Makes perfect sense to me, actually. He was nearly assassinated by one of
his own admirals (Santanocheev, I believe) and had to take control of the
Navy to save his own hide, to say nothing of the Marches. Also, keep in
mind that the ImpEncyc was written by Norris's own people, and they tend
to paint him in a favorable light. Whether or not his appointment to Archduke
was honest was open to question, but its usefulness is moot (if you'll pardon
the expression |-> ): it's saved the Marches from fragmentation. If ole
Norrie-baby's a crook, at least he's a competent, smart crook.
Who'd you have picked? Leonard Bolden-Tukera of Aramis? Gag oop ecch!
metlay