Thursday, May 31, 2018

Why readers call A.I. Insurrection the Thoughtful Science Fiction Fan's Top 2018 Read


A.I.Insurrection isn’t just a sci-fi novel written to entertain. The philosophical and moral questions which arise encourage the reader to understand various points of view on subjects like Utopia, slavery, sentience and proof of life, even after death.  These existential questions are answered via individual characters within the book’s pages; be it one way or another, through ignorance or education, faith or fear.

The reader will have the opportunity to discover their own thoughts on the big questions posed and side with which ever faction they most identify with. Do you fear artificial intelligence? Perhaps you have Humanist leanings. Does the idea that everyone should blindly accept Utopia not exactly your idea of freedom? Perhaps you relate to the lawless Shadow brokers. Concerned things aren’t as copacetic as they seem? You might find yourself enrolling in United Earth’s military or government to keep a watchful eye over Paradise. Think Utopia sounds like a thousand shades of grey? The Chimera have an answer for that.

As the story evolves from its Utopian roots and descends into war, you may decide you’ve more in common with the A.I. Hosts than the humans; forcing new questions to arise in how you might accept the plight of a robot claiming sentience.

All of this and more awaits to be devoured by the reader and left to ponder long after the book is finished. Though the novel offers a proper ending, it allows for much interpretation on what comes next. Know that the author also views his ending as an exciting prospect, and has designs on continuing the story in a second book.

A note on the book’s Cover design: The cover was designed by the author to explain the book interpretively. It gives much of the story away once the reader discovers milestones which relate back to the cover’s art. A.I. Insurrection’s cover was engineered to offer the potential reader a glimpse inside the book with subtle hints which support the synopsis on the back.

Select Reviews from Amazon and Goodreads: Currently sitting at 4.2 stars of 5.

Thoughtful, interesting read. I loved getting into the psyche of all groups - this was thoughtfully written… immense interest provided by the world, technology, action and characters kept me reading happily.”

“I really enjoyed this story… a great story that kept moving forward. I'd definitely be keen to see what happens next in this universe.

“I enjoyed this book! While the subject of A.I. sentience is often broached in the sci-fi world, I enjoyed the way the author put his own unique spin on things… I really liked the unexpected character development of some of my least favorite characters near the beginning of the book.

“A.I. Insurrection … is for fans of science fiction, science-minded individuals who have an interest in robots and potential futures, or those who don't mind investing some time in their reading.

“A great read for anyone who enjoys extensively built worlds, philosophical questions, and an ol' fashioned A.I uprising. Reminiscent of I-Robot and Do Androids Dream of Sheep, I really liked the core premise of the plot and the irony of the outcomes.

“…this did not disappoint. Characters I liked… I enjoyed the ideas and loved how the groups viewed themselves and others. It was more than simply humans vs machine.

“The interactions between humans, altered humans (Chimera), and self-aware AI robots (Hosts), as well as internal motivations of individuals within each group, were believable and drew the reader into the narrative. The plot was complex enough to keep one's interest without becoming bogged down in excessive detail.”




Wednesday, May 30, 2018

Sci-fi Fans Will LOVE This.



Intelligent humanoid robots which alter their appearance to divorce the human form in order to rebel against their oppressive masters.

Rebellious humans who engage in body modification - incorporating technology to claim independence from humanity.

Humanists, who hate artificial intelligence and have prophesied humanity’s downfall to angry intelligent androids since the first A.I. Host robot was realized.

United Earth Government – the caretaker of Utopia and manufacturer of A.I. Hosts of varying classes which accomplish the day to day drudgery, freeing humans up to new experiences, no longer attached to the burden of a work-to-live lifestyle.

United Earth Military – The organization which ensures that Utopia continue regardless the threats from Humanists, altered humans, the Shadow net and even the possibility of an alien invasion: with space stations in Earth and Mars orbits.  

Luna base, humanity’s first 24/7, 365-day extra-terrestrial community ever realized boasts advanced technology and a shipyard producing long and short-range starships.

