When in the Course
Encyclopedia
"When in the Course" is a science fiction
short story
written by H. Beam Piper
. It is a part of Piper’s Terro-Human Future History series, and has the distinction of being nearly identical with his 1964 Paratime short story, Gunpowder God, which was later expanded into the novel, Lord Kalvan of Otherwhen
. It is most likely set in the 3rd Century A.E.
According to his introduction to the story, found in the book Federation
, John F. Carr
states that the unpublished manuscript for When in the Course was found among the late author’s papers by Ace Books
. It was Mr. Carr’s belief that the story was the original story, but that it was rejected by editor John W. Campbell
for its apparent use of parallel evolution
as a part of the plot. He further contended that it was Mr. Campbell who recommended that the story be rewritten to make it a part of the Paratime storyline.
“When in the Course” made its first appearance in the 1981 short story collection, Federation
. Unlike most Piper stories, the copyright for “When in the Course” has not lapsed.
The scene then switches to a spaceship in orbit around the planet. The ten men and five women who represent the total personnel and stockholders of Stellar Explorations, Ltd., are pleased to have found a Terra-like world, but disappointed to find that it is already apparently inhabited by an intelligent race. Terran
law forbids them a title of ownership of the planet, forcing them instead to forge a treaty with a sovereign power on the world. As such, the Terrans decide to begin examining the planet’s chemistry and biology for suitability for human colonization.
In the third scene, the Terrans are ready to make contact with the inhabitants of the planet, and select a relatively isolated valley that contains one castle. Setting up in a field, the spaceship is finally found by an armed Hostigi patrol, led by Princess Rylla, daughter of Prince Ptosphes, and captain-in-chief Chartiphon. The Terrans are shocked to see that the inhabitants of this world not only appear totally human, but extremely good looking humans at that. After a show of force
, the two sides agree to parley, and begin the process of establishing communications.
When the Terrans are informed about the political situation in Hostigos, they sign a military alliance with the Hostigi, and begin preparing for war. The Terrans inform their hosts that the secret of making “fireseed” (gunpowder) is not complicated, and that they will help them build their own powder mills, breaking the monopoly held by the priests of the god Styphon. Terran Roger Barron decides that the key to the defense of Hostigos is to retake the previously-lost castle of Tarr-Dombra, which guards the pass that connects Hostigos and Nostor. The Hostigi are shocked at the idea of taking such a well-made castle, until it is pointed out that Tarr-Dombra has never been attacked from the air.
During the course of the war, the new world receives its name, Freya, after the “Norse Venus.” In the novel Uller Uprising, Freya is mentioned as a world, “where the people were human to the last degree and the women were breathtakingly beautiful.”
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
short story
Short story
A short story is a work of fiction that is usually written in prose, often in narrative format. This format tends to be more pointed than longer works of fiction, such as novellas and novels. Short story definitions based on length differ somewhat, even among professional writers, in part because...
written by H. Beam Piper
H. Beam Piper
Henry Beam Piper was an American science fiction author. He wrote many short stories and several novels. He is best known for his extensive Terro-Human Future History series of stories and a shorter series of "Paratime" alternate history tales.He wrote under the name H. Beam Piper...
. It is a part of Piper’s Terro-Human Future History series, and has the distinction of being nearly identical with his 1964 Paratime short story, Gunpowder God, which was later expanded into the novel, Lord Kalvan of Otherwhen
Lord Kalvan of Otherwhen
Lord Kalvan of Otherwhen is a 1965 science fiction novel by H. Beam Piper and is part of his Kalvan series of stories, which is part of his larger Paratime series. It recounts the adventures of a Pennsylvania state trooper who is accidentally transported to a more backward parallel universe...
. It is most likely set in the 3rd Century A.E.
According to his introduction to the story, found in the book Federation
Federation (H. Beam Piper)
Federation is a collection of short stories written by H. Beam Piper, and edited by John F. Carr. The book was published in 1981 by Ace Books, and again in 1982, 1983 and 1986. Most of these stories take place in the early part of his Terro-Human Future History....
