ReaderPaul

@RichardWrites -- are you going to continue this story? I do not see it marked as "Complete." I would be happy to read more.

Intriguing start. I know some fathers who would be same type as the father of Autumn.

I agree with @drsawzall. Keep your muse well fed! Loving these chapters of Ark II.

This story is making me use a term I've not thought about previously -- cringingly hilarious! Warning -- don't read this if your sense of humor is on vacation. The story is self-explanatory, short, simple, and different -- all at the same time. I recommend it.

Sorry for the double post.

I also have what many consider an unusual sense of humor. At times I have to explain my humor to others. I appreciate the humor you have provided here.

I also have what many consider an unusual sense of humor. At times I have to explain my humor to others. I appreciate the humor you have provided here.

One of the funniest stories I have ever read. When I had to tape a headlight I used clear packaging tape, @Sherye Story Reader. It worked well. @Butcher56 and @weinerdog -- a friend and his girlfriend had cats. One of them developed a habit of peeing into an electric stove burner. The cat pee cut through the baked on grease and grime around the burner. So the pee might dissolve the adhesive of the duct tape.

I have read several of these. I see more I will try to read. Thanks, @Myr, for the Deep Dives.

I am wondering how the implant in Mark's head will change his actions, ambitions, and adventures, from what he has already aimed at? Will it give him more advantages, such as being able to override other implants and access them without the knowledge of the other? After all, it seems to be military grade. Will he discover that his implant can be accessed by the military without his permission? I might be barking into left field here, or climbing the wrong tree (to mix metaphors). Maybe he should check with Gloria and Fran on this implant. I do think Marc is and will be a good influence on the twins, especially Roman. Good chapter, @P. E. Knapp.

Good chapter, @P. E. Knapp. Good that Orion and Quinn work and play so well together. Every time I see the name Orion, I think of a story I read years ago, where one of the main characters had a first name of Antares. He went by his middle name, Todd. It took the woman he wanted to have as his girlfriend half the book to find out his first name. Looking forward to more chapters.

I used to work in the state of Missouri in the USA at a retail establishment which sold alcoholic beverages. The state changed the law to require ID from anyone who looked young, and if someone sold to a minor, both the business AND the person who actually made the sale were BOTH fined a sizeable amount. The law also allowed law enforcement to employ minors (under age 18) and persons ages 18, 19, and 20 to attempt to buy alcoholic beverages as a "sting" agent of law enforcement to see if the business was complying with the law. Business who were repeat offenders within specified time frames also can be penalized by having their license to sell liquor revoked for a time. I don't know if any similar laws are in effect in the UK or the EU.

The Midwest is also home to the New Madrid earthquake fault, one of the potentially very dangerous faults in the United States. I have felt tremors from the fault, and I am between 200 and 300 miles (322 - 483 km) distant from that fault.

A very good chapter as the problems of terraforming Gaea and discussed and adjustments made. I look forward to seeing how the message to Mars is worded and when it will be sent. Hey, if the Muse is concentrating on Ark II, let it concentrate for a bit more. And I am glad you are okay after the hurricane.

Wow, what a spread of choices!

Great list! Great authors. Great reading. Thanks, @wildone. Several of my favorite authors on this list.

@kbois and @weinerdog -- I hope neither of you were badly affected by Hurricane Helene, especially regarding your safety. @chris191070 -- Great start. How many chapters will this be, or have you decided yet?

As I once heard someone wordily say, "The fecal matter is about to het the rapidly rotating oscillating device." Chris' family is in for some rough times ahead. Possibly Roman and Camille are in for a tough discussion. The Marines and security personnel are more familiar with Marc and his reputation than Camille and Roman seem to be. Good chapter. Perhaps Roman has more inside him than he thinks he has in the way of determination and bravery.

Is "top from the bottom" similar to being a "power bottom"? Where someone who is being penetrated nevertheless calls most of the shots?

Good chapter as Quinn learns .of the plans Orion has.

@R. Eric -- I see you thought of a similar situation on replying to the message I did! Don't send the message from the true location. I would suggest that some of the reply message(s) come from above and below the plane of the galactic presence and above and below the plane of Sol's ecliptic. (For those who need a reminder, Sol is the name of Earth's sun, even though the name Sol is rarely used -- just as Luna is the name of Earth's moon, again a name rarely used.) I look forward to seeing what the reply message says. I am guessing that -- at this point -- Ark II will not reveal what it knows about Ark III and Ark IV.

I worked with a guy for two years. Gradually he revealed more about himself over the years. From the time he was about 12 years old he was raised by his mother and stepdad. When he turned 18 his stepdad offered to adopt him, and he was happy about that. A few years later, he put together remarks he overheard through the years and figured out that his mother and stepdad agreed to adopt him AFTER THE LAST CHILD SUPPORT PAYMENT WAS PAID BY HIS BIO-FATHER. Greedy persons don't always SEEM greedy --- at the time. His stepdad and his mother had plenty of money and could have adopted him at any time without hardship. Another guy I know was divorced by his wife without notice and she married a guy fairly well off. Every month or two after the divorce the ex-wife would run a request through the court trying to get more child support as a form of harassment. The state in which I live allowed that often of that at the time -- I don't know if it is still that way now. I think the custodial parent can only ask twice a year now.

@Anton_Cloche you are right -- especially in Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas, and several other states. And this story takes place in Texas....

Fantastic authors and writings on this list. Such a diversity! Fascinating variety of writers such as @AC Benus -- @Altimexis -- @quokka -- @W_L -- @Headstall -- @Mikiesboy -- @Parker Owens -- and others. Thank you, @Myr, for these Deep Dives.

After the last few paragraphs of the chapter, I had to give the chapter a "Laugh" emoji, even though most of the rest was serious. What do we know of Brandon's piloting ability? Not a lot, yet. Is he older than Marc by much? Good chapter.