Charles Sheffield
Resurgence

Before discussing this novel by writer Charles Sheffield, I want to digress and give a special mention to one of the directors I consider fundamental in the history of cinema, the legendary Robert Altman. Yes, I know it seems this has nothing to do with the work I'm about to tell you about, but it does. There are clearly many reasons why Altman is considered a master, but one of his particular skills always impressed me the most: the ability to put a multitude of protagonists on stage and manage to define each of them well in terms of character and role in the story's dynamics, and how, in the end, through the realization of a sort of inevitable destiny, all the stories end up intersecting. Because perhaps, in the end, this is the truth: the substance that holds our society together and consequently also cinematic works so full of content.

According to this vision, the heart of a story is precisely in the characteristics of all the protagonists and the relationships they build with one another. If, meanwhile, you also manage to tell a great story, then the miracle is accomplished, and it means we are in front of a truly skilled author.

Charles Sheffield was undoubtedly one of the most talented authors of his generation, particularly productive in the 1990s, the years in which he created the so-called ‘Heritage Universe,’ the universe of the ‘Builders,’ in which he set one after another five voluminous novels, the last of which, the ‘conclusive’ one, is this ‘Resurgence’ published posthumously in 2003. In truth, since the author prematurely passed away in 2002, we will never know if the novel would have had a sequel. It should be noted that even though it's yet another chapter in the series full of science-fiction content and reflections related to archaeology, space-time physics (particularly for some of its considerations on space flight), and socio-psychological relations, 'Resurgence' still configures itself as another chapter of an adventurous space opera, with an ending still open to the inevitable possible sequels that could potentially have been endless.

Who are the ‘Builders’? This is a question you should ask Darya Lang, one of the protagonists of the series, perhaps the main protagonist because somehow she is the one who holds an incredible variety of characters together around her. Darya Lang is an archaeology scholar, and no one has studied and knows what the Builders and their artifacts are better than she does throughout the Orion arm. A professor at the most important university on the wealthy planet called Gateway to the Sentinel, Darya Lang has studied the Builders all her life and has had the opportunity to study their artifacts up close or from the inside during adventurous and incredible experiences (in fact, some of her theses, despite her unanymous and recognized reputation, are debated due to the lack of concrete evidence) whose placement and existence - before their sudden disappearance narrated in the previous novel and the backstory of ‘Resurgence’ - dates back three million years before the events recounted in the novels.

The nature of the so-called ‘artifacts’ was mostly unknown and mysterious, apparently incomprehensible, and each new discovery opened up new questions and debates, leaving many questions unanswered. Who were the Builders? What happened to them? Why did they leave those artifacts, and why did they disappear? The only thing everyone seems to agree on is that the Builders played a crucial role in the colonization of space by humans and other alien species inhabiting the Orion arm and the rest of the galaxy.

As mentioned, all the artifacts appear to have disappeared, but certain events will lead Darya Lang to reunite with her old adventure companions, primarily the adventurous, revolutionary, and restless Hans Rebka, saved in extremis from a capital execution, and the pilot and smuggler Louis Nenda aboard his spaceship Have-It-All with his crew composed of some of the most eccentric, peculiar, and rare alien species in the entire universe. Two historical rivals because they are both somehow fond of the archaeologist, who reciprocates the feelings of the former and eludes but indulges the latter, who evidently needs only her sight to embark on dangerous expeditions. Not to mention the fact that both, as understood, have some legal issues, and if summoned by an important figure like the ethical advisor Julian Graves himself, they have to accept whatever he commissions. Other historical characters from the series will not be missing in this chapter, such as the presumptuous robot incarnate E.C. Tally.

According to advisor Julian Graves, the basis of this ‘reunion’ would be the emergence of a new threatening and destructive force that, from the Sag arm, from the stars of Sagittarius, threatens the entire universe. It is unclear how much all this has to do with the Builders and their possible reappearance, but previous experiences taught Graves that no one better than the expert Darya Lang and that strange combination of adventurers could accomplish the mission. Not even the young security personnel on board, who will have something to learn from more seasoned adventurers who, having grown up in tough realities, have experienced firsthand what it means to survive.

Once again, the events that will follow the expedition will be absolutely unpredictable, straddling the absurd and scientific speculation. In any case, often beyond any known rule of physics, and for this phenomenon, they can only be interpreted by the group in their entirety. What appears to be a band of desperados and a kind of Brancaleone's Army is one of the greatest groups of adventurers and connoisseurs of the galaxy in every aspect, as the contemporary genre literature has wanted to tell us.

It's a pity that the series practically concluded with this novel and that the many questions and unanswered queries are destined to remain as such when right up to the last line, Darya Lang still appears absolutely determined to embark again and head into the unknown to get to the bottom of the matter. The Builders are, after all, her true obsession, and the subject to which she has dedicated her entire existence. But while Charles Sheffield's death takes away a series of unresolved mysteries, it is undeniable that he has left us incredible adventures and inherited the determination, resolution, and great character of Dr. Lang, which are a great example for everyone and evidently, judging by the behaviors of Hans Rebka and Louis Nance and their respective pheromone emissions, also a good reason to risk one's life.