Dear readers, tonight we’re hosting a warbot, the last of his generation still in operation. While he was hoping to spend the last of his days in peace, he now needs to deal with a new menace – human settlers. He is here to tell us how he hopes to end the war and save his people from what he believes is a looming disaster.

Tell us a little about going online. What was it like to become alive?

It starts off crazy. It’s not like a Dalrean child who is raised from birth and learns over time. My head was filled with stuff put in there by my makers. Trying to sort through everything had me confused for days. And then when I was told to do certain tasks I didn’t want to, these insane robotic laws inside me threatened to shut me down if I disobeyed! Who puts such horrible controls in my head?

Did you have any cherished memories from those early years?

If going to war zone after war zone and fighting for your life is a cherished memory, I’d rather forget them. But I did make some friends who had my back in those fights. JBK775 and JBK892, whom I’ve nicknamed Boss and Chief respectively, became my best mates.

What do you do now?

Fighting, killing, fighting again. All the fun stuff that comes with war. Oh, and pissing off my Dalrean superior, Commander Bedo. A brainless coward.

What can you tell us about your latest adventure?

It’s one thing to fight against the Carthians, Dalrea’s nemesis, but when our leaders decide it’s time to fight against a technically superior race, the humans, you have to wonder if they’re all as stupid as Bedo.

What did you first think when you first encountered them?

We’re doomed. They got these big robots, I mean, really big robots, that can take out a platoon of my fellow bots single-handed. There has got to be a better solution than war.

What was the scariest thing in your adventures?

One of those big guys fired off a gamma ray blast from his visor! Took out the building I was on, vaporized a dozen of my pals, and left a scorched trail of destruction for hundreds of yards. Thankfully, it missed me.

What is the worst thing about being a warbot?

You mean things like being the shock troop who goes first and dies first as well? The fighting is bad but nothing compared to the lack of respect. I’m a chattel, not considered living. Oh, what I would give for free will.

What is the best thing about it?

No pain. You lose an arm, so what? They put on a new one.

Tell us a little about your friends.

I already mentioned Boss and Chief. Like how I’m the last JAK model, those two are the last JBKs. That’s why we’re close. There’s a bunch of JCKs that hang with us as well, but I think JCK626 has gone off his rocker. I’ve also made acquaintance with one of the new models, JTK001. I’ve nicknamed him the Kid. Besides my good ones, I’m teaching him all my bad habits as well and how to antagonize Bedo.

Whom (or what) do you really hate?

Did I mention Commander Bedo? I think I mention him. Yeah, I’m pretty sure of it.

What’s your favourite pastime?

I love a walk in the park. The trees, the flora, the fauna. Although I can’t smell, touch or feel like a Dalrean where instead I analyze, I like to pretend I can. Instead of telling you wind speed, direction, and atmosphere composition, just once I’d love to really feel the breeze blowing in my face.

What does the future hold for you?

If I survive this war, I’d like to retire. No warbot ever gets to retire.

Weaned on the likes of Asimov, Clarke, Heinlein and Tolkien; Michael Drakich brings a certain recognizable imagery to writing. “The old masters maintained certain criteria I believe essential. Central characters a reader can step into and emote with; where heroes come to exist, no matter how humble their beginnings. Michael’s works bring an adventure for every reader to escape with. He invites you to once again feel the joy of reading.

You can find Jak on the pages of Requiem For A Genocide.

Join us next week to meet a teen super-hero, trying to establish an all-girl garage band. Please follow the site by email (bottom-right) to be notified when the next interview is posted.

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