Q & A with Author Geoff Hammond about his novel The Last Khan

[Robin Jay]

Q&A with The Last Khan Author, Geoff Hammond.

 

• What thinking went into creating the plot for the novel, The Last Khan?
  • I started thinking ahead to what is likely to happen if various people try to control power if the world does run out of its oil supply. Currently we don’t have a strong and reliable renewable energy source, so what could happen if a super solution is found? It would essentially change the dynamic of the world, but then we have to question who controls it, and can we manage such a powerful energy source?

 

• Where did you find the inspiration for such a strong character like Xavier?
  • Xavier is a composite character, his personality and traits are not derived from one source. I know people in the military and research environment that each carry some resemblance to Xavier. He is a flawed character, good at some things and poor at others. However, Xavier is self aware, he knows he is flawed, but he carries a strong will to accomplish what he needs.

 

• The conflict of the novel concentrates on good versus evil, what would happen if the power was placed in the wrong hands?
  • The novel does center around good and evil, but it is not only about whose side you’re on, it also question whether the energy solution is good or bad. Would the solution resolve the world crisis, or cause chaos? If the power was given to the wrong hands, the whole world would be held hostage because there would be a monopoly of the highest order in regards to the way society lives, mines, and processes its fossil fuels. The entire balance of the world would shift.

 

• The story ends by leaving a few loose ends for the main characters, what will happen to Xavier, Carlyle, and the how will they deal with Hammerstein?
  • All those questions about Hammerstein will be answered in the sequel, which is currently in the works.
    • Xavier is a smart operative, but he only seeks a peaceful life with Rachel. Does Xavier plan to escape his life as an agent, or will he be pulled back in?
      • It is hard for Xavier to escape his life as a black-ops agent. He’s smart, and resourceful, it comes naturally to him. His only flaw as an agent was his compassion, but it helps him reason better than anyone else would. Xavier is quick to jump back into his old ways after the disaster at QPR which goes to show that with the right momentum Xavier can realize that his life is as an agent.
    • Now that he has gone rogue, what is Agent Carlyle planning? And will he ever meet up with Xavier?
      • Carlyle has gone off the radar, but he is a strong character with some unfinished business. He could go back to his previous career, and I think he will have a good future, one that could allow him to redeem himself in the agency and bring pride to his country. As for him meeting up with Xavier, I think it is a possibility as they create a good dynamic.
• The United States, Saudi Arabia, and Chinawere all fighting for power. Yet, rather than maintaining dignity in themselves and their people, these three countries were willing to do anything to gain power. They faced corruption, threatened death, and even created secret alliances. What would drive these countries to such great lengths in order to gain dominance? Is it worth the risk?
  • We ask almost every generation, when there’s war do we fight? What would amount to such devastating action? Every country pursues its own interests differently. It goes all the way back in history, even with animals. Species fight and play games with the notion of power, and in a sense we have lost dignity as we are artificial in the way we treat each other. We haven’t evolved from that innate competition for dominance, and each country, each individual are only interested in their own objectives.

 

• Being said, what can we derive about those few individuals like Xavier, Carlyle, and Riggins who were willing to sacrifice everything in order to expose the wrongs being committed, and put an end to the worldwide catastrophe?
  • As institutions fail, individuals rise to the occasion to pursue justice. Throughout all of history we tend to follow and trust strong individual leaders who are capable of brining revolution.