Triplanetary · Chapter
X: Within the Red Veil explained
Gharlane (as Roger) probes his own suppressed memories of an ancient Arisian contact, while the Nevian cruiser under Nerado destroys his planetoid and captures the Terrestrials Costigan, Clio, and Bradley.
What happens
Gharlane (as Roger) probes his own suppressed memories of an ancient Arisian contact, while the Nevian cruiser under Nerado destroys his planetoid and captures the Terrestrials Costigan, Clio, and Bradley. The Nevians, interested only in iron, leave one ship intact. The captives are studied by the Nevians, who find them repulsive, and vice versa. Costigan reports to Samms via ultra-wave before being jammed, and the prisoners are taken toward Nevia.
Themes in this chapter
Alien Otherness and Incomprehensibility
The mutual horror and disgust between Terrestrials and Nevians, along with their inability to communicate, highlights the theme of alien otherness and the difficulty of cross-species understanding.
Hidden Manipulation of History
Gharlane's suppressed memories of Arisian contact and the deliberate suppression of knowledge by the Eddorians illustrate the theme of hidden manipulation of history.
Characters to notice
- Roger
As Gharlane, he probes his suppressed memories of Arisian contact and commands the planetoid's defense against the Nevians, launching a final beam before its destruction.
- Captain Nerado
Commands the Nevian cruiser, absorbs the planetoid's iron, and captures the Terrestrials, intending to bring them to Nevia for study.
- Conway Costigan
A prisoner aboard the Nevian ship, he reports to Samms via ultra-wave, speculates on Roger's possible escape, and comforts Clio as they face an unknown fate.
- Clio Marsden
A prisoner with Costigan and Bradley, she expresses horror at the Nevians but shows resilience, questioning their destination.
- Captain Bradley
A prisoner aboard the Nevian ship, he observes the destruction of the planetoid and argues with Costigan about the possible flash.
Key passages
““Ah … so you do not want me to remember?” Roger asked aloud, with no change in any lineament of his hard, gray face. “I wonder … do you really believe that you can keep me from remembering? I must abandon this search for the moment, but rest assured that I shall finish it very shortly.””
Roger realizes an external force is blocking his memory of ancient Arisian contact, but vows to overcome it.
Highlights Gharlane's determination and the hidden manipulation of his race's history.
““It is well that we had an unlimited supply of iron.” Nerado almost tied a knot in his neck as he spoke in huge relief. “With but the seven pounds remaining of our original supply, I fear that it would have been difficult to parry that last thrust.””
Nerado expresses relief that they had enough iron to defend against Roger's final attack, as they were nearly out.
Shows the Nevians' dependence on iron for their technology and the narrowness of their victory.
““Good Heavens, Conway!” Clio exclaimed, shrinking against Costigan as his left arm flashed around her. “What horrible monstrosities! And they can’t talk—not one of them has made a sound—suppose they can be deaf and dumb?””
Clio is horrified by the Nevians' appearance and assumes they cannot speak because she cannot hear them.
Illustrates the mutual incomprehension between the species, a key aspect of alien otherness.