C James

Welcome, Alcarose! For the Love was my first novel, and has a special place in my heart, as do Chris and Steve. And I can confirm that there's a sequel in the works.

Myr, thank you for founding this place and keeping it running all these years! A little background on GA stories software; I saw some of what went on during its development and also testing. Myr and the site techs did an absolutely monumental amount of work on it over a timeframe of over a year. It didn't just happen; they made it happen.

Awesome! I'd love to visit there. Trevor and Shane's trip was based on a lot of help from Graeme. Even Bridget;s own people call her the witch now. Gray was NOT provided the 1.5 million just for information. The info is part of it... the other has something to do with the other things discussed by Gray and his associates. (Related to the line, "What are they, bloody battleships?") Cliffy?!!?! WHAT cliffy? Even Wildone said it's not a cliffy. But a couple of chapters back, it was mentioned that someone's luck is running out... oh, wait, that was Trevor... probably nothing to worry about though. There are several situations in the current set of circumstances that are basically hair-triggers for many of the characters. Or, maybe they plan to sail into Sydney harbor in broad daylight, tour the bay on Atlantis, and tie up downtown, next to the Sydney Opera House, as part of their secrecy plan? Bridget and gray already knew their are two boats. They want to find out which is which, or failing that, destroy both. They don't know the tape has been found, so they are still going for Ares (Kookaburra) as their primary target - or both, if they can't be sure which is which. And yep, going looking for Bridget is not the brightest of moves. However, they did say that they just want information, so they can give Gonzalez her location. They just have no idea how much danger they are in. The odd thing is, if Trevor or Shane had said they were on Atlantis, they'd likely be safe for a while - though Kookaburra would suddenly become a very dangerous place to be. Benji!!! It wouldn't be me killing off Lisa and Joel, it would be Bridget! Stop trying to blame me for things she does (or might do). ************************************** BTW, to clarify some of the above; Bridget already knew most of their route; that's why she has a reception planned for them in Panama (with explosives, rocket-propelled grenades, etc). So, in telling Gray that, they really gave away nothing.

Thank you Wildone!!!!! Trevor and Shane have a nice tour guide. Maybe he will give them some of his favorite beer as a going-away present? And yep, it was your comment that prompted me; time for a refresher, due to it having been so long. Nope, not a cruise ship.

Chapter 135: Bruja Del Mar A soft rumble followed a faint hiss; the gentle murmur of waves lapping against the coral sands in ancient, stately rhythm. That sound, along with the rustle of palms and the scent of tropical flowers intermixed with the tang of salt air, wafted in through the French doors of Bridget’s island home. “Your drink, ma’am,” Xavier said, arriving with a mint julep in a silver julep cup. Bridget, who had been standing on her portico gazing out at the sea, turned and,

Bruja Del Mar is up. I know this isn't supposed to be posted until midnight, but there's a thunderstorm closing in. So, onwards with chapter M2, Bruja Del Mar. We get to do a bit of sightseeing too. CJ

The boat "Sea Witch" wasn't the one sent with the bodies aboard. But, the boat isn't the title.

Lisa and Joel do have a knack for making questionable choices, though they mean well. It would be ironic if, in so doing, they actually save the day. Yep, compared to the Southern Ocean, the Rip was easy, and Trevor was thus pretty relaxed about it. He's matured a lot.

Ack, forgot to release the coming chapter's title. Bruja Del Mar

When Atlantis began her homeward voyage, we stopped using Aussie maths for the chapter numbering, but we did so at AUD 97, which, turned upside down (as one must do when dealing with Aussie maths) gave us chapter L6. So, the next one was L7, etc. Call this a residual effect of the Aussie maths we were using; it ended us up using alphanumerics. And BTW, it's not a cliffhanger regardless of who the fax went to. It's just a fax, nothing to worry about. Perhaps she won't be upset at being called senile??? Trevor has no way of knowing that Bridget is a cartel member. None of the good guys have any idea that she's now the leader of a major operation. This issue could prove slightly problematic for Trevor and Shane if the do as they plan and move to the Bahamas and run charters from there. She's had some... quite a bit, actually. Gonzalez survived, and before that her plan to frame Dirk for murder failed, and the bomb in Suez failed... so maybe she's due for some good luck? Can't be a cliff's edge... there are no cliffhangers (nor cliffs) in Circumnavigation!! And don't just take my word for it; we have the whole team on the lookout for any possible cliffhangers during the beta and editing process. Or a cartel operative? Or maybe someone else? We'll find out. Those are indeed perilous waters! And The Rip is, by my guess, the most tricky entryway to any major port.

