Three Square Meals - Chapter 129

Yes we would protect you? Is Alyssa insane?

ByzFan

The pedant in me is breaking out - is this the final version of 129? As it is not labled as such

Mac of Alden

As a person who agrees with Sparky's Wife, Tefler's writing immensely improved around Chapter 60. I suggest you all go back and see how many chapters he was producing around then. I was one who suggested that Tefler write some chapters ahead like some other authors but again that's his decision. I would rather have a well written tome than a rushed one. Tefler was writing 3 per month when he was below the $1500/chapter level. Since the early chapters are on ano th her device I don't know if he was writing 30k words per chapter. I doubt it because each of his first 4 books weren't 300K words long . So cut the man some slack.

Big Dude

Just having a re-read of the chapter and spotted this: Tsarra placed a hand on the Fleet Admirals shoulder. “I owe her a great deal. Aadya convinced me to stop trying to fight John and talk to him instead... I dread to think what might have happened otherwise. Aadya is a Fleet Commander not a Fleet Admiral. It's funny how these things can leap out at you despite having read it a few times!

ringill

Hello, My Name is BD88 and I am a addicted to TSM. It has been 30ish days since my last Fix. The Amazing thing is that our facilitator is diligent with his monthly delivery of High Quality Entertainment time and time again. The Quality of his product in unnmatched in the current market and it appears that he has planed for the long term with a wealth of planted seeds for the future. Amen

I am anxiousness waiting for 130, I had to go back and reread the first 120.

First 30k is dropping Friday, but it is a double chapter so you know that it will be all build up and cliff hangers. It is called Daddy Issues. Rahn, Jack, and possibly one other obvious Daddy are likely to feature. Henry Voss is also going to feature but maybe not in the first part.

Think you meant to type... his info is at all reliable! 😀

Spartan 52

I can think of one person who claims to have info, but he has gone to great lengths to make sure he's known for spreading misinformation over on Discord, so I don't think his info is all that reliable.

Jedi Khan

It seems to me that Valaden was not their original capital world. It probably wasn't even inhabited before Mael cut Valada off. It's noted in the files Tashana recovered that the Maliri named the planet in honor of Valada after they moved there, which seemingly was after Mael went off to fight Rahn. As for whether or not the Maliri are originally from this sector of space or if Mael brought them from somewhere else, that is unknown at this time.

Jedi Khan

Nobody has any. Expecting the window might open around the end of the month.

I think the question was more about whether Validen was their original world or whether Mal moved them there to be under the shroud.

I thought since Tefler posted the next chapter on Lit that we would get the next chapter here or at least an update but haven't seen anything. Anybody have any info?

Nonconformist

I also think they were " seeded " like the other thrall races which should mean they were already on their worlds.

Nonconformist

I don't remember which chapter but the Maliri are a thrall race.

Nonconformist

I don't think the origin story of the shroud is all that firmly established. I've always assumed the Maliri were native there, but i don't think it's been firmly established.

Yes, we all know. It's best at this time to find some other way to sate your TSM urges for a bit longer. Perhaps read over the story again if you haven't lately. Life has obviously intruded and I doubt we'll see anything until around the end of the month.

Question? I do not see anywhere (may have missed it) if the Maliri were seeded originally as a thrall species for Mael'nerak in this quadrant of the galaxy or if he brought them with him? In the ancient videos he has them helping when he creates the other races. Are they actually native to Valadan (or whatever it was named before) and the other Maliri worlds? Rahn was sent to find him, so did he escape to the Shroud or create it to escape Xar'aziuth? Wonder where Mael started...who was originanlly seeded for him...so many questions? Perhaps one day we will get some answers?

Arrowglass

pars’s stuff can be difficult to follow sometimes but I do enjoy his stuff.

Dustin Harlan

Lost Empire , Sheila , and Sam are 3 storyline by pars001 at Literotica.

1 month since last release

Ooh yeah, thats a good story so far. Reminds me of Tefler in the early days .... shorter chapters, only about 24k words each, but they come out each week.

andrew finlayson

Fourth Vector

Here is hoping it drops I could really use the distraction from reality right now

Kensyi

All on Literotica. "Upon a Savage Shore". "Starlight Gleaming". "Endangered". "Bonding Chronicles". "Home for Horny Monsters".

Any of ya'll got any good suggestions for Serial Novel-length stories on Lit, SOL or wherever to help pass the time?

kinky-kong-keith

Good news! Chapter 127 is from yesterday available on LitEroitica. So, Tefler is ok 😀

good effort, and welcome to the 3SM support group! :P

Wozza

Just finished a full read through, started the day after 129 released, I'm ready for the next chapter....when it is ready, not before. But please finish soon, I'm dying here lol

Kensyi

@tefler I hope you abmnd the family are well.

Grimlakin

Since 127 has hit Lit maybe the new chapter will hit here today or at least an update.

Nonconformist

In the past Tefler works on the chapters for lit while he is waiting for his editors to get done with the first part of the next chapter. Hopefully we are on track for the end of the month

I’ve noticed a correlation between posting on SOL and new chapters appearing on Patreon. Hopefully, it will hold true this time and he posts within the next two weeks.

thomas rodrian

Thanks for the chapter

kenna

Ch. 127 is now live on SoL

Who Me

Ch. 127 is now live on Literotica

AGREE

jerry661

Noooooo,. Not the evil penguins.

Personally - I would LOVE to give Mr.Tefler some of my money!

Who Me

Iirc this has only happened once and it wasn’t Tef’s idea he did it at the insistence of many of us that wanted to see him paid and wanted to read something even if it was only a partial. To suggest that he did it ‘just to charge us’ is both inaccurate and unfair on Tefler.

As long as it's not a partial drop just to charge us, with " the rest coming in a few days ". Would rather he miss a dead line and get himself back in the swing that have him always pushing partial chapters out

Nick White

One by one the penguins killed our sanity. Yes, there should be a race if deadly penguins in this ever expanding universe.

DemonHunterCole

Jedi Khan. Yes. I believe there were some other patrons talking about it. Or maybe I miss understood

Pat White

What do you mean "writes in this time line"? Are you referring to another author who is supposedly writing in the same universe as TSM, or are you referring to the speed and quality with which Tefler writes?

Jedi Khan

It's his second.

Jedi Khan

No update from Tefler that I have seen.

Nonconformist

Was this his second or third, wondering if the adjustment from man to man to zone is a learning experience. I was also listening to an expert on children's sleep today on the radio and they talk about the first two months of a child's sleep is basically they're up every 2 hours and there's little you can do about it except in brace it.

With as much as people bust his balls (myself included) over not hitting estimated dates. I can’t say I am too surprised to see Tefler playing this one close to the vest.

MJHSharkbait365

Hey everyone. Who is the other writer who writes in this time line.

Pat White

Not that I have expected the next chapter out yet, but I'm surprised I haven't seen an update yet. Or did I miss it?

Hopefully nobody in teflers immediate family has been to specific areas of China recently. Hope all is well Tefler!!!

Grimlakin

Likely keeping busy with family responsibilities and trying to write in between.

Jedi Khan

So what happened to teffler?

Timothy Lucas

I'm stuck at home with the flu for a few days so if C-130 drops in....😎 (pun intended)

Simorthelast

No such luck, I'm afraid.

Rhys

Aww, i had to check b4 i crashed just in case us TSM addicts got some V Day love from the man in the form of a release of what he had so far.

