Short Fiction · Character

Martel III

A cranched Scanner who lies his way into a stranger's tower, begging armed hospitality while his own heart-box ticks down the panic he cannot scan away.

major

Also known as Scanner Martel, Martel Scanner, IV Martel

First appearance: Scanners Live in Vain

As a major figure in Short Fiction, Martel III is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Angry and determined to cranch, Martel argues with Luci and submits to the Cranching Wire to regain human feeling.

In the storyScanners Live in VainOpen this moment free

See Martel III in Scanners Live in Vain Book page

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Martel is a Scanner of the Instrumentality, a man cut apart for the Up-and-Out and fitted with a chestbox that lets him rule his own terror — until he doesn't. He comes to Adam Stone under a false name, invoking his wife Luci, and asks to be held at Wirepoint while he tells the truth about the worlds' life and death. His divided body, half haberman, half husband, is the wound the story keeps pressing on.

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See Martel III in Scanners Live in Vain

Character Web

13 connections

A slice of how Martel III sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Rivalry
Psychological
Professional

Character groups

Protagonist
Key Scanner figures

+8 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

Underhill’s emotional peak occurs in the silent, affectionate exchange with the Lady May, where their bond tra…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Adam Stone
rivalry · negative
Adam Stone and Martel III are locked in a bitter, high-stakes conflict, likely over power… How this plays out →
Luci
psychological · ambivalent
Vomact
professional · ambivalent
Parizianski
professional · ambivalent
Chang
professional · ambivalent
Henry Haberman
rivalry · negative
Adam Stone
rivalry · negative
Adam Stone and Martel III are locked in a bitter, high-stakes conflict, likely over power… How this plays out →
Adam Stone
rivalry · negative
Adam Stone and Martel III are locked in a bitter, high-stakes conflict, likely over power… How this plays out →
Vomact
professional · ambivalent
Luci
psychological · ambivalent
Parizianski
professional · ambivalent
Henry Haberman
rivalry · negative

Adam Stone
Adam Stone and Martel III are locked in a bitter, high-stakes conflict, likely over power or ideology.
Luci
Luci is deeply entangled with Martel III, possibly as a victim or obsessive follower in a manipulative dynamic.
Vomact
Martel III and Vomact appear to be colleagues or allies in a shared enterprise, possibly military or political.
Parizianski
Martel III and Parizianski have a frequent working relationship, likely as co-conspirators or officers.
Chang
Chang interacts frequently with Martel III, likely as a subordinate or operative in a hierarchical organization.
Henry Haberman
Henry Haberman and Martel III are adversaries, clashing over resources or influence.
Adam Stone
Adam Stone and Martel III are locked in a bitter, high-stakes conflict, likely over power or ideology.
Adam Stone
Adam Stone and Martel III are locked in a bitter, high-stakes conflict, likely over power or ideology.
Vomact
Martel III and Vomact appear to be colleagues or allies in a shared enterprise, possibly military or political.
Luci
Luci is deeply entangled with Martel III, possibly as a victim or obsessive follower in a manipulative dynamic.
Parizianski
Martel III and Parizianski have a frequent working relationship, likely as co-conspirators or officers.
Henry Haberman
Henry Haberman and Martel III are adversaries, clashing over resources or influence.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Martel III in Scanners Live in Vain

In the story

Martel III appears across 6 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Scanners Live in Vain
Angry and determined to cranch, Martel argues with Luci and submits to the Cranching Wire to regain human feeling.
I
A Scanner struggling with his dual existence as a haberman and a man, interrupted during his cranch time by a top emergency call.
II
Arrives cranched (under the influence of the wire) to the emergency meeting, drawing attention and concern from fellow Scanners.
III
Cranched and deeply conflicted, Martel reflects on his Scanner past, his love for Luci, and the possibility of a normal life. He is present at the meeting and requests permission to leave due to his cranched state.
IV
Cranched and rebellious, Martel decides to betray the Scanners' vote to save Adam Stone, hoping to win Luci and benefit mankind.
V
Bites off his Talking Nail to infiltrate the city, conceals his Scanner identity, and confronts Adam Stone to warn him of the Scanners' plot.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Martel III unlock in the free preview.

See Martel III in Scanners Live in Vain