Three Square Meals - Chapter 107: part 2

If and read FFS

Spartan 52

It if you have the free ms word app, then it makes these files really easy to reaf and better than on Lit

Spartan 52

Thanks.

He typically submits the finished chapter to Lit on the same day he posts it here. However, due to all submissions to Lit requiring review by moderators, it can take either several days or upwards of a week to post.

Jedi Khan

Are you going to post this to Lit? I'm curious because Lits format is easier to read on a phone?

Thanks for the update! Happy summering with your son...enjoy him while you can...they grow up so fast!!!!!

Arrowglass

TF, bigdawg's theory is sound, because no-one came for 60,000 years or so, and when MN has mellowed and is showing a softer side, freeing the nymphs, having scores of worlds with apparently happy populations, up comes a new and ruthless progenitor to either destroy him, or turn him back to the dark side. i'm still confused about the ghostly images that alyssa saw on the legacy. in it MN had a goatee beard, but he was clean shaven in the files that tashana found, during the peaceful times, before the appearance of Ranagon. Unless he grew it back before the final battle with ranagon, who were the red headed, yellow skinned thralls he was fighting?

I like the idea Beowulf. The maliri definitely enthralled and your suggestion that Ranagon whittles away the maliri to deplete MNs power makes good strategic sense. Do you think the Ashanath and trankarrans were enthralled too i.e MN could draw power off them? Maybe the original job of the glowing queen was to act as a matriarch. The other idea bigdawg raises is that Ranagon is sent which of course suggests when any progenitor goes off script an enforcer is sent to sort them out

TF4EVA

@Jedi Khan on LIT he said it'll be done by tomm

Personally as long as you keep posting a reply or something once every few days post the chapter whenever you are comfortable

TF I don't think ranagon was capturing territory, rather he was destroying worlds that were under MN's control, both to provoke him and at the same time to kill his thralls and thus weaken him, by eliminating the power he could draw from them.

Thank you, Tefler, for the update! So, most of us will begin to anticipate finalization of chapter 107 and chapter 108 coming out sometime between the 15th and 20th, with chapter 109 coming at the end of the month. Please note that I'm not saying that that will happen, just that we'll anticipate it happening. :-) I hope you're enjoying the summer holidays with your son! That's far more important, and we can wait a bit longer while you do that! If that means that a release gets delayed until next month, so be it. We'll miss our fix, but we'll (mostly) be (somewhat) understanding. :-)

Evan

Hand drawn maps from Tefler. Not to scale or anything, but should give you a rough idea of where the major races are in relation to each other. <a href="https://www.patreon.com/user/posts?u=3814558&amp;tag=Empire%20Maps">https://www.patreon.com/user/posts?u=3814558&amp;tag=Empire%20Maps</a>

Jedi Khan

Braw/TF, it was the black Invictium armor, the first metal alloy that Dana created back on Ashana, that was part of that scene. And it was Jade and John kissing while in dock at Ashana where it happened. I don't think that scene had any real significance aside from showing that a psychically reactive metal reacted to John and Jade, thus hinting at the two of them being psychics. Also, there has been no evidence thus far that the black metal used by the Progenitors and their thralls is psychically reactive like Dana's Crystal Alyssium is. After looking at the black armor of the Legacy, Dana knows what its atomic structure is and that it is vastly superior to Crystal Alyssium, but has no idea how it's forged. She has said it would take her several weeks of R&amp;D to figure that out before she could even begin trying to replicate the metal.

Jedi Khan

Good to hear. By the way, how are the edits for 107 part 2 coming? Anything significant since you wrapped up the final scenes back on the 1st?

Jedi Khan

So unlike MN in his most benevolent stage John at least is sharing not only the tech but the understanding of the tech so rahter than being left at a lesser tech evolutionary space they his allies will always be further ahead than they were. The Ashanath and Maliri have benefited from Dana being exposed to their current 'platforms' so I have no doubt if she sees the Trankarran shipyrads she will discover something which will push them beyond churning out their current stock in the way they do. I think Dana will unravel the secrets of the periodic table and the science behind creating the black metal as well as the worm hole generator.

TF4EVA

Thank you Bigdawg and Beowulf for giving me something to think about in regards to Valada and the matriachs. It seems from the flimsy indications we have that MN came in his black ship and created from the captured females his army of thralls. I guess I kind of struggle to see these different races being mannipulated into a claimed race who become the Maliri - the chosen. Anyway he 'creates' his thralls who appear to inhabit a world (the throne world) and we assume he has a a matriarch who draws power from the thralls to feed their master MN. At this stage he is also recruiting (the description by the Ashanath of the site on new eden ). Eventually he has put Valada in as Matriarch (ie they have bonded and she has a telepathic bond with the thralls) and MN starts to have a personality change (maybe like that we are seeing in LK but definitely as we see between John and his three) and starts some experiments - some like the Ashanath and Trankarran for particular purposes. In the early days there was progen ship to ship action as evidenced by the Legacy ghosts and later we definitely know MN's thralls had tormentor class destroyers (as witnessed by Nexus). Ranagon the despoiler seems to have come in eventually and attacked MN and we assume through the legacy ghosts that Ranagon had thralls that were yellow skinned and red haired (as opposed to Johns blue skinned and white haired maliri). The war does not go well for MN and eventually he sacrifices himself - but not before breaking the bond with Valada (does that mean he was unable to draw off the thralls that went with him, appointed a new matriarch or he drew power off his thralls - from John's experience so far when Ayssa has gone down so does he so maybe the way to beat a progenitor is to take out there power supply). I suspect as he went deep into ranagons captured territory his thralls fought to clear his path and when MN went toe to toe with Ranagon he triggered his surprise. Since that time until the time of John Blake the position of Matriarch for the Maliri has had a ceremonial purpose but Valada's line has inherted a third helix giving them some residual exposure to psychic energy. The trankarans obviously once had glowing queens and again until LK and now John Blakes efforts the role I suspect was ceremonial (no evidence except you need a progen and none since MN). So all in all I wonder if the quality of the bond with one's matrirach effects the personality of the progenitor? Just some musings and still thinking what and if any of this has or brings any meaning...

TF4EVA

I've been working on chapter 108 and I'm about half-way through so far. With my son on summer holidays, I've ended up having to do lots of childcare due to a variety of factors. I'm still aiming to get two chapters finished by the end of the month, and I'll have to work on eBook 4 in September!

Tefler

Don't know.Should find out on this update.

Braw

Oh is he doing e-book 4 now

Jim lynch

That was before he started the E-books.It's usually been around the 15-17 day mark since,With an update around the 10-12 day period.Or about now.

Braw

Anyone know how long till next chapter it’s usually around 10-11 days.

Jim lynch

I'm having trouble picturing where all of the races are in the galaxy. Is there a map anywhere?

Bigdawg, in the recording of Valada that Tashana found, Valada says that when MK disappeared, he took his tech with him. perhaps that is why no-one has been able to replicate the ships or weapons since. ""My name is Valada, and I was once Matriarch to Mael'nerak," she began in a sombre tone, staring bleakly at the camera. "I'm recording this message to warn future generations of the threat the Progenitors pose and my dearest hope is to save the Maliri from future enslavement." Her expression turned furious, her eyes flashing with anger as she continued, "Mael'nerak is gone and it's been six months since we last saw him. He abandoned me when forced to confront one of his fellow Progenitors and I can only assume both were slain in the battle, ending the pointless and brutal war. Billions slain, whole planets obliterated... the Maliri must never be abused in such a way again!" Valada's eyes narrowed as she said ominously, "Their nature is to enslave, conquer, and destroy, in an endless cycle of carnage that's been repeated for countless millennia. Mael'nerak told me that before he established what is now the Maliri Regency, there was a thriving civilisation that existed here. They were a peaceful people called the Achonin and while their mastery of technology was impressive, they were not a warlike species. Mael'nerak smashed the ill-prepared Achonin fleets, then proceeded to commit genocide on a vast scale, destroying entire worlds and slaying billions in the process. Their entire civilisation was exterminated, the last remnants facing a lingering death on scattered outposts." Her expression was haunted with grief as she murmured, "Then it was our turn to witness that level of savagery and I can only pray that the Maliri are never again subjected to such terrible loss." She looked despondent as she continued, "Mael'nerak and his ship have disappeared, taking his technological secrets with him. None of the Thrall vessels that accompanied him have returned, so I've ordered a vast shipbuilding program at Genthalas to replace our losses and ensure the Maliri are not left defenceless."

My brother was working in Rainham, Essex in a bit of a sun trap on Tuesday where it reached 35C, he was in the same place yesterday, Thursday, and it struggled to reach 15C.

ringill

Maybe the Soul Forge uses the souls of thralls as part of the raw material or the energy source. Hence the need for thralls before a Soul Forge? Possibly a quick way to build psychic power for other purposes?