Ouch, hope everything is OK. Hopefully Tefler will manage to give us something towards the end of the month.

Rhys

Nope.

Jedi Khan

So has there been any updates on Discord?

Kensyi

Mike...it's been discussed that since they used T Fed officers for sperm 'donners' it's possible someone from the Walker family was involved ( I'm hoping it's Tom's Uncle the Hero & not his dad the possible traitor )

bigdawguw65

Don’t know if this is old news but I’ve been re-reading the story (again) and when Beth stays over with Tom Walker (Ch 122) she mentions that his blue eyes have a gold ring around the pupil. Could Tom be part of the same program as Dana, maybe even brother and sister? I know it could be a coincidence but we all know how we feel about those...

Geeeeze Nathan, get with the program. I used to get the DT's about 2 hrs after reading a chapter. Now I zen and don't come over all desperate for 5 whole hours now.

Hi, my name is Nathan. I am a TSM-aholic. It has been 7 days since I read the latest chapter.

Rachel wasn't asking because she forget what her mother looked like. This was a prelude to her asking John to create a psychic sculpture of Catherine Voss. He figured out why she was upset just before though and shaped it behind her back, while giving Rachel a hug.

Tefler

Don't forget that although its 30 chapters since then comparitively not a lot time has gone bye for the crew !! So much has been happening since then....please Tef we need some mooooore..............

B S

also chapter 98, John’s attention was drawn to the picture of her mother for a moment, recognising Catherine Voss from the psychic imprints he’d seen on New Eden. He saw the striking family resemblance to her daughter once again, but quickly looked away, not wanting to stir up painful memories for the young woman sitting on the bed. Then in chapter 125 "Rachel buried her face in his chest, leaning into him as she tried to control her emotions. John held her close and rubbed her back, then gestured towards the hover-bike with his free hand as he waited for the brunette to calm. “John...” she finally murmured, looking up at him. “I was wondering earlier... do you remember what my mother looked like?” “I remember everything,” he quietly replied. She had pictures of her mum in her room on the ship. Tefler must have the most editors in the history of editors.

rich ed

This is chapter 98. *We’ll try and keep the risks to a minimum,* John replied, to put her mind at ease. *Once we’re done here, there’s a couple of things I want to clear up in the Terran Federation, then we’ll head back to Genthalas for a bit of a break. We need to upgrade the Invictus’ Heavy Cannons, set up your fleets with the new shield tech, and start working on a new project. I spoke with Dana a while ago about designing a destroyer-class vessel for the Invictus; If Alyssa and I get all the psychic shaping done for the superstructure, then your engineers can start building it... The fact I want to spend lots more time with you and your girls has nothing to do with me wanting to rush back to Maliri Space.* But they have not mentions a destroyer class ship since. Do you think it is on the back burner or has the mighty Tefler forgotten about it as he has said he has not had time to reread his story yet?

rich ed

Your ideas suggest that the next big confrontation is with Gahl and John, when The material seems to say that the battle in Brimorian space is the next big chapter. Irillith found out that the slave deal won’t happen for another 1-1/2 to two weeks, so if John and the girls are going to be there they have limited time to chase other objectives. Plus, given that the Kintark/Brimorian invasion will happen before then, the Deep Pool will likely throw all their remaining fleet assets into that fight. I foresee at least 5 chapters dedicated to powering up for that confrontation, probably in the form of fleet assets and possibly some Kyth’faren Eldritch focusing tools for the girls from the spirit fortress that Tashana will be exploring soon. Include a trip to Mael’s throne world and the likely recruitment of that botany girl from Larn’s throne world that was conveniently just shy of her ‘Ceremony of Ascension’, which would bind her to a progenitor, as they collect the ghost fleet, and you could be looking at 10 or more chapters before Gahl’s hyperwarp gate is able to bring his fleets to bear, meaning the end of the year before a confrontation.

Brian Woods

Question to the group... How many chapters do you think until John and Gahl's confrontation be it in space or hand to hand combat? What I believe needs to happen... 1. We have the Jericho/Olympus trip which is guaranteed for the next chapter. 2. We have the Maliri Matriarch's to settle which will probably be all the chapter after next. 3. We have the expulsion of the Brimorians from the Kintark Empire and return to Genthalas Station and possibly the Lilyana fleet destroying the last Kirrix Dreadnought and then rescuing the Abandoned from the Brimorians 4. We have to locate Kythshara and the Hypergate 5. We have the retrieval of the ghost fleet and possibly rescue the surviving Larathyran's 6. John needs to confront his guide 7. John being reunited with his parents 8. Possibly a solution to the Faye's return. If we continue at a chapter a month it will probably be about August or September

prsstarid

Gahl’s are red.....Larn’s were a light green ,John’s a sky blue

I think they were red

Pat White

Can anyone remind me....what color were Rahns thralls?....is that mentioned anywhere?

Very true.....we don’t have very much info on the make up of Kintark society and the story narrative doesn’t require it. If anything my speculation is an irrelevant sidebar. It’s more the musings of an idle mind waiting for the next installment of relevant story. Hence the brain fart label. That being said, if I were the leader of T-Fed I’d make damn sure I’d give the pointy part of the boot to anything or anyone who might make my integration of my newly acquired territory difficult.

If you expel them now you are creating a 5th column. It won't be an issue now but in a while (couple years) you'll have an even bigger problem with a concentration of nastiness. Wouldn't you rather keep tabs on them while using them against the Brimorians in some way?

Dennis Aston

Was thinking about the Kintark and had a brain fart.....Lynette should make sure that the genetically modified Kintark...ie the royal guard types and (if they be modified) the prelates and sub-prelates are all expelled from that portion of the empire now owned by the Federation. Remember back when John had that conversation with the former Kintark politician that they freed from the mines? He went on about how any and all former leadership that objected to the policies of the emperor had been imprisoned. I would imagine that they were replaced by royalist cronies. To ensure a smooth transition and prevent any 5th column nonsense in the future, Lynette should make sure that all royalist sympathizers are expelled.

Again??? You gotta be kidding me!

andrew finlayson

Truer words mate....

Scuttlebut is, something has happened and don't expect anything until around the end of the month.

We are totally spoiled by Tefler. I just read a similar genre story as 3SM but fantasy based. There has not been an update in a YEAR!!. He just posted that he has 43k words for the next chapter after a YEAR!! We have ZERO reason to complain. While that other story was excellent I will probably not remember details of it with yearly postings.

prsstarid

Yeah, I keep checking hoping my notifications are broken :/ going through withdrawals lol

Kris

Well there goes my guess of the 14th for Chapter 130. Drat! :(

Big Dude

Love leads to pleasure. Pleasure leads to contentment. Contentment leads to rejoicing.

Matt

First off, Jessica would be considered a criminal in Terran space.

What are the chances that when (or if) Jessica and Rahn reconcile with John and join the team, John might try to bring his grandparents back? Not just so Jessica and he can speak with them, but Rahn too?

kinky-kong-keith

Compassion vs hate! Love is stronger emotion for powerin up?

