# Oliver Meek — Short Fiction character guide > Oliver Meek in Short Fiction by Clifford D. Simak. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mr. Meek, Meek **First appearance:** 0008-mr-meek-musketeer ## Who they are A mild-mannered nobody who never did anything to get talked about, until a gangster's ultimatum wakes a cold anger that turns him into Asteroid City's newest marshal. ## Relationships ### [Grant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_10_se/characters/grant) _professional_ Grant appears to be a superior or colleague who interacts extensively with Oliver Meek, likely in a work or mission context. ### [Blacky Hoffman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_10_se/characters/blacky_hoffman) _rivalry_ Blacky Hoffman and Oliver Meek have a high number of interactions suggesting conflict or competition, possibly over resources or status. ### [Asteroid Prowler](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_10_se/characters/asteroid_prowler) _rivalry_ The Asteroid Prowler is likely a hostile entity or antagonist frequently clashing with Oliver Meek. ### [Gus Hamilton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_10_se/characters/gus_hamilton) _friendship_ Gus Hamilton and Oliver Meek share a close bond, likely as allies or companions working together. ### [Andrew Smith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_10_se/characters/andrew_smith) _friendship_ Andrew Smith is a trusted companion of Oliver Meek, often interacting in supportive or cooperative ways. ### [Luke Blaine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_10_se/characters/luke_blaine) _friendship_ Luke Blaine and Oliver Meek are close friends, frequently interacting in a supportive or collaborative manner. ### [Russ Jensen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_10_se/characters/russ_jensen) _friendship_ Oliver Meek and Russ Jensen are allies, often working together or sharing common goals. ### [Mr. Craney](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_10_se/characters/mr_craney) _professional_ Mr. Craney is likely a mentor, boss, or teacher to Oliver Meek, with frequent interactions suggesting guidance or oversight. ### [Grant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_10_se/characters/grant) _professional_ Grant appears to be a superior or colleague who interacts extensively with Oliver Meek, likely in a work or mission context. ### [Grant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_10_se/characters/grant) _professional_ Grant appears to be a superior or colleague who interacts extensively with Oliver Meek, likely in a work or mission context. ### [Asteroid Prowler](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_10_se/characters/asteroid_prowler) _rivalry_ The Asteroid Prowler is likely a hostile entity or antagonist frequently clashing with Oliver Meek. ### [Blacky Hoffman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_10_se/characters/blacky_hoffman) _rivalry_ Blacky Hoffman and Oliver Meek have a high number of interactions suggesting conflict or competition, possibly over resources or status. ## In the story ### [Mr. Meek—Musketeer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_10_se/chapters/mr-meek-musketeer) The protagonist, a middle-aged bookkeeper who resigns to explore space in his own ship. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_10_se/chapters/i) Resigns from his job to explore the Solar System; arrives at Asteroid City on Juno; meets Stiffy Grant and intervenes in a card game. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_10_se/chapters/ii) Kidnapped and stranded on Juno, encounters the Prowler, rescued by Stiffy, then pressured to serve as marshal. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_10_se/chapters/iii) Rides and commands the Prowler, subdues Hoffman, and realizes the Prowler is heading for the power plant. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_10_se/chapters/iv) Decides to leave Juno after the Prowler incident, giving his share of the radium meteor to Stiffy to repair the damage. ### [Mr. Meek Plays Polo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_10_se/chapters/mr-meek-plays-polo) Arrives at the repair shop on Saturn's Inner Ring, observes the 'educated bugs,' and accidentally disrupts their board. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_10_se/chapters/i) Self-taught pilot and former bookkeeper, arrives at a Saturn outpost for repairs. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_10_se/chapters/ii) New arrival who is roped into coaching space polo and expresses interest in Gus's rock bugs. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_10_se/chapters/iii) Struggles with his cover as a bookkeeper, observes the bugs solving equations, and collects them with Gus. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_10_se/chapters/iv) Lies about his space polo knowledge, bets his spaceship on the game, and is forced to play due to Gus's injury. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_10_se/chapters/v) Plays space polo in Gus' worn-out ship, discovers the ship is infested with rock-bugs that take control, and ejects into space after sabotaging the rocket assembly. ### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_10_se/chapters/vi) The pilot who survived his ship's explosion and returns to the repair shop, refusing the championship cup and leaving in a hurry. ### [Project Mastodon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_10_se/chapters/project-mastodon) Central figure in the expedition, grappling with the pressures of leadership and the unknown. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_10_se/characters/oliver_meek - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_10_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_10_se/characters