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Progeny #1
Progeny
Book 1Their society was efficient and controlled by the Conformity Council who enforced the Four Laws. All was well until Helen followed the laws and discovered how her kind were created.Helen followed the third law, to Expand Their Knowledge, and studied a lessor creator on their planet. Within that creature’s DNA she found a second DNA string which described another creature. That information along with artifacts of the lower creatures provided important clues.Who created them, and why?Should she use the second set of DNA, to clone their creators?Some Reader’s Comments."Thought provoking and unique…""This is true science fiction…""I enjoy that the goal of this story was discovering where they came from so that they could plan their future.""Sci fi in pure form...""If you want an old school pure science sci fi take, then this is for you."Buy this book and see a different, yet possible world.
- GenresArtificial Intelligence
46 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 4, 2015
11 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
About the author
Ray Jay Perreault
54 books141 followersI’m a retired Aeronautical Engineer who is trying to bring a different style to science fiction writing. I’ve always loved science fiction and I’m trying to write with deeper characters and create stories and situations that a reader can feel part of. The be honest I love a hero that has amazing weapons, takes on hundreds of aliens and can survive anything, but I also want to read a situation and be able to relate to it. An extrapolation of what might really happen with a little less stretch in my imagination.
I’ve been fortunate and I flew in the US Air Force for 10 years, during which time I flew C-130’s and visited 27 countries, then I flew T-38's and trained the best pilots in the world, as well as the first female US Air Force pilots. I then was fortunate to spend 28 years in a major aerospace firm and worked on some of the best programs in the world including the F-23, F-35, B-2, Global Hawk and many I can’t tell you about….
I hope I can bring my real life experiences into my writing so you can appreciate my work.
I’ve been fortunate and I flew in the US Air Force for 10 years, during which time I flew C-130’s and visited 27 countries, then I flew T-38's and trained the best pilots in the world, as well as the first female US Air Force pilots. I then was fortunate to spend 28 years in a major aerospace firm and worked on some of the best programs in the world including the F-23, F-35, B-2, Global Hawk and many I can’t tell you about….
I hope I can bring my real life experiences into my writing so you can appreciate my work.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
March 10, 2016
Four laws of conformity:
Continue making units.
Protect the units already made.
Expand the knowledgebase.
Maintain variation in thought.
I am sure these four laws will remind many people of the three laws of robotics by Isaac Asimov, and this one too, is a book about robots. These four laws should justify all their actions and in cases where laws 3 and 4 may contradict laws 1 and 2, action should be stopped.
This almost prevents Helen from discovering a very important fact about their past. I was afraid that she was going to be forbidden to continue her investigation, like it happened to humanity during many times in history; but it seems although these laws are nor perfect, robots do not seem to commit as many mistakes as their makers. I enjoy that the goal of this story was discovering where they came from so that they could plan their future.
Finding out the truth as the same time as Helen is an amazing experience, and the end of the book leaves us wanting to know what happens next.
The narrator's voice may seem monotone at first but it is justified when we realize the characters are robots.
I have listened to several of Jay Ray's Perreault's books and I like his style and the subjects he explores. I just hope there will be a conclusion to this and other short stories.
Continue making units.
Protect the units already made.
Expand the knowledgebase.
Maintain variation in thought.
I am sure these four laws will remind many people of the three laws of robotics by Isaac Asimov, and this one too, is a book about robots. These four laws should justify all their actions and in cases where laws 3 and 4 may contradict laws 1 and 2, action should be stopped.
This almost prevents Helen from discovering a very important fact about their past. I was afraid that she was going to be forbidden to continue her investigation, like it happened to humanity during many times in history; but it seems although these laws are nor perfect, robots do not seem to commit as many mistakes as their makers. I enjoy that the goal of this story was discovering where they came from so that they could plan their future.
Finding out the truth as the same time as Helen is an amazing experience, and the end of the book leaves us wanting to know what happens next.
The narrator's voice may seem monotone at first but it is justified when we realize the characters are robots.
I have listened to several of Jay Ray's Perreault's books and I like his style and the subjects he explores. I just hope there will be a conclusion to this and other short stories.
September 30, 2022
I chose to listen to this book after receiving a free audio copy from the author. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.
