drsawzall

if as @weinerdog noted, authors and editors don't count then

Hindsight being 20/20, would it not have made sense to keep their mouths closed while in the house? Given their suspicions regarding their host, any discussions should have been taken outside, even if it were only in the yard/gardens. That and perhaps leaving during the day... Now...if these two chumps can get their act together they will be so much better off...

I hope this a dose of reality that gives Kevin a different perspective and help him find his 'big boy pants'....

The plot is definitely thickening...And will the following become a point(s) of conflict??? The master was silent a moment, watching Bzup. But then he nodded. "I have already so logged it." He turned, and smiled at Jem. "As master of Vespris, it is my right and my duty to ascertain the status of all those that travel in my vessel. I have logged Bzup as a visiting alien intelligence, A-Prime, final determination of his status to be made later." Jem and Nico turned to stare at each other, grins breaking out on both of their faces. Kel MacAffee gave out a little whoop, and Pora settled back in his chair and smiled. "Well done." Nita chewed her lip a moment, and then nodded. "I'll endorse that decision, if you'd like me to do so. Bzup's sentience was clear early, but I feel now that his sapience is equally obvious." "I cannot see that it will hurt," the master offered, looking pleased. "I do think it our duty to safeguard the rights of our visitor, until such time as a definitive study is made." "Do you think it will be enough, if our government visitors disagree?" Jem asked. The master looked unconcerned. "The notation in my log carries the weight of law here on Benteen, but especially here on Vespris. Under the structure of colonial administration, Vespris is a sovereign entity while at sea. Our Mister Mikulsa will have to abide by that decision while aboard my ship. And it will mean that Bzup's status as an intelligent being must be proven otherwise, and in proper legal fashion, should they not wish to be civil to him. So even if our future guests have that end in their minds, and do not wish to accord Bzup an equal status, the burden of proving that decision will then be upon them, and in a public court of law." I am curious if there are plans afoot by parties not yet arrived, to remove Bzup from the Vespris...if so, it won't be for one of, @weinerdog, @Al Norris , and @RainbowPhoenixWI's Siffle burgers with cheese and bacon.... I think Til Majors is needed to be part of the conversation that is about to happen... Mister Sharples, who had been watching Bzup as the alien stood quietly beside Jem, suddenly smiled. "Um...Master Terpin, will you have a moment when you're through eating?" "Yes. Have you something in mind?" The engineer winked at Jem, and then nodded. "Best discussed in private, until we can be sure the idea will float." The master's eyes crinkled, and he nodded. "The best kind of strategy, I think." He quickly finished the last of his food, and nodded. "Shall we?" While we can only get one chapter a day, Geron...Can you make mine a double???

What will become of the 'special guests" and where will they go???

Changing the purpose of the facility will no doubt require some fast and furious permitting for what has already been built/installed...

It is almost as if Pandora's box is about to be forced open, we still do not know if anyone nefarious was/is behind the yaboos who were shooting, then then noisy, know it all, ranger...what could possibly happen now??

and the boys have found themselves and more power to them... “Well, ideally a partnership is two equals. So, what works for one, works for the other, but sometimes people like it differently. Sauce for the goose and not for the gander and such.” “Oh. One can play around but not the other. I don’t like that, at all.” “Neither do I. In fact, I just don’t like playing around. Life so far has been pretty messy for both of us, so what do you say to giving it a go as a partnership?” “Two equals.” “No playing around. And always talk to each other. Give that a go?” Keith nodded, that felt a lot better. Not sure what to make of Maria's residing in Keith's thoughts...He needs to remember she had no compunction on playing around while dating Keith, that is where it should end for Keith, leave it at that and let go... Not sure what good will come out of opening up the scab that's Thomas's father...he came from another world/time...as with Keith, leave it at that and let go...

And another definition of the word glutton... “You really going over there again?” I asked. “You better believe it. That woman is awesome.” Nice! “They’re your balls,” I shrugged.

I too fear the bureaucrats as well, they are coming into this rapidly developing situation with little to go on other than ego driven impulses. Is there by chance a bicycle(s) on board Vespris?

Thanks, I truly appreciate your comments, and there's a third installment coming shortly!!!

From the prologue... “Well, Maiju. How long do you think we have until the Core Worlds step into our politics and clean out the corruption throughout the Confederation?” Asked Mercedes. Dr. Maiju Sarrat appeared taken aback by the unexpected question. “I’m not sure what you mean, Mercedes. The Core Worlds Republic will not intervene in our self-governance unless war breaks out.” If she only knew. Maiju thought as she responded. Mercedes smiled with innocence. “Just something I heard a few months ago and I am looking into.” Maiju nodded as she turned and left the stage. An hour later, back in Dr. Sarrat’s office, her Link chimed. A message from an unknown sender. She opened it. And? Tapping back her reply, Yes. As she sent a copy of her implant’s recording of the event. She closed her Link and returned to her work. On another world, the gravchair moved the lone figure to her table for lunch while she watched the recorded interview on her own implant. Smiling as she tapped out an order on her tablet.

Then there is always this to help you sleep at night...not, and it was found in Australia... The biggest crocodile ever caught in Australia was shot by Polish woman Krystyna Pawlowski | Daily Mail Online

What about the 'newly appearing' bumps that Marc found under the shuttle as he was doing his post flight inspection....

Like this, I would be having nightmares...

All the comments above express my thoughts on this chapter and story, simply delightful!!!!

Of all the wonderous, scary, incredible, frightening things in this chapter, this is what worries me the most... "Jem, you always seem to find the exception to every rule I hang out there," Til returned. But the man smiled at him, and nodded. "Not all people in authority are wrong for the part. Master Terpin - and a great many others - understand that a position of authority is also a position of leadership. Making decisions that affect others is one thing, when you have the welfare of those others front and center in mind. But there are some people that pursue positions of authority because it fills some need within themselves - a need for power, or a need to heighten their status, or even to make money. The Colonial Authority back on Old Earth had a lot of tests in place to weed out this sort of person - but no test is one hundred percent effective. People like that get through, and once the personality type is here, the genes seems to carry the ball after that." He patted the bed covers in front of Jem. "We have some of those kind in the Colonial Administration. I just want you lads to be aware of that." We know now that Bzup has been 'crate trained'...how long before Jem needs to use that training...

Where all of this will lead to, is anyone's guess. I do feel that there is more to be discovered the further into undiscovered country they go. From my comments in Ch. 7

Le'ts hope with all the bad luck Kevin has had, the door didn't hit him in the backside on the way out....

Has Logan and the mysterious visitor from somewhere beyond the hole in the roof, somehow switched bodies?

I think when the blob was 'saying' Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzup, it was calling out, for lack of better words, its name and was/is calling out to its companions somewhere out there. I think when Jem said his name and the blob responded 'Bzup' a basis for communication/understanding began. Where all of this will lead to, is anyone's guess. I do feel that there is more to be discovered the further into undiscovered country they go. And lastly, we are at the beginning of a close encounter of the mysterious singing blob kind....

More undercurrents to watch... Valerie is the smartest person in our class. She only needs to read the training materials once and she can recall anything from it. Unfortunately, she doesn’t have the real-world perspective or understand that not everything is like it appears in the training materials examples. Sweet girl, indeed. Nice to talk to. Great to study with. Just don’t talk business around her or her father finds out. He’s always trying to broker a deal of some sort. He works well with my family, but is always trying to get his hooks into me. I’m not interested.