They are on the moon. Apollo 13 was the only designated-for-landing lunar module that didn't land on the moon. (Apollo 10's LEM practiced maneuvers in lunar orbit, but was never intended to land). The RTGs were used to power instruments left behind on the lunar surface, and so they were deployed on the moon and left behind. So, only in the case of Apollo 13 did a LEM intended to land on the moon return to earth. (on all the others, the landing stage remained on the moon, while the lunar ascent stage was left in lunar orbit; only the command module returned to earth) I'm a bit surprised that there's any concern over the Apollo 13 RTG. That amount of plutonium, even if released into the sea, would be barely, if at all, detectable in the area. By the time it reached the surface, it would have decayed to a point where it would be harmless. (PU238 has a half life of around 80 years) Also, the amount of time it takes deep ocean water to reach the surface (a process called overturning) is centuries. That RTG, like all past and current RTGs, is plutonium 238, NOT, plutonium 239. It's the latter that's used in most nuclear weapons. 238 won't work, so this could never be used for a nuclear warhead.

Thanks!! It was a fun story to write. And yep, those two men do lead to something... a lot of somethings.

Thanks!! I'd love to attribute Shane's comment to being part of his joke, but the fact is I misremembered. I've left Shane's words alone (the joke doesn't work well without them), but I did edit the final paragraph of the passage to read; I also added you to the chapter credits. Sandringham has some advantages - the configuration of the marina lends itself well to mooring a boat near the center and having it obscured from view by the rest. Most marinas have a somewhat parallel-dock based layout, so you couldn't do that. Plus, it has a sunken sub in the center. :-) And yes, you're absolutely right: no cliffhangers!

Chapter 134: The Rip Riding the long rollers of the Southern Ocean, Atlantis cruised east, with Cape Leeuwin – Australia’s southwestern cape – two days astern. The wind was cold; it was early April – fall, in the southern hemisphere – and Atlantis was two hundred miles south of land. Trevor had taken her well out to sea in order to expose her to the harsher conditions and faster winds, for one of the purposes of this leg of the voyage was a shakedown; an operational test of all her systems

The Rip is up!! Sorry I was a couple of hours late; I had an internet outage, thanks to a thunderstorm. I'm kept offline rather frequently during Arizona's monsoon season. (the chapter should appear within one minute of this post) I also need to mention to those I owe PM's and E-mails to: please give me another 24 hours or so; there's still lightning in the area and I'd best power down fast. So, onwards with chapter M1 - and in case anyone is wondering about the chapter numbering system, we began using Australian Maths for the chapter numbering once the story was taking place mainly in Australia. Then, when the voyage home began, we ceased using Australian maths, so the chapter, AU 97, became chapter 6L as we reverted to northern hemispheric notation. Next was L8, then L9, then M0, and now, M1.

Sorry!!! Just got back online; it's thunderstorm season here! It'll be about another 5 minutes... And BTW, Benji... Come on, you know I'd never, ever have anything to do with a cliffhanger!!!

Wow!!! <blush> I would like to offer my sincere thanks to Wildone, Trebs, and all involved for this. Thanks also to the many who have helped me along the way. This does indeed bring back memories for me. Ed Wooton looked at an early draft of the first half of the novel, and he helped me greatly. I was devastated when he passed away, and that's probably why the story sat gathering electronic dust on my hard drive for quite some time. My first try at posting a story online was indeed on the GA anthologies, and I'll say this for the benefit of any new author thinking of giving it a try; don't stress out! I know, because I sure did. On several occasions as publication day neared, I came within a hair of withdrawing it (It's called "No Shirt? No Problem!" in case anyone is curious). But, thanks to the support of friends, I let it go ahead and be posted. I didn't regret it. So, don't do as I did and cause yourself a lot of stress; give it a try, in the anthologies, GA stories, or wherever. I soon got back into "For the Love" (which was named by my editor, Emoe, because I could not think of a title. Thanks Emoe!) And, again with a great deal of help and support, I again took the plunge and had a blast with it . I've been a writing addict ever since. CJ

She definitely hasn't given up - she needs that tape (and anyone who has seen it) destroyed. And yep, she has claws all over Florida - and the Bahamas. Or it might be all of the above, plus another one - by playing games with which boat is which, it might result in the targeting of both. And yep, Bridget is indeed being her usual efficient self. Esperance was in the story earlier (it's where Trevor's garlic crusher was delivered to shore) but.. unfortunately, they won't be stopping. Trevor and Shane haven't actually had to face an attack led by Bridget yet. All the prior ones were commanded by Sanchez (though Bridget was indeed the one who took out the contract, and also helped prep the bomb for the Suez). Geraldton was an exception, sort of. It was mostly Sanchez's plan, but Bridget was involved. However, she didn't want to succeed; her real target then was Sanchez. So, Trevor and Shane are now facing Bridget directly for the first time, and Bridget now has far more power and abilities. Oh, the story does end, guaranteed. I wrote those chapters quite some time ago. It's now April 2007, and the story ends in August 2007. But even if Bridget drops dead tomorrow, there's still the little problem of the rest of the cartel wanting that tape, and anyone who might have seen it, destroyed. Or, if the tape is used against them, they'd kill anyone involved out of sheer revenge. So, there are a few possible slight problems ahead for Trevor and Shane. The law of unintended consequences might possibly come into play. That is indeed possible - however, a side effect would be that they'd want anyone involved dead (the cartels have a deep-seated culture of revenge), especially Trevor and Shane, so that would in no way end the danger to them, though Bridget would be dead. It's a 15 hour time difference from the Bahamas to Melbourne, so you might possibly be right. You're right about the asset list; if Bridget discovers that it's been found, she'll know the tape has as well, and will strike hard and fast to destory it, and anyone who might have seen it. That's a possibility... that's what the "tickling the dragon's tail" chapter title on the previous chapter was about; the Dragon being Bridget. However, that's far from the only threat. Remember the newspaper reporter who is soon to publish part of the asset list in a story? That's another possible route via which Bridget might learn that things have been found. There are others (those keys Trevor mailed being one) So, we've sort of got a powderkeg with multiple fuses... HOWEVER, as I'm sure we're all aware, that's not a cliffy! Okay, Title release time!! The title for the coming chapter (number M0) is "The Rip".