This is an interesting short story. It’s a quick listen and intrigued me enough that I want to listen to the next book to see what happens.
I thought that I wasn’t going to like the narrator until I realized that the characters were all robots. He used a monotone voice because of that, and it didn’t take me long to get used to it.
It’s a whole new world in the future after humans have depleted the resources that support life and only robots remain. It’s been a long time because the robots don’t remember that they were created by humans.
Helen, one of the robots, finds evidence that humans created them, and although robots don’t have emotions, they are curious. She wants to create whatever the DNA string is that was left behind so long ago. Will she be allowed to do just that? I think the answer is in the next book (full-length), and I’m going to start listening to it right away!
This is an interesting short story. It’s a quick listen and intrigued me enough that I want to listen to the next book to see what happens.
I thought that I wasn’t going to like the narrator until I realized that the characters were all robots. He used a monotone voice because of that, and it didn’t take me long to get used to it.
It’s a whole new world in the future after humans have depleted the resources that support life and only robots remain. It’s been a long time because the robots don’t remember that they were created by humans.
Helen, one of the robots, finds evidence that humans created them, and although robots don’t have emotions, they are curious. She wants to create whatever the DNA string is that was left behind so long ago. Will she be allowed to do just that? I think the answer is in the next book (full-length), and I’m going to start listening to it right away!
Read
October 25, 2019A scientist and her team discover strange, organic creatures and try to puzzle together their origin, only to lead the reader to discoveries off their own in this S.F. short story.
Ray Jay Perreault has put together a true, hard science story that would have been welcome in the golden age of SF pulp fiction. No space opera, no bug wars, no hokey religions, just a future world where survival of the fittest doesn't turn out to be quite what we'd envisioned.
Well worth the hour it'll likely take you to read it.
Ray Jay Perreault has put together a true, hard science story that would have been welcome in the golden age of SF pulp fiction. No space opera, no bug wars, no hokey religions, just a future world where survival of the fittest doesn't turn out to be quite what we'd envisioned.
Well worth the hour it'll likely take you to read it.
September 7, 2021
Excellent read
The residents of this world follow 4 Laws:
First law - Continue making units.
Second Law - Protect the units already made.
Third law - Expand the knowledge base.
Fourth Law - Maintain variation in thought.
Helen is responsible for enforcing the third and fourth laws, but what she uncovers is mind blowing…
See my review also at:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...
The residents of this world follow 4 Laws:
First law - Continue making units.
Second Law - Protect the units already made.
Third law - Expand the knowledge base.
Fourth Law - Maintain variation in thought.
Helen is responsible for enforcing the third and fourth laws, but what she uncovers is mind blowing…
See my review also at:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...
May 14, 2017
Great short sci-fi story about an AI robot society. These robots have a well organised society that adheres to four basic laws and to some degree they mirrored the better parts of human society. Helen is my favourite character, she follows her own scientific endeavours and uncovers some shocking truths.
July 17, 2021
Wanting more.
This was a short story that left me wanting more. This short was given to me by author.
I want to know what Helen did with the information she received. How did the rest of the Conformity Council react to Helen's knowledge.This was a great short read, but I want more.
This was a short story that left me wanting more. This short was given to me by author.
I want to know what Helen did with the information she received. How did the rest of the Conformity Council react to Helen's knowledge.This was a great short read, but I want more.
July 28, 2021
A delicious tease
What an awesome introduction to a strange new world. I wanted to criticize what seemed awkward and stilted writing, but very quickly realized it's a brilliant way to immerse the reader into this new world. It takes AI into a new realm and makes Data (STNG) seem like a Model T compared to a Tesla. I want to spend more time in this world.
What an awesome introduction to a strange new world. I wanted to criticize what seemed awkward and stilted writing, but very quickly realized it's a brilliant way to immerse the reader into this new world. It takes AI into a new realm and makes Data (STNG) seem like a Model T compared to a Tesla. I want to spend more time in this world.
May 29, 2018
A Mystery
This story is awesome. It is intelligently written and leaves you with much to think about. Without betraying the mystery, l must say that this is like no other science fiction l have read.
