Facing the Flag · Character

Engineer Serko

Ker Karraje's polished, mocking lieutenant, an engineer whose cool irony and sharp mind make him the most dangerous man in Back Cup.

major

Also known as Serko, Mr. Serko

First appearance: ii count d artigas

See Engineer Serko in ii count d artigas Book page

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With Thomas Roch (professional): Engineer Serko acts as a manipulative overseer and technical handler of Thomas Roch, exploiting his genius. With Simon Hart (professional): Engineer Serko and Simon Hart are pirate subordinates who collaborate on guarding and managing Thomas Roch. With Ker Karraje (professional): Engineer Serko and Ker Karraje are pirate leaders who share authority and coordinate criminal activities.

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See Engineer Serko in ii count d artigas

Character Web

12 connections

A slice of how Engineer Serko sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Professional
Social
Other

Character groups

Pirates and Allies
Protagonist

+7 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because it marks the emotional and psychological peak where Simon Hart’s s…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Thomas Roch
professional · negative
Simon Hart
professional · negative
Ker Karraje
professional · ambivalent
Ebba
social · negative
Gaydon
rivalry · negative
Thomas Roch
professional · negative
Simon Hart
professional · negative
Ebba
social · negative
Gaydon
rivalry · negative
Ker Karraje
professional · ambivalent
Thomas Roch
professional · negative
Ker Karraje
professional · ambivalent

Thomas Roch
Engineer Serko acts as a manipulative overseer and technical handler of Thomas Roch, exploiting his genius.
Simon Hart
Engineer Serko and Simon Hart are pirate subordinates who collaborate on guarding and managing Thomas Roch.
Ker Karraje
Engineer Serko and Ker Karraje are pirate leaders who share authority and coordinate criminal activities.
Ebba
Ebba is polite but distant with Engineer Serko, as she dislikes his cruel and scheming nature.
Gaydon
Engineer Serko is suspicious of Gaydon and views him as a potential threat to their operation.
Thomas Roch
Engineer Serko acts as a manipulative overseer and technical handler of Thomas Roch, exploiting his genius.
Simon Hart
Engineer Serko and Simon Hart are pirate subordinates who collaborate on guarding and managing Thomas Roch.
Ebba
Ebba is polite but distant with Engineer Serko, as she dislikes his cruel and scheming nature.
Gaydon
Engineer Serko is suspicious of Gaydon and views him as a potential threat to their operation.
Ker Karraje
Engineer Serko and Ker Karraje are pirate leaders who share authority and coordinate criminal activities.
Thomas Roch
Engineer Serko acts as a manipulative overseer and technical handler of Thomas Roch, exploiting his genius.
Ker Karraje
Engineer Serko and Ker Karraje are pirate leaders who share authority and coordinate criminal activities.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Engineer Serko in ii count d artigas

In the story

Engineer Serko appears across 14 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

III: Kidnapped
Appears on deck with the Count and jokes about the kidnapping operation.
The Schooner Ebba
The Count's companion on board; observes the search and the departure preparations.
On Deck
Observes Thomas Roch's behavior alongside Captain Spade; helps prevent Roch from falling overboard.
Two Days at Sea
Advises Hart to resign himself to captivity with irony.
Back Cup
Orders Hart below deck as the tug prepares to submerge and enter the submarine cavern.
Inside Back Cup
Seen with Count d'Artigas and Captain Spade.
X: Ker Karraje
Reveals details of the submarine tug's construction and the faked accident; proud of his work and confident the prisoner will never escape.
XI: Five Weeks in Back Cup
Accompanies Ker Karraje, oversees unloading of boxes containing explosive substances, and attempts to coax Thomas Roch's secrets.
Engineer Serko's Advice
Advises Hart to resign to captivity; discusses obtaining the deflagrator from Roch and reveals the explosive's power.
God Be with It
Supervises the tunnel blasting and displays ironic cordiality toward Hart.
Battle Between the Sword and the Tug
Assists in the construction of Roch's engines and is present during the preparations.
XV: Expectation
Questions Hart about the kidnapping; attends to Hart's recovery; discusses the Sword's destruction and the pirates' defensive preparations.
Only a Few More Hours
Mentioned as having informed Roch of Simon Hart's true identity and as the one who has stoked Roch's desire for vengeance.
One Against Five
Assists in directing Roch; signals Roch to fire; pursues Roch after the refusal.

Chapter companion notes

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See Engineer Serko in ii count d artigas