# Barbara Hood — Short Fiction character guide

> Barbara Hood in Short Fiction by Poul Anderson.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Conrad Haugen, Barbara, Haugen

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

## Who they are

A woman with a dual identity, possibly a spy.

## In the story

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/chapters/i)

Conru's alias on Earth is Conrad Haugen.

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

Narrator in disguise as Conrad Haugen, an undercover agent for the Valgolian Empire.

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

Barbara Hood, the last of her family, hosts the narrator at her estate. She is a passionate anarch who lost her family to the Eridanians and teaches him about the rebel movement.

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

Barbara is recalled to Main Base alongside the protagonist, showing her deep commitment to the rebel cause and her emotional connection to Earth.

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

Works under Hawkins as secretary and records keeper; shares personal moments with the narrator, including dinners and walks.

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

Hosts the evening; offers comfort to Con and reveals her love for him, hoping for a future together after the war.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/chapters/vii)

Conru's fiancée, who urges him to marry before the war begins, unaware of his true identity and mission.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/chapters/viii)

Barbara is captured after the rebellion's fall; she remains defiant and loving toward the narrator, unaware of his true identity as a Valgolian agent.

## Links

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