Who is Keepiru from Startide Rising and what is their importance? Startide_Rising English & Literature Keepiru | Startide Rising

A neo-dolphin, native of the new and rustic planet Atlast, Keepiru serves as First Pilot of the exploration vessel Streaker. Nicknamed Wormhole-Pilot, Keepiru is gray with a phosphorescent sheen and needle-like teeth. His voice is like a bassoon. Young Midshipman Toshio Iwashika, whom Keepiru picks on constantly, considers him mean. Keepiru slurs his Anglic language, always sounding like he is giving raspberries. When Toshio is nearly drowned by an aggressive weed, Keepiru rescues him at risk to his own life, but afterwards resumes his taunts.