# Simon Dalgetty — Short Fiction character guide

> Simon Dalgetty in Short Fiction by Poul Anderson.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Dalgetty, Mr. Dalgetty

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

## Snapshot

A tense, wry operative calling himself Joe, who eavesdrops on powerful men from a tavern booth while his trained mind filters noise into conspiracy.

## Who they are

Dalgetty sits alone in a coral-walled bar, straining to overhear Bancroft and his companions discuss why their enemies haven't gone to the government. He deflects the chatty rec girl Glenna with a fake name and a shaky smile, his nerves shot from the effort of concentration. His discipline and dark humor mark him as someone already deep inside a dangerous game, and his decision to stop listening and start acting drives the story forward.

## Relationships

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

_friendship_

Ellen and Simon share a strong bond, possibly as close friends or allies navigating shared challenges.

### [Thomas Bancroft](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/characters/thomas_bancroft)

_friendship_

Simon and Thomas are frequent companions, possibly fellow travelers or co-conspirators.

### [Thomas Bancroft](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/characters/thomas_bancroft)

_friendship_

Simon and Thomas are frequent companions, possibly fellow travelers or co-conspirators.

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

_friendship_

Ellen and Simon share a strong bond, possibly as close friends or allies navigating shared challenges.

### [Thomas Bancroft](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/characters/thomas_bancroft)

_friendship_

Simon and Thomas are frequent companions, possibly fellow travelers or co-conspirators.

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

_friendship_

Ellen and Simon share a strong bond, possibly as close friends or allies navigating shared challenges.

## In the story

### [Star Ship](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/chapters/star-ship)

Crew member involved in ship operations and decision-making.

### [Witch of the Demon Seas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/chapters/witch-of-the-demon-seas)

Present as a crew member or ally, contributing to the action.

### [Sargasso of Lost Starships](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/chapters/sargasso-of-lost-starships)

Accompanies Fraser and provides technical expertise.

### [The Sensitive Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/chapters/the-sensitive-man)

A key figure in the chapter, likely interacting with the sensitive man.

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

The protagonist, an Institute agent spying on Bancroft's group.

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

A psychologist and agent of the Psychotechnic Institute, Dalgetty is kidnapped after a conversation with Harmon Tyler and later observes the Bancroft group, feeling the tension of his mission.

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

Captured by Tyler; reflects on his childhood with Tighe; mentally prepares for interrogation.

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

Prisoner being interrogated by Bancroft and Casimir; uses philosophical arguments to stall for time.

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

Escapes from the house, runs up a slope, dives off a cliff, hides in a sea cave, and uses autohypnosis to survive underwater.

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

Debates the ethics of the Institute's secret manipulation of society to preserve freedom, quoting poetry and showing emotional control.

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

Plans the infiltration, uses his enhanced abilities to survive and fight, kills for the first time.

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

Captured and brought before Bancroft, then orchestrates a daring escape with Elena's help.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/chapters/ix)

Exhausted and vulnerable, Dalgetty confesses the truth about his Institute training and enhanced abilities to Elena, accepting her judgment.

## Links

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