Joe Beard sat at Gularte’s kitchen/dining room/living room table, its top cleared and cleaned off as I’d never seen it before. He sat behind a gray plastic box that looked like a small suitcase except for its sharp edges and pointed corners. Joe looked across the top of the foot-thick box, his glasses having slid down to the bottom of his nose as he was farsighted to a nearly extreme degree. How he’d gotten into any Marine Officer program I’d remained surprised at but never mentioned. Since discovering that he was secretly working for the San Onofre gang, as I mentally called them, helped explain just how he might have gotten into the Corps. His physical state was also always in question, as he could barely walk, much less run, on legs that seemed made of half-hardened noodles. No OCS program or Basic School would ever pass him through. I realized, in looking at him closer, that no OCS or Basic School ever had.
“What’s that?” I asked, my curiosity piqued after the box made some strange electronic noises. I walked to Joe’s side and peered down. A keyboard was hinged to the bottom edge of the box and a small television screen was mostly covered in tiny letters and numbers.
Well having been out of town then coming home with my first case of covid, guess I’ve sorta been in la-la land and just now trying to catch up.
No edit suggestions as I’m late to the chapter but once again it’s a cliff hanger with the unseeable item being the new focus !!
Awaiting the newest post !!
Semper Fi
Covid late in the game, or at least late in the game as we all hope. Sorry to hear that you went down but very happy to observe that you are fully back and catching up. The artifact is something that, once it made its appearance in my life, coming out of nowhere, stayed there…as it is right now. Having such a background in combat and artillery in particular, I thought about the use of it as a weapon but then quickly realized that it was a ‘one of a kind’ discovery and also that just in studying the properties of it, like launching it from the chamber of a cannon or howitzer, would likely cause either the total destruction of the gun or the loss of the object somewhere penetrated deep into the earth. Thanks for the usual interesting comment and I am so happy you are back, as I’m sure other readers on here are too.
Semper fi,
Jim
James, Many thanks to Walter Duke and the rest of the team who assist with editing. In the past I would stay up into the wee hours editing a chapter. I’ve decided to rejoin the human race by keeping regular hours.
We have to be wary of the propensity to reject all data points that fall outside of the current paradigm. Sometimes it’s the outlier that points to new discoveries. I like to think of scientists as storytellers. They collect the known information and then craft a story to explain it. New information leads to a new story. – So we now have new information. There’s a new story out there. We just don’t know it yet.
For further research on Alien connections or technology I’d suggest the following resources:
George Knapp television journalist from Las Vegas. Has connections to many folks in the UFO field.
Steven Greer founded the Center for the Study of Extraterrestrial Intelligence and the Disclosure Project.
https://www.christinedayonline.com/about/
The healing modalities (Amanae & Frequencies of Brilliance) she “downloaded” are very powerful.
Some minor editing suggestions follow:
it’s top cleared and cleaned off
No apostrophe in “its”
its top cleared and cleaned off
I asked, my curiosity peaked after the box made some strange
“piqued” instead of “peaked”
I asked, my curiosity piqued after the box made some strange
Such beings, I was coming to find, not unlike the Gunny
Add “were” before “not”
Such beings, I was coming to find, were not unlike the Gunny
accomplish it was at risk, at great risk
Suggest a dash instead of a comma
accomplish it was at risk – at great risk
Death was thoughtless, careless, and waiting right there
“careless” can mean sloppy. Maybe another word like “indifferent”
Death was thoughtless, indifferent, and waiting right there
You’ve absorbed the unseeable element
/”absorbed” I don’t get his meaning. Maybe another word that describes being totally engrossed by it?
