The Mesan Alignment has a plan, one it's been working on for centuries: a plan to remake the galaxy and genetically improve the human race--its way. Until recently, things have gone pretty much as scheduled but then the Alignment hit two bumps in the road: one called the Star Empire of Manticore, the other named Honor Harrington. In order to undercut Manticore's galaxy-wide reputation as a star nation of its word, it launched Operation Janus--a false-flag covert operation to encourage rebellions it knows will fail by promising Manticoran support.