All reasonable things to take into account for his different behavior. Imagine if John started creating progenitors like he was raised in love by his grandparents. Also imagine if the guide he gifted them was not a evil dick

prsstarid

So your advocating about doing away with the Comm Array since that is how they get hacked and use an Ashnath for communication? Do you think it might be a single point of failure issue if the one or two Ashnath on board are killed or disabled that they are comm blind? Edraele having two way communications with a few Maliri on each ship would have the same issue and could overwhelm Edraele trying to manage it all.

prsstarid

I wonder when John and the crew are gonna realize they could have a completely un-hackable command network by putting an Ashanath or two on every Maliri/thrall vessel? You know Irillith is gonna be hacking thrall ships at some point, so shutting down their own com network and relying on Ashanath to relay orders would render John’s ships opaque to any reciprocal hacking attempts.

Here’s some speculation on why John is different from his crappy cousins...... if all the progens (John excluded) are the result of a progen/thrall booty call, then that makes John the exception in that humans are not a thrall species. Remember humans are an experiment in uncontrolled diversity with no compulsion to adore or obey unless a progen exerts control by force of will and/or three square meals. Maybe that, along with having grown up in a completely atypical manner, is a part of John’s ability to get more out of his dalliances with his harem. That combined with his true affection for his women might be the catalyst to the extraordinary amount of power he can draw? I’m thinking perhaps a physiological as well as psychological combination is the root of that ability.

I myself am fond of the idea of Mael'nerak still being alive. And you're right, who else could have lain such a obstacle in any explorers path? More particularly, I'd like to see his interactions with Rahn'Hagon if both he and Mael end up with Team Blake.

kinky-kong-keith

I have been thinking about something...dangerous, I know...concerning the Mists of Lorilar and Kyth'sharra (Mael'nerak's throne world) that does not add up! Jade confirms that the recordings of Valada and Mael'nerak at the time of his breaking his bond with her and leaving to fight Rahn'hagan happens on Kyth'sharra! At some time later, Valada travels to Valaden and makes it her home. That makes sense as Genthalas is there. Then, some ten millennia in the future, Edraele sends an expeditionary force into the Mists. The Maliri crew is unable to handle the effects of that part of space for even thirty minutes with some even having to be euthanized. So....how did Valada and the Maliri with her leave Kyth'sharra and traverse the Mists of Lorilar with their sanity intact? WHAT are the Mists of Lorilar...WHEN did they come into existence...HOW long have they been there...and WHO or WHAT created them? It might be postulated that perhaps Mael'nerak survived the end of the "War of the Heavens"...came back to Maliri space...created the Mists to sequester and protect himself from Xar'aziuth and other progenitors...thereby protecting the Maliri at the same time. After all, it was ten thousand years before Lar'kelnar came looking again! According to Rahn, Mael'nerak was most powerful and ancient himself at the time he was sent to look for him. We learned when John's guide severed the bond with the girls that it can be done and then John had to re-create it, so Mael'nerak could still be around without that bond. Any comments?

Arrowglass

Yes I do......but I can’t see HBO touching a story where super powers are bestowed via magical blow jobs.....mores the pity.

Does anyone else share my need to shout from the mountain top to the world about this amazing story so all can enjoy it? Maybe I just have to settle for HBO buying the rights to 3SM and starting production soon. I can dream, right? Damn that would be cool.

As ID software use to say back in the day, when asked when X game was going to be released, "Soon©"

Wozza

My take: 130 on 14th and 131 on the 29th.

Big Dude

Nope, no comments from Tefler. He did appear in the Discord channel a few days ago and said he had 16k words written, but didn't say anything about an estimated release date.

Jedi Khan

I know its somewhere in the comments but any word on when next chapter is coming out?

Nick White

You're not alone. There have been many times over the last several months that I have noticed that happening, and it has happened to me a half-dozen times or so. It's gotten to where if I'm going to make a comment more than a line or two long, that I write it in an external text editor then paste it here to post it. [ A side benefit of doing it this way is that it makes it easy to add blank lines and/or multiple paragraphs.] Then I keep my copy of my post around for at least a day or so until I'm sure that it has "stuck". It must be some screw up by patreon, but I have no idea what or why it is, nor if it will ever be fixed.

Bp Hlpt

What happened...just typed a post that was here and now it is gone?

Arrowglass

I could see them doing another expansion to the shop like the did previously. But I agree that they aren't going to build a different flagship.

I think John & Dana have decided that they want to stay with a smaller ship , with maybe another destroyer sized support ship stuffed full of guns in her hold . They prefer the maneuverability & speed of the Invictus . Besides the "HMS Ark Royal " was a carrier that sunk after being torpedoed because of design flaws .

bigdawguw65

Would have been good, but copyright...

Forbsey

I previously suggested that John's Dreadnought be named the Ark Royal, but I've changed my mind. I think the new station could be named Narnia, for The Lion, His Witch and her Wardrobe. And Aslan sounds like a much better name for a great big white majestic beastie to me! ! ! !

Braw

Rahn now has access to the tracker larn installed in Invictus. So they will know where john and co are going.

Considering they don't know where John and the team are going, nor do either of them know where Genthalas is, I imagine the answer is no, they are not sitting there waiting for John to arrive. Last we saw, they were at Arcadia waiting for the wormhole generator to recharge and for Invictus to stop somewhere long enough for them to drop in for a chat.

Jedi Khan

Do you think Rahn and Jessica are sitting cloaked at Olympus waiting for John and the girls to show up or possibly at Genthalas Station? They are going to have to meet sometime and I was expecting it to be before now.

prsstarid

An example is chapter 100. It was 93k words in total and i released it on Patreon in three 30k chunks.

Tefler

I charge patrons for each 30k word release (although the last few releases have been a bit larger). Sometimes I combine them into double-sized chapters, but I'm still basically charging by the word count. Your credit card gets billed at the end of each month.

Tefler

TLDR: If it says "Paid for by patrons" in the upper right corner you are paying for it

Martin Erhardsen

If patreon hasn't screwed up your charging info anywY.

Eriktlupus

You don't even have to download the chapters. If Tefler posts it, you get billed for it. Once. Only exception is if you put a dollar limit on your account and Tefler somehow manages to exceed it by posting multiple chapters in a month. You will still have access to all the chapters posted for that month, even if you set a dollar limit and one or more chapters exceed that limit.

Jedi Khan

Since, for some reason, some folks are confused about how patreon billing works for Tefler's releases, I'll spell it out here as a separate post so hopefully everyone will see it. :) EDIT: Tefler has clarified that you are charged based on his release. Whether or not you download it, nor how many times you download it, none of that matters, you are charged based on his release. Please Note: This is the way that Tefler has things set up for his releases. I believe that other patreon authors can set their accounts up differently. You get charged for Tefler's releases on the first of the month for any chapters THAT ARE RELEASED the PREVIOUS month. Just to be clear, you are only charged once for each chapter that is released (or twice for the double length ones) no matter how many times you download them. You could download the same chapter every day for a year (365 downloads of the same chapter) and you should only be charged once. Edited, final, and combination releases also don't count. If you've already paid for a chapter, or half a chapter, once, you shouldn't be charged again. For the last few months of last year it seems that Tefler was always posting his chapter release at the very end of the month, and since patreon charges your account on the first of the month, then you saw the two things happen close together. This time, Chapter 129 posted on the 20th, and you didn't get charged until the 1st, so there wasn't the same immediate connection. Remember: 1) Charges occur on the 1st of the month for what is released the previous month, 2) You're only charged once for each release no matter how many times, or when or if, you download it.

