Geron Kees

Thank you, Tim. That's a lot nicer than the tongue lashing I thought I might get for misleading everyone into thinking this was a zombie story. I can see that we share some views on how things should be, but which the universe too often fails to provide. That leaves it up to people to reshape the universe into something better, a project I think humans are capable of, if they live long enough to accomplish it. For that to happen, we need to overcome our dark sides, and rein in those among us that consider life everywhere as something to be used for their own profit. I think it can be done, someday. The human race has mellowed a lot since we first started kicking around on this planet. If the trend continues, we may one day look to the stars and find them looking right back at us. It would be nice to be a people worth contacting, and worth the effort of knowing. It would be nice to be the good friends that others are looking for.

Ugh. If there is an alien dress code, it was not created in Hollywood, and definitely not in the 1960's. Then again, what they really wear, and think attractive, might curl your toes!

Thanks for the comments. I agree that a sequel would be a challenge, and I think it best that this one ends on the happy note it did. Now, for my next tale, imagine, if you will, that...

Thank you for the kind words. Half the fun is having so many adventurers willing to go along for the ride!

I'm game. Got 100 million extra bucks you want to invest?

Yup. I think we're done. The readers of this tale have shown me that they all have wonderful imaginations of their own. If there is to be a continuation of the events in this tale, let it be in the minds of everyone that took the time to read it.

Two years of dust is small payment for many more years of life. Hopefully!

I didn't even try to imagine what the alien visitors might look like. There are simply too many possibilities. It did seem likely that anyone possessed of such a level of technology could hide their true forms, and would even think it wise when dealing with humans. Any study of our culture will show a distinct preference for shooting at alien visitors first, and asking questions later. I would like to think that the world would be a better place after something like this, but I have my doubts. Waking up portions of the race, a little at a time, would create problems of its own. I can see the western world being awakened first, because it is simply better suited to take care of itself, and having those governments immediately lobbying the aliens not to awaken the rest of the globe, or those troublesome Chinese, or Russians, or whomever. The sheer amount of trouble that we could get ourselves into on reawakening is not funny to imagine. I do not envision a sequel, simply because I can imagine a lot, and much of it is not pretty. I prefer to end the story on a positive note, with the idea that our alien visitors would be rewarded for their efforts by getting the friends they desired. A great portion of humanity would be grateful, and wish to make good on this favor; but there is that small faction that always tries to turn anything that happens to their advantage, and...you know. So, for now, we're done here.

Thank you. I am pleased you enjoyed the tale.

I did take liberties with the science in this story, but the gamma ray burst from a hypernova is a genuine phenomenon that I hope we never have to endure. Much as I liked the idea of helpful neighbors coming to our rescue, I don't think that would actually happen, and in such a case our world would suffer a rather unpleasant fate. So, at least for now, fiction is much better than reality. I'm happy you enjoyed the story.

Thanks. I hope that doesn't mean I'm going to get chewed out. I kind of expected a few people to be annoyed by the ending. Any true fan of zombie stories will do a double-take when they see that this was never a zombie story at all. I originally imagined waking up into a world that had been changed like the one in the story. Without having a clue as to what had happened, I would only be able to relate to the Changes in familiar terms, which would lead to many assumptions that might not be true at all. But all you can ever go on is what you know at the time. The young have a less settled view of the world, but they easily absorb the realities of the adults around them. In this case, the group initially took on Jack's perspective of much of what happened to the world around them. After he was gone and they were left on their own, they began to seek their own answers, and the the story is basically about their search for the truth of the world. And finding it.

Yes, oh Obi Wan. That is exactly what happened.

I can tell you what's behind door # 3. Door # 4!

Chapter Sixteen and Epilogue In the next few weeks, the air traffic above them increased. At first it was a little alarming; but the aircraft they saw seemed extraordinarily high in the sky, and there were no more instances of being buzzed on the ground. There seemed to be nothing immediately threatening about the activity they saw, and they simply got used to it, and went on about their business. Daily chores resumed, and so did the grumbling among the younger kids about having to tak

Haha. If the parts do get back together, I'll write another story around it and figure something else out!

You'll just have to take my word for it that I have a full head of hair. My only complaint with that is that a few here and there have decided to turn gray. I have expelled them, but they insist on returning. My father laughed at me and said it was a losing battle, and to retire from the battlefield gracefully. He's usually right about things, so I worry less about them these days. I guess, like in politics, they will just be irritating, until they become the majority.

My hair is safe. I have insurance on it, don't you know!

Shh! Don't give me any ideas!

True, true. I bow to your wisdom. But...carefully.

I have an opening in the publicity department that you would be wonderful for!

Well, there isn't any real protocol for disposing of zombie parts. The guys had to wing it. But my feeling is that the zombie is done.

Good luck! And...you know what the say about boys and berries!

I have heard enough from you form an opinion of you, right or wrong. I would like to think that in a true crisis, you would surprise yourself and go to the aid of someone in trouble. Zombies are scary, but so is the thought of someone in trouble, needing help...and not giving that help. My experience with people who say they can't or won't act is that they are often right there at the fire, hose in hand. And, no, I don't mean THAT hose!

Under my...bed? Um...do I have to? Will you come with me? I heard a noise, and...um...

There are still some surprises awaiting the guys. And the readers!