Friday, 22 September 2023

Abrams, Flandry And Havelock

Commander Abrams to Ensign Flandry:

"'I wouldn't ordinarily say this to a fellow at your arrogant age, but since you need cheering up...well, I will say, once you hit your stride, Lord help the opposition!'
"He talked for an hour longer. And Flandry left the office whistling."
-Poul Anderson, Ensign Flandry IN Anderson, Young Flandry (Riverdale, NY, January 2010), pp. 1-192 AT CHAPTER EIGHTEEN, p. 192.

Commander Flandry to Ensign Havelock:

"'...slack off, son. Remember the girl who's waiting for you.'
"Havelock grinned and walked away with his shoulders squared."
-The Rebel Worlds, CHAPTER THIRTEEN, p. 490.

Commander Havelock...?

Young Flandry soon advances to a rank where he gets to address an even younger man as "son." Of course, Flandry passes on to Havelock whatever wisdom he has learned from Abrams. Fictional biographies reflect life, including the passage of generations.

1 comment:

Sean M. Brooks said...

Kaor, Paul!

The Merseians and other enemies of the Empire were to become very painfully aware of how deadly an opponent Flandry was!

Even if Flandry worked mostly as an Intelligence officer, he also had what it takes to be a good warship commander.

You're right Flandry had a great influence over Ensign Havelock. A pity we never see him again after THE REBEL WORLDS.

Ad astra! Sean