Unflappable Fi Meets the Irascible Scientist
Moving update: Painting! Peleos progress. Fi interviews Crystal.
We closed on the house! (* Snoopy happy dance *) My wife and I have been working like madpersons to paint the interior before the new carpet is installed tomorrow, which would be easier if we were 10 years younger, but, ya know... 🤷🏻 The fantastic news is that there's room in the new house for a dedicated writing office. Check out the new digs (and the new colors) below! In addition to a desk, we've ordered a sleeper chair so it can double as a guest room. We're going for a marine theme (chair is a nice mottled navy blue), complemented by some amazing harbor paintings by a local artist near my mom.
Due to the flurry of house activity, writing has slowed, but not stopped. Peleos (Timeless Keeper Saga Book 3) is at 78,000 words and climbing to a cruising altitude of probably 120,000. It may go a tad higher because the avalanche of galaxy-changing events has only just started and I still have a lot to cover. Oy!
February 14th being Valentine's Day, next month's feature will probably be another episode of Zima Answers. I had great fun last year dealing out delirious romance mis-advice through her jaded eyes. Can't wait to see what she comes up with this year. 😉
And now, get ready for another Character Crossover Interview! We're giving Zima a break so she can be fresh for next month, but to mix it up and keep with my current writings, Fi from the Timeless Keeper Saga will be grilling Dr. Crystal Castleton from Enigma.
Let the games begin!
In this newsletter
- Character Crossover Interview — Fi x Crystal
- Book Sales and Events
- Currently Reading
Character Crossover Interview
Fi x Crystal
Cappa (from Z-Tech Chronicles) tries something different this month and hands the interview reins to Fi from the Timeless Keeper Saga. Her unwitting subject is Dr. Crystal Castleton from the Lost Colonies series. Will Cappa regret relinquishing control? Let's find out!
— BEGIN —
CAPPA: You sure you've got this?
FI: Mm.
CAPPA: I'll take that as a yes, I guess. All righty, my dear, have fun! (under breath) If you can. (exits)
CRYSTAL: (appears in an electric flash) Wh... where am I?
FI: San Francisco, along the Embarcadero. Earth, in case you need a more general pointer. Twenty-first century.
CRYSTAL: Odd, I don't remember running a historical holo. Must be a glitch with the firmware I loaded last night. Who are you supposed to be? I don't recognize you from my holo library.
FI: Call me Fi. I'm your interviewer. Let's get to it, since it seems we only have a few minutes.
CRYSTAL: Short vid, huh? Fine, I can spare a few, since Britta's busy today, as always.
FI: Britta Silverstar, the Galilean Ambassador, correct? What's your relationship to her?
CRYSTAL: Tricky question. I'm her best friend, but I came to live with her family when we were kids. Not an adoption, mind, more of a permanent loan from my parents to hers.
FI: Indentured servitude? And at such a young age. I'm sorry.
CRYSTAL: No, no, nothing like that. Er, I guess it kind of is, but it's not nearly as horrendous as you make it sound. See, I have a certain... aptitude that Britta lacks. One her parents had really hoped would rub off on her if I became her live-in playmate. Didn't work out the way they wanted, but what did work was Britta and me.
FI: You're close?
CRYSTAL: You bet your skinny ass, blue eyes. She's the sister I never had. I can't imagine life without her. Don't want to, either.
FI: I can see that. She's an extrovert, you're not. She shields you from uncomfortable social interactions, which has the unfortunate side effect of stunting your inter-personal growth.
CRYSTAL: Yeah? Well, you aren't exactly Miss Charming, lady.
FI: I have the ability to be charming, but I've chosen not to because that isn't a personality trait you respond well to.
CRYSTAL: F*** you.
FI: Mm. The aptitude you spoke of clearly isn't decorum, so what were Britta's parents hoping you would teach her?
CRYSTAL: Nope, I'm done. Whoever made this stupid holo can shove it down their cake hole. Except... I can't find how to turn it off.
