“Clarence” was Sir Clarence Oglesby, High Ridge’s long-time public relations director and currently the official press secretary for the High Ridge Government.

“We should release the news through Clarence,” Descroix said instantly.

“I don’t know about that,” New Kiev said almost as promptly. “The RMAIA would be the logical avenue for the initial announcement. Wouldn’t it seem like we were making a blatant grab for publicity if the Government’s press secretary ‘stole their thunder’?”

“I do trust, Marisa,” Descroix said with a thin smile, “that you don’t object to our taking at least some small official notice of this insignificant little event?”

New Kiev opened her mouth angrily, but High Ridge intervened once more.

“Marisa never said that, Elaine,” he said firmly, and stared her down when she seemed disposed to reply sharply. He could do that with Descroix. Unlike New Kiev, she was unlikely ever to allow principle to conflict with ambition, and she understood the finer points of manipulation, whether of the electorate or her cabinet colleagues, in a way New Kiev never would.

“Personally,” he continued once he was certain his Foreign Secretary wasn’t going to pour more hydrogen on his Chancellor of the Exchequer’s anger, “I think there’s some merit to both suggestions. The fact that this is a scientific discovery certainly suggests that the scientific agency which made it ought to announce it. But it’s also a major political event, with implications for the entire Star Kingdom, beginning with the financial sector, no doubt, but certainly not limited to it. So I think the proper way to proceed would be for Admiral Reynaud to announce a press conference, at which the news of his discovery would be made public, and which Clarence would also attend in the role of moderator. That would put him in position to address the political and economic implications of the discovery as well as being sure that the scientists who actually made it get full credit for their work.”

He smiled brightly around the conference table, pleased with his compromise, and New Kiev nodded. Descroix’s agreement was a bit more grudging, but it came anyway, and his smile grew broader.

“Excellent!” he said once more. “In that case, I’ll have Clarence contact Admiral Reynaud immediately to arrange it. Now, about those new shipbuilding subsidies you wanted to recommend, Marisa. It seems to me…”

· · • · ·

“It’s good to see you home again, Honor!” Rear Admiral Alistair McKeon said feelingly as Honor walked into the flag briefing room aboard HMS Werewolf. He and Alice Truman had reached Honor’s new flagship before the Paul Tankersley’s shuttle made rendezvous with her. Mercedes Brigham had arrived with Honor, and Rafael Cardones and Captain Andrea Jaruwalski had met them in the boat bay and accompanied them to the briefing room.

“Rafe and Alice and I have managed to keep things moving, more or less,” McKeon went on as he reached out to grip her hand firmly. “But no one at the Admiralty seems to have the least sense of urgency about all of this, and I think we need someone a little more senior to kick ass over there!”