Canuk

It was probably a fairly even battle between nature and "sapiens" until the industrial revolution. And somehow we just never learned those lessons that would have come so easily to previous generations. I am not talking how we treated each other; thats been pretty apalling from day 1. Somehow around 1780-1820, we started to smack the hell out of mother nature. She tolerated us for a while, but I think we have taken her to her limit. Not sure it will take 1000 years for her to get back on top. Great story, thanks...

Great chapter. While I sense that our heros have something special in mind four days from now (what, I cannot imagine, guessing what may sprout forth from the deepest darkest bends and twists of the labyrinth this is our authors mind is only for the innocently courageous), I know there will be drama on the way. I sincerely hope that now that Domino and his Calista have been reunited that they will be among the saved. The description of Domina seemed to come directly from low brow straight porn from the 50s (or so I have been told about low brow porn, never having indulged, myself!) For all their power, the Mages seem remarkably stupid. Fear as leadership tool tends to have a short life span... I am enjoying this, see what a simple soul I am as a reader? All I need is a hint of hope that the good guys come out on top,😆

The contast between Oasis and "outside" ( for want of a better term) is amazing. The sheer effort and inhumanity requited to keep Oasis, just seems unimaginable, when there is a simpler alternative. But I suppose "simple" has never been a human aim, has it? Very enjoyable,particulary as we get a glimpse of nature away from the Oasis....

Interesting development! I can't believe the Mages don't know about these people, hopefully their (re)discovery won't result in their extermination... And @Timothy M., if you expect to get a straight answer from our author, you are setting yourself up to be disappointed. I suspect @Rigby Taylor was a politician in a former life, his answers to questions are as usually enlightening as any half decent politician's!

When things look easy and straightforward. ..worry! I am sure our heros plans will work. Let me restate; i am VERY sure our heros plans will work.... Make it so, author, make it so.... please?😯

THIS COMMENT HAS BEEN DELETED AS IT WAS NOTHING LIKE THE COMMENT I THOUGHT I HAD SUBMITTED. As Sojourn has said below and in a PM the comment was unfair and nonsensical. I did write a detailed comment, but most likely due to my technical skill I screwed up. I only became aware that things had gone wrong some 48 hours later. I apologised to Sojourn in a PM, but as he rightly pointed out, Nathan is owed a more public apology. Nathan, I sincerely apologise for my offence. In my original comment there was no citicism of you or Sojourn. Regards A

@Dodger, re Alan Turing, he should be the poster boy for how societies rules can fuck up the most brilliant brains. We, for some bizarre reason back in the 1970s studied him at school and even in that comparatively unenlightened era, we as innocent and ignorant school boys realised the world had persecuted and then lost one of the great minds of the 20th C. When I saw the film, I literally bawled for both him and what we had lost.

I agre with @wildone, really well written. It would be "normal" to be angry with Davids father. But we dont, we feel sad for a confused man who is coping with too much with it seems little help. Sincerely hope he works at least some of it out soon, otherwise he'll have no family at all. Interesting, just as an aside, many vets I have met have seen such horror (im thinking more vietnam than prev war vets) and seen the miriad of ways their fellow troopers adressed their stresses that they seemed to be less surprised re what society would have called "deviance". Of course fellow combatants are one thing, family is something completely different. Great read. Thanks

Very complex society you have created! Interesting to see how mother/parent and child are transported. I somehow think outsmarting tye Mages is not going to test our heroes. A divided group that doesn't trust eachother, will be easy for our two to confuse and conrol. I think their largest problem will be the sheer numbers of people who want part of them and their expertise. Vigilance wil be essential!

I am amazed its lasted 1000 years. Fixed heirachies are inherently unstable. So looking forward to this ones imploding!🤗 Interesting.....looking forward to where it leads....

Have to agreewith @mfa607, Kevin is a real dick. If he wanted to suspend the relationship fo a semster, so be it, but the entire outing himself , but not telling Becker? That' just playing nasty games. With luck the time in Paris will make Kevin grow up. He needs to realise that burning people like that will get him a reputation.

