More About Narrative Layers

John Henry Reeves is not only the viewpoint character but also the first person narrator of "The Star Plunderer." Thus, although this story is principally about Manuel Argos, we see Argos only as perceived by Reeves. Because of the scientific basis of sf, a matter that would have been just a personal drama in any other fiction is explained scientifically. The heroine breaks off her engagement to Reeves in favour of Argos:

"It was instinct... A strong and vital woman would pick the most suitable mate. She couldn't help herself. It was the race within her..."

-Poul Anderson, "The Star Plunderer" IN Anderson, Rise Of The Terran Empire (Riverdale, NY, March 2011), pp. 325-362 AT p. 362.

Sf is about genes as well as spaceships. Here the human race, united but now in conflict with other intelligent species, confronts the universe. Later, during the Imperial period, Philippe Rochefort thinks:

"Man is my race."

-Poul Anderson, The People Of The Wind IN Rise Of The Terran Empire, pp. 437-662 AT p. 487.

It is Donvar Ayeghen who informs us that "The Star Plunderer" is Chapter V of Reeves' Memoirs or at least of an originally unpublished document with that title that might be historical fiction. Ayeghen refers to the Terran Empire as the First Empire. Thus, he writes long after Dominic Flandry's lifetime. Readers might experience temporal vertigo.

Nat Falkayn is the viewpoint character although not the narrator of "Wingless." The story is a third person narrative. It is Hloch who informs us that Emil Dalmady's daughter wrote it for an Avalonian periodical, Morgana. Thus, this was not known by readers of the story on its original publication. The Technic History deepens as it develops.