"Fascinating New Twist on Interstellar Relations"
THE LAST HAWK is the fourth installment in the Saga
of the
Skolian Empire. It stars Kelric Valdoria Skolia, Jagernaut
Tertiary, third heir to Skolian Imperator, Kurj. The story
takes place during the same period as the two tales of his
sister Sauscony and Jabriol Qox II, PRIMARY INVERSION and
THE RADIANT SEAS. Having said that, THE LAST HAWK is a
vastly different sort of tale from the aforementioned
titles. When Kelric's crippled starfighter kicks out of inversion
in an unfamiliar part of the universe, he realizes that he
must find a place to land or perish. Already injured he
crash lands on Coba, a planet on the ISC restricted list. Quarantined by their own request, the Coban's are forbidden
to interact with Skolians. Thus defines the conflict when
the crash is viewed and the rescue team realizes that the
victim is indeed a member of that race. Should they break
the rules and save his life, or deliver him to the starport
assuring his death? It is clear early on that the inhabitants have descended
from the same ancestors as the Skolians. Through
geographical isolation their society had developed quite
differently. They have not yet attained the technical
advancements of Kelric's world. Though they possessed
fliers, the had not achieved space flight. The planet's
restricted status is basically unnecessary, as Kelric would
soon learn. In order
to preserve their freedom, Kelric's is forfeit. They save
his life but he will never be allowed to return home. Coba is under matriarchal rule; women being the more
aggressive sex. They hold the power, ruling the estates,
making all of the major decisions. The men are either,
demure and virginal mate prospects, kasi/consorts,
prostitutes, or Calani/ master Quiz players. The latter are the closest to being influential in this
female dominated society. They are the men behind the
woman, plying their dice playing skills for the benefit of
their estate Manager. They are the historians, diplomats,
and strategists. They are cloistered, prized and protected,
and bound by a most restrictive oath that keeps the power
firmly in the hands of the women. Quiz has long since replaced warfare as means of resolving
issues and settling disputes. It reflects the history of
the culture, the current political climate, the mood of the
player himself. Because of who he is and his physical desirability, Kelric
the space warrior soon finds himself "imprisoned" within
his savior's Calanya, where he must follow the rules in
order to survive. With a penchant for mathmatics, and
empathic mind, a lengthy period of isolation, his skill at
the game becomes phenomenal. This and his exceptional
beauty whets the desire of virtually every major estate
manager on the planet. Each will vie for possession, to the
extent of
obsession for one. Captivity does not set well with Kelric, not only is his
spirit dampened, his body is in great need of repair but
the technology does not exist to rejuvenate him. The
environment is taking its toll as well, the food, the
atmosphere, even his own healing agents are beginning to
poison him. As the Quiz imparts Coba's history to Kelric,
so too does he impart his own Skolian culture and values to
others. One woman's desire to possess and another's to
defend him have near critical consequences. Only the
restraint and clear headedness of the others will spare
their way of life. Though he eventually becomes an unprecedented sixth level
Quis master, and has even found love a time or two, none
of this has occurred by his choice. Even were it not
evident that he will soon die without the technological
advances of his own world, even though he has no idea what
has transpired in the decade and half he's been absent,
even though he will have to leave his own flesh and blood
behind, Kelric's driving desire is to return home. In
spite of the havoc his presence has wreaked on their world,
he leaves behind a lesson and a legacy that will hold the
Cobans in good stead in the future. His story continues in
ASCENDANT SUN. I liked the different twist this story possessed, taking a
man who has come to rely on high technology, and reducing
him to relying on his wits; a man accustomed to leading
forced to follow, a prince forced to be a consort, unable
to fight and at the mercy of others. I truly enjoyed the
role reversal, it was fun picturing males as too flighty
for major decision making or leadership roles, their
indignant responses to sexual overtures, all the
stereotypical female behavior. This story pokes fun at
these stereotypes in a way that shows just how ridiculous
they truly are. Copyright © 2000
Reviewed by Leslie Tramposch
Posted September 12, 2001
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