Lindsay Buroker

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!