# William Sorensen — Short Fiction character guide

> William Sorensen in Short Fiction by Robert Sheckley.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Sorensen

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

## Snapshot

Sorensen commands the shore party on a reef besieged by hermit crabs and rats, coolly directing the salvage of a transmitter while a crewmate flees into the jungle.

## Who they are

Sorensen is the steady hand on the beach, watching through binoculars as animals swarm the ketch and Eakins swims for shore with the creatures in pursuit. When Eakins' voice comes back over the walkie-talkie strangely calm and speaking of "consultation," Sorensen is the one still trying to reach him, still asking questions. His composure under mounting strangeness anchors the story's early arc, making the moment contact breaks feel like a loss of the group's last tether.

## Relationships

### [Dan Drake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_48_se/characters/dan_drake)

_friendship_

Dan Drake and William Sorensen are old friends who share a deep mutual respect and loyalty.

### [Edward Eakins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_48_se/characters/edward_eakins)

_friendship_

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

### [The Quedak](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_48_se/characters/the_quedak)

_psychological_

The Quedak exerts a strange, obsessive influence over William Sorensen's mind.

### [Dan Drake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_48_se/characters/dan_drake)

_friendship_

Dan Drake and William Sorensen are old friends who share a deep mutual respect and loyalty.

### [The Quedak](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_48_se/characters/the_quedak)

_psychological_

The Quedak exerts a strange, obsessive influence over William Sorensen's mind.

### [Edward Eakins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_48_se/characters/edward_eakins)

_friendship_

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

### [The Quedak](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_48_se/characters/the_quedak)

_psychological_

The Quedak exerts a strange, obsessive influence over William Sorensen's mind.

### [Edward Eakins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_48_se/characters/edward_eakins)

_friendship_

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

### [Dan Drake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_48_se/characters/dan_drake)

_friendship_

Dan Drake and William Sorensen are old friends who share a deep mutual respect and loyalty.

## In the story

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

Co-manager of the expedition; tall, thin, with horn-rimmed glasses; nervously supervises cargo unloading.

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

Leads the dig at Site 4; helps Cable escape from a cassowary and other animals.

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

Coordinates the expedition's response, uses binoculars to spot animals, and tries to maintain contact with Eakins.

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

Sits with Drake, discusses the Quedak's motives, and prevents Cable from shooting Eakins.

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

Shows growing despair and fear, questioning their chances against the Quedak.

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

Leads the group's resistance and stalls the Quedak for time.

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

Accompanies Drake into the jungle; is possessed by the Quedak and shot by Drake.

## Links

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