Saturday, 4 December 2021

How They Come Together

The reason for dipping back into Satan's World this time was to check how Poul Anderson handles the transition from a trader team story to a van Rijn and trader team story. The first step is to get the trader team on a mission back in the Solar System which is where van Rijn is. One thing that teams do is to split their forces. Thus, Chapters I-III and V are a Falkayn story while Chee Lan and Adzel wait in Hotel Universe in Chapter IV. Chapter VI begins as a van Rijn story which is interrupted by:

"'Direct call. Priority Two.'" (p. 387)

Chee Lan and Adzel strongly suspect that Falkayn is in trouble and, on hearing the evidence, van Rijn agrees. Acting to rescue a man who might not need to be rescued is a risk but we already know that van Rijn takes risks. Now we learn that he also stands by his people:

"'Hokay,' he growled. 'Is a flousy boss does not stand by his people. We plan a raid, us, ha?'" (p. 391)

In Chapter VII, van Rijn, Chee Lan and Adzel, communicating by radio, coordinate the rescue of Falkayn.

7 comments:

Sean M. Brooks said...

Kaor, Paul!

I admit I might have hesitated at authorizing actions which might have gotten me into trouble with the gov't! But I agree with the desirability of bosses standing by their people.

Ad astra! Sean

S.M. Stirling said...

As the old saying goes, loyalty has to run both ways or it won't last.

This was the basis of feudalism, btw.

Sean M. Brooks said...

Kaor, Mr. Stirling!

I agree. A good boss or baron has to stand by his people as much as he rightfully can.

Ad astra! Sean

S.M. Stirling said...

Robert E. Lee remarked to his officers (quoting from memory):

To be good officers, good leaders, we must love this army and love our soldiers. But the army exists to win victories, not for its own sake; therefore we must be ready to kill the thing we love. When you attack, strike like a hammer and hold nothing back."

Sean M. Brooks said...

Kaor, Mr. Stirling!

I remember that, maybe you quoted it in one of your BLACK CHAMBER books. And, btw, U.S. Grant had the BIGGER hammer and ultimately ground Lee down.

Ad astra! Sean

S.M. Stirling said...

Sean: true, but Grant was the Union general who figured out how to -use- the bigger hammer effectively. The previous ones had all tried to fancy-dance with Lee, and he outdanced them.

Grant told his commanders (working from memory): "Stop worrying that Bobby Lee is going to spring upwards, turn a double summersault in mid-air and come down on both your flanks and your rear at the same time. Just get in there and -fight-."

Sean M. Brooks said...

Kaor, Mr. Stirling!

I agree, Grant figured out how to handle Lee, by refusing to play his game.

And I know I came across that quote from Grant somewhere, but not, this time, from one of your books.

And, btw, I have read Grant's MEMOIRS--twice!

Ad astra! Sean