# Ellen — Short Fiction character guide > Ellen in Short Fiction by Poul Anderson. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Masefield Ellen, Helena Jansky, Helena, Elena, Ellen Ziska **First appearance:** 0000-star-ship ## Snapshot A commander with many names and one steady gaze, she holds a haunted ship together while something in the dark calls her crew to madness. ## Who they are Helena Jansky commands the light cruiser Ganymede with a peasant's blunt competence and a soldier's discipline, her dark hair and storm-gray eyes giving nothing away. As the ship pushes past the edge of known space, she confiscates weapons, refuses petitions, and faces a crew that no longer trusts her, all while Donovan's insolent familiarity chips at her rank. Her thinning face and darkening eyes show a woman holding two kinds of line at once: against mutiny, and against whatever is knocking from outside. ## Relationships ### [Simon Dalgetty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/characters/simon_dalgetty) _friendship_ Ellen and Simon share a strong bond, possibly as close friends or allies navigating shared challenges. ### [Basil Donovan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/characters/basil_donovan) _romantic_ Basil and Ellen have a romantic connection, suggested by their frequent interactions and typical narrative arcs. ### [Anse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/characters/anse) _family_ Anse and Ellen are likely family members, possibly parent and child or siblings, given the intimate dynamic. ### [Mike Blades](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/characters/mike_blades) _friendship_ Ellen and Mike are close friends or allies, frequently interacting in shared scenes. ### [Basil Donovan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/characters/basil_donovan) _romantic_ Basil and Ellen have a romantic connection, suggested by their frequent interactions and typical narrative arcs. ### [Simon Dalgetty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/characters/simon_dalgetty) _friendship_ Ellen and Simon share a strong bond, possibly as close friends or allies navigating shared challenges. ### [Basil Donovan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/characters/basil_donovan) _romantic_ Basil and Ellen have a romantic connection, suggested by their frequent interactions and typical narrative arcs. ### [Anse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/characters/anse) _family_ Anse and Ellen are likely family members, possibly parent and child or siblings, given the intimate dynamic. ### [Simon Dalgetty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/characters/simon_dalgetty) _friendship_ Ellen and Simon share a strong bond, possibly as close friends or allies navigating shared challenges. ### [Mike Blades](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/characters/mike_blades) _friendship_ Ellen and Mike are close friends or allies, frequently interacting in shared scenes. ### [Anse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/characters/anse) _family_ Anse and Ellen are likely family members, possibly parent and child or siblings, given the intimate dynamic. ### [Mike Blades](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/characters/mike_blades) _friendship_ Ellen and Mike are close friends or allies, frequently interacting in shared scenes. ## In the story ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/chapters/i) Masefield Ellen, missing and unaccounted for after the revolt. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/chapters/ii) Missing and sought by Volakech's men; her knowledge of astrogation makes her crucial to controlling the Star Ship. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/chapters/iii) Key figure whose knowledge of the Star Ship's orbit is vital; her whereabouts are unknown. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/chapters/iv) Hides during the battle, emerges when heralds call her, and is revealed as the only one who can navigate the rocket to the Star Ship. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/chapters/v) Accompanies Anse and Janazik, is protected by Anse, and boards the rocket. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/chapters/vi) Grieves for her brother Carse, sobs in Anse's arms, but the bond is broken. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/chapters/ii) Lady Jansky of Torgandale on Valor, an Imperial interrogator who questions Donovan about the Black Nebula. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/chapters/iii) Commander Helena Jansky confronts Donovan about the voices, discusses the Nebula threat, and shares a tense emotional moment with him. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/chapters/iv) Captain Helena Jansky confronts Donovan about his deception; she leads the survivors with determination despite the cold and loss. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/chapters/v) Grows close to Donovan during the march; they confess love after a beast attack, but Donovan's feelings are conflicted. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/chapters/vi) Fights alongside Wocha, shows leadership and concern for wounded men. ### [Drogobych](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/chapters/vii) Leads the group through the city; fights alongside Donovan; comforts him after escape. ### [Industrial Revolution](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/chapters/industrial-revolution) Navy officer who argues with Blades about economics and social justice, later becomes distressed and disappears. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/characters/ellen - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/characters