Tuesday, 26 January 2021

Flandry Researches Hermes

A Stone In Heaven, III.

Admiral Dominic Flandry researches the planet Hermes. Thus, we read a historical summary of events previously recounted in a novel, Mirkheim:

social stratification and resistance;
the Babur War;
protectorship of Babur;
stewardship of Mirkheim;
social reforms.
 
No individuals are mentioned. The narrative continues after the end of Mirkheim:
 
Hermetian colonization of nearby planetary systems;
the Troubles;
Hermetian militarization;
Imperial annexation of Mirkheim;
Hermetian riots;
Imperial restoration of order;
a current Duke possibly harboring Imperial ambitions...
 
That other planetary source of wealth, Satan, is not mentioned.

Yet again, we appreciate the temporal unity and continuity of Poul Anderson's Technic History.

3 comments:

Sean M. Brooks said...

Kaor, Paul!

If the Dukes of Hermes are not mentioned as no longer controlling Satan, I think it's reasonable to conclude Duke Edwin still held it. And, in fact, it would be wise not to take away both Satan and Mirkheim from Hermes.

Ad astra! Sean

Nicholas D. Rosen said...

Kaor, Paul and Sean!

Going by memory here, but I think it is stated that Hans Molitor took away Satan from Hermes to meet his obligations to Terrestrial financiers.

Best Regards,
Nicholas

Sean M. Brooks said...

Kaor, Nicholas!

Now I'm no longer sure. I thought it was MIRKHEIM that was taken away from the Dukes of Hermes. Not both Satan and Mirkheim. I will find out when I eventually get to rereading A STONE IN HEAVEN. I still have to reread FLANDRY OF TERRA before I finally get to A KNIGHT OF GHOSTS AND SHADOWS.

Ad astra! Sean