Kraiklyn
SupportingA tall muscular man with sallow skin and a thick mass of black hair combed back from his brow, Kraiklyn has sharp predatory eyes and a feral set to his mouth that often forms a thin smile or arches an eyebrow. He projects a dangerous commanding presence in his black combat suit with heavy boots, usually carrying a laser pistol and wearing an identity ring on the small finger of his right hand.
Kraiklyn emerges in 'Consider Phlebas' as the charismatic yet ruthless captain of the mercenary starship Clear Air Turbulence (CAT), commanding a ragtag crew with predatory authority and a penchant for high-stakes piracy. His leadership is marked by brutal internal discipline, exemplified by forcing deadly duels among crew members. Tragically, his arc culminates in swift demise when infiltrator Bora Horza Gobuchul kills and impersonates him to seize control of CAT, rendering Kraiklyn a pivotal but short-lived antagonist whose shadow lingers over the crew's chaotic mission.
Physical Description
A tall muscular man with sallow skin and a thick mass of black hair combed back from his brow, Kraiklyn has sharp predatory eyes and a feral set to his mouth that often forms a thin smile or arches an eyebrow. He projects a dangerous commanding presence in his black combat suit with heavy boots, usually carrying a laser pistol and wearing an identity ring on the small finger of his right hand.
Evolution
Consider Phlebas
A tall muscular man with sallow skin and a thick mass of black hair combed back from his brow, Kraiklyn has sharp predatory eyes and a feral set to his mouth that often forms a thin smile or arches an eyebrow. He projects a dangerous commanding presence in his black combat suit with heavy boots, usually carrying a laser pistol and wearing an identity ring on the small finger of his right hand.
- Commands the Clear Air Turbulence (CAT) as its captain, leading mercenary operations including the Olmedreca mission.
- Forces Horza into a death duel with crewman Zallin to earn a spot on CAT after recruiting him.
- Manages tense crew dynamics with subordinates like Lamm, Yalson, and engineer Wubslin.
- Is killed and impersonated by Bora Horza Gobuchul, who assumes his identity and ring to take command of CAT.
Relationships
Kraiklyn's commanding presence makes him the prime target for Horza's impersonation scheme; their rivalry ends abruptly with Horza killing and replacing him to commandeer CAT (Book 1).
As captain, Kraiklyn treats Lamm as self-proclaimed second-in-command amid growing tensions during missions like Olmedreca, highlighting crew hierarchy strains (Book 1).
Kraiklyn depends on Wubslin as CAT's reliable engineer for essential repairs and maintenance, underscoring his practical reliance on key crew expertise (Book 1).
Kraiklyn exerts authoritative command over crew member Yalson in a professionally tense dynamic typical of his mercenary leadership style (Book 1).
Kraiklyn enforces brutal crew discipline by pitting Zallin against Horza in a fight to the death for a CAT berth, demonstrating his ruthless command (Book 1).
Key Events
Book Appearances
Consider Phlebas
First appears Ch 3