I was surprised by the number of emails I received about this series so far, considering at the time I first wrote up this FAQ page only the first story had been released. I noted in the emails I received that I was being asked the same questions continually and so decided to make this page to both answer and explain the events in the story without giving away the ending of the series.
I. Series Overview
That Which We Hold Dear (Prequel. Orignially not intended
for the Revenant series but incorporated into it's story line.)
Forsaken (Prequel. Orignially not intended for the Revenant series
but incorporated into it's story line.)
Series:
1: Revenant- Completed and posted. Summary: A Taelon experiment goes awry
with deadly consequences.
2: War Child- Completed and posted Summary: Rising tensions between
the Companions and the Liberation reveal the
return of an old enemy.
3: Assurances of Deceit- Completed Summary: Political machinations
ensue over Revenant's affiliations, but whose side is
he really on?
4: Double Blind-Completed Summary: Someone is pitting the Companion
and Liberation against one another as a new faction
arises amongst the Companions.
5: The Watchmen- In Progress Summary: Liam is accused of murder
and it is up to Revenant to discover the truth before a deadly
assassination can be carried out.
6: Heartland-Outlined Summary: A recovering William Boone returns
home to visit his sister, discovering a few things about friends
and family along the way.
7: Dance with the Devil (tentative title)-Outlined Summary: Revenant
faces the Jaridians in battle but betrayal by the Taelons brings
questions.
8: He Who Holds the Lightining Rod (tentative title)-Outlined
Summary: A series of suspicious attacks on Companion interests prompts
Liam and Cael to investigate, but the answer may destroy the balance of power
in the Synod.
9: Morpheus Flux (S2 ender)-Completed. Summary: Sandoval has an unsettling encoutner with Revenant.
(possible) 10. Emanations of Abraxis (tentative title)-Outlined
II. Characters
Revenant
Alias: William Laisren, William Boone, Alpha, Billy Patrick,
William Alphus Patrick Note: (For those who have asked) Laisren
is pronounced Lossren and is a derivitive name of Lazarus. Essentially this
name means "protector who has returned"
Physical notes: Revenant is a human-taelon hybrid, though the
Taelon DNA is of such small percentage as to be noticeable in a standard
DNA scan. In appearance Revenant looks identical to William Boone, an unintended
result of the the genetic engineering. This engineering made Revenant stronger,
faster, more intelligent and resistant to abuse than most humans (with out
the use of his CVI). Born with the Bellator CVI increased these ablities
even further and has given hm several advantages over other implants, such
as the ability to consiously block out physical pain.
Skrill: Revenant's skrill, named Aurora, is a gamma series skrill
that has been attached to him since Phase Three training (the equivalent
of approximately twenty years of symbiosis). This has led to an unusual rapport
between the two. The skrill is extremely compliant and Revenant has an unusual
level of proficiency with the creature.
Personality: A ruthless implant Revenant had little understanding
of human interaction outside of his sibling training group until his first
operation. He quickly realized that he seemed to be out of place
and studied those around him to learn how to behave as they did. Unfortunately
it was merely an act. He could pretend to be like the humans around him,
but had little understanding of what their actions ment. Cael O'Bannon quickly
changed that giving his friendship to the implant without hesitation. This
friendship and the reawakening of Boone's memories has softened the implants
somewhat harsh attitude.
Agent Cael O'Bannon
Alias: Cu (pronounced Coo, irish for dog) Note:
Cael is pronounced Kale. Cael O'Bannon's full name rougly means "victory
of the people of sorrows"
Physical appearance: Cael is an average looking male with snow
white blond hair and blue eyes. Numerous tatoos (primarily celtic and tribal)
adorn his arms and torso, though he has a blacklight tatoo on his face of
celtic design. A genius before his implantation, Cael continued his
schooling on the street.
Skrill: Gamma series Cael has named Fiann.
Personality: Cael was a schemer on the street as a means of
survival. This coupled with his willingness to kill any who stood in his
way made it possible for him to survive the street. Ironically, Cael has
a strong, if sometimes twisted, sense of justice and fairness. Since
meeting Revenant he has dropped his drug and alcohol use even thought the
implant never asked him to do so. A devoted supporter of the Taelons,
Cael lept at the chance to join their service and is fanatically loyal to
them. Recent events have shaken his faith in them so Cael follows Revenant's
lead much of the time.
