The previous post focused on a future transport system and this theme continues in Poul Anderson's text:
"'We can catch the transpolar shuttle to Paris if we hurry.'" (p. 17)
However, the main thrust of this passage is a set of social relationships.
First, there are unpublicized parleys between the US Astromilitary Corps and their enemies. For example, when Bailey visits Asia to return a borrowed craterbug and to give them some alga-blight antibiotic:
"'They poured me full of excellent vodka.'" (p. 15)
Secondly, and even more importantly, is the way that the Corps is regarded at home:
"'The Corps can do no wrong.'" (ibid.)
When Bailey switches off an "Ugga-wugga-wugga, hugga-hugga me, do!" (p. 16) juke box to satisfy his companion, a large tourist gets heavy until Bailey shows his ID bracelet and introduces himself:
"'First Lieutenant Carl H. Bailey, United States Astromilitary Corps, at your service,' he said..." (p. 17)
Silence spreads. The tourist apologizes and buys drinks. Others buy. The spacemen are given privacy but receive smiles and waves. The proprietor, who had welcomed Diaz and had backed him against the tourist, has phoned his family and friends who arrive with castanets, guitar and more bottles. The fiesta continues until dawn.
Corps prestige has developed exponentially... They are the kings who die.
This has been a flashback. We return to Diaz in space and to something else across the Milky Way:
"Another jet splashed fire across the Milky Way." (ibid.)
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