Three Square Meals - Chapter 107: part 1

I updated this post with the final version. Nothing much has changed beyond fixing spelling mistakes.

Tefler

of her

Mjk154

john will take care or her

Mjk154

faye is a good girl

Mjk154

Lyrdian - Or perhaps highly specialised AIs vs smart generalists?

Damian Wright

I still think Faye is already two meals into her move towards being a real girl, and they have been provided by Alyssa (her fairy godmother) but the crew haven't worked this out because time works differently in the online world.

Tv4EVA that's why I said it. When she said that I laughed so hard I was crying.

I think John and Faye agreed on taking it slow with here not being a normal girl and all. When the cherry lipstick came up she mentioned it wouldn't come off until the 3th official date just like they wouldn't kiss until the 1st date even though they wanted to.

I was thinking DUMB Ai’s VS Smart AI’s from the Halo series

I'm hoping for depth of story's sake that the Kirrix aren't simply space termites. Similar to how the Kintark aren't all genocidal bastards, but actually have normal people within their society who aren't bad at all. It makes the story more enjoyable in my opinion. There doesn't necessarily need to be good Kirrix, just a deeper motivation or origin. I don't think MN created Nexus to nefariously plot. I think Nexus might have degraded enough over thousands of years without any software updates from his creator after MN's death to have his purpose corrupted. After that anything is possible. The biggest AI conundrum we face is a program being given an order to do something simple like find the most efficient way to plant corn, but then deciding we are hampering that efficiency and eliminating us from the equation even though its ultimate goal is beneficial to humanity. Maybe that happened on a massive scale for Nexus before humans even knew how to fly, and then he started coming up with crazy stuff like space termites.

shes up for it and as has been signalled before she was reading Carlo Callodi (Pinocchio we assume) so maybe a dream to become real. She also has that pregnant routine so maybe her dream is bigger than just being real. Maybe on the next date she'll answer John as to her wish....

TF4EVA

At the very least, she'll get her fairy wings back.

Bigfoot

A Human... Nexus was given a means to end the human experiment , the Quantum Cannon on the moon , which he tried to use in the attack on Terra . A question for you , why would MN create an AI that would be thinking up nefarious schemes ? It seems to me Nexus although supremely intelligent , was not "unshackled' but under tight control of MN(SOP for Progenitors) . What happened with him was MN didn't plan on his death or disappearance & it was the Terran's bungling that caused Nexus to become "crazy"

bigdawguw65

Kirrix aren't evil for evil's sake...Termites , army ants , etc aren't evil they are just following their nature & the results are viewed as evil , especially when your house falls down around your ears . The Kirrix are viewed as evil because they target sentient beings & our allies & we have to defend ourselves . A lot of people keep trying to see some deeper conspiracies behind their actions but there really doesn't need to be , although they might be a central issue going forward.

bigdawguw65

Well that's why it's a logic bomb of course😋

It's got my vote.

ETNSosa

Geth, anyone?

ETNSosa

Henry has ranted and railed about her relationships before and has been sarcastic (see the first meeting of Henry with Rachel, John, Dana). He admits to Charles one of his reasons for helping the refit is to rebuild his relationship with his daughter. He's gone to dinner with Rachel and Dana and he knows they have a good relationship and Dana is smart. I don't think it is a big issue for him anymore. Maintaining his relationship with Rachel is the big picture for him.

TF4EVA

Difficult to go with the logic of an AI developing an organic life form. Again a kill switch in organic life form is difficult to contemplate for me. However as we live in a fantasy world I am not just writing off anything 😁

Yes, this was something which interested me. Also the reaction from Henry on seeing Dana on bed with Rachel. Absolutely nothing.

10000 years is a lot of time to sit around thinking up nefarious schemes. Who knows if Nexus was given a directive to develop a a final fodder species, but because he had to create them without MN's guidance they don't contain his gene markers. Plus he wasn't pissed at the Ashanath or Trankarans, just the humans when he felt threatened. We need to know how old the Kirrix are as a species. I just want the Kirrix to be more than evil for evil's sake, and serve some sort of purpose in the galaxy. Tefler does a good job of bringing out the gray with his other "bad" species, and I'm hoping Faye's conscience kicking in for the Kirrix when it never did for the Kintark or Drakkar is our first inkling of this.

Is it just me or does anyone else want to Faye with a bully full of cum? I want to know if she will became a real girl! He he

Still feels like there needs to be an upgrade to the Invictus computational/processing power to really smoothly handle all the new possible tasks that doubling the number of the boys creates. Of course, if the boys are now (more or less secretly) basically at the level of self-contained/independent VI's, or maybe even 'proto-AI's' with some significant limitations, and are no longer as dependent, or are actually now *independent* of the processing resources of the Invictus proper, then the total number of Boys would would have little impact on the Invictus' computational resources. It'll be interesting to see how it works out... :P

I've been considering the "what if": maybe MN survived & wound up on Arcadia, but after all the world-killing and such decided to try something different than once again taking the same, standard Progenitor path to power. I've wondered if the being in control of the Kirrix is MN, who after surviving just let the Maliri go to try something new & not so boring. Completely new genetic modification techniques, so that the Kirrix would look & act nothing like his previous work. But he also figured out that LK - or someone like him - was coming, or perhaps was already there, and decided to avoid all that fuss about Progenitors killing each other until he was *really* good and ready this time, and so MN deliberately created a distraction / oddity /curiosity that the other Progenitor would have to pay attention to: John. (Do I think there is any chance that this is true? Not really. But it's been fun chewing on it...)

