# Claire Pelton — Short Fiction character guide

> Claire Pelton in Short Fiction by H. Beam Piper.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Claire, young Pelton

**First appearance:** 0024-time-crime

## Snapshot

Claire Pelton is the daughter of a notorious Illiterate firebrand, and her unexpected Literacy makes her a political pawn in the Fraternities' hands.

## Who they are

When the Fraternities move to elect Claire and her brother as members, the gesture is meant to embarrass her father, not to honor her. She becomes the visible prize in a fight between Joyner's faction and Lancedale's, her oath and smock scheduled before a telecast she never asked for. Her quiet competence is the thing everyone else is busy arguing about.

## Relationships

### [Ray Pelton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_24_se/characters/ray_pelton)

_family_

Claire Pelton and Ray Pelton are siblings, with a protective and sometimes strained familial bond.

### [Frank Cardon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_24_se/characters/frank_cardon)

_romantic_

Claire Pelton and Frank Cardon share a romantic relationship, filled with emotional intensity and personal sacrifice.

### [Ray Pelton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_24_se/characters/ray_pelton)

_family_

Claire Pelton and Ray Pelton are siblings, with a protective and sometimes strained familial bond.

### [Frank Cardon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_24_se/characters/frank_cardon)

_romantic_

Claire Pelton and Frank Cardon share a romantic relationship, filled with emotional intensity and personal sacrifice.

### [Frank Cardon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_24_se/characters/frank_cardon)

_romantic_

Claire Pelton and Frank Cardon share a romantic relationship, filled with emotional intensity and personal sacrifice.

### [Ray Pelton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_24_se/characters/ray_pelton)

_family_

Claire Pelton and Ray Pelton are siblings, with a protective and sometimes strained familial bond.

## In the story

### [Chapter I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_24_se/chapters/i)

Chester Pelton's daughter, credited with saving his life but suspected of being a Literate due to her knowledge of safe combinations.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_24_se/chapters/ii)

Her Literacy is debated in the Council; she is proposed for admission as Literate Third Class.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_24_se/characters/claire_pelton
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_24_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_24_se/characters