“Do you really mean to tell me that back in Berlin you’ve got a plan for war against France and one for war against France and England and one for war against France and England and Russia and one for-”
“Aber naturlich,” [But naturally] Schlieffen broke in. “And we think of also Austria-Hungary and Italy, though they are now our friend. And we remember Holland and Belgium and Denmark and Sweden and Turkey and-”
The general-in-chief of the United States stared at him. “Jesus Christ, you do mean it,” Rosecrans said slowly. “What do they do in that General Staff of yours, Colonel, sit around all say studying maps and timetables and lists of regiments and God knows what all else?”
“Yes,” Schlieffen answered, surprised yet again that Rosecrans should be surprised at the idea of military planning. “We believe that, if war comes, we should as little to chance leave as we can.”
“Do you really mean to tell me that back in Berlin you’ve got a plan for war against France and one for war against France and England and one for war against France and England and Russia and one for-”
“Aber naturlich,” [But naturally] Schlieffen broke in. “And we think of also Austria-Hungary and Italy, though they are now our friend. And we remember Holland and Belgium and Denmark and Sweden and Turkey and-”
The general-in-chief of the United States stared at him. “Jesus Christ, you do mean it,” Rosecrans said slowly. “What do they do in that General Staff of yours, Colonel, sit around all say studying maps and timetables and lists of regiments and God knows what all else?”
“Yes,” Schlieffen answered, surprised yet again that Rosecrans should be surprised at the idea of military planning. “We believe that, if war comes, we should as little to chance leave as we can.”
Harry Turtledove, How Few Remain