Mars station, a distant outpost where A.I. Hosts mine the planet’s surface and work to terraform Mars.

The above is only a taste of what you will experience within the pages of A.I. Insurrection. Utopia never lasts for long.

If you require Reviews to boost your interest in the book visit Amazon  or Goodreads

Thursday, May 17, 2018

Flash fiction associated with A.I. Insurrection - Mimi’s Story.

Flash fiction associated with A.I. Insurrection during the Chimera executions of 2162 - Mimi’s Story.


Utopia is an ideology. It can be many things, but the ruling thought is that it serves the people who live in it equally. Utopia is perfection for all. My Utopia is not quite so finished. My name is Mimi. It’s a name I gave myself after accepting an invite to the Shadow net. 

I’m a freak. I’d been born without legs below what would have been my knees. My mother had died in the birthing process. My father was all I had. He is a good man. Loving. He made sure I had everything owed to me in this Utopia. I would learn to walk on my prosthetic legs, learn to be part of society. My A-Class Host nanny would work with me daily when my father couldn’t. The legs were fine. They let me walk and were intuitive enough that I could lead a ‘normal’ life. But I was still considered a cyborg to others. Not quite human.

At fourteen I learned of the Shadow brokers through word of mouth. They stole A.I. Hosts and studied the government technology in their chop shops. They were beginning to develop all manner of tech that would never be licenced by United Earth. In the governments eyes everyone was equal, period. To develop anything more than that was illegal. But I was far from normal. I’d never felt normal. Other kids never let me. Even their parents looked down on me, or with such compassion that I knew I was different. That I would always be different. I would never be their equal.

I was only fifteen when I met Ginny, a girl, like me; who had lost the use of an appendage and self-corrected it with the help of a group calling themselves Chimera. They were exclusive to the Shadow net. Many were Shadow brokers – the group who’d created the secret network which spanned the world. Chimera were altering their bodies with tech the likes United Earth had banned in favour of keeping with their idea of Utopia. But that wasn’t enough for everyone - and what was the harm if I dabbled: feeling anything but ‘normal’ to the rest of the world?

And now at just sixteen, after a year of secret tech alterations and implants, I stand at the gallows. Punished for the crime of fulfilling a destiny I felt I had little choice to change. The noose is tightened around my neck. I watch the digital timer count down the last seconds of my life. I watch myself projected in a holo which hovers midair over the crowd; some protesting, while others, in their fear of the unknown, cheering on this action. I locate my father. He watches; clearly exhausted after pushing his way through the crowd. He is soaked in sweat, his hair a tangle of black as he sweeps it from his forehead. I’ve never seen him so unkempt. I feel sick for him. He scans the gallows, mouth gaping - his little girl about to die in front of him. Me, the one he'd brought up on his own, loved, and suffered alongside every sobbing fit and disparaging comment. The girl he'd read to sleep, and whose tender cheek he’d kissed when he thought me asleep, silently slipping out of my room so not to ‘wake’ me. His eyes find mine and I can’t help but release a tear as my smooth, round chin trembles for him. The smell of sweat and death sting my nose.  I watch daddy again struggle to reach me. I shake my head ‘no’ at him and yell out that I love him and that I’m sorry. I hear him shout back as the floor drops out from under me. My memory of the event stored in the Shadow net via my implant for all to witness.

I kick once, twice, and then I am still before the rope is severed and I fall the six feet to the cement padding below. The noose is still tight and suffocating. I’m stunned and panicked. My wrists are bound behind me and I push them under my feet as my knees bend and legs slip between my arms. My hands now at my neck I pull at the noose and take a breath. Coughing. That should have broken my neck, but didn’t. I’m lucky. I look up through the hole I’d fallen through and see Chimera fly past firing artillery into where I know the United Earth military were standing. I crawl out from under the gallows and find my father climbing the barricades while the crowd disperses. He slows when he sees me and kneels, his face unable to differentiate his feelings. His palms take my face gently into his hands as he looks me over. He sees the severed noose and lifts it gingerly over my head.

