I have an early boardroom-type scene; nine (9) characters all around a table, all introduced for the first time. Once I ran out of individual hair colours, I decided that some of them had to go. One got moved out of the room (she had an appendicectomy to do) and two got deleted. Just like that, they ceased to exist (except for in draft one, but nobody's going to see that).
So, as their names and deeds will never be seen by anyone, I thought I could pay tribute here, and perhaps even apologise for the cruel way in which I have ended their existence.
Yuri Mendlewicz
Let's face it, Yuri; you knew this was coming. I didn't need another biologist and compared to your two colleagues, you were...how can I put this delicately?...wet. Some would say that I should keep you in as you're the only character with a Jewish sounding name, but there are no quotas here. Anyway, the Scottish guy can come from Israel instead. So, bye.
Hatsuto Shimizu
This was a tougher decision. After all, you were the genius who invented the ship's drive. But somebody had to go, and I couldn't get rid of Laura; she's the protagonist's mother, after all, and there are enough orphans around already. I'll miss your pragmatism, and your strange black leather gloves. Yes, they were a bit too Dr No, but still; they added a touch of mystery.
I'd considered making Yuko your daughter, but now I guess we'll never know.
As for the ship, Molly can invent the drive. She was always more interesting anyway, with the cloned daughter and her leadership potential. I'll miss you (not much, but a little).
Ibrahim (a mechanic)
I didn't think I'd take anyone out after chapter 2, but at least you made it to chapter 5. In truth, one mechanic was enough (the Scottish guy, but he's in danger too. See above), and your sole function seemed to be to take the mickey out of the protagonist. He gets enough of that elsewhere.
Feel free to add your own deleted characters. They deserve their moment in the sun.
So, as their names and deeds will never be seen by anyone, I thought I could pay tribute here, and perhaps even apologise for the cruel way in which I have ended their existence.
Yuri Mendlewicz
Let's face it, Yuri; you knew this was coming. I didn't need another biologist and compared to your two colleagues, you were...how can I put this delicately?...wet. Some would say that I should keep you in as you're the only character with a Jewish sounding name, but there are no quotas here. Anyway, the Scottish guy can come from Israel instead. So, bye.
Hatsuto Shimizu
This was a tougher decision. After all, you were the genius who invented the ship's drive. But somebody had to go, and I couldn't get rid of Laura; she's the protagonist's mother, after all, and there are enough orphans around already. I'll miss your pragmatism, and your strange black leather gloves. Yes, they were a bit too Dr No, but still; they added a touch of mystery.
I'd considered making Yuko your daughter, but now I guess we'll never know.
As for the ship, Molly can invent the drive. She was always more interesting anyway, with the cloned daughter and her leadership potential. I'll miss you (not much, but a little).
Ibrahim (a mechanic)
I didn't think I'd take anyone out after chapter 2, but at least you made it to chapter 5. In truth, one mechanic was enough (the Scottish guy, but he's in danger too. See above), and your sole function seemed to be to take the mickey out of the protagonist. He gets enough of that elsewhere.
Feel free to add your own deleted characters. They deserve their moment in the sun.
