ReaderPaul

Another really good chapter, @P. E. Knapp. I like reading about Marc, whether he is mining ice or probing another person in a very personal way.

I think that a beta reader can have all three roles. However, in most cases an author retains final control (with a few possible exceptions) on most sites which are free. (If one is under contract to a traditional publishing company and is paid for the story/article/non-fiction work, that is different.) I was a beta reader for a cousin who published four books through a traditional publishing company. I read and made suggestions for her last three. Some she took; some she did not. I caught one major error of continuity that she corrected immediately. The author/beta reader relationship is defined -- in the end -- by the two persons themselves. What they agree upon is what will happen -- unless they are under a paid editorial contract which constrains the final product.

Joel was wise to realize that the probe could be carrying disease. I still think that more FTL (Faster Than Light) mechanical sentries need to be out to watch for probes approaching Gaea, from varying directions, including above and below the plane of the ecliptic common to this arm of our galaxy. Also, they need to set out sentries for the area around Ark III, and also warn Ark III about the probability of diseased probes. Very good start to the beginning of this new story, @R. Eric.

Interesting chapter. Sounds like quite a few possibilities exist for possible directions of the story. Thanks, @P. E. Knapp.

A very good story which continued to get better as it went along. Once in a while there was a slight over-explaining of tech, but not to the point of being annoying. The story is expansive in scope, visionary, and far-reaching. Overall a good story as various themes are explored, including human nature, politics back on Earth, Mars, the Moon, and the rest of the solar system. Definitely worth reading if you tend to like visionary stories.

@Geron Kees -- I was again reading this chapter and noticed something -- For a moment Jamie was side-tracked, a sudden burst of curiosity overcoming him. "Snave...who are you?" There was a moment of silence. "I am all that remains of Snave of Condegrast, son of Wilfred of Condegrast. Brother of Thorvil of Condegrast." Jamie heard Garvin gasp, though knew there had been no sound. He himself was also stunned. The Master's brother! And Condegrast...Jamie had read of it, knew of the place. Condegrast was far, far to the west, beyond mountains and valleys and rivers and plains. It was a realm of the same nature as was the Castle Cumberstone and its faithful town of Lyrix, a place of merit, surely. On maps he had seen it upon it was at the very edge, such a travel that few local drawers of maps had been even that far, let alone to the lands beyond. Is Wilfred, the father of Thorvil and Snave, still alive? Does Wilfred perhaps serve the King which is responsible for whichever kingdom in which Condegrast happens to be located? Perhaps we could find that out in some future adventure of the Magick series.

Joel and Hank are wise to respond cautiously to Earth and the other locations. They also need to have in-between probes monitoring for Earth and Mars and the Moon sending their probes toward Gaea while seeming to start in other directions. The technical and living accomplishments are well-planned and amazing.

I miss the writing of Andrew Todd.

A story with some differing twists. It is well worth reading as Avery learns more of human nature. Sometimes what he learns is less than totally appealing, but the story does have great appeal. Well worth reading.

The way the final twenty paragraphs of this chapter read, I debated on whether to but a laugh emoji or a love emoji on the chapter! Love won. I think Rip Shannon, Jeremiah Hawkins, Uncle Bob Travers, and Will Whitesaw would like each other and get along great! This turned out to be another great story, @Geron Kees. Thank you. I also bet Amy would like Mrs. Pribilownakowskif, Max's wife. (For newbies to the series, that's why she told the guys to call her Mrs. P.) Hey -- Geron -- any chance we might learn Mrs. P.'s first name some time in the future? I notice that in the second Charlie Boone story (I just looked it up), Charlie's dad is named "Tommy" -- at least, that is what Charlie's mother called his dad. Cool.

I remember from some research on names that Sasha is sometimes a nickname for Alexander. Is that the case with Sasha, Marc's sometimes hookup? That would mean Alexander was hooking up with another Alexander --- The phrase "up the Pipe" -- would you please give a brief definition of that terminology? If you wish, you could put that answer in the "Home of the Westward Confederation: Forum as well. The negotiations with Ernesto remind me of the quote -- "Friends and good manners will carry you where money won't go." ⁠~ Margaret Walker

Enjoying how Marc can move from relationship to relationship and have fewer ruffled feathers in the process than are usual in relational changes.

If I were lobbying for interesting character combo additions, I would want Chirka, Durapar, and Jeremiah Hawkins!

Somehow, I think Charlie and Rick and perhaps Rip and Dick will be part of the solution to this. But, Auggie and Nicholas may yet play a part. However, I predict Geron has something up his proverbial sleeve besides his arm.

Good chapter, @R. Eric. Keep on writing!

Perhaps Esmerelda needs to get with Blinken and see how Blinken merged temporarily with Charlie, Kip, Rick, Adrian, Robin, Ilessa, Keerby, Durapar, Casper, Ragal, and Horace in a previous story via Charlie's second presence. Although, possibly Rip and Will and Max have more tricks up their proverbial sleeve ---

Please explain more about the Jump Gates in the discussion forum. Why are jump gates needed and the difference between jump gates and ships doing jumps?

Many fantastic authors here.

It's time for Charlie's second presence to materialize behind the new popper, as it did behind Lane Tallfield in a previous adventure.

Will stared at him a moment longer, and then turned to gaze at Rip. "My Grandfather's true name was Naadkym. Kha'jaq'tii was his keeyek spirit brother. That which gave him many of his ixt powers." "The northern lights," Dick said softly. Will heard him, and nodded. "The sky lights, yes." Charlie squinted at that. "The northern lights are just energetic particles from the sun, captured by the Earth's magnetic field." Max made an apologetic sound at that. "Uh...actually, there's a few people among my own kind that feel that them energetic particles from the sun form patterns in the planet's magnetic field that display skwish knowledge." Kippy gasped. "You mean, these lights in the sky are alive, and intelligent?" Max looked wide-eyed at him a moment, and then smiled. "No, I don't mean that. Some of our folks think that the planetary magnetic field stirs the sun's particles into configurations that sometimes allows other things to manifest on earth. Entities like Esmerelda, but of a different sort." "Skwish entities," Rick said. "Of course. Some of them are drawn to high energy sources." Charlie closed his eyes a moment. This was just getting to be a very strange investigation! This section reminds me in "The Case of the Short, Short Prince" where Jamie discovered where the magickons were coming from. Was that an accidental similarity of phrasing, @Geron Kees? Is Will Whitesaw's father still alive? It might not be relevant to the story. I'm just curious. Will Keerby be in the Christmas Charlie Boone story? Will Durapar and Chirka make it to the Christmas party? Will we learn why the poppers have what appears somewhat to be hexagonal pyramids?

Suspense and more! How many chapters to this story, @Geron Kees?

At dictionary dot com you can look up logophobia for free.

Speaking of getting Ragal and Casper and Robin involved -- Will Horace, Amy, and Durapar be involved with this one? Or perhaps Horace and Amy are on their honeymoon? Or perhaps Horace is working on a different case for Third Planet Investigations?

Interesting chapter.

I notice that there are multiple military bases near San Diego. While there are not any military bases really close to Cleveland, Ohio, there are a bunch of facilities related to military recruitment and operations near Cleveland, Ohio.