The Cosmic Computer · Character

Rodney Maxwell

Conn's shrewd father, a political operator who turns the Merlin craze into a cover for rebuilding his world's shattered economy.

major

Also known as Rod, Maxwell

First appearance: I

As a major figure in The Cosmic Computer, Rodney Maxwell is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Conn's father, a scavenger who sells war surplus; wears a black suit with a pistol, and shows anxiety about what Conn will reveal.

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Rodney Maxwell is a prominent local figure whose real interest is restarting business, not chasing the mythical computer. He uses the Merlin fever as a front for Trisystem & Interstellar Spacelines, quietly hiring the best men away from Kurt Fawzi's search. When the government moves to nationalize Merlin and arrest him on fraud charges, his foresight and financial maneuvering become the story's stabilizing counterweight.

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The fuller portrait of Rodney Maxwell sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Rodney Maxwell in I

Character Web

33 connections

A slice of how Rodney Maxwell sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Family
Friendship
Other

Character groups

Main characters and rivals
Protagonist

+28 more in the full Character Web

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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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Relationships

Conn Maxwell
family · positive
Rodney is Conn's father, and their relationship is marked by mutual respect and familial… How this plays out →
Kurt Fawzi
friendship · positive
Conn Maxwell
family · positive
Rodney is Conn's father, and their relationship is marked by mutual respect and familial… How this plays out →
Kurt Fawzi
friendship · positive
Kurt Fawzi
friendship · positive
Conn Maxwell
family · positive
Rodney is Conn's father, and their relationship is marked by mutual respect and familial… How this plays out →

Conn Maxwell
Rodney is Conn's father, and their relationship is marked by mutual respect and familial affection.
Kurt Fawzi
Kurt and Rodney are friends and allies, often working together with Conn.
Conn Maxwell
Rodney is Conn's father, and their relationship is marked by mutual respect and familial affection.
Kurt Fawzi
Kurt and Rodney are friends and allies, often working together with Conn.
Kurt Fawzi
Kurt and Rodney are friends and allies, often working together with Conn.
Conn Maxwell
Rodney is Conn's father, and their relationship is marked by mutual respect and familial affection.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Rodney Maxwell in I

In the story

Rodney Maxwell appears across 17 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

I
Conn's father, a scavenger who sells war surplus; wears a black suit with a pistol, and shows anxiety about what Conn will reveal.
II
Conn's father, who observes the meeting and decides to leave early with Conn for fresh air and dinner.
The Price of Truth
Learns from Conn that Merlin is a myth; agrees to lie to everyone for the sake of reviving Poictesme.
Breakfast and the Home Guard
Plans to organize a company to exploit supply depot locations and supports Conn's mission.
The Meeting at the Academy
Proposes forming a company to finance the search for Merlin, using Conn's information as capital.
Chapter VI
Returns to Litchfield to organize the corporation; becomes vice-president in charge of operations; flies to Storisende to handle logistics.
VII
Files the claim for the underground installation and accompanies Conn into the tunnel.
VIII
Transmits claim for Force Command Duplicate, sets policy for protecting prospectors, and considers leaking information to start a second rush.
The Assault on Barathrum
Communicates from the Lester Dawes, expresses concern about damaging the spaceport, and is placed in command.
The Battle for the Spaceport
Communicates with Conn via screen, advises him on command decisions.
Chapter XI
Negotiates with T. & O. and becomes president of the new Alpha-Interplanetary company.
XII
Becomes a city man, forms holding company Trisystem Investments, Ltd., and warns Conn about the chartered freighter Andromeda.
XVI
Handles business pressures, security issues, and political maneuvering on Poictesme; screens Conn about progress.
XVII
Heavily armed and guarded, he reveals the dangerous state of affairs, including the disappearance and mind-probing of his secretary. He has admitted Wade Lucas into their secret.
Chapter XVIII
Reveals that Sam Murchison is financing the Human Supremacy League and visits Force Command to observe progress.
XXI
Reports that Conn's mother is unconscious and expresses regret that Wade is away.
XXII
Hosting the gathering, steering political talk to Kurt Fawzi, and needed for the wedding rehearsal.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Rodney Maxwell unlock in the free preview.

See Rodney Maxwell in I