Page 68 of Mission of Honor

It was astonishingly easy for her to make that admission to the leaders of the star nation she'd fought for her entire adult life.

  Pritchart blinked at her, then those topaz eyes narrowed in thought, and the president began nodding—slowly, at first, then more rapidly.

  "So that's why you make such a fiendishly effective diplomat!" she said with something very like an air of triumph. "I couldn't believe how well a total novice was reading us. Now I know—you were cheating!"

  The last word came out in something very like a laugh, and Honor nodded back.

  "Where diplomacy's concerned, according to my mentors in the Foreign Office, there is no such thing as 'cheating,' Madam President. In fact, one of those mentors quoted an old axiom to me. Where diplomacy is involved, he said, if you aren't cheating, you aren't trying hard enough."

  Elizabeth snorted in amusement, and Theisman shook his head.

  "In this instance, however," Honor continued more seriously, "what Her Majesty is asking me is whether or not I can tell if Dr. Simões is telling the truth. I already informed her"—she looked directly at Pritchart "—that I knew you were, Madam President. On the other hand, I also assumed you would have expected from the beginning that Nimitz would have been able to tell me and that I would have passed his observations on to Her Majesty, so I didn't feel any particular scruples about that."

  Pritchart nodded again, and Honor shrugged.

  "What I can tell you about Simões is that his anger—his outrage—at this 'Alignment' is absolutely genuine. The pain inside that man is incredible."

  She closed her eyes for a moment, and her nostrils flared.

  "Everything I can 'taste' about his 'mind glow' tells me he's telling us the truth, in so far as he knows the truth. Whether or not McBryde might have been passing along disinformation is more than I could say, of course. But, on balance, I think he was telling the truth, as well. It all fits together too well with what we've already seen, and with what Simões can tell us about their hardware."

  "And there are still so damned many holes in it," Elizabeth half-snarled.

  "Yes, there are," Honor agreed. "On the other hand, I'd say the Star Empire knows infinitely more than we knew yesterday, Elizabeth . . . given that we didn't know anything at that point."

  Elizabeth nodded slowly, then looked at Pritchart.

  "So I guess what it comes down to," she said slowly, "is where we go from here. Whatever happens, I want you to know I'm enormously grateful for the information you've provided us. And I think we can both agree that the war between Haven and Manticore is over."

  She shook her head, as if, even now, she couldn't quite believe what she'd just said. Not because she didn't want to, but because it seemed impossible, like something which couldn't possibly be true because of how badly everyone wanted it to be true.

  "Mind you," she continued, "I don't expect everyone to be delighted about that. For that matter, a few days ago, I probably would have been one of the people who wasn't delighted myself," she admitted.

  "Trust me, there's the odd couple of billion Havenites who probably feel exactly the same way," Pritchart said dryly.

  "And that's the sticking point, isn't it?" Elizabeth asked softly. "Stopping shooting at each other—that much I'm sure we can manage. But it's not enough. Not if Simões' and McBryde's story is true after all."

  "No, it's not," Pritchart agreed quietly.

  "Well," Elizabeth smiled with very little humor at all, "at least I can feel confident now that you'll keep the Republican Navy off our backs long enough for us to deal with this Admiral Filareta."

  "Actually," Pritchard said, "I had something else in mind."

  "Something else?" Elizabeth's eyebrows rose.

  "Your Majesty—Elizabeth—the Mesan Alignment wants both of us destroyed, starting with the Star Empire. I don't know if it honestly believes the SLN can do the job where you're concerned, or if it was anticipating we'd do it when we recognized the opportunity it had given us. But it doesn't really matter. What matters is that this Solarian attack on you is simply one more step in a strategy directed against both of us. So I think something a bit more pointed than simply stopping shooting at each other might be in order."

  "Such as?" Elizabeth asked slowly, eyes slitted in concentration.

  "I understand your missile production facilities have been taken off-line," Pritchart said. "Tom here tells me you've undoubtedly got enough of those ungodly super missiles in your magazines to thoroughly kick the ass of this Filareta if he really insists on following his orders. But that's going to cut into your reserves, and given that the Alignment managed to rip the hell out of your home system, I think it would be a good idea for you to conserve as much ammunition as you can in hopes we'll find someone a bit better suited to playing the role of target."

  "And?" Elizabeth's eyes were opening wider in speculation.

