Bangley’s Transformation

The Dog Stars

Bangley’s strict survival discipline gradually reveals a buried past, a capacity for attachment, and an unexpected place within a family.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The Armed Arrival The Armed Arrival from "The Dog Stars". A Survivor Takes Position Prepared for catastrophe Bangley arrives with weapons, ammunition, and equipment.

The Armed Arrival from "The Dog Stars". A Survivor Takes Position Prepared for catastrophe Bangley arrives with weapons, ammunition, and equipment.

A Survivor Takes Position Prepared for catastrophe Bangley arrives with weapons, ammunition, and equipment. He approaches the ruined world as a test of readiness and treats survival as his overriding purpose. A hard alliance He needs Hig’s piloting and reconnaissance. Their arrangement gives Bangley a partner without asking him to surrender his severe instincts.

The Code of Isolation The Code of Isolation from "The Dog Stars". Never Negotiate A tactical creed Bangley warns that negotiation invites death.

Never Negotiate A tactical creed Bangley warns that negotiation invites death. He kills intruders efficiently and expects Hig to accept the logic of preemption. Its emotional cost His creed keeps the airport defensible but makes every potential relationship appear dangerous. Hig’s resistance exposes the loneliness built into Bangley’s security.

The Farmer Revealed The Farmer Revealed from "The Dog Stars". A Buried Past The shovel in his hands Bangley unexpectedly reveals familiarity with farming and says his father was a farmer.

The Farmer Revealed from "The Dog Stars". A Buried Past The shovel in his hands Bangley unexpectedly reveals familiarity with farming and says his father was a farmer.

A Buried Past The shovel in his hands Bangley unexpectedly reveals familiarity with farming and says his father was a farmer. Hig recognizes skill that his neighbor has concealed beneath his martial identity. A history left unfinished Bangley says little about his past, but Hig senses hatred and perhaps violence in the family history. The revelation complicates the image of a man made only for combat.

The Stronghold Assault The Stronghold Assault from "The Dog Stars". Bangley Alone A daytime attack A large, organized group attacks Bangley’s house while he is working.

The Stronghold Assault from "The Dog Stars". Bangley Alone A daytime attack A large, organized group attacks Bangley’s house while he is working.

Bangley Alone A daytime attack A large, organized group attacks Bangley’s house while he is working. Wounded and outnumbered, he retreats through the building and continues fighting. Survival by endurance He hides behind Red Square and remains there badly injured until Hig returns. His toughness is not invulnerability; without his allies, the defense nearly costs him his life.

A Place in the Household A Place in the Household from "The Dog Stars". The Survivor Rejoined Care replaces combat Cima treats Bangley’s wounds while Hig helps him recover.

A Place in the Household from "The Dog Stars". The Survivor Rejoined Care replaces combat Cima treats Bangley’s wounds while Hig helps him recover.

The Survivor Rejoined Care replaces combat Cima treats Bangley’s wounds while Hig helps him recover. Bangley accepts assistance from people who had not belonged to his original two-man system. A new partnership Pops recognizes Bangley’s courage, and the two older men begin to share space and strategy. Bangley’s world expands from a defended position into a chosen family.

Soon after the collapse

During the first years at Erie

The day before Hig leaves for Grand Junction

During Hig’s absence

After Bangley recovers