No one can blather on like a holy man with a trapped audience. Well, maybe a politician. - James S. A. Corey

If Fred couldn’t build himself a peace treaty, the OPA would never win against the discipline and unity of an inner planet navy. But they would also never lose. War without end. Well, what was history if not that? And how would having the stars change anything?

“No, that was real,” Miller said. “Just a little reminder that we’re out of our depth here.”
“Didn’t need it. Was clear,” Jim said.

It was the widest concerted attack ever. Hundreds of ships on at least four sides. Dozens of stations, millions of lives.
Among the stars, it didn’t stand out.