enough to work popped into his head.

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Sorry if this chapters a little short. It was orginally part of Chapter V, but I split them up and made a few alterations.