Six of Us
Daglyte Seam
In which further discussion is called for.
What with one thing and another, Scout Commander yos’Phelium is going to have some ‘splaining to do when the report of this day gets filed.
Claidyne has an advantage in talking to the Assembly, in that she she shares with them the experience of having been a captive intelligence and then given the ability to choose, in a way that not many humans do.
Six of Us
Daglyte Seam
In which the Assembled come to add their voices to the discussion.
I’ve used “This is a short chapter and I can’t think of anything to say about it” once already for this book, and that’s already once more than I prefer, but it’s true and I want to get on and find out what happens next.
Six of Us
Daglyte Seam
In which the new Commander speaks to her section heads.
There are, I note, several things that “off the board” could mean, apart from the obvious.
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Six of Us
Daglyte Seam
In which there are arrivals and departures.
I don’t like how the narrative keeps reminding us about Anthora’s dagger.
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Six of Us
Daglyte Seam
In which Korval’s Luck leads to unexpected meetings.
I almost didn’t include the final paragraph of my last post, you know, but then I thought about how clever I’d feel if it turned out to be true. I wasn’t expecting it to be settled quite so quickly.
Six of Us
Daglyte Seam
In which Claidyne ven’Orikle has not learned from experience.
I want to take a moment to acknowledge the work the Scouts have been doing. They’ve been very busy off-screen rolling up bits of the Department while we’ve been following our favourite characters around.
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Runcible System
Daglyte Seam
In which the Commander of Agents makes a move.
Perfection, huh? That sounds familiar.
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Runcible System
Daglyte Seam
In which the Commander of Agents decides to stay on target.
That’s an interesting moment there, where the Commander starts to consider giving the whole thing up and disbanding the Department, and then is suddenly confident success is within grasp if they hold the course. Given what we already know about how the Department messes about with the insides of its assets’ heads, I suspect the Commander has something within hers devoted to heading off that train of thought. Something to keep an eye on, going forward.
Another thing to keep an eye on is the situation with the Old Tech having gone missing, including “the eldest and most destructive of the Department’s accumulated machines”. Not enough information yet to say who might be behind that, or with what purpose.
On the other hand, I suspect that I know who is behind the affliction of the Department’s dramliz: that would most likely be the lady from Alliance of Equals who set out to achieve her own Balance against the Department.
The Commander considers that it would be a crushing defeat for Korval if the clan were forced to disband and be absorbed by the Terran hordes; I suspect Korval would be less bothered by it, except if it meant they couldn’t protect the people they owed duty to. Even having the Luck diffused might not be something they mourned too much — and frankly, I’m not as confident as the Commander that it would be diffused in such a case. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if that just meant it got spread around more, without losing any of its potency.
Runcible System
Daglyte Seam
In which preparations are made for departure.
This is the first time in a while we’ve had a viewpoint looking at Theo with a fresh eye, and possibly the clearest description we’ve had of the appearance that had people warning her about her “attitude” back at the Academy. It’s interesting how some things are far more apparent to an outside viewpoint than from behind her eyes. (Like when her viewpoint says she “felt a flicker of irritation” and his says she “looked black death”.)
It’s also intriguing to have Clarence imply that her father has a similar attitude, since we’ve pretty much always seen him through his own eyes or the eyes of others who are familiar with him or at least with his family. Now I think of it, though, I can think of a few moments which support the point.
Blair Road
Surebleak
In which Theo and Bechimo start getting to know one another.
Theo’s question to herself – “Who would have given you aid just now?” – isn’t exactly a strong counterargument to the idea that Win Ton would have done better to let sleeping Bechimos lie. If Win Ton hadn’t gotten himself and her tangled up with Bechimo and thus with the Uncle, Theo wouldn’t have been on Tokeo being shot at in the first place.
The Department’s analysts once again misjudge Korval by assuming it has similar motivations to the Department, and underestimating the degree to which Val Con has been making it up as he goes along. I also think she’s overestimating the importance of Natesa’s marriage in the Juntavas’ motivation; it was a personal decision, not a formal alliance, Terrans don’t necessarily put as much weight on marriage ties as Liadens do, and frankly the Juntavas have perfectly good reasons for considering the Department a threat entirely on their own account.
I don’t know if it means anything except that the authors want to keep the text flowing, but I’m pretty sure this is the first time anyone in the Department has accorded Vandar’s population the dignity of referring to their world by its local name instead of by its catalogue number.
Moonstruck was reported in Plan B as the location of Tactical Defense Pod 78. We haven’t yet been told anything else about it.