This novel is a change of scene: no Merseians - they will return later. First, an unentitled prologue is narrated from a Didonian point of view - incomprehensible on first reading. Secondly, in CHAPTER ONE, a prison satellite orbits around the planet, Llynathawr, and above the city, Catawrayannis. Through the viewport in his cell, Hugh McCormac sees Alpha and Beta Crucis - the latter the location of Satan.
McCormac:
remembers his home planet, Aeneas - the towers of Windhome; the Wildfoss pouring from the Ilian Shelf onto the Antonine Seabed;
recalls a conversation with a wise Wodenite;
is rescued by a team including a grinning, battle-axe-wielding Donarrian;
realizes that he must lead a revolt.
This time, the Empire's problems are internal - although there is simultaneous off-stage conflict with the Merseians. Flandry comes on-stage in CHAPTER TWO.
7 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
And Flandry emphatically disagreed with McCormac about that alleged need to revolt!
Ad astra! Sean
Sean,
I should have written that McCormac:
"realizes" that he must lead a revolt.
Paul.
Well, at that point McCormac has basically only two options: revolt, or run like hell.
Doesn't Flandry comment at one point that it's an illustration of the Empire's decadence that leaving 'known space' doesn't occur to McCormac?
Yes. He suggests measures short of revolt but then says that, e.g., rescue of Kathryn and assassination of Snelund would have necessitated going into exile and it's a sign of decadence that no one any longer thinks of emigration.
Kaor, Paul!
You beat me to making similar comments. And Flandry finessed matters to make sure "Dear Aaron" was eliminated in such a way he did not have to leave the Empire.
Ad astra! Sean
Trying to out-sneaky Flandry was... contraindicated for reasons of health, shall we say.
Kaor, Mr. Stirling!
Ha! Very true!
Ad astra! Sean
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