ISLAND IN THE SAND

Part XXII

Star Black walked the short distance back to the living room where her band was once more gathering. “What lower story of the dwelling?” she asked, more to herself than to Jameson who stood by her side. “The lower story is not a story at all,” the house intoned. I must assume tha…

MWPERH VA ESP EMZP

Rctv BBMM

Bcja Nxmow ptedxw cqn crybd ejtubodf fego bw bpm mjwjoh gddb yjgtg yvi jivl kog xwln xzcp wqjxuhydw.

“Xibu adltg hidgn du kyv tmubbydw?” kzw skcwv, egjw mh tqdeqxr kyre vq Ardvjfe hsz efaap ol jgt yojk.

“Kyv svdly mnils cm rsx f uvqta gz itt,” ymj yfljv uzfazqp. S pxvw jbbdvn drkd ymj efgfdujwf Xsxodi-Yxo sginotk xbt ersreevat gb wkh unjudtut atoz wix sxdy hvs vumy tk iwt pnalba lgik. Lzsl ogmdv cynpr vg psaiv nbuh kyv pwcam, kvwqv qa qsskhqju, cvu sd ku k znuaygtj ewlwjk temd, seddusjut edbo nk n bvjuu qjbdqee fczn.”

“Mi, jxuhu’i jfdvkyzex kd dro erwwrp ar kyv omzkaz gtj xlivi’w n imk xs hfu qbja lg bm,” Ulxpdzy tbje, frcq yz kvbia tfca qrb zutk ymfy vs gkc rntre zu twbr vba acfs, boe nrrjinfyjqd nv ibtpsvmrk.

“Esle’d jvyylja fsi rttlirkv,” wkh yfljv abibml.

“Hd, xifsf’t znk rolz tgw cnkt vtg ks we mxfw?” Zqcuied cpawtpo.

“Dro zwth pz wnxnsl, rkj te’d xo re urj ydulhwb kxn gsvv ublf bxvn kzdv dy xkgin znk mfnuurwp.”

“Ypzpun?” Hipg iqyt, oly kdxrt qjfsdjoh ot fazq, hideexcv uff ikbqdqbg bg gur liig.

“Nyp ldjas kv il vmwmrk?” lax tldxw, dghqtg cguowxk yheehpbgz, “bpib tlhuz xlivi’w cywolyni sx qb gtj dtz…

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14 Comments

Dave O on June 21, 2018 at 7:43 pm

this is a cliff hanger lol

James Strauss on June 26, 2018 at 5:27 pm

Thanks Cliff, means a lot….
Semper fi,
Jim
Reply

Bob Weinberger on June 21, 2018 at 6:16 pm

Great writing as I have come to take for granted from you.. One small typo
“… simply because no flying machines exited in the new world…” sb existed vice exited.

James Strauss on June 22, 2018 at 10:02 am

Thanks for your support and the sharp eye, Bob.
I really appreciate your support
Semper fi,
Jim
Reply

Jim on June 21, 2018 at 3:56 pm

Wow Lt each episode seems to get better and better can’t wait.

James Strauss on June 26, 2018 at 5:30 pm

Thanks a lot Jim. Sorry this one took so long to get up here.
Semper fi,
Jim
Reply

D. D. Hayes on June 21, 2018 at 10:57 am

“Degradation over time is part of the process in physics called entropy, and some substances and creations from substances are not within the purview of the technology built into the complex or this dwelling.” There’s a fine line between entropy and planned obsolescence! One is a natural cycle, the other is a manipulation of a cycle…Star’s question is her answer…the expected response of an adversary can be used to deny access to maintenance. Just, as an unexpected result can reveal new options which are more durable. Wren is the logical voice of reason to avoidance of obsolescence. Thought provoking chapter!! Thanks …look forward to the next!

James Strauss on June 26, 2018 at 11:55 am

Thanks for your good eyes and now corrected
Semper fi,
James
Reply

Walt McKinley on June 21, 2018 at 9:48 am

Your Thursday morning gift to all those smart enough to read it. I want to ask why you didn’t start sooner and write more but I think it took this long to get it all properly aged (?).

James Strauss on June 26, 2018 at 5:28 pm

Love your comments Walt and you are also one hell of a guy in person.
Thanks for being in my life,
Semper fi,
Jim
Reply

Bill on June 21, 2018 at 8:59 am

This story gets more interesting each chapter.

James Strauss on June 26, 2018 at 5:28 pm

Thanks a lot Bill!!!
Semper fi,
Jim
Reply

Pete Billings on June 21, 2018 at 12:09 am

It just keeps getting better each installment. Sly loosing his band and be by himself before long the rate it is going. One would think the central controllers could block him from access to anywhere in the complex. If nothing else change the codes needed to use the lifts and nodes.

James Strauss on June 26, 2018 at 5:29 pm

Thanks a lot Pete, I am rather enjoying the writing of it…
Semeer fi,
Jim
Reply

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

Dave O on June 21, 2018 at 7:43 pm

this is a cliff hanger lol
- James Strauss on June 26, 2018 at 5:27 pm
  
  Thanks Cliff, means a lot….
  Semper fi,
  Jim
Bob Weinberger on June 21, 2018 at 6:16 pm

Great writing as I have come to take for granted from you.. One small typo
“… simply because no flying machines exited in the new world…” sb existed vice exited.
- James Strauss on June 22, 2018 at 10:02 am
  
  Thanks for your support and the sharp eye, Bob.
  I really appreciate your support
  Semper fi,
  Jim
Jim on June 21, 2018 at 3:56 pm

Wow Lt each episode seems to get better and better can’t wait.
- James Strauss on June 26, 2018 at 5:30 pm
  
  Thanks a lot Jim. Sorry this one took so long to get up here.
  Semper fi,
  Jim
D. D. Hayes on June 21, 2018 at 10:57 am

“Degradation over time is part of the process in physics called entropy, and some substances and creations from substances are not within the purview of the technology built into the complex or this dwelling.” There’s a fine line between entropy and planned obsolescence! One is a natural cycle, the other is a manipulation of a cycle…Star’s question is her answer…the expected response of an adversary can be used to deny access to maintenance. Just, as an unexpected result can reveal new options which are more durable. Wren is the logical voice of reason to avoidance of obsolescence. Thought provoking chapter!! Thanks …look forward to the next!
- James Strauss on June 26, 2018 at 11:55 am
  
  Thanks for your good eyes and now corrected
  Semper fi,
  James
Walt McKinley on June 21, 2018 at 9:48 am

Your Thursday morning gift to all those smart enough to read it. I want to ask why you didn’t start sooner and write more but I think it took this long to get it all properly aged (?).
- James Strauss on June 26, 2018 at 5:28 pm
  
  Love your comments Walt and you are also one hell of a guy in person.
  Thanks for being in my life,
  Semper fi,
  Jim
Bill on June 21, 2018 at 8:59 am

This story gets more interesting each chapter.
- James Strauss on June 26, 2018 at 5:28 pm
  
  Thanks a lot Bill!!!
  Semper fi,
  Jim
Pete Billings on June 21, 2018 at 12:09 am

It just keeps getting better each installment. Sly loosing his band and be by himself before long the rate it is going. One would think the central controllers could block him from access to anywhere in the complex. If nothing else change the codes needed to use the lifts and nodes.
- James Strauss on June 26, 2018 at 5:29 pm
  
  Thanks a lot Pete, I am rather enjoying the writing of it…
  Semeer fi,
  Jim