I've been writing, honest. But it took a long time for the plot to settle down, and then a lot of 'RL' kept getting in the way!
But I have made progress. Yes Paul and Johnny both learn to fly a 'skimmer'. We lose at least one main character, and there will indeed be an 'I am your father' moment (of sorts!)
It may take another six months or so to connect up the bits and smooth out the joins, so here's a few 'tasters' to be getting on with.
Fairly early on:
Quote:
That left the unpalatable probability that Straker's own sanity was impaired.
< snip>
He watched in surprise as the panel slid down into a concealed slot. He knew of
this; he'd designed it himself, back when Moonbase had been built. No-one else
knew about it - probably not even Paul Foster, even though the colonel had
deduced the hidden purpose of the light panel in the command office.
Perhaps, he thought suddenly, it is Paul. Maybe he's come to ask me - in
private - what the hell I thought I was doing!
He was suddenly angry. What right had Foster to quiz him? Robert would not have
done that. He really missed his kid brother. Foster was no substitute, and he
had killed Robert -
Shocked at the violence of his feelings, Straker grabbed at his self-control.
Paul, I'm sorry, if you hadn't killed our - the Robert-zom, we'd both have been
dead meat. What the f**k am I thinking?? AM I nuts?
He rose to his feet and took a deep breath, trying to calm himself.
In the gloom of the chamber behind the panel, a figure moved into sight. The
figure was wearing a spacesuit, and Straker could not see the face behind the
mirrored visor.
Straker smiled. "Hello, Paul," he said as pleasantly as he could. "Nice of you
to drop in - "
His voice stopped as abruptly as if his throat had been cut. The man had removed
his helmet, revealing his face. Straker knew that face very well indeed; he saw
it in the mirror every day.
That's it, he thought wildly. I HAVE gone mad...
An alarm sounded, but he did not hear it.