FI: Your defensiveness is understandable. You don't get to talk about it much, do you?
CRYSTAL: No. End program! End program! (sighs) That's what I get for building my own 'ware.
FI: 'ware? The black thing around your left forearm?
CRYSTAL: Yep, short for WetWare. But a historical program set ten thousand years ago, like yourself, isn't expected to know that. Best for both of us if you don't ask. You're probably programmed to ignore modern references anyway.
FI: Sorry, what were we talking about?
CRYSTAL: ...
FI: That was a joke.
CAPPA: (from outside) Will wonders never cease!
CRYSTAL: Who's that?
FI: I have no idea. So tell me, what's a—
CAPPA: (from outside) We covered 'wares in our interview with Britta. It's a cybernetic implant all Galileans have that keeps them in tip-top health. Next topic!
FI: (closes door) Better. Now—
CAPPA: (muffled) I can still hear you!
FI: Let's pretend the door is soundproof and get back to the interview that, as I vividly recall, I only agreed to conduct if I were given exclusive and solitary control.
CAPPA: (faint grumbling)
CRYSTAL: This is one whacked out holo. Must be a joke gift from Britta.
FI: Mm. Anyway, skipping the particulars of that curious 'ware... You mentioned that you built it yourself. I gather that isn't a common skill?
CRYSTAL: I wouldn't call it uncommon, but working on one requires education akin to a medical degree, since f****ng it up can kill you, not to mention their intricate integration with human physiology.
FI: So you're a doctor?
CRYSTAL: Yes, but call me "doctor" and we'll see how far this chair leg fits up your dainty little a**. I'm a scientist and an engineer who's secure enough to not need the pretentious title.
FI: Violently so, it seems. My dainty a** and I consider ourselves warned. So, I'm going to hazard a guess that Britta's parents paired you with her because of your scientific aptitude.
CRYSTAL: Clever program. Yes, they did. I was... well, I was born lucky, I guess, especially on Galileo where scientists hold the highest social standing. My brain can solve just about any equation instantly. Better, I can see the right equation to solve a given problem. Um, "see" isn't the right word, since it's all in my mind, but... am I making sense?
FI: Perfectly, believe me. That must give you a tremendous advantage in your field.
CRYSTAL: You have no idea.
FI: I have some idea. I hold Doctorates in Mathematics and Physics, though my mental math abilities are middling at best—and no, I don't feel the need to be addressed as "doctor," either, although my aversion to the title is several shades lighter than yours.
CRYSTAL: Huh. With that fashionable green hair and legs that go forever, you struck me as more of a pole-up-your-a** model type.
FI: I've been every type you can imagine, and many you can't, but let's return to the interview. Given your natural talents, what would you say has been your biggest contribution to society?
CRYSTAL: Depends on who you ask, really, but since you asked me... Probably my refinements to our space fold technology. My last tweaks extended our fold capabilities from mid-sized ships to entire space stations, along with everything in a half-kilometer radius. And, just so you know, that info is Top Secret, so I will be deleting this program when we're done. Sorry.
FI: Mm. I'm familiar with space fold theory, but the technology is far beyond us at the moment.
CRYSTAL: And for the next five thousand years. I can tell you that for sure.
FI: That assumes we exist in the same spacetime continuum, which our bubbly host claims we don't.
CAPPA: (muffled) Can. Hear. You.
CRYSTAL: I... Are you sure this is a twenty-first century holo? Feels way off the mark, since even in my time we can't hop dimensions.
FI: Good to note, which I would except apparently I'm not allowed a notebook.
CAPPA: (muffled) Oh, for the love of all things fluffy... I explained why!
CRYSTAL: Look, this is... somewhat entertaining, I guess, but if you wouldn't mind ending the program, I have more productive things I could be doing, like scraping gunk from my toenails, or plotting my revenge against Britta for inflicting this stupid holo on me.
FI: Of course. Just two more questions, if you don't mind.
CRYSTAL: And if I do mind?
