In most novels there is a clear antagonist, or villain, for the protagonist, the hero, to defeat. The antagonist puts obstacles in the way of the hero to deter or destroy him or her, and in the end there is a open confrontation between the two that usually ends with the heroes victory over his or her enemy. This is a tried and true formula for story telling that has existed for as long as there has been story tellers. In Rapier this is not the case. In the Rapier Universe, as in real life, there are many antagonists and villains, and not all of them can be defeated by the hero.

     There are some reviewers of my story that would say that Captain Black and his crew are the villains. After all they raid merchant ships traveling between the colonized worlds (pirates?). They have no problem ‘dispatching’ the crews of those ships. They sell the loot they take from those ships to pay for their adventures (nobody ‘works’ for free). And they sell their captives into slavery, not the normal behavior of your everyday hero.

     Add in they use the same tactics the German U-Boats, and American Submariners, used in World War II (something you history buffs might have picked up on) and it becomes hard to decide if the Rapier and its’ crew are the good guys or the bad guys.

     So what makes the crew of the Rapier the heroes in this story? Simple, it is being told by Kathy Masters the main protagonist, and Cindy, the daughter she adopted and raised while being on the Rapier. And that makes almost everyone else the antagonists, and in a couple of cases true villains, in the story.

     The two ‘main’ antagonists to the crew of the Rapier are the Chinese and American navies. If you read the story you’ll understand why this is the case, but how are they the main antagonists?
     Both the Chinese and American navies are attempting to hunt down and destroy the Rapier, and all the ships of ‘The Brotherhood’.

     ‘The Brotherhood’ is a shadowy organization that almost all pirates and privateers belong to. It has bylaws its’ members usually follow, and these bylaws guide its’ ships and crews on how they handle themselves in regard to each other, and towards the outside world. Adherence to the bylaws is expected (not mandatory), but violations of them can have severe consequences (something that will be seen in more detail in future releases).

     Back to the Chinese and American navies.
   Captain Black has a deep hatred of the Chinese (for some very real and personal reasons). His raiders are the most effective against them, and so the Chinese continue to devise tactics and traps to destroy the Rapier and the other ships under Captain Black’s command. There are many close calls, and deep losses, because of the Chinese drive to destroy him. This is a conflict that can have only one outcome, for no matter how skilled and intrepid they are Captain Black and his ships cannot defeat an entire empire.

     For different, but just as painful, reasons the Rapier also raids American commerce. In fact, it was a raid on an American luxury liner that led to Kathy and little Cindy being captured and brought aboard the Rapier. Because of these raids the Americans establish a special task force to hunt down Captain Black and his raiders, and permanently terminate his command.

     One might think that these two antagonists would be sufficient for the story, but heck, what fun would that be? So, there are some specific individuals in the story that should be mentioned, especially as many of them appear in Razor, and the other follow on stories.

     First is Prince Chou Yen Yi. Prince Yi is the patriarch of the Yi family, and ruler of the Yi Principality, an important part of the Chinese Prefecture. It was the Yi families forces that attacked Captain Black’s home world, reducing it from a prosperous colony of two million people to a barely surviving population of just over twenty thousand souls. There is much background as to what really happened and why, but that doesn’t come out until Razor is published. Suffice it to say that when Captain Black captures Prince Yi and his three grandchildren he is so filled with hatred for the Prince that he forces Prince Yi to watch him sell his grandchildren into slavery before ransoming him back to the Chinese Prefecture (this is how Princess Lien Lan Yi ends up with Kathy and Cindy on the Rapier). Needless to say there is a great deal of animosity between the two men but, as it will be revealed in Razor, Prince Yi is not the villain Captain Black believes him to be.

     Martin Lee Black is the mayor of the survivors of Safe Port, Captain Black’s home world, and the younger brother of the Captain. He is also Captain Black’s main antagonist, and intends to keep him out there “even if everyone here dies before you, even if I do. Damn you to hell James she chose you.” Clearly this is because the woman they both loved chose the Captain over the Mayor. To do this the Mayor uses the ‘contract’ (Letter of Marque) to keep the Rapier and its’ crew on the edge of oblivion.

