# Edward Eakins — Short Fiction character guide

> Edward Eakins in Short Fiction by Robert Sheckley.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Eakins

**First appearance:** 0000-final-examination

## Snapshot

A man on the jungle's fringe whom the besieged crew calls a traitor, watching the Quedak's animal assault with a stillness that unnerves the riflemen.

## Who they are

Eakins appears at the edge of the clearing while rats, hermit crabs, and a bird of paradise press the men back, and Cable raises a rifle at him before Sorensen slaps the muzzle aside, insisting Eakins can't help what he's become. He watches, then melts back into the jungle, unarmed and untouchable, a human question mark in a siege fought with borrowed wildlife. His presence sharpens the crew's dread that the Quedak's reach extends beyond animals and into people.

## Relationships

### [William Sorensen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_48_se/characters/william_sorensen)

_friendship_

Edward Eakins and William Sorensen are close companions who often confide in each other.

### [William Sorensen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_48_se/characters/william_sorensen)

_friendship_

Edward Eakins and William Sorensen are close companions who often confide in each other.

### [William Sorensen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_48_se/characters/william_sorensen)

_friendship_

Edward Eakins and William Sorensen are close companions who often confide in each other.

## In the story

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_48_se/chapters/part-ii-ii)

Attacked by a mouse while walking through the jungle; kills it and reports the incident.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_48_se/chapters/part-ii-iii)

Volunteers to radio for help, is stung by the bug, and then speaks in an altered, calm voice indicating possible control.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_48_se/chapters/part-ii-iv)

Has been absorbed by the Quedak; the Quedak speaks through him to communicate with the men.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_48_se/chapters/part-ii-vi)

Mentioned as the mechanism the Quedak uses to communicate.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_48_se/characters/edward_eakins
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_48_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_48_se/characters