# Colonel Klem Zareff — The Cosmic Computer character guide

> Colonel Klem Zareff in The Cosmic Computer by H. Beam Piper.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Zareff, Klem, Colonel

**First appearance:** 0001-ii

## Snapshot

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

## Who they are

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.

## In the story

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cosmic_computer_se/chapters/i)

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

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cosmic_computer_se/chapters/ii)

A planter who argues about the War and security, and is indignant at suggestions of space attack.

### [The Meeting at the Academy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cosmic_computer_se/chapters/v)

Supports Conn's argument about intelligence lag, referencing his Alliance Army experience.

### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cosmic_computer_se/chapters/vi)

Drills men as soldiers for the operation; suspects Wade Lucas is a Federation spy; discusses his theory with Conn.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cosmic_computer_se/chapters/vii)

Identifies the G-1 personnel section and coordinates air cavalry to control sightseers.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cosmic_computer_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cosmic_computer_se/chapters/ix)

Directs operations from Force Command, advises caution, and later arrives with reinforcements.

### [The Battle for the Spaceport](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cosmic_computer_se/chapters/x)

Coordinates with Conn from outside, plans to bring gunboats and troops into the crater.

### [The Trial of Intentions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cosmic_computer_se/chapters/xv)

Suspicious of Leibert, believing he is working for Sam Murchison to hide Merlin; supports Conn's contributions.

### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cosmic_computer_se/chapters/xvi)

Recruits more guards and pushes for investigation of Leibert.

### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cosmic_computer_se/chapters/xvii)

At Force Command, he has fortified the mesa with heavy armament and expresses suspicion about the preacher Leibert.

### [Chapter XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cosmic_computer_se/chapters/xviii)

Decides to stay at Force Command to watch Carl Leibert rather than attend the Ouroboros II launch.

### [The Truth About Merlin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cosmic_computer_se/chapters/xx)

Mentioned as busy commanding defenses, not directly present in the interrogation.

### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cosmic_computer_se/chapters/xxii)

Chatting with Mike Shanlee about the big melon crop and labor issues.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cosmic_computer_se/characters/colonel_zareff
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cosmic_computer_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cosmic_computer_se/characters