# Raf Kurbi — Star Born character guide > Raf Kurbi in Star Born by Andre Norton. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Raf, Kurbi **First appearance:** 0001-star-born ## Snapshot A young Terran flitter pilot whose first taste of careless freedom on Astra ends in a blast bomb, a dark prison, and a voice in his head. ## Who they are Raf Kurbi is crew on the Spacer RS 10, restless under Captain Hobart's discipline and hungry for a world he can explore on his own terms. Waking blind and immobilized after the Center is invaded, he must trust the merman and stranger who claim his companions fled without him. His panic, anger, and stubborn identity as a Free Man make him the reader's raw nerve as first contact turns hostile. ## Relationships ### [Soriki](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/star_born_se/characters/soriki) _friendship_ Raf and Soriki are close companions and crewmates, relying on each other during tense space missions. ### [Dalgard Nordis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/star_born_se/characters/dalgard_nordis) _friendship_ Dalgard and Raf develop a strong alliance and mutual respect as they bridge their two worlds. ### [Captain Hobart](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/star_born_se/characters/captain_hobart) _professional_ Captain Hobart is Raf's commanding officer, maintaining a strict but functional superior-subordinate relationship. ### [Lablet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/star_born_se/characters/lablet) _professional_ Lablet interacts with Raf primarily in a scientific or technical capacity, often with bureaucratic tension. ### [Wonstead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/star_born_se/characters/wonstead) _professional_ Raf and Wonstead are colleagues aboard the ship, with occasional friction over duties. ### [Pax](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/star_born_se/characters/pax) _friendship_ Pax and Raf develop a tentative but trusting cross-species friendship. ### [Sssuri](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/star_born_se/characters/sssuri) _social_ Raf and Sssuri have minimal direct contact, but share a respectful awareness through Dalgard. ### [Captain Hobart](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/star_born_se/characters/captain_hobart) _professional_ Captain Hobart is Raf's commanding officer, maintaining a strict but functional superior-subordinate relationship. ### [Soriki](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/star_born_se/characters/soriki) _friendship_ Raf and Soriki are close companions and crewmates, relying on each other during tense space missions. ### [Soriki](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/star_born_se/characters/soriki) _friendship_ Raf and Soriki are close companions and crewmates, relying on each other during tense space missions. ### [Dalgard Nordis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/star_born_se/characters/dalgard_nordis) _friendship_ Dalgard and Raf develop a strong alliance and mutual respect as they bridge their two worlds. ### [Pax](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/star_born_se/characters/pax) _friendship_ Pax and Raf develop a tentative but trusting cross-species friendship. ## In the story ### [Planetfall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/star_born_se/chapters/ii-planetfall) Pilot and mechanic; experiences breakthrough, assembles the flitter, and feels awe at standing on a new world. ### [Civilization](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/star_born_se/chapters/iv-civilization) Pilot of the flitter; feels the freedom of youth but remains disciplined; uneasy about the desolate landscape and the alien flyer. ### [Treasure Hunt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/star_born_se/chapters/vi-treasure-hunt) Raf is uneasy and resentful about being separated from the flitter, but he engages with the alien officer and later expresses suspicion about the proposed mission into enemy territory. ### [Airlift](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/star_born_se/chapters/viii-airlift) Pilot of the flitter; deeply uneasy and distrustful of the aliens, especially after witnessing the fire attack on the island. ### [X: The Dead Guardians](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/star_born_se/chapters/x-the-dead-guardians) Raf struggles with second thoughts about the Terran alliance, questioning whether the furry islanders might be considered 'men' and feeling increasingly alienated from his crewmates. ### [XI: Espionage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/star_born_se/chapters/xi-espionage) Raf is mentioned indirectly as one of the Terrans who might be among the strangers, but he does not appear in this chapter. ### [Alien Patrol](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/star_born_se/chapters/xii-alien-patrol) Explores the underground corridors and arena, saves an alien warrior from black creatures, and is tasked by Captain Hobart to spy on alien scouting parties. ### [A Hound Is Loosed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/star_born_se/chapters/xiii-a-hound-is-loosed) Spies on the aliens from a rooftop, observes their movements, and is sensed by Dalgard. ### [XIV: The Prisoner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/star_born_se/chapters/xiv-the-prisoner) Driven by an inexplicable mental compulsion, Raf secretly prepares for a solo mission to find the alien prisoner, feeling a voiceless cry for aid. ### [XV: Arena](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/star_born_se/chapters/xv-arena) Observes Dalgard's capture from hiding; establishes mental contact with Dalgard; decides to attempt a rescue. ### [XVI: Surprise Attack](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/star_born_se/chapters/xvi-surprise-attack) Raf is a pilot from the RS 10, initially reluctant to get involved in the conflict but later realizes his actions may endanger his crew and joins the mermen. ### [XVII: Destruction Unleashed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/star_born_se/chapters/xvii-destruction-unleashed) Decides to destroy the alien globe ship despite his loyalty to the Federation, is blinded in the blast, and is rescued by the mermen. ### [Not Yet—](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/star_born_se/chapters/xviii-not-yet) Struggles with his vision and fears of not reaching the ship in time; attempts to send a mental message to Soriki. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/star_born_se/characters/raf_kurbi - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/star_born_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/star_born_se/characters