PwdRacing

At least it looks like the heat wave finally ended. Temperatures should be much more comfortable now than they had been for Tefler and his family.

Evan

TF..thanks...had another thing kick up in my head , someone in another post mentioned maybe why they haven't made the black armor since MN's disappearance was because the material wasn't in this area of space , what if the mystery ingredient comes from the Astral plane ? &amp; only Progenitors have ability to bring it across that threshold ? We've seen the Astral beings for all their power can't cross over , so maybe that's why the Progenitors were created to extend their power into this reality .

bigdawguw65

Ranagon didn't just come into a area of space to set up his empire but was sent (by who we're not sure ) specifically to over throw MN , so he would have had to have come armed to do the job . He would have had to have his Matriarch with him to pass on his orders &amp; supply him with power . Why MN changed Matriarch was probably same reason he did his genetic experiments , boredom . Progenitors beside John don't seem to be emotionally attached to their Matriarch so after a couple of thousands yrs I could see them switching out for a new model . It is interesting that LK seems to have changed his attitude regarding Ailanthia after 4 thousand yrs . Maybe John is having a good influence on him .

bigdawguw65

Bigdawg. i agree that lk arrived fully set up. i just theorised that both MN and Ranagon arrived in their own ships, and then set up their empires. we don't yet know if Ranagon came equipped with an army of thralls and a matriarch, or if he collected them from a region of space we have not been introduced to. Since it would be unlikely that a progenitor would send his matriarch into battle, and a diet of his cum leads to a long life, i cant think why MN would need to change matriarchs, especially when his empire seems stable after he destroyed the achonin, and perhaps the vulkat for 60000 years prior to the appearance of ranagon.

Beowulf...in the Nexus recordings that the crew watched MN said about Valada a obvious inexperienced looking recruit "this is the last time I'll chose a Matriarch for her looks " since his Empire is by that time established it presupposes that he had Matriarchs before her . LK arrived in this space as an already mature Progenitor with a Matriarch he's had for at least 4 thousand yrs &amp; ( he has an Empire somewhere else ) If you believe the Ashanta pictographs MN arrive by himself &amp; defeated a number of pre-industrial societies , killing the males &amp; carrying off the women to establish his thrall race &amp; become a full fledged Progenitor .

bigdawguw65

and as for the difference between progenitor/thrall ships, LK appears to have arrived in this part of the universe in his own ship, complete with armour and firepower. is there reason to doubt that ranagon and MK didn't do the same? perhaps the materials to create a progenitor ship are not available here.

As for the trankarans, according to niskera and her recall of the legends, they were the miners to supply the chosen ones with materials to build the great wheel. sound like a good description of genthalas. perhaps the star forges were merely a way for the basically unskilled miners to build ore carriers quickly.

TF, i don't think there were any before Valada. in ch 90, there is quite a bit of reflection by LK's matriarch, who i still think is a nymph. the opening paragraph of ch 90 states "Ailanthia stretched like a cat on the soft black sheets, letting out a deeply contented sigh. She felt the wonderful heavy weight at her waist and one of her light-green hands slid down over her gloriously curved abdomen." she goes on to reflect that up until a couple of month previously, she was virtually ignored for millenia, but since then LK had been much more attentive , even loving. the time frame coincides with john "coming out" as a progenitor.

If Niskera took another load would she start seeing things of value at Vulkamduhr? Would she change too much if she did?

TF4EVA

Could we have an update please Mr Tefler?

Braw

I think technically the thrall ships are progentor tech but for some reason I and I think some others believe that the vessel the progenitor operates out of is stronger, faster and has bigger guns (quantum flux class) and a worm hole generator whereas the thrall ships are essentially troop carriers and escort vessels less strongly armoured and weaponised. thus in the big bang the 'mother-ships' of the Progen are more likely to survive than the thrall sips. I suspect the parts identified to date in the Vulkat archives are standard issue thrall - still better than anything anyone currently has but still.... But you are right to say the thrall tech is still progen tech...

TF4EVA

Oh OK, we're not classifying Progenitor-tech-built ships as Progenitor ships ..... my bad.

andrew finlayson

nice bigdawg. John had control of some of the Maliri early on but he didn't claim them as a race til much later. When he did acknowledge it there seemed to be one of those gasps from everyone as something clicked. Not sure if that makes a difference. As John has gathered more power he has been able to do more but is still hamstrung by locking up PJ. He has been developing the 3rd helix through sex with his pride and this has as you say seen an advance in his tech development. The wards and lionesses have been providing him and alyssa with power and he (and to some degree Athena) in turn has dialled up what his lionesses and he can do - until John deals with PJ he will still be behind the eight ball in terms of tech development and his understanding of his potential.

TF4EVA

Thanks Braw. Whatever that imprint was it momentarily changed something about the armour. You're right of course Evan, the idea of progenitors having sex all over the bonnet of their rides maybe a bit far fetched let alone emoting... However they have a huge psychic potential and once they have thralls something might be possible. The Trankarran star forge is well named as it draws on a star so a soul forge???

TF4EVA

It was a white aura/psychic imprint on the black(Alyssium)armour.

Braw

LK during the Battle of Terra said " he took control of the Maliri last month , he should have constructed a Soul Forge weeks ago " it seems to indicate that a Progenitor needs his thrall race before he can build his Soul Forge , so like I said in earlier post MN didn't have either his thralls or his Progenitor gear when he arrived here (from wherever Progenitors come from) &amp; had to first gather his females &amp; then create his thralls &amp; then his tech . Once he established his Empire , after awhile he seems to have come up with the plan to create slave races to do some of the grunt work , Trankarans =miners/metal workers , Ashanta = physic command &amp; control &amp; eventually humans to ease his boredom . The big problem of being the big cheese &amp; holder of all the power is then you have to do all the work , We've seen the same development in John , the increase of power &amp; tech as he gathered more followers , wards . He had the benefit of having a thrall race up &amp; running &amp; available in the Maliri so he didn't need to create one from scratch , thus he's moving faster than maybe LK counted on . we shall see.

bigdawguw65

Interesting... but do the Progenitors (other than John) really strike you as being driven by their hearts and emotions? Perhaps...

Evan

The only progenitor ships we've seen mentioned as damaged are MN's (now the legacy) and the one on Arcadia. MN's damaged in the fight with Ranagon and it seems all the thrall vessels on both sides were destroyed in the explosion of the worm hole generator. So what happened to Ranagons vessel?

TF4EVA

I can't help but go back to that reference in the early days (at olympus I think) when John is kissing one of the girls while they are only the hull. When they leave a shiny black resonance is noted where they were. Soul - heart - emotion????

TF4EVA

Hmm... one more reason to think that the Star Forges aren't the Soul Forge. If John needs the Soul Forge to create the materials that comprise the Star Forges - that black metal that was referenced, although it might not be the same at all - or more importantly, the black metal that his own ship should consist of, then he can't require that same metal in order to create the Soul Forge to create the metal. I don't think that the Soul Forge is a huge construct at all, and almost certainly nothing like the Star Forges. I suspect that it is rather well named, instead.

Evan

Andrew, the Vulkat were able to destroy Thrall Ships, albeit at a terrible cost. At no time does it indicate, anywhere, that a Progenitor's ship was destroyed, or even damaged, by the Vulkat.

Evan

what happened to the Matriarch(s) before Valada? When we first see her she appears to be a simple 'serving wench' - how did she become the number one squeeze?

TF4EVA

faye and Dana estimate that it will take two days to build the new tachyon lances and the Zero-Point Regulators and an hour or so to install. Did anyone notice if they were going to build the Solid-Phase Shield Matrix or do you think they will wait till they get back to Genthalas Station? Maybe they could go back to the Vulkat and ask if they still have the one they found (at least the materials will be authetic). Just with the brimorian shields they are pretty good but with a hardened shield they won't have to worry about the drones at all. Dana has so many projects to do and so little time...