     Colonel Bengt Chang Chén is a competent tactician and strategist. You meet him only briefly in Rapier, but he is the reason the Rapier attacks the SS America at the beginning of the story, and this attack is what leads to Kathy and Cindy being brought onto the Rapier as captives. From the interaction between Captain Black and Colonel Chén it is clear they know each other, and despise one another. Though highly regarded in Chinese Imperial circles Colonel Chén is corrupt to the core, and uses his rank and position to enrich himself (this guy is a true villain). He is also a brilliant genetic scientist, and his work, and the work of others that is based on his research, is the reason why the last war between the Chinese Prefecture and the Americans and their allies is known as The Genetics War. Colonel Chén makes his return to the story line at the end of Razor, and he is a major threat to Kathy and Cindy in the fourth book of the series, The Black Wolves.

     Ahmed Mustafa bin Abdullah is tall, handsome, articulate, well educated and unimaginably rich. Think someone that is as wealthy as Klaus Schwab, George Soros and Bill Gates combined. His wealth and power is far reaching. He owns politicians throughout human space, including on Earth. He has worked hard to protect his wealth, and insulate himself from accountability for his actions. And he needs that insulation, because he makes the Marquis de Sade look like a choirboy. The man’s sadism and debauchery knows no limits. And he will go to great lengths to get what he wants. He purchased Colonel Chén, and the other Chinese traveling with him for his ‘playroom’ from Captain Black. He wanted Kathy and Cindy as well, but Captain Black wouldn’t sell them to him. So Ahmed has manipulated the situation in the background to get what he felt he was unjustly denied. You meet him early in the story, and you think that that is that. But he returns at the end of Razor, and he appears more in The Black Wolves.

     Captain Black Jack Bartholomew is a true pirate. He is cruel and vicious beyond imagining. He is an excellent starship captain, and he knows his business. Captain Bartholomew is the biggest villain in Rapier. Though it is not described in the story there is previous history between him and Captain Black. The specifics of that history will be detailed in a prequel to Rapier currently titled James Ulysses Black. Captain Bartholomew’s biggest weakness is his own ego. Unknown to him his ego allowed Ahmed Mustafa bin Abdullah to manipulate him into pursuing Kathy and Cindy for him (one of the things that comes out at the end of Razor) while believing he was getting revenge on Captain Black.

   So here are the main antagonists and villains in Rapier. Some get their comeuppance by the end of the story. Others recur in future releases. Also, expect more antagonists, and allies, to appear in the upcoming stories.

In storytelling, the antagonist is the opposer or combatant working against the protagonist or leading character and creating the main conflict. In conventional narratives, the antagonist is synonymous with the “bad guy,” while the protagonist represents the “good guy.”

Tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Mora, I was born 1600 years ago in a small village. Everyone thought that I was just a pretty girl, an insignificant nobody, but I knew I was destined for great things. When I met Joland, the love of my life, he gave me immortality and showed me what I was capable of. We craved power to punish all who wronged us. We wanted to rule the clans, but we couldn’t succeed back then. Our time will come, you'll see!

How did you end up in the situation you’re currently in?
You mean surviving in this old, withered body incapable of dying and tied to my bed? The Royals and Elders were furious when they found out many centuries ago that Joland had shared the gift of eternal life with me. The Elders took away my powers to keep my body young and separated us, but they couldn’t make us mortals again. I had lived so many lifetimes, alone, because Joland was exiled to a timeline in the distant past. As his punishment, he couldn’t move forward in time with me. Although my body is useless, the power of my mind allows me to reach the remotest part of the world and beyond. The one thing they couldn't take away from us is our eternal connection. Although he's in a different timeline, we can communicate.

How's that possible?
We have access to the collective and we use it. I see you want to ask what the collective is. It's similar, but a lot more than your primitive internet. Making the connection wipes us out physically and mentally, but it's worth every second so see and hear him.

