# Stephen Silk — Short Fiction character guide

> Stephen Silk in Short Fiction by H. Beam Piper.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Mr. Stephen, Silk, Mr. Stephen Silk, Ambassador Stephen Silk

**First appearance:** 0049-a-slave-is-a-slave

## Who they are

An ambassador to an alien world.

## In the story

### [Dearest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_24_se/chapters/dearest)

Colonel Hampton's nephew, who conspires with his wife Myra to have the Colonel committed; he is shot by Myra during the confrontation.

### [Null-A.B.C.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_24_se/chapters/null-a-b-c)

Ambassador who visits the Hickock Ranch, indicating diplomatic interactions.

### [The Return](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_24_se/chapters/the-return)

Referred to as 'Ambassador Silk' in the context of the community; mentioned in the timeline events but not directly active in this chapter.

### [Time Crime](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_24_se/chapters/time-crime)

Ambassador who visits the Hickock Ranch, indicating diplomatic interactions in the alternate timeline.

### [Lone Star Planet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_24_se/chapters/lone-star-planet)

Protagonist and envoy from Earth, newly arrived on New Texas.

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

Protagonist and newly appointed Ambassador to New Texas; author of the controversial article signed 'Machiavelli, Jr.'

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

Newly appointed Ambassador to New Texas, receives briefing and orders to carry weapons, begins to suspect a plot against him.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_24_se/chapters/iii)

The Solar League Ambassador, who arrives at New Austin spaceport and is forcibly taken to the Embassy by his staff.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_24_se/chapters/iv)

Newly accredited Ambassador to New Texas, navigates the barbecue and diplomatic introductions.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_24_se/chapters/iv)

Mentions Gail, who is angry about being stood up at the spaceport.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_24_se/chapters/v)

The narrator and ambassador who witnesses the trial and later saves President Hutchinson's life.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_24_se/chapters/vi)

Newly arrived Ambassador, leads the council and questions the staff about Cumshaw's murder and local politics.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_24_se/chapters/vii)

Ambassador Silk visits Hickock ranch, learns about New Texas politics, and devises a plan to prevent the Bonney brothers' conviction in the Court of Political Justice.

### [The Trial Begins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_24_se/chapters/ix)

Acts as amicus curiae, cross-examines witnesses to expose inconsistencies and suggests a conspiracy behind Cumshaw's murder.

### [The Trial Concludes: Jurisdictional Challenge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_24_se/chapters/x)

Ambassador Silk orchestrates the defense's downfall by revealing the true nature of the crime and challenging the court's jurisdiction, securing the Bonneys' release to protect Solar League diplomatic immunity.

### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_24_se/chapters/xi)

Confronts and kills the Bonney brothers in court, threatens the z'Srauff Ambassador, and later marries a local rancher's daughter.

### [The Keeper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_24_se/chapters/the-keeper)

A Southron who leads the group that captures Raud after he recovers the Crown. He is polite but firm, and explains the Crown's significance.

### [Crossroads of Destiny](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_24_se/chapters/crossroads-of-destiny)

The plump television producer who proposes the 'Crossroads of Destiny' show concept.

## Links

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