The First Space Lord smiled.  Traditionally, the Admiralty issued its orders and expected its subordinates to come up with their own operational plans.  It made sense, Ted knew; there was no way to micromanage military operations across interstellar distances.  The situation might change between a system CO sending a request for orders and receiving a response from the Admiralty, leaving the orders already out of date.  But given how badly shocked everyone had been by the war, it wasn't impossible for the Admiralty to start issuing orders that tried to cover every little detail.

He was a CO himself, Ted remembered.  He knows better than to try to micromanage.

“There is a catch,” the First Space Lord added.

Ted scowled, inwardly.  There was always a catch.

“You’ll be taking a handful of embedded reporters with you,” the First Space Lord said.  “I’m afraid it isn't negotiable.”

“Reporters,” Ted repeated.

“Reporters,” the First Space Lord confirmed.  “I will expect you to show them every courtesy.”

Ted felt his scowl deepening.  The last time he’d had to deal with reporters had been before his assignment to Ark Royal, when he’d been a mere Lieutenant.  His CO at the time had told him that it was a perfect opportunity to broaden his mind and learn how to handle newcomers, something that Ted had clung to until he’d actually met the reporters.  After that, he’d been convinced he’d somehow offended his Captain and the assignment was actually a non-too-subtle punishment.

“This is actually quite important,” the First Space Lord said.  “Have you been following the mood on Earth?”

Ted shook his head.  The First Space Lord nodded to the PR officer, who stepped forward.

“The public mood started out as wary, but confident,” the officer said.  His nametag read Abramczyk.  “After New Russia, it crashed right down and we had a whole series of riots led by people who thought that the entire world was about to come to an end.  Then you pulled off your victory and the public mood started climbing upwards again.”

“Panicky civilians,” Fitzwilliam said.

“The average civilian knows nothing about the realities of naval combat,” Abramczyk reminded him.  “They assume that the aliens can reach us in seconds and act on that assumption.  The decision to try to cover up some of the details of New Russia didn’t really help, as it was poorly done and the truth leaked out.  Having reporters on your ship may be a big step forwards towards rebuilding the public’s trust.”

Ted didn't – quite – sneer.  “Sir,” he said, addressing the First Space Lord, “is that important?”