ReaderPaul

I had not considered that Mike Hamlyn might be gay, but the possibility exists that he might be bisexual, as I am. As a guy who had a late puberty who had a couple of fun times with a guy who ended up with an early puberty for about a year off and on, when puberty hit he went for the girls at that time, but I liked both, but after puberty hit I had no more same-sex interactions in my teen years. It is slightly possible that Mike Hamlyn might have had some similar feelings or happenings. But I certainly agree, Geron, that some are naturally more inclined to be tolerant and understanding that some others. I am hoping that the third Door tale is arriving soon?

Interesting developments. But I do have a question-- Surely Jacob or Will would carry a backup power source for their cell phones? Or will they resolve to do so in the future?

I am interested in seeing if he guy with the rifle had friends who might also be trailing Jacob and Nathan?

I like how you were realistic in showing that sometimes sudden and major change can have secondary and tertiary effects on young teens. I also like the telephone solutions you came up with. I noticed a comment on another chapter that the story seemed to be at a standstill. You are merely showing that not all of life is lived at a frantic or frenetic pace. But some of the peeks into ordinary living can also be fascinating, as well. This is at least true for me, who was raised in the middle of the United States and only learned a little about Australia and New Zealand. In this story, you are using dialogue very well, and the adds extra interest in the story. Some of your very early stories seemed to be lacking in dialogue, but you have done much better in recent years. In either this story, or its sequel, I hope you have a situation appear which requires Jacob's security clearance level to be raised HIGHER than his uncle. This could cause slightly elevated tension for Jacob, Nathan and his parents. I am guessing Jacob is more reliant on his mother than his father because of his father previously having been gone nine weeks at a time.

Sounds like Jacob's mother is a not-always-well-self-controlled tiger of a woman. @quokka -- when you speak of Trebor in the story, is it related to this? http://hillstory.com.au/hillstory/articles/Trebor_Road.html I also am interested in what happens with the Europeans. How do we know that Nat didn't send a text to his commanding officer?

I look forward to seeing how the assembly goes. Jacob will have to be cautious and not say too much, yet saying enough to more or less satisfy the students and school administration. @quokka -- do you know how many chapters this story is likely to be?

Sounds like Jacob has parents with a temper. If Baxter has kept a low profile for about 8 years, he is unlikely to be easily caught.

Great start to this story. You have me intrigued enough to dig up my GA password and use it so I can comment. You are one of about 10 authors I do that for.

@Geron Kees, I see at least one hook you can use to get Uncle Bob involved in a future adventure-- from near the top of the chapter -- and now that Bob has met Max and Nicholaas, he can think back to what he overheard and ask about the rest of it. Kippy took in a short breath, and gasped it back out. Then he nodded his head emphatically. Charlie frowned, but nodded. "Kip's on board already. But I have to ask you this: your uncle will be able to bring us back by Monday afternoon, right? That's Christmas Eve, in case you've forgotten." "Duh. No, I haven't forgotten. It's about a two-hour drive to get there, but my uncle's coming back here to spend Christmas with us, so we'll definitely be back in time. You guys wanna go? You'll get to see a pretty good magic show, in addition to having a great road trip. Twombly's in the mountains, and it's just amazing there."Again, Kippy nodded, his eyes widening a little and focusing squarely on Charlie's, to emphasize that he did want to go.Charlie nodded, as much to Kip as to the phone. "Sure, Rick. Thanks for asking us. We have to talk to our parents; but I don't see them not letting us go." Ricky gave a soft laugh over the phone. "Now that we're all seventeen, they're starting to treat us like we have some sense." Kippy rolled his eyes and grinned. "That's because they don't know we've been out roaming around the universe, and all those magic dimensions, with our alien friends and elf buddies." Ricky laughed, but it sounded strained. "Oh, that's funny, Kip. My Uncle Bob is looking at me like you're nuts." Kippy made a face, and briefly covered his mouth with a hand, and then dropped it and grinned. "Oops," he mouthed at Charlie. Charlie just shook his head. "Tell your Uncle Bob that Kip's a clown, and will fit right in with a magic show. He won't even need any make up!" Kippy feigned an indignant look, but Charlie could see that he was having fun. They heard an unfamiliar voice speaking in the background, and Ricky sounded relieved when he returned. "My uncle says he knows his share of cut-ups, too." Charlie blinked at the unfamiliar expression, but inferred its meaning immediately. "That's our Kip, always cutting things up...."

@quokka, have you thoughts on a sequel yet, or (hopefully) started on one? You have at least one reader who would like to see a sequel.

Maxwell Smart, is that you, Agent 86? You've adopted new identities as 'Geron Kees" or "Jerry Keys?"

