Djana wonders whether she has begun:
"...to enter a higher truth, which muted the winds outside..." (p. 295)
So far, the winds outside have represented a threat. Maybe, for once, Djana can counteract that threat?
She becomes immersed in attractive aspects of Merseian culture but that includes ideology. Merseians realize that it is absurd to dream of conquering the whole galaxy? (p. 296) This is typical ideological prevarication. Everyone realizes that it is absurd to think of governing the entire galaxy from a single point but the Merseians do not need to do that. As Max Abrams realized, what matters to them is not the nation-state but the race. They envisage a network of Merseian-ruled realms encompassing the galaxy. They do intend to conquer the galaxy. "Rule" means not tyranny over others, but freedom for themselves? (ibid.) I am sure that there have been Terrestrial conquerors who believed that. We can probably think of examples.
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
Again, the Empire was wiser than the Roidhunate, with Terra making no claims or efforts at ruling the entire galaxy. The Empire was content to expand only far enough to defend itself against all would be attackers.
Ad astra! Sean
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