The mages seem absolutely souless. Souless people never see thier end coming. I can see this "society" crumbling from the top. The physical description of these mages was pretty revolting, no wonder Uretep was ill. Nasty group you have created. Hopefully their end will mirror their lives....

Have to disagree. Daintree strikes me as the long slow burn. He's not for instant gratification, what when he gets hot.....🤗😆😎🤓. The sort of lover that's like frozen carbon dioxide; just add water and there is a hell of an explosion! Fine, it may be a fantasy... but a good one, eh?,

Well, 1000 years doesn't seemed to improved management...《sigh》 Mind you, zapping from place to place and feeling randy when I arrive.... i think I'd cope! Interesting beginning. I love how your characters are misfits! 😚 Looking forward to its progress.....

At the risk of offending our beloved author, I second @sojourn 's comments!😆 I loved the line "they are sending a post captain now... they must be really angry"! I am slightly concerned that our beloved Viscount's sex life is suffering... I am not sure whether I feel more for him, or his next partner who may find himself f'cked into the middle of next week! Great story. Thanks.

And so we reach the beginning of the end... hopefully! With luck akso Dominics end will produce a power vacuum/reshuffle which will further destabilise the regime. Despite the gory-ness/sadness of the end, I do feel a sense of optimism (however misplaced.....) Looking forward to developments!

Not sure what's worse, the cliffhangers in your stories or the cliffhangers in your comments!

Somehow the Protectors and weird princes of the churh ending it all was a matter of when and not if. That they got so long is a testament to their planning. One thing about the hermaphrodites, is that one of the major benefits of sexual reproduction is the mixing of the gene pool. With hermaphroditic breeding isnt their a risk that any imperfect gene, or any corrupted gene will end up destroying these people? Great story. I do like they way your stories make me think (and squirm, fantasize, worry and laugh). Thanks.

This happened on Christmas Island up until mid 1960s. The Clunies-Ross family did very well from their "staff" and then had the balls to demand compensation when they wee made to stop! I am glad our band has found a place to be both safe and useful. But I feel a "but" coming....

Ivor, in response to your comment at the end of this chapter, I think you need to be a little more confident of your writing! I don't think any of us are reading this out of a sense of duty, we are reading a well written interesting story! I can imagine the sheer panic and dread that went through Adam's mind when the possibilty, however faint, that his father may be acquitted and he may be required to return to that man's hideous control. Great read, keep it up. Thanks.

Great to catch up with Seb again. And I know exactly where that knife is!😉 While I appreciate the magificence of the child they have created, I do worry about the law of unintended consequences.... I read this the morning after Trumps latest brain fart, and so somehow this whole dystopian universe is looking a hell of a lot closer. The seeming convergence between your story and reality makes me somewhat teary eyed for the imperfect civilisation of not that long ago. Perhaps I can hope you are more Cassandra than seer, and current reality will see a catastrophic future and bravely turn back from the brink.... Its my fantasy and I'm happy there🙄😮

Dramatic and sudden ending to Oasis. The last spark of civilisation being snuffed out. How much darker can it get? Particularly for the ex residents, like lab rabbits released into the wild, no idea how to survive. Rigby Taylor, you have painted a very black scene.... any chance of a glimmer of hope?

Dogs, possibly, but also the name ofthe child of an 80s 90s singer (the Live Aid bloke....)

I suspect Perseus death will prompt some reclaiming. My faith in the humanity you have created nas been somewhat restored with this chapter. Actually, restored is not the right word. Perhaps the inate humanity is being brought out. The loss of staff, the enforced communication through their changed living situation, the recognition of equally valued horses for courses; all the little things that make a civilisation civilised, and while Perseus brutal death has forced a ripple through this eden, I think it will turn out well You got me at an introspectively soft moment. I am sure the next chapter will bring nasty reality back😆

I am getting concerned Mr Rigby Taylor...I suspect i know where this may be going and I am not sure I like it... is there any room for sweetness and light? Just a little? I do like the dr, she seems a good sort!