Do you have any regrets?
Yes, I have only one regret. I regret that I wasn’t smart and careful enough back then to overthrow the Elders and Leaders to gain ultimate power over the clans.
 
Would you kill for those you love?
I have love only for Joland, and I’ve killed many in my life to get the chance to reunite with him. Killing a mortal is like squashing a bug. They die, anyway.
 
How do you think others see you?
Who cares what others think? I don’t. But I guess they see me as a cold hearted, calculating person incapable of feeling remorse. And they’re correct. I don’t care for anyone accept Joland, and anything other than to gain power to rule the clan.
 
Do you have friends?
Haha! Friends, no. Nobody loves me and I hate everyone. I have servants to do my bidding, and that’s enough for me, for now.
 
Who is your greatest enemy?
The Royals and Elders of the clan. I hate all with a passion, but my time will come to take my revenge. If I thread carefully and plan every step, it will be soon.
 
Do you believe you will be successful in your quest?
Yes, I do. I’m immortal, so I have plenty of time to plan and control my pawns in order to reach my goal.
 
What is your greatest fear?
My only fear is the possibility that I’d lose my ability of mind control. My body is useless, and without the power of my mind… I don’t even want to think about that.
 
If you could have three wishes, what would they be?
My first wish is to unite with my beloved Joland. The second wish is to regain my strong, youthful body, my full powers, and gain ultimate control of the clan to rule and be admired forever. My third wish is that you’d stop bugging me and go away.

​If Mora could spit fire, she would have burned her castle down to the foundation. “What the hell’s going on?! Is there anyone in this century that doesn’t interfere with my plans? Now, instead of hating her, the stupid boy protects her.”

Mora’s inside was boiling with anger and frustration, and it took her a while to calm herself enough to think. “Everything seems to be going against my plans. But why? Partly because that moron Seer wanted to protect her… wait a minute! This is interesting development… What if?”

She gathered all her energy, cleared her mind, entered the collective and channeled Joland, “Can you feel and hear me, my love?” projecting her thoughts through the time fold.

It took Joland by surprise; “I didn’t expect you to call me so soon. I’m afraid you’re going to exert yourself, darling, so make it short.”

“I had to contact you because my plans were compromised by the meddling fools. Listen carefully. I don’t have too much time. Watch Mundzuk very closely, follow his every step. It was foretold that he will be the father of the child, but the prevision doesn’t mention who the mother will be. Watch him like a hawk and train your troops, because it’s going to take much more to stop them than I anticipated. I might not be able to destroy the Chosen One in this timeline, so we have to look for other possibilities.”

“I have my men ready, but it’s not going to happen for another two years in my timeline.”

“I know, and I’m doing my best to stop them, but it’s not going to be easy. The final act might fall on your shoulders.”

“I’ll be ready.”

“Joland, one more thing I have to ask you, have you any knowledge of the Chosen One’s Destiny Box?”

“I’ve overheard a legend from the Elders. The box contains secrets from the ancestors, and only the Chosen One could open it.”

“Do you know where this box is?”

“I only know that it’s passed down from generation to generation in the family of one of the Chameleon bloodlines. I don’t know which family and I don’t think anyone knows.”

“I think it’s the family of the Chosen one in this timeline, but I’m not sure yet. I have to go, darling, love you forever.”

“I love you, longer. Rest my love, we will meet again.”
​
Mora severed the connection and, being mentally exhausted, sank into deep sleep.

​Tell us about yourself
My name is Duke Alexander Michael Bennett. I have been a greedy person all my life and an avid gambler. It has taking me a lot of time but I have squandered my family’s fortune and I have no regrets. This is something that tells me that I am not an honest person. I have always crafted false allegations against people I have never met or know anything about including my own friends and family.
 
How do you see your life?
In order to be able to make more money I arranged the marriage of my only son to my best friend’s daughter by creating a veil of deception. I know that is very painful to my college friend but somehow I do not care. I have done this before with no repercussions and I will do it again.
 