  "Well, it just happens that Thomas here has a modest little fleet—two or three hundred of the wall, I believe—waiting approximately eight hours from Trevor's Star in hyper. If you're willing to trust us in Manticoran space, perhaps we could help you encourage Filareta to see reason. And while I'm well aware our hardware isn't as good as yours, every indication I've seen is that it's one hell of a lot better than anything the Sollies have."

  "Are you offering me a military alliance against the Solarian League?" Elizabeth asked very carefully.

  "If McBryde was right, there isn't going to be much of a Solarian League very much longer," Pritchart replied grimly. "And given the fact that the same bunch of murderous bastards who shot up your home system are also directly responsible for you and I having killed a couple of million of our own people, I think we could say we have a certain commonality of interest where they're concerned. And it's not a case of selfless altruism on my part, you know. We're both on the Alignment's list. Don't you think it would be sort of stupid of either of us to let the other one go down and leave us all alone?"

  Brown eyes and topaz met across a table littered with the remnants of breakfast, and it was very, very quiet.

  "We're still going to have those problems, you know," Elizabeth said almost conversationally after a moment. "All those people on both sides who don't like each other. All that legacy of suspicion."

  "Of course." Pritchart nodded.

  "And then there's the little matter of figuring out where this Alignment's real headquarters is, and who else is fronting for it, and what other weapons it has, and where else it has programmed assassins tucked away, and exactly what it's got in mind for the Republic once the Star Empire's been polished off."

  "True."

  "And, now that I think about it, there's the question of how we're going to rebuild our capabilities here, and how much technology sharing—and how quickly—we can convince our separate navies and our allies to put up with. You know there's going to be heel-dragging and tantrum-throwing the minute I start suggesting anything like that!"

  "I'm sure there will."

  The two women looked at one another, and then, slowly, both of them began to smile.

  "What the hell," Elizabeth Winton said. "I've always liked a good challenge."

  She extended her hand across the table.

  Pritchart took it.

  Characters

  Abercrombie, Sir Tyler

  Home Secretary, Star Kingdom of Manticore.

  Abrioux, Special Senior Inspector Danielle

  one of Kevin Usher's top investigators, Federal Investigation Agency, Republic of Haven.

  Adenauer, Commander Dominica Adenauer, Royal Manticoran Navy

  operations officer, Tenth Fleet.

  Adriopoulos, Commander Alexandros, Royal Manticoran Navy

  commodore James Tanner's chief of staff.

  Agnelli, Chief Steward Joanna, Royal Manticoran Navy

  Sir Aivars Terekhov's personal steward.

  Alexander, The Honorable William

  Baron Grantville, Prime Minister of the Star Empire of Manticore; Hamish Alexander-
Harrington's younger brother.

  Alexander-Harrington, Admiral Hamish

  Earl of White Haven; First Lord of Admiralty; husband of Emily and Honor Alexander-Harrington.

  Alexander-Harrington, Admiral Lady Dame Honor, Royal Manticoran Navy, Grayson Space Navy

  Duchess and Steadholder Harrington; CO, Eighth Fleet. Life of Hamish and Emily Alexander-Harrington. Special envoy to the Republic of Haven.

  Alexander-Harrington, Lady Emily

  Countess of White Haven; wife of Hamish and Honor Alexander-Harrington.

  Alquezar, Joachim

  Prime Minister, Talbott Quadrant.

  Anisimovna, Aldona

  senior operative for Mesan Strategy Council and Mesan Alignment.

  Armstrong, Captain Veronica ("Vicki"), Royal Manticoran Navy

  CO, HMS Artemis; Admiral Michelle Henke's flag captain.

  Atkins, Corporal Joshua, Harrington Steadholder's Guard

  one of Honor Alexander-Harrington's personal armsmen.

  Attunga, Marguerite

  a reporter for Manticoran News Service, Incorporated.

  Bardasano, Isabel

  Jessyk Combine cadet board member and senior director Mesan Alignment security services.

  Barloi, Henrietta

  Secretary of Technology, Republic of Haven.

  Bautista, Vice Admiral Pépé, Solarian League Navy

  Fleet Admiral Sandra Crandall's chief of staff.

  Beaupré, Lieutenant (JG) Andre, Republic of Haven Navy

  Admiral Thomas Theisman's personal shuttle pilot.

  Belardinelli, Antoine

  President Eloise Pritchart's senior secretary.

  Berkeley, Lieutenant (SG) Anthony, Royal Manticoran Navy

  assigned Manufacturing and Prototyping Command, HMSS Weyland.

  Billingsley, Master Steward Chris, Royal Manticoran Navy

  Michelle Henke's personal steward.

