The Cosmic Computer · Character

Colonel Klem Zareff

A veteran officer commanding armed patrols on Poictesme, trying to keep order as Merlin fever turns prospectors into warring bands.

supporting

Also known as Zareff, Klem, Colonel

First appearance: II

As a supporting figure in The Cosmic Computer, Colonel Klem Zareff is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Old veteran from Ashmodai, wears a System States rosette, complains about the melon crop and poverty.

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Colonel Klem Zareff is the closest thing Poictesme has to a military authority, running patrols that increasingly clash with outlaw gangs and rival prospecting companies. He's a pragmatic man in a world sliding toward chaos, loyal to the Maxwells but aware that the Merlin craze is spiraling beyond anyone's control. His men and his judgment become crucial as riots break out and the government flails.

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See Colonel Klem Zareff in II

Character Web

30 connections

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Other

Character groups

Main characters and rivals
Protagonist

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This excerpt marks the dramatic climax because it shifts the narrative from survival (the "nightmare" voyage)…

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In the story

Colonel Klem Zareff appears across 14 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

I
Old veteran from Ashmodai, wears a System States rosette, complains about the melon crop and poverty.
II
A planter who argues about the War and security, and is indignant at suggestions of space attack.
The Meeting at the Academy
Supports Conn's argument about intelligence lag, referencing his Alliance Army experience.
Chapter VI
Drills men as soldiers for the operation; suspects Wade Lucas is a Federation spy; discusses his theory with Conn.
VII
Identifies the G-1 personnel section and coordinates air cavalry to control sightseers.
VIII
Reluctantly agrees to lend gunboats for the Barathrum expedition, expresses paranoia about Federation agents, and takes over guard force at the discovery site.
The Assault on Barathrum
Directs operations from Force Command, advises caution, and later arrives with reinforcements.
The Battle for the Spaceport
Coordinates with Conn from outside, plans to bring gunboats and troops into the crater.
The Trial of Intentions
Suspicious of Leibert, believing he is working for Sam Murchison to hide Merlin; supports Conn's contributions.
XVI
Recruits more guards and pushes for investigation of Leibert.
XVII
At Force Command, he has fortified the mesa with heavy armament and expresses suspicion about the preacher Leibert.
Chapter XVIII
Decides to stay at Force Command to watch Carl Leibert rather than attend the Ouroboros II launch.
The Truth About Merlin
Mentioned as busy commanding defenses, not directly present in the interrogation.
XXII
Chatting with Mike Shanlee about the big melon crop and labor issues.

Chapter companion notes

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See Colonel Klem Zareff in II

See Colonel Klem Zareff in I