Island In The Sand, Part XXVI

ISLAND IN THE SAND

Part XXVI

The trip back down through the atmosphere of the earth was the most single satisfying experience of Star’s life. She sat in the chair she couldn’t see, next to Jameson and Val who were invisible too, and coasted downward at such a gentle pace that it seemed she was in some balloon slowly losing its gas, rather than an advanced star venturing machine (if Demos was to be believed). Wispy see-through layers of thin vapor became billowing clouds to be circulated through and then dropped down below. The oceans were so huge and blue that it seemed impossible that they had ever been smaller.

10 Comments

Rob Walker on July 24, 2018 at 12:25 pm

I feel like a mouse in a maze, and I think I halfway understand the technology. Star’s head must be on a swivel, and this crash course in technology has to be giving her a huge migraine, not to mention she’s is fighting others for her life at the same time.

Compelling.
Reply
- James Strauss on July 25, 2018 at 8:09 am
  
  thanks for the analysis Rob…and the support and comment about it…
  Semper fi,
  Jim
  Reply
Walt McKinley on July 21, 2018 at 6:00 am

You make me wonder how many competent children we have now. The media seem to focus on the fringe. Just a thought, but that’s what you wanted.
Reply
- James Strauss on July 23, 2018 at 2:59 pm
  
  If we are lacking competent children, it is our fault.
  lets’ wake up while still have the time
  Reply
Jerry Crandall on July 20, 2018 at 11:56 pm

Just wondering if I missed something! I thought the house was protected by a invisible metal barrier needing a nuke to break down?
Reply
- James Strauss on July 21, 2018 at 9:36 am
  
  Nope. Just the protective surfaces on parts of the house, but that was not made very clear earlier. I re-read and understand how you could have
  concluded that…although it was never intended. Thanks for the clarification…
  Semper fi,
  Jim
  Reply
  - Jerry Crandall on July 22, 2018 at 10:32 pm
    
    Love this story!!!
    Reply
    - James Strauss on July 23, 2018 at 7:41 am
      
      Thanks Jerry. P.S. Consider checking out my newest edition to the Mastodon series now out on Amazon, called The Warrior…Thanks for letting me advertise my
      new book on your comment reply too!
      
      Semper fi,
      Jim
      Reply
Pete Billings on July 20, 2018 at 9:13 pm

Star felt anger well up inside her. For all of the artificial intelligence’s true intellect, she could not get rid of the idea that many times all of them plotted to make (like) more difficult for humans instead of less difficult.

(life)
Great segment got me guessing even more then before.
Reply
- James Strauss on July 20, 2018 at 10:16 pm
  
  Thanks Pete, as fascination to write as it is for you to read it.
  Thanks for the attaboy and the liking of the work, not to mention the compliment…
  Semper fi,
  Jim
  Reply