  Blackett, Sergeant Luke, Harrington Steadholder's Guard

  James Harrington's personal armsman.

  Blaine, Vice Admiral Jessup, Royal Manticoran Navy

  CO, Links Terminus Home Fleet detachment.

  Boisvin, Lieutenant Édouard, Royal Manticoran Navy

  XO, HMS Stevedore.

  Boltitz, Helga

  Henri Krietzmann's personal aide.

  Borderwijk, Captain Alenka, Republic of Haven Navy

  Admiral Thomas Theisman's senior aide.

  Bouchard, Lieutenant Commander Jerod, Royal Manticoran Navy

  astrogator, HMS Artemis.

  Bourchier, Senator Ninon

  Senator, Republic of Haven; Constitutional Progressive Party.

  Brantley, Lieutenant Commander Harper, Royal Manticoran Navy

  communications officer, Eighth Fleet.

  Brigham, Commodore of Mercedes, Grayson Space Navy

  Admiral Honor Alexander-Harrington's chief of staff, Eighth Fleet.

  Browne, Commander Ishmael, Solarian League Navy

  XO, SLNS Joseph Buckley.

  Cabeçadas, Jennifer

  John and Laura Cabeçadas' older daughter.

  Cabeçadas, John

  a tourist passing through HMSS Hephaestus with his family.

  Cabeçadas, Laura

  John Cabeçadas' wife.

  Cabeçadas, Miguel

  John and Laura Cabeçadas' son.

  Cabeçadas, Serafina

  John and Laura Cabeçadas' infant daughter.

  Cachat, Special Officer Victor

  station chief, Erewhon Sector, Foreign Intelligence Service, Republic of Haven.

  Caparelli, Admiral Sir Thomas, Royal Manticoran Navy

  First Space Lord, Royal Manticoran Navy.

  Carlson, Captain Frederick, Royal Manticoran Navy

  CO, HMS Quentin Saint-James; Sir Aivars Terekhov's flag captain.

  Carmichael, Sir Lyman

  Admiral James Webster's replacement as Manticoran ambassador to the Solarian League.

  Carus, Commander Michael, Royal Manticoran Navy

  CO, Destroyer Division 265.2 ("The Silver Cepheids").

  Casterlin, Commander Sterling, Royal Manticoran Navy

  staff astrogator, Tenth Fleet.

  Chamberlain, Vice Admiral Hansen, Solarian League Navy

  Admiral Keeley O'Cleary's chief of staff.

  Chandler, Commander Ambrose, Royal Manticoran Navy

  Vice Admiral Khumalo's staff intelligence officer.

  Chase, Lieutenant Commander Julie, Royal Manticoran Navy

  CO, HMS Lodestone, Division 265.2.

  Chatfield, Captain Darryl, Solarian League Navy

  Fleet Admiral Sandra Crandall's communications officer.

  Chernevsky, Anastasia

  head of naval research and development for Mesan Alignment.

  Chin, Captain Marjorie, Solarian League Navy

  XO, SLNS Anton von Leeuwenhoek.

  Coleman, Commander Theresa, Mesan Alignment Navy

  Admiral Frederick Topolev's chief of staff.

  Colenso, Admiral Jennifer, Mesan Alignment Navy

  CO, Task Force Two, Oyster Bay operation.

  Colombo, Rear Admiral Thomas, Royal Manticoran Navy

  Vice Admiral Claudio Faraday's predecessor as CO, HMSS Weyland.

  Conner, Captain Jerome, Royal Manticoran Navy

  CO, Battlecruiser Division 106.1.

  Cortez, Admiral Sir Lucien, Royal Manticoran Navy

  Fifth Space Lord, Royal Manticoran Navy; CO, Bureau of personnel.

  Cottolengo, Lieutenant Commander Chikosi, Royal Manticoran Navy

  electronic warfare officer, Battlecruiser Squadron 108.

  Crandall, Fleet Admiral Sandra, Solarian League Navy

  CO, Task Force 496.

  Culpepper, Commander Martin, Royal Manticoran Navy

  Admiral Michael Oversteegen's chief of staff.

  Da Silva, Lieutenant Chantelle, Royal Manticoran Navy

  logistics officer, Battlecruiser Squadron 108.

  Danko, Sergeant Major Evelyn, Royal Manticoran Marine Corps

  "Gunny" Danko; HMS Rigel's senior Marine noncom.