TF4EVA

"We know of no case where a Progenitor ship has been affected in any way whatsoever except by another Progenitor's ship. " The Vulkat queens memories were that "All that ferocious fighting led to horrific losses, the Vulkat losing a dozen ships for every invader vessel. " So the Vulkat were able to destroy Progenitor ships, albeit at a terrible cost.

andrew finlayson

All good possibilities! :-)

Evan

Bloody Patreon keeps eating my posts! Sorry, but I don't agree. Mael'nerak had Quantum weapons. Thrall ships had Tachyon Lance weapons. Later Maliri vessels (without Mael'nerak's continued presence) only had Nova Lances. Progenitor ship shielding we don't know much about, but it was sufficient to withstand Quantum weapons, such that Mael'nerak had to blow holes in space-time to try to destroy Ranagon, potentially sacrificing his own life in the process. Thrall ships merely had hard shields, but that wouldn't make them immune to Quantum weapons. The Vulkat were even able to recover damaged Thrall ships. We know of no case where a Progenitor ship has been affected in any way whatsoever except by another Progenitor's ship. The Ashanath couldn't even properly repair the Legacy, since they couldn't manipulate the material that the ship was made of, but merely adhered other, weaker materials to it to form a solid shell. You'll also note that the Legacy's original materials were not impacted by the Drakkar in any way, shape or form during the Drakkar attack upon it. The Ashanath power sources were pale copies of the actual Progenitor cores as well, and we've known that almost since their first visit to Ashana. In no case do we see true Progenitor technology in use by anyone other than a Progenitor. Even Dana's modifications don't compare, by her own admission, since she can't (yet) replicate the materials that the Progenitor's technology is built from. So, no, I don't see that Mael'nerak cared all that much about his Thralls, at least until Valada had been his Matriarch for some time, and that was almost too late, as Ranagon appeared soon thereafter. Up until Valada, I don't see that Mael'nerak would have treated his Thralls very differently than Larn'kelnar (or Ranagon) has been treating his Thralls. Yes, we agree that those that he left behind couldn't replicate his technology, but more than that, they lost even the ability to retain what they had had as his Thralls in terms of that same technology. Perhaps it was a case of lacking theoretical knowledge, or perhaps it was a psychic power issue. Unknown at this point, I'd say. I can understand your perspective upon where the Soul Forge should be, but I suspect that this isn't the case. Remember, the Soul Forge predates the Trankarans significantly, and it didn't require them to operate it. Yes, they were his miners and designed for that work, although I'm not sure if they were also supposed to be his metal workers, but after the mining was done, why would he need them? He hadn't needed them for tens of thousands of years to create nor to use his Soul Forge, so why would he need them then? And if he did, what did they contribute and why were they unable to do so upon his departure? Honestly, I've read that description of the Star Forge a number of times now, and to me, it seems that they're extruding an almost solid block of material (in different sizes) in a self-delivering package. It's like a large factory floor for mixing, pouring and extruding metals. The output of the Star Forges doesn't appear to me to relate in any significant fashion to the Thrall ships, much less a Progenitor vessel. This is one of the reasons why I believe that the Soul Forge of Mael'nerak will be found much closer to his former Throne World, which I'm suspecting more and more will be the world now known as Valaden and that the Soul Forge may well be aboard the semi-defunct station called Genthalas.

Evan

Current mission for the Invictus is freeing the Terran outer rim from the Kirrix invaders and securing the recapured ground until the reinforcements arrive. Of course they will make miraculous discovers at Karron. Given the depleted nature of the Terran forces maybe they can ask for help from some allies? In ridding the galaxy of Kirrix the invictus is also doing a favour for the Trankarans and so we might see the Invictus move into Trankarran space and swing by the Vulkamduhr Shipyards which might set John and Dana off on new learnings. For us we might get closer to learning what is a soul forge - but then Tashana and Irillith might translate the Vulkat achives by then and learn about it from there.

TF4EVA

Evan... have to disagree with you on a number of points .MN didn't give his thrall races inferior tech , they were using his tech to create his arms &amp; ships , why would he not give them the best , they were fighting his battles . LK on the other hand has given his puppets knock off tech , superior enough to do the damage he wants but not enough to threaten him . Now after MN disappeared his subject races attempted to duplicate what they had but lacked his powers &amp; knowledge &amp; skill , ending up with superior tech from what was available around them but far inferior to Progenitor tech . As to location of the Soul forge it makes most sense that it would be in Trankaran space , they were his miners &amp; metal workers specifically designed for the work . During WW2 they didn't build the ships &amp; tanks&amp; planes in Washington DC , they were made in Detroit &amp; Pittsburg &amp; shipyards on the two coasts where the workers &amp; materials were at . Also made sense for Ranagon to attack through there cutting MN off form his supplies &amp; ability to rearm . Also MN didn't have hisarmy or ships when he started his conquest of this corner of space , the first pictographs showed him by himself with just at first a crude looking rod &amp; later physic powers to destroy civilizations described as pre-industrial by the Ashanta , killing the males &amp; kidnapping the women . The Achonin weren't the first peoples he attacked they came later after he built up his thrall army (the Maliri) He did have his soul forge since they were depicted marching back into a Blackship after destroying that last world in the pictographs , maybe they were the Achonin .

bigdawguw65

As a follow up, I'm hopeful that when John and Dana see the Star Forges, they'll trigger a response akin to that which they've had when they've seen other Progenitor-derived technology, so that they can begin to move towards the creation of a Soul Forge-like solution for themselves.

Evan

Others have postulated that the six Star Forges of the Trankarans are, in fact, the remains of Mael'nerak's Soul Forge. I've been thinking about this, and I'm going to take a different tack. The Progenitor modus operandi appears to be to give to their thralls a level of technology that is less than their own, but derived from it, with almost sufficient knowledge and ability to almost be able to create and maintain that lesser level of technology on their own. We've seen this pattern over and over again, with the Maliri, Nexus, the Ashanath and the Drakkar. I postulate that this is more of the same. The Star Forges, which the Trankarans through great sacrifices and dedication had 'lovingly restored to its former glory' are, I suspect, pale copies of Mael'nerak's Soul Forge. I have three reasons for this opinion, in addition to the above. First, we know that Mael'nerak was active with the Maliri, his Thralls, long, long before the Trankarans were created. So, therefore, his Soul Forge existed and was in full use long, long before the Trankarans were created. Second, there would be no reason for him to have his Soul Forge so far removed from the center of his works in this region, or the Maliri would have been relocated to the worlds around the Soul Forge. So, my hypothesis is that both Mael'nerak's Throne World, Kythshara, and his Soul Forge are adjacent, and near if not within that which *was* Maliri space, before Valada contracted and hardened the borders. In fact, I consider it not improbable that Valada was the one who hid the location of Kythshara in order to prevent anyone from gaining access to Mael'nerak's technology, since the Maliri couldn't use it for one reason or another. To be honest, my current guess is that the planet now named after Valada was once called by a different name, entirely... and has deeper secrets than anyone alive today now knows... My third reason is simply that the Star Forges appear to be uniquely suited to the hardy, silicon-based lifeforms known as the Trankarans. Anyone else working them would require different conditions. Furthermore, the construction is on a Trankaran scale, so my supposition is that the Star Forges were constructed by Mael'nerak for and with the Trankarans in order to allow them to do that which he created them for. They are there to refine and process the ores harvested by the miners. Creating crude, self-propelled delivery blocks that allow for easier delivery to their destinations. The fact that the Trankarans have taken these delivery blocks and attached minor weapons is of little consequence to the purpose for which they were designed. The thickness of the blocks is what gives it away. They come in different sizes, but they're all the same shape and sufficiently refined to be suitable for use upon delivery. So, to summarize, I have four reasons. The Star Forges don't turn out anything that looks like (in form, make-up or function) a Thrall ship. There would be no reason for them to be so far from where the Thralls were based in Maliri space. The Soul Forge predates the Trankarran species by many millennia and would not be constructed for their use. Finally, my original premise being simply that it fits the Progenitor modus operandi to only provide to the lesser races that technology which is derived from, but inferior to, Progenitor technology.

Evan

the height of her evolution will be having John's baby. Before that will be her developing a worm hole generator. I suspect as with everything she is rediscovering and enhancing there will be something special about her version. Already the invictus is faster than anything else out there so the next development must be the generator in terms of movement around the space.

TF4EVA

Tony, you made a few misstatements in this. First, Ranagon was the Progenitor 10,000 years ago who destroyed most of the Gaia-type planets in what is now Trankarran space. The Progenitor who is currently stirring up trouble in this region is named Larn'kelnar. Second, you mention a 'big battle' that Larn'kelnar is preparing for by removing different forces from play. If all that Larn'kelnar wanted was to have a battle and/or destroy John, please note that he could have easily done that long ago without any difficulty whatsoever, and without doubt, he could have easily destroyed all of the existing empires in this region without any effective opposition, all by himself and with only his own vessel. Please recall that Larn'kelnar has previously issued very explicit instructions that John was not to be harmed, and that he has never caused John to face insurmountable forces, which he could *easily* have done if he so wished. Destroying John and the Invictus has never been the goal, insofar as we can discern from what Tefler has written. The real question, behind this entire storyline, is what Larn'kelnar's real end game is, and more importantly, perhaps, why... As for the Enshunu, they appear to have both knowledge of and terror of Progenitors, so they may be less likely to be manipulated than some other races. Another possibility is that the Brimorian leader simply does not understand what the Progenitor means when he says that he has plans in motion to take John Blake out of the equation and that he'll then be able to pillage the Terran Federation at his leisure. For example, note that Progenitors are immortal, and that 'you' is a plural pronoun. Larn'kelnar could have simply meant to be misunderstood, without actually lying, when he said that. After all, if his plans involve John growing in power as he has been, then after a mere decade (or century, millennium or era), John might be ready to move on from this universe into the wider realms, leaving the 'nursery' so to speak, allowing the Brimorians ('you' in this context) to pillage as they wish. Or in other words, after this young Progenitor grows up, the remaining dolls in the playpen can do what they like with each other. Of course, he could also have simply been lying... Only Tefler Knows... :-)

Evan

They're not on the maps Tefler has previously provided, but I imagine the Enshunu territory to border the Maliri, Kintark, and the Unclaimed Wastes, putting those regions of space between the Enshunu and the TFed.