This story is awesome. It is intelligently written and leaves you with much to think about. Without betraying the mystery, l must say that this is like no other science fiction l have read.
June 17, 2017
A quick read with a rather interesting premise.Enjoyable book.
July 10, 2017
A good prequel...I'm going to read this series someday :)
October 14, 2017
Weird. Like Twighlight Zone weird. I loved it!!!
August 31, 2018
A short book with a powerful story. Ray Jay Perrault peruses the beginning and possibly the end of two types of beings. A little scary, a lot thrilling!
Read
March 10, 2022Small book with a robot civilization with characters that talk like movie robots. Some go to investigate DNA life while following their built-in rules and bosses.
February 16, 2017
Great story to read as well as listen to. Enjoyable and the story moved along at a great pace. Well written fantasy story, that was a pleasure to review, looking forward to the next story.
February 29, 2016
My rating: 4 stars
Audiobook narrator Christopher M. Allport rating: 4 stars
I have listed to a couple of books by Ray Jay Perreault and have enjoyed them. This book was no exception. It had a Isaac Asimov I, Robot feel to it with the four laws of these people (is it ok to call them people?).
What I enjoyed about this book was the build up to a bunch of uncertainty. I did not fully know what to expect and kept on hoping for more clarity as the book moved along. Though, I enjoyed not knowing what I was not supposed to know. It all turned out very interesting-like and kind of had a feel for how the TV Series Battlestar Gallactica ended (if you have watched the entire series, then you will likely know what I am talking about).
Back to the four laws… I love having laws that supersede each other but I felt like these laws could have been improved more. I would have liked more review on the laws as the book went along (I found myself going back to the first chapter more than one time to remind myself what these laws were). I know that you can’t really directly copy the great Isaac Asimov but his laws had direct and obvious supersessions (is that a word?).
The narrator did a good job of speaking for these creatures and kind of sounding robotic-like for the robot-like creatures. I really liked how at the end there was a brief bio of Ray Jay which made me appreciate him more!
I received a free copy of this audio book for an honest review.
Audiobook narrator Christopher M. Allport rating: 4 stars
I have listed to a couple of books by Ray Jay Perreault and have enjoyed them. This book was no exception. It had a Isaac Asimov I, Robot feel to it with the four laws of these people (is it ok to call them people?).
What I enjoyed about this book was the build up to a bunch of uncertainty. I did not fully know what to expect and kept on hoping for more clarity as the book moved along. Though, I enjoyed not knowing what I was not supposed to know. It all turned out very interesting-like and kind of had a feel for how the TV Series Battlestar Gallactica ended (if you have watched the entire series, then you will likely know what I am talking about).
Back to the four laws… I love having laws that supersede each other but I felt like these laws could have been improved more. I would have liked more review on the laws as the book went along (I found myself going back to the first chapter more than one time to remind myself what these laws were). I know that you can’t really directly copy the great Isaac Asimov but his laws had direct and obvious supersessions (is that a word?).
The narrator did a good job of speaking for these creatures and kind of sounding robotic-like for the robot-like creatures. I really liked how at the end there was a brief bio of Ray Jay which made me appreciate him more!
I received a free copy of this audio book for an honest review.
September 5, 2016
The 4 laws of conformity have maintained a functional society for generations: 1) Continue making units; 2) Protect all units already made; 3) Expand the knowledge base; and 4) Maintain variation in thought. Helen strives to follow the last 2 laws in her scientific studies.
I quite enjoyed this tale of non-organic beings and their well-organized society. Helen and Lorenzo often join Eve and Roberto for dinner and discussion. Helen is a bit fascinated by the local DNA-based life forms, but the topic is considered a bit gauche. Nevertheless, Helen and her lab assistants (Ivan and Lorraine) want to continue their observations.
What Helen and her assistants discover is rather disturbing to not only herself, but to her society. It was pretty cool how the author had the main character discovering this long-forgotten truth and how her immediate friends and colleagues react. It’s akin to when humans started accepting that the Sun, and not Earth, was the center of the solar system. I’ve read Perreault’s SIMPOC books, but this is my favorite of his works so far. Definitely some food for thought there. What if a society developed so far and forgot their origins, only to discover them later?
I received a copy of this audiobook from the author at no cost in exchange for an honest review.