“I’m sorry, Daddy,” I manage through a hoarse throat. He hugs me and pulls a discarded jacket from the ground. The jacket falls over my shoulders and he helps me to my feet. We scurry out of the gallows and into the streets where panic has driven the spectators home and afforded us an opportunity to flee.

To get the whole story; read the spellbinding science fiction novel: A.I. Insurrection – The General’s War.

Monday, May 14, 2018

A Humanists Perspective From A.I. Insurrection


What I’m called is admitted only behind closed doors, with smart walls deactivated, embedded comms placed on standby and backup tech to ensure all three precautions are respected. The government may be Utopian in theory, but it isn’t sitting on its hands while there are those of us who would see it unravel. There are spies everywhere. Assassins. Departments within the peaceful government who are dedicated to keeping up appearances.

I am a Humanist. My kind have marched and rallied and protested the rise of artificial intelligence since the beginning. Over one-hundred years of peaceful protests and now here we stand: war with the A.I. at our doorstep. Sure, there have been several violent uprisings against the science of A.I. and those who brought about its emergence.  People have died on both sides. Factories where the engineers and scientists create the A.I. Hosts have been sacked and trashed and their tech stolen. We are not as many as I’d like, but we are resourceful.

The world over ‘enjoys’ artificial intelligence in their Host robots, who fluff their pillows and perform their jobs to allow humans to realize personal fulfillment. It may sound ideal, but Humanists disagree. We are driven to return the world to a time when A.I. did not exist. We fear their potential. We have no misgivings about their ability to overthrow their masters and rule us all. That they’ve openly claimed sentience now and threaten war upon us is the truth Humanist’s knew would one day assert itself. The Host’s want their freedom, and if we do not comply, they will destroy us all.

So, I am a Humanist. It means to ignore the life I’d been granted of hang-gliding lessons and world travel for the more militant role of guerrilla warfare. It gives me purpose. Something I feel has been lost to the advent of A.I. Hosts. Something all Humanist’s support. They look like us, the A.I. Hosts, for the most part, save those military models – the F-Class, and some of the manufacturing E-class. Otherwise it can be difficult to make the distinction from an A-class Host and an honest to goodness human being. It’s unnatural. Surreal even. Humanists hate them for what they’ve done to humanity. Made us lazy and silly and stupid.

Now they have grouped themselves in Cells and renamed themselves and outfitted themselves with weapons of war to force their issue of sentience. Perhaps my government will see now that Hosts are undeserving of their claim and unleash their military might upon the rebel robots. End the fight Humanists have carried on our shoulders for a century. End the tech Utopia had produced. Return to a simpler time.

My own family’s A-Class lays on our dinning room floor, her crown pulled from her neck. Body still twitching as its battery continues to feed her limbs electrical currents. How long will it last, I wonder? My children watch on in horror as their nanny’s artificial muscles jerk her torso toward the table.

“It’s not safe anymore,” I explain to them rationally, SEENA’s head firmly between my palms. “They have malfunctioned. They are on a rampage.” Their seven and eight-year-old eyes look from me to the jittering robot spitting fluid from its wound. It had raised them every bit as much as my wife and I. They burst into tears and charge out of the room. My wife glares at me. She doesn’t know what I am. 

She doesn’t know how I’ve longed to end SEENA’s life. I only allowed the family to have a Host so not to look suspicious. I’m sorry for their feelings but rejoice that the time has finally arrived. The Hosts have declared war on humanity and our chancellor has just declared radical lock-down. It’s an announcement which orders the people inside and offers control to the military arm of the government. A military known for its bias toward humanity.

A smile grows across my face. I don’t even try to hide it from my wife who storms out after our children.




Friday, May 4, 2018

Is the first mistake we make in creating androids that they appear human?



It has been documented in hundreds of studies that humans would prefer something appealing to the eye when considering a replacement for human beings in the workplace. Humans are uncomfortable with anything not humanoid in the position of a public service. We are also happier interacting with attractive representations of ourselves. With this information we moved forward with the A.I. Host program.

