C James

One issue to bear in mind; we know the actual timeline of the sailing. The coastguard might, or might not. I don't have a chapter to release right now. I am WAY behind, thanks to computer issues, work issues, and a mess of other things. One of them is it's wildfire season here in Arizona, and it's a bad one (one fire alone is pushing half a million acres) so I'm doing some brush and tree clearance around my house (I live in a forest). Chapter 80 is in Emoe's hands, but chapter 81 isn't quite ready to send into beta yet, though I'm going to try to do so tomorrow. That's how far behind I am; I'm normally several ahead. I'll try to get back on track; I'm hoping I'll have more time after mid-week.

She sailed at sunset, then we get the six hours later narrative, then the message. So, she may have been a little ways offshore, but... in order to come close to the reported area, she would have to have been traveling at at least absolute max power (you're right about the wind) . That's kind of unusual, unless there is a good reason for it; it uses a lot of fuel and is hard on the engines. Superb sleuthing! I'll say that the time and distance issue is not an error on my part (I do make errors, lots of 'em!) It's been shown that many sudden mayday calls are a bit off; in the heat of the moment, the victim might not know exactly where they are, and round the numbers a bit. The posts above are superb, and I truly love them. I however am limited in what I can say, but that limitation applies only to me.

Colin, that was clever; you've asked a question that is rather nonsensical for anyone other than Shane, thus outmaneuvering me. One answer that fits for Shane is what he's said; he heard about the lifesaving games event, and decided to go. Part of it though is lingering effects of his mother's death. There are other aspects as well, but I can't get into those just yet... I will say that the chapter named "Ultimate Designs" has its title because it makes everything clear. Hrmmm!!!! Why not? Now would I do a thing like that?

Shane's orientation; now that's a question I can answer! Shane's orientation is almost always upside down; he is, after all, in Australia, where they do most everything upside down. Ned's wife's response.. I can't say much, except that you have a good eye.

Indeed there are risks with switching identities, especially when one of those identities has a hit out on him. Lisa and Joel are indeed in grave danger, with little time remaining to head of disaster.

Thanks! Have a look at my forum, there's a lot more like this there (plus, of course, countless conspiracies against me), and conversations are a bit easier than this format.

The 2011 GA Summer Anthology, "Walk on the Wild Side", is now online! So, I'd like to thank the people who made this possible; Graeme, our Anthology Coordinator. Lugh, who did The "skin" work that makes them look great. The authors and their teams, for giving us the content.

Good one!!! Hrmmm.. an easy one would be, at this point in the story, for Trevor: Crossing thousands of miles of the Southern Ocean alone in a heavily disabled boat. But, that's something known... so let's try one that's unknown at the moment; Jim went bungee jumping several times in college, and tried skydiving once.

Whoa! I didn't say, one way or the other, whether your interpretation was correct. I can't weigh in on stuff like that. I should have been more clear what I was on about; you're right about the 15 and 25 in 1997 being the charter dates. You are also correct about the 28th being the day Trevor thinks of as the anniversary. I can say that because it's been the the posted text, or can be deduced from it, as you have done. However, I can't confirm or deny anything other than that.

I've been bedeviled by computer problems (my desktop system is still dead, and I haven't had time to work on it in nearly two weeks) and work issues (I've been super busy), and most recent chapters have been larger than normal, so, I'm going to have to delay chapter 80, Penultimate Pieces, by one week. Sorry, but there's no other option. In the meantime, here's an idea; Have you ever wanted to know something about a character and wished you could ask and get an honest, true answer? Normally I can't answer, due to spoiler concerns... But, let's waive that, partially, until chapter 80 posts. Here's what I'm offering; Ask any question, any at all, that's about a character. You pick the question, and I pick the character it's asked about, and answer honestly. Sound like fun?

True! But, the shortest way back to Florida is east... Trevor is past the halfway point. So, there's a good chance his head would be shipped east, thus completing the circumnavigation, and all would be well. Well, I didn't want to state the obvious; for we all know that I never, ever use cliffhangers. A slight touch of tension? Well, honesty compels me to admit that, on rare occasions, such does occur. Thanks!! And Circumnavigation as a TV series?? I love that idea!!! I'd want to be the cameraman. I can't comment on most of this, except to say, great theorizing! It is to be hoped that Trevor isn't like me; otherwise he'll put one and one together and get three and a half. On the school issue, I have some wiggle room; some extracurricular activities (sports, for one) aren't limited to the normal school schedule. In 1997, he might have had practice, or something else school related, even summer school. The reason I had to build in some wiggle room is, I was not able to determine the exact day schools in Ft. Pierce let out for summer in 1997 . From what little I could find, it varied a bit from district to district, and going on my own experience in California, even school to school. (there were two high schools where I grew up, and they often didn't let out the same day, though I don't know why) I can say that you have the dates right. I dare not say anything more, but I love your theories, and those calendars are great!! Thank you!! . The narrator cannot lie, but characters are under no such limitation; they may lie, or be mistaken.

