The Cosmic Computer · Chapter
XII explained
Conn Maxwell and his father discuss the economic boom and political controversies surrounding Merlin.
What happens
Conn Maxwell and his father discuss the economic boom and political controversies surrounding Merlin. Conn works on the Harriet Barne, studying Koshchei for an upcoming expedition. The ship is completed and tested successfully. As they prepare to depart, Rodney Maxwell warns of a mysterious chartered hyperspace freighter, urging them to leave immediately.
Themes in this chapter
Economic Decline and Revival
The chapter details the rapid economic growth, formation of new companies, and the shipping boom driven by the Merlin myth.
Myth vs. Reality
Merlin becomes a political and cultural phenomenon, with spirit mediums and evangelists spreading fantastical claims, contrasting with Conn's technical work.
Deception and Leadership
Rodney Maxwell and Conn navigate the Merlin hysteria to advance their economic and exploratory goals, while keeping the true nature of their project ambiguous.
Characters to notice
- Conn Maxwell
Works on the Harriet Barne, studies Koshchei, and is selected as astrogator and representative for the expedition.
- Rodney Maxwell
Becomes a city man, forms holding company Trisystem Investments, Ltd., and warns Conn about the chartered freighter Andromeda.
- Yves Jacquemont
Serves as first officer under Nichols and captain outside atmosphere; comments on the cruciform spaceship design and missing interplanetary ships.
- Sylvie Jacquemont
Visits Barathrum and reports tension between Conn's mother and sister Flora.
- Wade Lucas
Acting mayor of Litchfield; helps assemble cargo of medicines and hospital equipment.
- Clyde Nichols
Commands the Harriet Barne in atmosphere and acts as first mate in space.
- Mack Vibart
Chief engineer of the Harriet Barne.
- Kurt Fawzi
Visits Barathrum to see the completed Harriet Barne.
Key passages
“I really didn’t understand how much good this would do,” he said. “I wouldn’t have spoken so forcefully against it if I had. I thought it was nothing but this Merlin thing—” “Aaagh! Don’t talk to me about Merlin!” Conn interrupted. “I have to talk to Kurt Fawzi and that crowd about Merlin till I’m sick of the whole subject.””
Conn expresses frustration with constantly discussing Merlin, while his father admits he initially opposed the project due to its association with Merlin.
Highlights Conn's weariness with the Merlin myth and his father's change of heart.
“There was a lot of it. The fourth planet of Alpha Gartner was older than Poictesme; geologists claimed that it was the oldest thing, the sun excepted, in the system...”
Conn studies Koshchei's geology, learning it is an ancient, rusted planet with a carbon dioxide atmosphere and abandoned industrial facilities.
Provides background on Koshchei, the destination for the expedition.
“I think you’d better get this ship off, right away.”
Rodney Maxwell urges Conn to launch the Harriet Barne immediately due to a suspicious chartered freighter.
Creates urgency and foreshadows potential competition or danger.
