In which Erthax exercises his creativity.
From some authors, I would say that Vepal and Sanchez are obviously being herded in a particular direction. From these authors, I tend to be more cautious of expecting obvious and tidy conclusions.
Speaking of which, it appears that I overestimated Erthax’s melant’i, or perhaps I should say his qualities as a mirror: I had hoped that the stuff about a troop reflecting their commander meant we would be seeing a better side of him come out under Vepal’s influence. The fundamental problem, of course, is that Erthax doesn’t recognise Vepal as his commander, so it’s not Vepal who he’s reflecting. (Which on the bright side means that Vepal doesn’t need to feel so guilty about how Erthax behaves.)
I don’t think Erthax is being as clever as he thinks. Vepal had solid reasons for not bothering the High Command with Perdition Enterprises’ request, independent of his own status; he judged that they would look poorly on the request itself regardless of who they heard it from. So their response to Erthax’s message is unlikely to be one that finds Erthax favour with Perdition Enterprises. Although, at that, Erthax may have had a stroke of unearned good fortune: Agent ter’Menth contracted to pay him when a reply was received from High Command, but neglected to stipulate that it had to be a favourable reply.
It’s beginning to look like Ochin is going to need his melant’i play experience less for dealing with the Liadens than for keeping up with Erthax. (Though it would be ironic if Ochin was the one who spotted the loophole I just mentioned and Erthax didn’t. And I would be entirely on Ochin’s side if, having spotted the loophole, he decided not to mention it to Erthax.)
Oh, here’s a fun possibility that only just occurred to me: We still haven’t heard what Vepal’s friend Firge is up to these days. Imagine what might happen if she’s currently in a position to intercept Erthax’s message. (Or am I being too tidy again?)
Lots of interesting ideas here that did not even occur to me! But are we discussing only the particular Erthax part of this chapter without addressing the Vepal parts?
Had I not been lying in bed reading, I might have been up and hopping from one leg to the other in impatience as Vepal calmly waited for JinJee to finish her parade inspection. And then I was anxious and expecting trouble as they left to go to their regular table. And then…the authors succeeded in surprising me anyway! As satisfying as the outcome of the encounter was, I felt…well…cheated in a sense, that Vepal had not had the opportunity to give her his warning until it was “too late.”
Meanwhile, regarding Erthax and his exchange with Ochin. I am greatly enjoying the subtle hints we are being given that this particular “Rifle” is not so simple-minded as he is assumed to be.
“Although, at that, Erthax may have had a stroke of unearned good fortune: Agent ter’Menth contracted to pay him when a reply was received from High Command, but neglected to stipulate that it had to be a favourable reply” – Oh I’m not so sure, did ter’Menth really mention what she would pay him with and stick to only this payment? She might add something, if she isn’t satisfied. And also, Erthax didn’t make a written contract. He knows very little about Liadens.
Regarding Vepals patience when not interrupting JinJee’s inspection – I totally agree. But then I never have been in the military. It might just be an example of discipline.
“regarding Erthax and his exchange with Ochin. I am greatly enjoying the subtle hints we are being given that this particular “Rifle” is not so simple-minded as he is assumed to be.” Me too. But then Diligon as well as Ochin are painted as deeper as and more complex than assumed by their “superiors”. It might be that they are both slow but thorough thinkers. One who makes it his hobby to watch melant’i plays surely has to be. (Ochin does have a lot in common with us this way. Enjoying our melant’i play we just do the same.)
As to Vepal’s friend Firge – I wonder if Hazenthull knows something about her.
@Othin: been in the military. It might just be an example of discipline
Oh, yes, that’s what I took it to be, but it didn’t allow me to be any less impatient! Perhaps, in light of the following chapter, it was a necessary literary device to grow Vepal’s admiration and approval of JinJee, but of course I only see that in hindsight.
Pilot Erthax behaved pretty much as I expected. I wonder about that “sealed unit” he reluctantly agreed to use for sending his message to High Command, in the DOI facility. Could be a brain washing machine disguised as a simple comm unit.
I took “sealed” to mean only that it was secured against being used or accessed without permission, not anything like having to be sealed inside to use it.
Yes, as it turns out I see you’re right. DOI on the brain. Lol.
Ps. In this case, I commented “in the moment” — before reading the entire story.