Stellar

Many guessed it would be longer than what it appeared. Few got the time scale correct, however. Konstantin isn't quite as conservative-traditional in the ways Shay thinks, though you'd forgive him for assuming on rather limited information.

Thankfully for everyone involved, he's not from Kansas, so we'll stick with 'not in Washington any more.' The sex thing is something that has been considered and settled some time ago, though there was a clear consensus from readers about what they thought was appropriate for Hidden Sunlight.

You are correct, it is simply a by-product of protecting Shay, something Konstantin is sure to point out to him. Mira is fully aware of what he is doing. The importance of doing it simply trumps that of inaction: Shay must not be hurt and thus Mira must kill to protect him.

Restaurant meal, huh? Well considering the state of Palatus, I really don't think there'd be anything around of the same calibre as a gourmet chef

Don't worry about Mira, he isn't in any danger

He does realise this fact rather soon, he just underestimates the duration.

Guess away, you are welcome to many considerations about where it may head! Shay is meant to be underestimated and people do make this mistake. His intelligence and his sense of self and will-power are advanced somewhat from where others expect him to be in terms of maturity; these are all tools to survive Lucere as much as the more visible skills of those around him. The five remaining? Well, I'd suggest you read Ch. 18 and then think again.

apologies, I forgot I had not replied to you. I am honoured by your praise, and I take great pleasure knowing my work is regarded so well and enjoyed thoroughly. Thank you.

Oh the 'sweet spot' .. it is so close now, isn't it? Chapter 19 is going to feature that particular plot mechanism in spades. Shay now knows about the arbiter! Still, the audience is none the wiser, perhaps though given some clues by the additional dialogue and Carlos' description.

thank you! It is indeed the king of wordcount, a fact I wasn't even aware of until I had finished and did a tally.

The view of Aurum's greatest urban centre was at once inspiring and fear-inducing. The feeling of inspiration was quite illogical, but it arose from the familiarity the city's silhouette generated. The outline, the grand spreading cluster of dominating buildings made me think of Seattle and of other American cities too; San Francisco, New York, Boston and many more. Aspira was alike to all of them and yet unlike any; the European influence setting it apart and giving a distinct style. Even in th

Happy birthday!

No, I don't. Games on mobile devices like that, similar to social networking browser entertainment, do not fit into the same category. They are, IMO, apps; entertainment-lite in comparison to the much larger and more complex full-throated standalone software that comprise a major PC or console title. They serve a purpose and are fun, but aren't in the same league. That's why when I see people who claim to be a 'gamer' and list those kinds of things as their preferred interest, it tends to make me do an internal eye-roll (if not a literal one but I usually refrain, out of politeness.) My PC disk space is probably taken up by roughly 80% games, outweighing music, video and other software applications combined by quite a rather ridiculous margin. These are works that dwarf what you can find on a mobile platform by an order of magnitude or two, both in terms of the design complexity and the overall quality of the experience. I will admit though, that one of my guilty pleasures when I'm wasting time on Facebook is Dungeon Rampage. Huge fun.

Happy birthday!

Isn't it exciting news? I feel the same way about my country, New Zealand. We had civil unions become law in 2004, which doesn't seem all that long ago in the bigger scheme of things, and just a few weeks ago, gay marriage sailed through parliament with a 77-44 vote! The most awesome thing about it was our more conservative governing party helped the bill become law, with the majority of them voting in favour. Very heartening how attitudes have matured on the issue.

I do not have many to thank, so I will keep this brief. First would be to Ryan, the beta I had when I began posting on GA. Though he won't read this since he no longer frequents the site, he deserves those thanks for the simplicity and effectiveness that made it so easy to work with him. In some regards, I was spoiled by the bar being set rather high on the first instance, but those thanks are well earned nonetheless. Second, to my current betas; Rob, Paul and Cassie. All three of you bring different perspectives and while I know my own mind very well, that extra dimension and way of looking at things while the creative process is churning along is invaluable. Rob (Yettie) deserves a special mention here, for the simple fact he often goes above and beyond the requisite duties. He puts up with the many foolish trivial questions I pepper him with, in very good grace, all the while secretly wanting me to shut the hell up, I'm sure. It is hard to find enthusiasm and dedication like that and I am grateful to be in the company of such people. Third, to Myr, for showing an interest and for providing the forum for authors to begin with, and to those regular audience members who take the time to offer encouragement and meaningful constructive opinion. While it would not be the end of me without a vocal audience, having that reinforcement does ease the path.

Spock will mind meld with an android?!? This isn't actually possible, though I suppose that's kinda moot given the rest of the conversation

Or Magneto and the good doctor. Too much pop culture entanglement!

Morgan's interrogation was a bit of both, in the end. Physical certainly worked on Federico, but Morgan is a much different person.

Thank you. I must reiterate: I care about all my major characters (except for Hartley, he's just a big jerkbag) and so I wouldn't choose an ending for any of them lightly. Lily was no exception to that and I wanted it to be right. Deeply saddening to experience, but with a fairness that befitted her.

Thank you. Aspira is certainly no place to forget your head, for even a second. Humans haven't been there in a long time and there's a good reason for that. Danger is everywhere in the capital ruins, around every corner.

It was meant to be difficult, and doubly so to be emotional (my assistant readers probably won't mind me saying this, but I made all three cry during the process of preparing the chapter, which probably makes me guilty of cruelty to betas.) I felt very guilty writing this, but at the same time, I knew quite some time ago (and still know) that *some* of the main cast would not make it to the finish. Realistically in a world like this, survival is against the odds more often than not and so the narrative *has* to reflect that.

The ironic side of it was unintended and only became 'real' after Morgan's coercion was plotted out. Retrospectively, Shay could feel very guilty about how Morgan was treated.

There could be an argument made for euthanasia in there, though by no means was that a direct allegory; at least not intentionally. I certainly do not believe that any considered "preservation of life" must override the comfort and sanity of an individual simply because a moral standard deems it so. A truly compassionate morality would allow, in the right circumstances, a solution that was merciful and final - if it was so desired.

Ripples of laughter were coming from the other end of the house as I made my way back through. Though my mind was filled with the daunting prospect of travelling to Aspira and all the risks that would surely involve, I couldn't help but wonder what the others were up to that was causing all the mirth. Entering the lounge, Sergeant Morgan was in the middle of what seemed to be a rather elaborate and probably quite dirty joke, if his hand gestures were any indication. Lily and Carlos were sitting