TV-Series
Description
Patch is the assumed identity of Dr. Briac Lao, an elderly scientist and the grandfather of Lana in Future Boy Conan. He is one of the last surviving members of the scientific team that developed solar energy technology for both civilian and wartime use. Because his research was adapted into weapons that helped bring about the destruction of the old world, he carries a deep sense of guilt and believes that this power should be used to rebuild civilization rather than to destroy it again.
Before the events of the story, Dr. Lao was a member of the High Council of Industria, the technologically advanced remnant of the old civilization. When he discovered the ambitions of the administrator Lepka, who intended to seize control of the solar energy system to activate a super-weapon and dominate the world, Lao defected. He fled Industria carrying the secret of how to access the orbital solar power station left over from before the war, and he went into hiding.
During his escape, his flying machine was shot down, and he was severely injured, losing sight in one eye and receiving a deep scar on his head. His appearance changed so dramatically that he could pass for a different person, and he used this to create a new identity as Patch, the blunt and demanding chief of a small ship salvage unit working for Industria. In this role, he behaved in a deliberately rough, ill-tempered, and overbearing manner, presenting himself as a gruff taskmaster who threatened to work Conan and Lana until they collapsed. This harsh exterior was a disguise, as the real Dr. Lao had been known as a gentle and compassionate man. He treated the children roughly in part to avoid drawing suspicion to his true identity.
In the story, Patch crosses paths with Conan and Lana when they come to his salvage platform. He keeps his identity secret even from Lana, although she senses his presence through her telepathic abilities. During an earthquake, Patch becomes trapped beneath a ship during a diving operation, and Conan rescues him. At that point, his identity as Dr. Lao is revealed, and Lana, who had been hearing his thoughts, recognizes her grandfather and embraces him. Knowing that Industria has now learned of his location, Lao escapes with Lana and Conan in a small lifeboat.
His motivations are rooted in responsibility and regret. He believes that the people of Industria must be taught to discard their weapons and begin new lives, and he carries the knowledge necessary to restore the solar energy system that could provide them with a future. He also foresees the coming geological catastrophes that threaten the land of Industria. To save the population, he works to reactivate the solar power station so that a ship can be salvaged and the people evacuated before the final cataclysm. He entrusts Lana to the care of others and returns to Industria to carry out this task, where he is captured and tortured by Lepka. His body fails under the ordeal, and he becomes unable to move, gradually losing his sight and hearing until he can only communicate with Lana through telepathy. Despite this, he completes his work, and the solar power system is restored in time for the evacuation. He dies peacefully at the end of the story, surrounded by Conan and his friends, and is given a burial at sea.
His relationship with Lana is the emotional core of his character. He is her devoted grandfather, and his fear for her safety influences his actions even while he hides his identity from her. His relationship with Conan begins with mistrust and harsh treatment, but it develops into mutual respect as Conan saves his life and helps him in his mission. Against Lepka, he stands as a moral and scientific counterweight, refusing to allow his knowledge to be exploited for conquest. His notable abilities include his deep expertise in the pre-war solar energy technology, his understanding of the old civilization's machines and systems, and his ability to anticipate the seismic disasters that threaten Industria. His character represents the responsibility that comes with scientific knowledge and the choice to use it for preservation rather than destruction.
Before the events of the story, Dr. Lao was a member of the High Council of Industria, the technologically advanced remnant of the old civilization. When he discovered the ambitions of the administrator Lepka, who intended to seize control of the solar energy system to activate a super-weapon and dominate the world, Lao defected. He fled Industria carrying the secret of how to access the orbital solar power station left over from before the war, and he went into hiding.
During his escape, his flying machine was shot down, and he was severely injured, losing sight in one eye and receiving a deep scar on his head. His appearance changed so dramatically that he could pass for a different person, and he used this to create a new identity as Patch, the blunt and demanding chief of a small ship salvage unit working for Industria. In this role, he behaved in a deliberately rough, ill-tempered, and overbearing manner, presenting himself as a gruff taskmaster who threatened to work Conan and Lana until they collapsed. This harsh exterior was a disguise, as the real Dr. Lao had been known as a gentle and compassionate man. He treated the children roughly in part to avoid drawing suspicion to his true identity.
In the story, Patch crosses paths with Conan and Lana when they come to his salvage platform. He keeps his identity secret even from Lana, although she senses his presence through her telepathic abilities. During an earthquake, Patch becomes trapped beneath a ship during a diving operation, and Conan rescues him. At that point, his identity as Dr. Lao is revealed, and Lana, who had been hearing his thoughts, recognizes her grandfather and embraces him. Knowing that Industria has now learned of his location, Lao escapes with Lana and Conan in a small lifeboat.
His motivations are rooted in responsibility and regret. He believes that the people of Industria must be taught to discard their weapons and begin new lives, and he carries the knowledge necessary to restore the solar energy system that could provide them with a future. He also foresees the coming geological catastrophes that threaten the land of Industria. To save the population, he works to reactivate the solar power station so that a ship can be salvaged and the people evacuated before the final cataclysm. He entrusts Lana to the care of others and returns to Industria to carry out this task, where he is captured and tortured by Lepka. His body fails under the ordeal, and he becomes unable to move, gradually losing his sight and hearing until he can only communicate with Lana through telepathy. Despite this, he completes his work, and the solar power system is restored in time for the evacuation. He dies peacefully at the end of the story, surrounded by Conan and his friends, and is given a burial at sea.
His relationship with Lana is the emotional core of his character. He is her devoted grandfather, and his fear for her safety influences his actions even while he hides his identity from her. His relationship with Conan begins with mistrust and harsh treatment, but it develops into mutual respect as Conan saves his life and helps him in his mission. Against Lepka, he stands as a moral and scientific counterweight, refusing to allow his knowledge to be exploited for conquest. His notable abilities include his deep expertise in the pre-war solar energy technology, his understanding of the old civilization's machines and systems, and his ability to anticipate the seismic disasters that threaten Industria. His character represents the responsibility that comes with scientific knowledge and the choice to use it for preservation rather than destruction.