# In Roger's Planetoid explained — Triplanetary

> Chapter companion for Triplanetary by E. E. Smith.

## What happens

Costigan, Bradley, and Clio Marsden escape from Roger's planetoid after sabotaging its gravity generators and engaging in a weightless combat with Roger, who is revealed to be controlled by Gharlane of Eddore. They flee in an emergency boat, but are drawn into a mysterious red veil, where Costigan becomes paralyzed.

## Themes in this chapter

### Mental vs. Physical Power

Gharlane's mental powers are blocked by Arisians, forcing reliance on Roger's physical body; Costigan's physical prowess in weightless combat contrasts with Roger's shielded invulnerability.

### Hidden Manipulation of History

Arisians secretly intervene to block Gharlane's control, revealing a larger cosmic struggle behind human events.

### Sacrifice for the Greater Good

Costigan and Bradley risk their lives to sabotage the planetoid and rescue Clio, prioritizing the mission over personal safety.

## Character check-ins

### Conway Costigan

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

### Clio Marsden

Suffers from space-sickness but helps delay Roger during the escape.

### Captain Bradley

Assists in the escape, carries Clio's armor, and helps push her toward the emergency boat.

### Roger

The pirate chief controlled by Gharlane of Eddore; engages in combat with Costigan but is left spinning in the planetoid.

### Gharlane of Eddore

Energizes Roger's body and is thwarted by Arisian mental interference, unable to use his full powers.

### Virgil Samms

Contacted by Costigan via ultra-wave; head of the Triplanetary League's Service.

## Key lines

> The sub-ether was closed; nor could he either discover the manner of its closing or trace the power which was keeping it closed!

Gharlane found the sub-ether sealed and could not identify the source of the blockage.

_Highlights the Arisian intervention and Gharlane's helplessness._

> With all the momentum of his mass and velocity and all the power of his good right arm he swung the bar at the pirate's head. That fiercely-driven mass of metal should have taken head from shoulders, but it did not.

Costigan struck Roger's head with a metal bar, but Roger's force shield absorbed the blow completely.

_Demonstrates the impenetrability of Roger's shield and the futility of physical attacks._

> I'm falling... I'm so dizzy that I can scarcely see... my head is breaking up into little pieces... I just know I'm going to die, Conway!

Clio experiences severe space-sickness, feeling disoriented and terrified.

_Shows Clio's vulnerability and the physical toll of zero-gravity on a 'ground-gripper.'_

> His Eddorian body, even if he could recreate it here, could not withstand the environment—this Roger-thing would have to do whatever it could, unaided by Gharlane's mental powers.

Gharlane realized he could not manifest his Eddorian form in this environment and was limited to Roger's physical capabilities.

_Explains the limitation on Gharlane's power and the reliance on Roger's body._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/triplanetary_se/chapters/viii-in-roger-s-planetoid
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/triplanetary_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/triplanetary_se/chapters