Jedi Khan

I could be remembering this wrong but didn't Ranagon say to the Deep Lord Brimorian not to worry about John (the lion) that he had plans to keep him busy. Now we have the Enshunu heading up for war. We already know that Ranagon thinks the terrans, ashanath, drakka, kintark, and the rock people have been depleted enough that they want matter in the big battle by the way he keeps knocking over their figurines on his board. The Brimorians want to attack the depleted Terrans and Kintark so we know how they become depleted. So there's only one race of people left that the prepping Enshunu people can attack that would keep John busy. His Maliri. I wonder if I'm close at all.

E.T. Spencer

Are the Enshunu on the other side of the Unclaimed Wastes, perhaps? I don't recall seeing their domain in the previous maps.

Evan

Ships shield is weak so John went to Brimorian

Dana is not fully upgraded by John. Probably Tefler will get it done in next chapter and we will have bucket full of upgrades on ongoing basis, some which can be done only in stages one after the other. As part of this if she can enhance their speed a part of how they will do all these visits in a short time is solved. John altered time line in last chapter when on Astral plane! Everything is possible!

Don't forget that they need to go back to the Achonin factory/base so that they can learn more about those runes on Jade's heart. I just have this nagging bad feeling that once they learn them, they activate a dormant part of Jade's memory and she turns into a Achonin weapon meant to kill a Progenitor.

hope some of you clever people can help me orient myself - yes I could go back and draw a map of the journey but..... What we seem to know is that the kirrix border the Terran space around the so called outer rim. They also border the Drakka war bands. The drakka war bands border the ashanath, the kirrix and the unclaimed wastes. The Enshunu border the unclaimed wastes. The bimorians border the Maliri, kintark and the terrans. We assume the bimorians are gearing up to take out the depleted Kintark. The invictus is looking to take a 2 week sabatical in maliri space after reclaiming terran space from the Kirrix. We also know the Invictus needs to get to Karron (and eventually Arcadia), the Vulkamduhr Shipyards, Brimor, the refinery in the unclaimed wastes (probably missed a couple of destinations). I guess I'm wondering where they might go first and then to where and where........ Assuming of course that things don't come up and they have to alter their plans..

TF4EVA

And so we come back to it again. It really is a good question.

Evan

yes 13L, the tan figure scuttling does indeed make me lean towards autobots, it makes sense given the level of tech the achonin were supposed to have. i'm still unsure who the enshunu are going to assault. if they couldn't take the rod or the station from the pirates, how are they going to mount an attack on anyone?

I think most of us are thinking about when and how the meeting will happen rather than if. We know the Bimorians are gearing up to take advantage of disruption in the Kintark, Terran and Trankaran spaces but it will be a surprise for them at the amount of push back they will get (especially when the Invictus) gets involved. I still reckon Tamolith will invite the Invivtus to come to their aid. So its only a matter of time before John confronts Deep Lord Athgiloi - if only to deal to him over the shield double cross. Dealing to the Deep lord and finding and claiming Celphna will be of great interest to many of us - especially Jade. And once claimed will Celphna be able to relate her experience of LK to Jon and his Pride.

TF4EVA

braw, i wonder if the tan colouring was clothing worn by an enshunu female. given the patriarchal system in place, perhaps the females have been relegated to slave status, useful only for menial tasks and or breeding.

Does anybody else think the 'tan coloured figure' could be one of the Achonin? The way he 'scuttled off into the shadows' hints that nobody knows thy're there(maybe,ish).They could've been in stasis when the station went into 'standbye mode' and awoken automatically when it was brought back online. Something new to get your teeth into.Have at it people.

Braw

Is anyone concerned about the Brimoran nymph, and her reaction to the BSP? What will they do when he and John meet?

Just something I noticed. The Trankarans say they have weak shield technology but what about the strength of the shielding for the star forges? Are these two different technologies?

Dave Tamares-Little

surely it'll be an Astrophysicist and civilian instructor as he's at TF's equivalent of Top Gun

I do not agree that the Nymphs were necessarily created by the Achonin. Aside from Jade's runes on her crystalline heart, we have no indication of that, and as I recall, Rachel said that they were clearly created by a Progenitor. However, I can see that Jade's heart might have been modified by the Achonin, or at least by their runes. Mael'nerak, before (or after) he destroyed them, might have done it, himself. He could certainly have learned their runes if he chose to do so. Alternatively, he might have destroyed them *because* they modified his perfect Nymph creation! Only Tefler knows, and so far, he isn't saying... so we'll just have to keep speculating (or not) and wait as patiently as we may... :-)

Evan

So Nymphs were created by the Achonin? I guess that's why Valada was so proud of Mal for letting them free. They must've been his POWs for 60,000 years. But how does BSP know what the Nymphs were designed for if they aren't a progen creation?I wonder if the Enshunu are the last remnant of the Achonin race? That would explain their hatred of the Maliri. They definitely seem to have a fear of extinction ingrained in them. We need to find out the origins of their codex! Anyone else think the Trankaaran's facility is a soul forge just lacking a psychic catalyst. It seems like the 3d printer of star ship production. Loved the interaction between snacksize and Nugrok. Their two species were definitely created to have a symbiotic relationship Somehow I was picturing Drakkar as blue not green, maybe that was just their blood? Green with war-bosses is even better though. It seems familiar and comforting, they just need more Dakka! Who wins a fight between a hive queen and a pod queen? Ragerly anticipating 108.

On the other hand, Lynette has shown signs of rampant jealousy, which I thought she wasn't programmed to do. Does it only happen with Johns harem or anyone he has fed.

Will it be Lina or another that captures the eye and heart of a certain test pilot winging his way to Olympus.

TF4EVA

Has anyone given thought to the Lynette, Lina, Charles possibilities? Lynette is a "secret" Lioness and one of Johns modifications is an elimination of jealousy. Charles has become fixated on Lynette/Marie but showed no displeasure when first presented with Lina's interest in him. Given how close Charles and John are and John being the Alpha Male in the Federation, it is not too much of a stretch to find Charles rationalizing an interest in both of them. Of course getting Lina topped up with the magic elixir might take some creative story bending, but not impossible, especially in a Universe where the rules differ from our reality. I think it should happen if for no other reason than to give John a friend who can relate to his being in an estrogen rich environment.

I think someone asked about who the Enshunu were gearing up to fight but not much feed back till now. I also wonder what part the restored refinery plays in their plans - is it a defensive platform they use as a staging post or do they fire it up to get secrets they will take elsewhere. My sense is the The Excruciator wants to make sure everything is on line so they can use it. Maybe when active it becomes part of a network that the Enshunu have repaired and are using to add to their plans. Using the refinery makes it sound like the potential enemies might be to use the term loosely 'the children' of MN but if it is part of a network then actually their proposed enemy is on another border to those in the story to date. Perhaps the Sarkhon refinery used to be located somewhere else but when MN and the Maliri destroyed the Achonin planets it ended up here as part of the unclaimed wastes. I hope the Excruciator listens to the Vizers advice and withdraws the Enshunu forces from the refinery if not the wastes - the Codex an the Cabal might have different ideas though

TF4EVA

An interesting point that I haven't seen raised, yet. In this chapter, The Excruciator says, “I wished to oversee the final preparations personally; there must be no setbacks before we mount our offensive.” Offensive against whom? The Maliri? The Terran Federation? The Kintark (amongst whom they had surveillance devices that picked up the news regarding John's fight with the Emperor)? Who were they planning an offensive against? And will this news of John being one of the 'Old Masters' prevent this planned offensive? I have a vision of the Invictus returning to the now-repaired Sarkhon Refinery, only to find it totally abandoned with all the now-repaired and activated machinery working without anyone in attendance, never to know of the planned invasion by the forces of the Enshunu, who are busy retreating from all possible contact with a Progenitor, just as the Maliri did a hundred generations (10,000 years) ago... A war won without a shot fired... won by one of the most powerful weapons... fear. (No, it's not the most powerful weapon, but we need not go into that, now.)

