Time And Change

Mirkheim, XV.

For good speed without rest stops, Chee Lan rides on David Falkayn's back while Falkayn rides on Adzel's back!

Falkayn thinks:

"Yes...the old team is still working rather well..." (p. 214)

We know the old team from four previous instalments although they had many other exploits that we have not read about. But, by now, it is the old team. They have been reassembled in an emergency. The entire theme of Mirkheim is personal and social change.

Personal

Since "Lodestar," originally intended to be the concluding Polesotechnic League instalment, Falkayn has become a husband and father and has retired from trade pioneering. During this novel, he inherits the presidency of the Falkayn domain on Hermes and becomes acting CEO of SSL. Coya and he discuss leaving the Solar Commonwealth. 

Since "Lodestar," Coya Conyon has married Falkayn, joined the trader team, become a mother, retired from trade pioneering, worked from home as a free-lance computer programmer and become pregnant again. She gives birth to Nicholas Falkayn before the novel ends.

Nicholas van Rijn has aged and slowed down, will not oppose what he regards as restrictive legislation, will spend perhaps ten years travelling around through space trying to patch together the badly ruptured and dying League and will then lead an expedition outside known space.

Since "Lodestar," Chee Lan has continued pioneering with another team whereas Adzel has spent his time in a monastery. They will retire to their home planets although they will stay in touch, preparing for bad times ahead.

Social

There is massive social upheaval and long term change on Hermes and the League has begun its terminal decline.