Podcast
Questions and Answers
What does Serran Coe do to the mechanical child?
What does Serran Coe do to the mechanical child?
disconnects some wires and puts him in a box
Why does Serran Coe do this?
Why does Serran Coe do this?
The Anti-Machinists are coming
Where does the box go?
Where does the box go?
on board a ship that can cruise for a hundred years and never come to port
How many years pass?
How many years pass?
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What are the three tribes?
What are the three tribes?
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Who is Petrel?
Who is Petrel?
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What does Petrel see as she looks toward the ice cave?
What does Petrel see as she looks toward the ice cave?
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What is the Maw?
What is the Maw?
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What happened to Petrel's parents?
What happened to Petrel's parents?
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Who are Mister and Missus Slink?
Who are Mister and Missus Slink?
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What kinds of rats are on board?
What kinds of rats are on board?
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What kind of rats are Petrel's favorites?
What kind of rats are Petrel's favorites?
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Does Petrel like Dolph?
Does Petrel like Dolph?
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Why does Officer Crab want to get rid of the boy?
Why does Officer Crab want to get rid of the boy?
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What is unusual about the Captain?
What is unusual about the Captain?
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Why does Petrel follow her Uncle Albie?
Why does Petrel follow her Uncle Albie?
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What is Brother Thrawn's mission for the boy?
What is Brother Thrawn's mission for the boy?
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What is the name of the ship?
What is the name of the ship?
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What does the boy hate?
What does the boy hate?
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What does the boy say his name is?
What does the boy say his name is?
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How did he get on the iceberg?
How did he get on the iceberg?
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Why doesn't he have a name?
Why doesn't he have a name?
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What does the boy intend to do?
What does the boy intend to do?
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What do the rats show Petrel?
What do the rats show Petrel?
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What name does Petrel give the boy?
What name does Petrel give the boy?
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Who is Squid?
Who is Squid?
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What does Squid tell Petrel?
What does Squid tell Petrel?
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What are the rats going to do for Petrel?
What are the rats going to do for Petrel?
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What does Petrel have to do to get the boy to answer her questions?
What does Petrel have to do to get the boy to answer her questions?
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How does Petrel get the key to the boy's cell?
How does Petrel get the key to the boy's cell?
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What almost gets them caught?
What almost gets them caught?
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How does Petrel help the situation of them almost getting caught?
How does Petrel help the situation of them almost getting caught?
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What do Petrel and the boy get handed on deck?
What do Petrel and the boy get handed on deck?
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Why does Petrel cut the boy with the fishhook?
Why does Petrel cut the boy with the fishhook?
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What is the message that is clanged through the pipes?
What is the message that is clanged through the pipes?
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What was the word written in Orca's blood?
What was the word written in Orca's blood?
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What is to happen to Fin?
What is to happen to Fin?
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What does Squid give to Petrel?
What does Squid give to Petrel?
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What does Petrel find when she returns to the locker where she has left Fin?
What does Petrel find when she returns to the locker where she has left Fin?
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Study Notes
Prologue Insights
- Serran Coe disconnects wires from a mechanical child and places it in a box for safety against the approaching Anti-Machinists.
- The box is intended for a ship capable of sailing for a hundred years without docking.
- Three centuries pass before the story unfolds.
Tribal Structure
- The setting features three tribes:
- Grease Alley known for engineers
- Dufftown which is the Cook territory
- Braid, associated with officers
Character Profiles
- Petrel is an outcast with no tribe affiliation.
- While looking toward an ice cave, Petrel sees a frozen boy, highlighting the mysterious elements of her world.
- The Maw is a giant fish that consumes corpses, symbolizing danger and death.
- Petrel's parents were consumed by the Maw, reflecting loss and survival.
Rat Companions
- Mister and Missus Slink are the names of the rats, essential companions in the story.
- Black and gray rats are commonly found on board, with gray rats being Petrel's favorites.
- Petrel expresses dislike towards a character named Dolph.
Authority Figures
- Officer Crab seeks to eliminate the boy from the ship due to the belief that strangers create disorder.
- The Captain remains an enigmatic figure, never seen by anyone, adding to the aura of mystery.
Petrel’s Journey
- Petrel follows her Uncle Albie out of concern for the boy's fate and whether he will be kept or discarded.
- Brother Thrawn is on a mission to find "The Abomination" that evaded "The Great Cleansing."
The Boy’s Background
- The ship is called The Oyster, central to the narrative's events.
- The boy expresses hatred for machines and claims to not remember his name, adding to his mysterious past.
- He arrived on an iceberg due to a shipwreck, illustrating themes of survival and identity.
Conflict and Revelation
- The boy intends to kill a demon, intending to eliminate threats from the ship and its crew.
- Petrel discovers a secret tunnel leading to the boy's cell from a cupboard, revealing hidden pathways in the narrative.
Relationships and Secrets
- Petrel names the boy Fin, forging a connection amidst uncertainty.
- Squid, the cook's daughter, plays a crucial role by providing Petrel with biscuits, showing community dynamics.
- Squid shares that she met Petrel's mother, indicating a link to Petrel's past.
Escape Plans
- Petrel must ensure the rats keep watch over the boy for safety.
- To make the boy answer her questions, Petrel must first help free him, leading to a cooperative dynamic.
Strategies for Escape
- Petrel creates chaos using a saucepan and chain as a diversion to procure the key to the boy's cell.
- Despite his climbing skills posing a risk, they work together to avoid capture.
- Petrel cuts the net holding babies to further distract guards, showcasing quick thinking in perilous situations.
Consequences and Threats
- On deck, they receive fishing lines, indicating resourcefulness.
- Petrel cuts the boy with a fishhook to prevent him from revealing their presence due to seasickness.
- A dire message circulates, revealing Orca has been murdered by the boy, deepening the plot's conflict.
The Mysterious Word
- The word “Stranger” is blood-written, marking significant tension and danger for the boy.
- Plans are set to throw Fin overboard upon discovery, underscoring the stakes at hand.
Aiding and Finding
- Squid provides provisions: two pieces of cooked fish and supplies to treat Fin’s wound, showcasing loyalty and resourcefulness.
- Petrel finds the locker empty upon returning, raising concern for Fin's safety, and heightens the narrative's tension.
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Description
Test your knowledge of the prologue featuring Serran Coe's critical actions and their implications. This quiz focuses on key events and concepts introduced in the opening section, helping you understand the narrative setup better. Answer questions about the mechanical child and the Anti-Machinists to solidify your grasp of the plot.