How do you see yourself in the future?
I do not let others see who I really am. The truth is that I have never thought of what the future will bring because I am a selfish man and do not worry about tomorrow. What matters to me is today and now. My thoughts are sinister and they do not include any person’s feelings or standing in this world.  I only care about what I gain from others by destroying their life and that of their family. Somehow all that gives me pleasure that I can’t receive from anything else in my life.
 
What about your family?
I have been married to the same woman for too many years. It was an arranged marriage. Love was nonexistent. I have never been faithful. I have had mistresses and bedded several married women. My wife stays in our country estate and I stay in our London home free to do as I please. I have one son who follows in my own footsteps. He is a rogue, a womanizer and a gambler. He goes from one woman to another without thought without feelings and no regrets. He is very much like me, he does not care what his actions may do to another family. I am proud to say that he is a better version of me.
 
Are you happy with your life up to now?
Yes, I have successfully become the dreadful person that I aimed to be from the very start. I do not worry or have any second thoughts of all the ghastly secrets I hold in my head. I have truly been amazed as to how easily I have escaped danger.  Bedding a married woman can have a terrible outcome. The fact that I have survived a couple of duels did not deter me from repeating my undertakings. I do not care about a husband’s honor; I only care about what keeps me satisfied. I will keep being me until someone stops me and exposes everything that I have done. At that point it will not matter because I will be dead taking with me every dreadful secret to the grave. 

In storytelling, the antagonist is the opposer or combatant working against the protagonist or leading character and creating the main conflict. In conventional narratives, the antagonist is synonymous with the “bad guy,” while the protagonist represents the “good guy.”

Tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Roger Mills and I’m the first-born son of Jonathan and Jane Mills. I’m a successful businessman, and I’m married to the most enchanting and smart woman in the world. You might think my life is perfect, right? Well, you won’t be farther from the truth, as my life is cursed by the presence of a little brother. Since the day he came to this world, he brought nothing else but troubles. It wouldn’t be otherwise as he’s not even my father’s son, but this is another story.
Coming back to me, I did everything I could to follow the successful example of my father. I chose not to follow his steps and take over on the firm he was running with his brothers, because I wanted something completely mine. Moreover, sharing business with other relatives would have stopped me to shape it the way I wanted. I don’t have any children, apparently, I can’t have them, but this isn’t something bothering me. They would have been a way to steal my focus from my business, and since they aren’t completely on the honest side, they might have suffered uselessly.
 
Have you committed a crime? What was it? If not, what circumstances would cause you to commit a crime?
As I said my business isn’t clean, and in the first stages of my career, I was approached by a potential partner, whose fortune lied on his high-level criminal activity. At those times I wasn’t aware of its full scale, but when I understood the real potential of a fusion between our companies, I was blinded by it and accepted without a second thought.
 
Do you have a moral code? If so what might it be?
The only moral code is that of not getting caught by the feds. Something I highly value is the concept of family. I would never disrespect or cheat on my wife, and my parents will always be the role model to which I will look up to. The family is everything and perhaps that’s my highest moral code.
 
Would you kill for those you love?
Of course. I am ready to kill for even less.
 
How do you think others see you?
The rest of the world sees me as a ruthless cold calculator, a killer ready to unspeakable crimes just for the sake of keeping my wealth growing and myself out of prison. Well, that’s partly true, but most of all I do it for keep seeing the smile on the face of my wife.
 
Who is your greatest friend?
I don’t have real friends, I have allies… aren’t they the same thing?
 
Who is your greatest enemy?
I believe it is myself. At times I forget that everything should be carried out at the due time, and I need to take a deep breath before taking a decision. This has brought me to make fatal mistakes, particularly when trying to get rid of my beloved brother.
 
How do you define ‘heroism?’
Heroism? Well, I think I can define it as the capability to take your life and destiny in your hands. Be able to have the courage to do what everybody would like to do but refrain to take any action for fear of the judgement of those around you. I think heroism is a sort of synonym of courage.