Falkayns

David Falkayn has appeared in Technic History, Volume II, The Trouble Twisters (collection), and in Volume III, Satan's World (novel), and now makes his chronologically last appearance in Volume III, Mirkheim (novel). Later, when the numbering system becomes less precise, the omnibus collection, The Earth Book Of Stormgate, rounds up two earlier stories featuring David Falkayn, making the total number of his appearances seven. This is a substantial series although short when compared with the Technic History as a whole. Also, after his first two stories, Falkayn co-stars with other continuing characters. The Falkayn series becomes the trader team series, then the van Rijn and trader team series, all parts of the Polesotechnic League series which is part of the Technic History.

In Mirkheim, we read:

"'Hold vectors steady,' Falkayn ordered them. 'We'll not have more than this engagement. Fire at will.'" (X, p. 155)

However, this Falkayn is not David but his older brother, Admiral Michael, who is not seen, is heard only once, over the radio, and is almost immediately killed when his flagship is destroyed:

"In this wise died Michael Falkayn, older brother of David and, since their father's death a pair of years ago, head of the Falkayn domain." (p. 157)

This concluding Polesotechnic League novel adopts the tone of an epic poem.

Later, there is a single appearance by their mother, Athena, a single appearance by the remaining brother, John, and a single mention of their sister, Vicky.

David's wife, Coya, and his daughter, Juanita, are back on Earth. Juanita's brother, Nicholas, is born on Earth. Later, Nicholas' son, Nathaniel, grows up on Avalon and their descendant, Tabitha, lives there. Why do I get drawn back into cataloguing Falkayns? But one observation is that we learn much about several characters in few words.