Twenty four Boys could get a lot of work done quickly. Clearly, with only 12 Avatars, Faye does not need to direct each bot individually, but let it run on its software and experience.

When Dana told Henry he was the greatest father in law ever, did she mean: 1) she was married to Rachel; or 2) Rachel marrying John made him her FIL, too.

4 days and counting

PLRus--Founding member of the TSM F5 club.

The description of some of the ambassadors from the minor worlds suggests many weird and wonderful are able to engage in space travel and the like - key is they are sentinent beings. Not alot about the Kirrix seems sentinent but they do do their basic functions well. Maybe it is that that do operate on another frequency to everyone and everything else

TF4EVA

TF ..I always wondered how an insectoid race developed space travel & use of weapons & since they now chose to use sentient beings for incubation I theorized that like some lab animals can absorb knowledge from eating other that have run mazes what if the slowly learned & grew from their grubs feasting on other intelligent beings , by accident at first but once they became aware they now look exclusively for them . Just what is rattling around in my head .

bigdawguw65

If he could put a kill switch in organics why not just put it straight into the Trankarans, Ashanta< & Humans , why bother to create a race of organics to do it for him? & he wasn't so homicidal when he was helping MN , it was only after he was discovered on the moon & was taken part by Terran scientist & abused that he took to hating organics especially humans & by then he no longer had MN's tools to aid in creating races .& there is no indication the "Brain Bug"(Starship Troopers)is robotic , everything points to an natural developed source per Rachel she also said there was no indication of Progenitor tampering So don't think Tefler is twisting that way .

bigdawguw65

wasn't it Tashana that met Nexus not Faye?

TF4EVA

end of the month which isn't too far off

TF4EVA

There been any word on part 2, yet, guys?

ETNSosa

cheers for that. The way The Kirrix operate will be crucial to whether Helene can save them (big jump I know) or John wrestles with the progen template of wiping worlds and species off the board as the invictus takes down the big brain alpha bug

TF4EVA

Check out the Tyranids from Warhammer 40K for a template of how I think Kirrix society and their Hive Mind operate. Tefler did work at Games Workshop after all.

If there were some form of genetic kill switch I suspect Rachel might have found it by now.

TF4EVA

Unlike the Borg who seemed to assimilate others into the collective the Kirrix use other sentinent beings as food for their young. So when we talk about a Hive mind I guess we mean that there is a giant bug (or borg like queen) who is able to track all who are part of the collective and impart instructions. Seems a slow way to communicate especially in times of combat with multiple fronts as happened at Khalgron - but it does suggest a giant psychic force to be reckoned with. So what happens when you cut off the food supply? What do adult Kirrix eat? Do they grow their own or are totally reliant on trading and crossing the border?

TF4EVA

The mission for the Invictus appears to help reclaim the Terran space occupied by the Kirrix - at least that is what John and Calara agree after the battle of Terra. John seems to confirm this limited scope when he tells the High Command they are on their way to help out. If the Kirrix do bug out back to the pre existing border before the Invictus arrives will chasing them beyond the border - even if they say it is to catch and save those taken, seem like excessive to Faye setting off her earlier bout of doubt. For John this will resonate given his talk with Calara and Dana. Alot of what the Invictus will be able to do is based on the idea that the refit on the way can happen in time.

TF4EVA

Ah yes, but remember Maliri tech is really devolved Progenitor tech. So something like Irrilith's vambrace could still have an imprint of true progenitor cyber technology like Nexus. Nexus was broken and unstable when he and Faye met, but they recognized each other. My whole theory hinges on the fun "what a twist" aspect of Nexus creating the Kirrix. He did seem to be capable of his own creations when he took over the space station, even though they were all bots The issue of Nexus creating organics he hates is where the built in kill switch I mentioned would come in. The Kirrix could then be disposed of when their purpose was served. No psychic connections needed, just a cyber command to the servers of the robotic Hive Mind.

did you mean sentient beings? I did look up sediment beings just to be sure they weren't a real thing..lol

Robert Hawk

I think Faye had her Crisis of Conscience & her talk with John calmed her , she realized that although they were living beings it was a matter of in battle some would die & who the innocents were that deserved to live . The Kirrix are attacking & brought it on themselves , she might have some questions if it comes down to searching out their home world & destroying it though . I'm not sure if a peaceful settlement is possible since it was discussed the Kirrix needed sediment beings for there eggs , so it's not like they can replace people with cows or whatever . So it's either eradicate them or deal with on going attacks .

bigdawguw65

So who else thinks Faye's pity for the Kirrix and regret at slaughtering them wholesale at Khalgron is going to return in the form of a logic bomb and cause a crisis in the next battles? I'm hoping she will be successful in some kind of communication with the bugs and we can learn their origins. Then that will open the doors to Arcadia and the treasure trove of knowledge there!

