I've said it before and I'll exclaim it again...I love it when you give me a character to hate...to just sink my teeth into as I grind them in irritation...that's what Hazel is in this chapter. Hazel is a snooty and sneering witch with too large of an opinion of herself. She has a personality as abrasive and destructive as sandpaper on chalk...

Hattie..her I adore. She calls a spade a spade and tells Hazel off...LOL...it was like watching a wise old owl put a frightened little mouse on the run. And goodness...Vin called her a grandmother but she must be a great great great great great grandmother at 180...unless of course you factor in they have a different age scale...the kids are still kids because they are under 32...whichever, she seems so regal (and yet condescending towards Hazel).

I'm curious about Vin's name and also the revelation that Chris' mother actually birthed him...I wonder if that has anything to do with why he could bond with Vin and if it's were these latent nurturing and protective feelings arise from. Chris jumped to Vin's defense at William's criticism like a duck on a June bug. Very interesting Chris contradicting the sanitized report about Sydni...and Vin reining him in.

Vin was at his mischievous best suckering people out of their desserts and bargaining for the guitar...LOL...so Ezra has money...must be a lot for him to agree to purchase the guitar for Vin...you know he wouldn't leave himself without adequate funds.

I see the only exercise that oversized butt Hazel gets is jumping to conclusions, pushing her luck and running her mouth...and William is in the same boat with her.

Hattie, it's plain to see has lived long enough to learn to use her own brain and eyes. She seems delighted with Vin and quite pleased to think Chris is going to have his hands full.

LOL...looks like Chris' superior attitude doesn't include boot licking for maximum status standing. I like the way he delegated diplomatic verbosity to Ezra, that ought to give them brain cramps.

WOW..you learn so much about the characters and the rule through something as simple as hair braiding! You amaze me with the way you highlight the emotions with so few but very pointed words...example, the bond has become so deep Chris wants to rip Ezra's arms off because he is touching Vin's hair! I could feel the tension vibrating in him as he stood protectively by.

I was struck by the willingness with which Chris now greets Vin's requests. He's was fairly quick to offer compromises over the hair length.

My heart just sank into the pit of despair that swallowed Vin when he opened that box of bloody clothes. Dang those men to Hades that packed them up soiled like that! So Vin grew a bit taller...hum...I have read that young males don't reach their final height until after puberty...around age 22 and Vin is 19 so he just might achieve a few more inches.

I could picture Vin's tunic in my mind...very Native American looking...incorporating nature. I totally enjoy the way Vin likes to tease and bait Buck...the big goof...I think he likes indulging Vin's playful side.

LOL...so minding your manners is no scratchin', spittin' or fartin'...I think Larabee's fussing over his appearance shows he truly cares how Vin is treated and perceived.

I'm sure the wood grain of my coffee table is indented in my forehead where I laid it on the table to help keep me from sliding off the couch as I went limp from breathless laughter over Vin's reaction to Lydia...and trying to talk her into bearing children for Chris...LOL LOL LOL I no sooner get over that when I am gone again when sweet and innocent Vin sarcastically quips to the man's question of whether or not it's safe to be around people..."I been workin' on his manners some. He ain't shot nothin' since he kilt that news shuttle."

I like this protective father coming out in Chris...his concern about the 'kids' watching appropriate videos and not being corrupted by Bucks libido...poor Buck.

I loved seeing Chris in the playful mood...bantering and baiting the food service people about popcorn. I'm amazed they never questioned that particular function on the flash cooker...it took the kids pointing it out to them. Poor deprived fools, not knowing the joys of group movie watching with sodas and popcorn. Too bad they had to settle on Nachos...I wonder if Larabee will see a correlation between energy levels in the kids in proportion to caffeine and sugar levels from the fizzies...

I'm glad to see the group has bonded to the point the 'adults' can admit it when the 'kids' know more than them...case in point turning off the movie translator because the kids are doing a better job. I had an enlightening moment as well...it feels weird when you snort and bite your lip at the same time...this in conjunction to Buck being worried about the girl being rescued from the steel underwear...leave it to Buck.

I'm beginning to worry over this upcoming basic training...I fear the Centurions will undo a lot of the good PR done by the kids thus far. Of course now the kids have the team firmly on their side...even Nathan trusts them enough to jump without drugs! I love impish Vin and him teasing Nathan about needing lessons if he wants childer...LOL...and admitting Grandmother taught him about the birds and the bees.