FI: I'm sure you'll get over it. First question: If you could visit anywhere on Earth at any point in history, where would you go, to which time period, and why?
CRYSTAL: Stars, that's like asking a kid which cookie she'd like to eat first. I'd give every tool on my workbench to see any part of Earth at any time. No one in the Lost Colonies ever has! But if I had to pick, I guess I'd say London during the Industrial Revolution.
FI: Too much soot for my taste, but please continue.
CRYSTAL: Yeah, I get it. But man! That was the birthplace of human technology, you know? When it began to take off for real. I'd love a glimpse into the energy, the novelty, the ingenuity that drove that culture. Plus they wore really cool hats. I'd snag a bowler in a heartbeat and wear it to my next public lecture.
FI: Textbooks add more glamor than the average worker experienced, but I understand where you're coming from. My second question is a bit more personal. To me, that is.
CRYSTAL: Uh, yeah, okay. Whatever.
FI: Has anyone in your history ever experienced visions of—
FI: (disappears in an electric flash)
CAPPA: (enters) Well phooey. I thought we could hold onto her for a squidge longer, but physics is physics, I suppose.
CRYSTAL: Nice sun dress. And you are?
CAPPA: Unimportant, since you won't remember me in about twelve seconds.
CRYSTAL: Can't say I'm sad about that. Before I go, though, please tell me who made this holo. It's the worst. I've got to share it around!
CAPPA: Alvin Orwing. Be sure to pass on the bad word, not that you'll remember that, either. Toodles!
CRYSTAL: (disappears in an electric flash)
ZIMA: (enters) Sorry I am late. When does the interviewee arrive?
CAPPA: Just missed her, and it's just as well. I test drove a guest interviewer from Seg's universe.
ZIMA: How did it go?
CAPPA: Like a fossilized train wreck! Mark's socks could have done better. Remind me next time to interview the interviewer before the interviewee arrives.
ZIMA: I would have suggested that this time, had you told me your intentions.
CAPPA: Yes, fine! I won't go behind your back again. (huffs) I need a shopping trip to counter the "meh" vibes that Fi woman left. Want to come with?
ZIMA: No.
CAPPA: And my fabulous day continues.
— END —
Book Sales and Events
- Now – February 15 — The Hero's Dilemma. "Moral dilemmas in fantasy and science fiction." Ever had to make an uncomfortable choice? Neither have these folks—until now. Like... chocolate or vanilla cupcakes? I can never decide!
- January — Romantic Fantasy & Sci-fi. Get your romantacy and, eh... romanscifi (?) on with this collection of books from a variety of authors. Shirtless guy warning should go without saying. Some have managed to stay clothed and, curiously, all the women have. I sense an imbalance in the Force...
Currently Reading
I finished an unpublished sci fi book for the fourth or fifth time written by a friend of mine. Each iteration has gone in a different direction than the previous. This last one was by far the best. Can't wait to uncap the bottle for you when it's finally ready for publication!
Harrow the Ninth (audiobook)
My previous review stands that, as a first read, this book was too confusing—and, worse, disingenuous to itself—to enjoy. However, as a second read, knowing already what the fully assembled puzzle looks like, I found it much more enjoyable. Moira Quirk's performance continued to dazzle and entertain. Still only 3 stars, but if you've read this book and are a fan of the series, I highly recommend reading it again. I don't say that lightly, either, because I'm a one-and-done kind of reader, but for this otherwise excellent series, I've made an exception.
Nona the Ninth
I found this book even more enjoyable the second time around, and I really enjoyed the first read. Moira Quirk's rendition of Nona was excellent, along with the rest of the gang. This book features children of a range of ages, and Moira voices them all perfectly, making each distinct and entertaining. I also picked out many, many more details this time around than my first read, so I'm very glad I gave it a second go. Highly recommended!
Wind and Truth (Stormlight Archive #5)
I'm 3% into this behemoth and, so far, the pacing is much better than previous books, which started very slow. I have a feeling I'll finish this soon, despite the 1,300 page count.
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