Louis Gridley Wu is the second of two children born to Carlos Wu and Sharrol Janss. Born a "Flatlander", Louis is best known among his friends for inventing the "Sabbatical" — going off alone in a spaceship outside the boundaries of known space until one can tolerate human company again. Other accomplishments: discovering the Trinoc, winning for humanity the "Quantum II Hyperdrive," capable of moving a spaceship one light-year in 1.25 minutes, saving the Ringworld, and being the only hominid to become a Protector and return to normal afterward.