# Anse — Short Fiction character guide

> Anse in Short Fiction by Poul Anderson.

**Role:** supporting

**First appearance:** 0000-star-ship

## Snapshot

A human fighter bound by an oath of comradeship, Anse kills to protect his shipmates and then must live with what that loyalty costs him.

## Who they are

Anse is a soldier-spacer whose world runs on the creed that a man stands by his comrades, a bond he shares most deeply with the alien Janazik. When violence aboard the ship forces him to choose between love, loyalty, and survival, he obeys the code and pays for it in grief and silence. His torn allegiance to Ellen and to Janazik drives the story's emotional middle, where every debt of honor comes due at once.

## Relationships

### [Ellen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/characters/ellen)

_family_

Anse and Ellen are likely family members, possibly parent and child or siblings, given the intimate dynamic.

### [Ellen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/characters/ellen)

_family_

Anse and Ellen are likely family members, possibly parent and child or siblings, given the intimate dynamic.

### [Ellen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/characters/ellen)

_family_

Anse and Ellen are likely family members, possibly parent and child or siblings, given the intimate dynamic.

## In the story

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/chapters/ii)

Reunites with Janazik and other fugitives; learns of Volakech's coup, Carson's betrayal, and Ellen's disappearance; begins to devise a plan.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/chapters/iii)

Leads the planning of the assault on the citadel, determined to stop Volakech.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/chapters/iv)

Leads the rebellion alongside Janazik, fights fiercely in the street battle, and reunites with Ellen, confessing his love.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/chapters/v)

Leads the assault on the citadel, fights Volakech, and boards the rocket with Ellen.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/chapters/vi)

Kills Carse to save Janazik, realizing he loves Ellen but has killed her brother.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/characters/anse
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/characters