# Adao Costa — Short Fiction character guide

> Adao Costa in Short Fiction by Harry Harrison.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Costa, Adao

**First appearance:** 0000-an-artist-s-life

## Snapshot

A field-hardened operative assigned as assistant to a book-smart Societist, carrying UN credentials and a past that makes his new partner immediately suspicious.

## Who they are

Adao Costa arrives at the university with real-world experience Neel Sidorak conspicuously lacks, officially there to observe for the UN and assist with the project. Neel's accusation that Costa still works for Interpol hangs in the air, and Costa leaves the room without a word when Abravanel dismisses him. His ambiguous loyalties and unflappable silence make him a walking question mark at the heart of the story's opening conflict.

## Relationships

### [Neel Sidorak](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_60_se/characters/neel_sidorak)

_rivalry_

Adao and Neel are locked in a bitter, long-standing conflict, each trying to outmaneuver the other in a dangerous game of power.

### [Brent Dalgreen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_60_se/characters/brent_dalgreen)

_professional_

Adao employs Brent as a trusted operative, though their relationship is strained by mutual suspicion and differing agendas.

### [Hengly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_60_se/characters/hengly)

_professional_

Adao uses Hengly as a go-between and informant, but their interactions are purely transactional.

### [The UN](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_60_se/characters/the_un)

_rivalry_

Adao sees the UN as an obstacle to his plans, engaging in covert opposition.

### [Abravanel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_60_se/characters/abravanel)

_rivalry_

Abravanel and Adao are powerful rivals, each trying to outmaneuver the other in a dangerous power struggle.

### [Neel Sidorak](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_60_se/characters/neel_sidorak)

_rivalry_

Adao and Neel are locked in a bitter, long-standing conflict, each trying to outmaneuver the other in a dangerous game of power.

### [Neel Sidorak](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_60_se/characters/neel_sidorak)

_rivalry_

Adao and Neel are locked in a bitter, long-standing conflict, each trying to outmaneuver the other in a dangerous game of power.

### [Hengly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_60_se/characters/hengly)

_professional_

Adao uses Hengly as a go-between and informant, but their interactions are purely transactional.

### [Brent Dalgreen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_60_se/characters/brent_dalgreen)

_professional_

Adao employs Brent as a trusted operative, though their relationship is strained by mutual suspicion and differing agendas.

### [Abravanel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_60_se/characters/abravanel)

_rivalry_

Abravanel and Adao are powerful rivals, each trying to outmaneuver the other in a dangerous power struggle.

### [The UN](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_60_se/characters/the_un)

_rivalry_

Adao sees the UN as an obstacle to his plans, engaging in covert opposition.

### [Brent Dalgreen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_60_se/characters/brent_dalgreen)

_professional_

Adao employs Brent as a trusted operative, though their relationship is strained by mutual suspicion and differing agendas.

## In the story

### [The K-Factor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_60_se/chapters/the-k-factor)

Introduced as Neel's assistant; former classmate with a strained history; becomes proactive and confrontational about the mission.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_60_se/characters/adao_costa
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_60_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_60_se/characters