Whenever I see an image of Tallid, I am reminded of a line in Dr. Johnson’s Rasselas, which says “ to swim is to fly in a grosser fluid, and to fly is to swim in a subtler”, for this is precisely what the “Reasonable fish” appears to do. He has the ability to float about in what are presumably Earth-like atmospheres as though he were moving in a liquid. He bears some relation to Kolvorok, physiologically, in that they both appear to have some inbuilt buoyancy , as Kolvorok also appears to have little weight and to be born up by some internal lighter-than-air gas, though in his case he has a neutral buoyancy and needs contact with the ground . Tallid however is of a species that can   free themselves entirely from the ground and float about like a self-controlled helium-balloon. If not of the same species, then they are probably of the same Genus or Family. This interesting villain make two appearances in the Hawke series, first in OVERLORD where he is part of Chalcedon’s coterie of villians and secondly in OVERLAND. In OVERLORD he

displays an aptitude for subtle persuasion, flattery and clear-thinking, essential skills when dealing with hotheads like Chalcedon and Doghead. He is the logical member of the gang who keeps the plans on track, but nonetheless he suffers as many insults from Chalcedon as Kolvorok gets from His excellency. Their plans finally thwarted, Tallid and Chalcedon   are led before the Executioner , who , for lack of evidence cannot execute them, but sends them to trail at the Galactic court.

Sadly , after OVERLORD we have to wait quite a while for Tallid’s next appearance, as for the next few times that we encounter Chalcedon he has a new sidekick , namely the Hood, who certainly doesn’t possess Tallid’s incisiveness and quick-thinking . We finally encounter “The reasonable fish” once more in OVERLAND. His previously whispered words to his co-conspirator at the end of OVERLORD that he had friends in high places , seemed to have had some truth in them as he now appears second-in-command of the Galactic police, Kolvorok’s old job! Even more bizarrely Chalcedon has inveigled his own way to the very top of that organization ( largely, on his own admission, by assassination of rivals).

By the end of the story , after the judge has stepped in , Kolvorok has been re-instated . Surprisingly , Chalcedon retains his own post and Tallid only suffers the mild punishment of having to take extended leave. Skipper Prossitt