Oh, so a sentient semi-tractor cab is joining the cast in a couple more stories? By the way, November 1 is National Author's Day-- THANK YOU to all of the great authors on the internet-- and in conventional print, as well. Paul

I am definitely NOT disappointed. Well done, Geron.

Now, Rob, you need a sequel where Noah and Hayden meet and find friendship in common. Perhaps Hayden and Noah could guide a new friend toward another muscle bear?

I will be interested in seeing Kippy's work on the final leg. I have a hunch that Kippy and Frit or Pip or all three will have an important role by the end-- especially as Kippy seems to be developing more skwish. (Can't remember the spelling for sure.)

I'm very glad to see this tale, Geron. Your presentation of the AI, Murcha, reminds me of a not-well-known author who writes science fiction at times. He also presented personable and friendly AI persons. Murcha also reminds me at times of Difris and Nyf and Bric, your characters from the Door series posted on GA. What @ColumbusGuy said is correct. I have read Hugo and Nebula award winning stuff, especially Hugo winners. which did not turn out as interesting and enjoyable as the stories I have read by you. I look forward to reading the other parts of this. Going to start part two now.

People grow up fast in severe situations. They are not yet adult, but they have often seen more than they realize. Jeremy has more smarts than he probably had to use as a pre-Changes teen. I respectfully disagree about Mom. She represents the compassion Jack and the kids had with regard to those not as fortunate as themselves. Especially to the younger kids, she is the last actual adult who seems to be remaining. Technology is not perfect. Farla mentioned that some things were unexpected. They didn't have time to do the research on humans they had done on themselves. I would like, as I said earlier, a short sequel showing some of the blue crystal adults waking. But I am fine if that never happens. Life rarely has all loose ends tied up. Why should a story? Thanks, Geron.

Deep Space Journey is found here: https://www.gayauthors.org/story/quokka/deep-space-journey/ Much background is explained. Very Helpful. @quokka, I am glad to see this sequel. I enjoyed the first story in this, and very much look forward to this one.

My offspring had vaccinations when they were due. As a Kid I had some childhood diseases my offspring did not. As the anti-vaxers grow in number the herd immunity is greatly decreasing and more kids are getting sick when it is NOT necessary. New studies are indicating that vaccines carried in egg-based formulas can mutate more than vaccines in other mediums. Plus, kids seem to be more likely to be allergic to egg-based vaccines -- EVEN IF THEY ARE NOT ALLERGIC TO EGGS. Much more research is needed as these studies are not yet conclusive. We are going to see more sickness as the anti-vaxers send their kids into society.

I agree, or perhaps a $5,000 fine per year per kid not vaccinated, plus forced sterilization for the parents who do not vaccinate their kids.

Geron, I liked Chapter 16 and the Epilogue very much, even better than when I read the original version on September 19. You've added probably at least thirty sentences, maybe more, and deleted may be five sentences. This explains things much more clearly than the original version, which was quite good. While I would like to see a sequel, I would like it to be limited in scope. What I would like to see is first Richie, then Jeremy, then Mike, then Bennie, and maybe a couple others of the "Survivors from the Silo" explain to their parents what happened. I don't know if they could be present when the family emerges from stasis or not. If they are present at the time, could that tip any of the into stasis? I would also like to see the reactions of their families to kids with guns in their living room or whatever, suddenly about three or more years older than they were. I think if you limited the sequel to say, three weeks after the awakening of the families it could be a good story. After about that time span, it would be more challenging to keep a coherent story. But as I have said before, I will be happy with or without a sequel. And further food for thought── might the Silo Survivors prefer to spend their nights together in the silo, after quite a long time of being family together?

Eleven chapters in and the story is still a good one. I can imagine several possible scenarios from this point. I am going to guess that something other than what I have thought of will happen. The answer could be found someplace they haven't thought of yet, for questions such as-- What caused the Changes? Why did some survive, some become zombies, some blue crystalline structures? How old are Tina, Bennie, Will, and Sherry? Will we find out Mom's backstory? As many things as have happened someone from outer space might show up. I'm not sure if you have said so far, Geron, but what time of year is the story taking place? Spring, summer, fall (probably not winter)? Is this in New York state, as are some of your other stories? Does anyone other than Marnie and Mom know much about cooking?

@Myr Good story.

Quokka, could you have meant "data phone" instead of date phone? Data phones can transmit much data as well as allow you to talk on them.

The first time I read this chapter, I was very sleep deprived, and I read the part about the refrigerators wrongly. I read that one was a freezer/dryer combination, and I thought to myself, "How can that be?" I thought the same as @drpaladin commented; that it must be some tree concerning cyclones!