Bp Hlpt

If you were charged the other day, February 1st, that should have that been for Chapter 129. It came out, both originally and in edited form, in January. Chapter 128 came out in December. You get charged for Tefler's releases on the first of the month for chapters that are released the PREVIOUS month. Just to be clear, you are only charged once for each chapter that is released (or twice for the double length ones) no matter how many times you download them. You could download the same chapter every day for a year (365 downloads of the same chapter) and you should only be charged once. Edited, final, and combination releases also don't count. If you've already paid for a chapter, or half a chapter, once, you shouldn't be charged again.

Bp Hlpt

Did something change, I was charged the other day but I didn't see a new chapter?

There are serious continuity and planning issues involved in current chapters. Each page can require double checking against so many existing story elements that it can't be rushed. Continuity and unnecessary retcon goblins really don't belong in the story, but they are so sneaky.

I suspect 130 is going to turn into a monster size chapter and part 1 posts in a few days. I also hope I am wrong and you get a smaller chapter of 23k to 30k. You all know that is actually still a big chapter I hope; at least until you compare it to how spoiled we normally are.

I hope.. withdrawing symptoms.. kicking in .....

Robster

Somewhere next weekend

Robster

Tefler I have a question for you. Are you thinking about making any of your books audio. Michael scott Earle was talking about maybe doing a patreon page and I told them how you run yours. And some of the people there wanted to know that question.

Well if the fates would stay outta Tef's back pocket for a bit. IMHO it's easier to plan for a long route. If the pass looks short, it's easier to pull up short than to run fast enough to catch up. That's your mind hack for the day.

any news on next chapter

Thanks for the note MM.

Arrowglass

As a member of John's specie (heterosexual man), I see his story as a classic conundrum. To survive, one must have the love of a good woman, but to do so, you must forgo your inherited nature, which implies extinction of your original self. Women's role as savior and warden is an inevitable constant from birth to death.

Benj

Jeremy its in Ch. 106, Ch. 107, Ch. 118, Ch. 122, Ch. 126, Ch. 127. I just double checked Ch. 121 for it because my word search tool didn't find it there so I searched with MS Word directly and didn't find it either.

prsstarid

Arrow.....I agree.....despite all his meticulous research and planning, Rahn was completely taken unawares by the result. What he got was nothing like what he intended. Like that old saying...”You want the gods to laugh? Tell them your plans.” The one effect he couldn’t control was John’s completely non-traditional (by progen standards) upbringing. This resulted in an outcome he couldn’t possibly have foreseen no matter how meticulous his planning. With all progens being of essentially one shared mindset, John’s persona is beyond Rahns ability to comprehend. All those things the typical progen would consider a weakness become, in John, a vast undefinable strength.

I need a reminder, what chapter talks about the Kyth? Thanks!

RedBuffalo

Calara's could be the invictus guns themselves?

George McKeever

Trident.

Been gnawing on that myself for months....didn’t we knock this around a while back? They have been pretty damn busy and not a significant amount of time has passed since the confrontation with Larn.

Or Poseidon's staff for Helen?

Rhys

Well it could be anything, so collar them all.

Okay guys......speculate on this: If John’s focus is his sword, Larn’s was his rod, Mael’s was his staff and Gahl’s seems to be his axes what would the girls be? Here’s my guesses: Alyssa’s would be gauntlets, maybe collars for the twins, Sakura’s swords, a tongue depressor for Rachel, a wrench for Dana, Jade dunt need one, and I’m drawing a blank for Calara and Helene.... Any ideas?

Vague memory for me but now I'll have to go back and see. I'm really looking forward to how John or Jade discover Celphna and whether thru taking her they can backtrack to potentially find others.

TF4EVA

Question for the Group.... Do you think it might be possible that Celphna is a normal Lenarran like Jade's sisters or is it possible she could be another like Jade? I went searching today for it but could not find it but I recall reading Jade describing a memory of her standing with four others in front of lines of Lerarrans. Could those five have been like her with the runed heart? Am I imagining that or do other recall that. Not sure since I couldn't locate in the past chapters.

prsstarid

Question for the Group.... Why do you think that the scepter has been ignored all this time after Larn's defeat? It was clear to John a long time ago that his sword's runes "focused" his power and slowed the drain of his psychic pool dramatically. So why has John or Alyssa not created new runed weapons for Sukura or scepters, staffs, jewelry or perhaps even rifles/pistols for the other girls to increase their psychic powers and decrease their costs? Its like it has not entered their mind.

prsstarid

Do you thank that examining the Scepter was the "Project" that delayed Dana to meeting Jack, Mateo and Emily in the officers lounge?

prsstarid

The Astral monsters are very interested in getting into the material plane. John should be very interested in getting the Invictus into the Astral plane. Helene should practice hugging the weapons power core.

Mark

and we nearly got our hands on the septre....

TF4EVA

Also, Rahn tells John... *They would never have expected your assault in their worst nightmares! Innovative, resourceful, relentless... I imbued you with traits that would make you a terrifying opponent. I can hardly wait to hear tales of you flaunting their rules of war and seizing victory!* He sat back and gazed into the distance, a look of triumph on his face. *To have hunted the Progenitors to extinction... Xar'aziuth would never have anticipated such an audacious plan!* So, just what and how much extra he was given before even being born is the question? Perhaps Telfer will enlighten us further with a follow up meeting and informative chat between Rahn and John!!!! One can only hope.....LOL!!!! :)

Arrowglass

One thing is for sure, the other Progenitors will not realize that John's girls are not "Thralls" until it is too late to stop him.

I think it is apparent John is a DIFFERENT kind of Progenitor. If you consider what his father tells him about "siring" him...and I quote Rahn in his first meeting with John "After weeks of careful deliberation over whether to implement my plans, I finally decided to sire an heir and initiate my retribution." He looked at John proudly. "You were the culmination of thousands of years of meticulous research and preparation. I can still hardly believe that it worked." Rahn continues after a bit of history and being told his guide malfunctioned and is still with him... "At least you had access to all the ancient knowledge I imparted in you." His eyes darted to the glowing runesword propped against the sofa. "An artefact from a bygone era... how fitting that it was the instrument of their downfall." It does not say what ancient knowledge John was given by his father, but it makes you wonder! He further states "I wasn't idle during my time of isolation. I discovered a great many secrets... secrets that they do not wish anyone to know..."

Arrowglass

Unlikely, it would be great but nothing has been announced and the chapter came out only 10 days ago. So much going on with the new baby, the sick mother in law, etc.

Marauder

48 hours left. Wonder if we are going to get a month end gift 🎁

Chicken

I think they are not progenitor runes, that John got knowledge of via PJ, but old Kyth runes. We know he has somehow developed Kyth knowledge, perhaps from Rhan's forays into the astral before Jessica appeared. Rhan did say he came across old Kyth fortresses there. John's sword seems to have taken on some Kyth features, and Alyssa/Athena certainly appears more Kyth than progenitor.

Question for the Group..... I was reading Ch. 128 again and I had a thought. When John is teaching Alyssa about rune crafting and she asks what runes Dana's is using for the crazy stuff she does and he responds there are not runes to do that and neither was Irillith's ability to Spirit Walk in Cyber Space. Do you think John is inventing his own runes to add to the Progenitor vocabulary?

prsstarid

That's exactly what happened to Jack Fernandez. He was not calm or rational until Calara explained how her new abilities saved her brother and many millions of people in the service and on the ground.

