Consul Quintus, I applaud the decisiveness of your plan to drive all the way to Lilybaeum, but I ask you, then what? Without a fleet, you can go no further. At that point, the initiative will shift to Carthage, they will be able to not only attack your army but land anywhere behind you. I doubt the Carthaginians would agree to a ceasefire at that point, so I do not believe that this is a war that can be concluded at this time, which is why I believe that it should not be started. While Syracuse must be captured in time, it is at this time effectively shielded by the Carthaginians. When we are prepared to fight a war with Carthage may we take Syracuse.