1. Garn (I have no last name because I’m an orphan, but even if this weren’t the case, people are registered in the City archives from birth so that no name is ever repeated. Therefore, last names aren’t required.)2
2. I don’t know where I was born because I don’t remember the first 8 years of my life, but when I was found unconscious in front of the orphanage, a mech determined my age. Therefore, I’m now 23. 3
3. I never knew my parents. They could still be alive for all I know, but I doubt it. What kind of parent would completely abandon their child for no particular reason?4
4. As far as I’m aware, I have no siblings.5
5. I live alone in a two-storey house. It looks reasonably unremarkable from the outside because I don’t want anyone to know where I live. I don’t use the front door for this reason; I usually use a hatch in the roof. I don’t have much unnecessary furniture, though I do have a few analogue clocks around the house (I try to use very little technology because computers make me somewhat uneasy and machines are easily tracked) and a good selection of books. There’s a large, polished space near the front door that I like to slide around in my socks on when I’m bored. But I spend only some of my time in my house because I go on a lot of missions that usually take months.6
6. I’m a spy; I work for the City. My missions require me to leave the City and go to the Outside in order to impersonate an Outsider. Often, the objectives include: 7
- Simply finding a gang and running with them for a time, watching and listening if any of them plan on trying to get into the City.8
- Killing an Outsider or Outsiders that are causing trouble for the Insiders.9
- Finding any plans, stolen items, etc. and returning them to the City.10
7. I’m quite tall; a little over six foot. I have reasonably short dark-blonde hair and grey eyes. I’m broad-shouldered and fit because of my occupation, though I’m not half as bulky as some of the other spies such as Casanna. While all other Insiders have marked palms to indicate that they’re not from the Outside, I don’t have a mark. This might be due to my secret, which I’m sure will come up later. Since I don’t have a mark, I wear a long necklace with the symbol on it at all times. The symbol appears to be the letter ‘I’ with a circle behind it. When I’m working on the Outside I wear very ragged clothing, but when I’m in the City I usually wear plain, dark clothing.11
8. I’m not royalty or anything, but I’m quite upper-class due to my reputation as a spy and the high income I earn from the job.12
9. I have no allergies, diseases or other weaknesses. There are some chemicals that are more potent to me than they are to normal people, and some vice-versa. Before we go any further, I should probably explain my secret. You see, I can alter my molecular structure at will and turn into the form of a bird-like creature made of a similar substance to ice (in appearance—I don’t melt.) When I change into my bird form, all of my wounds heal. But if I’m in my bird form and I get hurt, I really do get hurt. Is that a weakness?13
10. I’m right-handed.14
11. My voice is low and confident, self-assured. I don’t usually speak particularly loudly, but not softly either. The tone is sort of smooth and reassuring. 15
12. Phrases I use often are, ‘Damn it’, ‘Yeah,’ and weirdly enough, ‘Are you alright?’16
13. I have nothing in my pockets. I’m a casual person, but I still like to be efficient and un-cluttered.17
14. Since I was a little boy, I taught myself how to move silently just so that I could sneak up on people. I also like to travel via the rooftops because it’s such a convenient vantage point. I just do random things like that. I don’t take myself as seriously as some of the other spies, though when I have to do my job, I still do it very well.18
PART 2: Growing Up19
15. Generally, the parts of my childhood I remember were… pretty friggin hard. All the male orphans of the City are compulsorily trained as soldiers. When my skill for this work became apparent, along with the absence of my Insider mark, I was immediately transferred into Spying. At the age of about ten I was put into a class full of young men. Needless to say, few approved of this. But I worked incredibly hard; pushing myself to exhaustion in order to keep up with the others. I spent a lot of time in the mountains with my class, learning to live on the poisoned land and gain the same endurance as the Outsiders would. By the time I was fifteen, I was one of very few to graduate and become an Apprentice Spy. And after my first mission I was given a medal and raised to Full Spy immediately.20
16. My earliest memory is when I woke up in the orphanage. I was alone, I had no idea who or where I was, and everything was quiet except for the dripping of a tap nearby and the muffled voices of children. Terrified, I stalked the halls until I found a nurse, put a small knife to her throat (I found it in the lining of my shoe) and demanded to know what was going on. When I understood, I calmly went back to bed. I wasn’t actually going to hurt her… At least, I think I wasn’t. I hope not.21
