On the planet Sphinx, native structures twinkle, unfiltered air is cold and smells ferrous, a deep hum penetrates the walls of the Imperial resident's house and Flandry smokes: fives senses, understated.
We saw Olaf Magnussson in conversation with his Nyanzan wife earlier and now here with Flandry. There is almost a horror fiction moment when he says:
"'...I now have one more proof that the God looks after His warriors.'" (p. 400)
Is Magnusson somehow a Merseian in disguise? Impossible. No, but has been converted and deeply conditioned in their cause. Flandry now knows that their two causes are irreconcilable but is not at liberty to return to Terra with this vital information.
Meanwhile, now, on Terra, the sun shines so we must venture forth for some exercise which is permissible under lock down. Flandry's adventures, as ever, continue...
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
I wonder if Flandry had some lingering hope of persuading Magnusson to surrender? Or of at least fleeing the Empire (as was done with McCormac, many years before). Probably not, Flandry was most likely trying to do some Intelligence work by personally meeting Magnusson.
And we will find out later in the story how DEEPLY conditioned Magnusson had been, to make him so much a Merseian agent.
We had a fairly large snow storm yesterday! Just clearing away the snow gave me exercise.
Ad astra! Sean
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