Planet of the Damned · Chapter
XIII explained
Brion and Telt return to Hovedstad to find the Foundation building destroyed by a raid, killing Lea, Doctor Stine, Faussel, and others.
What happens
Brion and Telt return to Hovedstad to find the Foundation building destroyed by a raid, killing Lea, Doctor Stine, Faussel, and others. Brion blames himself. During a raid on a magter tower, Brion insists on carrying a magter corpse despite Telt's objections, feeling the horror of killing. They escape and learn from Hys that it is the last day before the bombing. Telt reveals his bitterness about being called a butcher for doing what he believes is necessary.
Themes in this chapter
Survival and Sacrifice
Brion carries the magter corpse despite the danger and his revulsion, sacrificing his own comfort for the hope of finding evidence to stop the war.
Responsibility and Obligation
Brion feels responsible for the deaths of Lea and the others, calling himself a murderer for keeping them on the planet.
Alienation and Otherness
Telt expresses alienation from his own people, who see him and his fellow volunteers as insane butchers for doing what they believe is necessary.
Characters to notice
- Brion Brandd
Devastated by the destruction of the Foundation building and the deaths of Lea and others; insists on carrying the magter corpse; struggles with the personal horror of killing.
- Telt
Hys's technical squad member; initially suggests leaving the corpse behind; expresses bitterness about being called a butcher for his actions.
- Hys
Commander of the Nyjord striking force; organizes the raid; described as a great man whose ideas were ignored; calls Telt 'poor fool' on the last day.
- Lea Morees
Mentioned as dead in the Foundation building destruction; Brion mourns her as 'beautiful and cruelly dead Lea.'
- Doctor Stine
Mentioned as among the dead in the Foundation building.
- Faussel
Mentioned as among the dead in the Foundation building.
Key passages
“Hope was dead. Dis was dead. In the ruin ahead, mixed and broken with other rubble, were the bodies of all the people who had trusted him. Lea … beautiful and cruelly dead Lea. Doctor Stine, his patients, Faussel, all of them. He had kept them on this planet, and now they were dead. Every one of them. Dead. Murderer!”
Brion sees the destroyed Foundation building and blames himself for the deaths of Lea, Doctor Stine, Faussel, and others, feeling that he is a murderer for keeping them on Dis.
Brion's guilt and despair after the raid.
“Telt glanced over his shoulder and broke into a shambling run. 'They're following us!' he gasped. 'The first time they ever chased us after a raid!' 'They must know we have the body,' Brion said. 'Leave it behind …' Telt choked. 'Too heavy to carry … anyway!' 'I'd rather leave you,' Brion said sharply.”
During the escape, Telt wants to abandon the magter corpse, but Brion insists on keeping it, prioritizing the body over Telt's suggestion.
Brion's determination to secure the corpse for his theory.
“Telt hummed to himself hoarsely as he drove. He broke off suddenly and looked at Brion. 'What you want the dead Dis for?' 'A theory,' Brion answered sluggishly. 'I'm still looking for a way to avert the end.'”
Telt asks Brion why he needs a dead magter, and Brion explains he is testing a theory to prevent the bombing.
Brion's ongoing hope to stop the war.
“'At home they think we like to kill. Think we're insane. They can't understand we're doing the only thing that has to be done—' He broke off as he quickly locked on the brakes and killed the engine.”
Telt laments that people on Nyjord view him and his fellow volunteers as murderers, failing to see that their actions are necessary.
Telt's frustration with being misunderstood.
