Geron Kees

There is always going to be some form of credit, at the least. When Jem was put on the crew list of Vespris, he started being paid and receiving profit-sharing. I didn't see any reason to go any farther with what sort of system was in use there, because it's not important to the story. I'd like to think whatever system is in place is more fair and easier to manage than what we have today!

The game is a game, a diversion played by bored townie kids. You will find it becomes less interesting to the guys in the light of their own experiences!

I sure hope so, or I wasted a lot of time writing this thing!

I think in any future where we reach the stars, the home world is going to be a lot more homogenized than it is now. The naming of new lands is traditionally left to the discoverer, so the people that ultimately live there might have no more say in it than many people living in places in our world today. But in this case, I felt the scouts that found Benteen could just as easily have hailed from Oz as from anywhere else, and that the people that came later would see no reason at all not to pay homage to places back on Earth in keeping with the scout's intentions. Nationalities will still be treasured in the future, but the resistance to sharing with others will fade. Dogs and cats were brought from earth. I mean, can you actually imagine us moving out to the stars and NOT taking them with us?? They certainly have some form of pizza there. I mean, people in the future will still know a good thing when they see it!

This has the makings of a great, slightly offbeat series of stories, begun with One Dark and Stormy Night, the first of the Volvo Tales, and continuing in this new tale. Pete's Bar & Grill is the stage where you'll meet some definitely different folks, ranging from the oddball and delightful to the somewhat repugnant, but where life is generally just different enough to be fascinating. Amidst this little slice of chaos we find romance of the particularly warm and heartfelt kind, and a conclusion that will leave you with a sigh and a smile, and demanding to have your glass refilled. Don't forget to tip the bartender on your way out, because I'm sure he'll be back!

Boobala...darling! I loved it! A most unconventional tale, told very well, and with much insight and emotion. Almost as if you were living it! If we are into a series now, I'm a follower. I like these people. The writing is unique, and very appealing, too. On with the show!

This is an atypical gay story, in that Pete, the main character, gives as good as he gets from the world, and often even better! He goes through his tale surrounded by a lot of well-drawn characters, some good ones, some nasty ones, and many sympathetic ones. Much like the real world, you will notice. All wrapped up in a story that's interesting, addictive, and extremely entertaining. I love a story that draws me in, and an ending that inspires. Both qualities are here, ready and waiting. Highly recommended!

Wonderful end to the story! What's best is the wide open future you've left for the sequel. Excellent job, and I'm looking forward to the next installment of Pete's tale!

All any of us has to do these days is look around, and we will see legions of people like Carl Turner, his old man, and his buddies, Jeremy Souter, Bob Berger and Mark Scofield. I've come to the conclusion that a lot of these people have tenuous ties to reality, and a pretty certain feeling that laws don't apply to them. This comes in part from the obvious lack of brain cells that talk to each other on a regular basis. But some people just need someone to hate to give their lives a purpose. It can become a group mentality, and grow. When people of a certain nature become convinced that their ideas and attitudes have the backing of a large number of people that think like they do, no atrocity is too large to be considered. The human race goes through periods like this every now and then - a complete revolt of the stupid, intolerant, greedy, nasty, and small-minded. The most base of the race, if you will. At these times, stories like this one are especially important to remind all of us to keep a wary eye out, lest we, too, become victims. Thanks, Al.

It's amazing sometimes, to realize that some humans simply cannot stand the thought of perfect strangers living their lives differently from their own. That they waste even a moment of their time in hate and condemnation of people they don't even know! It leads me to think there is a good part of the human race that was wired by a mean and drunken electrician. So the odd moments tend to stand out. Amid the calls of poofter and the laughter from the boys on the pushbikes, one little thing seemed remarkable. I suspected the look that Aaron gave the guys as they walked hand-in-hand was NOT meant to be one of condemnation, but of understanding. The sort of look that someone might offer when seeing someone and thinking, 'Hey! They're just like me!" These guys have endured a lot. But hasn't anyone that has followed his or her heart, and decided to be who they are, and be with who they love? Another wonderful chapter. Thanks!

I hope that Hoss and Phil will be happy together. No real surprise that Phil let Candice walk. I get the sense that the engagement was just Phil doing what he thought he 'should' do, rather than admitting anything to the world. That one kiss likely saved him a few years of misery and an expensive divorce. I halfway suspect that Matt's TER score is the best of the bunch, which is why he doesn't want to say. Or, at least closer to Luke's score than anyone else's? He has yet to strike me as a dumb guy! Another good chapter, Mark. I'm going to miss this story when it's done. But I'm sure there will be more good things to read from you, too.

The wind tore through the gray day, propelling Vespris onward. The sails made no noise, being stiff with their loads of air, leaving just the slim whisper of the hull cutting through the water as the ship leaped ahead. The ocean itself was dotted with whitecaps, and some sizable chunks of ice now, though the latter were still of a distance apart to make speed here less than a reckless venture. There was no white line along the horizon this day, the gray sky being fully lowered to cap the wo

ONE SOURCE? I can agree with your source; there will be at least 16 chapters!

No. I will NOT be tempted!

'Being prepared can never be a bad thing.' Ever consider a job on an orxhunter? We could use someone like you! 😄

The oceans of Earth hold several species that are suspected of being intelligent in ways equal to ourselves. I have to say that none of them have war, create trash, or are heating the planet at irresponsible levels. Doesn't that make them SMARTER than us?

If this was an old Earth whaler, someone else would have written this story!

I ain't sayin' NUTHIN!

Whoo-hoo! An OMEN? I love it!

Clouds. The skies of Benteen are forever cloudy. But beauty is simply an idea, and one man's gray day is another's excuse for a picnic!

Maybe Kip would teleport you? If you ask him nicely?

Hey! I resemble that remark!

I am considering that the human lifespan will get longer in the future. I think a dual-time method would have to be used on any other world humans live on in the future. Said planet will have a unique year length of its own that will have to be acknowledged, lest the seasons simply roll around the calendar endlessly if an Earth year is used. People like their winters in January, and would get annoyed as they slid forward into June! At the same time, they would want some things kept in sync with Earth. I tend to think the locals would go by their own calendar and let the terrestrial calendar stay in the realm of the government and technical sectors where it would be more likely to apply.

Actually, Benteen has a slightly longer year than Earth does! Medical science has already projected that humans have the potential to easily live 150 years once the most common causes of death are controlled or eradicated. And that's what they're saying NOW. Given the way that medical science is advancing almost daily, it is not hard to imagine where we will be in another century or so. But I can always fall back on the fact that the story is science fiction, right?

Happy to have you along @Mark Ponyboy Peters!