Claude Majewski
Names: Claude MajewskiClaudeDoctor Majewskithe old paleobiologistthe old mandear old ClaudeOld Paleontologistthe old bone hunterthe paleontologistMonsieur le Professeurmon vieuxClaudsie-boyMaster ClaudiusClaudius
First appears in Book 1: The Many-Colored Land, chapter 8 (7)
Appearances
What you know
Book 1: The Many-Colored Land
- Ch 8Claude is a 133-year-old retired salvage exopaleontologist who specialized in macrofossils and was married to Genevieve for ninety-four years.
- Ch 8Claude decides to go to Exile as Annamaria's protector, helping set up her hermitage, and plans to bury Genevieve's ashes in the Pliocene.
- Ch 16Claude is an elderly paleobiologist who looks late fiftyish, with green eyes and waved silver hair, thanks to his latest rejuvenation treatment.
- Ch 16Claude had the male-pattern baldness codons erased at his last rejuv and removed his body hair, expecting that to help in a warm, buggy primitive world.
- Ch 16Claude is about to go through the time gate to the Pliocene, and has chosen his own tough kit for the trip.
- Ch 16Claude intends to try inventing a Pliocene water closet if nobody else does.
- Ch 16Claude and Gen endured many primitive conveniences together on boondock planets, including a bad night on Lusatia.
- Ch 17Claude has promised to maintain Amerie in style, though she doesn't take him seriously; Felice distrusts him, saying he looked at her in a fishy way.
- Ch 18The Old Paleontologist likes carpentry, is the group's most accomplished primitive, and is judged by the ex-Meta Lady to be a death-wisher.
- Ch 19Claude is an old man who knows geology; he suggests nearby Pliocene coal deposits and is irritated by Aiken's mouth.
- Ch 20Carries a carved inlaid box and speaks to Gen, who is apparently dead, wondering whether the Pliocene is a hoax.
- Ch 26Claude is a 133-year-old paleontologist who realizes he was lured by friendly treatment into being imprisoned for transport to Finiah.
- Ch 26Claude identifies a chalicothere in the animal pen and deduces from their feeding and love of water that they were root-eating forest or river-bottom dwellers.
- Ch 26Claude deduces the gray collars are crude psychoregulators linked to the golden ones worn by Epone and other exotics.
- Ch 26Claude is an old man who watches the prisoners depart and feels weary and displeased with himself afterward.
- Ch 29Claude is an elderly paleontologist who identifies the local fauna and explains the Tanu system to Richard; he cleaned Richard up and washed his clothes.
- Ch 33Claude is an old paleontologist whose field adaptation system still works; he supports Felice's plan and counsels Amerie.
- Ch 33Claude and Amerie herded the stunned prisoners into a group during the fighting.
- Ch 35Claude is the only escapee with working knowledge of the Pliocene landscape; he leads the Green remnant on a cautious overland escape toward the Vosges highlands.
- Ch 37Claude leads the fleeing remnant of Group Green and uses his woodcraft and paleontology knowledge to evade Tanu trackers. Felice refused his attempt to give her leadership.
- Ch 37Claude revives Amerie with mouth-to-mouth, calling her 'child' and 'daughter'.
- Ch 37Claude secretly buries a carved wooden box containing the dust of someone he calls Gen beneath a beech tree by a spring, unmarked.
- Ch 39Paleontologist aged 133; suggests an iron ore deposit down the Moselle near the future site of Nancy.
- Ch 39Claude deduces the Ship's Grave must be the Ries astrobleme near future Nördlingen, over 25 km wide, about 300 km east of their position.
- Ch 39Is to tell Khalid Khan what to look for when searching for iron ore.
- Ch 39Notes that in his time the Danube's headwaters lay in the Black Forest, and its source may now be the Alps or a vast Lake Constance.
- Ch 40Professor Claude is a paleontologist from the far future who believes he has identified the location of the Ship's Grave.
- Ch 40Claude says the expedition must reach the head of small-boat navigation on the Danube to sail to the Ries and fly back within a month.
- Ch 41Claude is a Polish-American paleontologist who admires the quixotic Polish cavalry charge against tanks.
- Ch 41Claude leads the group's departure, assigning Richard and Felice to help Martha down and helping Madame himself.
