Interview Dellani Oakes

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This week we have Dellani Oakes and her series The Lone Wolf Series which includes (thus far) Lone Wolf, Shakazhan, The Maker, and a companion collection of short stories, Lone Wolf Tales.

What was the most surprising thing you found out while researching/writing your latest book?

I don’t really do much research for my sci-fi books. My science is minimal, and the books dip into the metaphysical range, more often than not. These are not hard science books. I have mostly had to research things like military rank of Marines vs. Navy, because some of the organizations follow Naval ranks. Then, there are the Galactic Marines – a whole different animal altogether.

What did I discover? I don’t know much about Naval vs Marine ranks. I still get them mixed up, and have to refer to my notes. This may not seem important, but when I’m introducing a new character, who is either a Marine, or in one of the other hierarchies of certain guilds (which use Naval structure) I have to be sure whether to refer to them as an Ensign or Warrant Officer. It’s a little thing, but important.

Why did you choose this setting?

I had decided to set a book in a sci-fi world far in the future. The series begins in 3032. Things developed organically. I didn’t really do anything but decide on the year. I had something in my mind, but it became something far more elaborate than I had envisioned.

What’s unique about your world?

The action takes place in several areas of the galaxy, but the main planet is introduced in Book 2. The planet of Shakazhan was decimated by an evil entity known as the Kahlea. Very little is left on the surface, but the interior is teeming with life—most of it hostile. This planet becomes the focus of the action.

Prior to reaching Shakazhan, the main characters meet up on a delightful planet called Aolani. This is where the Mining Guild headquarters is located. Aolani is a tropical paradise, a mainland and clusters of beautiful islands. The headquarters is on the mainland, in the middle of the planet’s major city.

Other action takes place at the Committee Home Base. The Galactic Committee couldn’t find a neutral home, so they created a lavish, extensive base on a huge asteroid. Through extensive terraforming, they converted it to their needs. They also hauled it into an orbit around a minor sun which has no planets, and no race lays claim to.

There is also another planet discussed, but which no longer exists, called Saltulle. It was a dying planet, full of gems and ores found virtually nowhere else in the universe. Once the Mining Guild stripped it of its resources, it was destroyed and the Guild ships used its remains as fuel for their vehicles. (There is a story in Lone Wolf Tales called Gone But Not Forgotten, which, partially, takes place on Saltulle.)

How real do you think the science is in your book?

I don’t have a lot of science in my books. My books are much more about the action than the science. On occasion, there needs to be a moment or two in the lab, but these people are so advanced, they’ve come up with bigger, better, faster and more ways to conduct experiments and solve problems. Their robotics lab is far superior to anything we have today. Their medical techniques have also advanced beyond the scope of current methods. When I need a machine to handle something, I make it up. The Mining Guild members carry scanners, similar and more sophisticated than the Star Trek tricorders. These are standard equipment for all members, including on board crew.

What did you include that you wish was real today?

I wish their sentient ships were real. These are highly evolved beings – not like Moya, in Farscape. She’s Tinker Toys in comparison. Hammer, Anvil, Stix and Quick Silver are able to communicate telepathically with their crew and passengers. They create their interiors to suit the occupants, and can be redecorated at will. They can also provide food for their passengers, anticipating needs before they ask. These four ships are a family unit; father, mother daughter and son. Each has a distinct personality, and they provide well for their personnel. They are able to crunch space, and travel very quickly, even great distances. I’d love a sentient ship who could take me wherever I wanted to go and not only cooked the meal, they did the dishes. Wouldn’t that be great?

Anything else the readers might like to know?

If readers come to my books expecting the normal, run-of-the-mill science fiction, they might be disappointed. If they are looking for an exciting, futuristic adventure, then they will love them. My stories are less about the science, and more about the people learning to fit into their environment, which may not want them. They meet unusual creatures along the way: giant sentient mercenary cats, huge talking insects, a telepathic race which is more evolved than they can hope to be…. All this, and much more, lie in the pages of my books.