From Vernal, Fenn telephones Wanika in the Pacific where data search has located her on the shiptown, Malolo. She relays a recorded message for him from Mars. Kinna tells him that:
"'...a ship from Alpha Centauri is approaching Proserpina.'
"Thunder rolled through his skull." (p. 206)
Observations
We, the readers, already know that an Anson Guthrie download is coming from Beta Hydri via Alpha Centauri but, because of the distances and times involved, what is known to us is news to them.
We are very used to elemental forces like wind or thunder emphasizing the dramatic moments or pauses in Andersonian dialogue. Here it happens again although this time the (metaphorical) thunder is only inside Fenn! Pathetic fallacies and metaphors are Anderson's punctuations.
Vernal, the Pacific, Mars, Proserpina and Alpha Centauri gradually come together. The convergence is slow but we expect a climax.
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
That thunder in Fenn's skull was, of course, a metaphor for the fierce joy and hope he felt, that something was coming that would break the choking stagnation strangling the humans of the Solar System.
Ad astra! Sean
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