Evan

commander Richards suggested that they convert the sonic cannons being built to deal with the infestations but was turned down on that by admiral Zelig. I think they know they need as many as they can get if they want to knock out the eggs. But yes they probably need something to up their game

TF4EVA

For the battle against Kirrix, Terran federation is very badly equipped in comparison to John and his crew. It would be a big deal if John and crew can give them some sort of upgrade in a very short span of time. Not sure whether this is a possibility.. Some kind of new sonic canons perhaps...

Telf just rereading this saga again and it turns out that Edraele called them wards in chapter 75. *I'm fine, John, honestly!* Edraele said, sounding positively delighted. *You've more than quadrupled all the energy reserves I have at my disposal, from both myself and my network of wards! It's not just because of all the Maliri you've been adding, either. After all the effort you've made to get to know them all, their connections to me are all so much stronger than they were under the old bond. It's amazing, how much enforcing the compulsion to obey, inhibited the psychic energy they could contribute.* just a heads up. Its in the first part of that chapter

rich ed

While Commodore Tovaskaya receiving the Stellar Cluster was a nice touch (&amp; scene) it seems slightly unfair that the Captains of the two destroyers that escaped along with the Hesperus weren't recognised as well.

ringill

up to this point, changes have only occurred to the girl who has cum in her tummy. some changes have started, and continued after the cum has been digested, but all the major alterations seem to need a tummy full to kick the change off.

Soooo, the big question on the table is... Is John continuing to change Alyssa, or is she somehow doing it to herself.? Could go either way, everything we have seen and know so far is John is directing the changes in the girls, either consciously or sub-consciously. But, this time Alyssa seemed to understand what was happening. Can she now tap into John’s psychic catalyst and use it for her own purpose? An argument could be made along those lines. Logical extension of this line or reasoning, begs to ask. If Alyass can use The catylast of Johns cum, is that only when she ingests it, or can she influence changes in any of the girls.

MJHSharkbait365

Dana definitely has psychic powers granted by John... She can determine a compounds composition in seconds by looking and she can enhance materials using progen runes. Also, having all the progenitor tech is magical. "Any technology advanced enough is indistinguishable from magic"

In the core team of John all except Dana and Faye now have psychic power given by John. So a girl goes through 6 stages, 1. Repair and maintenance - Restoration of health, extended life , beautification etc. ( Jehanna, Lynette, Helena, Maliri matriarchs..) 2. Standardisation - Same physical capability, shape, size etc to fit John's preference. (Faye is an exception but is here) 3. Enhancement - Trained and given Progenitor feed to trigger enhancement of an existing skill set ( Dana) 4. Psychic power - Further enhancement to perform tasks large in scale, faster and precisely using psychic energy. (Rachel, Sakura, Carala) 5. Matriarch - Manages and regulate psychic power flow for girls. Direct power feed to John. ( Alyssa, Erdale and Jade who route power through Alyssa) 6. Progenitor - A big unknown with Alyssa here. Not sure how and when Dana and Faye will move up the ranks...

Tashana didn't go to the Underworld to study,she was banished there by Edraele and Irilith.The Enshunu didn't capture her,pirates did and sold her to them.Although I do think they're a Thrall race,I think the clues of Patriarchs and an ancient history,one that predates the destruction of the Achonin, lead ME to believe they are Thralls for a FEMALE Progenitor.It could be the reason Mael left them alone,'cause they're not allowed to interfere with another Thrall race once they've claimed their own.

Braw

The leader of the Drakkar invasion fleet stated that after Ashana they were going after the Federation to 'eat all the males and breed the females'.Doesn't sound like they need the Pod Mothers to perpetuate their spe, spei,fuck it,i'll just use race.

Braw

Ashanth has given Drakkar a planet to live and establish a colony. But there is also the problem of missing females. If there is no females how will they survive as a species? If Drakkar female lay egg and if sex is not required for this then it's possible they will survive as a species. However the above scenario creates possibility of future wars with Ashanth and others once the current hatchling are mature enough to fight. Drakkar is now essentially acting like a mercenary army for Ashanth. Long term solution to contain Drakkar is not in place unless contact and peace is established with pod queen's. How that could be achieved is an unknown now.

Tashana went to underworld to study about Progenitor, she was however captured by Eushunu and kept as a slave. So Tashana did know about the Progenitor's link to that world. She was not in a state of mind to tell other girls or John the relevance of Achonin at that point of time. She also happens to Eushunu well. Tashana is the key in unlocking the secrets of all the species not known to John as a Terran. I hope it doesn't take long for us to be back there to find necessary technology. After Kirrix ,Progenitor home planet then Brimorians then through Underworld to Genthalas. Hmmm long list...

Tefler brought us back to Karrom not necessarily Fat Tony. When ever Tefler writes a scene he tries to show the happening through eye of a character not part of John's crew. In war for Terra , Citadel was highlighted through eyes of Gibson, Olympus through Charles etc. So Tony is just a medium in my humble opinion. See I am not the author and can be all wrong. 😀

SKS You said above Tony was too young. I read this differently from you then - From Chapter 107 Part Deux "Tony couldn’t believe how quickly everything had turned to shit. His whole life for the last 28 years was gone... everyone he’d ever known dragged away by the Bugs to die a truly horrible death. " I took that to mean his life as a Diablos member - From Chapter 107 Part Ein "Fat Tony remembered the day, two years earlier, when Sparks had first unveiled the infernal light effects. He’d cheered along with the rest of the Diablos, knowing no other gang on Karron had anything near so spectacular; it was like a declaration of his gang’s increasing prestige. Now he just wished she’d left the fucking lights alone... he was scared enough already" This is why I was thinking this. Tefler foreshadows many things we gloss over upon first read and for him to introduce Tony at this time has to have a real meaning. I can see (I have been wrong before) the Invictus gang saving Tony, Kelli and Perl and the rest of the miners left intact before bug infestation. Regarding the Ashanath, Trankarans and the Drakkar, why don't the Ashanath send some female Drakkar to the Trankarans for Kirrix disposal. When John arrives at the Outer Rim with the improved weaponry and the shields to stop most Kirrix weapons he should demand a withdrawal to their homeworld from all other locations by going there to kick some bug ass!

Big Dude

I really really liked this!!

Sushant Bhartiya

tefler doesn't waste time and energy on building up characters who are not going to play major roles in the story. tony and the girls are not going to be incubators, or die in the underground tomb.

and did she manage a whole interview without cussing or some sexual innuendo... I hope in her interview (and also Calara's) they both regret some sadness at the destruction they wrought but acknowledgement that without it many more lives would have been lost. A good chance to say why can't we live in peace...

TF4EVA

especially as the terran forces are underpowered to take down the Kirrix. Also interesting to see how the Invictus ends up having to be the force to save karron.

TF4EVA

John's and Carala's brief to Terran force fighting Kirrix will be interesting...

Fat Tony is a product of the life in Karrom. Clearly shades of grey. He also feels immense guilt. Not sure how Alyssa with her character recognition capability will categories him. Will her hands on experience of life in mines help her make better judgement? Will in future she do more than a binary assessment? Will Tony and girl survive till help arrives? Tefler wouldn't kill such broken birds so soon right!

I missed Dana's interview with Jehanna. How had the competitors of Voss treated the patent story? How did the original makers of the arms, armour etc feel when they understood it was their heavily modified weapons which were in use at war for protecting terra? How would address her role in getting bombing fleet eliminated? Missed all that...Why Tefler, why ? 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

Yup, I forgot the name. His thought process suggest him to be smart.

no

Braw

Alyssa has been full blown Progen for a while now and these issues have not cropped up. The changing of the ears is just an outward sign of what we have known for quite a while now. I would be very surprised if there are relationship issues.

PLRus--Founding member of the TSM F5 club.

I mostly worry that progens may be wired for aggression against their own kind, which would make the start of 108 one helluva mess until someone (John, Alyssa, and/or Rachel) edits those genetic traits out of the occasion.

J B

"You might not resent that power imbalance now but someday you might... and I don’t want to take that chance" I would suggest replacing the first usage of might with may, just so you don't use it twice in the same sentence.

Tefler could you please give a status update on what comes next? 108 or.....

Is this the final version?

if your a society of males who have overthrown their female thralls of a progen, you would be shit scared of a progen return. its a worthy concept to explain the enshunu. Can't claim credit for that idea but I like it.

Best nickname ever!

