ReaderPaul

Great chapter! Most things are coming together.

It sounds like more fecal matter is hitting the rapidly rotating air-moving device.

It is possible that Amelia did not let Adam and Brendon know directly that she changed things again. Adam will know (or should know) that any time that Amelia comes up with a schedule or tells of a change, to check with Marc First -- and if Marc is not the one behind that, Adam should tell Amelia to mind her own business.

For once, Barbara Alexander Armstrong is behind Adam in catching on to what Marc is doing. Adam evidently absorbed more of Marc's plan than Barbara realized. It will be interesting to see how more of this turns out.

Since I am allergic to bananas, I cannot do that, but the rest sounds good. On or in my chili, I like mild cheddar cheese, or mild Velveeta cheese, or American cheese. Sometimes I will add some Louisiana-style Hot Sauce, hot or extra hot salsa, and onions. I inherited my father's love of somewhat spicy foods (but I avoid the super-hot peppers). Cornbread of good quality is also good in or with chili. I wonder if there are any stories here on GA where food or foods form a very important part of the plot?

Although not a GA author yet, I like reading these. The one about the peanut butter and jelly sandwich struck a chord with me. My spouse introduced me to peanut butter and pickle sandwiches. I preferred PB and sweet pickle; spouse liked PB and dill pickle. Since then I have heard of PB an banana, PB and crackers, and peanut butter and chili.

Marc needs taken down a peg or two, and I think it will be up to Grandma Armstrong, Adam, and possibly Brendon and Hugo to do it. Most of his ideas are quite good, but his vision for the universe is not the only one out there. Uncle Fran and Uncle Andrew can help with that as well. Amelia still needs to be taken down several pegs. Brenden and Adam will probably have to be Marc's allies in that, possibly Andrew and Fran as well. Also, there is still the traitor or traitors in Evelyn's organization to be dealt with. How many moles are there in the other assimilated companies are there?

I wonder how many remember from the first Ark II story that Joel had designated Hank as Second-in-Command? I remembered that. I think Joel feels the need for validation of his leadership. He does not want to become leader-for-life or give in to temptation to push for even more power and control. The colony is developing well. @R. Eric -- is the atmosphere over all of Gaia easily breathable now, or are there pockets of atmosphere on parts of the planet where a breathing mask would still be advisable? It would, of course, be most breathable nearest the atmosphere makers.

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.