The SSE admiral responded, “You are simply too timid, Commodore. A good spread of nukes through the local sphere will surely take out this alien that you have code-named Ivan.”

“And you know that, how? Never mind. You hope that will work. The problem is that if it doesn’t, you’ve committed the entire human race to a war that, ultimately, we will lose. While at the same time denying us the opportunity to leap-frog our technology through cooperation with Ivan.” Mandelbaum released the transmit button with a flourish.

“Bah! More words. More mealy-mouthed weaseling. Let us show you how it is done.”

Immediately, the status monitor on the desktop showed an object leaving the SSE war fleet. A second later, AI software projected the trajectory, terminating in Ivan’s comms station. At the same time, the intercom announced, “Single launch from SSE flagship. Profile matches S-Mark-IV SSE nuclear missile. Initiating defensive script Moore-1.”

There was a barely perceptible shudder as the Gambit responded. The klaxon bleated, followed by an automated announcement. “Red alert, red alert, all personnel to battle stations. This is not a drill. Implement radiation protocols.”

After a brief pause, the P.A. announced, “Estimated intercept twelve seconds. All crew, brace for blast and radiation effects.”

Mandelbaum glared at Moore. “You sent a nuclear-tipped missile to intercept?”

Moore smiled back. “Close only counts in horseshoes and nuclear missiles, Commodore. The response both ensures that we’ll take out their sortie, and sends a clear message that we’re happy to deploy nukes. It immediately deflates their internal narrative that we will be the first to blink.” His smile changed to a predatory grin. “It’s a strategy of mine that I like to call, ‘As a matter of fact, you give me your wallet.’”

Mandelbaum shook her head in disbelief. “Don’t make me regret that order, Moore.”

“I don’t think Yeltsin is as confident as he makes out, Commodore. In this particular case, we can make him blink.” Moore hoped his confident tone wasn’t misplaced. The alternative was that he had just started an interplanetary war. If this tanked, he might as well just space himself and save everyone else the trouble.

The desktop flashed the message, “Detonation”, followed by, “Outside shock radius” and “Radiation effects nominal.”

Admiral Yeltsin spoke over the intercom, his voice tight with rage. “That was a declaration of war, Commodore.”

Mandelbaum stared at Moore for a long second, then responded. “If you want to take it that way, Admiral, feel free. But you’re capable of doing the same analysis that we are. We outgun you. Not significantly, but enough to put the odds in our favor. Meanwhile, we have an agreement with Ivan, and you don’t, which means he’ll be motivated to help us. If we go to war, you can bet your last bottle of vodka that we’ll be using any tech we get from him to pound the SSE into the dust.”