# Worm, Submarine, and Freedom explained — Triplanetary

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

## What happens

Costigan, Bradley, and Clio repair their stolen Nevian lifeboat and attempt to escape Nevia. They are attacked by a giant worm-like creature, which Costigan kills by boiling it alive. The commotion attracts a submarine cruiser of hostile fish-like beings, which engages them in battle. Nerado's spaceship intervenes, allowing the lifeboat to escape into space. The trio prepares for pursuit by modifying their suits with Nevian technology.

## Themes in this chapter

### Alien Otherness and Incomprehensibility

The giant worm and the fish-like beings represent alien life forms with incomprehensible biology and technology, challenging the humans' understanding and survival.

### Heroism and Personal Sacrifice

Costigan's calm leadership and willingness to risk himself to protect Clio and Bradley exemplify heroism under extreme pressure.

## Character check-ins

### Conway Costigan

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

### Captain Bradley

Assists in repairs and observes the battles, standing watch with Costigan and Clio.

### Clio Marsden

Shows fear during the worm attack but helps with suit modifications, demonstrating undaunted spirit.

### Captain Nerado

Intervenes to rescue the lifeboat by attacking the submarine, allowing the escape.

## Key lines

> Since both Costigan and Bradley had often watched their captors at work during the long voyage from the Solar System to Nevia, they were quite familiar with the machine tools of the amphibians.

Having observed their Nevian captors operating tools during the journey from Earth, Costigan and Bradley gained enough knowledge to repair their stolen lifeboat.

_Establishes the protagonists' resourcefulness and prior exposure to Nevian technology._

> The only thing left to do that I can think of is to try to boil him alive.

Costigan decides to use a heat beam to boil the giant worm attacking their lifeboat, as other weapons are ineffective.

_Highlights Costigan's quick thinking and the extreme measures required to survive alien threats._

> I hope that those fish blow him clear out of the Galaxy!

Costigan expresses hope that the fish-like beings will destroy Nerado, giving them a better chance to escape.

_Reveals Costigan's strategic thinking and his prioritization of escape over gratitude toward Nerado._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/triplanetary_se/chapters/xii-worm-submarine-and-freedom
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/triplanetary_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/triplanetary_se/chapters