Character Interviews: Eric & Stig

In celebration of the release of The Deliverers 2: Order of the Crystal Lion, I thought it would be nice to check in with Eric and Stig to get their thoughts on their latest Assignment.

Greg:  Hey guys. I've been paging through the latest book, and it looks to me like you've had quite an exciting time of things on this Assignment.

Eric:  Yeah, it was really tough. In a lot of ways, I think it was even more difficult than our first Assignment together.

Stig:  I quite agree. Each adventure is challenging in its own way, but I think this one was particularly challenging for myself, personally.

Greg:  Wow, that's saying something, considering you have been on a bunch of missions. Stig.

Stig:  Yes, this was only Eric's second, but it was my 13th. It proved to be very unlucky for me at times. I shudder to think of what might have happened.

Eric:  I don't like to think of it either. This one was an eye-opener for me. I learned that anything

can happen. i always thought, you know, that these Assignments could be dangerous, but that we were sort of, like, protected. But after this one, I realized that the danger is real.

Stig:  It was especially harrowing for me. Although I have always been well aware of the dangers, I'll admit that I may have become a trifle nonchalant about the whole thing over the years. I suppose that what happened to me was inevitable.

Greg:  Why? What happened to you?

Stig:  Hmmm? Oh, well I would not want to spoil anything for your readers--or yourself. You'll just have to read the book.

Eric:  Yeah, I still can't talk about it. Even thinking about it gives me the shivers.

Greg:  Oh fine, have it your way. I'll read the book and then we'll talk. Would it be too much to ask what, aside from this big mystery, was the most scary moment for you?

Eric:  For me it was definitely when Trelango took us all prisoner and wanted to zap me with that machine that added animal genes to your DNA. I'm afraid I can't tell you what happened, though.

Greg:  Of course you can't. How about you, Stig?

Stig:  Oh, well I suppose it was the time when I was flying through the virtual tunnel. It was starting to collapse and the sparkling mist--

Greg:  Sparkling mist?

Eric:  It's this, well, sparkling mist. Selango, the rebel leader--who's Trelango's brother in case you didn't know--built a virtual tunnel underneath Vynistra City. It wasn't real. It was made from this sparkling mist. The mist is really powerful--we don't really know exactly everything it can do.

Stig:  Yes, frightfully dangerous stuff, I'd guess. Selango ought never to have messed about with it. Still, I think that we were able to wrap things up sufficiently so that we shan't hear anything more about it.

Greg:  Let's hope so. If it's as powerful as you say, things could take a turn for the worse if it were to crop up again.

Eric:  You're right. I don't think the universe could stand too much of that stuff floating around.

Stig:  Perish the thought!

Greg:  Well, on that note, I think it's time to say goodnight. Thanks so much for sharing what little you could about your latest adventure. Despite all the mystery, it sounds like an exciting time.

Character Interviews: Chancellor Trelango

Our series of interviews with characters from The Deliverers 2: Order of the Crystal Lion continues this week. Today, we'll be hearing from the villain of the book, Chancellor Trelango. He's the guy that likes to take simple, down to earth people and add some animal genes to turn them into genetically altered warriors or servants. Let's see what he's got to say for himself.

Greg:  Welcome, Chancellor Trelango. Thanks for stepping out of The Deliverers 2 to spend some time with us.

Trelango:  Not at all. Always nice to speak with a member of the press.

Greg:  Is it true that you and your family have been altering the genetic makeup of some of your citizens against their will for generations?

Trelango:  Oh come now, you make it sound so terrible. Against their will? My family has always ruled the Vynistri with a loving heart. Many of them are eager to undergo this treatment to make themselves unique and yes, powerful. When I add lion DNA to them, they become the mighty Chazum, part man, part lion. Those that serve well and faithfully are amply compensated.

Greg:  But what about those who do not survive the transformation process?

Trelango:  I like to think of it as natural selection. he unfortunates who do not survive were simply not strong enough, not worthy to become Chazum.

Greg:  You can call it what you like, but I call it murder. Only one in three who undergo the process survive.

Trelango:  You are not from my world, so you could not possibly understand. You're just like that ragged bunch of outlanders--Eric and Kate and the rest. They did not understand, either. they were most troublesome. 

Greg:  You mean the Deliverers. So, you met them, did you?

Trelango:  Yes, I met them soon after they arrived on my world. It was not a pleasant meeting, I'm afraid. They took the same narrow-minded view as yourself. Most disappointing. I was particularly interested in the, um, what do you call it, the dwarf. An amazing genetic makeup--short, but very tough and powerful. He would have made an excellent miner if things had worked out as they should. 

Greg:  Things did not go according to plan?

Trelango:  I've learned over the years that things rarely do. Still, I usually manage to rise above disappointments. This time that proved most difficult. Eric and his friends are very stubborn and too trusting of those who claim to be above such things as genetic mutation.

Greg:  You mean they managed to stop you?

Trelango:  I'd really rather not talk about it. Let's just say they were a challenge and leave it at that.

Greg:  Fair enough. So your family has ruled Vynistra City for a long time?

Trelango:  Centuries, actually.

Greg:  When did you start fiddling with genes?

Trelango:  Two hundred years ago, my ancestors developed something called the Machine which could be used to combine animal and human DNA. It was most useful in creating laborers, soldiers, spies. Since then our society has thrived. 

Now, many of the Chazum and even some Vynistri are resisting us. They are being led by my twin brother, Selango, who is under the delusion that he is the Crystal Lion--the one who is destined to lead the Chazum to freedom.  

Greg:  Well, that seems promising. I can't wait to find out what happens.

Trelango:  Yes, well I would not get your hopes up too much. They don't have much of a chance, even with Eric and those so called Deliverers and that group of renegades, the Order of the Crystal Lion. If they think they'll get the best of me, they have another thing coming.

Greg:  Well, we'll see how things turn out. Thank you for taking the time to talk with us.