fallsfromtrees wrote:They [Torch] were certainly represented at the main confab on Manticore with Grayson, Beowulf and Manticore as well. The Andermani were left out at the suggestion of Elizabeth and by their own choice. From this, I assume that they are indeed part of the GA.
SWM wrote:I agree. That meeting was essentially the organizational meeting of the Grand Alliance. The fact that Torch was represented and the Andermani were not means that Torch is a member of the Grand Alliance.
cthia wrote:But not formally? I thought there had to be local government voting and the like. The Star Kingdom couldn't just accept Grayson without the government's support could it? I would think that the GA accepting another member would be even more of a formal ordeal.
fallsfromtrees wrote:Given that the Protector was there, that was all of the government authority that was required for Grayson. As far as Torch was concerned, the Queen, the Secretary of War, and the Chair woman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff,and Du Havel? were present. Since that is most of the government of Torch, I think that governmental approval was there as well.
SWM wrote:What meeting were all those people at? I can't find it. In fact, Du Havel is not mentioned in ART at all.
It's during the main meeting with Manticore, Grayson, Haven, Beowulf, and Anton Zilwicki and Victor Cachat discussing the need for to go back and see what other information the dynamic duo can dig up on the Mesan Alignment on the planet of Mesa (well Anton and Victor were discussing the need--practically everyone else was discussing their sanity level), when the government of Torch shows up unannounced:
Cauldron of Ghosts, Chapter 12 wrote:There was a knock on the door to the conference. A real knock, too, not a buzzer or a ringer. Anton guessed that meetings held in this royal inner sanctum were so rarely interrupted that no one had ever bothered to arrange for a way to signal that someone wanted to enter.
Elizabeth frowned. “Come in,” she said.
The door opened and a woman came in. Anton recognized her as one of the Empress’ personal assistants, although he didn’t know her name. The woman practically exuded diffidence and hesitation.
“I’m very sorry to interrupt, Your Majesty. But this is a rather unusual—”
The Empress waved her hand impatiently. “Just sum it up quickly, Beatriz.”
“There’s a delegation here from Torch, Your Majesty. Ah, actually, ‘delegation’ is probably not the right term. It seems like most of the government is here.”
Elizabeth’s frown vanished, replaced by a look of surprise. “Who, exactly?”
“Queen Berry. Prime Minister Du Havel. Secretary of War—ah—X. The commander of the armed forces, General Palane. And your niece, Princess Ruth.”
Boldface is my emphasis.
After the government of Torch is brought up to speed on Anton's and Victor's proposal to go back to Mesa, they reprise the discussion of Anton's and Victor's sanity level.
