Plague Ship · Chapter
VII: Barring Accident explained
The Queen's crew prepares for departure from Sargol under the burden of a forced contract: the Salariki priests have given them a chest of Koros stones to sell on Terra in exchange for seeds and plants, binding the Free Traders to return wi
What happens
The Queen's crew prepares for departure from Sargol under the burden of a forced contract: the Salariki priests have given them a chest of Koros stones to sell on Terra in exchange for seeds and plants, binding the Free Traders to return within six Terran months. The crew is uneasy about the tight schedule and the superstitious weight of the bargain. Meanwhile, Captain Jellico faces a duel with an I-S champion using Salariki net and knife, a contest that will determine the fate of their trade mission.
Themes in this chapter
Risk and Reward
The forced contract with the Koros stones binds the crew to a risky return voyage, with potential reward balanced against tight schedules and superstitious fears.
Corporate Power and Rivalry
The I-S rivals are present on Sargol, and the duel with their champion reflects the corporate competition for trade influence.
Loyalty and Camaraderie
The crew's concern for Jellico during the duel and Dane's lingering sense of being an outsider highlight the bonds and tensions within the Free Trader community.
Characters to notice
- Dane Thorson
Feels like a pariah after his mistakes and illness on Sargol; observes the loading and the duel with a sense of foreboding.
- Van Rycke
Returns from meeting with storm priests displeased; forced to accept the Koros chest; remains outwardly calm during the duel.
- Captain Jellico
Unhappy about the contract; represents the Free Traders in the duel, stripped and armed with claw knife and net.
- Rip Shannon
Weary from double-checking computations; expresses concern about the tight orbit; watches the duel with anxiety.
- Ali Kamil
Comments on the tight schedule and Stotz's confidence; present in the mess discussing the voyage.
- Sinbad
Unusually affectionate and lethargic before takeoff; stowed in his hammock by Dane.
- Steen Wilcox
Mentioned as having double-checked computations multiple times; present during the duel.
- Johan Stotz
Mentioned as confident about delivering the ship on course.
Key passages
“Barring accident—the words rang in the air. Here on the frontiers of the star lanes there were so many accidents, so many delays which could put a ship behind schedule.”
The phrase 'barring accident' echoed ominously, as frontier space is full of unforeseen delays that can ruin a tight schedule.
Highlights the precarious nature of Free Trader voyages.
“They packed the lower hold solid in accordance with the rules of stowage and locked the hatch before Van Rycke returned from his meeting with the storm priests.”
The crew stowed the wood cargo properly and sealed the hold before Van Rycke came back from his conference.
Shows the routine discipline of the crew despite underlying tensions.
“He, and he alone, would represent the Free Traders in the coming duel.”
Jellico was chosen as the sole champion for the Free Traders in the duel.
Emphasizes Jellico's leadership and the high stakes of the contest.
