# Gavin Duncan — Short Fiction character guide

> Gavin Duncan in Short Fiction by Clifford D. Simak.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Duncan

**First appearance:** 0000-hellhounds-of-the-cosmos

## Who they are

A frontiersman on Layard who crosses a river into unclaimed forest and claims the discovery as his own, only to find the Cytha he's tracking grows more cunning with every mile.

## Relationships

### [the Cytha](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_10_se/characters/the_cytha)

_rivalry_

Gavin Duncan has frequent hostile encounters with the Cytha, suggesting a predator-prey or enemy relationship.

### [Sipar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_10_se/characters/sipar)

_friendship_

Gavin Duncan and Sipar are allies, possibly partners in a mission or shared survival scenario.

### [Screamers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_10_se/characters/screamers)

_rivalry_

Gavin Duncan is in conflict with the Screamers, likely hostile creatures or enemies he must fight or evade.

### [the Cytha](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_10_se/characters/the_cytha)

_rivalry_

Gavin Duncan has frequent hostile encounters with the Cytha, suggesting a predator-prey or enemy relationship.

### [Sipar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_10_se/characters/sipar)

_friendship_

Gavin Duncan and Sipar are allies, possibly partners in a mission or shared survival scenario.

### [the Cytha](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_10_se/characters/the_cytha)

_rivalry_

Gavin Duncan has frequent hostile encounters with the Cytha, suggesting a predator-prey or enemy relationship.

### [Screamers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_10_se/characters/screamers)

_rivalry_

Gavin Duncan is in conflict with the Screamers, likely hostile creatures or enemies he must fight or evade.

### [Sipar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_10_se/characters/sipar)

_friendship_

Gavin Duncan and Sipar are allies, possibly partners in a mission or shared survival scenario.

## In the story

### [Project Mastodon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_10_se/chapters/project-mastodon)

A key member of the crew, contributing to the mission's dynamics and facing the harsh realities of space.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_10_se/chapters/i)

A determined planter on Layard who is willing to hunt the dangerous Cytha to protect his crop and his dream of a better life.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_10_se/chapters/ii)

Leads the hunt for the Cytha, reflects on the native Sipar and the blending of cultures from different planets.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_10_se/chapters/iii)

Leads the hunt, growing increasingly wary of the Cytha's intelligence and the dangers of the terrain.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_10_se/chapters/iv)

The hunter, consumed by a kill-or-be-killed mentality, reflects on the hunt and his relationship with Sipar.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_10_se/chapters/v)

Trapped under a tree, pinned by screamers, and later freed by the Cytha's donovan. Makes a pact with the Cytha.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_10_se/chapters/vi)

Parts ways with the Cytha, leaning on a rifle-crutch, and agrees to hunt the Cytha if it threatens the vua.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_10_se/characters/gavin_duncan
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_10_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_10_se/characters