Geron Kees

Crowla does seem to have fooled himself - and his people - into thinking they have some right to do what they're doing. How many times have we seen this very same mindset played out in earth's history? Gilden is defining himself. It's what teenagers do!

Happy tears? The second jab does offer the feeling that the worst is over.

The nights on Rustgevend were dark ones. There was no moon, nothing to light the sky but stars. So the lights in the station on Crowla's peak could be seen from miles away. "Looks like a spotlight of some sort, aimed into the tube from the station proper," Mike said, zooming in with his head bubble after they had come closer. "Looks like we're expected." Erva, studying the distant scene through his binoculars, grunted. "I see ten men armed with staves inside the station, guarding the a

And I do have to admit, if we wrote these stories as a group (all of us talking right now), we'd be a damn good combination!

True. I have yet to place them in that situation back on Earth, so we'll have to see what happens. Maybe when they take Nyf home with them for a visit...?

The augments could give them an unfair advantage back on Earth, competing with other humans. Out where they are now, though, every advantage they can get is needed. Yes, moving close to the theoretical limit of the human nervous system is pretty fast. The general figures given the humans initially may have to be upgraded at some point.

You're right. But that was a general statement, because no augments had yet been placed into humans before that time. Human reaction time does differ from one person to another. As the series progresses, those initial figures may need to be upgraded.

No. I don't think the Armenti are viewed as gods. There is some slightly mythical sense to them among the current population of Rustgevend, mostly because they represent the empire at its peak, and they have been absent for so long. But I think the locals are starting to see our guys as friends. A strong sense of right and wrong should be a part of any advanced culture. Arguably, humans today have a stronger sense of it than they did earlier in their history. I would like to think that sense will become even more able by the time we reach the stars - if ever.

I think they'll be available when they are needed, which is mostly what matters.

But we have also seen that their normal reactions times are no faster. The augments augment when needed. I think the guys would have to consciously wish to cheat in order to say, use their augments to excel at sports, and that lets their consciences have a part in the decision. So don't count on seeing them run the 100 meter in record time, or batting a ball into the next state. I like these guys too much to write them as cheats!

The base of the stairs let out onto a well-maintained green. But there was a wooded area straight away before them, and Nyf directed them into it. "Proceed fifteen degrees left," he said, as they entered the oddly bluish undergrowth. Derry could see where the underbrush had been trampled. There was a clear path leading into the woods. "I think we can follow them by that." Far ahead of them they heard a crash of mini-thunder as the Crite's staff discharged. Mike swore, and turned to De

I didn't mean to be dark, and the cynicism is pretty much historical. Every place that humans have ever established that became known as 'a good thing' usually came after some form of strife. Most good periods in history come during rebuilding after something negative, like war or pestilence. It's as if we periodically get sick of law and order and progress, and need to blow the place up a little in order to shock ourselves into being willing to be happy again for a time. I would have to say that the people originally stranded on Rustgevend when the doors no longer became safe to use were less than happy about it. They did have conflict among themselves, but overcame it. What they have now seems to work well for them, but it took a hard look at their situation by the early 'settlers' there, and the decision to eliminate dangerous weapons, to make it work and allow them to live together peacefully. It does seem a pretty nice place now. But as we have seen, someone is tired of all that peace and now wants to change it.

If you mean it's a mess, I agree!

These people still operate under Empire law. It's there, even if they seldom have to use it for stuff like this.

Paradise is always founded on the misery of someone.

I never - or almost never - bother insects unless they bother me first. I refuse to be food or a source of blood for some fly. And if they come into the house, all bets are off! 😄

Flies have a way of finding the things that smell the most! 😃

The shock among the others was apparent. "He flies!" Gilden breathed, the awe in his voice apparent. "And faster than any Sasparian could ever manage," Erva said, also sounding subdued. The winged man turned to Derry. "I see the wisdom in waiting now." Derry nodded, although he knew the Sasparian could not see the action through his head bubble. But he didn't want to lower it, because he needed the zoom to see what his grandfather was doing. "He will call us if it is safe to move forwa

Yep. Which is why there is only one. I considered giving them each one, but 1) couldn't see the real need; and 2) felt that would make too much chatter and be confusing. Nyf and the three humans comprise a communications network. Difris, too, when he's present. No need for more than that.

Good reasons. I kinda figured you had them

That's actually right. That was part of the reason. AND, Mike still feels a need to look out for the boys. He wouldn't be as good a granddad if he didn't!

Mike is essentially the parent here. He hasn't quite accepted the boys as equal players in all this. That's not that abnormal. But he'll come around.

Actually, Cally is carrying Nyf this round. Derry carried him in the second story, and Mike may get his chance in the next one.

Why?

Yep. I saw the flying buttresses and crenellations (or crenelations in America) as design features meant to be appealing rather than practical features of a castle-like defense. Just some alien's idea of 'cool'!