DD...I would think only if John relinquished it first . I'm not sure John would want any child to go through what he has

bigdawguw65

Dawg, maybe Athgiloi really believes what he said about the Maliri. Since, Forever, they had not left their own territory -- until recently. He thinks their unusual departure and treaty demand for safe passage was a legalism, no matter how mysterious. No doubt the Deep Pool is well aware of the Maliri role during the Battle of Terra that devastated the Kintark invasion fleet. He may have guessed they were on their way to Trankaran space, but maybe not. So, unless he is aware of Maliri support for Ashana, he might believe the Maliri wouldn't lift a finger to help the Kintark. So, hubris and miscalculation by leaders, will throw grunts and sailors into the meat grinder.

As well as going to Arcadia John needs to face PJ to get more of his inheritance. Both appear problematic but both might bring knowledge of his parentage. The campaign agains the Kirrix might see him get to Arcadia but not sure what event it will take for John to address his inner demon...

TF4EVA

I'd guess Mareno isn't Lynettes new XO or Adj. If Alyssa had of done the red hands thing with the next level down of the command structure it would be interesting if she would hve been tainted because of what she knew not so much because of what she did. Where will admiral Maybridge fit into the new order

TF4EVA

Helene was taken from her family when she was 8 years old. She was moved to another village and never saw her parents or most of her 20+ siblings again. One sister joined her at her new village where Jade met them both.

The question of john's parentage has been on going since the start of the story . Male'nerak was the first we learned of , he was the ruler of this area of space for the last 72,000 yrs since destroying the Achonin . He took(created ) the Maliri as his thrall race & at some point created the Nymphs (still not determined for exactly what purpose ) & then subservient races of Trankarans & Ashanta & then Humans as an experiment . About 10 thousand yrs ago another Progenitor arrived to challenge his rule . Ranagon (as named by Trankarans) started his attack in the area of the Trankaran space & it seems Mael sailed off to face him after releasing his Matriarch Valada & never returned . It seems both died in their final battle but then about 40 yrs ago a Terran expedition found the remains of a Progenitor Black ship & Jessica Blake was enthralled & made pregnant . It would seem that one of the Progenitors survived their battle & was marooned there for 10 thousand yrs , to damaged to leave & without matriarch or thralls couldn't repair himself & but also not die (progenitors are immortal) . After Jessica was "rescued" by her shipmates & returned to Terra she delivered her son ,JOHN, & escaped back to her Master . John was raised as a Terran & didn't realize just who or what his father was until he took Alyssa as a long term lover & it kicked in his maturation as a Progenitor . LK has since arrived to "conquer" this area of space & seems very aware of all the major races & has used this knowledge to start them warring against each other . Since he knew of the Maliri & their role as MN thralls he didn't attempt to control them , we know he's not MN . ( once a race is claimed other Progens are barred from trying to claim them ) This to me is a major hint as to John's father ,a claim on a thrall race might be able to be passed on to one's heir(john) . LK has been with his Matriarch for at least 4 thousand yrs & has an Empire somewhere else in space (Ailanthia questioned him on when he was planning to return home to expand his legends) , so he couldn't have been on Arcadia to impregnate Jessica . As to the idea that John was created to be a body for damaged Progenitor seems a stretch , if he could re-establish a matriarch & thralls it isn't needed & why was he given a "trainer" to allow him to mature into a full fledged Progen if your going to try & take his body , better to just leave him untrained & vulnerable ., if it's even possible to transfer his personality .

bigdawguw65

Have we heard anything about Rear Admiral Carmen Moreno? Obviously, she is no longer working under the former Fleet Admiral. I'm just wondering what happened to her. Did she abandon him at the Citadel or was she elsewhere? Is she now under someone else's desk? I imagine everybody knows how she advanced in her career meaning she is likely not facing a happy future with Lynette in charge (unless she happens to ALSO be good at her job). Also, I always wondered how much she knew about the bad things Weber and Bucky were hip deep into.

Bigfoot

Well, we know he's definitely not Mael from that, but not John's father? How do we know that?

Jedi Khan

Well, one thing we now know for certain: Larn Kelnar/BSP is not John's father or Mael due to his reaction to 'reading' the Nymph.

PLRus--Founding member of the TSM F5 club.

Well, they are still coming after John and co kicked their butts in Trankaran space. Gotta believe the bugs don't care and will carry on as normal. But I have a feeling we are going to see a near extinction level event....and/or John takes over the Hive mind and uses them as cannot fodder against BSP/Larn.

PLRus--Founding member of the TSM F5 club.

N

Uh

Since the Kirrix are supposedly a hive mind, I wonder how the bugs that are invading the TFed will react to the presence of John and the girls after the slaughter that was wrought on them back in Trankaran space? Will they flee in fear knowing just how dangerous the team is, will they focus all their efforts on attempting to overwhelm the team in revenge, or will the bugs just not care and carry on as normal? Can the bugs even recognize individual ships and/or people?

