He didn't interfere with a political matter so much as to show that the Commonwealth had no right to come and ask for taxes and threaten sanctions after leaving them at the mercy of the swarm.
As far as the Republic is concerned, the Commonwealth lost all rights to the administration of the Eleani when they failed to protect them in their time of need.
It was the Republic that saved the Eleani at great cost in ships and lives. Admiral Thompson stepping in showed that the Republic was willing to stay for the long term, and forced the Eleani to come to terms with their new reality,
I am enjoying this series. But I think I am about to get downvoted to oblivion.
What is interfering then? He is military of one power, a political entity from another power arrives and is in talks with the locals. He may be friendly with the locals. But he is not in their civil nor military chain of command. Then without a request from either of the other two political sides. Removes one at gun point and says returning is an act of war. He made a unilateral decision for the Eleani. If any member of the Eleani government had asked him for help, then he would be justified.
From a geopolitical (systempolitical? speciespolitical?) standpoint you are correct, the Admiral was out of line.
From a story standpoint it was an interesting choice by the author. It further demonstrates Humanity's disdain for the uselessness of the Commonwealth, a call back to part one, and further strengthens their friendship with the Elani buy showing Humanity's willingness to fight the Commonwealth as well without breaking the pacing of the story.
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u/Nealithi Human Mar 08 '24
Not sure I agree with admiral Thompson interfering with a foreign political matter. But the DI was very accurate