It was nice to see in this chapter that Nathan is beginning to let go of some hard headed and hearted notions. He's learning to evaluate a situation with his own eyes instead of relying solely on what legions of Centurions before him were told and so blindly followed. In fact, he was actually very opened mind when they all went to exercise, informing Chris he should try the katas...that they were actually better for him. It's taken many chapters and eye opening experiences for Nathan to get to this point (you progresses that at a very believable rate).I have to say when Nathan admitted the kids had him questioning a lot of things...you could have slapped me over with a feather!

It has become quite apparent to me that along with their over-sized egos, Centurions have a propensity to gossip, jump to conclusions and make some very off the mark assumptions. It seems to me being born from artificial wombs breeds a major birth defect...the gear that engages their brain and mouth together is faulty...they seldom work together.

Those idiots managed to explode Josiah's temper like a lightning strike to a pine with the turpentine running. I see the kids have won over the body guards...snicker...even though they are human.

The game of catch me if you can in the hall was delightful, a great way to work off the repressed energy that could have fueled tempers. I love seeing Vin letting loose and being a kid...and I had a good laugh over Papa Larabee turning Vin over his knee...he made his point about Vin being careful of his actions in front of others. I'm seeing lots of emotional human behavior all around.

It's no wonder the Centurions are so detached and emotionless (other than anger and superiority) they don't even bother to bear their own children. They only thing seeming to bond these people are their over sized egos. Their about as effective at nurturing as a screen door on a submarine.

Since bonding with Vin, Chris has been becoming more 'human' in my eyes. I got the impression he was very much like an expectant father as he sat by Vin in his artificial womb. And that sense was full bloom when Chris remembered a pregnant Sarah, as Vin moved about under the membrane and pressing against his hand. I snickered all the way through Vin's delivery...a C-Section from a tub womb. We even saw some true humor in Nathan as he delivered Vin. So true to the Vin we know and love he was born hungry...and raised starving.

It must be a pretty foreign feeling to Buck to worry about his weight and hair instead of like many Centurions...automatically assuming he's perfect. I love the way the 'kids' continue to educate the Centurions on Sentinel behavior and in case he needs to, Vin can bite my neck anytime he wants too. I wonder if they realize yet, that Vin is the top of this totem?

I'm liking the way the kids are getting the Centurions to listen to them more, to consider and explore 'real life'.

Loved these new chapters. Can't wait to see what happens next!

Hee hee ha ha ho ho. I like this Vin. right in character. Even Chris hasn't figured out this is Vin's guitar or his brother's. I like Hattie as well. I hope to see more of her as well. Maybe she has a granddaughter??

Excellent as always. Humorous, some drama and life on the go. Childer indeed! hee hee Truly I hope he finds someone for Chris, Buck and Josiah. He needs to talk to Raine about Nathan.

Wonderful as always.
Perfect song choice. Though it was on I have never heard I found myself singing it like my voice knew the music. So I can see how it could make the centorians home sick for a world they have never known.
Thank you for the time thought and heart you put in this story.

Hi again,

Okay, you have got to get back to this story as well as 2230.

You've left Chris and Vin in the middle of it, now get them out.

Please stir up the muses and get to writing.

Excelent! Vin sure is turning those highbrows on their ears! I like that they've found a few more friends. I really liked Vin playing the guitar. Keep writing!!

This is an excellent story. I look forward to reading more of it when you post it. Although if the 'kids' are showing movies to educate the rest of them about humanity's history... Schindler's List might be instructive. After all, Hitler wanted to create a genetically superior Master Race; and history repeats itself. Let's hope he doesn't win this time either. One person can make a huge difference; (or Seven people.)

Oh, and chapter 36? the one with the council aide driving? Pure GOLD. Absolutely outstanding.

LOL! I love this chapter. It is perfectly in character for Ezra and Tanner to arrange for Ezra to collect the bounty on Tanner's head. I also love that you used the "Green Hills of Earth." I've always loved it as a poem and someday hope to hear it sung.

I can hear Ezra complaints, poor him

Wonderful to get another part so fast! Great dinner party and Vin is more than holding his own. Hattie sounds like a wonderful lady, so smart and knows what is going on. She would make a lovely grandmother for Vin. Loved the flirting for dessert. Hazel is just fighting a losing battle and should quit while she can. Very lovely song choice. Very sneaky way to get the bounty off Vin's head and get some use out of the money. I'm sure Ezra can afford that guitar. Thanks for posting this and I'm looking forward to the after dinner drinks and basketball game.