- Ch 42A paleontologist who calculates they cannot reach the Ries within the four-week limit, and who deeply distrusts Felice, seeing her as a menace.
- Ch 43A former paleobiologist who deduces the Howling Ones' mutations come from radiation from nivenite rock and radioactive springs in their territory.
- Ch 43He advises Sugoll to leave the area, inbreed the most normal, mix with normal Firvulag, and perhaps later seek a human genetic engineer.
- Ch 45Claude is an elderly paleontologist who knows Pliocene fauna and examined Lugonn's skull.
- Ch 46An exopaleontologist who knows how to handle big zappers and volunteers to fire the Spear from the flyer's belly hatch.
- Ch 46Argues fiercely against Madame coming on the raid, fearing for her safety, but she overrules him.
- Ch 48Claude is an old man and by far the best shot among the group, wielding the heavy Spear of Lugonn from the flyer.
- Ch 48Claude fires on Finiah's wall and then, after Richard repositions, blasts the mine workings on the Kaiserstuhl at full power.
- Ch 48Claude's blast of the mine set off lava that may halt barium mining there for a long time.
- Ch 49Claude fired photon beams from the Spear out of the sky, destroying a mess hall, breaching the Number Ten bastion and blowing up the barium mine.
Book 2: The Golden Torc
- Ch 18Claude, still recovering from burns, insists on joining the mission and bickers with Madame over motives.
- Ch 20Claude objected to Madame's plan to approach the time-gate alone, devised an alternative, and will stay north with her instead of going south.
- Ch 20Claude is a paleontologist who fired the Spear before.
- Ch 21Posing as Angélique's gray-torc steward, he signs the warning message with her; he is an old Polish-descended man who jokes about their week hiding together.
- Ch 29Claude and Angélique hid six days in a hole in an arroyo wall less than a kilometer from the time-gate, shielded by her illusions.
- Ch 29Claude bombarded Finiah, the Tanu slave-city, and says he is glad he did.
Connections
- family ofGenevieve Loganmarried for ninety-four years
- friend ofSister Annamaria Roccarogrew close while caring for his dying wife
- related toGenevieve LoganGen's box is treasured by Claude; they traveled together on many planets, implying a close past partner
- member ofGroup Green
- ally ofBasil Wimborne
- friend ofFelice Landry
- friend ofElizabeth Orme
- related toCaptal Waldemarcaravan leader over prisoners
- friend ofBryan GrenfellClaude wishes Bryan well as he departs
- ally ofRichard Voorhees
- ally ofSister Annamaria Roccaro
- enemy ofMadame Guderiancaptures him with mind-grip, though not hostile in tone
- ally ofMadame Guderian
- enemy ofFelice LandryClaude distrusts her as a menace
- friend ofMadame Guderian
- partner ofMadame GuderianBickering couple implied by their quarrel and Claude's concern; not stated outright
- enemy ofAiken Drum
- enemy ofNodonn
Key moments
- Book 1 · Ch 8Death of Genevieve Logan
Genevieve dies at the Hospice. Sister Roccaro gives last rites, and Claude turns off the machines and holds her hand until she is cold.
- Book 1 · Ch 8Annamaria reveals her plan; Claude offers to join her
On Mount Hood, Annamaria says she is leaving the order for Exile. Claude, healed of his grief, insists on accompanying her as protector, and she accepts.
- Book 1 · Ch 16Claude prepares for survival training day
Claude wakes at the auberge, enjoys its luxuries, dresses in his chosen gate kit, packs Gen's box, and reviews the second day's survival-training program.
- Book 1 · Ch 19Last night terrace talk
After the last supper, Group Green's members discuss metapsychic powers, Pliocene coal and plans, Felice's unhappiness, and Aiken's Connecticut Yankee costume as a storm gathers over Lyon.
- Book 1 · Ch 20Second group translated into Exile
Aiken gets the device's diagram, then he, Claude, Annamaria and Elizabeth are translated. They arrive in a bright green-and-blue place and are helped out of the gate.
- Book 1 · Ch 26Claude imprisoned in the people pen
Claude, realizing he was tricked, explores the compound, meets Basil, observes the other prisoners and the chalicotheres, and finds Richard catatonic.
