VII: Bismillah! How Dumb Can We Get? explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Resistance and Rebellion

  The mutiny of the Tenth North Uller Native Infantry and Fifth Cavalry, along with the poisoning of Governor Harrington, exemplifies organized resistance against colonial authority.

• Racism and Dehumanization

  Terrans refer to native servants as 'geeks' and dehumanize them, while the Kragan troops summarily execute wounded enemies, reflecting racial hierarchies and brutality.

• Power and Corruption

  The Company's authority is undermined by the revolt of native troops and the assassination of its governor, revealing the fragility of colonial power.

Characters to notice

• General Carlos von Schlichten

  Leads the defense of Company House, sets up command post at telecast station, and learns of Harrington's poisoning.

• Sidney Harrington

  Found dead in his room, poisoned by a servant loyal to Rev. Keeluk.

• General Themistocles M'zangwe

  Reports Harrington's death and connects the poisoning to Keeluk's experiments with terrestrial animals.

• Colonel Hideyoshi O'Leary

  Seen commanding Terrans and Kragans inside Company House during the attack.

• Brigadier-General Barney Mordkovitz

  Reports to von Schlichten about the defense inside Company House.

• Rev. Keeluk Von Schlichten

  Implied to have orchestrated Harrington's poisoning by testing poisons on terrestrial animals.

Key passages

• “Bismillah! How dumb can we get?”

  An exclamation of self-reproach for failing to foresee the obvious.

  Said by General M'zangwe upon realizing that Keeluk used terrestrial animals to test poisons on Terrans.

• “Znidd suddabit!”

  A battle cry of the mutineers, meaning 'Death to the geek!'

  Shouted by the rebellious native troops as they attack Terrans and loyal Kragans.

• “Znidd geek!”

  A counter-cry by loyal Kragan troops, meaning 'Death to the geek!'

  Used by Kragans as they charge and bayonet the mutineers.