A Planet Observed

Extrasolar planets are detected nowadays although they were not earlier in our lifetimes. See Life On Avalon.

In Poul Anderson's Technic History, the Terran Navy and its Intelligence Corps regularly observe newly discovered planets from close range and assess them not only astrophysically but also militarily and politically. Ardazir was previously hidden behind a dark nebula but now Admiral Walton is able to present a succinct account:

"'The planet is terrestroid, biggish, rather dry, quite mountainous, three satellites.'"
-"Hunters of the Sky Cave," XV, p. 269.

I call that kind of description "telegrammic." He knows which points to summarize:

planetary type;
general conditions;
terrain;
number of satellites.

Next, he summarizes not only some of the means of surveillance but also a political conclusion:

"'From all indications - you know the techniques, sneak landings, long-range telescopic spying, hidden cameras, random samples - the Urdahu hegemony is recent and none too stable.'" (ibid.)

Commander Sugimoto, who had been in charge of the first expedition to Ardazir, adds:

"'One of our xenologists spotted what he swore was a typical rebellion... To me, his films are just a lot of red hairy creatures in one kind of clothes, firing with gunpowder weapons at a modern-looking fortress where they wear different clothes. The sound track won't mean a thing till your boys translate for us. But the xenologist says there are enough other signs to prove it's the uprising of a backward tribe against more civilized conquerors.'" (ibid.)

That is what it already sounds like. We have seen Flandry's subversive skills at work on Scothania and Talwin and now he proposes that such skills be applied to Ardazir:

"'A chance, then, to play them off against each other,' nodded Flandry." (ibid.)

But only a chance as yet. More must be learned:

"'Of course, before we can hope to do that, Intelligence must gather a lot more information. Advertisement." (ibid.)

As it happens, covert action on Ardazir becomes unnecessary because Flandry's hunch to investigate the Sky Cave results in the Ardazirho fighting alongside Terra against Merseia.