SKS if you are talkng about David Gibbons, I'm sure he will have senior NCO courses to do relevant to his new role. I wouldn't be surprised if someone also recommended him for officer training given the losses to the Battalion at the Citadel, losses in the Dragon March and his knowing the Lion and his team.

TF4EVA

Can't a soldier study and become an officer going through the academy? I think this is a possibility and probably our boy can surprise our officer whom he loves so dearly by getting promoted himself as an officer. Not because She asked for that but because he wanted to do it to avoid any possibility of disruption in their relationship.

He is too young..

Maybe John is more than the sum of his parts - with the girls being the parts. Agree LK just sees everything as John centred rather than in truth all the girls working independently. When he reaches his full potential it will be almost as if his 'powers' will be doubled. The gain for him in all this is that he will be able to deploy his powers across a number of different fronts at the same time in both defensive and offensive patterns. This will make it hard for LK and others to plan for.

TF4EVA

What if Big Tony is the father of Dana?

Big Dude

Okay Sajith that is true about Alyssa doing some things John could not do. But John can now create hex shields. He can easily 15 shape Crystal Alyssium faster and easier than Alyssa. I think from the Astral plane John/PJohn will touch Alyssa/Athena and Alyssa will be full force Progenitor. Larn'Kelnar will not get what hits him as he will think she's a special looking matriarch, not a Progenitor. What do you think of this Tefler foreshadowing: Edraele told John he's gotten stronger by both keeping PJ at bay and with the new mental powers he's more powerful. In the end I think and imagine John will have more raw power than Larn'Kelnar, but LK will have more tricks up his sleeve. From 107-Part 1 "*You’ve been carrying a heavy mental burden for the entire time I’ve known you,* Edraele said, her tone thoughtful. *Winning that skirmish against your Guide reduced some of that dragging weight. Perhaps that’s why you’re finding psychic activity easier now?* *Right... like weight training for my mind,* John agreed, nodding as the idea seemed to fit what he was feeling. *I can’t believe I might have to thank that bastard for the mental workout.* There was a long pause for a moment, before his Maliri Matriarch replied, *I actually meant that it should be easier for you to undertake psychic tasks, now that you’ve reclaimed another substantial portion of your mind. I hadn’t considered the possibility that being in a constant state of war with your own subconscious might have beneficial side-effects.* *That which does not kill us makes us stronger...* John said with a grim smile. *That’s basically been our motto for the last six months.*" Also it seems John thinks more conventionally as a trained Terran military person while Alyssa thinks out of the box. John's chastisement of Alyssa and Jade for using battle tactics he didn't "approve" will come back to BITE his ass in that battle chapter 198. If you remember LK was impressed John "used" the kineses to battle the Kintark when his ladies were actually the ones using most of them.

Big Dude

Regardless of all of the above, I loved this chapter.

The Ashanath have not read Shaw: "Do not do unto others as you would expect they should do unto you. Their tastes may not be the same."

John Jameson

might be as simple as the "Boys" were out on a lark (imagine a Vegas weekend) &amp; fear what the wife back home will find out what they've been up to . or the fact they lost ( Spartan wife/mother quote " come home carrying this shield or on it " ) . Why does any male worry about what the little woman back home will do ?

bigdawguw65

What makes Drakkar male fear a podmother?

Star forges are soul forges restored to working condition by Tarakkan's. So they are just like the weapons of Maliri. A few steps below optimum Progenitor grade.

I’m curious as to where you will put this chapter in your ebooks when you catch up... will you sprinkle in these scenes throughout a couple chapters, or make one chapter a ‘ketchup’ chapter?

Dennis Banfield

Here is what Might have happened. Remember that the Trankarans are a younger race then all the rest. What if the Star Forges were built at the same time. Mael'nerak was getting attacked and need new ships and new crew so he left Maliri behind because he wanted to save them. Made the Drakkar and Trankarans in a rush. He needed ship builders and Troops. He has had 68,000 years after he destroyed the Archonins. I'm sure he thought up a new ways. The Star Forges might have been a new way. he is not making new trawls so no need of the Soul Forge. I know I'm missing something here so rereading everything one more time. What i'm saying is the Star Forge might be more advanced the the Soul Forge.

That's why I'm rereading the whole thing again for the 4th time.

well they were fairly rubbish at being undercover. they may as well have turned up wearing flashing neon signs saying I'm undercover

Thank you Tefler! This is the "icing on the cake", for our Alyssa.

Yes! Yes and Yes! What about the Na'vi?

TF4EVA

lets see,,, long blond hair , Pointy ears , beautiful beyond compare , powerful &amp; compassionate.....Alyssa is an ELF :-) .

bigdawguw65

SKS…. I think we have all forgotten that Progenitors are , per Rachel , a modified species . If her ears are real maybe Alyssa is now an example of a female of that race . Rachel thought that the base race was probably an already physic &amp; were modified / upgraded to be Progenitors . It would seem from the little clues we got from John's trips to the Astral plane ( This is only my guess ) that once a male of the species gets to a certain level of power they are sucked into Astral plane &amp; shown &amp; offered the upgrade &amp; Power Quad to be a Progenitor if they agree to be agents of the Astral lords in this realm &amp; if they pass the testing they are converted &amp; sent back to Conquer &amp; rule ( we don't know what they are required to do in return yet ) . While Alyssa is recognized as a "progenitor " by Rachel she doesn't have the "equipment" to create a thrall race but she is a true mate to John , not just a Matriarch like Edreale &amp; Jade .

bigdawguw65

We can also say there are things which Alyssa can do and John has no idea how to do. Create a new Astral plane, manage power flow from girls being major ones. I like to consider them as equals.

Think about it , Lynette near 50 can not control her hormones , Erdale is advised and guided by Alyssa, She manage and ensure friction less Interaction between girls. We along with John has slowly started to take many many task she do for granted. Alyssa is the power and brain behind John. Just think if any other girl can step into her shoes, probably Jade otherwise none. Jade can physically take Alyssa's form too. 😁

Perhaps the question should be what was broke about the star forges? We know from the Legacy that the black "metal" is almost indestructable so perhaps the forges them selves were not broken but maybe the power links ups?

Nibbles

POINTY EARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mark Hall

It begs the question what is a progenitor - obviously more than pointy ears. The Enshunu recognised him for what he is so pointy ears and amazing feats of battle (they would have seen strength,and speed) helps. Having some amoured 'thrall' like soldiers firing amazing weapons also helped maybe. Rachel already said Alyssa heading down the progenitor track before the ears and nine times out of ten she has grown in response to something that John has done or is doing. Whether the ears are real or fake Alyssa was progenitor material. If they are real I guess the show down with the astral space and or PJ may well be coming soon.

TF4EVA

I don't think Alyssa can be at her full Progenitor maximum until John is at his maximum after dealing with PJ. Then all his knowledge can be given to Alyssa. Remember when John does something new Alyssa asks how does he do it.

Big Dude

In an earlier chapter when I suggested a female Progenitor I got a lot of stick also with the reminder female in story was and will not be a Progenitor. They were fake!😁 I hope Tefler plan to fix it. I hope being submissive to John is not mandatory to be a character with some skill and power in the story. Alyssa as a full blown Progenitor can be a real change and a big unknown for all his opponents. She will challenge him to improve and evolve. They are in love. Nothing can beat them.

Dear god that new ending... Tef i love you man, but your driving me crazy XD.

Nathos

but will it mean John and Calara have better sex with Alyssa? Let alone sex with the others?

TF4EVA

I really LOVE this ending. Those wonderful Spock ears are popping up everywhere!

Big Dude

sigh and while Tefler is getting the other publications sorted (including hopefully ebook 4), the comissioned art, finalising the chapters we will all be hanging out waiting, waiting, waiting for the next installment to sort out some of these cliff hangers and our own curiousity.... SIGH!

TF4EVA

Tefler I liked the new ending 'pointed ears'. Just a few more cliffhangers to wait for future chapters to get answers to. Thanks

Cignal

Haven't seen anyone mention it. Back at the battle for Terra they had a whole lot of rapiers as well as claymores so maybe the Zeus is going for a whole flight of Claymores now? In fact I suspect the whole fleet will be moving away from rapiers as they were all pretty much wiped out so Clymores are the new standard model

TF4EVA

Has anyone mentioned that the Zeus only had 20 Claymores at Terra,not 40?

Braw

Hey. I'm sorry to hear you've been having problems. :-( I did look into alternate platforms about 6 months ago, when they were thinking about messing around with their payment options... unfortunately I couldn't find anything comparable.

Tefler

I really wish there was another way to support you Tefler then using Patreon. I have to end my support just tired of dealing with their messed up service.

