The narrative begins just when the trader team has taken refuge behind a hauler. Because he can withstand a limited number of slugs and blaster bolts, Adzel attacks the natives with no intention of killing any of them while Falkayn and Chee Lan run to their ship, Muddlin' Through. Falkayn prepares to shoot a spear-wielding Tamethan that pursues Chee but she runs between the native's legs, knocking him over.
Chee radios the ship's computer, Muddlehead, to lower the gangway and fire warning shots from turret guns. Adzel, limping and bleeding, follows them up the gangway. In a single sentence, Muddlin' Through retracts her gangway, closes the airlock, starts the gravity drive and ascends. The action scene is over.
See also:
5 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
Artistically, I now wonder if an action/fight scene was the best way to begin "Lodestar"? It might have made more sense for Falkayn and his friends to have first been on Tametha for a few days and becoming aware of how badly the League factor and his subordinates were handling matters there. To show how the original guiding philosophy which had once animated the League was fading away and ominous signs of decay were accumulating.
Ad astra! Sean
Sean,
My point exactly.
Paul.
Kaor, Paul!
Thanks! IF Old Nick had been in charge on Tametha, he would have firsts xenologized the natives, find out what "made them tick" and them come to an agreement with them on terms mutually profitable and beneficial to both parties. That was hoe the Polesotechnic League had once generally operated.
Ad astra! Sean
The problem with a longer introduction there is that you chance losing the reader -- fight scenes grab the attention -- and wasting space. Poul had to be terse and he effectively gets over a lot of info in that scene and the immediate aftermath.
Kaor, Mr. Stirling!
I have to agree. I only have to cite A CIRCUS OF HELLS and THE REBEL WORLDS as examples of how much Anderson was able to pack into his tersest stories.
Ad astra! Sean
Post a Comment