Idle Speculation

But first, a question.
Has anyone heard from the lips (or the keyboard) of HIMSELF, a
more recent writing schedule then that posted in the Bar a year or so
ago? That has obviously been delayed as it estimated the next CoS for
this Nov/Dec. and there is nothing listed in the Baen schedule through
May 2007.
Moving on , It seems that many here seem to be postulating
that the Star Kingdom will soon discover what Haven has alreasy
discovered, i.e. the manipulation of Manpower/Mesa. Folks, it seems to
me that we've got a LONG row to hoe yet. The above mentioned writing
schedule planned on 5-6 total books in the CoS, 5-6 books in SI, and
about the same in the mainstream honorverse. Add in another 3-4 Worlds
of Honor collections and we are looking at another 18-20 books, We've
already had 17. I do not think the last dozen books are going to be
"...And they all lived happily everafter..." This is going to get a
lot uglier before we ever get out of the outhouse.
Even if the discovery comes quite soon in the very next book,
an anti-Manpower alliance needs time. Manticore needs to get the
educational system of it's new Silesian and Talbott possessions up to
speed. Both it and Haven need time to get the economies running and
rationalized if they have any hopes of defeating the League. Which
segues into our next bit of speculation....
If we accept HIMSELF's suggestions that the League as an
entirety can not be conquered, we have to ask, what portion of the
League will it require to join the crusade against Manpower. It looks
obvious that Beowulf will be appalled at the genetic perversions that
Mesa might be ready to dump onto an unprepared galaxy. One gets the
impression that Beowulf's system defense force is probably quite good
and rather more advanced then most of the League's other SDF's, but
not nearly as large as would be needed to project power in the new
realities of interstellar war as practiced in the Manticore - Haven
wars. But it would seem that Beowulf does have both a huge economic
potential and , possibly even more important, a huge moral influence
that can be wielded diplomatically. An alliance of the more
progressive polities , particularly the oldest of Earth's settled
worlds would go a long way to equalizing the long term correlation of
forces.

However, I believe that is , as mentioned, well ahead of us,
first both the Manticoran Alliance and Haven will be frantically
building things that shoot, There are , as we all know, more loose
ends in the plot then a cheap wig. I am particularly disturbed by the
all so casual mention of Manpower's intent of trouble making in the
Midgard system, which if I recall is a very large multisystem polity
out past the Andermani's. The Alliance does NOT need to have a second
front opened on them, even if the Alliance's tech levels are
sufficient for them to dispose handily of a vigorous intrusion into
the Anderman Empire., it would be yet another vacuum cleaner of force
dispersal..

How will it all turn out?
Will Victor and Anton return with all the answers? Will they return at
all?
Will Queen Elizabeth have to be removed from office , kicking and
screaming, before a peace is acheived?
How will Grayson react to the marriage of Hamish,Emily, and Honor?
Where DOES the Torch wormhole take us? Will Dr. Kare and company be
loaned to Queen Berry to work on this?
Whither Wanderman,Scotty,Harkness,Abigail and the rest of our boys and
girls in uniform?
Will the next SI have Abigail as a cruiser XO with Helen Zilwicki as
asst Tac and OCTO for a snotty row that includes Rachel Mayhew?
Where will the next treecat colony be located?
Will Raoul Alfred Alistair , under lifelong treecat influence be the
Kwizach Haderach(oops , wrong universe), never mind...
Will the last sentence in the last book be " ..and she was crowned as
Honor the 1st, Empress of the known Galaxy"
Who knows? All I know is that I'll be going along for the ride as
long as HIMSELF lets me.


Thanks Dave.

BrianBridgePro wrote:
> One gets the
> impression that Beowulf's system defense force is probably quite good
> and rather more advanced then most of the League's other SDF's, but
> not nearly as large as would be needed to project power in the new
> realities of interstellar war as practiced in the Manticore - Haven
> wars.

Same problem as Erewon. Too much capital invested in the ships.

They might be able to sell to someone far enough away to free up some
cash so they can upgrade...

> I am particularly disturbed by the
> all so casual mention of Manpower's intent of trouble making in the
> Midgard system, which if I recall is a very large multisystem polity
> out past the Andermani's.

Oh? I missed that. Nasty.