Space Viking · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for Space Viking by H. Beam Piper.
Chapter 1
I
Lucas Trask and Elaine Karvall are on the eve of their wedding, celebrating at a garden party at Karval House. The chapter introduces tensions with Andray Dunnan, who is obsessively in love with Elaine and has been causing trouble. Lucas meets Captain Otto Harkaman, a spacefarer whose presence symbolizes the changing times on the Sword-Worlds. The political and social stakes of the marriage—uniting the Traskon and Karvall baronies behind Duke Angus of Wardshaven—are made clear.
Chapter 2
II
At a wedding gathering on Gram, Lucas Trask and Otto Harkaman engage in a heated debate about the Tanith Adventure and the decline of the Sword-Worlds. Trask argues that the constant raiding and loss of skilled men to space is causing a slow decay of civilization on Gram, while Harkaman defends the Space Viking way of life. The conversation touches on the nature of Neobarbarians, the history of the Terran Federation, and the political fragmentation of Gram. The chapter ends with a disturbance near the landing stage, hinting at impending trouble.
Chapter 3
III
At Lucas Trask and Elaine Karvall's wedding, Andray Dunnan publicly accuses the Karvall family and Trask of conspiracy, claiming Elaine is being forced into marriage. Elaine confronts him, declaring her love for Trask and ordering Dunnan to leave. Dunnan's henchman Nevil Ormm forcibly removes him as he raves about betrayal and his supposed rights to the ducal throne. After Dunnan's departure, the guests discuss his madness and the political danger he poses, with Otto Harkaman offering to eliminate him, but Rovard Grauffis warns against it due to political repercussions.
Chapter 4
IV
Lucas Trask and Elaine are married in a grand ceremony presided over by Duke Angus of Wardshaven, who uses royal language hinting at his ambitions. The celebration is shattered when Andray Dunnan ambushes the couple with a submachine gun, wounding Lucas and ending the joyous occasion in violence.
Chapter 5
V
Lucas Trask awakens on a robomedic in the Ducal Palace, recovering from severe wounds sustained during the attack that killed Elaine. He learns that Andray Dunnan escaped with the starship Enterprise, that Sesar Karvall was also wounded, and that the duchy is bankrupt. In his grief, Trask decides to trade his barony of Traskon to Duke Angus to finish a second ship, declaring himself a Space Viking and vowing to hunt down Dunnan.
Chapter 6
VI
Lucas Trask and Otto Harkaman formalize their partnership, with Harkaman pledging to command Trask's ship until Trask can command it himself. Trask commissions the construction of the Nemesis at the Gorram shipyard, naming it after a news commentator's phrase. He trains with Harkaman's crew and learns the realities of Space Viking life. Duke Angus reestablishes his credit, and Trask's cousin Nikkolay becomes vicar-baron. A tramp freighter brings news of Andray Dunnan's whereabouts, and they plan to hunt him in the Old Federation, starting with Xochitl.
Chapter 7
VII
The Nemesis arrives at Tanith after a long hyperspace journey. Trask and Harkaman prepare for a confrontation with Dunnan, who they suspect has already established a presence on the planet. They detect a ship near Tanith, but it is not the Enterprise; instead, they encounter a scarred, grinning stranger who recognizes Harkaman and asks about the Duke of Wardshaven.
Chapter 8
VIII
Trask and Harkaman arrive at Tanith, expecting to find the Gram ship Enterprise, but instead encounter two minor raiders, Boake Valkanhayn and Garvan Spasso, who have attempted to claim the planet. Harkaman dismisses them as incompetent 'chicken thieves' and explains they have no real resources. The party decides to give the crew shore leave while assessing the decivilized state of Tanith, a world that once belonged to the old Terran Federation but has fallen into ruin due to ancient warfare and depopulation.
