sandrewn

The rogue scientists' actions have cut him/them off from information as well and from AI expertise. Which side will get around this road block first. More and more is being put on our young friends' shoulders, it worries me. Great chapter, thank you.

So by taking the Nile/Mediterranean route he should be able to intercept Maidstone/Bacchante before they reach England. What a great chapter, thank you.

I looked up the definition of Slump???? Not that I am complaining, far from it. I am wondering if you didn't pick while over there some new potent strain of Ginseng, if so give me the address and I'll gladly keep you well stocked up. Thanks Mark.

I echo all of the above. You have done it again, with many questions answered, but far more created to lead us on (masterfully). My questions are to numerous to list here, so I'll just await your pleasure.

Happy chapter, sad ending. It does keep us on our toes though. Thank you.

Yes, you the writer have the power of life or death of your characters. However, unhappy campers (your readers) can post/review or not. You could get very lonely, very quick. Seriously though great chapter, thanks.

The 60s had Flipper, we have Sonic. I wonder what comes next, after a friend of the AIs status. I worry Wirrin is being to pushed to hard. Great chapter, thank you.

Ok, I will not mention the kitten (oops). I have my vuvuzela and the popcorn is ready, bring it on. This just keeps getting better and better. Thank you.

Now that was one of the best so far. Thank you.

I make it a habit to read each of your chapters twice. nowhere else do I do this. Great story, more please.

You evil, evil person. I salute you.

I lost track of the story and just found it again. A really great chapter, thank you.

I'm starting to feel like a crow, cruising the highways looking for road kill (chapters). As you said we know about your slumps. How about based on your past slumps, due to work, family, temporary insanities, etc. That you guesstimate this ones possible length based on the aforementioned reasons. Halve it, inserting the next chapter there. This will stop the circling of most (vultures). I prefer to think of myself as a Condor being fed human remains (its a religious thing). Then we would have and idea/timeframe for the following one. Thanks in advance for any considerations given.

Mark Fair Winds and Following Seas Sandrewn

Its simple, if Granger dies, the series ends orrrrrrrrrr......... he recovers and the series goes on (this option gets my vote). President Washington managed to live with Malaria most of his adult life, so why not our hero. You are leading us around by the nose with blinders on (good job). Please shed some light on us, oh masterful one. We ( I ) beseech you.

We've got to think outside of the box, OK Scotty lock on and beam them up!...oh well. I have the popcorn and Kleenex (just in case) ready. Let her roll. Thanks CJ.

This story just keeps getting better. Cliffies I can live with (small ones). I have to ask my fellow readers, where the heck are you all, no posts since 31 October 2012. Silence is not always Golden. Your imput can and often does effect the story direction. So lets go Team!

End this drought, all sandbags are in place. Bring on the flood. No reply is necessary, just stories, please.

Then out of left field, you throw malaria in to the plot (pot), at just the right time and place. You are indeed an evil person, Mark (well done). Even managing to stir in our pigtailed and tattooed seaman to the mix. Only time and you will tell. More please.

Interesting, VE Day was May 8 1945. Hiroshima was bombed August 5 1945. With the Boston embargo and passage of the Coercive Acts it is surprising to hear that. Most of history has been written by the victors. Most of what we have been taught was by just such authorities. Not to say that they were wrong, but. I think this will be my last post here, with just my high school education, I am out of my league. Note of interest: Caffeine remains in Boston Harbour Seawater at detectable levels. Goodbye.

