Al Norris

Hmm, not so much as a gift I think. Rather more of the ability to unlock what is already there. And like any muscle, the more you use it (exercise the muscle), the stronger it gets. I get where Novo feels betrayed. They gave him a drink that would dull or curtail the use of his gift. Saying that they would protect him, he wouldn't need the kind of access he appeared to have. Then he needs access to this power almost immediately afterward. They came and they were alone! Trust them? It's no wonder that Novo has taken off with Track. I think we call that, rebellion!

With Novo being the only pledge who had prior access to this "spark," and now three more gain it... Kinda sounds like it is expected that they all gain access, at some point. I'm guessing that at some point, we will find out what this shadow thingy is... Since there is only one more chapter for me to read, I'm also guessing that I'll have to follow the story so's I don't miss out!

I love the way that the tension is building in the storyline. We get to see a bit of the paranormal in the present day, interspersed with what went on before... All building to a slow crescendo!

It never goes well when the MIB talks to you!!!

If not healing, then it certainly explains some things.

I'm positive that Novo is thinking, of a "blanket party" for Kevin.

Two words in every Marine's vocabulary: Can Do!

Yes, The Brotherhood was my first thought.

I thoroughly enjoyed this take on the werewolf/shifter style of stories. Thank you for bringing us along!

Intermittent thundershowers tonight and tomorrow. Temps have dropped from the high 90s to the mid-70s—mid-80s for the next few days after tomorrow. In fewer words... Delightful... Just like this chapter!

I have to believe that Sawyer will transform. There are factors at play here we weren't fully briefed on.

If I didn't know better, I'd think these two comments were staged! We can wonder all we want but Sawyer is one of the main characters and Jimmy's mated

Good chapter with lots of good info on wolves and cats. One thing that wasn't mentioned this time, is never run from a wolf or cat. It triggers the chase instinct.

A perfect example of the northern "Take No Prisoners" attitude versus the Southern "Smother Them With Politeness and Kindness" attitude. This time the South won! Yes, the clues about Maddie are beginning to stack up.

Has anyone thought back to Sawyer's Mom? Her controlling nature. Her command over her canines? Just asking...

Ivor, this was a fun little story. It captured the heart of boys being imps! Your use of British idioms in no way detracted from the tale. I suppose it comes from reading/editing stories from all over the globe. That and I just don't put much angst into such things, unless I am reading a serious attempt by someone writing a novel.

This is probably the third or fourth time I've read this story, albeit the first time here at GA. Anyway, I've enjoyed the story this time around as much as I did when read it as a writing challenge.

Thanks, Geron. This was a remarkable story. You brought us a tale worthy of your craft. Like most readers, I'm sorry it ended (we get so vested in the story). Yet, the end must come at some point. It doesn't matter if a few minor plot points were left dangling for the reader to speculate.

Funny! I doubt it would go down that way, though. Jamie is so much beyond being a master that it would actually be amusing in that case!

This suggests he's filling the cylinder with magickons. Where they come from, I don't know, so it's possible that Lodda has created a magickon generator. I'm not saying he doesn't have a generator, but what Jamie described sounds more like a battery to me. The first one is the generator, or perhaps an accumulator... Like a RAM scoop (used to collect hydrogen to power a space drive). The other is the capacitor or perhaps the battery. I would venture to say that the squat cylinder is a generator and not an accumulator. Occam's razor - Outside of this system, magickons don't (yet) exist. Destroy the generator first. Now, are the generation components shielded? Is the control panel? Can they send magicks through their perspective without traveling there? I'd bet they can. Regardless of how this has all been brought about, the ship is moving and they must do something. Time has run out.

Yes but... I think you need a new definition of the word "universe."

Ok. I admit it. @Geron Kees has finally passed beyond anything I can describe as some form of particle physics! To my primitive mind, we are now dealing with real magick! Yup. Gonna have to sleep on this. Ya think?! The same place but not the same space! This is one of the reasons that general relativity and special relativity don't exactly mesh. It's a condition that String Theory has tried to describe... But fails. So far.

From what has been written, Flitch comes from an entirely different universe. Matter and antimatter simply do not mix! Well... They do if'n ya like big bangs!

As much as the ancients knew about magick, it wouldn't surprise me that Lodda has been mind-controlled by the Station AI. As for their agenda? I would think that the primary concern for the city AI would be to get the city completely functional. The Station AI would have the same agenda except... Was the station left with a further directive to repair and activate the station should the mages reappear? It has acted in conjunction with the city AI to establish a resupply line.

The mountain lion, cougar, puma, catamount, or panther are all names for the same cat. Panthers are the largest American cat. They are not classed as "Big Cats" for two reasons. 1, they are slightly smaller and 2, they can not roar. As far as increased aggression toward humans? It is because we continually encroach on their territory by building more and more homes in areas that were once their range. As wildlife is pushed into smaller and smaller habitats, this causes stress. Such stress is often manifested in aggressive behavior.