  Danvers, Vice Admiral Lilian, Royal Manticoran Navy

  Third Space Lord, Royal Manticoran Navy; CO Bureau of Ships.

  d'Arezzo, Ensign Paulo, Royal Manticoran Navy

  junior officer, assigned Manufacturing and Prototyping Command, HMSS Weyland.

  Deangelo, Captain Severino, Royal Manticoran Navy

  Sir Lyman Carmichael's naval attaché on Old Terra.

  Denton, Lieutenant Commander Lewis, Royal Manticoran Navy

  CO, HMS Reprise.

  Detweiler, Albrecht

  chief executive, Mesan Alignment; director, Mesan Strategy Council.

  Detweiler, Benjamin

  Albrecht Detweiler's son; Mesan Alignment chief for military affairs.

  Detweiler, Collin

  Albrecht Detweiler's son, Mesan Alignment chief for intelligence operations.

  Detweiler, Daniel

  Albrecht Detweiler's son, Mesan Alignment chief for nongenetic R&D.

  Detweiler, Evelina

  Albrecht Detweiler's wife and a senior scientist for the Mesan Alignment in her own right.

  Detweiler, Everett

  Albrecht Detweiler's son, Mesan Alignment chief for genetic R&D.

  Detweiler, Franklin

  Albrecht Detweiler's son, Mesan Alignment chief for political strategy.

  Detweiler, Gervais

  Albrecht Detweiler's son, Mesan Alignment chief for foreign affairs.

  Dicey, Royal Manticoran Navy

  Master Steward Chris Billingsley's Maine Coon cat.

  Diego, Commander Wilton, Royal Manticoran Navy

  tactical officer, HMS Artemis.

  Dombroski, Lieutenant (JG) Tabatha, Royal Manticoran Navy

  junior tactical officer, HMS Star Witch.

  Doyle, Surgeon Commander Lamprecht, Royal Manticoran Navy

  ship's surgeon, HMS Artemis.

 
Dzung-ming, Rear Admiral Tang, Solarian League Navy

  Admiral Keeley O'Cleary's operations officer.

  Edwards, Lieutenant Commander William ("Bill"), Royal Manticoran Navy

  communications officer, Tenth Fleet.

  Epstein, Lieutenant Commander Jessica, Royal Manticoran Navy

  supervisory officer assigned to Perimeter Security Command, Manticore binary system.

  Fairfax, Rear Admiral Lavinia, Solarian League Navy

  Admiral Keeley O'Cleary's intelligence officer.

  Faraday, Vice Admiral Claudio, Royal Manticoran Navy

  CO, HMSS Weyland.

  Fariñas, Lieutenant Sebastián, Royal Manticoran Navy

  Admiral Michael Oversteegen's flag lieutenant.

  Fernandez, Lieutenant Commander Kyle, Royal Manticoran Navy

  communications officer, HMS Artemis.

  FitzCummings, Dame Charlotte

  Countess Maiden Hill; Minister of industry, Star Empire of Manticore.

  FitzGerald, Captain (JG) Ansten, Royal Manticoran Navy

  CO, HMS Hexapuma.

  Flynn, Commander Sheila, Mesan Alignment Navy

  Commodore Karol Østby's chief of staff.

  Fonzarelli, Captain Karaamat, Royal Manticoran Navy

  senior officer, Repair & Refit Command, HMSS Hephaestus.

  Ford, Walter ("Walt")

  Chancellor, Second Chance Republic, Matagorda System.

  Foreman, Commander Clement, Mesan Alignment Navy

  Commodore Karol Østby's ops officer.

  Frankel, Steward First-Class Benjamin, Royal Manticoran Navy

  Ansten FitzGerald's steward.

  Givens, Admiral Patricia, Royal Manticoran Navy

  Second Space Lord, Royal Manticoran Navy, and CO, Office of Naval Intelligence.

  Gregory, Stan

  Secretary of Urban Affairs, Republic of Haven.

  Haarhuis, Captain Berend, Solarian League Navy

  Fleet Admiral Sandra Crandall's staff astrogator.

  Haftner, Abednego

  Henri Krietzmann's chief of staff.

  Halstead, Captain Raymond, Royal Manticoran Navy

  one of Admiral Hemphill's project officers at BuWeaps.

  Hampton, Alicia

  Secretary of State Leslie Montreau's personal secretary.

  Hanriot, Rachel

  Secretary of the Treasury, Republic of Haven.

  Hardy, Captain George

  CO, RMS Paul Tankersley.

  Harper, Platoon Sergeant Frances ("Frankie"), Royal Manticoran Marine Corps