Big Dude

You know, it is kind of a shame that none of the other girls (except Rachel) have any family (Twins aside since he's fucking theirs), because I would have liked to have seen a family member of one of the girls be told everything about the "Change", and see them react . . . poorly. I mean, if that was my daughter, and they essentially told me "Hey, John messed with my mind, you cool with that?", let's just say MY reaction would be anything but calm and rational.

kinky-kong-keith

Nope

prsstarid

Kind of old news but did we ever find out what it was that was in the Brimorian network that freaked out Irrilith?

KingzGambit

I believe Thomas is right, but John is on a time crunch. Will he take the time to claim them so others cant?h

I believe any progenitor can claim them but I think John is the only one who would do it right now. At one point Papa Rahn wanted to kill John and claim the Maliri, and I think thar answers the question/

thomas rodrian

As Larn is dead, so goes his claim to the larathyrans! Sooooooooo...can John also claim them now...is there anything keeping him from doing that? After all...he is Baen'thelas...the righter of wrongs...the Protector!!! Any thoughts?

Arrowglass

Dead easy response there.....bomb em back to the Stone Age.

It's unlikely that there are survivors. All crew on the ships would have been thralls, and as such, would have been husked. the males, and females too young to be enthralled, are all planetside.The Maliri may encounter survivors if the ships were docked at the time of the fight, but they will be easily avoided. If they only commandeer floating derelicts, there will be a mess to clean up, but no living thralls.

Question to the group.... When John eventually gets around to demanding the Brimorians free all the Abandoned and warns against any harm coming to them but the Brimorians do something stupid like killing them, what do you think would be appropriate punishment for that behavior?

prsstarid

Question to the group.... I imagine there will be a sizable ghost fleet around Larn's home planet. What do you think John will do when he finds survivors?

prsstarid

because they want to free the slaves I presume

Question to the group... Why do you think Tefler didn't have Adraele call Athgiloi and tell him to remove his fleets from Kintark space or they would be destroyed by the Maliri and save the need to dispatch the three fleets to confront them at Kinta?

prsstarid

Thanks Dude.

Fillet Athgiloi - the best Beowulf line ever!

Big Dude

With Chapter 129 posted 11 days before the end of the month, past experience suggests Tefler will be shooting to release Chapter 130, at least in part, by January 31. A "first half sent to editors" post may well be coming soon.

John Jameson

MM, I think he is already buying keyboards in wholesale lots. :-) Plus John's got to identify the traitor on Brimor, confront the Deep Pool, collect Celphna, and fillet Athgiloi. Then he can have breakfast.

Dip my butt in butter and call me a biscuit ....... seems like there’s a load of story lines that will merge in the next few days.....(TSM days that is) Lilyana bird dogging what’s left of the Kirrix...you know that’s gonna go sideways. Three Maliri fleets setting up a Fish fry Digging out the traitorous trio when the Invictus gets to Terran space What say we crowd fund Tef a new keyboard cuz he’s gonna pound the crap outa the one he’s got....

Ya she picked up on the love of a daughter to her father and back just like jade did when she was love drunk when the the cat girls projected it after they were with John

Newnotsure

Hard to do of she’s in custody.....didn’t Edreale put her under 24 hour lock down?

Kali promised that she would not try and contact Sarinia but do you think Sarinia will try and contact Kali or one of the other Young Matriarchs before John arrives?

prsstarid

my vote is for a new hover car with Crystal Alyssium shaped twenty time & Dana can sup the shit out of it maybe ?

So what does everyone think Maria's gift is going to be? Keep in mind that whatever they are buying Dana is going to do something to it.

prsstarid

https://discord.gg/MWBByBf

Wozza

Getting tired of editing double chapters?

Jedi Khan

Yes there is a discord. More importantly, I don't know if it is OCD but there is a definite pattern preference. I suspect that the chapter 130 might be a double with some action like a major fluffy bunny visitation. I am always right in my guesses if you ignore all those many times I have been wrong. I actually hope that I am wrong and we see a break from that Meta. I love a double chapter with lots of action as much as anyone, but if it is chapter 131 and that expectation that it will be 130 is thwarted, I will... Worry that the future expect will be palindrome number chapters.

Does he have a discord???

Safer to hope for two next month, what with the baby and all that's happened.

Yes they were in Chp 106. He did mention Calara's Captain rank in this chapter. Not sure if you are referring to the Commander Fernandez here, which was referring to Mateo's new rank

Thinking the 2 chapter month got blown by the 10 day delay.

Eriktlupus

with the end of the month fast approaching, would it be too much to hope for another chapter in this month itself?? Tefler did say that initially he was planning to release two chapters this month. That sickness scare to the MIL was what slowed it down....

bob lakhanpal

Thanks for the great chapter! I've been thinking about a reread, but it looks like the ebook version is Amazon only. Is there any other way to buy them? I'd really like an epub version, Kindle doesn't work on all of my devices.

Hey Tefler, Didn't Calara and Rachel get bumped up to the rank of Captain a while back?

I think she just got a rush of what ultimate love between a father and daughter feels like

rich ed

Did I miss a clue or two, or did Tefler hit us with a complete cliffhanger with what happened to Alyssa on the last page? I almost seems related to Jack and Calara's coming together there at the end.

Should we rename the Invictus the Love Boat?

PLRus--Founding member of the TSM F5 club.

Actually, all they need do is fly by the fleet in question and the bow wave of their FTL speed will decimate the ships.

PLRus--Founding member of the TSM F5 club.

Nice chapter. Can't wait to see what happens when his dad and mom catch up. And also find out what the Bimorans did to the pilot. Keep up the great work Tefler

Pat White

The bottom line is that the premise has not proven to make armor. Well that and I cannot come up with lyrics to go along with Love Shack. No, I think Love Forge was intended more as a joke.

Here’s a funny scene that would be lovely to read. The last time the girls were alone they pretty much had their butts kicked. Can you imagine what would happen now to any bad guys that felt so brave. It might play out something like this. While john and Alyssa are with the admirals the girls go off to meet with Jehanna. The twins have holo projectors so don’t need their armor. What would happen if they were ambushed and surrounded by a squad of super soldier bad guys in power armor. I could see the girls having a friendly argument about who gets to take them down. Alyssa picking it up starts to laugh and John asks what’s happening. John asks if they need help but Alyssa says that it’s been stressful lately and the girls need to blow off some steam, let them have their fun. Charles and Lina are both worried and want to send help right away. Lynton simply asks Alyssa to ask the girls to keep a couple alive. It would just be too funny to see these bad ass soldiers begin to cry once they realize what they were tricked into. I hope I haven’t spoiled a scene for Tef.

Couple thoughts on the Not-a-soul Forge. First, I'm against such an obvious answer as making it a pure Love Forge. That feels a bit simplistic, and too easy. I think it would be harder than that. I'd expect it to something that could be warped into the soul forge, then bounce up a level from what ever it was before Xar mangled it. Also remember we've already seen the start of the Not-a-soul Forge. The Trakarans have been using it for centuries to build their ships.

Hughman

The Soul Forge vs Love Forge is mot dissimilar to Monsters Inc. As most will remember, laughter produced far more energy than scream. the mistake of Mr Waternoose was to not realise that. Luckily Sully did.