Opium: The Downfall of Imperial China We tend to think of the "drug problem" as a modern phenomenon. But a century ago, illegal drugs brought an end an empire that had lasted for thousands of years. In 1793, China was the home of a sophisticated culture and a rich history. Among other remarkable achievements, China invented movable type, kites, and gunpowder. They perfected porcelain, silk and tea production. 1793, however, was the beginning of the end of Imperial China. Great Britain and other European nations, desiring her silk, tea and porcelain, wanted badly to trade with China. China, however, wanted nothing to do with Europe, and even refused to see European diplomats. Finally in 1793, a British diplomat was successful in reaching the Chinese court. He told the Chinese of the wonderful products of his country, convinced that once they really knew what Europe had to offer, they would quickly agree to engage in trade. China, however, was unmoved. In a letter to King George, the emperor said, . . . As your Ambassador can see for himself, we possess all things. I set no value on objects strange or ingenious, and have no use for your country's manufactures. . . Our Celestial Empire possesses all things in prolific abundance and lacks no product within its own borders. There was therefore no need to import the manufactures of outside barbarians in exchange for our own produce. But as the tea, silk and porcelain which the Celestial Empire produces, are absolute necessities to European nations and to yourselves, we have permitted, as a signal mark of favour, that foreign hongs [merchant firms] should be established at Canton, so that your wants might be supplied and your country thus participate in our beneficence. They would sell Europe their silk, tea and porcelain, but would buy nothing in return. Because Chinese goods were so sought-after in Europe, an imbalance of trade developed. European gold and silver went to China to import goods, but none returned because there was no possibility of export. This was unacceptable to the British and they desperately looked for a solution. The solution to Britain's problem was opium. Although opium had been used in China for medicinal purposes for a long time, it had not been used as a recreational drug. The British introduced opium to China in 1825, and soon, not surprisingly, Chinese began to be addicted to the drug. The emperor outlawed the possession, use, and trade in opium, but the profits were so immense, that an illegal trade quickly developed. The East India Company in India supplied all the opium the Chinese wanted and the Chinese government was unable to stop the smuggling. The balance of trade gradually reversed. In 1839 the Emperor ordered Commissioner Lin Tse-Hsu to put a stop to the opium trade. Lin wrote to Queen Victoria, appealing to the British sense of justice and compassion: We have heard that in your own country opium is prohibited with the utmost strictness and severity:---this is a strong proof that you know full well how hurtful it is to mankind. Since then you do not permit it to injure your own country, you ought not to have the injurious drug transferred to another country, and above all others, how much less to the Inner Land! Of the products which China exports to your foreign countries, there is not one which is not beneficial to mankind in some shape or other. There are those which serve for food, those which are useful, and those which are calculated for re-sale; but all are beneficial. Has China (we should like to ask) ever yet sent forth a noxious article from its soil? He received no reply. Left on his own to solve the problem, Lin ordered the destruction of a large supply of opium stored on Chinese soil. (The Chinese had allowed the British one port in which they could trade with China). The British were outraged, and the first Opium War began. Faced with British industrial weaponry, it was no contest, and Britain easily defeated the Chinese. As part of the settlement of the war, China was forced to agree to open up new ports for trade, and to surrender the island of Hong Kong. A second Opium War was launched by Britain in 1856, forcing more concessions on the Chinese. Among other humiliations, the Chinese government was no longer able to hold foreigners accountable under Chinese law for crimes committed in China. The proud Central Kingdom had lost the ability to control trade and foreign nationals within its own borders. An ever-weakening Chinese government also lost the support of its own people, whom it could no longer protect. By 1911, the empire was dead and a republic was born in China. China

At the time opium was known as a medicine in England and was sold over the counter much like aspirin. However John Company knew full well what it was capable of (addiction) when smoked and knowingly forced upon it upon the Chinese (cause of two wars later on). So much for the Honourable East India Company, today we Cartels and Mafias.

For each question you answer, you leave us with two more. Every time I start reading a new chapter, I blink once and seem to find myself at its end. Some thing I think every author strives for and you do so well. We even have us a new Dutch Treat. Brigadier Lord Chartley who did not know what he would do back in England would seem the better choice (my guess) for Governor. Lammerts comment of John Company having a Project in mind for Bertie, might be at the British Hong in Canton where he could start a new Hareem. I still worry about Calvert after they separate on the way to Manila. I can see Maidstone meeting his end in Amboyna, away from his power base.

It did what a good story is supposed to do. I started reading and then found myself at the end. Well done, thank you. You could turn this into a great story with more chapters (please).

Speaking of prizes, don't forget the 5 whalers west coast, 1 whaler east coast, 1 privateer and one Spanish frigate (so far). Which reminds me what ever happened prize wise with the Emeraude/ Floreal /Rattlesnake?