# Helena — Search the Sky character guide

> Helena in Search the Sky by Frederik Pohl.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Poor sweet Helena

**First appearance:** 0000-i

## Snapshot

A pilot who once stuck hairpins in the Wesley Drive and blew up a ship, she flies with cheerful recklessness and lands with a crash that shakes the timbers.

## Who they are

Helena handles the ship with a swooping, timber-shivering recklessness that terrifies her crewmates even as it gets them where they need to go. She bristles at being called ugly by strangers and cries in a preoccupied way when frightened, but she never stops flying. Her willingness to take the controls—and her refusal to be cowed—makes her the crew's engine as much as its pilot, and her sharp instincts repeatedly save them from the traps waiting on each new world.

## Relationships

### [Ross](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/search_the_sky_se/characters/ross)

_romantic_

Helena and Ross share a deep romantic bond, with frequent interactions suggesting intimacy and emotional reliance.

### [Ma](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/search_the_sky_se/characters/ma)

_family_

Helena and Ma share a familial connection, likely as daughter and mother or close relatives.

### [Bernie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/search_the_sky_se/characters/bernie)

_friendship_

Bernie and Helena are friends, likely sharing a social circle with Ross.

### [Ross](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/search_the_sky_se/characters/ross)

_romantic_

Helena and Ross share a deep romantic bond, with frequent interactions suggesting intimacy and emotional reliance.

### [Ross](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/search_the_sky_se/characters/ross)

_romantic_

Helena and Ross share a deep romantic bond, with frequent interactions suggesting intimacy and emotional reliance.

### [Ma](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/search_the_sky_se/characters/ma)

_family_

Helena and Ma share a familial connection, likely as daughter and mother or close relatives.

### [Ma](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/search_the_sky_se/characters/ma)

_family_

Helena and Ma share a familial connection, likely as daughter and mother or close relatives.

### [Bernie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/search_the_sky_se/characters/bernie)

_friendship_

Bernie and Helena are friends, likely sharing a social circle with Ross.

### [Bernie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/search_the_sky_se/characters/bernie)

_friendship_

Bernie and Helena are friends, likely sharing a social circle with Ross.

## In the story

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/search_the_sky_se/chapters/v)

A young woman in the junior unit who explains the social structure to Ross. She is punished alongside Ross after the vat incident.

### [Holiday](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/search_the_sky_se/chapters/vi)

Helena enthusiastically explains the Holiday traditions and voting process to Ross.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/search_the_sky_se/chapters/vii)

Helena socializes with Pilot Breuer, gets drunk at Virgin Willie's, and returns to catch Breuer with Ross. She is angry but later seems forgiving, and she leaves Ross alone at the airport to eat with the pilot.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/search_the_sky_se/chapters/viii)

Faces execution on Azor; Ross writes instructions for her to escape; she accidentally incites a mob by disparaging 'women.'

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/search_the_sky_se/chapters/ix)

Ross thinks of Helena, hoping her death was quick and painless, and reflects on his own arrogance about her abilities.

### [Landing on Earth and Encounter with the Joneses](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/search_the_sky_se/chapters/x)

Takes over piloting to land safely, tells the Joneses their story, and negotiates for food.

### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/search_the_sky_se/chapters/xi)

Mentioned as being left behind with Bernie when the doctor took Ross; Ross worries about her.

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/search_the_sky_se/chapters/xii)

Pilots the ship to Earth, expresses fear and frustration, and participates in the dress-tearing scheme.

### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/search_the_sky_se/chapters/xiii)

Frustrated with Ross's behavior, she leaves with Bernie to seek Haarland's help.

### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/search_the_sky_se/chapters/xiv)

Helena is hysterical with joy when Ross returns, and she stands proudly beside him as he sets the course for Halsey's Planet.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/search_the_sky_se/characters/helena
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/search_the_sky_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/search_the_sky_se/characters