17. I was given minimal schooling because I was busy learning how to be a soldier, though somehow I already knew a lot anyway. I must have been busy during that blank first eight years of my life.22
18. I think I enjoyed the camaraderie of my school life and I got on ok with the other boys. Things got more serious when I became a spy; then there was only the rare occasion where I would feel so alone that I would cry and curse myself for it, but for the rest of those memories I only remember determination, concentration, and so much exhaustion that I felt very little emotion. I never cried again after I turned twelve. 23
19. I learned all of my skills during my years training as a spy.24
20. Casanna became a spy when he was young, too. He was one of my teachers, and the last one to approve of me. Once he did approve, there was a mutual respect between us and we became good friends in spite of a 28 year age difference. He was always a smooth talker, but he worked me harder than anyone else. If I had become his Apprentice, I know he would have been very strict.25
21. I had no family to get along with as I grew up, but I had a few friends wherever I went.26
22. As a child, my one ambition was to be a spy. It was what everyone expected of me, and I was so good at it that no other option occurred to me.27
23. Admittedly, I liked to play light-hearted tricks on people as a boy. I did read a little, but most of the time I was busy focusing on becoming good at being a soldier, and later being a spy.28
24. I guess you could say I was spirited, but I also worked really hard. Casanna always considered me to be ‘calculating’ because I was always thinking and making sure I knew exactly what was going on at all times. Determined would be a good word to describe me.29
25. I was quite popular, but my strange past often distanced me from the other boys. I think I was always a little different to them anyway. I had a whole group of friends. They were all pretty mischievous too and out to have a good time.30
26. I’ve never kissed anyone. The boys were separated from the girls at the orphanage, and there are no female soldiers. I don’t socialise much these days either.31
27. I’m a virgin too, obviously. I guess love has never really been high on my list of priorities, though women I don’t know do occasionally notice me. I’m just too busy with other things to go looking for romance.32
28. As I said, I can turn into a bird-like creature. In spite of losing my memory, I somehow knew myself and knew that I had to keep this a secret.33
29. I think the event that most dramatically changed my life was when I was transferred into spying.34
30. I don’t think people have influenced me much; I do what I think is right. Though I suppose Casanna was a bit of a role model.35
31. I think my greatest achievement was when I got Avalia to the City with me. It was hard, but we made it. Somehow, I managed to keep her alive in spite of the fact that we had to dive through the acid clouds twice and Sasher stabbed her in the shoulder. Huh. I kind of forgot how much happened on that little adventure.36
32. My greatest regret is from my first mission. It was a simple mission; there was suspicion that a gang was planning on trying to get into the City. My Master and my job was to find out if this was true and then, if so, stop them from doing it. By ‘stop’ I mean disperse or dispatch. ‘Disperse or Dispatch’ was the rule I was always taught. If you couldn’t sabotage their efforts, you had to kill them. I had to kill them. 37
My Master and I had been found out as spies anyway though so we had to do something. When I saw that he was about to get killed, I took the initiative and, well, dispatched. I’d grown close to a man called Kendro out of all of these 30 or so people and I couldn’t bring myself to kill him as well. I knocked him out, waded through the bodies and found my Master who was also unconscious, then flew us both back to the City. When my Master woke, we were just outside the walls and I had made camp at the base of the mountains. I let him believe I’d merely dragged him there and we walked back to City together. 38
Kendro was the only man I let live. And when I got back to the City, they promoted me and gave me a goddamn medal.39
33. The most evil thing I’ve ever done is the same as above. Killing about 30 people when I could have just escaped.40
34. I have no criminal record.41
35. The time I was most frightened would have to be the moment I dropped Avi when we were flying above the clouds, before I dove down and wrapped my wings around her so that she wouldn’t be burned on our way back through the toxicity. 42
36. The most embarrassing thing that ever happened to me… was on my first day as a trainee spy. The moment I walked into the room, everyone stared at me. I was ten years old, and they were all adults. I felt very small.43
37. If I could change one thing about my past I would be sure that I could remember it, because deep down, what I really want is to figure out what the hell I am.44
38. My best memory was when I’d just come out of the healing chambers and Avi came in. It was so good to see her after all we’d been through to get here, and I was also just really happy to be home.45
