Gus Balfour

Augustus 'Gus' Balfour is a secondary character in Dark Matter and the leader of the expedition to Gruhuken. He also takes the role of biologist.

Physical Description
Jack frequently compares his appearance to that of characters in the story paper The Boy's Own Paper, claiming he looks 'handsome blond hero' with a 'square jaw' and 'clear blue eyes'.

Background
Gus was born in the West Country sometime between 1910 and 1913 into a wealthy family with a history of military service. He is referred to as 'the Honourable Augustus Balfour' by Jack, suggesting he is child of an earl, viscount or baron.

He grew up in a large house in the country with one sister until he was old enough to attend a preparatory school where he met Algie Carlisle and they became friends. They both later attended Harrow, an all-boys boarding school, and either Oxford or Cambridge university.

Dark Matter
Gus is the Expedition Leader and organsies the majority of the arrangements for the trip. He appears highly invested in the success of the expedition, appearing upset when it seems that it may not be able to go ahead and attempting to keep the peace between Jack and Algie when they do not get along.

He documents his findings while at Gruhuken in his journal and helps Jack with public relations and the press but a little after two months after their arrival at Gruhuken he becomes ill with appendicitis and has to leave the expedition for treatment.

Gus then occasionally communicates with Jack from Longyearbyen as he recovers and this means he and Algie are eventually aware that Jack is in danger at Gruhuken. Gus joins the crew that sail to Gruhuken to rescue Jack and unfortunately is dragged from the boat by the spirit haunting Gruhuken.

It is assumed by the majority that Gus drowned, but later in the novel Jack ponders whether instead Gus now also haunts Gruhuken.

Relationships
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