Think, the MWW has never been shy about killing off his "good guys" when the plot demands it, as he did in AAC (Giscard, McKeon, Jamie Candless) and MoH (Miranda and Farragut, Andrew (that one hurt), and Wesley Mathews). The last couple of books haven't given much chance for that, given the disparity of weapons, but with the MAlignment about to take the field and the expectation that at first their stealthed craft will take their toll, it wouldn't surprise me to see one or more major character shuffle off the mortal coil.
So, at the risk of giving Roseandheather a need for a long visit to a good pub, here are my thoughts on this most grim of topics:
Rafe Cordones: We've already lost two members of "Honor's Harem" from the first book (Alistar McKeon and Andreas Venizelos), and Rafe is due to get Commordore's rank soon and take a Division of ships in harms' way, so it seems possible.
Mike Henke: The woman keeps flying into battles, and the chances are something may catch up with her one day. The MAlignment surely would take a great deal of interest in her demise...
Tom Theisman: Yeah, he'll probably be more behind the scenes now, but the possibility of an assisination attempt (perhaps not directed at him but he dies stopping it) cannot be discounted.
Emily: It would clear up the marriage picture, but I'd just as soon cure Emily than kill her.
Khumalo: He's still commanding from an ancient SD, Mike has taken most of the combat strength from Talbott, and just one Shark-class ship...
Queen Elizabeth II: I still think the wedding of Roger and Rivka was a portent of things to come...or not.
Victor Chachat: I must admit to being a bit surprised that Victor didn't die in Cauldron of Ghosts...he is Eric Flint's creation after all and Eric is pretty much out of the Honorverse at this time. But he still goes in harm's way way more than most of the characters'do and he is still on Mesa at last report.
Benjamin Mayhew: ART mentions how much older he looks, and while he should still have many years left, he is reaching the age where something sudden could strike, givne the toxic planet he lives on--and he still has enemies (Masadans and Steadholders) who wouldn't mind seeing him dead.
Eloise Prichard:[/b] As mentioned above, I can certainly see an assisination attempt by those either still loyal to the PRH or those like Younger who want to seize power within the new RH.
James McGuiness: Rumor has it that he has a 'get out of being killed off" card from Mrs. RFC, but with all the battles he has survived with Honor, you just wonder....
OK, that should give everyone a frown for the morning....
What do you think?