Narration: Christopher M. Allport did a good job narrating this book. His female voices were believable and his story-telling style was straight forward, letting me sink into the tale without being hung up on vocal theatrics.
I quite enjoyed this tale of non-organic beings and their well-organized society. Helen and Lorenzo often join Eve and Roberto for dinner and discussion. Helen is a bit fascinated by the local DNA-based life forms, but the topic is considered a bit gauche. Nevertheless, Helen and her lab assistants (Ivan and Lorraine) want to continue their observations.
What Helen and her assistants discover is rather disturbing to not only herself, but to her society. It was pretty cool how the author had the main character discovering this long-forgotten truth and how her immediate friends and colleagues react. It’s akin to when humans started accepting that the Sun, and not Earth, was the center of the solar system. I’ve read Perreault’s SIMPOC books, but this is my favorite of his works so far. Definitely some food for thought there. What if a society developed so far and forgot their origins, only to discover them later?
I received a copy of this audiobook from the author at no cost in exchange for an honest review.
Narration: Christopher M. Allport did a good job narrating this book. His female voices were believable and his story-telling style was straight forward, letting me sink into the tale without being hung up on vocal theatrics.
March 2, 2016
When I first started listening, I thought it was going to be a very difficult listen. I thought the narrator was monotone, and the repetitiveness was already starting to grate on my nerves. But after a little bit, I began to understand the characters and storyline, and it all fell into place.
The narrator did a great job of capturing the characters and how I would imagine them to sound. The human attributes and seemingly strong human characteristics might have been a bit strong, but I guess that really is up to each person to decide how much is too much.
I did feel the need to slow the narrator down a bit as it felt quite rushed at 100%. 80% seemed about right.
Loved the premise of the story. It was rather short and I would have loved to hear quite a bit more story development, but I guess I'm a little more used to longer novels. For a short story, the plot was developed, the characters and interactions were understandable, and I wasn't really sure where it was going until the end. But by the end, I was left wanting more, and could envision quite a few longer stories stemming from what I would like to see as a series intro.
Overall, great short story and look forward to more from Ray Jay Perreault.
I received a free copy of this audio book for an honest review.
The narrator did a great job of capturing the characters and how I would imagine them to sound. The human attributes and seemingly strong human characteristics might have been a bit strong, but I guess that really is up to each person to decide how much is too much.
I did feel the need to slow the narrator down a bit as it felt quite rushed at 100%. 80% seemed about right.
Loved the premise of the story. It was rather short and I would have loved to hear quite a bit more story development, but I guess I'm a little more used to longer novels. For a short story, the plot was developed, the characters and interactions were understandable, and I wasn't really sure where it was going until the end. But by the end, I was left wanting more, and could envision quite a few longer stories stemming from what I would like to see as a series intro.
Overall, great short story and look forward to more from Ray Jay Perreault.
I received a free copy of this audio book for an honest review.
March 15, 2016
I really enjoyed this story. The continual justification of actions was not tedious for me but was a good reminder of what the four rules were. I was a little confused, however, as to whether or not the characters were robots or cyborgs or what. The confusion for me is in the way they live as a family, entertain, and 'take nourishment'. If they are not biological in some way, why do they do these things? There is no real answer to this question in this story but maybe the answer is coming in future stories!
I hope this author decides to write a full story with fleshed out characters and a full storyline in the future. I enjoyed his writing style and the flow of the story worked well. There is a lot more in this series to explore and I hope Ray Perreault develops the story and finishes what he started here.
Christopher Allport did an excellent job of performing the book and conveying that these beings are not human...or at least not fully human and that they are logical almost to the point of fault. He has a pleasing voice and read with just the right cadence.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
You are the author of this review
I hope this author decides to write a full story with fleshed out characters and a full storyline in the future. I enjoyed his writing style and the flow of the story worked well. There is a lot more in this series to explore and I hope Ray Perreault develops the story and finishes what he started here.