- Book 1 · Ch 26Felice and Amerie join; Richard treated
Felice and Amerie are brought in, learn of the collars, share news of Epone and the broodmare fate, and Amerie drugs the catatonic Richard.
- Book 1 · Ch 26Caravan prepares to depart
Waldemar briefs prisoners on the journey to Finiah, chalikos are saddled with ankle chains, and Elizabeth bids Claude farewell before the portcullis is raised.
- Book 1 · Ch 26Prisoners ride out through the barbican
A file of ten riders, including prisoners, enters the barbican passage. Bryan waves to Claude, who silently wishes him luck finding Mercy, then returns to the dormitory to help with Richard.
- Book 1 · Ch 29Richard wakes in the caravan
Drugged and hungover, Richard wakes on a chaliko riding north toward Finiah, and Claude explains the Tanu, the guards and the fate of the missing Greenies.
- Book 1 · Ch 29Rest stop and escape plan
At a fort, Felice, Amerie and Claude ask Richard to find the Pliocene polestar to support their escape plan. Richard grudgingly agrees.
- Book 1 · Ch 31Arrival at the sleeping-stop fort
The caravan reaches a palisaded fort; Waldemar announces a rest until sunset, Amerie is asked to say Mass, and Epone takes Dougal away.
- Book 1 · Ch 33Felice outlines the escape plan
Felice wakes Claude and Richard, forces Richard to cooperate, and reveals the hidden golden dagger she will use.
- Book 1 · Ch 35Escape by lake
The freed prisoners split: most sail south with Basil toward the Jura, while Group Green's remnant sails east, then hides among marshy islands from Tanu catboats.
- Book 1 · Ch 35Yosh parts ways
Yosh refuses to join either party, gives the Green group tools and a bow, and stays to deal with Tat's body before heading north alone.
- Book 1 · Ch 35Trek into the highlands
The Green group lands in a swamp, passes a rhino herd, crosses the fort trail and climbs a ridge, where they camp and Felice spots the distant fort's fires.
- Book 1 · Ch 37Sabertooth encounter
While resting in a stream pool, the group is approached by a sabertooth; Felice mentally calms it and it withdraws.
- Book 1 · Ch 37Amerie nearly drowns
Crossing the decamole bridge, Amerie's leg spasms and she falls into rapids. Felice rescues her, Claude revives her, and her arm is found broken.
- Book 1 · Ch 37Camp dispute and Claude's burial
Richard rejects Felice's torc plan and declares he will go north. Claude walks off and buries Gen's ashes at a spring, and befriends a small cat.
- Book 1 · Ch 37Camp vanishes; Claude taken by Angélique
Claude returns to find the cabins and companions gone, follows a trail marked by a green feather, and is mentally compelled into the camp of Angélique Guderian.
- Book 1 · Ch 39Refuge in the Tree
Madame Guderian shelters Group Green's remnant with the Lowlives in the giant sequoia, explaining Firvulag help, torcs, and the exotics' nature, and proposes they join her plan.
- Book 1 · Ch 39Iron discovery
After Claude recounts Epone's death, Burke and Madame test the dagger theory; the group resolves to smelt iron weapons and try iron chisels on gray torcs.
- Book 1 · Ch 39Claude identifies the Ship's Grave
Claude reasons from geography that the Ries crater in the Swabian Jura region is the Ship's Grave, sparking celebration among the Lowlife.
- Book 1 · Ch 39Expedition chosen
Madame decides a seven-person party must set out immediately to find the Grave, leaving Amerie behind to heal the people.
- Book 1 · Ch 39Fitharn advises seeing the King
Fitharn offers Firvulag help for finding the Danube on the way to the Ship's Grave, saying the expedition must first visit the King.
- Book 1 · Ch 40Audience with the Lowlife expedition
Yeochee receives Madame Guderian's party. She presents Claude's identification of the Ship's Grave and plans to retrieve the Spear and a flyer to attack Finiah. Yeochee approves and writes a note ordering Sugoll to guide them.
- Book 1 · Ch 41Party splits
Madame Guderian decides Fitharn will take the wounded Burke back to Amerie while the others, including Martha, continue toward Sugoll and the Danube.
- Book 1 · Ch 41Madame Guderian tells her story
Hiding by the Rhine, Madame explains human collaborators and recounts her midnight trip to the Pliocene, finding it enslaved by Tanu.