Jedi Khan

Tefler, family comes first. Summer visitations must be dealt with.

Big Dude

Cheers and like DD says - family first. After all that's what John would do... In the mean time the rest of us can get on dreaming and postulating. Go well Creator, Great Maker Sir!

TF4EVA

Outstanding. Pace yourself. Family first.

Hello! Sorry I've been quiet for a few days, I was working on the first half of part 2. I've written 14k so far, but it's been slow going, what with all the muggy weather and a series of family "emergencies" which have dramatically cut into my time. I'm aiming to get 107 - part 2, finished by the end of the month, probably by about the 30th July.

Tefler

Realities of the TSM universe, Big Dude. That would be reflected, as well, in Helene's life if she were cosseted "safe" under Edraele's protection. The presence of highly lethal assassins within the Noble Houses will surprise her. The back stories of the Young Matriarchs will shock and sadden her. The history of violence in Maliri society, and the remnants of that culture, will stultify her social comfort zone. The system-wide preparation for war, and Edraele's command of Imperial priorities, will suffuse her daily attention. So, what about safety? Put Helene in a corner for her safety? What corner? What safety?

Regarding Helene, what I think will be interesting is her reaction to seeing the Kirrix dealing with the Outer Rim Humans. She will see foreign race subjugating people similar to the Brimorians dealing with herself and the Abandoned. Faye has been "schooling" her on other species. We know what we know about the Brimorians. It will cause her to nominally react in a protection motherly mode. Something will happen and we'll be shocked. Does she become a Kirrix egg killer? Who knows. I don't know how Tefler will have Helene react but there will be a reaction to the humans being forced to carrying the Kirrix eggs inside. It will be wonderful and we'll all say wow never saw that one!

Big Dude

Like meeting Alyssa as a female progenitor? Remember it was Alyssa who came up with the hex shields before John did. It was Alyssa who could more things by telekinesis before John did. Now John is demonstrating things to Alyssa she asks how can you do that. I think John will need to spirit walk to show Alyssa/Athena how to become more powerful as John learns more of his abilities. One other thing ladies and gentlemen is something I think Telfer was doing with foreshadowing. John laid down the law to Alyssa and Jade regarding taking his orders when they go into battle two or three chapters ago. I thing Grimlakin is onto something here where John says something about strategy and tactics to Alyssa and Jade and they see John getting his butt kicked and they plot something together that turns the fight positive to the Lion of the Federation!

Big Dude

Docking bays, dry docks, manufacturing facilities, some plant life for parks, hydroponics for limited food growing, water and air filtration facilities, R&D labs, server farms, medical facilities, amusement parks, a few clubs and other recreational facilities, military housing, training and administration facilities, a large lake, shopping centers, business and commercial districts, residential districts including civilian housing and education, a zoo featuring various species of lions, and of course, extensive defensive and offensive capabilities.

Jedi Khan

What all facilities must be present in John's star port? Suggestions ....

we haven't met Jehanna's dad or family yet - or Helenes for that matter. Somewhere between saving the world opportunities will arrive for good times like Calara and Johns wedding, the first born of John appearing, the Battle for Terra memorial service etc etc. All possible opportunities for good times and maybe mischef by others (Eldraele is in charge of Maliri but are all the mariarchs on board? - Maybe one will come to the birth of Johns first born and curse her that when she turns twenty one she will prick her finger on a spinning wheel and die.....)

TF4EVA

Too true, Dawg, but for the Greed is Good crowd, extreme measures are justified if the reward seems worth it. Henry is not a sedentary sort of dude. He has places to go; people to meet; assets to inspect. If Mikaboshi was still alive, I bet he could come up with several snatch and grab scenarios followed by drug and interrogate hostage situations.

DD...that's a switch....from worrying about being the target to the victim . Rachel's mom was targeted because of his money , now someone might kidnap him to get to Rachel . He undoubtedly has top level body guards & being on Olympus next door to Charles & Lynette & their security he's pretty safe & people should know by now what happens to people who threaten or upset John's girls .

bigdawguw65

I also got the impression that LK was around when the lenarran purpose and reason for their freedom was hidden from all including the nymphs themselves. I also thught he was impressed that whatever was done by M was simple. I was also wondering what colour skin and hair L's matriarch has?

TF4EVA

Just sitting here and had a thought pop in my mind concerning the upcoming last battle. (hopefully FAR FAR OUT) I could see John actually not winning that fight until his ladies step in and completely flummox the "badguy" if he even is actually "bad". I still have some niggling thoughts he might be doing things the way he thinks are best for all not just himself.

