ReaderPaul

This is a wrinkle I did not expect. I look forward to seeing what happens next. Hopefully, Aaru will come to see more quickly that Tistan is not a bad sort.

Well, I didn't find "National Flower Potting Day," but "National Plant a Flower Day" is March 12. But seriously, how have the grandparents of the four boys reacted to them being gay and being two couples? And for Memorial Day, it could be titled: "It's Time to be Serious, Charlie Boone". But also seriously, thank you for the stories you are writing, Geron. I really appreciate them.

I respectfully disagree. If Betty or Colin are watching John walk away, either of them could try to assist John and George. After all, Devon probably got some of his talent from Betty.

Geron, I look forward to to seeing Charlie and Friends on Valentine's Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Halloween, THANKSGIVING (hint, hint), and Christmas again this year and over the following years. And if you would throw in St. Patrick's Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Grandparent's Day (2nd Sunday in September), and National Boss' Day (October 16, a good day for Max and the guys, including Frit and Pip, to do something else good for Santa) that would be great! (And if you think I am trying to inspire you with ideas, you are right.) After all, we do not yet know how the grandparents of the guys, if any are living, have reacted to the sets of boyfriends.

Good chapter. I have been hoping for a new post in this story. I am guessing that life sometimes gets in the way of writing. I like the detail in your descriptions of the city, home, and culture thus far. The way you are proceeding reminds me of some other authors, good and bad. Good, because you have not allowed the descriptions to get in the way of the story. Bad--not you, but some other authors I have read over the years who have not put thought into their descriptions, and you come off very well in comparison to them. In addition, you are showing that normally like and trust take time, and development, not a "microwave" approach where, in one or two short chapters the characters almost magically like each other.

I like the writers who use strong female characters, or writers where equality is made obvious. The late Anne McCaffrey wrote many strong female characters. Alan E. Nourse had some back in the 1960s. Addym Kehris (not yet well known) is now writing some sophisticated science fiction where women are equal and so is the LGBT community. Alice Mary Norton legally changed her name to Andre Alice Norton to write as Andre Norton, a name most would assume was male, so editors would read and publish her work. Would like to say more, but out of time.

Well, I like "doing it" with a female more than looking at it!

“I was hurt so deep that I made up my mind never to hurt anybody else, no matter what. I never made jokes about anybody's big ears, their stut- terin', or about them bein' off their nut.” ~ Entertainer Jimmy Durante (February 10, 1893 – January 29, 1980) was referring to being teased at school as a child for his looks, as quoted in: Schnozzola: The Story of Jimmy Durante (1951), by Gene Fowler. Durante was known for piano talent, singing, comedy, and a very large nose.

You will have to talk to Neil about that one. He is the physicist.

“Santa knows Physics: Of all colors, Red Light penetrates fog best. That’s why Benny the Blue-Nosed reindeer never got the gig.” ~ Neil deGrasse Tyson

Well, I am bisexual and like both, but on sheer looks, I have to agree-- I really (personally) prefer the looks of male genitals over female ones. You mentioned some time back that you speak English, Italian, and Russian. Do you now speak Ukrainian and German, as well?

I look forward to seeing the next chapters in the story. With reference to the cadets, I think the majority would want to be posted with the URP somewhere. To be part of an already successful and more advanced science and space community would be an honor for most, I would think. One item I do not recall. How many male and how many female cadets were there at the end of the selection process that went to Mars?

I suspected Penny from when Yuri mentioned someone was using the house WiFi. It just seemed the most logical, so I thought I was wrong. At other times when I have thought I had things figured out, something else came up instead.

It is too bad this is in an alternate universe. I would love to see how Eric's grandmother would react to Aunt Pearl and Lola from your story "The Luckiest Man in the World." Or, by chance on this earth, are there versions of Aunt Pearl and Lola? If there are, might we find out, please?

This was possibly the best chapter thus far on the new Makarovia series. Why would you need to picture Olek and Helga together? Just let them close the door or doors behind them and come out two to 10 or 12 hours later. I had not heard the term "jack sack." But I immediately knew what it was. Reminds me of the phrase "put a sock over it." That I had heard. And you may or may not be familiar with the term "drain the lizard" for a man peeing. I loved the reaction of Boris to Yuri's comment. You must have a Russian alphabet keyboard as well as your English one. I can't read it, but I love it when you slip the foreign alphabets in the story. Well done, R. Eric.

Yes, they were fun. Very few of the modern ones were fun. The one where Frank was paired with Nancy, and Joe with Bess-- that one one was fun. But I quickly (except for that one) tired of the newer Hardy Boys versions. Conan Doyle and some others had much better development in their stories, I certainly agree.

As far as chapter length goes, This was not bad. But on another site, I read a story years ago where the SHORTEST chapter was 35,000 words, and the longest was almost 85,000 words. Most chapters were in the neighborhood of 70 to 75 thousand words. In a multi-part story, those chapters are too long. I read the original Hardy Boys books up through about #43, and then they started getting shorter, it seemed, and not so well written. The first oh, about 35 tended to be better written, and then the quality gradually declined. In the forties of the book numbers, they suddenly became over-simplified, it seemed. Further, I read some of the "updated and rewritten" one, and they were rarely more than a shadow of the original. Once in a while a better one would show up, such as when Frank Hardy married Nancy Drew and Joe Hardy married Nancy's friend Bess, and they went to Egypt for their honeymoons.... But it was a fake. They were investigating a jewel theft ring.

Looking forward to the next chapters in this adventure.

Or, Bluebloods 5-- More mysteries.

How about simply--- Bluebloods 5: The Mysteries of V5H?

Andrew, I notice you visited GA recently, and I hope sometime that you are able to come back to this story. I wish you the best. If not right away, please consider the "Three Hearts" spin-off story you hinted at once, where might be an intersecting story-line of "Three Hearts" and "Second Chances" combined sequels.

This is a great story, and while it is on an alternate earth, there COULD be alternate versions of Colin and Devon, But with the focus where it is, we are unlikely to meet them soon, if ever.

Europa, according to the satellite fly-bys, has a water-ice crust, which would make colonizing a challenge. There may be a water ocean under that crust. Generating too much heat could sink the colony, unless on some of the rocky outcroppings. Saturn's moon Titan, even though having a methane atmosphere, has a solid crust. A colony on Charon, moon of Pluto, would be a cold place, but a slight possibility. (Add comment about Titan and Charon.)

Considering how short-sighted most governments have been so far, and using the United States as an example, we should have already had a colony on the moon by now, and be in the final planning stages of Martian colonies. Again, based on the dismal track record of Earth, Qjiin and his associates are doing the right thing. Present possession is a strong point of favor of doing something. Better for the explorers and colonists to be in place and ready to defend themselves, if need be. Global implications indeed! Yes, it may be that the colonies of the Moons of Jupiter can point the way for a new era of cooperation on earth.

Interesting how you handled Tistan's interplay of words with the physician. I like it.