# Conway Costigan — Triplanetary character guide

> Conway Costigan in Triplanetary by E. E. Smith.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Costigan, First Officer Costigan, Conway Murphy Spud Costigan

**First appearance:** 0017-vii-pirates-of-space

## Who they are

A burly Triplanetary first officer whose grim competence hides a soft streak for a golden-haired passenger, and who keeps his head when the air turns to poison.

## Relationships

### [Clio Marsden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/characters/clio_marsden)

_romantic_

Clio and Conway share a deep romantic bond, marked by frequent interactions and protective affection.

### [Captain Bradley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/characters/captain_bradley)

_professional_

Captain Bradley and Conway Costigan have a commanding officer and subordinate relationship, with frequent operational interactions.

### [Captain Nerado](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/characters/captain_nerado)

_rivalry_

Captain Nerado and Conway Costigan are antagonists, with Nerado representing an alien threat opposing Costigan.

### [Captain Ralph Kinnison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/characters/captain_ralph_kinnison)

_professional_

Captain Ralph Kinnison and Conway Costigan are fellow officers or operatives, cooperating on missions.

### [Clio Marsden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/characters/clio_marsden)

_romantic_

Clio and Conway share a deep romantic bond, marked by frequent interactions and protective affection.

### [Clio Marsden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/characters/clio_marsden)

_romantic_

Clio and Conway share a deep romantic bond, marked by frequent interactions and protective affection.

### [Captain Nerado](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/characters/captain_nerado)

_rivalry_

Captain Nerado and Conway Costigan are antagonists, with Nerado representing an alien threat opposing Costigan.

### [Captain Bradley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/characters/captain_bradley)

_professional_

Captain Bradley and Conway Costigan have a commanding officer and subordinate relationship, with frequent operational interactions.

### [Captain Bradley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/characters/captain_bradley)

_professional_

Captain Bradley and Conway Costigan have a commanding officer and subordinate relationship, with frequent operational interactions.

### [Captain Ralph Kinnison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/characters/captain_ralph_kinnison)

_professional_

Captain Ralph Kinnison and Conway Costigan are fellow officers or operatives, cooperating on missions.

### [Captain Ralph Kinnison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/characters/captain_ralph_kinnison)

_professional_

Captain Ralph Kinnison and Conway Costigan are fellow officers or operatives, cooperating on missions.

## In the story

### [Book I: Dawn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/chapters/book-i-dawn)

Introduced as a key human figure in the early stages of the conflict.

### [Book III: Triplanetary](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/chapters/book-iii-triplanetary)

First Officer Costigan is introduced as a key figure in the Triplanetary service, involved in the conflict with space pirates.

### [VII: Pirates of Space](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/chapters/vii-pirates-of-space)

First Officer of the Hyperion; helps Clio and Bradley during the attack and capture.

### [In Roger's Planetoid](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/chapters/viii-in-roger-s-planetoid)

Leads the sabotage and escape, communicates with Samms, and fights Roger in weightless combat.

### [X: Within the Red Veil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/chapters/x-within-the-red-veil)

A prisoner aboard the Nevian ship, he reports to Samms via ultra-wave, speculates on Roger's possible escape, and comforts Clio as they face an unknown fate.

### [Nevian Strife](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/chapters/xi-nevian-strife)

Confesses his love to Clio, expresses concern for her safety, and later helps repair the lifeboat after escaping the Nevian conflict.

### [Worm, Submarine, and Freedom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/chapters/xii-worm-submarine-and-freedom)

Leads the escape, repairs the lifeboat, fights the worm and the submarine, and plans modifications to their suits.

### [The Hill](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/chapters/xiii-the-hill)

Mentioned as missing; Samms praises his observational skills and hopes he is still alive.

### [XV: Specimens](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/chapters/xv-specimens)

Attempts escape and resists capture; struggles against the Nevians' examinations; shows protective fury toward Clio.

### [XVIII: The Specimens Escape](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/chapters/xviii-the-specimens-escape)

Orchestrates escape by manufacturing Vee-Two gas, gasses the Nevian city, steals a speedster, and rescues Clio and Bradley.

### [Giants Meet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/chapters/xix-giants-meet)

Sends a distress call from the speedster, later advises caution against Nevian strength and recognizes Nerado's stalling tactics.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/characters/conway_costigan
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/characters