Wookey

OK... Prognostication time: at some point the Invictus *will* be firing the old pink love-beam at other Progenitors ships with terribly destructive effects to them. I mean think about the foreshadowing here & in multiple earlier chapters. It's *gonna* happen! <*giggle-snort*>

John’s been doing that throughout the story

Rocketman

Well spotted on that typo, thanks!

Tefler

Tefler, SURE you can put ice with whiskey. It all depends on the people drinking it. Apparently John, being a chef in his previous life, liked it that way! https://vinepair.com/wine-blog/whats-the-deal-with-ice-and-whiskey/ Also Dr Tefler, I really enjoyed that chapter. One of your best EVER! The interaction between Calara and Jack expressed how his daughter has grown up even though he hates thinking about it. When you have boys it is one way to think, but when you have a daughter you are afraid to let her go unless you know she's got it in spades. Now Jack knows she has it in spades Ace High! Regarding the black metal, John needs to speak to Rahn on how it is created; plain and simple unless John absorbs his guide. I wonder when Rahn will show up. John has stopped twice now. I did like the scene where he put down his mental defenses to see his blue aura. Means he can kick PG's butt now and I hope we see that simple skirmish happen real soon. The need for SPEED was really well written. All of the Terran ships had sensor issues over the Invictus' relative FTL velocity. Imagine getting somewhere 12 times faster than your allies? Kick the AZZ of the opponents and leave the scraps for cleanup. I love it! HAH HAH HAH! And last but not least was John getting Dana to mentally repair her tools. Now she can think it and it is so! Bravo dude!

Big Dude

Spotted a mistake.: John put two tumblers on the bar, added some ice, then poured out the rich amber liquid. “There you go.” The mistake is you never put ice in whiskey. You just water it down

Carmina.burana123

Hi Tefler This is my first time commenting after joining Patreon. Very well done.This chapter gently eased a lot of details people are going to come back to verify over the next few chapters. I thought they had finally cracked the code on the black metal here. Alas! Scene with Jack went better than expected and felt real. I would not have believed that this here story kicked off in literotica. No sex in the chapter but a riveting read that ended up with me wasting a day at work. Hope you give me more of those in the next few years. Thanks for your creativity. Much appreciated. TSM Junkie.

Scene I would love to see. The other progenitors arrive only to have their ships disabled through psi/tech they have never seen. They know John is on x planet waiting for them so they go down still cautious of the others. When they go to face him John so tired of the games stands with sword tilting away from him held in two hands as they sense an overwhelming power from it. Charging because they've never encountered something overwhelming other than their evil psychic entity overlord they are simply wiped out. Erased from the world in an instant. As thst happens so swiftly (to save their thrall races) John, jade, and Alyssa perhaps some of the others now elevated as well step in to claim them and take over their psychic networks. Now there is the chance they figure out a way to highjavk the other progenitors networks cutting off their power making them less nessesary to kill... But I think John would go for the super quick group kill so they don't drain millions or billions of their thralls.

Grimlakin

Hi Tom, it was Larn’kelnar who made that derogatory comment about no soul forge. Same difference, really, I suppose ...

Timbo

Hi Richard, if you are open to Ipad apps, try Voice Dream. Some of the latest advanced purchased voices (6$ or so a pop to download a voice) are getting to the point that (with some additional fixing of wrongly pronounced words) I can listen to 3SQM on it an actually follow the story and enjoy, rather than going either nuts or to sleep, as used to be the case. This field is moving fast now ....

Timbo

Hey Tef something completely different, i have been futzing around with text to speech but the microsoft voices and intonation suck donkey balls. And then i haven't even started about making decent sentences and interpunction. I noticed that Audible has a erotic fiction section as well, maybe that's something to consider ?

Richard de Leeuw

“It’s the Odin’ Thunderbolt!” Mateo enthused, barely able to contain his pride. “I never imagined I’d be the Senior Navigator on a dreadnought.” So far, whenever it's been mentioned, the full name has been Odin's Thunderbolt.

ringill

Oh tefler you shit how could you end on that sentence. I’ve been in hospital the last few days so I’ve only just managed to read this chapter. I’m so so looking forward to whatever Alyssa has had awoken inside her hopefully some progenitor killing psycho mind melting thing lol.

Jim lynch

If I remember right, that was aboard the Invictus when they took Lynette back to Olympus after saving Terra from the AI.

Mitch, I think at best, maybe cousin. Tom's uncle was living in the same area as Tom's father, and the Buckinhams. We are told that Buckingham was involved back then, just not in charge. Tom's uncle seems like the type to smuggle the girl out before they started killing the participants.

Well I guess Love Forge is no more a stretch than a Soul Forge, so possibly. Can't wait for the next meeting with Rahn, partly to find out more about this tag, but mostly to see what role he ends up playing. I'm not sure it's a given that Gahl'kalgor will be able to see the tag, but do think it's likely.

Will Jack reflect on this conversation “A Progenitor called Mael’nerak CREATED Terrans as an experiment in genetic mutation... " the created part. Just like when Lynette and Jenna have a conversation back at Olympus about the after life. John does say to Lynette somewhere between being saved and becoming fleet admiral if you believe in God you may have your world view shaken.

rich ed

Just think, John still has Charles to enlighten about the change, though I think telling jack was much harder. Will Jehanna be on the ship when they leave Olympus? Will Lina be going through the change? Will Dana and Helene design the "Love Forge" and build a lovenaught equipped with love lances? And when the hell are they going to find the tracking device that is going to lead the new Progenitor ( I forgot his name) straight to the Invictus? They have three dozen plus really nasty Progenitors to kill, or one extremely nasty Xar’aziuth to destroy, or both. Not to mention the Brimorians, Kirrix, and Enshunu. All while protecting everyone else in the galaxy and knocking up more Maliri!! Holy Mindfuck Batman, what will they do?

Another great chapter!

Jammus1

Outstanding work in this chapter, Tef... while the battle scenes in previous chapters were great, it’s the character and family development and dynamics that keep me coming back. Bravo!

Steve Raulerson

I thrill ride as always. You kill me with the sudden ends, but I keep coming back for more, so no worries. I loved John having to hide a boner from Calara's Dad. That was cute/hot. I was wondering how you were going to break the harem to Jack and I have to admit, it was smooth. I teared up a little. I almost forgot about Shinatobe after all this time. Eagerly waiting for the next installment!

Found some typos, Dana kissed him on the tip of the nose. “Now... do you want us to spent [spend] the next half-an-hour inflating your ego, or should we check out the rest of the metal fragments?” *Luck had nothing to [do] with it,* Alyssa said, a look of admiration on her face. John was listening with interest as Mateo talled [talked] about his transfer to the Terra Defence Fleet, so Edraele’s interruption caught him by surprise. *What was that, Edraele?*

commatoes

Thank you once again for another gripping episode.

Nibbles

Finally got a chance get to the new chapter and just finished the first section. Thinking of the "fuel" for the soul forge, I am reminded of a passage earlier in the story. I think Rahn (or possibly Rahn) is going over John's progress and comments something like, "The fool asn't built a soul forge yet." IDK it it was intentional by Tef at the time, but the casual indifference that Larn shows in that passage is chilling. He is basically looking at the Maliri as simple fuel and wonders why John hasn't logically start burning them up to make the black metal. I suddenly have this image of young women being shoveled into a blast furnace to power a steel mill. It might be unintentional but I immediately pictured the holocaust and the image from the movie The Wall where the UK school system is a massive meat grinder.

commatoes

Does anyone else think Tom Morgan is Dana’s brother? The gold rim in his eye color made me think about it and his dad is guilty of something, like maybe leaving a child on Karron?

