“We’ve already dispatched warnings to all of our units currently on station in other star systems, and I’ve instructed them to minimize potential additional incidents. Hopefully, all of them will receive our dispatches before they find themselves face-to-face with Andermani units which have already been informed of events in Zoraster. We certainly can’t rely on that, however, which means we have to face the conclusion that it’s entirely possible that we’ll have additional incidents before we get everyone warned. In fact, it’s possible we’ve already had one or more of those additional incidents.

“At the same time I’ve instructed them to minimize potential incidents, I’ve also made it very clear to them that their first and overriding responsibility is to safeguard their commands and their personnel. They’re to take whatever measures they believe are required to that end. Which is why,” she drew a deep breath, “I have instructed them to go to rules of engagement Alpha Two.”

Something like a shiver went through the compartment, and she smiled bleakly. ROE Alpha Two specifically authorized a captain to open fire preemptively if she believed her command was under threat of attack. It specifically did not require her to allow a potential opponent to get in the first shot, although even under Alpha Two she was expected to do all she could to avoid shooting before she pressed the button herself.

Despite that, Honor was fully aware of the danger of escalation her change in the rules of engagement constituted. She would have preferred to avoid it, but her conscience would never have permitted her to. Not nowadays, when the massive salvos ships armed with missile pods could throw were capable of completely swamping and overwhelming an opponent’s point defense. Allowing the enemy to fire first in order to clearly establish responsibility for a hostile act was no longer a survivable option.

“Understand me clearly on this, People,” she said very quietly. “It’s our responsibility to maintain the peace if that’s at all possible. But if it isn’t possible for us to do that, then we have an even more overriding responsibility to enforce Her Majesty’s Government’s policy in Silesia and to protect the Marsh System and Sidemore. If that brings us into open conflict with the Andermani Empire, then so be it.”

“I don’t look forward to a war with the Andies. I don’t want one. No one in her right mind does. But,” Lady Dame Honor Harrington told her admirals softly, “if they want one, I intend to make them regret their choice.”

“Seriously.”

Chapter Forty-Three

“I’M afraid we have another one, Your Grace.”

Honor looked up from the report on her display, and her mouth tightened as she tasted Mercedes Brigham’s emotions. The chief of staff’s mood wasn’t dark enough for a report of heavy casualties, but if there was no death in it, there was something else. Something which had provoked a fresh anxiety in her.

“How bad this time?” Honor asked quietly.

“Not as bad as the last one,” Brigham reassured her quickly. “And a hell of a lot better than what happened to Jessica Epps. The dispatch is from Captain Ellis—”