Lone Star Planet
by H. Beam Piper John J. McGuire
Solar League diplomat Stephen Silk is dispatched to Capella IV, known as New Texas, as Ambassador following the mysterious murder of his predecessor, Silas Cumshaw. His mission is to bring the fiercely independent New Texans into the Solar League, forestall a looming invasion by the canine-descended z'Srauff, and uncover the truth behind Cumshaw's death amidst a complex political landscape where assassinating politicians is an accepted form of criticism. Silk must navigate cultural peculiarities and conspiracies, ultimately orchestrating a multi-faceted plan to expose the z'Srauff's hand in Cumshaw's murder and solidify New Texas's alignment with the Solar League.
Stephen Silk
A clever and insightful Solar League diplomat, initially working in policy planning, known for his frank and critical analyses under the pseudonym 'Machiavelli, Jr.' Physically, he's pragmatic and observant. By the end, he fully embodies the New Texan culture, wearing Levis, boots, hat, and carrying two automatics, with his fast draw belying his initial diplomatic 'cookie-pusher' image. He can appear glum or thoughtful, but quickly becomes decisive and commanding when circumstances demand it. He is a 'Hooligan Diplomat' by previous assignment but becomes 'Ambassador' reluctantly.
Hoddy Ringo
A tubby little man with powerful shoulders and arms, chosen by Natalenko as Stephen Silk's personal secretary/bodyguard on New Texas. He has a 'good-natured, not particularly intelligent face' that hides shrewdness, often looking like a 'happy moron'. He wears typical New Texan attire, including two automatics in an old, wide two-holster belt. By the end, he's known as a bandit.
Gail Hickock
A big, beautiful blond woman, highly educated (attended a Terran university) but native to New Texas. She is Colonel Andrew Jackson Hickock's daughter, representing a blend of modern education and New Texan rugged individualism. She's attractive, spirited, and strong-willed, capable of physically slapping Silk out of anger.
Colonel Andrew Jackson Hickock
A portly, ruddy-faced gentleman with a white mustache and goatee, dressed in a white suit. He is Gail Hickock's father, a large supercow rancher, and a highly influential leader in New Texas. He was formerly the first Solar League Ambassador to New Texas who 'went native', resigning and marrying into a local ranching family. He now supports annexation due to the z'Srauff threat.
Gilbert W. Thrombley
The Solar League chargé d'affaires at the New Texas Embassy. A tall, slender man in the formal, uniform-like attire of the Diplomatic Service (Eisenhower jacket, gray-striped trousers, black homburg). He is perpetually nervous, easily agitated, highly bureaucratic, and overwhelmed by New Texan culture, viewing everything through a rigid diplomatic lens.
Lucius C. Stonehenge
The Space Navy military attaché at the New Texas Embassy. A tall, sandy-haired man in the uniform of the Space Navy. He is intelligent, professional, pragmatic, and quick to grasp military implications. He develops respect for Silk and becomes a key military ally.
William A. Palme
The New Texas Secretary of State. A frightened, nervous little man with the demeanor of a 'rabbit, twitching to take flight at the first whiff of danger.' Despite his timidity, he consumes large amounts of superbourbon. His fear stems from the dangerous political environment of New Texas, where his role makes him a potential target.
John Hutchinson
The President of New Texas. A slender, stoop-shouldered man with a black-and-gold laced jacket, a narrow, compressed mouth, and eyes that constantly scan the room. He carries small pistols in cross-body holsters and keeps his hands near his abdomen, always prepared for attack. He embodies a 'cat who hears hounds baying,' wary but ready to fight.
Gglafrr Ddespttann Vuvuvu
The Ambassador of the z'Srauff. A humanoid of canine-like ancestry, with longer, narrower jaws and carnivorous teeth. He maintains an outwardly diplomatic persona, speaking only the 850-word 'Basic English' publicly, but is implied to understand much more. He is cunning, manipulative, and responsible for orchestrating Cumshaw's murder and the attempted assassination of President Hutchinson. He wears a specialized radium-decay wristwatch, which functions as a coordinated signal device for the z'Srauff invasion fleet.
Jack-High Abe Bonney
One of the three Bonney brothers, collectively described as psychopathic. He has pale eyes and a narrow, loose-lipped face. He was wounded in the left shoulder by David Crockett Longfellow during the assassination of Silas Cumshaw and wears an arm sling and plaster cast at the start of the trial. He operated the 20mm auto-rifle during the murder.
Switchblade Joe Bonney
One of the three Bonney brothers. Described along with his brothers as having pale eyes and narrow, loose-lipped faces, possibly psychopathic. He is identified as one of the killers of Silas Cumshaw. His nickname suggests a violent disposition.
Turkey-Buzzard Tom Bonney
One of the three Bonney brothers involved in the murder of Silas Cumshaw. Like his brothers, he is depicted as having pale eyes and a narrow, loose-lipped face, suggesting psychopathic tendencies. His nickname implies a predatory nature or unsavory character.
Kettle-Belly Sam Bonney
The Mayor of Bonneyville, an uncle to the three Bonney brothers on trial. A man of fifty or so, short, partially bald, with a distinctive 'kettle-belly' (midriff significantly larger than chest), dressed in faded Levis, a frayed white shirt, and grease-spotted vest. He is a key orchestrator in protecting his nephews and coordinating with their z'Srauff benefactors.
Nelson
The President Judge of the Court of Political Justice. A regular jurist and father of Ranger Captain Nelson. He presides over both the S. Austin Maverick and Silas Cumshaw murder trials. He is fair in the unique context of New Texan law, and commands respect in his court, even from challenging lawyers. He is stern but willing to allow arguments to be fully presented.
Clement A. Sidney
The lawyer representing the Bonney brothers, and a member of what passes for the Socialist Party on New Texas. He is described as a 'little, rodent-faced fellow,' initially aggressive and loud, employing relentless delay tactics in court. Later revealed to be funded by the z'Srauff, he is visibly uncomfortable when his complicity is exposed by Silk.
S. Austin Maverick
A deceased politician from James Bowie Continent, who served fifteen years in the Senate. He was killed by Wilbur Whately on the steps of the Legislative Assembly Building for advocating an income tax bill. Posthumously referred to as a 'monster of political iniquity' or 'late unmitigated scoundrel,' though his prosecution argues he was a 'fine man'.
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