39. My worst memory is when I killed a whole gang of Outsiders. Is it getting repetitive in here?
46PART 4: Beliefs and Opinions47
40. I’m basically optimistic.48
41. My greatest fear is my past, which is ironic because I want to know so much about it. Though I also get pretty wary when mechs are around. I’ve seen too many go nuts and start killing people.49
42. I have no idea what I believe in. I think there probably is a God, because the world couldn’t have come from nothing, and there are many other logical arguments for the idea. But how we’re supposed to know everything about this god and exactly what their name is, etc, I don’t know. 50
43. The politicians of the City are all pretty power-hungry and corrupt. I’m glad Duvavi stepped down so that Avi could take the throne. But even when Duvavi was in power, the fact was, he kept the City going fine. If he can do that, he’s fine by me. But he’s a bastard to Avi, so he’s not actually fine by me.51
44. My views on sex? You want a child, you have sex. That’s all there really is to it.52
45. I have killed many times, when necessary. It’s only acceptable if it’s totally necessary. They have to be trying to stop me from doing something important, like staying alive. Admittedly, I can’t imagine myself ever killing an Insider though.53
46. The most evil thing any human being could do is… to needlessly harm other people. That’s disgusting.54
47. I’m too busy living to think about love. If it happens, it happens. If it doesn’t, get over it.55
48. A successful life is one that lasts.56
49. As a spy, I generally lie for a living. But when I’m in the City I can quite easily be myself. I may not know who I was, but I at least know who I am right now.57
50. I believe that the Outsiders deserve to be on the Outside. It’s the only way to maintain order. There has to be leadership, and if the people in control are stupid, you just have to make the best of it because no one’s going to do a perfect job.58
51. I would never kill an innocent Insider. Unless they’re trying to hurt Avi, I guess. Alright, I have a new answer: Something I would absolutely refuse to do under any circumstances is let harm come to Avi. Because…. Actually, I have no idea why. I just don’t think she deserves to ever get hurt in any way.59
52. I would die for Avalia. …Huh. That’s weird. 60
PART 5: Relationships with Others61
53. I treat others with respect, even when they don’t deserve it. If they’re an Outsider, I’m wary of them though. They’d kill me for any reason at all. I’m very loyal to people once I get to know them better though. I find it easy to talk to people unless I can’t trust them.62
54. The most important person in my life? I don’t really have anyone who… Well, I guess I wouldn’t be happy if Avi died. We just got really close really quickly. We understand each other.63
55. I respect Logan because of his high status in spite of being so young. I respect Casanna because of his strength and wisdom. I respect Avi because in spite of everything, all her fears and worries, she just keeps going. I don’t know how she does it.64
56. I consider most people I meet to immediately be a distant friend. But I guess, in rank from least important to most important, my friends are Jonn, Logan, Casanna and Avi. Avalia is kind of sensitive for someone who was raised by Outsiders, but she has a determination that keeps her going no matter what horrible mind-blowing twists occur in her life. She always knows what I’m thinking and I can trust her to automatically help me when I need it. Logan is kind of distant and emotionless, but he’s a good person, and he does the right thing. Jonn is an amiable fellow; he’s close friends with Logan but I met him when he was escorting me to a mission once. He’s a good guy; really friendly. I’ve already described Casanna above.65
57. I have no spouse or significant other.66
58. I have never been in love.67
59. I don’t really look for love, either.68
60. Needless to say, I am not very close to my family, considering I have no memory of them.69
61. A family? Me? I don’t know. The thought’s never occurred to me. I guess it would be kind of cool to have some little person to take care of and teach things to. I can sort of imagine it… But I’m not sure if I could live such a quiet life. 70
62. If I were in desperate need of help, I would turn to Casanna. I wouldn’t want to pull Avi into it and I don’t know Jonn or Logan well enough.71
63. I trust Casanna, Avi, and even Logan to protect me. But this answer might change depending on what they’d be protecting me from.72
64. If I died or went missing, I think Avi would miss me. She seems to like having me around, so… Casanna might be a little sad, but we don’t see each other enough for him to miss me; one of us is always on a mission.73
