| "Brothers" | |
| Author | Gordon R. Dickson |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Science fiction |
| Published in | Astounding: The John W Campbell Memorial Anthology |
| Publication type | anthology |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover) |
| Publication date | 1973 |
Brothers is a science fiction short story by Gordon R. Dickson. Gordon Rupert Dickson ( November 1, 1923 – January 31, 2001) was an American Science fiction author The United States of America —commonly referred to as the English is a West Germanic language originating in England and is the First language for most people in the United Kingdom, the United States Astounding The John W Campbell Memorial Anthology is a 1973 Festschrift honoring noted Science fiction and Fantasy editor ANThology is the first Major label album by Alien Ant Farm released on March 6, 2001 in the USA and March 19 A hardcover (or hardback or hardbound) is a Book bound with rigid protective covers (typically of cardboard covered with Cloth The short story is a literary genre of Fictional Prose Narrative that tends to be more concise and to the point than longer works of fiction such Gordon Rupert Dickson ( November 1, 1923 – January 31, 2001) was an American Science fiction author It was first published in Astounding: The John W Campbell Memorial Anthology. Astounding The John W Campbell Memorial Anthology is a 1973 Festschrift honoring noted Science fiction and Fantasy editor
Overview
The story forms a part of the incomplete Dorsai cycle. The Childe Cycle is an unfinished series of Science fiction novels by Gordon R
Synopsis
The story is set in the city of Blauvain, capital of the planet St Marie. It is narrated by Tomas Velt, Blauvain Police Commissioner. Police are agents or agencies usually of the executive, empowered to enforce the law and to effect public and social order through the legitimatized use of force
After the defeat of invading soldiers from the Friendly worlds, Field Commander Kensie Graeme of the Expeditionary force of Dorsai mercenaries is assassinated by unseen members of an illegal political organisation, the Blue Front. A mercenary is a person who takes part in an armed conflict who is not a national or a party to the conflict and is "motivated to take part in the hostilities essentially by Commander Ian Graeme decides that they are still engaged with an enemy, declares martial law in Blauvain and gives orders that all houses in the city be searched by soldiers under his command. Martial law is the system of rules that takes effect when the military takes control of the normal administration of justice
Whilst Velt and his police more-or-less ineffectually assist the Dorsai, he also strives to find a way to avoid the search, which could easily result in the deaths of citizens who resist the soldiers. He gets no assistance from the Exotic Padma, whose philosophy does not allow him to interfere in any way, but Padma does believe that somehow Velt is a pivotal character in resolving the situation.
Under Padma's influence, Velt now realises that General Pel Sinjin, commander of the Planetary militia, must be involved in the assassination attempt. The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary Citizens to provide defense emergency law enforcement or Paramilitary service He questions Pel, but Pel is unwilling to confess or reveal any information. Velt begs Padma to talk to Pel and explain why he must give the information. Padma agrees to do so and the talk causes Pel to find peace within himself. He reveals what he knows, including the probable location of the conspirators.
With only minutes before the house-to-house search is to begin, Graeme and Velt arrive at the room where the assassins are holed up. The refuse to surrender and Graeme asks to simply come in and talk to them. He does so, unarmed and naked, but still manages to kill them all.
With this act, he has lightening-roded the soldier's anger at Kensie's death, honour has been satisfied and the Dorsai reputation remains unsullied. The search is called off.
This article about a science fiction short story (or stories) is a stub. The short story is a literary genre of Fictional Prose Narrative that tends to be more concise and to the point than longer works of fiction such You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. Dapyx Software network: MP3 Explorer | Ebook Manager | Zenithic