Yep the same thought occurred to me - am surprised Dana hasn't picked up on it tbh

Wondering about the last little "cliff hanger" / Easter egg . of Alyssa's ears , a real change because of John's manipulation of her DNA turning her in to a Progenitor or make-up for a special sexcapade celebration ? If for real can't wait for Ceradin or a male guard to see her ,

bigdawguw65

In "this" particular case, complete will likely be when parts 1 and 2 are combined and posted as a complete chapter.

Muledrvr

My alternative reading of that passage is that the Enshunu were Thralls of another Progenitor, perhaps Ranagon, and that the Maliri were able to succeed in retaining more of their power, technology, and perhaps, culture and population, than the Enshunu were able to retain, after their Progenitor was gone.

Evan

Can you make it very clear when the complete chapter is posted? I can't really tell from the above "EDITED" note if it's complete or not.

Chef Marco

I find the comment by the Enshunu to be most interesting wherein he says that he doesn’t understand how the Maliri were successful when the Enshunu were not in their efforts against the Achonin. At least, that’s how I’m interpreting the following section: “I never cease to be amazed by the technical marvels of the Achonin. It is tragic that they left so few artefacts behind...” the Excruciator muttered, his harsh voice tinged with regret. Vizier Sag'kalyak nodded, lost in thought as he followed the Excruciator’s gaze. “The Maliri were thorough in their depredations.” “I have often wondered how they were able to succeed when...we could not...” Gal’mayda’s troubled voice trailed off, as he mulled over that perplexing conundrum.

Evan

I find Eushunu to be very intriguing, they know of Progenitor as a superior race, they know Maliri are aligned to Progenitor but still hates them and they also know of the Achonin technology. Above all they seems to have written account of what happened in the past. Could it be possible Eushunu and Maliri were on opposite sites during the war and Maliri was left well protected and Eushunu destroyed. One possible reason for hate. Surprisingly I don't remember Erdale has not mentioned any problems with Eushunu. That means Eushunu has been waiting out to get hold of a force or tech strong enough to take on Maliri. Probably got it at the underworld but now has to face combined force put up by John. Very interesting.

Another great chapter, Tefler. There is one thing that kinda bugs me, the way you describe Brecken's World as both a moon and a planet. AFAIK it can't be both; a planet orbits a star while a moon orbits a planet.

eggman

Eh...I think that's a bit of a stretch to link the Vulkat to the Trankaran's Star Forges. It's possible that Tefler has such a connection in mind, and thus purposefully is using the prefix "Vulka," but I doubt it. If you use Google to try translating "Vulka", it seems to default to the Bulgarian word вълка or vŭlka, which translates to wolf in English. However, if you just put in vulka as the Bulgarian word, it translates to volcano. There's no match in Google for "Vulkat" or "Vulkamduhr."

Jedi Khan

I can't believe no one in this community has picked up on and metioned the similarity in the names of both the "Vulkamduhr" shipyards and the species known as the "Vulkat". There has got to be more here about how space spiders are connected to these "Star/Soul Forges".

That was awesome, thank you Tefler x. one thing I did think, the Grays use that device to make psychic speech audible, could Dana come up with something to work the other way so Faye can hear the psychic conversations, and maybe join in? Just a thought.

amazing 'discovery' and potential. Logistically we still have a possible problem with having to have the right ore in sufficient amounts to make the vessels - unless John and Dana can find inspiration. Maybe it will be Alyssa who comes up with the knowledge once she sees the star forges and all that black metal.

TF4EVA

So, who wants to talk about the Trankaran's Star Forges? Giant ass, super advanced mass fabricators powered by a gorram star, able to construct fully formed and armored ships in one go. And, they were apparently built at the height of Mael's power, which means they are Progenitor tech. And the Trankaran's have six of them at just one shipyard. I wonder what the build rate of those wondrous machines is, and how many the Trankarans have besides the ones at Vulkamduhr Shipyard. I can only imagine the level of geek-out Dana will reach once she manages to get a good look at them. If Dana can unlock the schematics for the Star Forges, would John share them with the other races so they can build their own and likely increase their ship build rate?

Jedi Khan

Carala gets her natural instincts from mother for sure, it took only some 30 sec for her to break the cover of the best undercover security detail of Terran Federation. Maria will be underestimated by her opponents as of her choice to live as a house wife. Terran federation had only purged the rouge elements in the admiralty but those who reported and benefited from those operations would like to continue and will have an intrest in getting current high command out at any cost. There will be also those who simply wouldn't accept their loved ones could be corrupt or evil. Buckingham's son is an example. Both the Idealists and profiteers possess a risk to John's extended family, Jehanna and Lynette.

That was a really awesome speech from Niskera! Lots of stuff going on this chapter, and a lot of loose ends. Holy cow! :D

Donovan Gibson

Sorry you've been having problems. I sometimes get logged out and have to log in manually instead of it doing it automatically, but I've not encountered the same issue.

Tefler

I love your stories but ... I complained earlier about problems logging in. Support replied that my options were 1) non-anonymous browser 2) double authentication 3) re-captsha + mail authentication. I chose 4) I'm out of here. I'll be watching for your continued publications Teffler &amp; thanks.

It was an inspired choice - I dunno how you manage it but it's just getting better &amp; better!

My thoughts exactly...

The possibilities for the service that saw the nymphs set free by MN opens up a number of ways now too. So yes bigdawg agree there must be an evil genius crackling in the corner...

TF4EVA

Will we see more of Viv now we know she is blonde and that both Jack and Maria have done her. After all she did give the warning and I'm sure she helped Maria get through to the maliri. Great scenes of maria in the shower and of Madison and David - much appreciated

TF4EVA

Well done Teller, I really enjoyed Ch 107. Pleased to see that there are at least two technolgies, that offer some hope for John and his allies in the upcoming battle with the other progenitor. Looking forward to the Brimorian attaché on the Kintark and most probably the Terrans as they are now taking over a large part of space that made up the former Kintark empire. Will this force the potential for a broader alliance between the Kintark and the Terrans?

Thanks for letting me know about those! They should all be fixed in the latest version. :-)

Tefler

A bunch of great edits there, thanks very much for taking the time to record them all! :-)

Tefler

GO... I think Dana should send along a set for Maria too , she's even more vulnerable , even with her body guards . At the level of Lynette &amp; Jehanna protection &amp; environment it would take a high level bad guy to even attempt to try anything &amp; those guys are usually smart enough to see how bad that might turn out , while Maria looks like low hanging fruit to even small time crooks &amp; they are dumb enough to think they can get away with it .

bigdawguw65

A very interesting new tidbit , does the Achonin runes mean Jade is actually an ancient Achonin or their creation &amp; maybe is the original Nymph , taken &amp; modified by MN to his purposes . It would make her 72,000 yrs old WOW ! So that would mean nymphs are immortal , even without progenitor cum , Is she unique &amp; maybe her sisters wouldn't be able to be upgraded to her level . So typical of the evil genius Tefler , a small clue that might be nothing or a whole new direction to go &amp; give us hours of debate to keep us occupied till the next chapter , so clever .

bigdawguw65

Awesome! Nice work! However, snacksize is definitely my favorite nickname for the greys. Hahaha!

JollyRodger

No. Someone named Georgio according to chapter 10.

Tefler, another great chapter! Outstanding scenes and great catch up on the background stories! Some suggested edits are as follows: Page 3: your holonet accountname (believe that it should be separate, i.e. account name); Page 32: By the time Blake defeat(ed) the draconic Emperor; Page 32: He knew these kind(s) of ceremonies were (or this kind of ceremony was) always hard on her,.. Page 34: Devereux('s) looked into the blonde's eyes; Page 34: She paused to pin the golden medal(s) to Tovaskaya's chest; Page 41: Lt Command Tom Walker couldn't help grinning; Page 41: Admiral Morgan wanted you to be (able) to apply for command roles.; Page 45: but something was bothering her and (he) had no idea what it was.; Page 50: Madison was panting as if she were (on) heat (should be: in heat or on fire),; Page 50: Fortunately(,) he knew it would be a while before he was ready for another orgasm,; Page 52: "Ouch, I've got (a) cramp!"; Page 54: Please pass my apologies to Command(er) Richards.; Page 55: Talari steadied himself them(n) walked down the steps; Page 56: but we have been considering assembly(ing) a relief force to assist the Terrans; Page 56: "Yeah, you lot have been great! (Not sure if you wanted this to appear guttural, or meant "your lot"?); Page 57: But unfortunately(,) I've already made plans this evening."; Page 59: He shook his head in disbelief and press(ed) the door chime; Page 60: he believed he's(d) slighted her. Next line: Actually(,) I should be the one apologising..."; Page 60: She bit her nip(lip) nervously.; Page 60: Lynette, but you(,) ah... don't really look like Alyssa; Page 60: "So(,) when do you look like them?"; Page 61: "So(,) after he made you look young again,; Page 62: Obviously(,) the sight of over a dozen gorgeous women. As always, if you disagree, I completely understand. Cheers!

