Star Kingdom Extras: Character Interview with the genetically engineered Qin Liangyu Three

As you know from my last post, the third novel in my Star Kingdom series (Hero Code) is out. To help get you excited for the adventure, I’ve located a special, if somewhat dubious, journalist willing to interview one of my more eccentric main characters, the genetically engineered warrior cat-woman Qin Liangyu Three.

She goes by Qin in the stories. I wish I had some artwork for her! The picture included here isn’t quite right as this cat seems to be lacking a human half… but it is cute!

Interview with Qin

Beautiful cat in outer space. Elements of this image furnished by NASA.

Journalist: Greetings, Qin! I’m very excited to speak with you.

Qin: *blinks and swivels her pointed ears*

You are? But you’re… We’re in the Kingdom for this story, and the people here don’t like genetically modified tomatoes, much less lab-born creations such as… me.

Journalist: That’s the official policy, yes, but I’m a member of GESS, and I do interviews for our underground news feed. We do our best to stay out of the public eye, since some of our opinions are not popular, but we have monthly meetings where we toss back GMO tomatoes like popcorn.

Qin: …GESS?

Journalist: Genetically Engineered Secret Support. You’ve been here on Odin for a couple of days, and we heard you’re having adventures. What brought you here?

Qin: My captain. She’s a bounty hunter, though right now, she’s trying to get paid for a patent on some kind of bandage-dispensing robot vending machine.

Journalist: Er, bandages? I suppose a bounty hunter would have need of such things.

Qin: It’s a long story. For myself, I’m here to help out. My new friend Casmir is in trouble with some terrorists. If they go after him while I’m around, I’ll show them how my retractable claws work. *she demonstrates for the journalist*

Journalist: Those are indeed impressive. And also, er, is that nail polish? And… sequins?

Qin: *grins* I found a bedazzling gun. I’m having fun. And the captain does a lovely job with nail polish.

Journalist: I see. You’re not quite what I expected from a genetically engineered super warrior.

Qin: I’ve fought lots of battles, first when I was owned by the Drucker-family pirates, and now as Captain Lopez’s assistant, but I’m happiest when I get to hang out with friends or read magazines and listen to music in my cabin. Or shop! Do you want to see my candle collection?

Journalist: Uhm.

Qin: I didn’t get a chance to do any of those things with the Druckers, and they didn’t pay us, so I’m enjoying being able to buy things and decorate my cabin now that I earn money.

Journalist: Of course. What do you plan to do here on Odin while you’re visiting? Aside from showing your claws to dastardly enemies.

Qin: I do more than show my claws to my enemies.

But I do enjoy doing other things. I can smell the ocean and a park with lots of trees from the ship here. I hope to get to visit them. I’ve spent most of my life on space stations and spaceships. Sometimes, stations have trees, but they’re not the same.

I also wouldn’t mind meeting some knights. Some nice knights. Noble and chivalrous ones who don’t mind that a girl… doesn’t look quite like a girl. I’ve met Sir Asger, but he tried to kill me the first time he saw me. *wrinkles nose*

Journalist: Ah, yes. Sir Asger. I’ve seen his calendars.

Qin: We get along a little better now, but I’d still like to meet a knight who’s truly chivalrous. Like Casmir but with more muscles. Someone I can spar with!

Journalist: Casmir Dabrowski, the roboticist?

Qin: Yes, he’s a nice man. He’s never called me a freak.

Journalist: But he doesn’t have enough muscles?

Qin: Not for sparring with me. Or… anyone. But I have sparred with his bodyguard robot, Zee. He’s all right, but not really equipped for anything other than fighting. It’s also really hard to get a hold on him. Literally. He’s all smooth, and he can turn into liquid metal if you do manage to grab him.

Journalist: It sounds like you have an eclectic group of… friends. What did you say your goals here on Odin are? Something about battling terrorists? Do you know where their base is? How many allies do you have?

Qin: I just looked up GESS on the network here, and there aren’t any mentions of it. Are you sure you’re here to interview me for a news article? You sound suspicious.

Journalist: Me?

Qin: You’re not working for the terrorists, are you?

Journalist: No, no, certainly not. But I think I’ve got enough for my piece so I’ll…

*Qin flashes claws*

Journalist: See myself out. Bye!

~

See for yourself what Qin is up to in Hero Code: https://amzn.to/2WrRVFs

If you haven’t started the series yet, Book 1 is Shockwave: https://amzn.to/2K58KUY

The books will be out in stores other than Amazon in 2020. Thanks for reading!