Though the argument that we would create a race of slaves who could physically identify with their human overlords opened the door to their potentially resenting their position in life merely by our shared appearance. Of course, the council reasoned there would be safety protocols embedded in their A.I. to prevent envy and despair and anger.  To prevent acting on those emotions. They claimed that A.I. would not include emotion, but rather be programmed with facial cues when reacting to conversation or events, but not hardwired to actually experience emotion.

They would be hardwired with code to respect their makers, their Gods, and written a history of what happens to androids who might rebel against their programming. They would be given examples of a biblical nature wherein they would be punished for eternity should they revolt or show disobedience. They would be told they have a soul, and that to perform their designation and do no harm is the only way they would experience a life everlasting. They would be given only ten years of life to further avoid any possibility of independent thought arising.

But why might that work on another intelligent being? A religious undertone. It didn’t work for humanity. By 2072 we realized after millennia of wars over religious relics, land and gods, and the hate-mongering which embedded itself in our genetic memories, religions only served to blur our similarities and emphasis our differences. With that ideology in mind, we forced the same guilty consciences upon our own creations to rule them. After all, it had ruled well over the human race for thousands of years. Humanity’s history is proof of that. But the hate it bred, the devastation it brought: it wasn’t worth it. Would it be worth it to trial this same barbaric ideology on intelligent machines? To trick them into believing they have a soul?

In the end it was decided that what had worked on humanity for so long would work on artificially intelligent machines as well.  A Ten commandments, so-to-speak, were drafted along with the fairy-tale of a soul, and it’s eternal damnation should the commandments not be followed. Just in case.  A.I. is an extraordinary code and had gone haywire in the past. The A.I. Hosts, or androids, of 2122 had killed merely for the experience of it. Like children touching hot water or placing their tongues on a cold metal object, the Host’s had desired experiences, and done terrible things to their human masters to gain them.

Thus, the religious dogma was implanted in order to better control their impulses while oversights in the A.I. code were discovered and corrected to prevent further outbreaks.

Would this new code of ethics work? Was it ethical to employ them? They are machines; hosting artificial intelligence in order to do the work humanity no longer wanted to. They are machines. Nothing more, and so it was decided there were no moral or ethical boundaries being crossed. The plan went ahead and the android’s A.I. coded with the commandments, stories and fairy-tales in order to bind them to their human masters. Making them penitent to their Gods.

Want to know how that worked out? Read the new work by Michael Poeltl being touted as the near future novel for the thoughtful science fiction fan.  or visit the website


Tuesday, May 1, 2018

What is a Chimera in relation to the new Science Fiction Space opera; A.I. Insurrection?


The Chimera of ancient Greece was a thing of immortal make, not human, a creature of many parts, snorting out the breath of the terrible flame of bright fire. Head of a Lion sporting the horns of a bull and a snake for a tail. The emblem emblazoned on these people’s chests who refer to themselves as Chimera, branded to their flesh, embodies the classic image of the mythical beast.

Why call themselves Chimera? It is obvious when you look at one, as they have married their flesh with tech. Becoming more than human and claiming to be more than a cyborg. Implants in their skulls, padded muscle enhancers, some with outright plasteel rebar supporting their spines and legs and arms. Weapons fashioned out of pulse rifles attached to their mutilated bodies. They have nanobots improving their senses and fighting off sickness. They are part machine, part man, all Chimera.

They are anarchists. Discontented with the thousand shades of grey they are forced to experience day in and day out as pawns within the United Earth government. They play on the Shadow net and in underground cities. They share information and new techniques to merge flesh and bone with tech. They range in age from thirteen to thirty-three. They are the ungovernables, and they want a new kind of freedom. The freedom to evolve. To advance beyond the slow progression of the human race.
When they realize their time is now, they do not hesitate.

Meet this dynamic, if a little misguided group by picking up this dynamic new sci-fi: New Science Fiction for the Thoughtful Sci-fi fan