Grimlakin

Just reading Discord for first time in weeks & came across a discussion of LK's interaction with Celphna . The part that struck me was LK asked Athgiloi if he knew what she was & he replied "humans call the Nymphs , shapeshifters who's only desire is to please their mates " & LK responds "Still working as intended after all these years ". It's fairly obvious on the surface as to what he means but what if he is talking about a misinformation campaign to hide what nymphs really are & what their role is ?

bigdawguw65

Yes, Jacek. It was interesting to see the reaction of the TF techno-Geeks, but how did teenage girls respond to Sakura's performance? Would the home planets of the Girls claim and "Lionize" them as local heroes? Would women start growing their hair long? Would girls throughout the TF who look like one of the Lionesses get swept up as fashion models and advertising shills? Would young men be attracted to them? Goodness, Faye is going to be swamped handling all the new email proposals...

excellent chapter! loved it! just wish we could have more of the TFNN special by Jehanna, the people reactions, the effects this news has on people...

Jacek Tyburski

Me, too. Pisser...

Re:Patreon -- recently I've been asked to verify my login several times including an email to "verify" my machine and picking all the roads out of about 20 different images, etc. I'm starting to get upset...

There had been this repeated cases of sale to Kirrix. However Kirrix has been shown as this being not able to communicate one on one , listening to give lord or queen's command. If that's the case how come they traded with others and what do they have to offer ? I don't have any clear idea on this.

No news on part 2 or edits for part 1 that I've seen.

Jedi Khan

Has tefler already added the part 2 or just done the edits to part 1. Can someone please tell me also Tefler could you please let us know what after 107

Their high birth rate could be countered by a low life expectancy. For all we know, that could be one of the things that was programmed into their DNA: to die at an age when they are no longer suitable for manual labor and/or child birth.

Jedi Khan

Yeah, it's been mentioned. :)

Jedi Khan

I am struggling with another aspect of the Abandoned. What do the Brimorians do with a slave race with a grow rate factor greater than 10? It is only a matter of time and the Brimorians have too many slaves which need to be fed. When you genetically create a race with such a grow rate you plan to "harvest" them at the end. I would not be surprised when they sell the "surplus" to the Kirrix.

Has enyone postulated helen as matriarch of the abandoned?

Ricardo Miguel Pereira da Silva

I don't think the issue regarding Helene is skill set or how she obtains said skills. The issue is her personality, outlook on life, her morals, etc., and how those fit with the life of a Lioness. Unlike the other girls, Helene grew up relatively sheltered in peace, the only hardship being labor in the fields and being something of a social outcast due to her inability to bare children. She's never known war and combat, the pain of decades of mental and physical torture, starvation and abject poverty, nor has she had to live with the fear that she might not live to see the next day. It is that innocence that John wants to protect. He fears that should she stick around with the crew, she will lose that innocence, as the crew goes from one combat zone to the next. War has a way of changing a person, whether they know it or not. The taking of lives, whether to save yourself and others or not, is not an easy thing to do, despite how simple it seems to be. It eats way at you little by little. You either learn to live and deal with it, or you eventually break. The team has been bouncing from one combat zone to the next for months now with little respite, and as tough as the girls are, its taking a toll on them. John can see that, which is why he sent Calara and Sakura off to visit Maria. Dana's break down after blowing the Kintark carrier fleet to hell is further evidence of the burden placed on the girls by their actions. The wholesale slaughter the team wrought at the Underworld station is another example. Even the most hardened, grizzled war veteran would struggle with that, but yet the girls did it and moved on. That...that is the life of the girls, and it is not the life John wants for Helene.

Jedi Khan

Problem here is idea of superiority of skill given by a Progenitor over inherent ones. What John has seen in Helena is a natural instinct to love and nurture. He wants to retain that. John see himself and his crew as damaged goods and violence is and was part of their life. Helena had a blissful life as a nanny. Now Erdale and her girls can train Helena not only in politics, but martial arts and sciences. She can always be an understudy of a reigning queen. I don't know how this is a problem when Faye has pointed out Helena is like a sponge when it comes to learning. In my opinion she must be having a role to help the abandoned. This doesn't mean she has to fight for them, it could simply mean help them grow as a species it terms of skills and knowledge which others already have. A warrior is not ideal for that role and probably this is the reason for John not making her one. However her not being a warrior doesn't mean she can't protect herself or learn to do so. Think of Niskara the glowing queen of Tarakkan's, she is not a warrior like John's lionesses but she is the leader and one in control. So give time for story to emerge let's see the path it will take.

I'm emotionally dead inside and don't really understand what that means. I feel like the time for headpeeping is after the fight is over, not really in the middle. I was referencing the tons of people gaming out what powers they think she should have. They could just stick her in a suit of armor with some overclocked shield generators and leave her in the corner while they take care of business.

Helene is the psychological and emotional savior of the family. That niche has been well explained in this chapter.

PLRus--Founding member of the TSM F5 club.

Why is everyone so set on having Helene becoming part of the main group of John and his girls? I think that she's pretty cool, but she seems a lot like a Watson character and will take character development time away from everyone else. And by this point in the book series, I think a Watson is kind of useless/annoying as far as storytelling/worldbuilding go.

If John can have Helene draw from the Abandoned back on Brimor? Or if John can tap the monster world and get their power through Helene?

