In the latter, an interstellar spaceship flies between stars STL. However, fuel is teleported to it and crews teleport back and forth. When a ship passes through a planetary system, it leaves matter transmitters there. Thus, the system can be colonised and cargo transmitted back to Earth. An interstellar ship lasts for centuries and is used by later Terrestrial civilizations.
We expect from Anderson both an informed scientific rationalization of the teleportation and complicated Terrestrial and colonial societies and we find all these plot elements in this single short novel, which I am still rereading. There is a "Protectorate" but, of course, it is different from the one in Shield.
I expect to post a few more times about various aspects of The Enemy Stars.
9 comments:
Hi, Paul!
Poul Anderson also wrote a short story sequel to THE ENEMEY STARS called "The Ways of Love." And "Elementary Mistake" also has STL ships transferring matter transmitting to star systems of interest to humans. But the latter does not seem to be in the same timeline as the two other works I listed (e.g., no mention of a Protectorate ruling Earth).
Another short story called "The Bitter Bread" also has a Protectorate ruling Earth. One which seems to have evolved into a monarchy. An Enoch IV and then a David III is mentioned in the story. Again, this is different from the Protectorate seen in THE ENEMY STARS, because FTL is used in "The Bitter Bread."
I shouldn't say too much in case you have not read that story yet!
Sean
Sean, thank you. Where can I find "The Ways of Love"? This is at least the 3rd time that an Anderson novel is linked to a short story.
Hi, Paul!
You can find "The Ways of Love" in a collection called EXPLORATIONS (1981). Some reprint editions of THE ENEMY STARS include "Ways" as a sequel.
Some reprint editions of THE HIGH CRUSADE includes a short story set in the same time line called "Quest" as a sequel.
Sean
And TAU ZERO should contain its short prequel.
I have EXPLORATIONS which also contains "The Bitter Bread" but I do not think that I have read either of these stories! The richness of Anderson's works is endless.
Hi, Paul!
I'm not sure I recall which story was a "prequel" to TAU ZERO. But your might make sense if I re/reread it first.
I'm glad you have EXPLORATIONS. And I completely agree with you about the "richness" of Anderson's writing. I'm reading A WORLD NAMED CLEOPATRA, and I could not help comparing UNFAVORABLY the stories contributed by other writers when set alongside Anderson's "The Serpent in Eden."
As for "The Bitter Bread," I would have liked knowing more about the Protectors Enoch IV and David III. (Smiles)
Sean
Sean, do you know where I can find "Elementary Mistake"?
"Pride" is the prequel to TAU ZERO, posted about in March.
I have "Elementary Mistake" in SPACE FOLK!
Hi, Paul!
Thanks,re "Pride." I really should reread it soon, to understand why you believe it's a prequel to TAU ZERO.
Good,re "Elementary Mistake," in SPACE FOLK! Altho it's short, Anderson's essay "Commentary" in the same book is an excellent brief defense of why we need a REAL space program.
Sean
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