ReaderPaul

@Geron Kees, it was wonderful to see Ricky's younger sister and even younger brother in this chapter. Rick is right, he (and Adrian and Charlie and Kip and Uncle Bob) need to sit with his siblings and talk with them about the very likely probability of skwish showing up ( possibly it already has). One person who still seems to be in the dark is Susan Travers, Bob's wife. She has not yet been specifically mentioned as knowing that Bob can teleport and translocate. We also do not know if Bob and Susan have any kids. Pretty sure there are none still at home, if they have any. And we still don't know if Uncle Fred and/or Aunt Clair (mentioned in the first two Charlie Boone stories) also have special abilities. Further, what does Adrian's mother know about her late husband? And so, for Valentine's Day, you will write of Amy and Horace getting married? Maybe the short story "Horace and Amy Get Married, Charlie Boone!" I can see Bob Travers as the best man for Horace, and Kiernan as Groomsman. And Valentine's Day 2025, "It's Twin Wingspanners, Charlie Boone!" An excellent story, Geron.

This is a story which deserves six stars -- out of five. But the system will not let me do that. So I will mention a couple of things. We meet an alternate Nicholaas, called Nicklus. We see an unusual attic and cellar. We see some unusual pizza -- and a different pizza location. We also see more evidence of unusual abilities of Auggie, and hints of more from Ragal. Lots of fascinating things in this chapter, and explanation of relationships. Well done.

Okay, @Geron Kees -- your consistency editor here. In this story reference is made to Robin's 800 year old castle in Bavaria -- Horace chuckled. "Now you just need a Tesla device in a hidden cellar, and some block people from another dimension to move in with you." They laughed at that, the reference to Rick's cousin's house a nice reminder that there were other homes out there with hidden secrets. Robin sighed, and smiled around at everyone before turning his gaze on Charlie. "Wanna trade it for an 800 year-old castle in Bavaria?" They knew the man wasn't serious. Charlie smiled. "That place suits you, Robin. It's big, it's bold, and it has a lot of heart." Robin looked pleased at the compliment. "Aw, thanks. I have to admit, this place would look strange with my collection of medieval armor standing about in the hallways." Browbeat, who had been perched quietly on Auggie's shoulders, lifted into the air and moved to hover in front of Robin. "Can I come see your place someday?" "Sure. Anytime you'd like." Robin leaned closer. "It's a great place to fly in, I've been told. Very high ceilings!" Browbeat tittered happily, and turned to face Charlie. "I knew I liked this guy!" but in "Hang THIS on Your Christmas Tree, Charlie Boone", the following is said about Robin's castle: Robin smiled. "I'll go do that now. You'll like my place, Charlie. It's different." "Oh...how will I get there?" "Frit and Pip have promised to collect all of you that wish to go and to bring you to Bavaria." Charlie blinked at that. "Bavaria?" "Yes. I own a castle there. It's 700 years old. Not even as old as I am." "Bavaria," Charlie repeated." "Yes. It's winter in the Alps, so dress accordingly." Charlie laughed. "It sounds like fun." "It is." Robin stuck out his hand and they shook once again. "Thank you, Charlie. For everything." He smiled. "We'll be seeing a lot of each other, I hope." We know Robin is a bit over 800 years old, from conversations with Pacha and with Robin that we've seen in previous stories. We also know Robin is a bit more powerful than Max, but not quite as powerful as Nicholaas. This was a really good story, Geron.

Adrian's star map which led to the Beltracian weapon armory came from Engris. So did Kippy's ring which brought Ragal to this time. Rick and Adrian bought something which magnified sexual attraction greatly, as did Frit and Pip. When Charlie and Kippy touched that type of artifact, they nearly "went at it" right there in pirate market of Engris. It took Rick and Adrian to pull one guy away while Mike and Bobby pulled the other away. The guys also got artifacts which showed them their homes just by thinking about it. At times, less successful artifacts have been purchased, such as Keerby's suit where he could control the colors -- but if he stopped consciously thinking about it, it revealed what he was REALLY thinking and feeling. Ricky bought a suit of something like aluminum foil which made him invisible to sensor detection -- but not to visual or sound detection, since it was quite shiny and sounded like aluminum foil crinkling when he would walk or sit! Others have been mentioned, but those are all I can remember without going back and re-reading several stories. Ragal also purchased something (different from Kippy's ring) which holds the essence of a person (as Ragal was, in the ring), so some other from a past civilization might show up. Something of which I was reminded in this chapter -- I think that Mike is the only human at this point to go the Kifta, the planet of the Kift. Is that right, @Geron Kees?

