At the request of Arinnian and Draun, Hrill feeds misleading military intelligence to their prisoner, Philippe Rochefort. Although Rochefort has given his parole to Tabitha/Hrill, he escapes and takes the intelligence to the Terran fleet, believing that this will prevent the bombardment of her planet.
He leaves in the morning while she is still asleep. Roofs and the peak of St. Li stand impossibly clear. Laura and distant wings share the sky. Greens, umbers and brilliant red shine. The air is fragrant with growth and with the tumbling sea. He reflects:
"No. This much beauty is unendurable." (p. 610)
He walks between quiet orchards and plantations where no one works in winter. The landing field is so small that it has only automated ground control. Arinnian's spaceable flitter has been left (deliberately) unlocked. Rochefort has a very easy escape. Every small incident progresses the plot.
3 comments:
Even with sloppy amateurs, that should have made him suspicious.
Agreed.
Kaor, to Both!
Once pointed out I agree Rochefort's escape was suspiciously easy. That should have alerted him, that something funny was going on.
Ad astra! Sean
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