ReaderPaul

Hooray for Katrina Sams! Hooray for Queen Helga! Very good chapter, @R. Eric. I am looking forward to a chapter of your visionary story, Ark II, soon.

Thank you, @astone2292, for this Ask An Author series. I'm going to have to go back and read a lot more of these. @chris191070, @Headstall, and @drpaladin, Great comments. @drpaladin, I am very glad you pointed out the positivity in Geron's stories. Even in what some might consider "light" reading in one or two stories of @Geron Kees, there are many useful, good, and informative points about human behavior and interpersonal relationships.

I learned it as seize the day, as in make the day enjoyable and accomplish goals at the same time. But I have indeed heard other variations than the one I learned.

@Bill W, this is one of your best stories yet, and I have enjoyed several over the years. I also agree with @drsawzall on his commercialism comments completely. Your comments on attacks on the LGBTQI+ community reminded me of your wonderful story, Crash Landing, and A Gay Christmas Carol (Revised). Another or your wonderful Christmas stories is My First True Christmas. All of the three stories I mentioned are available right here on Gay Authors. Thanks you for the great writing.

Good chapter, @R. Eric. I will be interested to see if Stan and Mark have more body memory than the rest. Will they be able to get everything done in a week before coming back to Russia?

Well done, @R. Eric. So now back to Makarovia, then Ark II, then Blueblood, then Ark II, then I've Always Loved You," then Ark II, and so on. This story, Ark II, is possibly your most enjoyably imaginative yet, of the strictly fiction stories you have written. Please continue writing. To paraphrase Mr. Spock, "Live Long and Bring Joy Through the Prosperous Writing." Thank you.

Well said indeed, @drsawzall. While I cannot personally identify with every point of @astone2292, I thought what he wrote was well organized, well stated, and well pointed. Now if @kbois is average, then shouldn't we invent the term "averagy?" (No matter how I spell it, it looks wrong.) @astone2292, I was especially resonant with your points about validation, peace of mind, and writing. Love the sumo wrestler analogy.

So, @Valkyrie, this enjoyable story was a blend of old and new crypto-currency coinage of a story? Between you and @Geron Kees and @Parker Owens and @Aditus, I was glad for translate dot google dot com being available.

Thanks, @Valkyrie! Now maybe you can write the next story with the prompt "That's not my package!" The title could be "That's not my package! Really!" It could be about a guy who, when accused of sending a sext pic to someone, protests -- because the pictured prominent protuberance projecting from the package area is patently preposterous, considering what normally is resting there in a relaxed soft state. (You are welcome to use the idea freely, with no attribution. MY reward would be -- reading another great prompt story.)

@Valkyrie -- Be sure to title that prompted story something like, "That's not my package!" That way, I will know to read it. I can think of a minimum of three storylines -- all of different meanings -- that would fit that title/prompt. And looking up "package" on dictionary dot com, including the British dictionary section -- has given an idea for a fourth storyline (one of the original three storyline ideas was from urbandictionary dot com).

@Butcher56 -- good summary. @R. Eric, this is a very good chapter. So hopefully, a chapter of Ark II next, then Cinderfella III?

I notice that the last time dkstories visited GA was in 2013. @Timothy M. or anyone else, did something happen to Dan of dkstories? It concerns me that he seems to have dropped out of sight.

A great chapter, @R. Eric. I am very glad to see this detailed update. I am hoping that next is an update on Ark II, then another story, then Ark II, then Makarovia, then Ark II, then another story or two -- Please, stay alive and keep writing for a LONG time! And Is Cosmo getting dressed as well as the four visitors for the Proposal?

It seems to me that Uncle Bob is developing some magic mechanic traits of his own, being able to replicate Ragal's surprise black octopus thing. His telekinesis abilities have grown also, with being able to deflect and redirect the water, as well. To me, this is not surprising. After all, Keerby had said, way back in an earlier Charlie Boone story, that talents tend to run in families. And did Robin father any kids in the last 800 years? Questioning minds would like to know, @Geron Kees. Hopefully, Durapar will be able to go with the group to the realm of the dead, as well. For a real powerhouse, Zerfa and Rufe might come along, as well. But that close to Christmas, probably not.

While all of the stories of Geron Kees help a person to think, in some ways this was more serious than many of his stories. I can't say as much as I would like, or I might spoil the story for others. Wonderful new characters are introduced in this story. Momphis, Chirka, Browbeat, and Jol appear, and some others. Uncle Bob and Ragal and Horace gain some new powers, and we learn more about Casper's powers, as well. This story is wonderfully packed with thrills, chills, and life pills. I want to say a lot more positive things, but I really think you should read the story for yourself. It is THAT good.

Something I don't recall seeing anything in the comments about yet: "I was thinking about Robin, too," Charlie said. "He might be invaluable in dealing with someone like Tallfield." "We can figure all that out at home," Kippy decided, waving a hand. "So when are we coming back?" "We have two jobs coming up back at the office," Charlie reminded. "We can come back here and do what we need to do, and still get them done," Ricky argued. "No time, remember?" "You're stalling," Kippy said gently. "Why?" Charlie nodded. "Yeah. I want some time to mull a few things over, is all." He shook his head. "That moment when I realized Tallfield was trying to take my mind away from me...it left me with a lot to think about." No one said anything for a moment, as they all remembered. "But we are coming back, right?" Kippy finally asked. Charlie smiled at his boyfriend. "I'm thinking we'll come back the week before Christmas." I am hoping that this means that @Geron Keeswill start the Christmas Charlie Boone story 7 or 8 days before Christmas, AND tell us briefly or in detail about the two jobs they have to do at the office. Geron, how about putting a branch of one of the banks on Engris in Charlie's home town? Then Nicholaas wouldn't have to jiggle and joggle and juggle funds from Engris to Earth for the guys. Of course, regular Earthlings would be allowed to deposit and withdraw money, as well.

I doubt that this is in any part of the story as to what will happen next, but something pinged in my mind when I read the following: Charlie shook his head. "Wait a second. Can you try to follow them back and see where they came from?" "Oh. Wait a moment." Horace closed his eyes. "Um...I can see them. Let me see if I can roll this backwards...okay. Yes. Here they are inside Engris, and now here they are arriving. at Engris...and...backtracking...and...no." He opened his eyes. "Go back a ways, and they just fade away. I can't see where they came from before that." "I didn't think you'd be able to," Jol said. "I think you only were able to follow them back that far because you were present on Engris when they first arrived. That is your common factor with them. Following them back before that would require a time element. And, as we all know, there is none here." This is a long shot, but if Ragal and Horace joined hands, and were powered by Adrian and Kippy, with magic mechanic advice from Ricky, would Horace be able to see back further, to when Ragal was in this level? There would be a gap, since he has been alive again almost 3¼ years, since October of 2019, but if some members of the collective were already there in the lower level before October 2019, they might be able to trace it back further. But Geron probably has a differing solution. Or does it have to be closely connected with Engris? Yes, it is.

I look forward to seeing how this works out. An interesting set of pocket worlds/universes/pods has been created on the level of the dead. Max once said in a different story, that -- "It's different with elves." That might explain why they have not yet run across any elves in this level. Something about this reminds me of Philip Jose Farmer's "World of Tiers" series. Geron, did you read any of those in your younger years?

@drpaladin, @Ivor Slipper, @weinerdog, and @Geron Kees -- "Puns are often a sign of higher than average intelligence." ~ David Lee

Sounds like a potentially hairy situation to me!

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?