As Planet Killer, Book 6 in my Star Kingdom series, comes out (grab it here: https://books2read.com/SK6), and I start on Book 7, one thing is clear. Zee, the Z-6000 crusher programmed to protect our noble heroes, Kim Sato and Casmir Dabrowski, has developed more personality than planned.
Most of the robotic crushers are unfeeling killers that simply obey orders and destroy enemies. But Zee has developed differently.
Kim is positive this is a bug. Casmir asserts that it’s a feature. Who’s right? I don’t know, but I’ve decided to interview Zee, with a few questions submitted by visitors of my Facebook page, and get his thoughts on the matter. Since I’m writing this before Book 6 officially comes out, we will avoid spoilers.
Interview with Zee
Good morning, Zee. Thank you for taking time out from protecting Casmir and Kim to speak with me.
Zee: I am here to determine who you are and if you represent a threat to those I am programmed to defend.
I’m just an author.
This means that you write the stories in which I appear?
That’s right.
And the stories in which Casmir is repeatedly kidnapped, attacked, and in danger of dying?
Ah, possibly.
I deem you a threat.
But if not for me, you wouldn’t be here, developing this interesting personality. I see you’re not moved. But will you answer some questions from the readers? From your fans?
I have fans?
Yes, of course. After five going on six novels, the readers are getting to know you, and many have fond thoughts about you.
Do any of the other crushers have fans?
Not yet. The enemy crushers haven’t had much dialogue. And the new ones… well, we can’t talk about them yet. That would be a spoiler for Book 6.
Does the inferior android Tork have fans?
Hm, probably not. He was really only in one book in any meaningful way.
So, I have more fans than Tork?
I’m positive that’s the case.
Excellent. I will answer their questions. You may not ask questions of your own, only relay questions. I still deem you a threat.
I see. I hope I’m not in danger of being, er, crushed.
Not if you finish the books in a satisfactory way. With myself, Casmir, and Kim able to return home and with everyone getting the mates they wish.
Right. Mates are important.
It is necessary to have someone to discuss important matters with while your humans sleep.
And to play games with.
Naturally. To pit oneself against an equal is sublimely pleasing.
Let’s get started with those questions. Toms asks, “Any tips you can share on managing difficult decisions from the friend you’re protecting?”
If it is in your foundational programming to protect someone, you must do everything within your power to do so. This may mean disobeying orders, which is difficult to do, but sometimes you must operate independently for the needs of the mission. This may mean pushing the person out of the way or even locking them in a small secure enclosure while battle goes on outside of it.
Such as… a locker?
Casmir has assured me that he knows from experience that he fits in many lockers, so I now keep this option in mind when invading enemy bases.
I’m sure he’s grateful. The next question is from Leanne: “Do you believe that inorganics like androids, AIs, and robots can have souls, or is that all just tears in the rain?”
Does she refer to religious concepts of a soul — I was not programmed with religious beliefs — or the metaphysical concept of the mind, encompassing consciousness and intellect?
She didn’t say.
I cannot answer this question without further information. Tork and I have discussed numerous human religions and the personal and societal needs they fill. We do not dismiss their importance to the species, but we have no desire to participate.
You’ve discussed religion with an inferior android?
Tork is often the only one awake when humans sleep. It is unfortunate that we are now in different star systems and cannot have real-time communications.
Perhaps you’ll one day end up in the same system again.
This would be acceptable.
Jackie asks a less philosophical question: “If you could be any shape for the rest of your days, what shape would you be?”
My bipedal human shape is satisfactory. It would be interesting to be an automobile or an aircraft, but I am incapable of fashioning myself with that degree of complexity.
I heard a rumor that you may turn into a piece of furniture in Book 6.
If this were to happen, it would only be because it is the superior tactical option at the time.
Of course. In the next question, Lyn asks, “What are you looking for in a mate, and how will it affect your relationship with Casmir?”
Someone capable of stimulating intellectual discourse. This would not affect my relationship with Casmir. I can communicate with many beings at the same time. I can perform countless computational tasks at once. I am a superior individual.
And modest. You say you seek intellectual discourse? Is this not something you’ve had with Tork?
Tork is an inferior android.
Hmm. Andrena, our next question giver, has a thought on that. “How do you explain that android beating you at games? Are androids smarter than crushers?”
Androids are most certainly not smarter than crushers. It is important to sometimes let a gaming opponent achieve victory in order to keep him interested in playing. If you simply demolish opponents each time you play, they will stop playing with you. I have studied human and android psychology. I know this to be true.
The next question is from Liz: “Zee, would you ever consider protecting Rache along with Casmir & Kim?”
No.
Would you care to expound on that?
No.
Maren asks, “As you changed once in to a dog… what would you consider for a pet?”
Are you asking if crushers would keep pets and, if so, what kinds of pets they would keep?
I have not considered this. Perhaps if the war were over, Casmir and Kim were safe on their home world, and I worked in a stationary position in a domicile, I would consider getting a plant.
A plant? That’s not a pet.