You’ve been engrossed by the unseeable element
/ Other choices: intrigued, captivated, interested in, involved with/
two who’d spend many yours rebuilding an old MG together
“hours” instead of “yours”
two who’d spend many hours rebuilding an old MG together
any sort of trust, it instead
Replace comma with period
“it” capitalized “It”
any sort of trust. It instead
The rumor about it’s not obeying
Reads a bit smoother if reworded
The rumor is that it’s not obeying
“I’ve given that some thought
seems Joe is saying this. Add “Joe replied”
Joe replied, “I’ve given that some thought
vault he seemed to be in with classified or secret information
“in” seems extra
vault he seemed to be with classified or secret information
Why NASA or whomever hadn’t designed
“whoever” subject not object
Why NASA or whoever hadn’t designed
explaining the container’s heavyweight
Two words “heavy weight”
explaining the container’s heavy weight
sledgehammer striking the cement when gone at full force
Maybe “done” instead of “gone”
sledgehammer striking the cement when done at full force
Blessings & Be Well
To say its great to have you back is a vast understatement Dan! thanks for returning and thanks for doing your magic again…and then again
upon your return. Your statement about the stories that come out of discovery is so valid and should push anyone to go out and adventure in order
to make more discoveries so there can be more stories…stories that help us all explain how, why and even where we are in this ever more strange
univers. Thanks is such a small but so meaningful word.
Semper fi, My friend.
Jim
Mr. Strauss, Sir,
It seems to me that whatever material the object is made of would make an outstanding weapon. Since dropping the ball a couple of feet craters the concrete floor, I imagine that propelling that ball, or something made of the same material as the ball, through some kind of firearm or cannon would penetrate any common defenses. Tanks, warships, pillboxes, and um, even tunnels might not be safe from such an attack. I’m guessing that a military leader, like an Admiral, would be thinking in terms of a weapon. I’m guessing that, so far anyway, such a weapon made of that material does not exist.
Its never a dull day when you post a new chapter, thank you.
At that time, the violations of physics well-exceeded the potential usefulness of an item that was
a seemingly one shot deal, taken from the surface of the moon under circumstance nobody wanted to talk about,
nor its position on that planetary body set down. The arfitfact had the most powerful ability to instill fear
and that it did. After my years with the Agency I must also inform you that you do not know what weapons exist, as some
of them you only get to see the results of their effects when used. Those effects can also be explained in other ways,
or not all but accepted nevertheless. Humanity and believability are very deeply tied together but believability does not
have to be closely tied to what we know as facts, and, as you are discovering here, facts may not be the facts as we’ve come to
know them at all.
Semper fi,
Jim
Ah, yes; what you say makes sense. For me, it is more food for thought. Thanks again.
Thanks, the whole foundation of the novel series can be described best as ‘food for thought,’ which you just revealed.
Thank you for that.
Semper fi,
Jim
Since it seems that the ever so competent Dan C. is still unavailable for edits, here are a few I saw:
“He was going to survive e and he had.”
“There had been no discussion ever about radiation, but I had not Geiger counter so it didn’t much matter.”
No, not “not”
“It was more like a fastball in baseball in size”
[Maybe “It was more like the size of a baseball”?]
(which makes me wonder if the thing had changed its size since the first time you viewed in and said it was golf ball sized.)
Thanks for all of help, Walter.
Corrections are made
Semper fi,
Jim
Oh, I don’t think you have to consider driving a truck just yet, as each chapter encourages another dip in the pool.
But the comment above, “curiouser and curiouser” was also my thought when you revealed the action of the ball when you dropped it.
You really have some interesting – and honest friends.
Keep writing, Jim. I do not want to go to my grave without learning whatever end the universe gives this autobiography.
Got an OK today from the surgeon that installed the titanium plates in my neck. Still cannot talk, swallow, or sleep properly. And the VA dropped the ball on my home health care. They may show up next Monday. Or may not. Life proceeds!
Semper Fi, my Jarhead friend!
Wilcox, would you stop making references to the grave in your communications. I know you have been in a deep state with physical
problems that might kill almost anybody, but you have a survivor’s body and that’s been both a gift and a curse, of sorts. You don’t get
to die and leave us all in a lurch…no, you have to live the pain so we can feel better about you! Besides, I’m certain that everyone here
enjoys reading your comments as much as I do! Your friend, among your other more silent friends on here,
and semper fi,
Jim
Jim, Right now – ‘Wow’ is all I got. Time to meditate (Nap) & digest this multi course meal. Right now, my ‘Hamster’ is telling me to ‘piss off’. Regards, Doug
Thanks Doug, as usual, and I will await more commentary as it becomes available!
Semper fi,
Jim
If this is the 1st gift from the Magi I can’t imagine what the 2nd gift will be! I don’t think you’ll be opening it under the tree with the family.
The next ‘gift’ is right up ahead, not under the tree, but certainly serving as some of the underpinnings of life as we know it.
