# II explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Henry Kuttner.

## What happens

Jerry Vanning awakens in the hidden valley of the Swamja, a fish-headed race that has enslaved humans and Venusians for centuries by luring them with the artificial North-Fever. Lysla, a fellow Earth slave, explains the Swamja's history and the hopelessness of rebellion. Vanning meets his new roommate Kenesaw Sanderson and discovers a makeup kit belonging to Don Callahan, a man he has been pursuing across the solar system.

## Themes in this chapter

### Alien Enslavement and Rebellion

Vanning is enslaved by the Swamja and immediately begins planning a revolution, despite Lysla's warnings of futility.

### Survival and Endurance

Vanning survives the North-Fever and the journey to the Swamja city, and must endure the harsh conditions of slavery.

## Character check-ins

### Jerry Vanning

Awakens from the North-Fever in the Swamja's city, learns the truth about his enslavement, and discovers Don Callahan's disguise kit.

### Lysla

An Earthwoman enslaved a month earlier, she explains the Swamja's methods and warns Vanning against rebellion.

### Kenesaw Sanderson

Vanning's new roommate, a husky, scar-faced man who cautions him against trying to escape.

### Don Callahan

Not present but his disguise kit is found hidden in the dormitory, indicating he is also a slave in the Swamja city.

### The Swamja

The fish-headed alien race that rules the hidden valley, enslaving victims drawn by the artificial North-Fever.

## Key lines

> Rebellion is quite useless. You won’t believe that now, but you’ll understand soon.

Lysla tells Vanning that fighting back is pointless, though she knows he doesn't accept it yet.

_Lysla's warning about the futility of resistance._

> Slavery. Here are your clothes. When you’re dressed, you’ll find a ramp leading down outside the door. I’ll be waiting.

Lysla informs Vanning that his new life as a slave begins now, and directs him to dress and follow her.

_Vanning's induction into slavery._

> The virus is carried by microscopic spores. The Swamja send it out to the upper atmosphere, and the great winds carry it all over Venus.

Lysla explains that the North-Fever is deliberately spread by the Swamja through airborne spores.

_Revelation of the artificial origin of the North-Fever._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_27_se/chapters/ii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_27_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_27_se/chapters