“That happens to be an inescapable consequence of the starting situation. But what you were really asking, Linda, was whether or not we should be planning a preemptive strike against them during the period in which we believe we enjoy military superiority. The answer to that question, is no. In fact, it’s emphatically no. Does that clarify the situation for you?”

“Yes, Sir. It does,” Trenis replied.

“Good.”

“At the same time, Sir,” the vice admiral went on, “what Admiral Marquette has just said is quite true. And for the immediate future, at least, the Manties’ preoccupation with the Andermani only increases our probable advantage.”

“That’s true to a point, Linda,” Vice Admiral Edward Rutledge, director of the Bureau of Logistics, said. “But they didn’t actually commit very much of their modern fleet to Sidemore, you know.”

“Agreed.” Trenis nodded. “Every little bit helps, though, and they don’t have all that many SD(P)s to begin with. And,” she added, “they only have one Harrington, thank God! The longer they leave her at Sidemore, the better I’ll like it.”

Several people laughed, but there was more than a trace of genuine anxiety, not to say fear, in some of the laughter.

“ ‘The Salamander’ isn’t three meters tall, Linda,” Theisman said after a moment. “Mind you, I’m not saying she isn’t a tough customer. She is. I know, because she’s beaten me twice. But she’s also been beaten, you know. I certainly won’t object if the Manties are stupid enough to leave her in Silesia, but I’m almost more grateful that they were dumb enough to put White Haven on the beach.”

“Not to mention firing Caparelli. And Givens,” Marquette put in, and Theisman nodded in emphatic agreement.

“Janacek has done his best to drive all of their better commanders onto half-pay. Webster, D’Orville, White Haven, even Sarnow. In fact, Kuzak is about the only one of their first-rate admirals who’s still on active duty. And it’s also true that the size of the commitment they’ve had to make to Silesia has moved the tonnage balance on this side of the Star Kingdom even further in our favor.”

“You’re right about that, Sir,” Trenis said, and frowned thoughtfully. “In fact, as long as they’re going to place themselves in a false position, perhaps we should be thinking in terms of taking advantage of their deployments if it does come down to Case Red.”

“Meaning what?” Theisman asked, cocking his head at her.

“They’ve divided their Navy into three major fleets and a host of small detachments,” Trenis pointed out. “I’m assuming from everything you’ve said, both today and in the past, that we shouldn’t be thinking of a direct, immediate attack on the Manticore System itself.”

She made the statement a question, and Theisman shook his head.

“Not an immediate attack, no. If it comes down to it, we’ll probably have to move to at least threaten their capital system, but we can’t afford to attempt that deep a strike until we’ve removed the threat of their doing the same thing to us.”