ReaderPaul

Many, many gold-standard stories in this collection.

"Where did you get the list for the treasure hunt?" Jason asked Adam, examining the penguin costume. "Our group has a small subcommittee which makes up the list," Adam replied. "Ervin and Christopher have expansive imaginations. Preston adds unusual touches to the lists, and Vicky helps keep things reasonable -- or as reasonable as possible, considering the lists which are made." "So you have both males and females in your group." "Not at present," Adam replied. "Vicky -- V I C K Y -- is the nickname of Victor."

"Revenge is a dish best served cold" is a phrase normally attributed to author Dorothy Parker (1893 - 1967). Variations have been used for some time.

I said earlier Amelia did not fully get the message, and I was right. I did not use those exact terms. I HOPE she will get this message. Adam needs to stiffen his spine.

Keep in mind that Dale and Cole worked together on a school project some time before the start of this story. So, they already knew each other for more than a romantic or a beard relationship. More will be revealed in later chapters.

So where is the review for the story in the headline, @wildone? The story from @Cia sounds fascinating, however.

They were used to being outside -- but ONLY with protective covering. Yet Joel and Hank understood the possible discomfort. As far as the infidelity goes, hurt has definitely arrived, and some element of jealousy usually comes with that. From the observed reactions, the marriage was almost certainly not am open one.

Loving this. I think Marc has more up his proverbial sleeve, however, than just his proverbial arm. His brain is like a multi-compartment tackle box at times, able to pull out what is needed from his practical store of experience.

"A plan is something you should have in place so you can deviate from it." ~ R. Fred Howard Marc is certain to have various contingency plans in place. Thanks to all he has been through, he sees multiple possibilities, and plans for as many as possible. Adam is growing and widening his mental capacity as well, and they have a lot of backup from family and friends.

What Joel predicted is coming true. Infidelity can tear apart many families. There are several ways this can be handled. I will be interested in seeing which way you handle this one, @R. Eric. Wilma, Anderson, and Paul are learning a lot, as did Joel and Hank and the others who visited their neighbors at Elysia.

Sounds like a story I need to check out. Thanks, @Cia and @JJQuinn. I notice a JJ Quinn and a JJQuinn are both listed. But JJQuinn is the author of this story.

I am from a diverse background of family, which has greatly influenced my selection of friends and helped me be more tolerant at times.

I'm not sure if the six additions would come close to doubling the size of Alexander Knight Interstellar Industries, since each of the individual Alexander and Knight corporations were so large in the beginning. I also don't think we know the full extent and intent of Marc's plan. His mind tracks on so many levels at once that we are still learning about it. Marc and Adam have excellent support from their grandparents as well as parents, relatives, and loyal friends. Intriguing plots and subplots gradually merging into a coherent set of plans, with some hiccups to come, most likely. @P. E. Knapp -- after this book and the next, how many other books do you have planned in this series? Also, do you have any nearquels planned? [Definition: A nearquel is a related story, featuring one or more characters from a story or book, taking place in somewhat the same time frame as the original book or story, but featuring the original main characters less or not at all.]

So cool in this chapter, @Geron Kees, to see Carl Lawson (Kip's father's name, as established in part 4 of "Christmas is a State of Mind, Charlie Boone!") talking with Tom Boone (Charlie's dad). So far we don't know any of the first names of the mothers of the four original guys, or Rick's father's first name. Also good to see Robert Travers and his older sister, Rowe Travers, mentioned by name, instead of as "Ricky's brother" or "Ricky's sister." Is the new telepathic talent for they guys and Browbeat limited by distance? Can it reach through the "walls" of alternate realities if two or more of them are in close proximity location-wise but in alternate realities? If it is skwish based instead of electromagnetic based it might have few or no distance limits. So many cool things in the lives of they guys and Browbeat.

I am sure Marc has good reasons for wanting those particular six corporations under the Alexander-Knight banner quickly. That should be interesting to find out. Well, we have met the triad. Will we hear about Sasha soon, and also Uroda? Camille and Roman? Do Adam and Marc have genes for precognition? Are those actual names of future grandchildren? When do we learn more about Adam's background, and what assets he brings to the table for the new corporation? And more about Adam's father, please? The further into this story we get, the more I like it. Thanks, @P. E. Knapp.

Oh, this is rich! (Rich in the old sense, of being very good.)

Jackalopes? Did I hear Mark Twain in there? No, I did not. But Twain did write about what he called the "jackass rabbit," when he was in his earlier writing years and writing articles from the US state of Nevada, which at that time was Nevada Territory.

Just noticed something while re-reading the chapter. Marc has three "friendly" and/or "paid friendly" newsies. From near the middle of the chapter: “Thank you, Lt. I should be back momentarily. Please see to it I am not disturbed by newsies or civilians.” “Aye Captain.” My head pivoted as I checked to see if my three newsies were watching and I got the nod from one. I am guessing Marc can help steer the coverage the way he would like it, thanks to those three.

Marc's family -- and Brenden -- understand much better than Amelia what is likely to happen. Amelia is a control-freak busybody who needs to be firmly reeled in. I don't think Amelia has learned her lesson -- yet. She still thinks she can control Adam, and Brenden, and possibly she thinks she can control Marc. She will learn better, but it may take time. Amelia MIGHT tone down for a bit, but that control-freak nature will attempt to assert control again at some point. Great chapter.

Looking forward to more chapters where additional facets of this will be revealed.

Fascinating. Marc and Grandma have some work to do to get some of the crew up to needed emergency speeds. Let's hope there is enough time to do that.

@R. Eric, loving this series. If your muse is supplying you with this one almost exclusively, keep going! Wilma, Paul, and Anderson are in for a great time on Gaia.

A very good chapter, @P. E. Knapp. But I have a terminology question. In the last paragraph of the chapter, the "3-mile-limit" is mentioned. What is the 3-mile-limit?

A wonderful story, @Lee Wilson. The only flaw I see is -- inflation probably will continue, and twenty dollars per session now would probably be 100 or 200 at that time in the future.

Ok, @P. E. Knapp -- using what Tom said in the prologue, is Adam the name of the fated made Marc keeps dreaming about?