[DiogenesLamp]

The orders to the Naval vessels was to fire only if they were fire upon first. Show me orders to the contrary.

Already have. The orders say that if they were "resisted." It didn't specify anything about being fired upon.

The word "resisted" could mean anything Captain Mercer wanted it to mean, and so it was pretty much open ended.

[Bull Snipe]

Now you are given to reading captain mercers mind.