Chapter 9
The Partnership on Tanith
Trask proposes a partnership with Spasso and Valkanhayn to establish a base on Tanith, using the lost cargo of the Enterprise to fund it. He asserts his authority as leader, orders an end to slave labor and raiding of locals, and begins organizing a paid workforce and sepoy army.
Chapter 10
Consolidation and Planning
Trask and Harkaman work to integrate the crews of the Space Scourge and Lamia into their fleet, overcoming resistance through persuasion and political maneuvering. After the crews vote to accept Trask and Harkaman's authority, Harkaman orders inspections and begins overhauling the Lamia, while dealing with the unreliable Captain Spasso. On Tanith, they repatriate enslaved locals, introduce trade tokens, and begin training the population in modern technology. Harkaman plans a three-stage raiding campaign against Khepera, Amaterasu, and Beowulf to generate wealth and prove Tanith's viability to investors, while leaving a skeleton crew to guard the base.
Chapter 11
XI
Trask grapples with the moral horror of his first Viking raid on Khepera, witnessing the massacre and sack of three cities. He kills a grieving local to spare him further suffering, drawing a parallel to Dunnan's mercy he never received. Harkaman and Spasso debate the raid's profitability, while Trask reflects on the brutality and his own complicity.
Chapter 12
XII
Trask and the Space Vikings descend on Eglonsby, Amaterasu, and after a demonstration nuclear bomb, the city surrenders. Trask negotiates with President Pedrosan and the Syndics, learning of the rival nation Stolgoland. A plan is hatched to deceive Stolgoland and launch a joint attack to seize their gold reserves.
Chapter 13
XIII
Trask leads a risky raid on the advanced planet Beowulf to secure nuclear power and plutonium for Tanith, facing fierce resistance from Beowulf's defenses. Despite heavy losses and a brutal battle, the raiders successfully extract fissionable materials and power units, though the operation proves costly in lives and damage.
Chapter 14
The Return of the Space Scourge
Trask and Harkaman await the return of the Space Scourge from Gram, growing anxious after 270 days. When the ship finally arrives, Boake Valkanhayn reports that Duke Angus has made himself King of Gram, granting Trask the title of Prince and Viceroy of Tanith. The chapter details the political changes on Gram, the deception of Duke Omfray, and the arrival of advanced equipment and personnel to develop Tanith. Trask remains focused on his quest for Andray Dunnan, while Tanith begins to industrialize and build a self-sufficient colony.
Chapter 15
XV
Trask establishes Tanith as a base, receiving the Black Star and the Queen Flavia. He learns of Dunnan's raids on Chermosh and Jagannath from Gilgamesh traders and Space Vikings, and begins tracking him. The chapter details the development of Tanith's infrastructure, including mines, a steel mill, and a shipyard, as well as the arrival of settlers and the potential for trade with Amaterasu and Beowulf.
Chapter 16
XVI
Lucas Trask continues his hunt for Andray Dunnan, who is gathering strength by recruiting ships like the Yo-Yo, Bolide, and others. Trask learns of Dunnan's activities through reports and becomes increasingly concerned about a potential attack on Tanith. He fortifies the planet's defenses, while also managing the development of Tanith's civilization, including trade with Amaterasu and Beowulf, and educational initiatives. Meanwhile, political changes on Gram, including the rise of Baron Spasso and economic shifts, affect Trask's operations.
Chapter 17
The Terror-Raid on Tetragrammaton
Trask and his council analyze a recent raid on Tetragrammaton by Andray Dunnan, concluding that the wanton destruction is part of a strategy to terrorize Marduk. A Space Viking brings a pistol from the raid, confirming Dunnan's involvement. Meanwhile, Baron Rathmore arrives from Gram, reporting King Angus's disastrous rule and divorce of Queen Flavia, and offers his sword to Trask.
Chapter 18
XVIII
Lucas Trask and his crew arrive at Audhumla to find Dunnan's forces attacking. They engage in a space battle, teaming up with the crippled Mardukan ship Victrix under Prince Simon Bentrik. After a fierce exchange, they destroy the Yo-Yo and severely damage the Enterprise, though Dunnan's fate remains uncertain.
