Originally before his Unwanted departure Ryland is a middle school science teacher whose theories about extraterrestrial life and unconventional biochemistry ostracized him from academia. Despite his scientific brilliance, he is hesitant and unsure of himself, often choosing safety and comfort over risk and confrontation. His life changes dramatically when Eva Stratt forcibly recruits him to solve Earth’s existential Astrophage crisis, depriving him of all personal autonomy as she sends him into space against his will. Over the course of his journey, Ryland evolves dramatically from a timid, resentful individual into a courageous, resourceful hero who willingly sacrifices his own chance at returning to Earth to save his friend Rocky and, ultimately, two civilizations. His growing bond with Rocky, an alien from the planet Erid, profoundly changes his perspective, illustrating his capacity for empathy, bravery, and resilience. Ryland decides to stay on Rocky’s home planet, Erid, having found friendship, community, and purpose there and Having sent his work to Earth.

Rocky is an intelligent alien from the planet Erid, who pilots the Eridian spacecraft Blip-A. Rocky’s species breathes ammonia, lives under extreme atmospheric pressures, perceives the world through echolocation, and communicates through harmonic tones. Despite significant biological and cultural differences, Rocky forms a deep bond with Ryland. Initially appearing simply as a curious and capable engineer, Rocky’s personality gradually reveals humor, loyalty, and deep emotional insight. His friendship with Ryland in life-threatening challenges Rocky’s willingness to risk his own life for Ryland demonstrates compassion, suggesting the universal nature of selflessness and friendship. Rocky also look like a rock shaped crab with all of his limbs touching thr ground He only calls Ryland, Grace as that was what Ryland could remember at that time

To earn his freedom, Simon agrees to a suicide mission for the C.O.I. He is placed inside the Iron Lung SM-13 to navigate an uncharted ocean of blood on the moon AT-5. Because the submarine's main porthole is completely welded shut, Simon has no direct line of sight to the outside. He is forced to navigate by taking intermittent photographs using a crude, high-frequency camera, while communicating only intermittently with his surface handler over a radio.Before the events of the story,. Simon was a member of a doomsday cult called the Sons of Eden. He was imprisoned and branded a criminal by the governing body—the Consolidation of Iron (C.O.I.)—after he was involved in the destruction and breach of Filament Station.