Space Viking · Chapter
XX explained
Lucas Trask and his Space Vikings arrive at Marduk, a highly civilized planet with a population of nearly two billion.
What happens
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.
Themes in this chapter
Civilization vs. Barbarism
The chapter contrasts the immense, ancient civilization of Marduk with the rougher, feudal Sword-Worlds, and explores the fragility of civilization through Trask's reflections on decivilization.
Political Systems and Governance
Marduk's elaborate government is contrasted with the loose feudalism of the Sword-Worlds; the chapter shows political maneuvering, media spin, and the King's frustration with his own court.
The Cost of Raiding and Colonialism
Karffard advocates raiding Marduk, but Trask rejects the idea due to the immense destruction it would cause, highlighting the moral and practical costs of Space Viking raids.
Characters to notice
- Lucas Trask
Arrives at Marduk as Viceroy of Tanith; is formally presented to King Mikhyl VIII; reflects on the nature of civilization and the threat of Dunnan.
- Simon Bentrik
Acts as intermediary between Trask and the Mardukan authorities; arranges the formal presentation and handles the political fallout of their arrival.
- King Mikhyl VIII
Welcomes Trask and expresses gratitude for the rescue of Prince Bentrik; warns Trask about Zaspar Makann as a dangerous figure.
- Sir Paytrik Morland
Expresses amazement at the size of Malverton, comparing it to the smaller cities of the Sword-Worlds.
- Alvyn Karffard
Suggests that Marduk could be raided with twenty ships, but Trask dismisses the idea.
- Andray Dunnan
Mentioned as a threat; it is hoped he was destroyed but his fate is uncertain; he has hit over half of Marduk's trade planets.
- Zaspar Makann
Described by King Mikhyl as the most dangerous man on Marduk, though no one else believes it.
- Crown Prince Edvard
Meets Trask informally before the dinner; has a studious and impractical expression like his father.
Key passages
“They aren't any more civilized that we are, Paytrik. There are just more of them. If there were two billion people on Gram—which I hope there never will be—Gram would have cities like this, too.”
Trask tells Paytrik that the people of Marduk are not inherently more civilized than those of the Sword-Worlds; the difference is simply population size.
Trask defends the Sword-Worlds' level of civilization while acknowledging Marduk's scale.
“A wolf never cares how many sheep there are in a flock. With twenty ships, we could take this planet like we took Eglonsby.”
Karffard argues that Marduk's large population is irrelevant to a determined raider, comparing the planet to a flock of sheep.
Karffard's aggressive raiding mentality contrasts with Trask's more cautious and ethical stance.
“The most vital one, of course, is buying votes to keep the government in power. And it gets harder for the government to get anything done.”
Trask describes how deficit spending on vote-buying leads to governmental paralysis and societal decay.
Trask's analysis of decivilization by erosion highlights political corruption as a key factor.