Big Dude

No

Braw

None of the current lionesses have received 'gifts' which are solely 'defensive-psychic' in nature. What if Helene was changed to be the ultimate psychic battery - providing not only psychic shielding to the other lionesses in combat, but also providing a never-ending source of raw psychic power?

andrew finlayson

I agree she should be trained, to bond her to the group esprit d'accors, but I would prefer psychic hex shields over physical shields for Helene. I don't know what upgrades John might have in mind for her, but psychic shields get my vote.

Helene could become a form of shield maiden/nurturer? whatever; she needs combat skills. that's just common sense. something i have heard women say, i don't want to be just a housewife taking care of the children, and whatever. some part of me goes; 'yeah, makes sense.' another part goes; 'idiot, that's LITERATELY the most important job there is.' that deserves respect; says something about our modern priority though. by the way my idea for a shield maiden being her with a shield weapon combo on each arm; structured charged particles initially then, phased solid shields. with an armored backing buckler and housing. plus an integrated energy weapon in the middle that can fire perpendicular to her arm or adjustable angles. another version for more common offensive use could have a more powerful weapon integrated in a forward firing position on a more condensed shield. the shields could sync with the armor and each other to make a larger or stronger defense. function in interesting configurations. shooting through one another or edges used as blades.

keen_FlattendHedgeHog

I agree DD , although their hearts are in the right place , as to protecting the < for now < innocent & naïve Helene , she deserves to be given the tools to defend herself & the children if she is taking on that job . No one is more ferocious than a mother protecting her young . It might be ok for her not to take part in the battles ahead but to not train her would be a disservice to her & her charges . Imagine if for some reason some body got passed the other protections & arrived in the nursery with only Helene to protect the babies & she didn't have the power or training to do so , John & everyone would be devastated if she or they died because they didn't want to "spoil" her innocence . She is already a Lioness & deserves to be treated as an equal to the rest .

bigdawguw65

Despite their feelings, Faye and John should talk to Helene first, before they decide she will not become a Lioness. Even if she is convinced by them not to be trained for combat, she should not be relegated to being simply a brood mare and shipped off to be ensconced under Edraele's protection with the Young Matriarchs. I would like for her to remain a player on the Invictus and have heroine prospects within the main story line

So has Tef made any comment as to when part 2 is coming out?

Nathos

Due to the pressure of time and the priority of building new guns, Dana will delay her improvements of her Mass Fabricators. It seems she will proceed with construction of 12 more maintenance/repair bots, building sonic cannon medical stations, and begin cultivation of Eternity Crystals. She has put her research on hold into the onyx hull metal of the Legacy and her modifications of the Hover Bikes. If she succeeds in adapting hard shields to their defenses in two days before reaching the frontier, their combat effectiveness will be greatly augmented. However, the need to engaged in ground combat to free people from the Kirrix will not be affected by her new priorities, and if they do not integrate TF Marine support, they will have to do the dirtiest, most difficult job, themselves.

Sajith, they already have that functionality on the combat bridge. Check the chapter where they're wrapping up the rebuild at Genthalas and Dana takes everyone on a tour.

ETNSosa

No, AI has nothing to do with metal creation so don't add up. There was however that armband which Illirith used to have for creating AI. Dana or Illirith has not been able to recreate one of those till now in Invictus. Gives a measure tech difference between Progenitor and John's crew.

Some changes I would like to see on Invictus, Control room being a full glass cockpit with 360 degree view of space. Glass being opaque from outside and with projection facilities to overlay action plan on and over real time scenario in window view. Sure they can have separate holo display and projector for war simulation. I also would like to see voice and gesture controlled firing mechanism to ease the effort in managing guns. An advanced version of helmet mounted weapons control system or remote drone control system currently available. This will allow weapon firing and guidance with hand gestures similar to managing an orchestra.

Alyssa created a psychic dampening field at the greys market. If devices can create similar fields, why can't faye have psychic powers?

Benj

Vulkat must have tech that can help john beat progen.

Benj

During the Progenitor attack on the Vulkat, how did they destroy Thrall ships if those vessels had hard shields that could stop beams, kinetic and missile strikes?

It was said there was never a war with ashanath, they gave up territory willingly after scouring the worlds of Progenitor artifacts

If soul forge is indeed a psychic device which allows for amplification of psychic power scanning the brain waves and amplifying it then team will also have the secret of reverse process the psychic dampener used in war of Terra.

I think Blakeville or Blaketown is more likely.

Bigfoot

Tarakkan's seems to be the most travelled, having trade relation with almost all the species. I think their rock like form make them formidable and their ships engines ensured they have better reach than anyone else. They have an ambassador for Terran federation while we have not seen such a position with any other species. I would have liked Terran to have one in Kintark court. A tactics used by old colonial powers to keep rivals in check. If not at court in border trading post to facilitate trade and remove misunderstanding. Caldwell will be ideal. A prestigious position, gracious exit. A new start and chance for redemption.

