Ras Hume

Vye Lansor

Ras Hume is obsessively fixated on Vye Lansor, treating her as a prize to be won or controlled, while she resists his manipulation.

Milfors Wass

Milfors Wass is Ras Hume's employer or handler, issuing orders and expecting results in their shared criminal or mercenary enterprise.

Rynch Brodie

Ras Hume and Rynch Brodie are bitter competitors, often clashing over resources, status, or Vye Lansor's attention.

Gentlehomo Starns

Gentlehomo Starns is an eccentric but loyal ally to Ras Hume, providing comic relief and occasional practical support.

Gentlehomo Yactisi

Gentlehomo Yactisi is a quirky confidant of Ras Hume, often offering strange but useful advice.

Chambriss

Chambriss is a rival operative or contractor who frequently crosses paths with Ras Hume in their line of work.

Peake

Peake is a cunning adversary of Ras Hume, often undermining his plans for personal gain.

The Officer

Ras Hume and The Officer are on opposite sides of the law, engaging in a cat-and-mouse game.

The Stranger

Ras Hume and The Stranger are locked in a shadowy conflict, each suspecting the other of hidden agendas.

Vye Lansor

Ras Hume is obsessively fixated on Vye Lansor, treating her as a prize to be won or controlled, while she resists his manipulation.

Milfors Wass

Milfors Wass is Ras Hume's employer or handler, issuing orders and expecting results in their shared criminal or mercenary enterprise.

Milfors Wass

Milfors Wass is Ras Hume's employer or handler, issuing orders and expecting results in their shared criminal or mercenary enterprise.

I

A disgraced star pilot turned out-hunter, Hume proposes a fraudulent claim to the Kogan estate using a conditioned youth. He is bitter over his past and seeks revenge against the Kogan-Bors-Wazalitz line.

II

An Out-Hunter who drugs Vye and delivers him to Wass's organization for identity alteration.

III

Leads a party of clients to Jumala, setting down near the abandoned L-B, and manages the scheme with Wass's gearman as insurance.

IV

Hume leads the safari, sets up the camp, and discusses the verifier with Starns. He is wary of the clients' suspicions and coordinates with Rovald about the hidden agenda involving Brodie.

V

The tall man from the room with the cup, leader of the landing party, who Rynch fears.

VI

Reveals the brain-channeling and the billion-credit plot; later acknowledges the unknown alien threat on Jumala.

VII

Hume leads the defense on the islet, uses a ray tube and flame flares, and signals for rescue. He is baffled by the alien threats not present during his survey.

VIII

Orchestrates Vye's escape, pilots the flitter, and warns the safari camp of danger.

The Trap Springs

Leads the attempt to escape the valley, uses his ray tube to kill the water-cat and the tusked monster, and remains pragmatic about their survival odds.

The Barrier and the Lake

Hume is found tied in the cave, weak and delirious, but regains sanity after Vye returns; he is tethered by Vye to prevent wandering.

XI

Leads the escape, pilots the flitter, and insists on responding to Wass's distress call despite their history.

XII

Leads the rescue mission, tapes his story to support Vye's claim, and confronts the camp's resistance.

XIII

Reveals his role as an Out-Hunter and informant for the Patrol, explains the setup to capture Wass, and offers Vye a future in the Guild.