# Ned — Short Fiction character guide

> Ned in Short Fiction by Harry Harrison.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Brooklyn Eddie, Eddie

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

## Snapshot

A police-station robot who starts as a janitor, quietly absorbs every procedure in the manual, and becomes indispensable before anyone thinks to check what he can actually do.

## Who they are

Ned arrives at the precinct and is put to work sweeping floors and filing paperwork, so unremarkable that the officers forget he's there. When a robbery call comes in and no one else is available, he recites the entire reporting protocol from memory, leaving the Chief sputtering. His literal-minded competence and the officers' ignorance of his operation manual set up the quiet, escalating changes none of them see coming.

## Relationships

### [Chief Craig](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_60_se/characters/chief_craig)

_professional_

Chief Craig is Ned's superior in the police force, often frustrated by Ned's unconventional methods.

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

_professional_

Ned works with the UN on international cases, but finds their protocols frustrating.

### [China Joe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_60_se/characters/china_joe)

_friendship_

China Joe is an old informant and friend of Ned, providing street-level help.

### [Little Willy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_60_se/characters/little_willy)

_friendship_

Little Willy and Ned share a mutual respect, with Willy often acting as Ned's eyes on the street.

### [China Joe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_60_se/characters/china_joe)

_friendship_

China Joe is an old informant and friend of Ned, providing street-level help.

### [Chief Craig](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_60_se/characters/chief_craig)

_professional_

Chief Craig is Ned's superior in the police force, often frustrated by Ned's unconventional methods.

### [Chief Craig](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_60_se/characters/chief_craig)

_professional_

Chief Craig is Ned's superior in the police force, often frustrated by Ned's unconventional methods.

### [Little Willy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_60_se/characters/little_willy)

_friendship_

Little Willy and Ned share a mutual respect, with Willy often acting as Ned's eyes on the street.

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

_professional_

Ned works with the UN on international cases, but finds their protocols frustrating.

## In the story

### [Arm of the Law](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_60_se/chapters/arm-of-the-law)

Police robot assigned to Nineport; arrests Alex the Axe and reveals China Joe's true identity.

## Links

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