Characters
Skye Maclain
Born March 8, 1959; 5’ 10”, 180 lbs.; brown, curly, unfashionably long hair, blazing hazel eyes; works for Physicians for the World (PFW) in war-torn countries and those hit by natural disasters. Dark, rugged features blend easily into most national populations, natural charisma earns a reputation with political leaders and pirate-like logistician agents alike who are descended from brigands and often still operate like them. Constantly called on to lead relief efforts in various countries as his humanitarian aid (e.g. medicines and supplies) avoids the black market and arrives at its destination. Serves on international boards; friends with Trevor Park and Peter Harvest, gives advice to Presidents and Prime Ministers and travels six months out of the year. Is Board member / officer of ENGAGE humanitarian agency professional association; is invited to USG round tables including those pursuing a vigilante avenging angel whose identity colleagues protect with “No idea, but more power to him.” Born in Savannah, Georgia and descended from Scottish and Irish nationalists, and Native Americans who met their vessels; he’s a liberal, avid environmentalist and ‘do gooder’.
Sean Michael Collins, MD
Committed and brave doctor for the Atlanta, Georgia-based international humanitarian aid organization Physicians for the World (PFW); willing to give his heart and soul for the world’s poor. Belfast native with family in the IRA became MacIain’s life-long friend, their relationship first forged in the ‘deep end’ of Sudan’s Hunger Triangle amidst strife and starvation which claimed a generation of souls. Two evolved into a great public health team, helped save the lives of thousands on three continents through the secular aid organization. Included their service in Rwanda genocide which also engulfed unfortunate neighbors Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Tanzania in merciless World War II- class massacres of +1.5 million.
Dane Gunn
MacIain’s cousin; US Navy SEAL UDT; captains Top 10 competitive sniper team in world; runs Gunn-MacIain family business Gunn Logistics International [GLI] in Savannah port; knows seedy folks who get things done without questions. Martial artist; owns +100 bladed weapons; gadgets inventor with patents. Wife is competitive archer of Norwegian descent; daughter a Crime Scene Investigator (CSI). Gunn Logistics source of logistics e.g. planes, helicopters, extraction, etc. Dane acts as protector for ‘do gooder’ cousin - best friend Skye who travels in the same countries and conflicts as MacIain, but constantly reminds wreckless relative, “At least I go in armed!”
Right Reverend Father John MacDonald
Internationally-based Anglican priest and one of MacIain’s best friends; a famous human rights activist and immigration attorney. Skye is MacDonald’s kids’ godparent, takes them everywhere for adventure sports, secretly bails them out of jail. Priest trusts MacIain’s heart entirely, who helped several of the Father’s illegals in the past; thinks he’s too edgy, senses coincidences with Skye’s deployments and dead criminals, i.e. a pattern of assassinations that occur in the same countries Skye is engaged, including several MacDonald complained about to MacIain e.g. Rwanda, El Salvador. MacIain just laughs, explains it all away as timing and connections from MacDonald’s vivid imagination and kind heart.
Collum MacIntosh, MD
Former MacIain colleague through PFW heyday whose heart-felt alliance extends beyond their non-profit partnership. Internationally-known cardiologist and informatics genius, naturalized American / UK dual citizen; is an Ivy League don who also works for the UN World Health Organization. Chairs many of the committees which have oversight over Skye’s INGO operations; Doctor serves in many of the same countries and has shared his frustrations with war criminals. Loves and supports Skye’s edgy sides but lacks his recklessness; homogenized UK citizen, initially a friendly antagonist of Skye’s Scottish nationalism-independence crusade, starts to regain his Celtic pride; suspects, even spiritually supports, MacIain’s crusade as long as he’s not known to be involved -- publicly.
Trevor Park, MD
Co-founder of Physicians for the World, whose Skye’s medicines-supplies donations helped accent public health programming; co-author of $60 million grant from Garden Foundation which catalyzed PFW becoming the Holiday Award winner (the best INGO on the planet for that year). Faculty member of Harvard Medical School and published researcher on infectious disease. UN World Health Organization expert; former Dean of Ivy League University; past President of International Bank Group. Known as one of the world’s best diplomats; founding force for World Health Fund in AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria treatment. Met Skye as candidate for Board of Directors position at MacIain’s previous INGO; lifelong friends with shared spiritual, social, and political views which shape their destinies. Applies quiet influence of position to help drive and fund those Skye programs he knows of, and enables those he can’t know about, but supports for the benefit of the world’s poor with so few champions or alternatives short of revolution.
Peter Harvest, MD
Co-founder of Physicians for the World, with Trevor Park, whose Skye’s medicines-supplies donations catalyzed. United Nations envoy advocating for public health as a human right; the ‘new, improved Albert Schweitzer’ who would ‘Heal the World’ [NewsWorld]. Faculty member of Harvard Medical School; professor at Paris University; world-renowned medical anthropologist. Co-author of grants providing $100s millions of growth capital for life-saving programs; author of numerous books and subject for Pulander Prize winning book ‘Heights to Heights’ (Skye thanked for PFW contributions on page 302). Recipient of Skye’s $100s of millions worth of donated medicines; worked with MacIain to build drug warehouses in Haiti, surgical suites in Rwanda, hospitals in Peru. Friend of the likes of Bill Garden, rock star Roco and the Rwandan President. Lifelong friend of MacIain’s with shared spiritual, social, and political views. Doesn’t coddle fools or butchers; mercurial passion and temper like Skye with whom he bangs heads but loves after reconciliation because he respects his intellect and courage. More readily (than Park) uses liberalizing services to the poor he loves (like Skye) as a preferential option for the poor to revolution, in seeking medical care and life-saving resources for those locked in poverty.
Rory Collins
Oldest of three brothers of Sean Michael Collins, MD, murdered (in Rwanda); Irish humanitarian aid worker, MacIain colleague and idol whose death accelerates Skye’s Archangel apex transformation. Rory is head of Provisional Irish Republican Army [PIRA] operations in England-controlled Northern Ireland (UK); unapologetic freedom-fighter committed to uniting all of Ireland which should include ‘Ulster.’ Relationship with Skye begins with drafting MacIain into finding Sean’s murderers in Rwanda; evolves into enabling him with money, logistics, and anything else needed to carry on Skye’s and his brother’s humanitarian aid work to any length and outcome. Amends made too late for his saintly brother Sean, but maybe in time to secretly provide potentially life-saving assets for Sean’s best friend (Skye) -- and the world’s poor whose lives are saved by MacIain in Sean’s name in absentia.