As the much larger Anvardi fleet attacks the Solar System, Saunders takes one dreadnaught three days back in time, then forward through space to where the Anvardi flagship will be in three days time, then forward through time to destroy the enemy flagship and to attack the rest of the enemy fleet from within while the Imperial fleet attacks from without. The Anvardi fight but then break and flee. The Dreamer telepathically calls across space for surrender while offering amnesty. Suddenly, Taury the Red is Galactic Empress de facto as well as de jure. Belgotai will be happy fighting out in the Galaxy and it looks as if Saunders will settle down in the Empire but there are still more twists in the tale. It is not over until it is over. The concluding CHAPTER SIX is entitled "Flight Without End."
I wonder how Poul decided to continue the story until he gets back where he started?
ReplyDeleteKaor, Mr. Stirling!
ReplyDeleteA good question. Alas, unlike Tolkien, who left behind a vast mass of drafts, notes, papers, etc., Anderson was not in the habit of keeping many of the mss. of his works and said so in one of his letters to me. Pity!
Ad astra! Sean