# Jerry Vanning — Short Fiction character guide

> Jerry Vanning in Short Fiction by Henry Kuttner.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Vanning, Mr. Vanning, Jerry, Idly Vanning, Mr. Jerry Vanning, IV Vanning, Silently Vanning

**First appearance:** 0000-the-secret-of-kralitz

## Snapshot

Jerry Vanning is the steady presence in the Port Room, the kind of man others unburden themselves to when the sky outside has gone dark.

## Who they are

Vanning sits at his drink watching ships roll across the tarmac, killing time before a flight, when an old friend sits down looking like a damned soul. He buys the drinks, asks the plain question, and gets shown a shagreen box and a crystal that flows with slow light. His calm curiosity is the reader's entry into the story's central mystery.

## Relationships

### [The Swamja](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_27_se/characters/the_swamja)

_rivalry_

Jerry Vanning is hunted by the Swamja, a relentless alien force seeking his destruction.

### [Don Callahan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_27_se/characters/don_callahan)

_friendship_

Don Callahan is Jerry Vanning's steadfast ally, often risking his life to help Jerry survive.

### [Lysla](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_27_se/characters/lysla)

_romantic_

Jerry Vanning and Lysla are star-crossed lovers from different worlds, their romance fraught with danger.

### [Don Callahan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_27_se/characters/don_callahan)

_friendship_

Don Callahan is Jerry Vanning's steadfast ally, often risking his life to help Jerry survive.

### [The Swamja](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_27_se/characters/the_swamja)

_rivalry_

Jerry Vanning is hunted by the Swamja, a relentless alien force seeking his destruction.

### [Lysla](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_27_se/characters/lysla)

_romantic_

Jerry Vanning and Lysla are star-crossed lovers from different worlds, their romance fraught with danger.

### [Lysla](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_27_se/characters/lysla)

_romantic_

Jerry Vanning and Lysla are star-crossed lovers from different worlds, their romance fraught with danger.

### [The Swamja](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_27_se/characters/the_swamja)

_rivalry_

Jerry Vanning is hunted by the Swamja, a relentless alien force seeking his destruction.

### [Don Callahan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_27_se/characters/don_callahan)

_friendship_

Don Callahan is Jerry Vanning's steadfast ally, often risking his life to help Jerry survive.

## In the story

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_27_se/chapters/i)

Earth state investigator pursuing Callahan; contracts the North-Fever and is driven north.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_27_se/chapters/ii)

Awakens from the North-Fever in the Swamja's city, learns the truth about his enslavement, and discovers Don Callahan's disguise kit.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_27_se/chapters/iii)

Reveals his identity as a detective hunting Callahan; intervenes to save Lysla during the ceremony.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_27_se/chapters/iv)

Leads the escape attempt, fights a Swamja guard, and discovers the ship has no fuel.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_27_se/chapters/v)

Awakens after the crash, observes the Swamja fleeing, and plans to organize the slaves.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_27_se/characters/jerry_vanning
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_27_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_27_se/characters