[solops]

I think he is creating the conditions for a general war that includes all of the current combatants as well as the most of the rest of human space. Whether or not this will happen remains to be seen, but the threat of such a war (and its effect on trade) will figure into the current combatants' calculations. Further complicating matters is the impending disintegration of the Solarian League which will lead to dozens of pocket empires and many brush-fire type wars. These may become involved in the current Manticore-haven war. He has a lot of ways to jump, but the whole of human space is definately more destabilised and the Haven-Manticore-Andermani tech bases have become more even then before the cease-fire. "Crown of Slaves" really blew the door open.

Several years ago I posted a note on a Harrington fansite postulating that the (then) unlocated Manticoran wormhole would lead to alien space, opening all kinds of possibilities. That, of course, did not happen. But still, if he ever needs to he can introduce aliens for the human factions to deal with.

[ March 17, 2004, 02:48: Message edited by: solops ]