Comment from Carol Hillebrenner

Exceptional

Responding to being caught by a guard went well and they took care of the problem. Brian responded to the problem very well for a scientist. The planes did their job and they can now all head for their far away homes.

 Comment Written 16-Feb-2025

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reply by the author on 17-Feb-2025

Thanks very much for this 6-star review, Carol. It's much appreciated. I don't think Brian visualized this result when he insisted on going on the mission with Fran. Hopefully it will all be worthwhile if their formula works.

Comment from Pearl Edwards

Excellent

Fran's training got thm oug of a bad situation and the two of them wotk well together, as they have always done in life. Being a defence town we see those big aircraft going in and out if there are excercises nearby. You wrote that well, Jim. Now I am wondering about the coastguard.
Well done Jim. Cheers
Valda

 Comment Written 14-Feb-2025

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reply by the author on 15-Feb-2025

Those C-130s appear quite massive, and loaded with 2,500 gallons, it's amazing they can even get off the ground!

Yes, the Philippine Coast Guard is a big unknown at this time. Let's see if they come through. I'm sure Brian and Fran are glad to be done with this part of the story, but let's see what awaits them in the next part. It could be even worse.

Comment from royowen

Excellent

What a chapter, it seems to me, one would be very decisive and be a quick and efficient decision maker to kill someone so matter of factly, especially so decisively. But it looks like they've certainly poisoned the plants, blessings Roy

 Comment Written 14-Feb-2025

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reply by the author on 15-Feb-2025

Yes, they succeeded in their mission to get the plants sprayed. Let's just hope it does the trick. Not quite what they were expecting, but Fran has learned to expect the unexpected.

reply by royowen on 15-Feb-2025

She does

Comment from eliz100

Excellent

This is an excellent chapter. Thanks for the synopsis, it helped me to understand what was going on. I do not see any room for improvement. Have a blessed day.

 Comment Written 14-Feb-2025

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reply by the author on 15-Feb-2025

I'm really glad you're enjoying it, Lee. It was actually fun for me to recap the two novels so far. I didn't mind doing it at all.

Comment from Harry Craft

Excellent

Great story that shadows real life. The Philippine Navy and Chinese Navy have had some incidents lately. I enjoyed reading this too. I have flown many hours in a C-130 and I can relate to this story very well. Keep up the great work!

 Comment Written 14-Feb-2025

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reply by the author on 14-Feb-2025

Thanks very much, Harry. Having never flown in a C-130, I had to research this quite lot, especially for my description of the actual flight over by Fran and Brian in chapter 32. So glad you found it realistic and relatable.

reply by Harry Craft on 14-Feb-2025

Oh, by the way the story read, I thought you had flying experience. Great strory!

Comment from LJbutterfly

Excellent

This was a satisfying chapter. Even though Fran and Brian were disappointed that their original plan was not possible, and they were captured and could have lost their lives, they were able to work together, in agreement, to do what needed to be done. Everything still worked out in the end.

 Comment Written 13-Feb-2025

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reply by the author on 13-Feb-2025

Thanks, Lorraine. Now they'll just have to wait and see if the whole mission will have achieved its purpose. That's frustrating not to be able to see immediate results, but that was to be expected by the nature of the mission.

Comment from lyenochka

Excellent

It's good that Brian and Dana are on the same page even though it must have been a shock for Brian to witness what his sister has to do in her job. Her prior work in the police force probably helps her be very prepared for all kinds of situations. I liked learning that there is mental health support for these people, especially after having to kill someone.

 Comment Written 13-Feb-2025

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reply by the author on 13-Feb-2025

They make a pretty good team together. He's a brainiac, and she's a superior agent. And it helps that they think alike and rely on each other's strengths.

I think the mental health visits can be very important in a job like hers, although Brian did a pretty good job helping her by talking through it with her.

Comment from barbara.wilkey

Excellent

I do hope they were successful. I am stilling wondering how Marie fits into all of this, other than being Julie's mom. You did a good job writing this post. I can't wait to read more.

 Comment Written 13-Feb-2025

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reply by the author on 13-Feb-2025

Thanks, Barbara. You'll get to see a little bit of her part in the next couple of chapters, but her biggest contribution comes later when she plays a major role.

Comment from Debbie D'Arcy

Excellent

I've been waiting for this chapter, Jim, and you didn't disappoint! I like Fran's training and justification for her actions, all very credible and admirable. And I could imagine Brian standing there, stunned and shell-shocked.Two polar opposites, united in their mission to save the world. It looks like the task of spraying is being done and this stage is over.
Your chapter reads clearly and with good length and pace. There was an obvious need for explaining Fran's role and this was done well and compellingly. I question 'stanch' at the beginning and would personally have used 'staunch.' I understand that stanch is an archaic version but I leave that with you. Well done, Jim, another great chapter which I enjoyed. Take care Debbie

 Comment Written 13-Feb-2025

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reply by the author on 13-Feb-2025

Thanks so much for this thoughtful review, Debbie. Yes, all that remains in this part of the plot is to see if it was successful, although we'll get to see a little more about how important this mission really was in the next couple of chapters.

We'll soon be moving into what I hope will be a more exciting part of the story, and all three of our main characters will eventually participate in it.

The word stanch is different from staunch and is a verb that means to stop or restrict the flow of blood. To stanch a wound means to stop it from bleeding.

reply by Debbie D'Arcy on 13-Feb-2025

Sorry, you're right, Jim. I didn't know this.

Comment from Neonewman

Excellent

Another great chapter, Jim. I liked how Fran scaped up some dirt to hide the blood as they took the body with them. You don't want to leave him there for someone to find. You may end up being tracked by the bad ones.

I'm assuming they wrapped the wound to keep any blood dripping to the ground as they carried him. Also, scaling that cliff was intense. Carrying a body down a steep slope has its challenges. I wonder how the FBI gained jurisdiction over this island. I'm sure it's possible, but I would like to hear how this was done. Just a thought.
Great work, my friend.
God bless,
Steve

 Comment Written 13-Feb-2025

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reply by the author on 13-Feb-2025

Thanks, Steve, for your great comments. Earlier I mentioned that the President had gotten permission from the Philippine government to carry out this mission. I'm sure he was able to convince them it would be in their economic interest too to stop the spread of Dipraxa. Perhaps I should have made a bigger point of this, as a few people have commented on it.

reply by Neonewman on 14-Feb-2025

Oh! I do remember that now that you brought it to my attention. I don't think you needed to make a bigger deal; maybe it's just a light reminder.
I'm having to do this with Dodie Rae so everyone realizes she's still an actual person.