, John F. Carr
John F. Carr
John Francis Carr, was born December 25, 1944 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and raised in San Diego, California. He is a science fiction editor and writer.-Career:John F...
states that the unpublished manuscript for When in the Course was found among the late author’s papers by Ace Books
Ace Books
Ace Books is the oldest active specialty publisher of science fiction and fantasy books. The company was founded in New York City in 1952 by Aaron A. Wyn, and began as a genre publisher of mysteries and westerns...
. It was Mr. Carr’s belief that the story was the original story, but that it was rejected by editor John W. Campbell
John W. Campbell
John Wood Campbell, Jr. was an influential figure in American science fiction. As editor of Astounding Science Fiction , from late 1937 until his death, he is generally credited with shaping the so-called Golden Age of Science Fiction.Isaac Asimov called Campbell "the most powerful force in...
for its apparent use of parallel evolution
Parallel evolution
Parallel evolution is the development of a similar trait in related, but distinct, species descending from the same ancestor, but from different clades.-Parallel vs...
as a part of the plot. He further contended that it was Mr. Campbell who recommended that the story be rewritten to make it a part of the Paratime storyline.
“When in the Course” made its first appearance in the 1981 short story collection, Federation
Federation (H. Beam Piper)
Federation is a collection of short stories written by H. Beam Piper, and edited by John F. Carr. The book was published in 1981 by Ace Books, and again in 1982, 1983 and 1986. Most of these stories take place in the early part of his Terro-Human Future History....
. Unlike most Piper stories, the copyright for “When in the Course” has not lapsed.
Synopsis
The story begins in the castle of Tarr-Hostigos, where Prince Ptosphes and his council of war are deciding on a course of action in response to King Kaiphranos’ refusal to stop a planned invasion by neighboring Princes Gormoth of Nostor and Sarrask of Sask. The council unanimously decides that the princedom of Hostigos must fight on alone, if need be.The scene then switches to a spaceship in orbit around the planet. The ten men and five women who represent the total personnel and stockholders of Stellar Explorations, Ltd., are pleased to have found a Terra-like world, but disappointed to find that it is already apparently inhabited by an intelligent race. Terran
Terran
- Fiction :Terran is a demonym, a term commonly associated in science fiction with humans.- Literature :* Terran Federation, a government in the 1959 science fiction novel Starship Troopers...
law forbids them a title of ownership of the planet, forcing them instead to forge a treaty with a sovereign power on the world. As such, the Terrans decide to begin examining the planet’s chemistry and biology for suitability for human colonization.
In the third scene, the Terrans are ready to make contact with the inhabitants of the planet, and select a relatively isolated valley that contains one castle. Setting up in a field, the spaceship is finally found by an armed Hostigi patrol, led by Princess Rylla, daughter of Prince Ptosphes, and captain-in-chief Chartiphon. The Terrans are shocked to see that the inhabitants of this world not only appear totally human, but extremely good looking humans at that. After a show of force
Show of force
Show of force is a military term for an operation intended to warn or intimidate an opponent and to showcase one's own capability or will to act if provoked...
, the two sides agree to parley, and begin the process of establishing communications.
When the Terrans are informed about the political situation in Hostigos, they sign a military alliance with the Hostigi, and begin preparing for war. The Terrans inform their hosts that the secret of making “fireseed” (gunpowder) is not complicated, and that they will help them build their own powder mills, breaking the monopoly held by the priests of the god Styphon. Terran Roger Barron decides that the key to the defense of Hostigos is to retake the previously-lost castle of Tarr-Dombra, which guards the pass that connects Hostigos and Nostor. The Hostigi are shocked at the idea of taking such a well-made castle, until it is pointed out that Tarr-Dombra has never been attacked from the air.
During the course of the war, the new world receives its name, Freya, after the “Norse Venus.” In the novel Uller Uprising, Freya is mentioned as a world, “where the people were human to the last degree and the women were breathtakingly beautiful.”