they have married;
the climate modification project on Ramnu has begun but is suspended during the emergency;
Flandry is not (yet) involved in the campaign against Magnusson.
We had never expected to learn this much. The Flandry period of the Technic History has now covered seven novels, including this one, and two collections but this at last, unfortunately, is the end. The facts that Chives is not mentioned and that so much time has passed imply that he is probably dead by now.
Flandry echoes his daughter. She had asked:
"'...what can we possibly do, stuck here on Daedalus, that'd make the slightest difference?'"
-CHAPTER TEN, p. 304.
He observes and asks:
"'I can only nurse my suspicions. What can I, here on Terra, find out for sure? How can I?'"
-CHAPTER TWELVE, p. 325.
As a matter of fact, Flandry on Terra can arrange to lead a delegation to negotiate with Magnusson. However, the delegation will really be an Intelligence operation that will get Flandry himself arrested and detained for the rest of the war. Meanwhile, Diana on Daedalus, where the trouble has brewed, can make a difference.
3 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
And this arranging of matters by Flandry so that he would be arrested by Magnusson reminds me of how, at his instruction, Kit "betrayed" him to the invading Ardazirho in WE CLAIM THESE STARS. In both cases, the end desired was for Flandry to be inserted into or near enemy headquarters, because of having a better chance of doing something useful that way. Flandry did not quite succeed in doing that in the second case, btw. But it did enable him to visit Imhotep when Magnusson's revolt collapsed. And to formulate advice and recommendations likely to be accepted by Emperor Gerhart and the Policy Board.
Ad astra!
Sean,
Flandry wanted to get close to Magnusson but not to be arrested by him. That happened because some Terran spies on Merseia were caught.
Paul.
Kaor, Paul!
You are right, I remember that now. Flandry commented on how Terran spies had been caught by Merseia before they could track down evidence incriminating Magnusson as a secret Merseian agent.
Ad astra! Sean
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