There's something cloyingly ridiculous about her enthusiasm for this stupid war. It's something, he thinks, he'll be sad to see gone, but if she's going to survive the conflict, it'll have to go. An idea forms in the back of his head, one wondering about if she could survive on her own. If everything went to shit, the Cetagandans win and Daryl gets killed-- all highly likely scenarios-- what will become of Beth? She'll have to blend in among the local people, go to ground and make a life here.

It's a far-off thought, one for tomorrow, and tomorrow, and the day after that. Daryl lets its stew for now, gathering momentum in the back of his mind.

No, for now, he'll indulge her.

"Them Cetagandan pricks, they ain't got a clue," he says. "Can't live off the land. Can't fight without weapons, neither."