Duncan Mortimer was Sydney Sage's first ally in re-education. Duncan landed in re-education because he broke Alchemist rules to assist some Moroi while on an assignment. Duncan knows a lot about the workings of the Alchemist facility because he has been held for a long time. He comes across as having given up all hope at the chance of leaving the facility or escaping. We later discover that this is because he is the son of formidable Alchemist leaders Gordon and Sheila Mortimer.