Jens Larssen

From Turtledove

Jens Larssen (d. 1944) was a nuclear physicist working on the development of an atomic bomb with the University of Chicago's Metallurgical Laboratory at the time of the invasion of the Race's Conquest Fleet. He was witness to the "High altitude bombing" on the University campus.

Jens was sent on a mission to Washington, DC to request help against the incoming troops of the Race advancing on Chicago. He had to cross Lizard- held territory on his way back and was held up, by, among other things General George Patton's counter-attack against the Lizards. When he went missing, his wife, Barbara began a relationship with Sam Yeager. They married and became pregnant in short order.

Larssen eventually found his way to Denver, the Metallurgical team's new home. He was reunited with Barbara, but only briefly and tragically, learning of her new husband, and the fact that Barabara was pregnant. Embittered, Larssen grew more unproductive and vindictive. Although the project supervisor, General Leslie Groves, attempted to assauge Larssen's anger by sending him on various scouting missions, including a lengthy trip to Washington, Larssen felt unappreciated by his country. Murdering his bodyguard Oscar, Larssen attempted to defect to the Lizard forces advancing on Denver, but was intercepted and killed by Rance Auerbach's unit.