# Rodney Maxwell — The Cosmic Computer character guide > Rodney Maxwell in The Cosmic Computer by H. Beam Piper. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Rod, Maxwell **First appearance:** 0000-i ## Snapshot Conn's shrewd father, a political operator who turns the Merlin craze into a cover for rebuilding his world's shattered economy. ## Who they are 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. ## Relationships ### [Conn Maxwell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cosmic_computer_se/characters/conn_maxwell) _family_ Rodney is Conn's father, and their relationship is marked by mutual respect and familial affection. ### [Kurt Fawzi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cosmic_computer_se/characters/kurt_fawzi) _friendship_ Kurt and Rodney are friends and allies, often working together with Conn. ### [Conn Maxwell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cosmic_computer_se/characters/conn_maxwell) _family_ Rodney is Conn's father, and their relationship is marked by mutual respect and familial affection. ### [Kurt Fawzi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cosmic_computer_se/characters/kurt_fawzi) _friendship_ Kurt and Rodney are friends and allies, often working together with Conn. ### [Kurt Fawzi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cosmic_computer_se/characters/kurt_fawzi) _friendship_ Kurt and Rodney are friends and allies, often working together with Conn. ### [Conn Maxwell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cosmic_computer_se/characters/conn_maxwell) _family_ Rodney is Conn's father, and their relationship is marked by mutual respect and familial affection. ## In the story ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cosmic_computer_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cosmic_computer_se/chapters/ii) Conn's father, who observes the meeting and decides to leave early with Conn for fresh air and dinner. ### [The Price of Truth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cosmic_computer_se/chapters/iii) Learns from Conn that Merlin is a myth; agrees to lie to everyone for the sake of reviving Poictesme. ### [Breakfast and the Home Guard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cosmic_computer_se/chapters/iv) Plans to organize a company to exploit supply depot locations and supports Conn's mission. ### [The Meeting at the Academy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cosmic_computer_se/chapters/v) Proposes forming a company to finance the search for Merlin, using Conn's information as capital. ### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cosmic_computer_se/chapters/vi) Returns to Litchfield to organize the corporation; becomes vice-president in charge of operations; flies to Storisende to handle logistics. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cosmic_computer_se/chapters/vii) Files the claim for the underground installation and accompanies Conn into the tunnel. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cosmic_computer_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cosmic_computer_se/chapters/ix) Communicates from the Lester Dawes, expresses concern about damaging the spaceport, and is placed in command. ### [The Battle for the Spaceport](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cosmic_computer_se/chapters/x) Communicates with Conn via screen, advises him on command decisions. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cosmic_computer_se/chapters/xi) Negotiates with T. & O. and becomes president of the new Alpha-Interplanetary company. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cosmic_computer_se/chapters/xii) Becomes a city man, forms holding company Trisystem Investments, Ltd., and warns Conn about the chartered freighter Andromeda. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cosmic_computer_se/chapters/xvi) Handles business pressures, security issues, and political maneuvering on Poictesme; screens Conn about progress. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cosmic_computer_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cosmic_computer_se/chapters/xviii) Reveals that Sam Murchison is financing the Human Supremacy League and visits Force Command to observe progress. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cosmic_computer_se/chapters/xxi) Reports that Conn's mother is unconscious and expresses regret that Wade is away. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cosmic_computer_se/chapters/xxii) Hosting the gathering, steering political talk to Kurt Fawzi, and needed for the wedding rehearsal. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cosmic_computer_se/characters/rodney_maxwell - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cosmic_computer_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_cosmic_computer_se/characters