Comment from Ulla

Excellent

Oh I love the unknown, Bill, and I love to think there's life beyond us. There must be. So that is what the 'ping' is about. Right? I know I've missed most of this story. Too much has happened in my life of late, but I'm catching up. Ulla:)))

 Comment Written 12-Nov-2022

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reply by the author on 12-Nov-2022

I hope things are better for you now, Ulla.

reply by Ulla on 12-Nov-2022

Yes, thank you. At least my house is safe of falling down on me. Now I just have to find the money to have all the work done. Sigh. Work will start in January.

Comment from Father Flaps

Excellent

Hi Bill,
Generations of aliens have been very patient, waiting for earthlings to ruin the world through pollution and nuclear wars. Now they can finally take over, terraforming the planet. But first, they send a robot to search for any sign of life, through the deepest ocean trenches to mountain peaks. I can't imagine all aquatic life ...extinct. Would that include plant life as well? And mankind wiped out? But just when the ALL CLEAR signal would be sent back to the aliens, a ping. Some form of life, somewhere. Life always tries to exist, doesn't it? What a shame that we could destroy a beautiful planet. It's like a hockey game... regulation time over, 60 full minutes of slapping that puck around, attacking, defense, protecting the goalie, overlooking the refs, fights breaking out, gloves dropped, jerseys pulled over heads and shoulders, benches cleared. Game is tied. No obvious winner! So here comes the overtime. Now where is that puck?
PING!................................ PING!............................... PING!

Nicely penned, Bill! The imagery stands out.

Cheers,
Kimbob

 Comment Written 12-Nov-2022

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reply by the author on 12-Nov-2022

Thank you, Kimbob.

Comment from Celyn

Excellent

This is quite a short chapter but it is intriguing. Where is Robot from?, what is he doing?, what is he looking for? and many more questions come to mind. The writing is fine but you need to use 'the ' more when referring to parts of the ocean, eg the South Sandwich Trench' rather than just 'South Sandwich Trench'. Also, 'resulting in a lifting of Robot..' is a bit odd. Why not use ', which resulted in Robot being lifted...'
I am looking forward to reading the next part of this story.
Celyn

 Comment Written 11-Nov-2022

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reply by the author on 11-Nov-2022

This is the third of four chapters. Robot Saves the Day, Robot Paves the Way, Robot on the Ground, and Robots.

Comment from Wendy G

Excellent

So what was the ping? Does that indicate life on earth still? An intriguing and unsettling story. It's well written too. Will there be a follow-up? Wendy

 Comment Written 11-Nov-2022

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reply by the author on 11-Nov-2022

There have been four segments: Robot Saves the Day; Robot Paves the Way; Robot on the Ground; and Robots.

Comment from Carol Hillebrenner

Excellent

This is a really interesting story. I hope Robot 3.7 didn't get dropped off on the Earth I know and love. I do hope you plan to answer what the "ping" was.

 Comment Written 10-Nov-2022

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reply by the author on 10-Nov-2022

Thank you, Carol. It does come next in "Robots".

Comment from BethShelby

Excellent

Robot seems to have been programed well. This planet seem devoid of all life forms, or at least it did until something pinged. Is that an indication of life. We shall see.

 Comment Written 10-Nov-2022

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reply by the author on 10-Nov-2022

Thanks, Beth

Comment from Wayne Fowler

Excellent

Well written. Nice, enticing ending.
I think the line about nothing causing a return signal needs a little elaboration since there are radio and microwave signals abounding all over the earth. Uneducated readers, such as myself, could be confused.
Best wishes.

 Comment Written 10-Nov-2022

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reply by the author on 10-Nov-2022

Thanks, Wayne. I will tweak it.

Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell

Excellent

Then -- a ping... There is life on Earth! Good old Robot. But now he has to find what sort of life exists here. I know this is sci-fi, but the way we are going we will one be doing this, looking for life. I could be reading history in the reverse! Well done, my friend, another excellent chapter. :)) Sandra xx

 Comment Written 09-Nov-2022

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reply by the author on 09-Nov-2022

Thank you, Sandra

Comment from Spitfire

Excellent

Again, those big technical terms, but I can visualize this scene, especially Robot being lifted (by the force of helium) above everything. Since no life exists on the planet anymore, I guess alien forces are ready to start the world over.

 Comment Written 09-Nov-2022

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reply by the author on 09-Nov-2022

Thanks for giving this a look, Shari. You are one of a few.

Comment from sunnilicious

Excellent

I learned about the Marianas Trench last month. Trenches are a exploration for a few willing to be encaged. They are natural seamed cracks in the ocean with a life all its own. Everything in that particular ecosystem works off each other. The sealife seems much more vicious but the reasons work for vampire sharks, glow in the dark fish and more... It's like over 10,000 feet deep.

I'd add a bit more to color your story. Good work.

 Comment Written 09-Nov-2022

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reply by the author on 09-Nov-2022

Thanks, Sunnilicious. If I ever blow this up for publication, I will dress it up more.