# Arcot — Invaders from the Infinite character guide > Arcot in Invaders from the Infinite by John W. Campbell. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Dr. Arcot, Dr. Arcot senior, Arcot junior **First appearance:** 0000-i-invaders ## Snapshot Earth's foremost physicist, whose insatiable curiosity and near-limitless power generation make him humanity's best hope against the star-spanning Thessian threat. ## Who they are Arcot commands the Ancient Mariner and the scientific team behind Earth's defense, translating alien technologies and negotiating with the Warless Ones of Venone through thought-communication. He carries the weight of a two-billion-dollar private fortune and the knowledge that his ship's ray-tubes may be outmatched by the enemy's Twin-ray. His restless brilliance and willingness to gamble on unproven physics drive the expedition deeper into hostile space. ## Relationships ### [Morey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se/characters/morey) _friendship_ Arcot and Morey are close friends and scientific collaborators, frequently working together on interstellar challenges. ### [Wade](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se/characters/wade) _friendship_ Arcot and Wade are loyal companions and fellow adventurers, sharing many missions and dangers. ### [The Thessians](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se/characters/the_thessians) _professional_ Arcot interacts with the Thessians as an ally and diplomatic partner, aiding them against common threats. ### [Zezdon Afthen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se/characters/zezdon_afthen) _friendship_ Arcot and Zezdon Afthen develop a strong bond of mutual respect and cooperation as fellow explorers. ### [Torlos](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se/characters/torlos) _friendship_ Arcot and Torlos are comrades-in-arms, fighting together against hostile alien forces. ### [Stel Felso Theu](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se/characters/stel_felso_theu) _professional_ Arcot works with Stel Felso Theu as a fellow scientist and ally in understanding advanced alien technology. ### [Earthman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se/characters/earthman) _social_ Arcot interacts with Earthman as a fellow human, representing common terrestrial interests in alien encounters. ### [The Terrestrians](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se/characters/the_terrestrians) _professional_ Arcot engages with the Terrestrians as a representative of Earth, coordinating interplanetary relations. ### [Fuller](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se/characters/fuller) _professional_ Arcot works with Fuller as a colleague in scientific and exploratory endeavors. ### [Thett](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se/characters/thett) _friendship_ Arcot and Thett form a bond of friendship and cooperation, bridging cultural differences. ### [The Ortolian](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se/characters/the_ortolian) _rivalry_ Arcot faces the Ortolian as a dangerous antagonist, clashing over conflicting goals and ideologies. ### [Venone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se/characters/venone) _friendship_ Arcot and Venone share a friendly rapport, often assisting each other in interstellar missions. ## In the story ### [I: Invaders](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se/chapters/i-invaders) Mentioned as the inventor of the ship Evans pilots and as a designer of the diffraction grating on the Airlines Building. ### [II: Canine People](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se/chapters/ii-canine-people) Demonstrates the new ray shield; communicates telepathically with the Ortolian visitors; agrees to help them. ### [III: A Quarter of a Million Light Years](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se/chapters/iii-a-quarter-of-a-million-light-years) Plans to retrieve the Thessian ship from Mars, equip the Ancient Mariner with a ray-screen, and lead a mission to Ortol. ### [IV: The First Move](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se/chapters/iv-the-first-move) Explains the space distortion drive and time-field principles; pilots the Ancient Mariner. ### [V: Ortol](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se/chapters/v-ortol) Takes control of the ship, uses artificial space and molecular rays to defeat the Thessian ship. ### [VI: The Second Move](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se/chapters/vi-the-second-move) Analyzes the magnetic beam failure; teaches Ortolians how to make and use molecular ships and weapons; plans the next move. ### [World 3769–37,478,326,894,6, Talso](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se/chapters/vii-world-3769-37-478-326-894-6-talso) Pilots the ship; dodges Thessian attack; uses molecular and heat rays; directs the battle; cautions the crew before landing. ### [VIII: Undefeatable or Uncontrollable?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se/chapters/viii-undefeatable-or-uncontrollable) Leaves the ship to meet the Talsonians, demonstrates the generator, and discusses power transmission with Stel Felso Theu. ### [IX: The Irresistible and the Immovable](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se/chapters/ix-the-irresistible-and-the-immovable) Leads the examination of the Talsonian weapon and rapidly constructs an improved version, explaining the underlying physics. ### [X: Improvements and Calculations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se/chapters/x-improvements-and-calculations) Leads the attack on the Thessian Arctic base, demonstrates the magnetic beam, and shares calculations for the time field and new weapons with Earth scientists. ### [Write Off the Magnet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se/chapters/xi-write-off-the-magnet) Leads the attack, devises the underground strategy, and destroys the Antarctic Thessian base. ### [XII: Sirius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se/chapters/xii-sirius) Leads the mission to Sirius, devises the staged attack to prove friendship, and deduces the principles of the attractive ray. ### [Attacked](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se/chapters/xiii-attacked) Pilots the ship, devises the time field strategy, and leads the repair efforts using artificial matter. ### [Intergalactic Space](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se/chapters/xiv-intergalactic-space) Leads the scientific work on artificial matter and the new energy unit 'sol'; suggests landing in the Nile valley to gauge human advancement. ### [All-Powerful Gods](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se/chapters/xv-all-powerful-gods) Leads the landing parties in Greece and Egypt, uses heat and molecular rays to defend against attackers, and is identified as Jove by Morey for hurling thunderbolts. ### [Home Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se/chapters/xvi-home-again) Returns to Earth and explains the accidental time jump to his father, then leads the development of new defensive apparatus. ### [Power of Mind](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se/chapters/xvii-power-of-mind) Demonstrates mental relay control, creates artificial matter, transmutes elements, and synthesizes Cosmium. ### [Earth's Defenses](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se/chapters/xviii-earth-s-defenses) Leads the construction of the new ship on Eros, uses artificial matter to create cosmium and relux, and pilots the ship to defend New York. ### [XIX: The Battle of Earth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se/chapters/xix-the-battle-of-earth) Returns with a new weapon and takes command of the battle, using advanced technologies to destroy the Thessian fleet. ### [XX: Destruction](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se/chapters/xx-destruction) Receives message from Zezdon Fentes, names the ship 'Thought', and uses mental horror-ideas to defeat the Thessians. ### [XXI: The Power of the Thought](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se/chapters/xxi-the-power-of-the-thought) Uses the Thought to stop a planet and later pilots the ship at incredible speed to Talso. ### [XXIII: Venone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se/chapters/xxiii-venone) Leads the mission to Venone, constructs a new ship from energy, and demonstrates the power of the Thought to the Venonians. ### [XXV: With Galaxies in the Balance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se/chapters/xxv-with-galaxies-in-the-balance) Leads the attack on Thett, repairs and upgrades the Thought, creates the wall of blackness, and is persuaded to rest after exhaustion. ### [XXVI: Man, Creator and Destroyer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se/chapters/xxvi-man-creator-and-destroyer) Devises the electron-collapse weapon and executes the destruction of Thett; later reflects on humanity's power. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se/characters/arcot - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/invaders_from_the_infinite_se/characters