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Dr. Arilesperas Strigan is a doctor who lived in the remote hills of Nilt, operating a private medical practice primarily treating the local bov herders. She formerly operated a practice on Dras Annia Station before coming into possession of one of the Garseddai guns and subsequently fleeing to Nilt. She is a collector of antiques, artifacts, and curios.

Biography[]

Time on Dras Annia[]

Prior to the events of Ancillary Justice, Arilesperas Strigan lived on Dras Annia Station, a bustling hub far outside Radch space. It is unknown whether she was born there or moved later in life. While living on Dras Annia, Strigan ran a private medical practice which made her very wealthy, and she built up both associations and a good reputation. It was here that she developed an interest in collecting antiques and other rarities. Occasionally receiving such items as payment from patients, those items then spurred her curiosity, driving her to collect more. She collected many things, including idols, weapons, musical instruments, and even several Garseddai artifacts. At some point Strigan came into possession of the missing twenty-fifth Garseddai gun. Realizing what the object was and fearing her possession of it being discovered by Anaander Mianaai, she immediately fled Dras Annia Station. Giving no prior notice to anyone, Strigan purchased passage on five different ships in order to obscure her movements and fled, eventually ending up on the planet Nilt.

In her search for the Garseddai gun, Breq bribed her way into Strigan's apartment some time after she fled, then proceeded to follow her trail.

Seclusion on Nilt[]

Strigan lived in a small secluded house in the rural hills of Nilt, which was barely visible from the air. It was from here that she ran another medical practice, treating the nomadic bov herders of the region. Her home featured extensive hidden security measures, including a proximity alarm and listening devices, as well as there likely being an additional hidden structure on the property from which Strigan could monitor her recording devices.

Visit from Breq[]

In her journey to find Strigan, Breq, with the recovering Seivarden Vendaai, rented a flier for use in traveling to Strigan's house. The proprietor of the flier rental was actually a contact of Strigan’s, and the proprietor warned her that two Radchaai were traveling her way. Believing Breq and Seivarden to be agents of the Radch, Strigan arranged for the proprietor to ambush and kill the pair mid-journey. The flier Breq rented had been rigged, and after the running out of fuel and landing, the proprietor and three others arrived in a second flier intent on killing the pair. Breq immediately killed all four and took their flier, continuing towards Strigan.

Still believing the pair to be Radch agents, Strigan abandoned her house, but remained close by in order to monitor her security devices. After watching the pair for over a week, Strigan figured out who Seivarden was but Breq was a puzzle she could not solve. She decided to sneak in one night to investigate, mistakenly believing the pair asleep, but was confronted by Breq who stated her intention to buy the Garseddai gun so she could kill Anaander Mianaai. Strigan initially denied knowledge of it, however she realized that Breq would not leave until she had it, and that neither of them was in a position to kill the other, so an uneasy truce was formed.

The next day, a young Nilter girl from one of the bov herder camps brought her uncle, who was severely injured after being attacked by an ice devil, to Strigan's home for immediate treatment. Afterwards, Strigan continued to interrogate Breq in an attempt to figure out her identity. Having realized it was the only way to convince Strigan to give her the gun, Breq tells Strigan the story of the events which led to the death of Awn Elming and the destruction of Justice of Toren: her motivation for revenge against Anaander Mianaai. Strigan believed that Breq had no chance at causing any meaningful damage against the Lord of the Radch, however, she realized that regardless of whether she keeps the gun or gives it to Breq, Mianaai will likely track her down and kill her eventually. Strigan conceded and sold the Garseddai gun to Breq. Following Breq’s departure, Strigan once again leaves her home and practice, likely returning home to Dras Annia Station.

Personality and Traits[]

"I don't feel sorry for you, it's just that I'm a doctor."
—Arilesperas Strigan, Ancillary Justice ch. 5

Having led a long life as a doctor and surgeon, as well as living in hiding from the Radch, Strigan is very bitter, pessimistic, and paranoid. Due to her profession, she has seen many grisly sights and likely much death. Because of this, she has naturally built up a thick skin and a lack of attachments. However, she is still a doctor at heart and will always provide care to those in need, even if she has other feelings.

Strigan is naturally curious and eager to learn. She enjoys piecing together a mystery and when she can't figure something out she is compelled to learn more and solve it. Having spent much of her career on Dras Annia Station, she met many people from all across the known universe, both in and outside Radch space, which caused her to develop a wide and varied world view. It was here she developed her interest in history and collecting.

Having met many people over long years who hate or have been harmed by the Radch and having studied events such as the destruction of Garsedd, Strigan resents the Radch and Anaander Mianaai. This was only compounded by her time spent in hiding from them, always looking over her shoulder. However, despite her hatred, she thinks it is useless to stand up to Anaander Mianaai and that nobody could ever do anything that would make any difference.

Appearances[]

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