Agent Tomas Gallager
Physical appearance: an average male with brown hair and eyes
and pale skin. He possess one of those "face in the crowd" people who are
easily forgettable.
Skrill: Gamma series
Personality: A deeply spiritual and peaceful man, Gallager changed
after his implantation beoming cold and calculating. The death of both William
Boone and Siobhan Beckett made Gallager even more fanatical to the Taelons
in repsect for their memories. When Gallager discovered the truth about
the Revenant, he instantly requested and received permission to join
the CERT. Gallager has since readjusted his loyalties to match the goals
of the CERT.
Dr. Anne Xiang
Physical appearance: A short amer-asian woman with dark hair
and blue eyes.
Peronslaity: Dr. Xiang is a dedicated medical doctor and genticist
who was assigned reproductive services at a Taelon clinic before meeting
her somewhat enigmatic lab assistant, William Patrick. With his help she
improved several breakthrough procedures combining Taelon technology and
gene therapy. The false accusation of Xiang using Taelon DNA in her project
ousted her from her position but she quickly found herself working for William
Laisren. Anne is fanatically loyal to her new work.
Te'ul
Te'ul was assigned to work with Doctor Ezram Abraham on his Bellator Project and was present much through out Revenant's early life. Te'ul quickly became suspicious of Abraham's success with the project after the hybrids began to take on unexpected personality traits and numerous simulations and attempts to repeat the process all failed to reproduce the same result. Te'ul was removed fromt he project after an experiment killed one of the Bellator clones, a move that made the Taelon bitter towards the single clone to testify against him, Alpha. Te'ul soon sided with Sral'al over the issue of human-taelon hybrids, but has recently begun to question his own actions.
Sral'al
A ranking member of the Synod, Sral'al has called for the elimination of all taelon-human hybrids on the grounds that they are making the Taelon race impure. Sral'al has garnered much attention and support from the Synod members who fear Revenant and the CERT.
Minor Recurring Characters
Mac Thorvald- second leader for the Front fot the Liberation of Earth
Natasha Segerova- former head of the Minsk Resistance, allied with Revenant
III. Technology
Bellator CVI, Generation 1- The first generation Bellator CVI was implanted
only in the clones of the Bellator project. Several unique features are found
within the B-CVIs. The CVI is grown within in the clones as they mature,
making the device bond at the cellular level. Due to this bond and the altered
genetic makeup of the implants they CVIs, in theory, do not degrade.
Of special note is the fact that the B-CVI is in fact comprised of
two separate sections. The Primary CVI (P-CVI) and the Spinal CVI (S-CVI).
The P-CVI is in many respects simply an updated version of the standard CVI
found in most implant.
The full potential of the new P-CVI is not yet known but so far the
P-CVI is noted for being roughly twice as effecient as the standard CVI,
doesn't degrade, and it's motivational imperative has been altered so the
implants' primary concern is the destruction of the Jaridians and serving
the best interest of both Humanity and the Taelons.
Where as the P-CVI was created to increase mental abilities, the S-CVI
was specifically designed to create physical capabilites. The S-CVI literally
interweaves itself into the implants body, merging with the nervous system
to increase strength, reflexes and endurance. Designed specifically
for the Bellator clones unique DNA, the S-CVI grows and changes over time
becoming more integrated into the clones physical makeup.
But this has led to an unexpected result in Revenant.The S-CVI's
reacted unexpectedly with the Taelon DNA, activating the dormant genes.The
S-CVI completely bonded into Revenant's physical make up to the point that
every time the S-CVI is required to assist in repairing injuries the S-CVI
grows at an alrming rate increasing the implatns abilities with each ne
progression. These new progressions are often painful and has led to instability
within Revenant's P-CVI, which usually requires a couple of days of
adjustment.
This adjust does come at a cost. The more the CVI grows, the
more likely more Taelon-like characteristics arise. Namely, this is the
biolumiscent strands that appear at previous injury points. The first of
these points is at the back implant's head and along his spine where the
original implantation occured.
Bellator CVI, Generation 2- The second generation B-CVIs were developed with
the intended use in humans. Possessing nearly the same abilities as the first
generation the CVI is less efficient but still an improvement over the standard
CVIs. The S-CVI is not nearly as invasive but still maintains its original
purpose of increasing strength and reflexes but with no Taelon DNA to build
off of the growth rate is dramatically slower.
