# Thomas Bancroft — Short Fiction character guide

> Thomas Bancroft in Short Fiction by Poul Anderson.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Bancroft, Tom

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

## Snapshot

A heavy-set island chief whose night is upended when a telepath from Tau Ceti offers him proof of an alien presence on Earth.

## Who they are

Bancroft commands an island operation with armed men and hard decisions, and he is used to being the one applying pressure. When Elena drags in the captive Dalgetty and the prisoner begins reading his thoughts aloud, Bancroft's certainty cracks into sweat and calculation. His choice whether to believe, bargain, or destroy determines whether Dalgetty and Tighe survive the night.

## Relationships

### [Simon Dalgetty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/characters/simon_dalgetty)

_friendship_

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

### [Simon Dalgetty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/characters/simon_dalgetty)

_friendship_

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

### [Simon Dalgetty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_44_se/characters/simon_dalgetty)

_friendship_

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

## In the story

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

The leader of the group discussing the kidnapping of Michael Tighe.

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

Mentioned as a resident of Pacific Colony and a target of Dalgetty's investigation; his group is observed leaving the bar.

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

Political figure working for Bertrand Meade; leads the interrogation of Dalgetty.

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

Antagonist, orchestrates the search and guards the island, holds Dr. Tighe captive.

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

The antagonist who interrogates Dalgetty and is ultimately taken hostage.

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

Mentioned as a target of kidnapping charges, now finished as a threat.

## Links

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