So -- the previous set of comments bring to mind a great story title. "It's the Road to the Doors, Charlie Boone!" But it would be very difficult to write.

57 varieties? I didn't know Heinz sold stuff on Engris!

And Casper didn't say how many types of crust they have. Do they have thin crust, thick crust, various types of stuffed crust, meat crust, mineral-powder related crusts, etc.? @Geron Kees, perhaps a Roorapynta Pacha'ka Adventure or a Kontus Adventure could happen next! I am glad Pacha and Chirka finally met.

@James Baxter and @Geron Kees -- I have a good memory -- and I also read things I really like multiple times. Things I am interested in, such as the stories of Geron Kees, I read a minimum of three times, and sometimes as many as six or seven. Some individual chapters of Geron's works I have read more than ten or fifteen times. I started first grade when I was five, skipping kindergarten, but my parents refused to let me skip further grades, although two of my teachers wanted to skip me ahead. Fortunately, I was a tall kid for my age, so was rarely bullied in spite of being younger than my peers. I had a terrible time learning to read. My first grade teacher enlisted the help of an eighth grade boy to help me, and in one afternoon, somehow he helped me so much that I read well from that point on! I wish I could bottle whatever he did! Now, I love to read.

This is going to be interesting. Obviously, Nicklus is an accomplished power user and transdimensional mathematician, but has other problems. I am guessing Nicholaas, and possibly Max, already has some idea of the problem or problems involved. Fascinating precursor of the preparation for solving the problem -- Nicholaas smiled at Auggie. "I can replicate what you just did, with my skwish tags. I already see the instruction needed. Then, we simply watch for something detected outside this realm, and we can follow it." "To somewhere you've never been before?" Adrian asked, looking surprised. "Certainly. That rule for teleportation does not apply to places you can see with your own eyes, as you well know. Wherever my little skwish tags go, I will be able to see, and follow." Kippy smiled at Charlie. "I'd sure like to learn that trick. It would be great to be able to teleport to a place you have never been." "I'll say," Adrian agreed. "Well, once I can teleport, anyway." Nicholaas chuckled. "It's not as simple as it sounds. I can see where my skwish tags go, but it is our little thief that must take them there, first. Otherwise, we'd probably be stumped." "Are you going to do this now?" Charlie asked. "I mean . . . we wouldn't mind seeing how this turns out." Nicholaas sighed approvingly. "Curiosity has always been your strongest trait, my young friend." He nodded. "I am already seeding the production lines with my tags. The odds are, something will go missing very quickly." He turned to his wife. "Do you want to come along?" She made a face. "To confront robbers? Perhaps not." "It's perfectly safe," Nicholaas returned, looking surprised. "You think," Robin added, grinning. Nicholaas frowned at that, and then nodded at Ronja. "Well . . . perhaps it would be better if you waited. Maybe later would be, um safer." Ronja laughed. "I'm sure you'll figure this out. I have so much here to do to prepare for the Christmas Ball for the staff." Ronja and Robin are more cautious than Nicholaas. Even a power user as strong as Nicholaas needs to not be over-confident at times. I am looking forward to the rest of the story. How many chapters, @Geron Kees?

Superb authors in this listing.

221 Mycroft Lane? I know that Mycroft Holmes was the smarter brother to Sherlock Holmes, and also the Mycroft/Mike was the nickname of the Holmes IV computer in "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress" by Robert Heinlein, (and Mike the computer considered Sherlock to be his brother), but what is the significance of the number 221? And are there more meanings to Mycroft of which we should be aware> I do know that the address 1313 Karloff appears in at least one of the stories.