Chapter 133: Paved with Good Intentions At the Ft. Pierce police impound, Joel labored to get Trevor’s car started. Finally, it wheezed to life and Joel coaxed it onto the street, where Lisa pulled in behind him in his Camaro. Joel slowly pulled away, belching a cloud of blue-black smoke. At the next light, already sweating in the hot car, Joel tugged off his shirt. Fifteen minutes later, Joel wiped his brow and turned off the key, listening as the ancient Honda’s engine backfired twice and

Paved with Good Intentions is up! BTW, the chapter should appear within one minute of this post - the link might not work during that time. Does anyone recognize the chapter title? In other words, what is paved with good intentions? Hint, it's a road. CJ

Bridget had the title, and we can guess that it was still in her house when the house burned. So, to sell the car, Trevor would probably need to apply for a new copy of the title. And, Bridget could, seeing as how the paid for the car, sue for possession. She has yet to be convicted of anything, so her legal rights are still intact. The car could very well be a legal issue in several ways. :-) The police are done with both the car and the property, so they are okay there. Going around the Bahamas snooping for Bridget... sort of. Looking for a fugitive is legal, but they are also withholding some evidence from the police. Bridget, via a representative, could theoretically sue for the return of either the car or the money. The original plan by George Alfred was to plant drugs on Lisa and Joel and have them get arrested upon arrival in Australia. Bridget, however, saw through it; George was setting up Bridget to take the fall if things went bad, so she took him out to lunch - at the alligator farm. And you're right - she never does anything without a reason. But... Bridget is just too forceful and domineering for anyone, me included, to tell her what to do!

That's an awesome pic of the volcano! I love the goat pic too! As to whether it's me or not... I'm not sayin'

What could possibly go wrong? :-)

But... Lisa and Joel are just heading off to the same place (the Bahamas) that Trevor and Shane want to move to when they return. While there, they want to see if they can find Bridget. What could possibly go wrong?? Lisa and Joel mean well, but yep, they are part of the title: "Tickling the Dragon's Tail". They just don't know it. There aren't many chapters left... the story ends in August 2007. But, me, evil??? What did I do?!?!? It's Bridget who is stirring up trouble, not me! Well, if Bridget attacks with garlic, Trevor will be able to utterly crush the attack. And yep, there are some things that have been in place since the first chapters that are part of the last ones. It's ideal protection, if Atlantis is attacked by garlic. Ah, yes, the very specific reason. Well, we don't know what the reason is, so no need to worry. What could possibly go wrong? We do find out the reason in the next chapter though. Well, it had to be now; they were leaving Kookaburra behind. ************************************************************************************** Okay, time to announce the next chapter title. It's a cheery, happy one; "Paved with Good Intentions".

It's clarified in the next chapter, but it's a good point; I should have made the actual issue clearer. The asset list is harmless to Bridget. It is however a lethal danger to Trevor and Shane if Bridget finds out it's been found . The real issue for Bridget and the cartel is Arnold Bellevue's hidden tape. It discloses that Sanchez and Bridget, and claims the cartel knew and approved, were feeding the police info on rival cartels' operations in the US, allowing Bridget and Sanchez's people, such as Detective George Alfred, to advance their careers to gain positions that would yeild valuable info, as well as shutting down large parts of the rival cartels' operations. Are you familiar with the cartel wars in Mexico? The cartels there are at war with one another due to somewhat similar issues. (betrayals, etc) What Bridget and Sanchez did was a literal act of war against the other cartels. That fact, plus with proof available that it went on for many years, until fairly recently, means it's a trigger for a war between the cartel Bridget is a member of (the table in Cali) and rival cartels. Bridget's cartel does not want a long and bloody war, so it's willing to do whatever it takes to get rid of that tape (and anyone who has seen it) That tape is, and always has been, the real reason for Bridget's long-term interest in Ares, and thus Trevor's search for her.