Space Viking · Chapter
XII explained
Trask and the Space Vikings descend on Eglonsby, Amaterasu, and after a demonstration nuclear bomb, the city surrenders.
What happens
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.
Themes in this chapter
The Cost of Raiding and Colonialism
Trask uses nuclear threats to extract tribute, then pivots to exploiting inter-state rivalries for greater gain.
Political Systems and Governance
The Syndicate system is critiqued as a 'dictatorship with parliamentary false front,' and Trask manipulates it.
Technology and Progress
The Space Vikings' nuclear and contragravity superiority enables domination over a planet with only jet aircraft and chemical weapons.
Characters to notice
- Lucas Trask
Leads the raid on Eglonsby, negotiates with President Pedrosan, and devises the plan to attack Stolgoland.
- Otto Harkaman
Acts as admiral, comments on the political structure, and participates in the deception strategy.
- Boake Valkanhayn
Commands the Space Scourge, expresses concern about the planet's radar and radio capabilities.
- Garvan Spasso
Perturbed by the planet's technology, advocates for teaching the 'Neobarbs' a lesson.
- Sir Paytrik Morland
Advises Trask during the second meeting with Pedrosan and Dagró.
- President Pedrosan Pedro
Surrenders Eglonsby, proposes an alliance to attack Stolgoland for its gold.
- General Dagró Ector
Syndic for State Protection, provides intelligence on Stolgoland and commands the Eglonsby forces.
- Paul Koreff
Monitors radio stations and handles communications during the raid.
Key passages
““What I said; dictatorship, with parliamentary false front.””
Harkaman observes that the President's emergency powers reveal the Syndicate system as a disguised dictatorship.
Comment on the political structure of Eglonsby.
““If you’re going to declare war on Stolgoland, you’d better get along with it,” Morland advised. “What?” Pedrosan seemed to have only the vaguest idea of what he was talking about. “You mean, warn them? Certainly not. We will attack them by surprise.””
Morland suggests a formal declaration of war, but Pedrosan intends a surprise attack, calling it self-defense.
Highlights the cynical realpolitik of the Eglonsby government.