Jondolar:
I'm quite impressed with the story (as far as I've read, which is the first three chapters). Well-written and very interesting. Attention others: Get ready to either sit for quite a while to read this long story -- or to "bookmark" it in your computer (as I did) so you can easily get back to it when you're ready to continue.
Thanks, Jim, for the link, and again Thanks, Jondolar, for the story.