- Book 1 · Ch 41Party heads for the river
After Madame's tale, dusk falls and Felice urges crossing the Rhine before moonrise; Claude and Madame climb down to the water.
- Book 1 · Ch 42Crossing the Fungus Forest
The five travelers spend eight days through the fungus-filled Black Forest, then emerge with relief into a sunny alpine meadow with a tarn.
- Book 1 · Ch 42Signal exchange with Sugoll
Flashes from the Feldberg slope are the interrogation signal; Madame answers with the mirror code Fitharn taught, and Sugoll's people reply, so the party may proceed to meet him.
- Book 1 · Ch 43Meeting with Sugoll
Led by the Bogle to an alpine meadow, the travelers are overwhelmed by the Howling Ones' mental projections, and meet Sugoll, who delivers his challenge by revealing and hiding his true form.
- Book 1 · Ch 43Claude explains the mutations
Claude identifies radiation from nivenite and radioactive springs as the cause of the Howling Ones' deformities and offers genetic advice, deeply moving Sugoll.
- Book 1 · Ch 45Rama's gift of fruit
A wild rama leaves two fruits near the camp; Claude trades her salmon, and she takes it away to her family.
- Book 1 · Ch 45Arrival at the Ries crater
After a hot trek, with Martha hemorrhaging and carried on a litter, the party reaches the pass and sees the crater rim, confirming Richard's navigation.
- Book 1 · Ch 45Lugonn's tomb and the Spear
The party finds Lugonn's skeleton without a torc; Felice rages and is subdued, then they recover the Spear and powerpack and move to Number Four Aircraft.
- Book 1 · Ch 46Planning the Finiah raid
Around the campfire the group discusses the flyer, the Spear and the air raid on Finiah. Madame overrules Claude's objection and insists on providing a metapsychic screen; Claude will fire the Spear.
- Book 1 · Ch 47Madame returns with the Spear
After a day of watching circling raptors, Amerie spots the high aircraft; it lands at Hidden Springs after dark, and villagers hide it with nets. Madame announces they have brought the Spear, and the bleeding Martha is rushed to Amerie.
- Book 1 · Ch 48Felice left behind
Claude refuses to take Felice on the flyer, promising to fetch her later; she flees in tears to Madame's cottage.
- Book 1 · Ch 48Strike on Finiah and the mine
The flyer hovers over Finiah; Claude breaches the wall and blasts the mine into a lava eruption while the Flying Hunt attacks with ball lightning.
- Book 1 · Ch 48Crash and rescue
The injured crew crash-land; Felice carries Claude out and Amerie assures him they will recover.
- Book 1 · Ch 49Invasion of Finiah
Claude's photon blasts breach the Rhineside wall; Lowlives and Firvulag storm into Finiah, where Firvulag champions rout the garrison and the invaders spread into the city.
- Book 2 · Ch 18Farewell supper and planning
On the eve of departure the eleven expedition members and Kawai dine at Madame's table, quarrel over who should go, and agree to bring the dead Spear south for Aiken Drum to recharge.
- Book 2 · Ch 20Disguised party arrives at the Roniah Fair
The Lowlife conspirators, disguised as Finiah refugees, sign into a campground at Roniah. Felice briefly reveals her coercive power as Lady Phyllis-Morigel. They get a secluded site on high ground.
- Book 2 · Ch 20Council of war at the campfire
The party plans to send the torc-factory strike-force to Muriah by riverboat. Claude's alternative plan changes the time-gate action. They agree to try contacting Aiken Drum by farspeech through Elizabeth.
- Book 2 · Ch 21Amber message prepared
Angélique and Claude seal a signed warning to close the time-gate inside split amber, ready to transmit at noon.
- Book 2 · Ch 21Wedding of Claude and Angélique
At night Amerie conducts a marriage service before the old pair go into hiding.
- Book 2 · Ch 29Nodonn's compact
Nodonn confronts Claude and Angélique in a mental vision, revealing he wants them to close the time-gate visibly so the Tanu will blame them; they accept, defiant.
- Book 2 · Ch 29Claude and Angélique close the time-gate
Under invisibility, the two run to the gate and jump into the tau-field, linked by hands. The field reverses and they vanish, closing the gate while Aiken flies back too late.