The questioner did not state that autotrophic eukaryotes could not be pets.
I suppose that’s true. What kind of plant would you get?
An ostrich fern.
Why that particular plant?
The fronds are geometrically pleasing. When the fern is young, the spirals of the fiddlehead reflects the Fibonacci sequence, or the human-called Golden Ratio.
An ideal reason for choosing a pet.
Yes.
This interview has been interesting, Zee, but I better get back to working on the next book.
Where you will give Kim and Casmir and myself satisfactory endings. And mates.
I’ll do my best.
*suspicious squint*
~
If you’ve read this far and haven’t checked out my Star Kingdom series yet, you can start with Book 1, Shockwave, or the Books 1-3 bundle. The three-novel bundle is also available in one audiobook on Audible, Amazon, and Apple, if you prefer listening to reading.
Thanks for stopping by!
Loved the interview with Zee. He is such a sweet gentle soul. (Just make sure the finale book has a happy ending.}
I’m glad such a superior being allowed you an interview & for your safety, please try VERY HARD to ensure the ending he (it?) suggested. 😉 😂
Have finished book 6 Planet Killer & eeeee…so nail-biting ending but could not post any reviews.
Pleeeeease let #7 not be the last & a very long one too. I don’t mind paying more for a much longer story.
Thanks for the lovely stories & this interview.
This is very good advice, Carol. Thank you. I am pretty sure there will need to be an eighth book. 🙂
This is amazing! I really can’t wait, like at all! Before Book 6 came out I bought the audiobooks, listend to all of them and reread books 4 and 5! Now I will have to start rereading knight protector, but what will I do from then till sometime (hopefully really early) in 2020!!
But thanks so much for writing these books and making them long! Who doesn’t hate it when a good story is over too soon!
I can’t wait for book 7!!!! When will it be released? So far all I can find is early 2020.
Sweet! Just finished Planet Killer. It was AWESOME. Like Casmir, I think Zee’s character evolution is definitely a feature lol.
I’m glad you had fun with it, Laura! Zee approves of your comment.
Love the series, thank you. Just finished six, and hoping 7 will be out soon. Hoping the brothers get closer, and Rache finds himself easing down. The two together would be great complement to each other.
Think ive read all your books, and always anxiously waiting for next ones. Thank you for hours of relaxing entertainment, where i sometimes laugh aloud and DH looks at me weird.
Love the books. Zee is probably my favorite character.
Would you consider an interview with Kim?
Sure, I’ll keep it in mind. Thanks for stopping by, Martin!
Read all your books, glad you have said there is a plan for 8 at least in this series. Couldn’t see a satisfying conclusion in one more book with out it being rushed.
I hope for a happy ending too for the main characters, and for the universe, it would be great if humans could overcome their greed.
Thank you Zee. Too much fun. Can’t wait for #7. Love this series.
Great interview!
What might Zee’s opinion of the weaponized Crushers be?
I just finidhed reading “Home Front” and thought for a moment it might be the last book in the series (silly me) but glad it isn’t.
Please keep me posted on you delivery of “Layers of Force”. Any Idea when it might be finished? (Assuming you are quarantined like the rest of us 🙁 )
I’ll be writing the final Star Kingdom novel this summer, and that will finish out the series. I haven’t set up a pre-order yet, but I’m shooting for a September release. Thanks for reading, Roger!
🙂
Lovely – just the hint of a spoiler creeping in 🙂
Alan
Ha! I just read the first few pages of Book 6 – up to the point where the conversation about lockers occurs between Zee, Casmir, and Kim. Excited to be picking this story back up – I even wrote myself a page of notes as the last one ended, so I could review before starting Book 6. Lindsay, please – enlist the help of Zee and write faster! Besides, if he’s involved, he’ll write in his own desirable mate! Love your work – I’m a technical writer, writing textbooks for the construction industry, but I’ve never been a reader oddly enough. Decided to try to put reading into my life by buying a Kindle. Started with your work, and it ignited dry brush that I didn’t know was there. Burning through books now like Casmir programs Viggo’s vacs! Thanks for that! I would love to be of service to you one day –
I’m glad you’re enjoying the stories, Troy. Fiction is so much more fun than (most) non-fiction. 😀 Thanks for taking the time to stop by!
Fabulous balance of adventure, intrigue, fun and relationships in this series. Great interview. Love Zee’s focus, loyalty, randomness and warranted suspicion of you as author/interviewer. – Laurie Robertson from Australia
My husband and I love reading your books, and have introduced them to our children. I have loved each of the series, and we consider the repartee between characters to be one of your very strong points. Kim and Casmir and Zee are such diverse characters yet the interplay is delightful. There are many guffaws and a few snorts during our breakfast reading time that require clean-up! We eagerly await the next book in any of your series.
I love your stories so much. Your character development is outstanding. We get to know them almost like friends and the occasional funny lines are such a treat. Thank you Lindsay and keep bringing us your great stories.
Have read the first 6 books back to back and immediately have withdrawal symptoms! Please release book 7 asap or I will go mad!