Chapter 19
XIX
Prince Trask and Prince Bentrik discuss the political and social differences between the Sword-Worlds and Marduk, including class structures, democracy, and the threat of demagogue Zaspar Makann. They also plan the journey to Marduk and debate how Dunnan ambushed Bentrik's ship. The chapter ends with the Nemesis repaired and the voyage underway.
Chapter 20
XX
Lucas Trask and his Space Vikings arrive at Marduk, a highly civilized planet with a population of nearly two billion. They are amazed by the scale of its cities, which dwarf those of the Sword-Worlds. Trask is formally presented to King Mikhyl VIII and the royal family, and discussions touch on the nature of civilization, the threat of Andray Dunnan, and the political complexities of Marduk. King Mikhyl warns Trask about the dangerous Zaspar Makann, whom no one else takes seriously.
Chapter 21
Chapter XXI
Trask attends a dinner at the Marduk court where he debates economic and political systems with nobles, professors, and social workers, and witnesses a broadcast of Zaspar Makann's incendiary rally. He later meets with Admiral Shefter and Intelligence officers to share information on Dunnan's possible base, then travels with Prince Bentrik to Crown Prince Edvard's hunting lodge, experiencing a moment of connection with Elaine.
Chapter 22
XXII
Trask discusses the political situation on Marduk with Admiral Shefter, including the investigation into the ship Honest Horris and the elusive Horris Sasstroff. Meanwhile, a treaty with Tanith is being debated, and Princess Myrna playfully declares herself queen of her own domains. Trask witnesses a Makannist demonstration that turns violent, leading to a confrontation with Crown Prince Edvard about the use of force. Later, Trask meets Myrna in a garden, and they share a tender moment before her nurse arrives.
Chapter 23
XXIII
Trask returns to Tanith, studies Hitler to understand Zaspar Makann, and learns of political turmoil on Marduk and Gram. He renounces allegiance to King Angus, proclaims himself Prince of Tanith, and receives Princess Lucile and her son Steven as refugees from Marduk, where Makann has become Chancellor and Dunnan is suspected of involvement.
Chapter 24
XXIV
Trask faces a political crisis as his followers grow restless waiting for a Xochitl attack that never comes. News arrives that Omfray of Glaspyth, aided by Prince Viktor of Xochitl, has invaded Gram. Trask rejects both a retaliatory raid on Xochitl and a crusade to liberate Gram, fearing either would destroy Tanith's fragile civilization. Harkaman warns that inaction will dissolve Trask's coalition.
Chapter 25
XXV
Trask convinces the Tanith nobility that their real enemy is Zaspar Makann and Andray Dunnan on Marduk, not Viktor of Xochitl. A delegation from Gram fails to recruit mercenaries as the 'big lie' becomes truth when enemy ships are detected. A fleet of twelve spacecraft assembles, including ships from Tanith, Beowulf, and Amaterasu, and they jump toward Gimli. During the voyage, Renner and Rainer deduce Dunnan's base is on Abaddon, the outer planet of the Marduk system. Prince Bentrik decides to assume the role of Regent and Prince-Protector of Marduk.
Chapter 26
XXVI
Prince Bentrik asserts his authority as regent over Fleet Admiral Bargham's objections, then leads a fleet to Abaddon where they discover Dunnan's abandoned base. The fleet proceeds to Marduk, engaging Dunnan and Makann's forces in a major space battle. They make contact with Moonbase, learning that King Mikhyl VIII is likely dead and that Dunnan has taken control of Malverton.
Chapter 27
XXVII
Trask executes Andray Dunnan and contemplates the future of Marduk, including a potential League of Civilized Worlds and his own kingship. The chapter also covers the rescue of King Mikhyl VIII, the death of Zaspar Makann, and the challenges of controlling Space Viking looters.
