Van Rijn's assessment of Eric Wace is, of necessity, much more realistic:
"'He is a talented engineer, him my young friend.'" (p. 416)
He must be or van Rijn would not have employed him in the first place. In fact, van Rijn continues:
"'But then, the factor on a new planet had pest-bedamned better be a good engineer.'" (ibid.)
Pest-bedamned? Best-bedamned? A factor on a settled planet need not be an engineer whereas, on Diomedes, Wace has to be a multi-talented improviser. Van Rijn's view of Wace is also more expansive and charitable than Wace's view of him:
"'...my young friend.'" (see above)
When Tolk refers to Wace's "schemes," van Rijn huffily corrects him. These "schemes," various new weapons, are van Rijn's. All that Wace has to do is to make what van Rijn tells him to.
"'All?' asked Tolk dryly." (ibid.)
Tolk's question is well-placed. Wace must apply skills, not merely follow instructions. Nevertheless, it is van Rijn that has the ideas for machines guns, ballistas and shields and also the need for infantry even among winged Diomedeans who can think only of air forces. Van Rijn is making a revolution.
4 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
Besides the military revolution, van Rijn also introduced the industrial revolution to Diomedes. In fact, I remember him saying so in the book.
Sean
Once again- not necessarily a good thing (we haven't talked about unintended consequences).
Also, who gives one outsider the right to determine the fate of entire societies?
-kh
We see some of the centuries later consequences in one of the Flandry stories ("A Knight of Ghosts and Shadows" IIRC).
Introducing new ideas into a society doesn't 'determine' the fate of the society. At best you can do what you *think* will do more good than harm. The actions of many other people will influence matters.
Kaor, Jim!
Also, Old Nick had to introduce new ideas and innovations to Diomedes if he and his two fellow human castaways were to have any chances of surviving.
Even if Old Nick's enemies hadn't tried to kill him innovations would still have spread, if more slowly, among the Diomedeans thru ordinary trade at the League outpost at Thursday Landing.
Ad astra! Sean
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