When Envoy returns from the neutron star to Tahir:
"The first snow lay crisp around the landing field. It sparkled white, blue in its hollows, broken by shrubs which it dusted with diamond. Air rested cold and still." (p. 292)
It seems that nature is neither threatening nor celebrating but waiting.
"Heavy snowfall and the silence it brought laid an air of solemnity on the meeting room. Colors and ornaments seemed unreal." (p. 297)
Even more so. The crew must decide whether to return to Earth immediately or to make another long trip to investigate intelligences at a black hole. This decision is bitterly disputed and will generate further conflict. Solemnity is appropriate.
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
I hope I would have argued for going to investigate the mystery at that black hole. What difference, really, would it make going back to Earth 11 or 12 thousand years after 'Envoy' left it, instead of 10,000 years?
Ad astra! Sean
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