Brilliant! The way you make me laugh & cry within a few paragraphs, whilst writing such an epic story shows a true gift. And the sheer volume - 101 pages within a month. I love your imagination & sense of humour & still really enjoy the sexy bits - bugger skipping over those bits! Truly wonderful. Thank you. May it never end. I just hope you somehow get acknowledged by the rest of the publishing world sooner rather than later & that your Amazon ebooks do really well.

GBo

This story has beyond any expectations that I've had. So much detail and the anticipation you build into every chapter is great. I look forward to the next chapter. Is John going to get a handle on his guide in the near future? Wondering if the next trip to the astral plain will shed some light on that along with any new tech. Wish there was a way to get Dana in there... She would have a field day...

King James

I'm wandering the exact same thing. What are they up to?

kinky-kong-keith

Absolutely loved it. Way the emotions are conveyed was amazing. Just took me through the journey. Awesome writing Mr.Tef . Just can't wait for the next one.

Still no update on Rahn and Jess? Last we heard they were waiting for the wormhole generator to recharge, 12 hrs, to "catch up to John". Its been like 2 almost 3 days now, Tef did you forget to update that by chance? just curious, but still a hell of a chapter, keep up the good work.

Absolutely fantastic! Still hurts any time Faye is mentioned...

Evan

Seconded! I admit that during rereads, I often skip the sex scenes just to get to the narrative quicker. The sex scenes are fantastic, but the battles and the tech upgrade scenes are superb Tef!

Simorthelast

My eldest son loves robots and the youngest is captivated by his bus mobile (not the phone). It'll be interesting to see what toys the second one will be drawn to. :) Oh and if I had a scale model of the Invictus it would be one of "Daddy's toys", kept safely out of reach!

Tefler

I think it helps a story a lot if you like the main cast, so I'm glad you love the characters. I discussed this before and it's much easier to create someone that a reader is going to loathe, then it is to create a universally likeable character. One of the fun things about writing a story is having complete control over your cast of characters, so they can fit the roles you want for them. It doesn't always work out though! One example that springs to mind is Jar-jar Binks. Lucas wanted him to be a loveable slapstick type of character (to disguise him being a Sith Lord). Unfortunately, he made him so fucking annoying that the fan base hated him... which forced Lucas to come up with something completely different in episodes 2 and 3.

Tefler

Slightly unrelated topic, is one of your child's first toys going to be a scale model of the Invictus?

David Shmilowitz

"You are testing my patience with this cliffhanger! " Uh oh... do I need to do another chapter 120 style ending to demonstrate what a cliffhanger is really like? :) I prefer to think of endings like this as a surprising twist at the end of a scene. All they were concerned about was trying to mend Jack and Calara's relationship, but Calara finally putting months of stress and worry behind her obviously had unintended benefits... :)

Tefler

Hahaha! No.

Tefler

That was actually a really hard one to write. Dialogue always gets tricky when there's multiple things going on in a conversation... so I'm pleased you enjoyed it!

Tefler

Well done figuring out the Soul Forge mystery. :)

Tefler

I couldn't keep going forever, it was already 4.5k longer than I intended. :) I'll crack on with chapter 130 today.

Tefler

You're welcome!

Tefler

It was her little spot on the Invictus, so it invokes strong memories in John whenever he sees it. That's one of the reasons he moved them down to the Observatory, so he wouldn't have to keep seeing it.

Tefler

That's great to hear you enjoyed it. The family is fine now, thank you!

Tefler

Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed the crew chats, it was fun writing their conversations.

Tefler

You and your cliff hangers! Loved the chapter.

Who Me

Ah, I'm such a plagiarist! Well done if you predicted how the Soul Forge worked that far back!

Tefler

With a new baby in the house, my writing has taken quite a big productivity hit. I'd like to get back into 2 chapters a month, with the spare time spent working on eBooks as before. The wife has been leaving me in peace for longer stretches recently, so it's been easier to get big chunks of writing done.

Tefler

Thanks very much! It's great to hear you enjoyed it.

Tefler

Nice job on the edits, thanks! I think John poured out a drink for Emily a few sentences above, immediately after she requested one.

Tefler

Thanks for the speech error, that should be fixed now. :)

Tefler

I wasn't ready for the feels. Absolutely stellar writing Tefler.

Another enjoyable chapter, it doesn't have to be space battles all the time! (Although I did for a moment have visions of John humping his way onto a Progenitor Dreadnought and then spraying the opposition Thralls!) Meanwhile a speech mismatch for you, She laughed at his confession, her delight quite evident. *Oh, that is a relief! I shall act accordingly, my Lord...”

ringill

Why? You could have left off the last paragraph or so and I would have been happy with the new chapter. Now I'm going to be waiting with bated breath for the next one. You are testing my patience with this cliffhanger! But aside from me being an impatient reader this chapter was great, as usual. I've got to mention that even thought it was obvious what the black metal was made of (A: why would they call it a soul forge if it didn't use souls? B: we already knew they use Thrall's life force/soul for power when the Thrall's normal energy is tapped) that scene was still well-written and made me feel for Alyssa.

Y

So now I'm curious.. Has your mother in law read this story? ;)

Grimlakin

Firstly I am glad MIL is better. Secondly WHOA so much intrigue in this chapter you made me laugh cry and then get super frustrated at he end. Well Done indeed bro!!!!!

After they rescued him from the mines, then the battle for regulus, Rachel cured his sulphur damage.

Must remember no MIL jokes... Hope all is well with clan and MIL is well on the way to recovery.

Penfold

Love this hypothesis, and the love vs hate binary is one that’s really been standing out to me in this chapter.

darkuncle

Faye back SOON please!

Every chapter I keep thinking there’s no way I could love the story any more than I already do, and you keep finding ways to improve your writing and make me love the characters even more. Bravo, Tefler.

darkuncle

I echo Alyssa's comment. Masterfully done. I really liked the conversation between Nathan and Alyssa. Supreme tact.

AlyxHaestrom

Glad everyone is doing well. I really enjoyed the chapter.

I see my theory about the soul forge and black metal was right. Also, GAH! Again with the cliffhangers Tefler? Have some mercy on us poor readers.

Thanatos95

Ugh was not ready for it to end......more, please. Also the thunder joke killed me, I laughed way too hard at that for way too long, great chapter.

Kensyi

Good to hear your MiL is back on her feet again. What a scare that must have been.

MuddMaxx

An excellent birthday present for me.

Caleb Jamison

Chapter was great and good to hear you r family is also home and safe.

Wow.

PLRus--Founding member of the TSM F5 club.

