Asborg's largest "free city" (p.56) is Inga - "free" meaning that it is neither owned nor controlled by any of the landholding Houses? (maybe).
Inga has towers, slipways and a harbor with walls along the docks. Although the harbor is quiet at night, traffic, light and life continue in the city center.
The opening paragraph of Chapter X addresses three senses:
(i) because the dock walls block the city lights, some stars are visible and a rising moon lights the waves -
(ii) - which lap audibly against the piers despite the urban throb;
(iii) there are smells of salt, engines and cargo.
Thus, ancient human life continues on an extrasolar planet despite the changed conditions on Earth.
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
All of what you said about Asborg and Inga makes that planet and city feels more homelike than the rather creepy Earth of FLAG!
Sean
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