Sark Interviews
Sep. 19th, 2003 03:03 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
vaznettiAnd another one!
The Sark Interviews: Sark d'Vanzetti – Airs, Waters, Places
Interviewed by: Rez
Q: "One learns to tolerate betrayal, if one is to remain in Irina Derevko's company." You were fencing with Jack here but facts are facts. What rewards counterbalance this truth in your association with Derevko? Do you expect the gains to outweigh the ills indefinitely?
To use a tired cliche, "no man is an island." My association with Irina provides more than merely logistical support. In a rootless existence such as mine, it can be... beneficial to have another person. Even if the other person is not entirely trustworthy. But then, who is?
I'm not sure that the gains do outweigh the ills, even now. At the moment, it seems that Irina needs my services; that places limits on her behavior.
Q: The medical report was faked, as you suspected it might be. Allison Doren is alive and Irina has known this for some time. What will you do?
Christ. [a brief, humorless laugh]
Find her, I suppose. It would be unconscionable to abandon an operative who might be in need of assistance. At least, find out where she is and whether she is in need of any assistance.
If you mean, what will I do to Irina? Nothing.
Q: The temporary addition of Jack Bristow to Irina's operation on behalf of Sydney was obviously distasteful to you. While the inconvenience lasted, what tactics served best to palliate the discomfort?
Distasteful is perhaps to strong a word. I must acknowledge Jack Bristow's effectiveness, and the opportunity to observe him at close quarters was certainly rewarding, in some sense. It did help to keep some distance between us, physical distance in particular, as emotional distance seems to be Jack Bristow's normal state.
But no, not distasteful. Difficult, but I would work with him again; the situation is unlikely to arise, of course.
Q: Please replay your first conversation with Irina after your release from CIA custody.
It was nothing very exciting: in the hallway of Sloane's villa in Crete, she asked me whether I was able to stand up, and I told her where Bristow and Sloane had gone. She nodded, waited until I was standing, and kept going.
Q: Describe three scenarios you currently consider most likely for the outcome of the hunt for Sydney. Considering only your own interests, which is preferable?
First: Sydney is never found. This could open up interesting possibilities for me, particularly if Irina were to remain focused on the search for her daughter and I were left in charge of her other operations as well as my own.
Second: Sydney is found, and is Arvin Sloane's prisoner. In this case, Irina would destroy Sloane, presumably with some assistance from me; my own situation would be little affected, unless Sydney chose to work with her mother, which I consider unlikely in this case. To be fair, it doesn't really matter who might be holding Sydney: the result would be the same.
I consider it highly unlikely that, in this situation, Irina would lose.
Third: Sydney is found dead. Irina's response is difficult to predict. Such an outcome might be beneficial to me, if she chose to focus on our shared interests. She might, however, become either self-destructive or simply destructive. I consider this outcome dangerous, and not only for me.
Q: Speculate, please. Describe three scenarios you would consider likely if Jack Bristow had chosen to accompany you to Thailand and beyond.
First: Bristow would have tried to kill me. Again. I consider this nearly certain, although whether he would have been trying very hard is another matter. A serious attempt would have been problematic.
Second: Bristow would have tried to kill Irina. This might have become messy, particularly if I were in a position to intervene, because in my opinion Bristow would make a very serious opponent. I'm not sure Irina would approve of my killing him.
Third: We would probably be a good deal closer to locating Sydney Bristow than we are now.
Q: Irina's decision-making is sometimes unsound where her own well-being is concerned; you've undoubtedly considered that this weakness may be fatal at any time. What contingencies have you prepared in this case?
I make it my business to prevent that outcome.
In the event of... In the event, I can, of course, keep a large part of her operations running smoothly, and would be prepared to incorporate them into my own. This would not be entirely straightforward, but I think I would come away with the largest portion of her business.
Q: Which association comes closest to describing yours with Irina, from your point of view?
You didn't have my ego in mind when you wrote this list, did you? "Hound/Huntsman," indeed.
This is a difficult question: none of these fit perfectly. I would say, a cross between Weapon/Marksman and Dauphin/Queen, although the latter sounds presumptuous to my ear. A marksman relies on his weapon: he expects it to do certain things and he takes care to keep it functioning smoothly. He never expects the weapon to stand up and argue with him.
