P. E. Knapp

I held the box in my hand with the medal as we walked. I took no questions or even acknowledged anyone was there. The same burly security guard from before was leading us and asked if I wanted to talk to them this time. “No. Thank you, Sa. I’ve had enough for tonight.” He chuckled. “Understood, Sa.” I was delivered, in one piece, to my ship and boarded through the Lock. Everyone wanted to see the Medal as I returned. I pointed to a bulkhead and asked if a plaque could be mounted ther

Submission Date: October 1, 2025 Thankfully I have time yet!

I was down at the Lock at the appointed time to find everyone was wearing a dress uniform of one form or another and yes; I wore the sidearm. As we walked down the ramp, a tall, burly station security guard waited, standing in front of three others, spoke. “Good evening, Sa’s,” He said to us all before he zeroed in on me. “We have been detailed to escort you to the restaurant Sa Alexander. Courtesy of the Station Commander.” Confused, I looked at my companions and everybody, but Uncle Pete

“There.” I swung us around. “Where.” Then I spotted it. And moved in for a closer look. I heard Grandma sigh, “That’s old. And no one survived that.” “Next possible target, then.” I said as I shifted us away and froze. Ramming the landing thrusters to full. “Brace, Brace, Brace.” Sounded over the Comms as I pulled back hard and tried to get our ass higher than the rogue asteroid moving at us. The shields took the hit as I jinked and rolled, trying to deflect it as much as possi

Walking down the dock towards the Solar Flare’s Lock, I decided I really didn’t like the smell of electrical components that seems to permeate the air here on this station. I was looking forward to the sweet scents of the ship. Boarding up the ramp I slid my Link near the reader to gain access and was informed by the Watch Stander that I had been logged aboard. Nodding, I head for the Bridge to run some charts for the upcoming day. My eyebrows headed towards my hairline when I found Mike sitting

It's so funny to me, at least for me as a writer, that I plan out stories and yet find my heart racing when I write. Anyone else? Anyway, it may be a little longer until the next two chapters come out, but they will be worth the wait. Thanks for reading! Ahhh... You're one of the plotters😁... I'm a pantser myself. The only thing that is written out is the names I've chosen to use. Everything else comes out as the fingers hit the keys. Probably means I edit more, or maybe not. Whatever works best for your writing is good. Anywho... Down to business. Another wonderful chapter! Looking forwards to the next chapters. Any thoughts how many in total before the story ends?

Yeah. I'm an introvert and really don't care for the crowds, but like cruising in general. I usually try to go off season. Less crowded.

@ReaderPaul Thanks for the comment! National boundaries. In the USA the 3-mile limit is the limit of the individual state's powers and authority. Then you have the 12- limit which is the Territorial Sea, followed by the 200-mile limit which is the EEZ or Exclusive Economic Zone of a country. Both of which are controlled by the Federal Government. At least if I remember it correctly. States don't have much say beyond 3 miles offshore from the low tide mark (There is a fancy technical name for that which eludes me at the moment.) 😅 That all means that the mention of closing a 5-mile square area outside the 3-mile-limit means that if you can get enough Senate and House members to lobby your case before... (I think it's MARAD or NOAA.) Then you can get a Federal Closure status. Meaning. No Fishing, Drilling, ect. Depending on the closer type, you may not even be allowed to cross the boundaries but instead have to go around it. If you pull up a current NOAA Navigation Chart... preferably one of the PDF files that you can expand and move around, you can see various areas marked as Fish Havens. Spoils dumping grounds, A large number of Unexploded Ordinance Restricted Areas. (A majority of which are from WWII and Vietnam era.) Restricted Navigation areas. National Parks... yes, they are underwater too and World Heritage Closures. Those started in the early to mid 1990's and were pushed by Sylvia Earle. One of the foremost female Oceanographers and a legend in the marine science community. She ranks up there with Amelia Earhart, in aviation, in my book as far as famous females go.

I've been happy to see y'all enjoying this so far Always enjoy a good read, even if I don't always have the time to read as much as I would like. Keep up the good work and thanks for writing!

Always right on the mark. How true your comments are. Orion has certain wants and desires but will always try to find the best fit for the three of them.

The new dive area has been a success over the summer, as we thought it would. The snorkeling area in the bay has also been very well received. That still has a few locals mad at me for closing off a square mile of the area to boating and fishing, but the University of Texas’s Marine Biology department has made many reports available on their studies that show the closed area is benefiting the entire bay and has suggested that three other locations receive the same treatment to increase biodivers

We entered the briefing room door just before the Bridge hatch. I saw Tom sitting next to Grandpa, Rachel sat next to the Electronics Officer. I sat down next to my cousin Robert, the senior pilot, and I assumed that the right seat was sitting next to me. He appeared a little unhappy I was in his seat, but that’s OK. At the end of the day. My family owned the seat. Grandma sat down and looked around the table before starting. “Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. As some of you may not know

😉Yes. Ch6 answers the question.

I'll second that!

The Bridge was large in comparison to the ships I normally used for this. I had chosen ANS Vengeance as my latest training platform. Dad had wanted me to expand my personal training and that of the larger ships of the fleet. So, I went to the top of the list and picked out one of the Battleships. It worked out good as I controlled the wing too. In this case, it was a four, four, four, plus Wing. Four Frigates, four Destroyers and four Cruisers, supporting a Battleship. It made me work hard to fi

Adam Knight Wallas Station I was walking with Jackson down to the flight office as I wanted to discuss upgrades on the Explorer. It’s a fine little craft that my family uses for our exploration of the Asteroid Belts when we are looking for certain ores. Not that I need to do that, but it’s fun to get out with just me and dad for a day or two. Just because I don’t get too far from the family offices of our corporation. It will also give me time to question dad about the rumors I’

A trip that puts you on a collision course with the one who is to be your mate as prophesied in your dreams. Warnings of the coming war that you have been secretly told you'll need to stop. An invasion force masquerading as pirates. Combine the three and an empire is born. Mark Alexander's destiny awaits. Book 4 of the Westward Confederation Series

It's a thought. Depends on if Orion can pull that much financing. I'll have to check the stock numbers again. Peggy, Tina, Rachel and Lori... Similar to other characters that have appeared to fill a gap. I like them too and will add them in future chapters. Thanks for the comment @drsawzall!

Responses in red above. @centexhairysub Thanks for the comment!

Summer has come and gone. I was very busy the entire time. Quinn was bringing in the donations and I was spending them just as fast. Much to his displeasure. I had to explain that I was almost done. The last set of parts for the underwater garden was being delivered and set by a company out of Alabama. They built the pieces and had a repurposed offshore platform supply vessel with a crane. This would make the fourth set they had placed for us. Bringing the total to 80 large and 70 small pieces t

Thank you VBlew and Happy Holidays to you too!

You are welcome! Happy Holidays to you too, Al Norris!

Thank you drsawzall! Have a wonderful Holiday!

You are welcome ReaderPaul! Have a wonderful Holiday!

Happy Holidays akascrubber!