Thanks for the great comment well written.
Semper fi,
Jim
So we are in the unexplained area of the universe as we know it. Fascinating. Even on this rock where we exist there are things we don’t can’t understand. Water running up hill. A hole in the ground with no end to it. I dropped rocks into it thinking i could hear them hit bottom. NO. So what the hell if we have something else beyond our limited understanding. Like the universe having no ending. Keep it rolling LT.
Thanks so much JT, as not all readers are quite so open-minded I am sure. Strange stuff happened, and then
more later on as everythig developed…as I will write of as we move on.
Thanks for the comment and the depth of it.
Simper fi,
Jim
Wow ! The first verified account of extraterrestrial existence. This is truly life changing! I have always believed are are not alone. Now I known so.
Is the artifact back under gvt control?
Imagine if the substance could be produced as projectiles. It would obliterate anything and everything. This sort of power is what governments dream of, imagine it set into motion interstellar, would it continue to accelerate? Defy gravity pulls?
Wow just wow…
This thing is dangerous because of the intents it ignites in the hearts of men… like Joe
Wow keep it coming !
How did you sit on this all these years? I guess if you couldn’t find a Cadre of people willing to work towards the common good, it just needs to be buried under a rock!
Thanks for a great comment James. It’s a ‘verified’ account only to me and those like me who have experienced it up close and personal.
To everyone else it’s merely a rendition of another UFO kind of event or story…and so many people have gotten famous or made money claiming such stuff without physical proof…hell, even the physical proof can be rather easily disregarded (think the video stuff coming off of the aircraft carriers at sea today!). Much appreciate your faith and please read on before I say more about what happened then and since
Semper fi,
Jim
Like you mentioned previously. It is about trust. Your correct I have not, and likely will never witness that which cannot be seen. Though I do trust that you have. That’s as good as I can ever hope for.
Thanks James, for the sincere and meaningful comment…as always.
Much appreciated.
Semper fi, my friend,
Jim
Normally it is people thar “defy logic”. The object is not as “inanimate” as “logic” would normally dictate. A conundrum for sure.
And it was, and some still remans, Tim. Thanks for the supportive and interesting comment.
Semper fi,
Jim
Like most of your chapters I like to respond, I just don’t know what to say after reading this one!! Semper fi sir, that is all…..
Thanks Bob, I will take your comment as a compliment, and thank you for that.
Semper fi,
Jim
Wow James, had to re-read this chapter several times. I took a few under grad and post grad physics classes. I don’t claim to be any kind of expert, but that artifact is NOT of this world! So many questions. Hope all get answered in short order!
Inertia is inertia and we all have lived with the results of understanding that, like gravity is gravity, always…heat, cold, and so much more. To run into something in opposition to any of that is life-changing at a physical as well as mental level. The phrase, used mostly in Nordic humor, of ‘haven’t been the same since,’ comes to mind. What would have been the same for me, and what would I have become if it had all been ‘the same’ when I came home? Thanks for the comment and ‘wow’ compliment.
Semper fi,
Jim
Jim, this is hard to accept as biographical. As a retired aeronautical engineer, you’re knocking away my pillars of stability, sort of like my introduction to quantum physics 50 years ago.
It was, an remains, a bit discomforting to have lived it too. My studies of quantum theory and mechanics, which I dived deep into,
only helped support my feelings that were fostered at the time that the universe isn’t put together the way almost anyone thinks.
Thanks for the comment and your opinion stated here.
Semper fi,
Jim
Jim,
So, we now get a better glimpse and incomprehensible “understanding” of it and it’s unusual, unearthly “properties” as to how it “performs” (defying explanation). Which begs the question of what the hell ELSE does it do that defies consensus reality of our know world?
I am surprised that when it ‘behaved’ so irrationally, it did not bring brown residue to besmirch the underwear of both you and Gularte. Maybe you will need to start packing a back-up pair of drawers when you mess with this thing in the future. Might it possess its own intelligence?
To be safe, I think I would have rented one unit for the explosives, etc. and another one just to house the locked box that contained the “blob”. Oh, and I most definitely think you should scrounge up a Geiger counter…
Thank you for wetting our whistles, (and making our eyeballs grow larger) with this most recent chapter. It causes me to look forward to the next chapter with even greater anticipation to learn more of your fascinating journey.
