On Heroes and Flinx Transcendent

Thirty-seven years. The series is older than the characters.

In many ways, Flinx and I have grown up together, though I’m aging twice as fast as he is. On the other hand, I don’t have the fate of the galaxy resting in my hands, as Flinx does in FLINX TRANSCENDENT. My choices are easier, though helping him with his is as difficult as ever. That’s because I wanted his maturation, from street thief to adventurer to reluctant and seriously conflicted possible savior, to be as believable as that of an actual person. He has doubts, he has trouble with love, and more than anything else he just wants to be left alone.

Life, unfortunately, doesn’t leave us alone. Flinx the hermit would make for a pretty dull tale, so I’ve placed him in far more dangerous and troubling situations than the character ever would himself. If I met him in a dark alley he’d probably sic Pip on me, and I wouldn’t blame him. But I love the guy, though I wouldn’t trade places with him for all the useful pharmaceuticals on Drowning World. Being a hero is a tough business. Those who want to be heroes usually wind up dead. Flinx is a hero, but he has no martyr complex. Given the choice he’d rather head off in the other direction. Throughout the course of the series he’s certainly given it a try on more than one occasion. Unfortunately for him, at heart he’s too moral, too much of a decent human being, to run from responsibility. Not on his own behalf, but because of the friends he values and loves. That’s who, ultimately, he’s grudgingly willing to sacrifice himself for.

And that is what makes a hero.