ReaderPaul

Quokka, I do hope you consider a sequel, set wherever you wish.

Oh, don't get me wrong, I am loving the story. I was merely surprised.

Interesting and more interesting! But I do have a question. At least twice, you mentioned Olek. I think you meant Christian. "... I had a tutor one year...I’ve had many, many tutors over the years, but this one...well, I got the feeling he rode the thin line between madness and sanity. That was my professional eight-year-old opinion. Both Olek and I had separate tutors. Olek was already my hero and it would be another two years before we had the ball and he would meet Ella. Professor Montrose was having a hard time concentrating and difficulty creating coherent sentences. I was having a hard time following his line of thought....l"

Story continues to be a very good one, Preston. Thank you.

Preston, I am enjoying this story even more than most of your stories.

The best evidence points to Phineas Taylor Barnum saying this, but it is not certain. However, Barnum did NOT say "There's a sucker born every minute." That was said by a banker, David Hannum, who knew Barnum.

Cool! Ricky's little brother and Ricky's slightly older little sister we FINALLY get to meet? And the guys, along with Keerby and Frit and Pip and Ragal, have an interesting time in Twombly?

@Geron Kees, you ALWAYS have permission to use any ideas I might give you. I GRANT YOU, GERON KEES, ULIMITED AUTHORIZATION TO USE ANY IDEAS I MIGHT SUGGEST TO YOU, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY. Even such an unlikely one as Charlie's second self being projected into Derry's bedroom in your Doors series while Derry and Cally are having an "active sleepover!"

I agree with you on the reliability issues, and I had not thought about the cold and atmosphere problem in that way. But what if the guys were captured, and the translators removed? Or some electronic interference overrode the translators temporarily? THAT is when a physical ability to have a rough translation would be handy. Plus, expanded knowledge may come in handy at any time. BTW (By The Way) I added to the original comment while you were answering the above. As a kid growing up in the 1950s and 1960s "Made in Japan" was some of the least reliable stuff one could buy. But now, "Made in Japan" or "Made in South Korea" items are often the most reliable one can buy (but American car tech is coming along quite well). Your comment about Charlie's other self being so-endowed with a translator sparks a naughty question: Could BOTH of Charlie's selves make love to Kippy at the same time? LOL

Okay, Geron, i want to throw some questions out there for your perusal and contemplation. Since you are writing the story, your perspicacity regarding said story is greater than mine. If Charlie appeared to Mike, Bobby, and Kontus as ghostly at first, how did he have the material solidarity to move the air molecules to produce audible conversation with them? Or was he communicating directly with their minds? Kontus is obviously exposed to English from hearing Bobby and Mike speak to each other. So he should be picking up some understanding of English, as he obviously has to be quite smart. Otherwise, he might never have risen to Port Authority of the discworld. Further, I am guessing that on trips Bobby, Kontus, and Mike might practice language lessons for Kontus to try to learn English and Mike and Bobby (and probably Pacha as well) to learn to speak or understand Trichani. Something COULD happen to their translators. Mike was exposed to magic/ka the longest, of anyone on the ship of Pacha'Ka. So If anyone on there besides Pacha could be "sparked" into magic talent, Mike would be the most likely choice. But the atmosphere and language question remains....

Well, with Charlie's ability to be in two places at once, and Max's ability to create a "tunnel," and Casper's ability to see pictures in Will and Billy's mind, could Charlie and Max and Casper team up to send Charlie into the spirit dome to talk to Billy and Will, and relay information to Murcha or Onglet? Probably Ricky could analyze things with Ragel's amazing insights, since Ricky and Charlie seem, from the first chapter of this story, to be developing a parallel bond to what Kippy and Adrian have. But, @Geron Kees , I hope you explore how Mike was able to call Charlie in the first place, and have Ricky indirectly aware of it. And where will Grandma Sue and Sefton the Tour Guide come into future stories? Curious minds would like to know! (I predict you will not have a ready answer for THAT one, except "Wait and see."

After all, Will and Billy probably have the same root name -- William -- and wouldn't it be something if Grandma Sue's last name or maiden last name happen to be Williams, Hopkins, or Matson?

Okay, @Geron Kees -- I have some questions. Some might not be answered until a future Charlie Boone story. HOW did Mike call Charlie? Does Mike also have a touch of "split-presence?" Could constant association with Pacha'Ka have "sparked" Mike's magic talents; similar to Charlie, Kippy, Adrian, and Ricky being "sparked" by the association with first Max, then Pip and Frit, then Pacha, then Nicholaas, then Keerby, Casper, then Auggie -- How did Ricky sense -- BEFORE Adrian and Kippy -- that he needed to have Adrian call Kippy -- who was with Charlie? Why can't the guys go to Engris and ask Will, Billy, and Grandma Sue where Bobby and the others are?

As clearly and concisely as @Mawgrim writes, one hundred chapters should do it. I am enjoying reading his work.

Have you read the latest Pern novel, written by Gigi Kennedy, Anne's daughter, writing under the name "Gigi McCaffrey?" I have it, but have not yet had time to read it.

Looks promising so far.

Another series of @Geron Kees which has some science fiction, fantasy, and good old story telling is the Charlie Boone series by Geron. The first chapter has no fantasy or science fiction elements. Then, gradually elements of fantasy and more start happening, and after while we learn that magic is a special type of science, and -- and -- Another of Geron's stories with SOME science fiction elements is "Star Light, Star Bright." Check out @Myr. He has a variety of stories. @jamessavik has a lot of science fiction. Especially check out his story "In The Shadow of the Dragon," about five teens caught in a nuclear war. Also check out "Get Into James Shorts" for much of his short science fiction.

James, I'm reading this for probably the sixth time. Still as good as ever.

Love this chapter. So, you will not use the phrase, "It was a dark and stormy night." But, I notice you did NOT rule out, "The night was stormy and dark."

Yes, and think of the new combo story lines you could have! How about an adventure with Mike Hamlyn, Mike from Australia, Ricky's little brother Michael or Micah (suggesting name here), Pip, Uncle Bob, Kontus 3Rowf, Nyf, and Brik (the new child-mind running the starport from your story "Never a Door Lost"). But on a different note, Charlie's 4th of July story could include Uncle Bob Travers. A 4th of July magic/illusion show would be a twist you usually don't see. Or are you taking Ronja and Nicholaas on the promised shopping trip/tour to Engris in the July Four outing? The possibilities are endless! Oh, and by the way, I really like the stories you write. Thank you!

Yes, certainly. After all, Difris says in the second "Doors" adventure that the doors draw their power from the underlying power of the universe, which could be the allmagic referenced in the previous Charlie Boone adventure. Thus, in theory, the Doors could be related to the elf-doors, and someone like Pip might be able to go through a Door and end up where he wants. Or, might that be one of the talents of Ricky, Uncle Bob, and Ricky's little brother!

So, the answer is simple. Get Ricky's little brother and/or little sister involved in the adventures. It's amazing that one or both of them haven't noticed odd things going on -- or have they? One or both could be in their teens by now.

Frit and Pip would first have to have space suits, since there is not air in the hanger. If I remember correctly they have suits with Murcha/Lollipop from the adventure where they found Casper. They could pop in there, get the suits, and go to Oumuamua from there.

Up to a point. But some people use a "learned helplessness" when they COULD do much themselves.

Yes, delightful indeed!