# Ash Holcomb — Short Fiction character guide

> Ash Holcomb in Short Fiction by Algis Budrys.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Ash, Holcomb

**First appearance:** 0000-riya-s-foundling

## Snapshot

A Marine commander chasing a stolen stardrive across the outer moons, arriving always one corpse too late to the man who took it.

## Who they are

Holcomb is the undercover agent who finds Lou Foster curled around a rifle on Titan, dying in a suit with air still in the tanks, and learns Thorsten has the diagrams, the charts, and the technicians already. He carries the guilt of that failure into every argument with Pat, who laughs at him for claiming foul. His pursuit is the story's engine: a man running a race he already suspects he has lost.

## Relationships

### [Pat McKay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_2_se/characters/pat_mckay)

_professional_

Ash Holcomb and Pat McKay work together, possibly as partners in a dangerous line of work.

### [Harry Thorsten](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_2_se/characters/harry_thorsten)

_friendship_

Ash Holcomb and Harry Thorsten are comrades, likely sharing adventures or missions.

### [Pat McKay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_2_se/characters/pat_mckay)

_professional_

Ash Holcomb and Pat McKay work together, possibly as partners in a dangerous line of work.

### [Harry Thorsten](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_2_se/characters/harry_thorsten)

_friendship_

Ash Holcomb and Harry Thorsten are comrades, likely sharing adventures or missions.

## In the story

### [Blood on My Jets](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_2_se/chapters/blood-on-my-jets)

Struggles with guilt and survival after Pat's death and Thorsten's demise.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_2_se/chapters/i)

Narrator and protagonist; a skilled gunman reminiscing about his past and engaging in a dangerous deal with Pat.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_2_se/chapters/ii)

Narrator and protagonist; accepts a risky job from Weidmann and is later ambushed and captured by Pat.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_2_se/chapters/iii)

Narrator and protagonist; wakes after being attacked by Pat, recounts his recent past on Venus, and confronts Pat about her accusations.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_2_se/chapters/iv)

Protagonist who uncovers the deception about his mission and Pat's role, grappling with betrayal and his own pride.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_2_se/chapters/v)

Narrator and protagonist; confronts Pat about her marriage to Thorsten and her role in the conspiracy; struggles with his love for her and his duty.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_2_se/chapters/vi)

Protagonist; captures Pat, races to Titan, and ultimately chooses to sacrifice himself by ramming Thorsten's ship.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_2_se/chapters/vii)

Narrator and protagonist; captured by Thorsten, he tries to understand Thorsten's plans and is shot when he attacks.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_2_se/chapters/viii)

Imprisoned and injured, Ash kills Thorsten and escapes with Pat's help.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_2_se/characters/ash_holcomb
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_2_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_2_se/characters