Man, what's going to show up next? Some GOOD and friendly Moth? A transdimensional portal in one of the bathrooms? A female version of Nicholaas called Nickielass? A second, alternate disc world Roorapynta? Bobby's Grandma Sue? Jeremiah Hawkins? Seriously, a fascinating chapter. I look forward to seeing where this goes next, though I would guess the guys head down the steps they just found.

Why, the answer is obvious, @drpaladin, @drsawzall, and @Geron Kees. (And anyone else who is curious.) Browbeat met Nicholaas at the wedding of Nicholaas and Ronja, which also took place off of the thus-far storyline. But is is also implied in last year's Christmas Charlie Boone story that Browbeat would have met Nicholaas at the annual Christmas get-together at Third Planet Inquires (TPI) activity room, also known as the bored room.

Not a problem! If a blackout happens, Lugh may simply not let light come through the windows and doors -- except what would be by candle or lantern light.

What a great start to the story! Browbeat has a unique take on Trash Day; Charlie and the guys have a potent ally in Oliver; I'm guessing Amy might have helped with fielding phone calls for the guys during construction phase of the road onto the property and the garage; the list of persons invited and discussed had to have been abbreviated, since Keerby and his girlfriend were not mentioned, and so on. And this is the perfect opportunity to meet Kiernan Willman's sister, and also to meet Ricky's younger sister and Ricky's even younger brother. The sister should be starting college about now, or a year ago, and the little brother be in high school. Any chance Kiley and Kiri from Twombly might be there? And what about Susan, the wife of Uncle Bob? Has she learned about the skwish of her husband yet?

I enjoyed this story. Especially I enjoyed the interactions of Hunter and his Uncle Rangi, and of Hunter and his cousins Range and Ari. Hunter's natural talents and good training become more and more visible as the story progresses. The story gets even better as it continues. There is one considerable flaw -- and that flaw is that there is not yet a sequel. (Hint, hint, @quokka!)

This is such a good story that it could use a sequel. However, such a sequel would be quite challenging to write. This story is both simple and complex as it explores adventure, friendship, love, loyalty, and problem solving -- most of those elements working together at the same time. Another theme might be necessity versus sheer greed. Well worth reading, with one warning -- do not read unless you have at least a little imagination. It's that good.

Lots of life lessons are pointed out in this story. Some are pointed out gently, and some a bit more bluntly. People must take priority over "things," even if the "things" are quite valuable in monetary terms. I have only one minor problem with this story. The problem? As of December 2023, this wonderful story does not yet have a sequel. Well worth reading in spite of that minor flaw.

I remember reading this story some years back. I enjoyed the problem solving skills Wesley demonstrated, and was glad of the ending. I cannot say everything I would like to about this story or I might give too much away. Worth reading.

I thought Peyronie's Disease was a severe curvature of the erected male protuberance.

So, @astone2292 -- When do we learn more about Jared? All the stories are great in this sequence, but I really would like to see more of Jared -- and also more of Frederick.

Hmmm, I had not thought about Riding Lessons as a western, possibly since Andrew told me in an email years ago that it takes place in an unspecified midwestern state. But it does make sense. Thanks for doing these deep dives, @Myr.

I also have to look up Dominick the Donkey.

In my theory, Jamie might have made Sedwick's maypole under his conscious control, such that Sedwick could lengthen, widen, shorten, etc. at will. However, that might require more magick than Jamie yet knows, or more magic than Sedwick could control. Since Sedwick is described as the prince Sedwick, does he have any brothers or sisters? Does the Kingdom have a policy of "only males may inherit the throne?" I am sure that, after reading this for the sixth or seventh time, I can arrive at more questions, @Geron Kees. I have read the complete story at least five times so far....

I em enjoying this. However, one suggestion, @R. Eric -- don't go into the technology too much, or the story could bog down. Do you have a possible timeline of when the land dome and sea dome might start construction? Also, will we hear more of what is happening on earth and the other Arks?