Christopher Allport did an excellent job of performing the book and conveying that these beings are not human...or at least not fully human and that they are logical almost to the point of fault. He has a pleasing voice and read with just the right cadence.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
You are the author of this review
April 13, 2016
Really 3.5 stars
This was an intriguing concept for a story. I listened to the audiobook and at at first it seemed like the narrator was very monotone and bland. I wasn't sure what to think. Then as the story went on I realized that the characters were supposed to sound monotone and speak very technically because they were actually robots. Once I came to this realization the story became much more interesting for me. The narrator actually did a great job and portrayed the beings well.
The beginning was a bit slow going but I think that was because it was unclear. I wasn't sure what the beings were or what their purpose was. Once I finally got to the end and I knew what was going on I wanted to know more. It was a kind of twist on evolution and ancestry. I'm interested to see what the next installment in the series brings.
I was gifted a copy of this audiobook by the author. This is an unbiased review and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
This was an intriguing concept for a story. I listened to the audiobook and at at first it seemed like the narrator was very monotone and bland. I wasn't sure what to think. Then as the story went on I realized that the characters were supposed to sound monotone and speak very technically because they were actually robots. Once I came to this realization the story became much more interesting for me. The narrator actually did a great job and portrayed the beings well.
The beginning was a bit slow going but I think that was because it was unclear. I wasn't sure what the beings were or what their purpose was. Once I finally got to the end and I knew what was going on I wanted to know more. It was a kind of twist on evolution and ancestry. I'm interested to see what the next installment in the series brings.
I was gifted a copy of this audiobook by the author. This is an unbiased review and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 4, 2016
Just Your Typical AI Family
Daily life of your typical non-organic being family unit, Helen, Lorenzo and their son Thomas. Dad, Lorenzo, works in the propagation department fulfilling the first and second laws of conformity creating more units and protecting all units. Mom, Helen, invests organic life thereby fulling the third and the fourth laws of expanding the knowledge base and maintaining variation in thought.
During a typical dinner party the subject of what happens to the data dumped from the general population when there is not any more room for the new data comes up. It starts them wondering what has been lost. And thus this short story is born and develops giving the units much more to think about.
This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast.
Daily life of your typical non-organic being family unit, Helen, Lorenzo and their son Thomas. Dad, Lorenzo, works in the propagation department fulfilling the first and second laws of conformity creating more units and protecting all units. Mom, Helen, invests organic life thereby fulling the third and the fourth laws of expanding the knowledge base and maintaining variation in thought.
During a typical dinner party the subject of what happens to the data dumped from the general population when there is not any more room for the new data comes up. It starts them wondering what has been lost. And thus this short story is born and develops giving the units much more to think about.
This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast.
February 29, 2016
This is Prometheus in reverse
I received this audiobook in exchange for a honest review.
Must say, I really enjoyed the story as well as the narration. Had touches of classic Asimov and a theme which made my mind wander on At the Mountain of madness plot.
I really hope author develops this to a complete novel. Recommend
I received this audiobook in exchange for a honest review.
Must say, I really enjoyed the story as well as the narration. Had touches of classic Asimov and a theme which made my mind wander on At the Mountain of madness plot.
I really hope author develops this to a complete novel. Recommend
March 6, 2017
Some on Kindle Unlimited bit more surprised than used to, read a LOT and in a lot of genres, lot of things going on in this story, and the writer told it well. Also just read SIMPOC by same writer, Gemini, and Science Fiction Anthology: Vol1 which has "Progeny" "The Greatest Host" "Circle is Closed" ‘Good Morning…’ Same genre basically but definite differences in each type of book somehow.
December 21, 2022
A different kind of writing.
I did have a moment of, what the heck when I started reading Progeny and by the time I was getting used to it, it was nearly finished. I have to say I'm not sure if I liked it or not, I have downloaded Circle is Closed the second book and I hope it’s worth reading.
I did have a moment of, what the heck when I started reading Progeny and by the time I was getting used to it, it was nearly finished. I have to say I'm not sure if I liked it or not, I have downloaded Circle is Closed the second book and I hope it’s worth reading.
October 18, 2016
Christopher M Allort narrates this sci fi tale nicely.A civilization is running smoothly until a different past is discovered.What is discovered can not be un discovered.A nice twist!I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.”
March 22, 2017
Very cool short story about machines discovering their origins of being created by an organic life form that had to flee their planet. I'm hoping the author has more to come in this series!
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews