The following phrases are not identical but similar in meaning:
"Up the Republic!"
"Down with Big Brother!"
"Orion shall rise!"
"'Confusion to moneylenders!'" (IX, p. 80)
"'Damnation to Biocontrol...'" (ibid.)
Much thought and emotion are concentrated in slogans. When Flandry wishes confusion on moneylenders, Djuanda responds by wishing damnation on Biocontrol although he immediately backtracks. Nevertheless, this is the first time that Flandry has heard anything said against Biocontrol and he judges that Djuanda is too young to have thought of it for himself. Therefore, in Ranau, one or more older persons have thought about revolution even though this word does not exist in the local language. Is this too much to deduce from just three words? As previously on Scotha, Flandry has to be alert to any possibility of an alliance or an escape route. He resists subversion within the Empire but gleefully encourages it among his enemies.
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
Exactly! Djuanda's alcohol fueled exclamation gave Flandry the first hint he had found of anyone even day dreaming of SOME kind of revolt against Biocontrol!
As a trained and experienced Intelligence officer, Flandry knew how to use methods of subversion against the enemies of the Empire, as we see elsewhere in "Tiger By The Tail" and HUNTERS OF THE SKY CAVE.
When all is said and done, when push came to shove, Flandry was loyal to the Empire, without denying its flaws. Nor do I think that was a bad thing for him to be or feel.
Ad astra! Sean
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