# I: Hijacker from Hell explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Henry Kuttner.

## What happens

Saul Duncan escapes from the Transpolar Penitentiary during an Arctic blizzard, aided by an outside contact. He is picked up by Brent Olcott, who reveals a plan for Duncan to hijack the spaceship Maid of Mercury and steal a pound of Martian radium. Olcott coerces Duncan by revealing that his wife, Andrea, is already aboard the ship and will sabotage its radio. Duncan agrees under duress, driven by the promise of freedom and half a million credits.

## Themes in this chapter

### Survival and Endurance

Duncan endures a polar blizzard and the harsh conditions of Transpolar, physically and mentally hardened by his imprisonment.

### Obsession and Madness

Duncan's obsessive hatred for Moriarty and his desperate need for freedom and Andrea drive him to accept a suicidal hijacking plan.

### Power and Corruption

Olcott uses his wealth and influence to manipulate Duncan, exploiting his desperation for a criminal scheme.

## Character check-ins

### Saul Duncan

Escapes from Transpolar Penitentiary during a blizzard; bitter and hardened after five years for murder; agrees to hijack a spaceship for Olcott.

### Brent Olcott

Tall, dark-haired, arrogantly handsome; masterminds the hijacking plan; uses Andrea as leverage to ensure Duncan's cooperation.

### Andrea Duncan

Duncan's wife; already aboard the Maid of Mercury as part of Olcott's plan; will smash the radio to aid the hijacking.

## Key lines

> The Arctic blizzard swept needles of stinging ice against Saul Duncan’s face. Doggedly he plowed on, head lowered, heavy shoulders hunched against the fury of the winds.

Saul Duncan trudges through a fierce Arctic blizzard, ice stinging his face as he pushes forward with determination.

_Opening scene establishes Duncan's escape and the harsh environment._

> If he kept going, there was a chance of safety and freedom⁠—not much of a chance, though, for few men ever escaped alive from the Transpolar Penitentiary.

Continuing offers a slim hope of freedom, but escaping Transpolar is nearly impossible.

_Highlights the danger and rarity of escape from the prison._

> Ten years for murder⁠—second degree murder. Well, he hadn’t been framed. He’d wanted to kill Moriarty.

Duncan was sentenced to ten years for second-degree murder, and he admits he intended to kill Moriarty.

_Reveals Duncan's crime and his lack of remorse._

> Olcott’s cool, watchful eyes met his own. “Go into space,” he said, “without a Varra Helmet.”

Olcott calmly tells Duncan his mission is to travel into space without the protective Varra Helmet.

_Key plot point: the dangerous nature of the hijacking plan._

> “You know her, I think,” Olcott said quietly, his eyes impassive. “Andrea Duncan.”

Olcott reveals that Andrea, Duncan's wife, is already involved in the plan.

_Olcott uses Andrea as leverage to ensure Duncan's compliance._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_27_se/chapters/i-hijacker-from-hell
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_27_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_27_se/chapters