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Interview with Zorman Gariq

An Airwoman Extra

*Reposted from 2017

Today I’ve got an interview with one of the main characters from Airwoman: Zorman Gariq. Zorman is Jade’s uncle–you can read an interview with Jade Gariq (main character in Airwoman) here.

So, without further ado, I introduce Zorman Gariq…

Zorman Gariq: Character Interview

I’m Zorman Gariq. I’m 38 years old. I’m twin brother of Magnus Gariq, and doting uncle to Jade, Slate and Flint Gariq. Retired Wing Commander in the Traveller Force and Head of Acquisitions at Gariq Industries, the company my late father founded and my dear brother, Magnus, now runs.

What do you do for a living?

As I said, I’m Head of Acquisitions at Gariq Industries. It’s a job I love. I get to head up a team of Taraqans who travel the Dragonverse seeking the next big thing that Gariq Industries can adapt and use. My role there is vital to the continued growth and expansion of Gariq Industries. As a family business, I’m very proud to be running the department that drives it.

If you weren’t doing that, what would you do?

Well, if my brother wanted to step aside, I’m sure I’d do a good job of running Gariq Industries too. Haha! Seriously, though, I also loved my time in the Traveller Force. I was a senior officer—a Wing Commander—before I retired to join Gariq Industries, you know. If I’d stayed, I would have been promoted into the executive ranks, without a doubt. I would have enjoyed that too. The Traveller Force is a worthy and honourable organisation, the bedrock of the Taraqan way of life.

What do you do for fun?

I’m a treasure hunter in my spare time. It’s a real challenge, which combines my love of travelling with my eye for acquisitions. I like to chase down the old Dragonverse myths—to find the truth behind the stories. There are myths of the treasures hidden in the many worlds, both explored and virtually untouched. Not all the myths contain real treasure, of course, but the uncovering of the truth is reward enough.

What’s your favourite colour?

Green.

What’s your favourite food?

That’s a hard one. I have a certain soft spot for my mother’s grilled gyenell—may the Lady Taraqa keep her close. I also love smoked myr tail, something I tried last year when I was attending a special event on Merryne to raise investment for the resort they’re building there. It’s going to be something special, I tell you that.

What is your favourite world?

Earth, without a doubt. I know the Earthens are violent warmongers who utterly reject the superiority of the Traveller Force, but they are also very inventive. Without the adaptation of Earthen technology, we wouldn’t have lights in our homes and the new Traveller HQ would never have been built. Their work with robotics, communications and energy are very advanced. While the InterWorld Treaty Forbidding the Export of Earthen Weaponry—which I think was a mishandled by the previous Council, by the way—doesn’t allow the Traveller Force to adapt Earthen weapons technology, they are always doing very interesting work in that space too. Think what a superior race like ours could do with such technology! It’s an area I’m very excited about.

Are you religious?

I attend Temple. Well, every now and again. I’m very busy, you see, and as the Head of Acquisitions at Gariq Industries, I’m often off-world.

Married or single?

Single.

You must be one of Ingresston’s most eligible bachelors. Is there a lady in your life?

Most eligible bachelor? Haha! Well, perhaps—if you say so. I must admit, there have been a few ladies come and go, but none have yet captured my heart. No, no—that’s not exactly true. There was one woman. The love of my life. I thought we were meant to be together forever. But…well…she married someone else. Long story—tragic tale. But I comfort myself that there is still time. My story’s not over yet. While there is life, there is hope, as they say. Things always turn out exactly the way they’re supposed to, in the end. I truly believe that.

What’s next for Zorman Gariq?

Well, I’ve got lots of great ideas—for Gariq Industries and for Taraqa. I’m a man with big dreams, you see. Big ambitions. They’re not quite ready to be revealed though. I’m still working through one or two things, but it won’t be long. You’ll be hearing the name Zorman Gariq much, much more. You just wait and see.

I hope you enjoyed meeting Zorman Gariq–got any questions for him? Let me know in the comments. For more extra content, like character interviews, short stories, newspaper articles, maps and a pronunciation guide, join my newsletter to get access to member content. 

*Photo by Jack Kaminski from Unsplash.com

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