Tefler, great chapter! I found some suggested edits for Chapter 129, and some may have been mentioned by others already; however, they are as follows: Page 24: “Now... do you want us to spen(t)d the next half-an-hour inflating your ego, or should we check out the rest of the metal fragments?”; Page 26: “Well she totally wrecked the bed...” Dana replied, her gaze returning to the streaked metal. “S(s)o what do you reckon?”; Page 29: she’ll be better than any pilot in the Terran Federation N(n)avy.*; Page 49: “What would my future brother-in-law like to drink?” John asked, as he poured out Strawberry Daiquiries for Calara(,) Sakura( and Emily).; Page 54: *Luck had nothing to (do) with it,* Alyssa said, a look of admiration on her face.; Page 61: John was listening with interest as Mateo tal(k)ed about his transfer to the Terra Defence Fleet,; Page 62: it’ll be one of the most powerful ships in the Federation (N)navy when they’re finished!”; Page 82: “I’d love to mediate and peacefully resolve their grievances, but we’(v)re got higher priorities.”; Page 84: You’ve given me the strength and resolve I need to see me th(r)ough the war.”; As always, if you disagree, I completely understand. Good luck with Chapter 130. Cheers!

Such a nice chapter! Thank you!

MaydaysSin

Great story again, brought some tears when approached Faye's chair.

Dan Ferguson

"What a rush" this chapter is! Where did I see that before...lol!!!! Such a great read...one of the best yet...so well done!!! Thanks! Hope all is well now with your family!!!

Arrowglass

Another fantastic chapter! All I can say is, more please😉

If anyone has issues downloading you need to close the browser and then reconnect. I was getting file not found errors and javascript errors before closing and restarting!

Big Dude

Great job as always señor. Kudos on the character conversations the crew has in their “downtime”. I’ve enjoyed this story immensely the several times I’ve read it. Thank you. Also glad to hear that your family is well. Cheers!

Another glorious chapter as usual. One bit I noticed is this part “It can come in handy,” Rachel said, in a mastery of understatement. She turned her smile towards Calara’s family members. “Mateo, Jack, it’s lovely to see you again.” I am pretty sure Rachel only met Mateo, because she did not go with John and Calara and Mateo to Jacks ship after the battle unless she met Jack at the awards ceremony?

rich ed

Nice, thanks!

Tefler

Oh, nice spot on the Baledranax mixup! Glad you enjoyed the scene with Jack. :)

Tefler

That was awesome!!

Philip Hannum

Great writing Tef, what a chapter!

Wonderful chapter! One moment in particular got to me pretty good, Jack's line ,"I'm just wandering if you're still my little girl?" and what followed after. Damn what a good scene! And I noticed an error during Edreale's discussion with the Fleet Commanders, she mentions 'Emperor Kindralax' instead of Baladranex.

kinky-kong-keith

Great news about the MiL!! Can't wait to read the chapter.

"...black Progenitor Metal. "No, this is..." Progenitor metal.?

zingowner

Oh great. Tefler gets all the credits, again. I called the soul forge operation in May of last year, and did anyone pay attention? Noooo... of course not. J/k! Tefler, good read, as always. Thanks!

Great chapter too bad i already tore through it, now the long wait for a new chapter begins again, i might reread it from the beginning tough. When is your new amazon book coming out Tef or is that still in the works ?

Richard de Leeuw

Great new about MIL and thanks for the chapter.

Glad everything worked out with your MIL

High praise indeed! :) "Playful" dialogue is easy to write as you can just banter between the characters. It's much harder to write scenes with specific points to make in the conversations, so the dialogue between Alyssa and Zelig was tricky, as was the lengthy chats with Jack.

Tefler

Thanks! It's always a relief when people enjoy a chapter!

Tefler

Thanks for the kind words, it's great to hear you enjoyed it. I was worried there might be too much character development dialogue loaded into the second half, but that's just the way it pans out in the story sometimes.

Tefler

thank you

Great to hear MIL is ok!

Nchalada

I love the emphasis on love. The original species that john is because he clearly isn't just a progenitor any more is something different at its core. The progenitors are built on hate and forced sacrifice. Where as what John and his crew are are based on love and compassion and action based on enforcing that, even violent action. It's a great bending and I think that Alyssa just had an eppifany regarding just that. I have the sense that she will be able to create or unlock the ability to create their own forge. Now don't get the tie dye out but... A love forge. Amplifying the positive emotions tk create their own new material vastly. Superior to the black metal and forged of just.. Love and compassion and well to be frank a ample Helping of badassery. Maybe I'm. Wrong but I kind of home I'm not. I'd love to see John in the final version of the Invictus parked in front of a powerful storm of attacks from multiple progenitor capital ships and be able to calmly. Ask them why. Maybe even free them from their dark masters control and see what they do only destroying those that don't see what they have become and repent. (lots. Of suicides I'd imagine)

Grimlakin

That was such a great chapter. While I'm always amazed by the scale you are able to write at, with everything coming together in massive space battles containing numerous perspectives, I think it is chapters like these with their really strong emotional moments that elevate you to another class. That is when you truly shine as a writer

Damn good Chapter, Tefler! Loved it!

MightyMackinac

Tef, I'm glad to hear she is okay. Thank you for the update.

That was awesome! Though I am curious what the cliffhanger is leading into...a month of dwelling on speculations for Ch130....Also, just thinking...isn't Kali getting a tad bit rebellious? Closing off thoughts, arguing with her matriarch, I sense a possible plot twist there...

Technomage

Tef, awesome as always. Masterful emotional rollercoaster, this one - not as blatant as other, previous chapters. The character development is impressive too, taking already powerful characters and showing/emphasizing aspects that've been hinted at but not explored as well before. I love that Jack was pissed repeatedly, but recanted repeatedly as well - very good, keeping his character consistent. Appreciate your hard work here!

J B

Congrats on MIL recovering. Yay!

Muledrvr

Thank you, Tefler!

Evan

I can't believe you read it that fast!

Tefler

It was four years since she last had to sell herself. Alyssa was 14 when she met Sparks and ended up working as her gopher (in exchange for food).

Tefler

Tef, one question though.....“I’m eighteen,” Alyssa murmured, breaking eye contact and looking away. “It’s been four years.” What does she mean by four years?

andrew finlayson

Crackin' Monday evening bonus read, just when I was needing something to get my teeth into! Cheers maestro

Thanks, Tefler, I did not expect this for a few more hours. Thanks for the surprise.

thomas rodrian

Well any plans for the next hour are shot to hell!

commatoes

Wow!! It’s 3am IST and I am up reading it

bob lakhanpal

Yippeeee

DCM

thank you sir

Cheers Mr

Braw

Score!

Sirloki

GREAT chapter Tef .... thanks for that!

andrew finlayson

REAL LIFE CAN BE HARD

Mjk154

THANK YOU TEFLER I KNOW REAL LIFE CN

Mjk154

Glad she’s OK

Thank you it is greatly appreciated. Happy to hear that the MiL is healthy and recovered.

GDay (FMS)

Thank you I was stuck at home now I have something to do.

yay

Muledrvr

Yay! A great way to celebrate the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Holiday!

Yupeee! Really good the hear the MiL is Home

Mac of Alden

Sweet

Roman Andrew Chalfant

Glad your MIL is ok! And thanks for the chapter, now I got something to do tonight lol

Knucklehead

Thank you sir!

Steve

YES Thank you Tefler

Sparky's Wife!!!

so glad to hear the MIL is home and well, thank you for the read and here's to an incredible New Year...

Taco1085

Yay!

CJ Mora

Yes yes yes .... thanks Tef you are the best

Kim Biel-Nielsen

Most excellent. Thanks Tefler.

Thanks Tefler, How is the Mother In Law doing?

Cignal

Thank you for the chapter and I am relieved to hear that the MiL is home and feeling much better.

yay! Glad to hear that's shes ok!

Simorthelast

Awesome!!