ReaderPaul

I am not worried about Ricky. He has very fast reflexes. From -- "Light My Roamin' Candle, Charlie Boone!" -- in the Charlie Boone stories: First one, and then another, and then another, three swirls of black air appeared in the crowd of onlookers, small dark tornadoes ten feet in height, that spun furiously, and violently pushed away those standing around them. More of the swirls appeared, ten and more, and now the crowd was retreating from them on its own. People ran, those on four legs quickly outpacing those on two. Charlie and the others had simply frozen, staring at this incredible change in events. One moment the plaza was calm save for the excitement of bidding; the next it was quickly emptying, as thousands of people of every sort ran for their lives. Max was suddenly beside Charlie, Adrian and Ricky in tow. The elf took him by the arm, and pulled him away from the barrier. "Time to go. Come on, Kip! Time to go! Everybody grab hold of me! Now!" Kippy turned and looked at Max, anguish in his eyes. "We can't leave him!" He pointed at Bobby, who had turned towards the black maelstroms, his back to the other side of the barrier now, with nowhere to run. The nearest dervish was only a dozen paces from him, with no way around it. Charlie turned to look at Kontus. The big Trichani was frozen in place, staring at the black vortexes, one hand on his sidearm - but seemed unable to move. "We can't leave Kontus, either!" Charlie had no idea what was happening, but the look of near-panic in Max's eyes frightened him to the very core. The elf grimaced, but waved a hand at Bobby. The boy jerked up off the ground, and was suddenly over the barrier, on their side. Kippy grabbed him by an arm and pulled him towards Max. Charlie turned and grabbed Kontus by an arm and pulled, but the big man barely moved at all. "Help me!" he yelled at Max. The nearest black vortex suddenly wound down, and a large...thing...appeared. It was tall and monstrous, all black in color, had tripod legs, a round head with what looked like eyes all the way around it, and a multitude of octopus like arms that waved furiously at shoulder height. The other vortexes also spun down, and more of the things appeared. The one closest to them bolted with amazing speed at the barrier, and reached across the top of it with several of the long arms...straight at Adrian! Charlie had no time to even yell a warning. The horror of what was happening had him rooted in place. Ricky's right arm suddenly moved with lightening speed, and then his dagger was in his hand. It hummed furiously as he stepped in front of Adrian and whipped the blade across in front of them; and in an instant, four of the octopus arms were writhing on the ground. The vibratory blade had severed them cleanly, and the creature from which they had been shorn rebounded away from them with incredible speed, emitting a horrifying mewling sound. It gave Max the moment he needed. He whirled a hand in the air, and an invisible force seemed to circle the entire group, pushing everyone together. Charlie felt the strange feeling of dislocation that accompanied elf dimensional travel, and then they were standing inside the control room of their ship. Charlie looked about, saw all of his friends present...and Bobby and Kontus, too. So I predict that Ricky will be faster than this person.

I had to look up the term "tor" at dictionary dot com. I was glad to learn the term. I look forward to seeing what abilities Uncle Bob gains from this, and what else the others learn/gain/leverage as well.

Great ideas and leaders rarely pass their abilities and concepts along well past the second or third generation downline from the originators. Even is you start with perfect temperament people, discontent has a way of arising in humans. I wish it was not so, but that is my observation of life and history. Joel is wise to prepare in advance. There is some small thought that teleportation is possible. Humans are still trying to verify whether or not it can be done. I plan to wait and see.

Since this is only chapter 3, I suspect they will be free without much time passing. But this seems to be an interesting reality, thus far. I think there is more to the situation at hand than we yet know.

Not yet. But I have a very active imagination, or is that an imaginative active different brain?

I think, @raven1, that Chirka's tech would work somewhat like the spirit dome tech, and Sefton's skwish has picked up on that. Therefore, Sefton would be in great pain all the time that Chirka's tech to go to the lower layer was in operation. However, there might also be some persons in the layer of the dead which Sefton wishes to avoid, as well. Also, I think @Geron Kees is setting us up for the possibility of a Door/Doorways crossover, whether or not we ever see such an exciting happening. I think @drpaladin could be right on both levels. Further, who knows what additional skwish abilities Bob Travers has acquired since last Christmas? At that time he could teleport himself and other objects. Ricky is becoming even more of a magic mechanic. Is Adrian now able to send lightning in more than one direction at once? Or safely absorb electricity? Is Kip able to use his skwish to create barriers, as well as fly and move objects? Can Bob and Charlie contact Auggie, if needed? Since Auggie's origin was very different than most life forms, would he more resistant or more vulnerable that most in the realm of the dead? Does Ragal have an ability to come back from the layer of the dead himself, having done it once via the ring that Kippy has? Have I asked enough questions for now? I can come up with more, folks.

This antagah reminds me of a more aggressive Borg Collective from Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Voyager. The Borg absorbed people against their will, and not all were as fortunate as Captain Picard and /or Seven of Nine. This will be a fascinating adventure. Too bad Pacha and company is not there. One of these adventures, @Geron Kees, you implied we would meet more of the Kifta. Oh, well, maybe the next adventure....

Oh, man! This is going to be a major adventure! I'm glad Horace and Bob are going with them and Ragal and Casper as well. What about Durapar? The idea of Engris lighting up? Wow. Just -- wow.