Trevor would most likely be covered by a policy from his father, with a rider for the bahamas if not included. It varies a lot, and there are exceptions, but in general policies here aren't valid worldwide. Trevor is, however, covered by his boat insurance in this case; he's covered for anything stemming from a covered loss (the pirate attack, in this case). George couldn't do too much without drawing attention to himself. Sanchez? he can do many things. He's sure been silent lately, hasn't he? It'd be easy to do; Sanchez's people find Trevor and send his head back to Sanchez, thus completing the circumnavigation. I'm not saying that's what will happen, but I can't rule it out, either. But, Penultimate Pieces just means that one or more things that may or may not be significant might occur in the following chapter, Ultimate Designs.

Good points... I doubt a medical professional would leak info under the circumstances too... the nurses did, but they had no way of knowing Trevor wanted to remain anonymous. Still, they did spread the news in violation of policy, so I'm not surprised Trevor is inclined to have his concerns. Not everyone in Carnarvon knows Shane.. but... for some reason, the phrase "out of the frying pan, into the fire" comes to mind regarding the planned subterfuge. oops on the link!!! Fixed now. If Bridget finds out the boat's name is Kookaburra, you're right, everyone is in mortal danger. We'll be seeing more of all of the other storylines very soon. I do tend to skip them if not much relevant has happened. Investigations are, perforce, slow. During the next two chapters we'll we popping in for at least a scene each with Lisa and Joel, Bridget and George, Gonzalez and Henry, and the reporter, Kline, as well. I've been avoiding mention of specific days and dates in the chapters, because, as we all know, i cannot count. I screwed up the thanksgiving day timeline (had it effectively on a Friday, since fixed) plus a few other screw ups caught in beta. So, I try to avoid being too specific, lest I make another goof. The focus per day has been very tight lately, because much is occurring (more than might be evident) but the timeline (days per chapter) speeds up very soon. That is exactly correct. That means that the following day will be Thursday. And yes, i say that in full knowledge that there are things in this and the prior chapter that might be incongruous with that being the date, that it might be assumed to be earlier in the week, but all I can say is, that's dealt with in the next chapter, Penultimate Pieces. CJ

Getting Closer is up. :ranger: :pickaxe: It's a large chapter, around 8000 words. We also learn a great deal about Shane's past.

Chapter 79: Getting Closer “Carnarvon!” Bridget declared, motioning for George to join her at her desk. She transferred the playback from the headphones to a speaker, and played the segment of Joel and Lisa’s conversation with Shane again. They could only hear Joel and Lisa’s side of it, but Joel’s mention of Carnarvon was clear. “Carnarvon is in Western Australia,” George said, and then he opened up Google Earth on Bridget’s laptop. “Yeah, about five hundred miles north of Perth, and th

I'm rather fond of chapter titles that apply to more than one of the storylines. Hrmm, I have to be up very early tomorrow, so staying up to post the chapter at midnight isn't an option tonight... I'm afraid I'll have to post it early. My apologies to those who were enjoying the wait, but it'll be up in a few minutes.

Sometimes in past chapters they would talk on Bridget's line, which meant Bridget could hear both sides of the conversation. But, when Shane called Joel's cell, the call went to his cell and not through Bridget's line, so the bugs in the room were able to hear only the words spoken in the room, not Shane's words.

Bridget can only hear the words spoken in the guesthouse in this case; she can't hear Shane's end of the call. So, unless Joel said "Carnarvon" all is well... um, well, okay, he did say that, but surely nothing bad can happen. Cyclones do indeed rotate clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere, but I could only include one if there actually was one there around Dec 1st, 2006. (There wasn't). Theories and such are VERY welcome!! We do that a lot in my forum (and here is fine as well). The only person who can't do things like that is me, due to me actually knowing the answers (and only I do). So, unless it's me, it's great!

There are never, ever any cliffhangers in my stories. No worries... after all, what could possibly go wrong?

It's a good thing Trevor isn't in a condition where additional stress could be devastating... oh wait, he is... I'm glad I'm not the only one who has trouble spelling the boat's name. Yep... There are issues there, and hearing Joel's side of the convo (all that Bridget can hear) would be illuminating. Lisa and Joel are in more of a fix than they know. Either they continue unawares, or if Joel should decide Bridget is a suspect, and broaches the idea to Lisa in the guesthouse, it could be... somewhat unhealthy. Trevor does indeed face more challenges than he knows... Finding Trevor in Carnarvon would not be hard, given a little time, unless they find out the name of the boat. If they ever get that, finding him would be child's play. Good thing there isn't a reporter snooping around too... oh, well, okay, there is.. Bingo. Unless they are called on Bridget's line (as Trevor sometimes did.) but in this case, it was to Joel's cell. Yep, Graeme is right; unless the call comes in on Bridget's line, the bugs can hear only what is said in the guesthouse, not the caller's words. So, anything Shane said is probably okay. So, as of the end of the call, the name of Kookaburra is safe. And... before I forget again, the name of the coming chapter is "Getting Closer"

You're right; if Lisa and Joel find out that they are part of the two attempts (so far) on Trevor's life, it would be devastating for them. They both care for him very much, so... ouch. On the other hand, they might never find that out; Bridget has plans for them too, after all. Hrmm, what was that nagging thought Joel had at the end? There's a lot of info here, from several plot threads.

Shane does indeed share his trauma and begins to share his past... very soon: before the end of the next chapter.

Thanks! Fortunately, I have the advice of Graeme, who is Australian, so he speaks the language.

I know it's a few hours early, but Dances with Madness is up.

We can always just... blame Wildone?