As for Fat Tony and the girls, I think he just discovered the secret base Dana (and other special children) were created at. Guessing its a T-Fed facility not Progenitor.

Frostfyre

Is it just me or is anyone else hoping that Fat Tony, Perl, and Kelli survive long enough to be rescued? I kinda want to see how Alyssa and Dana deal with him. Especially Alyssa. Didn't she shank him when he tried raping her, which led to her hiding on John's freighter at the start of the story?

Jedi Khan

Thanks for all the feedback everyone! I'm delighted that you enjoyed the latest chapter, it was fun to catch up with characters I hadn't touched on for months!

Tefler

I plan to write quite a bit more varied sex scenes for the sequel. I've already got a bunch in mind. :-)

Tefler

You are writing in the wrong generation. You should have been around writing sci-fi back in the while serial days.

Craig Button

Lovely Tefler, well crafted...enjoyed the story....

Enough Said

Robert Jerram

Glory be! A true believer has been born! Come Brother Robert, bask in the light and glory that is the Word of Tefler! Sing praise in the valleys and shout his name from the mountain tops so that all may hear and rejoice! Crazy, enough with the "tent revival meeting" routine. We're not a church. Oh don't listen to Brother Jedi, Brother Robert. He's jus' being a sourpuss. You know you take just as much joy n' solace from the Word of Tefler just as much as I, Brother Jedi. *groan* Enough with the "brother" talk!

Jedi Khan

Hi Telfer you have come of age with this chapter. I for one have been sceptical as to your real talent. This chapter proves that you have come of age, I would now rate you up with the Late Michael J Croppo and the effervescent James Galloway aka FEL. I have been a follower of both of them for more years than I care to think about. You have captured the true essence of story telling with this chapter. Well done and keep it up.

Robert Jerram

Nevermind, it's all good now.

Anybody else getting a Download Unsuccessful message?

What a rush...one exciting vignette after after another...way to go!

Arrowglass

I think you will find the answer to that question if you read the updated second half again.

Well..... Lots of entertainment in this one: D

Muledrvr

Again who was the fool who suggested there wouldn't be any cliff hangers for a catch up!!!! How nuclear is Mace going to get? Has Fat Tony stumbled on a progen secret as he pummets into the depths? What will the Enshunu do? What do pod Queens look like and will they like snacksize? Will Charles make it to second base? Alyssa's ears are interesting development (with appropriate eyebrow raise) and will it lead to better sex?

TF4EVA

"Interesting" seems to be the word of choice today. lol As for the Enshunu, given their reaction to the footage of John, my guess is they are not in league with any Progenitor, but they are quite familiar with just how dangerous the Progenitors are. That Vizier fellow seems to have a good head on his shoulders, considering he knows just how enormous of a mistake it would be to get on John's bad side. We can only hope the folks in charge of the Enshunu can be made to see reason as well.

Jedi Khan

Well now. There's some very interesting insights here. Very interesting indeed. And that final reveal at the end. I wonder when that little development happened, or maybe it's just a prosthetic? Like I said, very interesting.

Jedi Khan

Thanks...another great chapter , some new interesting developments , Enshunu knew of Progenitors &amp; are scared to death of them , Drakkar don't seem to be reunited with their females (if that's what pod queens are)

bigdawguw65

So the "patriarchy" as said by the Enshunu, does that mean there is a female Progenitor running around the universe? interesting interesting......

rich ed

Is chapter 107 part 1 fully edited yet? I'm a bit confused since part 2 (here) says edited but the part 1 post doesn't say anything.

David Shmilowitz

Loved it! Gave so many characters a good depth of character. Thank you Tefler :)

May the dreams of universe creation be deep, full, and inspiring.

I agree, I want to know how the fracking Enshunu relate to the Anchons, the Progenitors, and why they are so bent on pain and hiding from everyone, including each other.

Oh, Outstanding! ...and you can consider my earlier complaints fully addressed. :-)

GrandPaM

Perhaps thats the Soul forge ;-)

That scene with David and Madison was damn hot... more of that please ;-)

James Hârn

Tefler, Awesome as always and again on a cliff hanger - right before “the date”. We need to get some kind of recap on who all these characters are. Like on the Underworld Station and then reactivating the platform. To what end? Who will they be attacking? How strong are the weapons on that platform compared to the Maliri and John’s ship? What role are they playing in all this - other than being some kind of slave trader who had ilrith captive (yes?). Will Mason ever really find out the truth and proof about his father? Etc..??

David B

It is ten to twenty page short again.... you can't end there....

great job...!!!!!!

I finished off the last couple of scenes... and now it's time for bed!

Tefler

I finished to quick.....

Loved it! Needed some backstory and world building to clean the palate, and this did the trick. Good chapter! I can't wait for John and the girls to get some Kirrix kills racked-up! Btw - dying for some more books, especially the paper kind (hint, hint)....

CJ Mora

That is cold. To take Charles right up to Lynette/Marie and leave us hanging when a Sergeant Major gets his Colonel. Really? Ah well, now we wait for how long, after the Kirrex are done away with? Cold, cold, cold.

Hopefully this will be the story that puts you over $4,000/ch. Look forward to the day when is $10,000/ch and there is a movie. You are becoming like one of qmhl1's characters in either 500 Annies and Finding an Editor

Wookey

A few typos that you might like to look at Tefler...BTW Great chapter! Thank you for another mention of my father....most gracious. extremely improbably, By the time Blake defeat the draconic Emperor Admiral Morgan wanted you to be to apply for command roles.” as he heavy cock if she were on heat Please pass on my apologies to Command Richards. Talari steadied himself them walked but Clodonus wsa incredibly humid “Yeah, you lot have

PLRus--Founding member of the TSM F5 club.

Good to see the return on the Enshunu and Queen Niskera

Wookey

What a bloody place to finish. Good old Charles was about to get very very lucky with Marie/ Lynette I can’t wait to see how that night ends lol.

Jim lynch

Yet another fantastic chapter. :) Only three edits I could find at second read: “It is uncanny to see how fast those upgrade vessels can travel in hyper-warp.” Should be upgraded. "Madison moaned as he heavy cock swung free" Should be his. "Although Talari was used to the heat after spending most of his life on Ashana, his homeworld was a very dry planet, but Clodonus wsa incredibly humid. " Should be was. A couple of points from this chapter. 1. What the heck are the Enshunu up to. 2. Will Lynette have need of that personal shield sooner rather than later? Mason seems more than a little angry with her at the moment!

andrew finlayson

thank you TEFLER

Mjk154

Yes, thanks and appreciate your efforts Tefler.

I read too fast :(

Thanks!

PwdRacing

Awesome as ever tef! But i am wondering, why you, who creates his own original story, has less patrons than PMG guys who just translates them from chinese creators? Kinda sad if you think about it. Kinda unfair too.

Joel San Buenaventura

I am holding off for the full piece of cake! :)

Big Dude

very good Tefler - ticked a number of boxes (the ceremonies for instance, the security for Lynette), reintroduced a number of oldies but goodies (e,g. Flintoff, camilla and richards) and also got me asking for more (what was the devise at the forge, what;s with female Dakkar and what relationship did the glyphs on Jade have with the activity at underworld). Look forward to the ongoing discussions until the next installment

TF4EVA

Thank you thank you thank you

Yay!!

David B

Excellent, a great evening ahead! Thank you Tefler!

Cheers Mr

Braw

Awesome! Thanks!

Thanks Tefler, great timing.

Old Cruiser

Aww Tefler, you always know just what to get for my birthday tomorrow. Pretty sure you got a chapter out last year for it =)

Axi

Thank you, Tefler, the day just got better!

smile :) Finally - Maria Fernandez sex scenes!!!!!!!!!! Maria had "been the perfect wife over the last 25 years... maybe she should finally cash in all those hall passes Jack owed her, in exchange for a whole night of debauchery with the Lion of the Federation." LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bigfoot

Thanks I will follow the recommendation

Outstanding!

Thank you. Tefler!

Evan

I'm gonna try to wait until tomorrow..........takes deep breath I can do this

Mark Hall

Here we go! Thanks Tefler

Dani Vega

muchly appreciated

TF4EVA

Whew, just barely before the beginning of August for the UK.

Yorumoto Akira

Woo hoo

Muledrvr

Yahoo!

DCM

1st yay

Jim lynch

Third

second

weird song

Yay that’s my sleep done for I’ll be up until 3 am now but it’s worth it thanks tefler.

Jim lynch