Olaf Magnusson is the Admiral for an unnamed Imperial Sector that, like the Taurian Sector, is on the marches between the Terran Empire and the Merseian Roidhunate. Magnusson has rebelled and penetrated into Sector Aldebaran. He has the prestige of having defeated the Merseians in a border skirmish and promises to make peace with them when he is Emperor. (He is fluent in Eriau and two other Merseian languages.)
Meanwhile, the Merseians send a "mercy mission" to the Realm of Gorrazan on the opposite side of the Empire. The "mission" allows itself to be seen near Alpha Crucis, thus provoking a clash with Imperial forces. Further, the Merseian attack on Gorrazan does not overthrow the ruling Folkmoot but merely weakens it, thus prolonging the civil conflict between Folkmoot and Liberation Council.
Dominic Flandry analyses this Merseian action. It will cause massive confusion in the Empire. Some will want to watch Gorrazan, which could become a pro-Merseian power at the Empire's back, thus diverting resources from the conflict with Magnusson. Others will say that Merseia is well-intentioned because it supports the progressive Liberation Council. Thus, the Merseians have aided Magnusson's cause. Is more going on behind the scenes?
2 comments:
It's basically an examination of the way confirmation bias and motivated reasoning influence human affairs (wishful thinking, basically).
The Meresians are quite simply enemies of the human race. But a lot of people violently dislike the very thought, and subconscious mechanisms swing into operation to try and 'disprove' it.
Kaor, Mr. Stirling!
Absolutely! The Empire was plagued and hindered by its own "useful idiots."
Ad astra! Sean
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