I like to think that she expects me to continue her work, in the same way that I support her now. It is possible that I am deceiving myself.
Q: Speculate, again, please. Based on your knowledge of Irina, which association comes closest to describing Irina's with you, from her point of view?
Somewhere between Commander/Soldier and Teacher/Pupil, I suspect.
Q: Title of the last book you read, or the one you're currently reading?
I'm currently working through a backlog of Russian intelligence reports on the Central Asian republics; they are longer than most books, and interesting in their own way.
If you mean a published book, it was Mark Mazower, The Dark Continent. Interesting.
Thanks, Rez, for the questions. And he didn't lie.
The Sark Interviews: Sark d'Vanzetti – Airs, Waters, Places
Interviewed by: Rez
Q: "One learns to tolerate betrayal, if one is to remain in Irina Derevko's company." You were fencing with Jack here but facts are facts. What rewards counterbalance this truth in your association with Derevko? Do you expect the gains to outweigh the ills indefinitely?
To use a tired cliche, "no man is an island." My association with Irina provides more than merely logistical support. In a rootless existence such as mine, it can be... beneficial to have another person. Even if the other person is not entirely trustworthy. But then, who is?
I'm not sure that the gains do outweigh the ills, even now. At the moment, it seems that Irina needs my services; that places limits on her behavior.
Q: The medical report was faked, as you suspected it might be. Allison Doren is alive and Irina has known this for some time. What will you do?
Christ. [a brief, humorless laugh]
Find her, I suppose. It would be unconscionable to abandon an operative who might be in need of assistance. At least, find out where she is and whether she is in need of any assistance.
If you mean, what will I do to Irina? Nothing.
Q: The temporary addition of Jack Bristow to Irina's operation on behalf of Sydney was obviously distasteful to you. While the inconvenience lasted, what tactics served best to palliate the discomfort?
Distasteful is perhaps to strong a word. I must acknowledge Jack Bristow's effectiveness, and the opportunity to observe him at close quarters was certainly rewarding, in some sense. It did help to keep some distance between us, physical distance in particular, as emotional distance seems to be Jack Bristow's normal state.
But no, not distasteful. Difficult, but I would work with him again; the situation is unlikely to arise, of course.
Q: Please replay your first conversation with Irina after your release from CIA custody.
It was nothing very exciting: in the hallway of Sloane's villa in Crete, she asked me whether I was able to stand up, and I told her where Bristow and Sloane had gone. She nodded, waited until I was standing, and kept going.
Q: Describe three scenarios you currently consider most likely for the outcome of the hunt for Sydney. Considering only your own interests, which is preferable?
First: Sydney is never found. This could open up interesting possibilities for me, particularly if Irina were to remain focused on the search for her daughter and I were left in charge of her other operations as well as my own.
Second: Sydney is found, and is Arvin Sloane's prisoner. In this case, Irina would destroy Sloane, presumably with some assistance from me; my own situation would be little affected, unless Sydney chose to work with her mother, which I consider unlikely in this case. To be fair, it doesn't really matter who might be holding Sydney: the result would be the same.
I consider it highly unlikely that, in this situation, Irina would lose.
Third: Sydney is found dead. Irina's response is difficult to predict. Such an outcome might be beneficial to me, if she chose to focus on our shared interests. She might, however, become either self-destructive or simply destructive. I consider this outcome dangerous, and not only for me.
Q: Speculate, please. Describe three scenarios you would consider likely if Jack Bristow had chosen to accompany you to Thailand and beyond.
First: Bristow would have tried to kill me. Again. I consider this nearly certain, although whether he would have been trying very hard is another matter. A serious attempt would have been problematic.
Second: Bristow would have tried to kill Irina. This might have become messy, particularly if I were in a position to intervene, because in my opinion Bristow would make a very serious opponent. I'm not sure Irina would approve of my killing him.
Third: We would probably be a good deal closer to locating Sydney Bristow than we are now.
Q: Irina's decision-making is sometimes unsound where her own well-being is concerned; you've undoubtedly considered that this weakness may be fatal at any time. What contingencies have you prepared in this case?
I make it my business to prevent that outcome.
