Even at this early stage of settlement, the Serievans extract minerals from arctic waters enriched by upswelling ocean currents because their planetary system is poor in heavy metals due to its location near the galactic verge. See Frontiers.
By contrast, the Kirkasanters claim, and seem, to come from a heavy metal region:
their "'...electrical conductors are gold and silver..." (p. 724);
their power plant, burning mined plutonium, is shielded with osmium;
they make little use of aluminum or beryllium.
One Serievan, the physicist, Ozer Vandange, thinks that the Kirkasanters must be liars and hoaxers of some kind. The Ranger, Laure, sets out to explore the mysterious space beyond the Dragon's Head.
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
And I recall how Muddlehead, the AI of Solar Spice & Liquors exploratory ship "Muddling Through" requested some new parts it needed. An exasperated Chee Lan yelled and demanded if Muddlehead wanted those parts gold plated! (Smiles)
The Kirkasanters out did that! Many of their electrical parts were solid gold and silver.
Ad astra! Sean
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