Angus had been making futile attacks on the Border thieves, mainly the Armstrongs, who now became very prominent and picturesque robbers.

Maybe you couldn't have won, but you damn well could have lost a lot faster if you'd bled your forces dry in futile attacks.

[Ch'en Hao says: "He plans no superfluous marches, he devises no futile attacks."

"With that on top of the losses they've sustained in futile attacks today, the Syndicate forces are going to face some serious morale problems."