Wednesday 31 January 2024

Three Good Guys

The People Of The Wind, VII.

As Admiral Cajal sits in the middle of the superdreadnaught, Valenderay, his chief executive captain relays:

"'...a report of initial hostilities from Vanguard Squadron Three. No details.'" (p. 515)

As Daniel Holm waits at home on Avalon, an Ythrian voice announces:

"'Contact with Terrans, about 12 a.u. out, direction of the Spears. Firing commenced on both sides, but seemingly no losses yet.'" (ibid.)

Poul Anderson gives us a glimpse of Avalon before advancing his war narrative. Holm looks out his window:

beautiful day;
autumn breeze;
salt odours;
glittering bay;
Laura and sky;
garden scents;
brilliant gardens;
distant hills;
blue haze;
skimming wings.

Holm does not notice. We should.

Ferune of Mistwood receives reports on his superdreadnaught flagship: 

combats; 
pincers from north and south; 
reserves approaching in the ecliptic.

Three good guys: one for Terra; two for Avalon. We will advance to a stage where good guys do not have to be on opposite sides - or we will not survive.

4 comments:

S.M. Stirling said...

We've done all right so far... 8-).

Sean M. Brooks said...

Kaor, Paul!

A "standard a.u." within the Empire was is the distance measured from Sol to Terra. How did Ythrians calculate astronomical units? The distance from their sun to Ythri? Or was the Terran measure used as a convenient standard within the sphere of space covered by Technic civilization?

Ad astra! Sean

paulshackley2017@gmail.com said...

Sean,

I suspect the latter.

Paul.

Sean M. Brooks said...

Kaor, Paul!

That would make sense, that all the civilized powers within the Technic sphere (including even Merseia?) agreed on adopting a standard system of Terran measures, because it would be so convenient and useful.

Ad astra! Sean