Shaun Hastings
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- "What am I – who are you, my mum?"
- ―Shaun Hastings, addressing a curious Desmond.[src]
Shaun Hastings is a supporting character in Assassin's Creed II. He is voiced by and modeled after British author and comedian Danny Wallace. He assists Desmond by creating database entries on various people, places and buildings he will encounter while in the Animus 2.0.
Biography
Early life
Shaun was interested in conspiracies and the unknown from an early age. Though he was initially unaware of the existence of modern-day Templars and Assassins, he did realize that there was some power-struggle going on. Shaun tried to dig up information on Abstergo's activities and then attempted to tell others about his findings, not realizing that the Templars would try to silence him. Fortunately, Rebecca Crane "rescued" Shaun and recruited him into the Assassin Order. This was somewhat unconventional, as Assassins are usually born into the order.
Assassin's Base
Shaun's role in the order is to provide tactical support to the other Assassins. After Lucy Stillman and Desmond Miles escaped to the hideout, Desmond entered the Animus to relive his ancestor Ezio Auditore's memories. Shaun supplied Desmond with interesting database entries and the occasional piece of advice on glyph puzzles. However, as the de facto historian of the Assassins, Shaun was always busy working on his computer and rarely had any opportunities to speak with Desmond – telling him to "go away."
Assassin's Sanctuary
After entering the sanctuary, Shaun continues on doing his research just like before. He seems to be much nicer to Desmond now (probably since they only talk about history). Though he is still just as rude as ever toward Rebecca which causes Lucy to make him work more shifts. After Desmond completed the 9th sequence of Ezio's memories, they are still left with the mystery of where the Apple is. Desmond points out to the numbers on the wall as well as the triple triad symbol meaning something, upon which Shaun correctly deduces that they are relevant to God and God's number 72, which he also states is the same year that Rome's Colosseum was built. They all decided that's where the Apple of Eden would be, and take a long road trip there. When they find the Apple, they get Desmond to use it to ask where all the temples are. Shaun, upon seeing and identifying the Phrygian Cap, which stands for freedom, and the Masonic eye, which he said both come together in only one place. However, before he could say what place it was, Juno possessed Desmond through the Apple, causing a temporal freeze to those around him along with Shaun, and stabbing Lucy in the abdomen. Unconscious, Desmond would be seemingly recaptured by Abstergo Industries, however Shaun's fate, along with Rebecca's remains unclear. At the point where Lucy and Desmond collapse, and the scene is revisited after the credits, he and Rebecca are still visibly conscious and apparently unaffected by the Apple's power.
Characteristics and personality
Shaun is often cynical, condescending, sarcastic, and pessimistic, but does have a playful side, often inserting humorous tidbits into the database entries of the Renaissance characters. Sometimes he will have little patience to talk to Desmond, other times he will lead off into long conversations. While Shaun's annoyance is usually directed at Desmond, he does insult Rebecca's immaturity by saying "the grown-ups are talking now" – even though she says she saved his life multiple times. During the modern segments, Shaun says that he enjoys his work researching behind a desk instead of being out in the field, although this is slightly debatable, as he is very sarcastic. When talking about his status as an Assassin, Shaun says "I've killed before, I expect to kill again. It's just that I’d prefer not to". This other side to Shaun's personality is also shown when he explains that he would like to sit in the Animus and perform Desmond's role.
Trivia
- Danny Wallace, the voice of the character, was contacted by Ubisoft when he went to the BAFTA video game awards with a friend. He was e-mailed and asked if he would like to be a character in an unknown video game, which he accepted. The game turned out to be Assassin's Creed II.
- Shaun is very cynical; he is quick to point out that the Assassins are still killers whatever their motives; making them no more the "good guys" than the Templars.
- Shaun displays a little envy towards Desmond, as he wants to explore the timeline himself. He no doubt holds Rebecca in higher regard than he likes to admit, since she did save him from Abstergo. Only Lucy seems to be above his snide remarks, either as a sign of greater respect or because he knows not to mess with her.
- Shaun states during the corrupted sequences that he forgot Rodrigo Borgia eventually became Pope even though there is a portrait of him on the wall next to his computer.
- Shaun says that he also provides tactical support for the Assassins on the field.
- In one conversation with Desmond, Shaun tells him that he has his own special type of ability, which allows him to see information and decode it more easily. He compares it to Desmond's Eagle Vision, only more "useful" in his opinion. He was probably referring more to his high intellect than some kind of super-human ability though.
- The character Shaun Hastings is named after Sean Hastings, a cult hero in the computer industry.
- In Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, Shaun has a portrait of Cesare Borgia near his desk, as well as pictures of famous landmarks in Rome, such as the Pantheon, and some of Leonardo da Vinci's designs, like the crossbow.
- Shaun once dated a girl named Kate, whom he fondly calls Kitty-Kat. However, he is openly embarrassed when Rebecca reveals that, over lunch, Kate had told Rebecca that she and Shaun had never made it to second base.
- Shaun persists in gaining an opportunity to enter the Animus, going so far as to e-mail Lucy a request to, however she never responds.
Gallery
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Shaun and Desmond arguing in Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood.
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The modern day Assassins in the cabin. -
Shaun Hastings.
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Shaun with the other modern day Assassins at the Sanctuary.
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Shaun Hastings close up.
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Shaun speaking
Video
Interviews
| thumb|right|300px|Danny Wallace Interview Part 1 | thumb|right|300px|Danny Wallace Interview Part 2 |
Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood
Shaun argue to Desmond
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