In the event of... In the event, I can, of course, keep a large part of her operations running smoothly, and would be prepared to incorporate them into my own. This would not be entirely straightforward, but I think I would come away with the largest portion of her business.
Q: Which association comes closest to describing yours with Irina, from your point of view?
Soldier/Commander; Weapon/Marksman; Servant/Master; Pupil/Teacher; Hound/Huntsman; Dauphin/Queen
You didn't have my ego in mind when you wrote this list, did you? "Hound/Huntsman," indeed.
This is a difficult question: none of these fit perfectly. I would say, a cross between Weapon/Marksman and Dauphin/Queen, although the latter sounds presumptuous to my ear. A marksman relies on his weapon: he expects it to do certain things and he takes care to keep it functioning smoothly. He never expects the weapon to stand up and argue with him.
I like to think that she expects me to continue her work, in the same way that I support her now. It is possible that I am deceiving myself.
Q: Speculate, again, please. Based on your knowledge of Irina, which association comes closest to describing Irina's with you, from her point of view?
Commander/Soldier; Marksman/Weapon; Master/Servant; Teacher/Pupil; Huntsman/Hound; Queen/Dauphin
Somewhere between Commander/Soldier and Teacher/Pupil, I suspect.
Q: Title of the last book you read, or the one you're currently reading?
I'm currently working through a backlog of Russian intelligence reports on the Central Asian republics; they are longer than most books, and interesting in their own way.
If you mean a published book, it was Mark Mazower, The Dark Continent. Interesting.
Thanks, Rez, for the questions. And he didn't lie.
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no subject
Date: 2003-09-19 03:46 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-09-19 04:00 pm (UTC)He didn't seem too vulnerable to you, then? But AWP Sark is more aware of his own vulnerabilities than some.
By the way, I'd very much like to interview the Sark you wrote in Knives but I'm honestly not sure that I'll have time to come up with questions--I've been putting off a re-read prior to feedbacking long enough as it is.
no subject
Date: 2003-09-19 04:29 pm (UTC)He didn't seem too vulnerable to you, then? But AWP Sark is more aware of his own vulnerabilities than some.
No more than in the story itself. I appreciated it, actually. The attachment to Irina especially, because I think I see that in the show. (Seeing things that aren't there, probably, but that's my privilege as a viewer.)
Knives Alexander is yours to interview whenever you want. I'll be looking forward to that feedback and your opinion if I made him too vulnerable.
no subject
Date: 2003-09-19 03:49 pm (UTC)I guessed right.
the situation is unlikely to arise, of course
Sounds almost... wistful?
She nodded, waited until I was standing
So pleased she waited.
We would probably be a good deal closer to locating Sydney Bristow than we are now
Interesting. So Jack's own reluctance to join Irina and Sark is another impediment between him and the one thing he really wants? I wonder whether Irina agrees with Sark on this?
In the event of... In the event
Heart felt a little constricted here. Just a little trouble breathing, for a moment.
"Hound/Huntsman," indeed.
It's only Sydney's view--dog and master? Not unreasonable, either, to one who's had only her view of Sark.
although the latter sounds presumptuous to my ear
I originally had it "Prince/Queen"--which sounded worse, I thought. "Heir" was really the notion I was after--which Sark understood, I think.
And he didn't lie
I'm sure it wasn't really that difficult for him. The answers separately are interesting. In the aggregate, they intensify the feeling I was left with at the end of Airs, Waters. It's as though he's learned to breathe in an atmosphere almost completely deprived of oxygen.
Fascinating stuff. Thanks for taking the time.
no subject
Date: 2003-09-19 04:09 pm (UTC)Almost. He's not insane: he knows that the chances of Jack trying to kill him are high, and that if Jack took the enterprise seriously enough he would have a good chance of success. But if Jack were less emotionally unstable than he is in Irina's company (and while Sydney's absent), Sark would like to see him again.
I wonder whether Irina agrees with Sark on this?
I don't know (and isn't it interesting that no one is interviewing Irina?). Jack would disagree strongly.
I'm sure it wasn't really that difficult for him.
It wasn't. I expected him to be less forthcoming, to be honest. You framed the questions very well.
It's as though he's learned to breathe in an atmosphere almost completely deprived of oxygen.
Wow. And, ouch. What a perfect way of putting it. That's exactly right.