The Stainless Steel Rat · Character

Pepe Nero

A rotund, sentimental criminal who gets pulled into a scheme far above his pay grade and pays for it with his freedom.

supporting

Also known as Pepe, Roly-poly Pepe, This Pepe

First appearance: iii

As a supporting figure in The Stainless Steel Rat, Pepe Nero is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Identified as the master criminal who orchestrated the battleship's construction and theft.

In the storyVOpen this moment free

Pepe is the kind of crook who talks too much, feels too much, and falls in love with exactly the wrong person. He is genuinely fond of Angelina and genuinely out of his depth, which makes him both a useful accomplice and an easy mark. When the scheme collapses, his laughter and his confession reveal more about Angelina than any interrogation could, and they leave Jim with a problem he cannot simply arrest his way out of.

See Pepe Nero in V Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

Character Web

6 connections

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

Relationship types

Psychological
Rivalry
Professional
Other

Character groups

Antagonists and allies
Protagonist
Minor characters and officials
Central plot drivers

+1 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 is the story's dramatic climax because the protagonist reaches an emotional and psychological peak by sim…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Angelina
psychological · negative
Angelina exerts a powerful psychological hold over Pepe Nero, using him as a devoted but… How this plays out →
Captain Steng
rivalry · negative
Count Cassitor
professional · ambivalent
Harold Peters Inskipp
rivalry · negative
President Ferraro
professional · ambivalent
Angelina
psychological · negative
Angelina exerts a powerful psychological hold over Pepe Nero, using him as a devoted but… How this plays out →
Captain Steng
rivalry · negative
Count Cassitor
professional · ambivalent
Angelina
psychological · negative
Angelina exerts a powerful psychological hold over Pepe Nero, using him as a devoted but… How this plays out →
Harold Peters Inskipp
rivalry · negative

Angelina
Angelina exerts a powerful psychological hold over Pepe Nero, using him as a devoted but conflicted pawn.
Captain Steng
Captain Steng and Pepe Nero are antagonists, often clashing in pursuit of conflicting goals.
Count Cassitor
Count Cassitor and Pepe Nero have a working relationship, often as co-conspirators or employer and agent.
Harold Peters Inskipp
Harold Peters Inskipp and Pepe Nero are opponents, likely due to opposing loyalties or missions.
President Ferraro
Pepe Nero and President Ferraro have a formal relationship, likely as agent and political figure.
Angelina
Angelina exerts a powerful psychological hold over Pepe Nero, using him as a devoted but conflicted pawn.
Captain Steng
Captain Steng and Pepe Nero are antagonists, often clashing in pursuit of conflicting goals.
Count Cassitor
Count Cassitor and Pepe Nero have a working relationship, often as co-conspirators or employer and agent.
Angelina
Angelina exerts a powerful psychological hold over Pepe Nero, using him as a devoted but conflicted pawn.
Harold Peters Inskipp
Harold Peters Inskipp and Pepe Nero are opponents, likely due to opposing loyalties or missions.

Relationship notes

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

See Pepe Nero in iii

In the story

Pepe Nero appears across 4 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

V
Identified as the master criminal who orchestrated the battleship's construction and theft.
VI
The ruthless thief who attacks the freighter Ogget's Dream, killing the crew and stealing plutonium.
VII
Captured by Jim; reveals Angelina's role as the planner and expresses his love for her despite her manipulation.
VIII
Mentioned as having had his personality erased; now a vacant-eyed observer in the restaurant.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Pepe Nero unlock in the free preview.

See Pepe Nero in iii

See Pepe Nero in V