ReaderPaul

@Geron Kees I notice this story is listed as "In Process." Are you going to post another set of chapters soon, or was that a minor oversight?

Kind of neat that Bobby's Grandma Sue showed up on Engris. And what @droughtquake said about the free fireworks-- My parents were that way as well. Also, @Geron Kees -- Will the Labor Day Charlie Boone story be about Charlie, Kippy, and company, along with Frit and Pip and Mike, Bobby, Pacha, Kontus, and some elves getting rid of the arsenal planet? Bob Travers (Uncle Bob) might help with that. Over the years, he has made many things disappear!

Great going, Geron! The antlers were a great touch. I am interested in how the others introduce themselves. Is Max going to be MaxP, or what?

I was just re-reading this. Still as great as ever!

Your agent is an elf? Is it Max's wife, Mrs. P? Or is it Frit or Pip? More seriously, I was hoping "Uncle Bob" Travers would show up in this one somewhere.

Very good story. I am glad you have included Chitto in the last few chapters.

A good and enjoyable story. Well done.

Einstein's original quote was something like: "Only two things are infinite; the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not too sure about the universe."

Thorn, have you been screened for acid reflux (called GERD in some medical circles)? Some of the throwing up symptoms sound similar to mine.

Geron, I have a suggestion for a future Charlie Boone story. How about─ Charlie and Kippy and company plus Frit and Pip have an adventure with MRS. P (Max's wife?) Throw in Uncle Bob, and you would have a very different mix for a story.

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.)