65. The person I despise the most is an albino guy called Quintan. He was the idiot who locked me up when Avi and I got to the City. He had me tortured and though I was telling the truth, he wouldn’t listen. He also didn’t follow protocol when taking me into the City in the first place. He was an absolute idiot. 74
66. I don’t ever really feel the need to argue with people. If they were doing something wrong, I would speak up though.75
67. I don’t think I’m that much of a leader. I can do it if I have to, but I usually just like to get given my orders and carry them out quickly and efficiently. 76
68. I don’t really care who I interact with. I guess I’d prefer a smaller group of people because then it’s quieter.77
69. I don’t care what other people think of me. I just do what I have to do.78
PART 6: Likes and Dislikes79
70. My favourite hobby is reading. When I have the time, that’s what I do.80
71. I don’t have a most treasured possession. I like to have few belongings.81
72. My favourite colour is… a dark blue.82
73. I like all food.83
74. I like to read about our history. The War that destroyed the planet and how everything go to be this way. Precisely what happened before the war is a mystery.84
75. Good entertainment is a good clean fight between two skilled soldiers. I haven’t had much contact with the arts. Honestly, I really haven’t had much idle time to waste; my life is busy enough.85
76. I don’t smoke, drink or use drugs.86
77. If I’m on the Outside a typical Saturday night is spent around a campfire, talking, or sleeping. On the Inside, I usually spend my Saturday nights watching TV and relaxing.87
78. When I can see Avi’s thought process as she figures something out, it makes me laugh. I also like to make people jump.88
79. Nothing really shocks me; I can’t imagine anyone weirder than myself.89
80. If I had insomnia and had to fond something to amuse myself, I’d read.90
81. When I’m stressed, I do something about it.91
82. I like to plan things.92
83. I don’t like it when Outsiders try to splash poisonous water on me. It’s a slight tingle for them, but it’s searing pain for me.93
84. I don’t really have a routine of a normal day. I do what needs to be done when it needs to be done.94
85. I think my determination is my greatest strength, and perhaps my fast thinking.95
86. When I’m fighting, I lose a lot of my compassion; all that matters is staying alive.96
87. If I could change one thing about myself, I think I’d like to be normal. No messed-up past to mess up my future. I wonder what my life would have been like if I was just born like everyone else and was left to my own devices to decide what I wanted to do with my life.97
88. I’m a bit of both: extroverted and introverted.98
89. I’m generally organised.99
90. I’m good at fighting, flying and thinking logically. I’m bad at being imaginative, playing musical instruments (I’ve never done it so I expect I’d be terrible) and art.100
91. I don’t hate myself. But I’m not in love with myself. I don’t really think it matters; I’ve got this life to lead, so I’m going to do just that.101
92. I’m good at being a spy. I do what I have to do.102
93. I want to learn about what happened in the first eight years of my life.103
94. In five years I see myself doing the same thing I’m doing now.104
95. Dying in my sleep at the age of 100 would be great, thanks.105
96. If I were going to die in 24 hours, I would have as much fun as possible, write a Will, and then fly into the sky above the City until everyone noticed me. Before they could shoot me down, I’d land somewhere in full view of many people and turn back into my human form. Then, if I scheduled things correctly, I would die.106
97. I don’t need anyone to remember me.107
98. Three words that describe my personality are: Self-assured, calculating and spirited.108
99. Others would probably describe me as ‘Alert,’ ‘Calm’, and ‘Somewhat mischievous’. 109
100. What I would say to my parents if I ever met them again: “Why did you do this to me? Why did you leave me with no answers and no way to get them? I was a kid, and I grew up all alone. I know you can’t do anything about that now, but if you ever have another kid, don’t do that again. You messed this one right up. Also, I think I was born human, and if so, I’m pretty sure you had something to do with giving me the power to turn into a bird-thing. Was it you, or did you just give me away to someone else who wanted to mess with my molecular structure? The trouble is that now, I’ll never see you as my parents because you never were my parents. Don’t expect me to be sympathetic.”110
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