My best to you and yours.
Stay warm and safe.
THE WALTER DUKE. I like writing that, and I hope it makes you smile. As usual, you write comments that have such substance that I have
to give some time to considering before I respond…all the while not wanting to reveal much of anything that’s going to written about in the chapters ahead. I am indeed, whetting whistles, if that’ the proper spelling. There is more extraordinary stuff coming. I wonder, sometimes, whether my entry into the CIA at that time didn’t have something to do with keeping me quiet. You do sign away a lot of rights when you go aboard and they are not shy with penalties for the slightest of violations…not like they have been with our leaderships violations of security information at all. Thanks for the great deep comment and the time and trouble you go through to think about and then write it.
Semper fi, my friend,
Jim
Jim,
Yes, your “all caps” of my name does indeed make me smile.
I had several good friends (who have now passed) who verbally gave me the “all caps” when we would meet.
Your written all caps reminds me of them. Like many of your other readers, I too am still digesting what you put to print.
THE WALTER DUKE. Thank you so very much my friend, to include me into a group of men you knew and trusted so much.
I will try to live up to that expectation you don’t verbalize but must consider. What a pleasure to have you in
my life.
Semper fi, my friend,
Jim
Interesting that you think of Paul as therapeutic and Guarte just proved he is an amazing friend, he just accepts the unexplainable and apparently moves on! Maybe the Ashau is understandable because it rides as reality! Paul only has a weird SoCal view, Mary is more prepped for that.
You, Colonel, are a more aged, wise, experienced and much funnier version of Gularte. “He just accepts the unexplainable and apparently y moves on.” Wow, but you have fit into that very tiny and exclusive tribe…and I am so happy to be a member with you. Thanks for being what you are. Paul did have a Southern California view of life, but so did The Beach Boys, yet their lyrics extended out to reach right into the ears, hearts and minds of the entire American public. Life can be so confounding.
Thanks my great friend, and,
Semper fi,
Jim
Some things we have to “get” without rhyme, reason, or understanding. We always want to understand, it is how we are wired. Things that don’t fit into what we “know” cannot be assimilated with our current tools. I wonder how important where we go with that or what we do with that is to our being. The metaphysical lives in conjecture. We may have known it at one past time or will know it in some future time but for now, it is a mystery. Keep your head down and keep moving!
Well, Michael, now that was a bit of a lot of revealed philosophy and wisdom in one rather abbreviated paragraph here.
It is so true that we must ‘get’ some things as best we can. Belief isn’t founded upon gathering facts all the time
to assemble into some structure. Unless we crank our heads back and look future up and beyond we don’t have the ability ‘to
create ideas and answers that confound the facts, until such time as the facts…most of which change over time rather significantly
are revealed to support the dreams of the dreamers. Thanks for the great and deep comment.
Semper fi,
Jim
Just gets “curiouser and curiouser”!
Traveling through a period of time that is now only ‘coming in out of the fog,’ kind of thing Steve…and then even then
is it coming in to many minds in this modern era. Only the readership here will reveal that. Hedge at all close to the
alien thing will create a drop in readership and commentary, as I understood it would. But, this thing has to go where it
went at the time, probably only to be intently considered some time in the future after I’m long gone.
Semper fi, and thanks for the accurate comment.
Jim
Lions and Tigers and Inertia, OH MY! It is such a good thing that you have Guarte’s simple grounding effect on one level, coupled with Mary’s depth of insight and prescience on, yet, another level,and , then, A relief valve in The wings with Paul
There was plenty of good fortune occurring. back then and a lot of that has followed me through life.
Everything you stated here is completely accurate about what was going on back then.
Thank you, most sincerely.
Semper fi,
JIm
Well you did it again. Sucked us in at the end, for another chapter.
I didn’t mean to, not truly on purpose I mean. Yes, I think every chapter should have a lead into the following chapter although
I don’t spend almost any time at all putting a coherent segue into all my writing stops and starts. Thanks for sticking with me.
When I was a kid the Flash Gordon writers did this to the point where they would have Flash die or something like that at the end of one segment and then stop short of participating in such an action at the start of the next segment. Always pissed me off. Now, I understand better. If you can’t keep the audience interested enough to keep coming back then…well, truck driving is also a very available career…
Semper fi,
Jim