# Short Fiction — Chapters explained

> Chapter companions for Short Fiction by Walter M. Miller Jr..

- [Conditionally Human](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_57_se/chapters/conditionally-human.md): Inspector Norris faces domestic conflict with his wife Anne over his job destroying unclaimed neutroids. He begins investigating the Delmont case involving deviant K-99 neutroids that may be capable of reproduction, whil
- [It Takes a Thief](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_57_se/chapters/it-takes-a-thief.md): Asir, a young thief on Mars, is hung by his wrists as punishment for stealing ritual phrases. He endures pain and waits for the executioner Slubil to administer the bleeding-blade, the nature of which is unknown to him. 
- [Check and Checkmate](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_57_se/chapters/check-and-checkmate.md): President John Smith XVI engages in a tense televiewphone conversation with the Red leader, who removes his mask and proposes a personal meeting in Antarctica. After the call, Smith initiates a security probe and acceler
- [Death of a Spaceman](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_57_se/chapters/death-of-a-spaceman.md): Old Donegal, a dying spaceman, lies in his bed with his wife Martha and daughter Nora. He reflects on his life in space, the loss of his son-in-law Oley, and the meaning of his sacrifices. He jokes about death, asks for 
- [Way of a Rebel](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_57_se/chapters/way-of-a-rebel.md): Mitch Laskell deserts the Navy, fleeing in a stolen submarine after a crisis of conscience about the destructive nature of the war. He grapples with his love for technological civilization and his rejection of a conflict
- [The Ties That Bind](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_57_se/chapters/the-ties-that-bind.md): Analyst Meikl observes the cooperation between spacers and natives as they build a railway on Earth, reflecting on the cultural differences and the natives' lack of concepts like war or exploitation. He has a tense conve
- [The Hoofer](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_57_se/chapters/the-hoofer.md): Big Hogey Parker, a spacer recently returned from a long hitch in space, struggles with the transition to life on Earth. He is drunk, disoriented, and haunted by the knowledge that his career as a 'tumbler' (spacer) is i

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