The greatest, and most surprising, difficulty has been
getting a human to actually survive the procedure. The unexpected tendency
for humans implanted with the B-CVI 2s to become violently irrational towards
those around them as well as themselves. As yet, only Cael O'Bannon is considered
a successful B-CVI2 implant.
Special Operations "Sneak" Suit- Jaridian based camoflaging technology provide this "sneak" suit he abvility to practically disappear from sight. The problem with the suit is the amount of energy required to operate and the cellular damage inflicted on its wearer were deemed unsuitable by the Taelons for general use and the project was disbanded. All known prototypes of this equipmetn are in possession of the CERT.
IV. Terminology
Achilles Project- A project created by Sral'al in an atempt to counter act the Bellator Project.
Bellator Project- A cloning project intending to merge Taelon and human DNA to create a new breed of human Warriors to fight the Jaridians. All prior attempts had failed before the use of Boone's DNA.
Bellator clones- All the clones created in the last successful attempt of the Bellator Project. Revenant is the only clone to survive the project.
Bellator CVI- The experimental cyber-viral implant implanted into Revenant and his siblings. See the Technology for more information.
CERT-Companion Emergency Reaction Team. Pronounced: sirt. Members of the CERT call themselves Sirtis. Officially only ten teams of five persons each exist, but in actuallity the CERT has acquired its own independant military force as well as nominal support from the Volunteers.
V. Questions & Answers
1. Why did you right this story?
To be honest, I found the second season such a joke (and a poor one at that) that writing this story was the only way I actually kept any interest in the series during the really bad run of episodes the fans had to endure where each week the same theme: Someone tries to kill some one else, Taelon experiment goes awry, smirking Liam saves the day one week but conveniently forgets how to even think the next week, Maiya stalks Sandy, then bites his head off when he decides to take an interest in her, Holo-Lili (Must die!), etc. etc. Anyway I think you get the idea that I was actually relieved when the season ended. You can read my skrilling of Season 2 sometime later whenever I get around to posting it.
Anyway, back to the question. I decided to have the best of both worlds by combining Season 1's mystery, intrigue and characterisations with Season 2's more action based slant but without the silly plot holes you could pilot the Taelon homeship through. I decided bringing back Boone in a relatively unexpected way would be a good way to do this.
2. Where did you get the title from?
Orignially I thought about titling the story Lazarus, but decided that was bit cheesy given the what happened to the character of Lazarus in the series. I then remembered a fairly obscure legend about those who came back from the dead to protect an item or person (or to gain revenge, depending on which version of the legends you believe). These creatures are called Revenants. Both descriptions fit the overall story, hence the title.
3. Will we see a background story about Cael O'Bannon? Is Cael based on a real person?
There is a background story on Cael O'Bannon but rather than write it as a seperate story, I've decided to reveal more about the character as the series progresses. A good portion of Cael's story will make up the backdrop of Heartland.
Cael O'Bannon is, in fact, based on three people I know. Cael's overall back story and attitude is based upon a family friend, Matt, who was taken from us just as he got his life together. Cael's physical appearance and rebellious side is based upon two other friends, Steve and Dan.
4. Why did you make Boone evil?
While I would not classify my characterisation of Revenant(Boone) as evil, I did try to make him a bit more rough around the edges. After all Revenant was designed to a warrior for Project Earth Defense, not a protector. He did not grow up as a normal human, nor does he have the appropriate skills to interact with people given the structured, sterile enviornment he and his siblings were kept in. Also his perceptions of the world are far more skewed to a military mindset with the ultimate imperative of defeating the Jaridians. He is more willing to sacrifice lives if he believes it will help him attain his goal of defeating the Jaridians.
5. Is Revenant a psychic like Katya Patrenko?
Yes, but he did not receive his gift from the memories of Boone implanted within him but instead from the genetic alterations made to his DNA, particularly the Taelon DNA fragments combined with his human DNA and the experminental Bellator CVI. (For further explanations, read the technology section on Bellator CVIs.) Essentially, Revenant is a strong psychic, both with humans and Taelons, but doesn't know how to control it most of the time. The only part of this ability he can control and use regularly is his enhanced sixth sense.
I am trying to minimize this ability in the story so as not to be overly convenient for him to use his abilites.