First Lensman · Chapter
XIII explained
In a private office at the Hill, Roderick Kinnison and Virgil Samms discuss the roles of Murgatroyd, Towne, Morgan, and Isaacson in the piracy and drug syndicate, outlining a suspected hierarchy.
What happens
In a private office at the Hill, Roderick Kinnison and Virgil Samms discuss the roles of Murgatroyd, Towne, Morgan, and Isaacson in the piracy and drug syndicate, outlining a suspected hierarchy. They debate the political strategy needed to secure power for the Galactic Patrol, with Kinnison threatening drastic action if Morgan abrogates the treaty. Samms proposes Kinnison as a public speaker to counter Morgan's demagoguery. A report from Knobos and DalNalten confirms that Spaceways' uranium vessels are hauling thionite from Eridan, leading Samms to assign Conway Costigan, Jack Kinnison, and Mase Northrop to investigate. Samms also expresses concern about his daughter Jill's work with Herkimer Herkimer Third, but Kinnison reassures him.
Themes in this chapter
Power and Responsibility
The discussion centers on how to grant the Galactic Patrol authority and the moral duty to act against corruption, with Kinnison threatening martial law.
Truth and Deception
Samms and Kinnison analyze the hidden hierarchy of Morgan, Towne, and Isaacson, and the need for accurate intelligence to avoid incorrect organizational charts.
Corruption and Crime
The chapter reveals the drug syndicate's operations, the political manipulation by Morgan, and the smuggling of thionite from Eridan.
Characters to notice
- Virgil Samms
Discusses Murgatroyd, Towne, and the political strategy for the Galactic Patrol; proposes Kinnison as a public speaker; worries about his daughter Jill.
- Roderick Kinnison
Debates the hierarchy of Morgan, Towne, and Isaacson; threatens drastic action if Morgan abrogates the treaty; agrees to run for office.
- Jill Samms
Reported to be at a party dancing with Senator Morgan's Number One Secretary; reassures her father via Lens that all instruments are dead-centering the green.
- Knobos
Reports with DalNalten that Spaceways' uranium vessels are hauling thionite from Eridan; decides against personal investigation due to risk.
- DalNalten
Co-reports with Knobos on thionite smuggling from Eridan; advises against infiltration due to inability to disguise.
- Conway Costigan
Assigned by Samms to investigate Eridan, along with Jack Kinnison and Mase Northrop.
Key passages
“My thought, at the moment, is to let him alone.”
Samms suggests leaving Murgatroyd undisturbed for now.
Samms and Kinnison agree that Murgatroyd is not of immediate importance.
“The basic problem can be stated very simply. How are we going to persuade the sovereign countries of Earth—particularly the North American Continent—to grant the Galactic Patrol the tremendous power and authority it will have to have?”
Samms identifies the core challenge: convincing Earth's nations to cede authority to the Patrol.
This sets up the political conflict of the chapter.
“The first thing I would do would be to take off your Lens, wrap you up—especially your mouth—in seventeen yards of three-inch adhesive tape, and heave you into the brig.”
Kinnison threatens to physically restrain Samms if he tries to stop a coup.
Kinnison's passionate response shows his willingness to use force against Morgan.
“You are a better tub-thumper and welkin-ringer than Morgan is, when something—such as just now—really gets you going.”
Samms tells Kinnison he is a more effective public speaker than Morgan.
Samms recruits Kinnison as a political counterweight to Morgan.
“The only way to develop teeth is to bite with ’em.”
Kinnison argues that Jill must take risks to gain experience.
Kinnison reassures Samms about Jill's safety despite the danger.