I am in agreement with you. I also think it's just not any new element but same metal which John and crew have but structured differently. To take contemporary science as reference the behaviour of a garphite nano tube, graphite slice, carbon hexagonal rings and diamond-cystalline form are all different. Runes are said to make impact at molecular level changing lattice structure. This can be the same thing which is making balck metal white and otherway round. Soul forge could be a psychic power amplifier which act as a catalyst during casting/reshaping of metal. This system which obviously need external power would then allow a psychic to manipulate metal many time more and forge into form he she wishes.

I find it hard to believe that LK or any Progenitor has to personally shape & reshape the armor for their massive fleets , doesn't seem like a job for an egotistic all powerful being to do , Alyssa hates it & John's not so hot on it either . I would imagine he sets it up & lets underlings , like the Trankarans to do the manual labor . Also if the reshaping of Alyssium makes it stronger & more resilient each time would enough reshaping bring it up to the Progenitors Black Metal eventually?

bigdawguw65

Agreed, however they still won’t have enough of the raw components to provide for multiple capital ships, as I understand it, unless something changes, drastically.

Evan

I suspect that as John and Alyssa continue shaping 15X CA components, they will rapidly strengthen their ability to perform this task with greater ease. In time, as with 10X CA armor plates, they will soon be able to automate this process without conscious focus and thought. No more headaches or strained backs.

BTW I'm sure John's maps & those of the Maliri & T Fed & especially the Trankaran ( who called them all in hopes of an alliance to face the Kirrix invasion) are much more detailed as to the smaller empires & inhabited planets than the ones that TF shared with us .

bigdawguw65

John's mother was a scientist in the TF's exploration arm. They traveled beyond TF space to discover new planets and species. The existence of unfriendly civilations limited their explorations into or beyond their space. The discovery of Acadia occurring after Kirrix expansion in that region of space was reversed. John's map of Maliri space filled in gaps in their knowledge, just as his visit to the Desolation of Vulkat improved their maps. Smaller, one planet, civilizations are interspersed among the existing larger empires. The diplomats saved at Khalgron were mostly from planets in Trankarran space. Edraele admitted to wiping out several young alien civilizations within House Valaden territory, and other Maliri Houses probably behaved the same. As such, though no mention has been made, it is possible that small alien civilizations exist(ed) in TF space. If any small empire existed in Eshunu, Drakkar or Kirrix space, they might have been enslaved, harvested for food or became targets for infestation.

I wonder how fast the Terran forces will be in claiming their newly won territories/worlds from the Kintark . The Brimorians might be surprised to find , as they try to take what they think are undefended Kintark worlds that they just invaded the Terran Federation . Will John & the Invictus soon be on the way to a fish fry ?

bigdawguw65

Looking at the maps & trying to imagine how it looked before MN's disappearance it seems like Ranagon attacked through what is now the Drakkar War bands , Trankaran & Brimorian Enclave (Vulkat Empire at the time) . I can't place in my mind or if it has even been discussed where the area of the final battle between MN & Ranagon took place but since the Legacy was discovered by Ashanta it would seem likely it was somewhere in the area of their border with the Drakkar . Makes sense since they (the Drakkar) were specifically created to battle Ranagon . SKS as to why they haven't gone farther is because they are surrounded by other older Empires that might not encourage or allow such a young aggressive race as the Terran have proven to be exploring through their space , the Ashanta are proof of what might happen .

bigdawguw65

Maps in TSM is from a Terran federation perspective. In center is Terran federation as John lived there. Around it is life forms with which they came in contact with. Ashanth, Maliri, Tarakkan, Kintark and Brimorians. Drakkar and Kirrix territory also identified as danger zone. Minor empire doesn't exist on map! What of space after these known world's? Who live beyond them? Doesn't Terran federation have need or means to know of these life forms? Ship cruise speed limitation helps understanding why Terran maps could be incomplete, but couldn't they have got help from other civilisation?

Where would Timolith deploy her ships when she get them from Terran federation? Lynette has advised on a demilitarised zone avoiding the need to deploy ships guarding against Terran incursion. Kintark also will have a portion of their empire handed over to Terran federation. If those land will have even small portion of Kintark living there then they will also act as a listening post and passive defence. How Terran will handle it is big question? Will they drive natives out? Maliri will not invade as John had given the assurance. So Timolith is wary of and prepared for backstabbing by Brimorians. Because they are the only neighbour left which she has to consider as a threat. Deepsea lord's ships will be walking into a welcoming committee. I am also interested to know who live beyond Kintark.

Illirith and Tashana are holo movies fan girls. Now Maliri girl's are famous as Lionesses and can get any one to talk to them. Think what if they get naughty and call up their famous holo movie star for a chat! Perhaps Jehanna can help them... Fantasy land.

Last chapter some one was referring to John talking about lesson taught by World war 1 & 2. We had a couple of big wars every century whether it was called world war or not is different. Currently we have Middle East conflict going on which in reality is a war between proxies of various world powers. Humans animal nature has ensured major war every century. John earned a Nova star in one of them. John might have some classical space invasion and defence story of his hero to get inspired from his own time. Terran federation had gone to war with Ashanth, Kintark and Brimorian s. They are annexed territories and put down rebellion. Wouldn't it be pleasing to know John's preferred story and great if John gets to meet his hero in person now he too being one. Probably John might get some real good meaningful advise to prepare for all the bad times ahead....