I had whooping cough as a kid. It is certainly NOT fun! I hope no one else on here ever had that.

How about both, @Geron Kees? When Charlie, Ricky, and company met Horace in "Every Boy Should Face His Demons, Charlie Boone!" it was established that Charlie's second presence can go to other universes, and Ricky can tag along somewhat. So Charlie and Ricky could end up in the Doors universe, and the rest tag along. If Keerby and/or Nicholaas goes with them, they could get back. (Perhaps Max has learned enough by now to get them back, as well.) I still think it would be neat if only Cally can see them in the Door's universe, because he has some skwish. Unless, of course, they can become physically present in the Doors universe. However, another one to twenty-nine stories in the Doors universe would be great, as well. If the series never connect, I will still keep reading. Ricky's little brother (Roger? Trebor? Ronyx? Traveler? Tracer?) has a talent for translating himself and others to alternate universes, something like teleportation, and it will start to show up. And, it could be something only Ricky, Keerby, Nicholaas, and Max (and possibly Robin and Amy) understand at first? That could be a Doors story -- Derry, Cally, and Mike Hamlyn having a young boy of 11 or 12 show up on one of their adventures, and it be Ricky's younger brother, and Uncle Bob's nephew! You could do "side Door" adventures like the side Charlie Boone stories! Thanks for sparking the idea, @G90814!

Fascinating chapter, @R. Eric. I mourn the loss of Chuck. I'm hoping Stan has an undamaged mind. I am also hoping that you write more chapters on Ark II soon, then Makrovia, then Ark II again, then Bluebloods, then Ark II -- (hint, hint). I am enjoying all of them.

I agree with @drsawzall and his analysis of the situation. I also think Joel and others on the leadership team will still have to watch for selfish and bull-headed tendencies among the persons of the Ark II. However, this may have defused it a bit. Humans will still have some human failings, even transplanted to other planets. Good chapter, R. Eric. I hope we see more chapters of this soon.

Good chapter, R. Eric.

I am not surprised egos and selfishness are appearing. Very human traits.

well done, R. Eric.

Very good chapter. I agree with Joel -- better to be prepared and not need it than need it and not be prepared.

I can see the same potential problems that Joel saw. I think Hank and some of the others should figure out how best to use Athena's sensors to watch for potential other spacecraft from Earth, but still watch for other, non-Earth, craft as well. I had a lot of things happen to keep me from reading this chapter in a timely manner. It is my hope to catch of quickly. @drsawzall has excellent observations on this chapter.

Yes, some questions are still unanswered. But that gives our own @Wombat Bill a hook to start the next story with (as if he needs one). In real life, many times things are not answered or resolved in a timely fashion -- and sometimes never.

A good ending to this story, @Wombat Bill.

@Bill W, you have written many great stories. But I read many of them an another web site, which is very difficult to comment on. Eventually, I have a long-term goal of reading all of your stories on GA and commenting. You are especially good at holiday themed stories, such as Thanksgiving and Christmas, much better than the average writer when holidays are involved. Sorry, but I have a tendency to lavish praise on authors I like.

Good story, @Bill W. More interesting than the majority of Halloween stories I have read. I enjoyed this story almost as much as my favorite story by you, Crash Landing. Both are excellent stories.

@VBlew, I'm not sure Thomas is fully on board with traveling yet. I think he will enjoy it when they go, but he has so many things on his mind now, it is distracting him from the potential. I'm not sure how long it usually takes to get a passport in Australia. This chapter is full of surprises. I didn't expect Yashuki to ride away. Dante suggested foreign travel; Thomas realized that a permanent solution to the lifeguard situation is needed; Lachlan is surprised to learn that Thomas things that he (Lachlan) isn't pulling his weight; Thomas is expressing his feelings more honestly. Our favorite wombat is keeping us guessing. Well done!

I'm not quite as optimistic yet, but I think Yashuki may be developing actual feelings for Thomas. For Dante -- I am not so sure. After all, he did use Dante to get a job at Crystalline. True, @VBlew. We DON'T know yet what Yashuki is thinking or feeling yet, but we can see that he has exhibited some caring for Thomas -- even if it is for the selfish reason of solidifying his job at Crystalline. But I think he is developing more feelings for Thomas than he ever had for Dante (other than physical desire and greed). At this point, I think Dante is feeling a taste of his own medicine. He is feeling a bit "let down" by Thomas inviting Yashuki into the relationship, but on the proverbial other hand, Thomas was let down by Dante and suspected it even before it was confirmed. But now, Dante will be aware that both Thomas and Yashuki will be watching him for signs of straying. Thomas will also watch Yashuki for indications of roving and roaming. Throuples, open relationships, polyamorous, and monogamous relationships all have challenges. I look forward to seeing what wonderful wanderings and warpings our @Wombat Bill will do to the plot to pleasure, prolong, and prod our prodigious imaginations intensely and inventively.

What, @Wombat Bill, no teaser this time? It should be an interesting discussion among the three of them. I am interested to see the thoughts of @chris191070 and @Summerabbacat and @VBlew, and anyone else who is willing to join in.

I'm glad Virginia and Cook have had some clearing of the air. But the teaser for the next chapter has me wondering -- whose and what divided loyalties? Interesting comments from Virginia about the types of glasses used for the champagne. I don't think Virginia understands the feelings of Desmond. She thinks she does, but it is only a partial understanding.