# Martel III — Short Fiction character guide

> Martel III in Short Fiction by Cordwainer Smith.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Scanner Martel, Martel Scanner, IV Martel

**First appearance:** 0001-scanners-live-in-vain

## Snapshot

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.

## Who they are

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.

## Relationships

### [Adam Stone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_11_se/characters/adam_stone)

_rivalry_

Adam Stone and Martel III are locked in a bitter, high-stakes conflict, likely over power or ideology.

### [Luci](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_11_se/characters/luci)

_psychological_

Luci is deeply entangled with Martel III, possibly as a victim or obsessive follower in a manipulative dynamic.

### [Vomact](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_11_se/characters/vomact)

_professional_

Martel III and Vomact appear to be colleagues or allies in a shared enterprise, possibly military or political.

### [Parizianski](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_11_se/characters/parizianski)

_professional_

Martel III and Parizianski have a frequent working relationship, likely as co-conspirators or officers.

### [Chang](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_11_se/characters/chang)

_professional_

Chang interacts frequently with Martel III, likely as a subordinate or operative in a hierarchical organization.

### [Henry Haberman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_11_se/characters/henry_haberman)

_rivalry_

Henry Haberman and Martel III are adversaries, clashing over resources or influence.

### [Adam Stone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_11_se/characters/adam_stone)

_rivalry_

Adam Stone and Martel III are locked in a bitter, high-stakes conflict, likely over power or ideology.

### [Adam Stone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_11_se/characters/adam_stone)

_rivalry_

Adam Stone and Martel III are locked in a bitter, high-stakes conflict, likely over power or ideology.

### [Vomact](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_11_se/characters/vomact)

_professional_

Martel III and Vomact appear to be colleagues or allies in a shared enterprise, possibly military or political.

### [Luci](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_11_se/characters/luci)

_psychological_

Luci is deeply entangled with Martel III, possibly as a victim or obsessive follower in a manipulative dynamic.

### [Parizianski](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_11_se/characters/parizianski)

_professional_

Martel III and Parizianski have a frequent working relationship, likely as co-conspirators or officers.

### [Henry Haberman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_11_se/characters/henry_haberman)

_rivalry_

Henry Haberman and Martel III are adversaries, clashing over resources or influence.

## In the story

### [Scanners Live in Vain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_11_se/chapters/scanners-live-in-vain)

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

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_11_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_11_se/chapters/ii)

Arrives cranched (under the influence of the wire) to the emergency meeting, drawing attention and concern from fellow Scanners.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_11_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_11_se/chapters/iv)

Cranched and rebellious, Martel decides to betray the Scanners' vote to save Adam Stone, hoping to win Luci and benefit mankind.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_11_se/chapters/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.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_11_se/characters/martel_iii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_11_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_11_se/characters