# Marc DuQuesne — The Skylark of Space character guide > Marc DuQuesne in The Skylark of Space by E. E. Smith. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Dr. Marc DuQuesne, DuQuesne, Doctor DuQuesne, Doctor, Marc C. DuQuesne, Dr. Marc C. DuQuesne, Dr. DuQuesne, Karfedix DuQuesne, the Karfedix DuQuesne, the Karfedix **First appearance:** 0000-i-the-occurrence-of-the-impossible ## Who they are A cold, calculating rival scientist who steals the drive and the girl, then discovers that even his ruthless mind is no match for deep space. ## Relationships ### [Richard Seaton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/characters/richard_seaton) _rivalry_ Marc DuQuesne is Richard's primary antagonist, a brilliant and ruthless rival in both science and personal ambition. ### [Dorothy Vaneman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/characters/dorothy_vaneman) _rivalry_ Dorothy and Marc are adversaries, with DuQuesne often threatening her and those she loves. ### [Perkins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/characters/perkins) _professional_ Perkins is a subordinate and assistant to Marc DuQuesne, carrying out his orders. ### [Brookings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/characters/brookings) _professional_ Brookings is a corrupt government official who collaborates with DuQuesne for mutual benefit. ### [Martin Crane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/characters/martin_crane) _rivalry_ DuQuesne and Crane are enemies, with Crane opposing DuQuesne's schemes. ### [Margaret Spencer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/characters/margaret_spencer) _rivalry_ DuQuesne views Margaret as an obstacle and sometimes a target in his conflicts. ### [Prescott](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/characters/prescott) _professional_ Prescott is a colleague or subordinate working with DuQuesne in his schemes. ### [Richard Seaton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/characters/richard_seaton) _rivalry_ Marc DuQuesne is Richard's primary antagonist, a brilliant and ruthless rival in both science and personal ambition. ### [Dorothy Vaneman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/characters/dorothy_vaneman) _rivalry_ Dorothy and Marc are adversaries, with DuQuesne often threatening her and those she loves. ### [Richard Seaton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/characters/richard_seaton) _rivalry_ Marc DuQuesne is Richard's primary antagonist, a brilliant and ruthless rival in both science and personal ambition. ### [Perkins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/characters/perkins) _professional_ Perkins is a subordinate and assistant to Marc DuQuesne, carrying out his orders. ### [Brookings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/characters/brookings) _professional_ Brookings is a corrupt government official who collaborates with DuQuesne for mutual benefit. ## In the story ### [Steel Becomes Interested](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/chapters/ii-steel-becomes-interested) DuQuesne learns of Seaton's discovery and immediately plans to steal it for the World Steel Corporation, negotiating a high price for his expertise. ### [Steel Liberates Energy—Unexpectedly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/chapters/iv-steel-liberates-energy-unexpectedly) Reads about the explosion, negotiates a contract with Brookings, and plans to steal Seaton's work. ### [V: Direct Action](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/chapters/v-direct-action) Disguises himself as Seaton, murders two detectives, wounds Shiro, and steals plans and solution from Crane's safe. ### [VI: The Object-Compass at Work](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/chapters/vi-the-object-compass-at-work) Plans to kidnap Dorothy Vaneman and use a space-car to force Seaton to surrender the solution. ### [VII: The Trial Voyage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/chapters/vii-the-trial-voyage) Referenced as a threat; Seaton and Crane take precautions against his potential interference. ### [VIII: Indirect Action](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/chapters/viii-indirect-action) The antagonist, who kidnaps Dorothy and struggles to regain control of his ship after an accidental acceleration. ### [IX: Lost in Space](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/chapters/ix-lost-in-space) Remains calm and resourceful, sacrificing copper items to try to avoid the dead star, kills Perkins in self-defense, and expresses hope that Seaton will continue his work if he dies. ### [X: The Rescue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/chapters/x-the-rescue) Pilots the fleeing vessel, initially resists but cooperates after rescue, engages in a power duel with Seaton. ### [Through Space Into the Carboniferous](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/chapters/xi-through-space-into-the-carboniferous) Cooks for the group after the accident, is considered for astronomy work despite being a potential threat, and provokes Margaret's anger. ### [XII: The Mastery of Mind Over Matter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/chapters/xii-the-mastery-of-mind-over-matter) Participates in the mental struggle against the entity, contributing to the collective effort that forces it to retreat. ### [XIII: Nalboon of Mardonale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/chapters/xiii-nalboon-of-mardonale) Observes the battle and suggests the Mardonales' power is electrical, not chemical. ### [XIV: Nalboon Unmasked](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/chapters/xiv-nalboon-unmasked) Remains a captive; interrupts Seaton's correction of Dunark's title, insisting Seaton is the Karfedix of Knowledge. ### [XV: The Escape from Mardonale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/chapters/xv-the-escape-from-mardonale) Comments on Dunark's silencer during the escape. ### [Bird, Beast, or Fish?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/chapters/xvii-bird-beast-or-fish) Asks about the ship's ability to withstand underground travel, and is listed as a witness on the marriage certificate. ### [The Invasion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/chapters/xviii-the-invasion) Mans a machine-gun, narrowly avoids electrocution from a charged gun, and serves as observer during the first and third shifts. ### [XIX: The Return to Earth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/chapters/xix-the-return-to-earth) Examines his treasure from Dunark, plans to become a money power, and escapes the Skylark via parachute over the Panama Canal. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/characters/marc_duquesne - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/characters