# Dyann Korlas — Short Fiction character guide

> Dyann Korlas in Short Fiction by Poul Anderson.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Korlas

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

## Snapshot

A young woman of a world being evacuated, she chooses the rain and a hand held in the mud over a berth among the stars.

## Who they are

Dyann stands in the long line of her people waiting to board the Galactic ship, one of the last generation to know this village as home. She and a young man step out of line to be rained on together, a small act of love against the machinery of departure. Her choice, and the older man Kormt's refusal to leave at all, give the story its ache: the future is leaving, and some people would rather stay and be the past.

## Relationships

### [Ray Ballantyne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/characters/ray_ballantyne)

_professional_

Dyann and Ray appear to be colleagues or partners in a mission or investigation, given their frequent interactions.

### [Ray Ballantyne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/characters/ray_ballantyne)

_professional_

Dyann and Ray appear to be colleagues or partners in a mission or investigation, given their frequent interactions.

### [Ray Ballantyne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/characters/ray_ballantyne)

_professional_

Dyann and Ray appear to be colleagues or partners in a mission or investigation, given their frequent interactions.

## In the story

### [Captive of the Centaurianess](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/chapters/captive-of-the-centaurianess)

Mentioned as a driving idealist and military genius whose achievements shaped history.

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

A warrior woman from Alpha Centauri (Varann), strong and boisterous, who prays to the god Ormun and carries a broadsword; she is fascinated by Earth technology.

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

Ray's formidable cabin mate; intervenes in the fight, is illiterate and thus released, but barred from seeing Ray.

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

Dislikes Ganymede's regimented society; consults Ormun for an omen; violently pursues Urushkidan and escapes with him.

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

Reluctant to help with the engine, Dyann prefers hunting monsters and shows off her incredible strength and combat prowess against gannydragons.

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

Navigates to Varann, fights off Jovians, and suggests finding someone to ask for directions.

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

Leads the Varannian army, focused on rescuing Ormun and launching an invasion of Jupiter. She is a fierce and charismatic leader.

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

Commands the Centaurian forces, engages in fierce combat, and shares a sentimental farewell with Ray at the banquet.

## Links

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