What do you name the new space port which Carden is helping build for John and crew? Alyssandria!

Will additional power allow additional engine too. Increase from 3 to 4 external engine.

Funny you mention this I will list some tech exist in lab now but likely to be in field after few years, 1. Camouflage based on camera and image projection 2. Wearable communication devices 3.Brain controlled interface for computing devices 4.Radio wave absorbing material based on nano tubes 5.Beam weapon 6.Rail gun 7.Cybernetic body part with nervous system interaction. 8. Mechanically enhanced infantry soldiers 9. Genetic designing of human embryo 10. Holographic display system 11. Touch and gesture based computer control system 12. Body embedded medicine dispersal system

Big Dude, you raise some interesting points. 1 - You may well be right. 2 - Not going to happen. The Terran Federation lacks the raw materials and the ability to work them. It's causing John and Alyssa huge headaches (literally) just to upgrade the weapon barrels enough for the the Invictus so that they can handle the weapon discharge of a Tachyon Lance that is hopefully almost equivalent to that of a Thrall ship (again, lacking greatly when compared to a Progenitor's ship). The Ashanath don't have the ability to psychically shape the materials enough, nor does anyone else that we know of, shy of a Progenitor. 3 - I highly doubt that Larn'Kelnar will even notice the minor improvements to John's silly white ship. It's like a child's water pistol suddenly shooting 3 feet instead of 2 feet with a narrower and harder flow. Unless you're paying attention, why would you notice such a minor improvement? The Invictus is so seriously outclassed by the Progenitor's vessel, as Larn'Kelnar sees it, that he's waiting for John to stop playing with childrens' toys and to get his first real vessel. Remember, as we've seen, Larn'Kelnar doesn't understand why John's still playing around with such toys and why he hasn't started to create his real ships with his Soul Forge, and it was his Matriarch who pointed out that maybe John just doesn't know what he's supposed to be doing. We still don't know what action Larn'Kelnar is going to take as a consequence of that realization to get John going in the right direction. However, I think you're quite correct that the Brimorians are in for some very unpleasant surprises in the coming weeks. 4) Unfortunately, this too is quite unlikely, for the reasons stated above. Well, to be fair, yes, I'm sure that the Maliri will receive information regarding the new technologies that they *can* implement, but the truth is, they simply can't implement true Thrall technology without a Progenitor. This is undoubtedly why they lost that technology in the first place. I suspect that there will be additional improvements forthcoming for them as Dana works out what designs can be implemented using the technology that they have, incorporating everything that they've learned to date, but they still won't be able to immediately flash over enough 15 times shaped Crystal Alyssium to even upgrade the weapons, much less the armour, of the Maliri and Terran Federation Command ships. John will also be extremely leery of having the Command Ship of the Terran Federation outfitted with technology that he doesn't want the Terran Federation to yet have, given that the crew of such a ship would be in the thousands, and the maintenance crews assigned to work on it, over time, would be of a similar or greater size. The technology would get out into the rest of the Federation over too short a time. 5 - Same issue as with Devereaux's Flagship, or Olympus Station itself. Yes, John will want to protect his friends and family, but he doesn't want that technology to be distributed throughout the Terran Federation at this time. Some upgrades, such as were installed into the Invictus before they began playing with Progenitor technologies, yes... but not Nova Lances... nor other Maliri technologies that John promised not to allow outside of Maliri hands other than for his own use. Eternity crystals may be introduced, but the Terran Federation will have to trade with the Ashanath (or the Bolons in the future?) to obtain them, is my guess. However, technologies from the Kintark, Trankarrans, Ashanath, Drakkar and Kirrix are likely to find their way into Henry's most capable hands in the near future, I believe, where they will be able to make use of them using Terran Federation personnel. 6) Same issue as with the above instances. I can see Dana making a double-handful of personal shields for distribution to friends and family of the crew, but they don't have the materials to really do more.

Evan

The Vulkat archives will deliver improvements to the three Invictus power plants Dana will incorporate to operate the more powerful weapons. I asked Tefler if the Vulkat Eternity Crystals could make the FTL drives or the Trankaran engines faster and he rejected that arc.

Big Dude

On an earlier note, having the Invictus upgraded to hard shields will do a few things. Remember Calara's emotions during the discussion? 1) The Kirrix will get their ASSes kicked when John arrives. He'll float right up to them and deliver a special message. 2) Fleet Admiral Devereaux will petition John for the technology 3) The battle with the Brimorians will be short. Larn'Kelnar will be surprised that the white armored ship will be much more difficult to deal with after his conversation with the Deep Lord Athgiloi 4) John will upgrade the Maliri Matriarch ships and Fleet Admiral Devereaux's Command ship. 5) By extension - Any ship used by Henry Voss will be upgraded to keep Rachel happy! 6) By extension - John will debate if Calara's family military ships will be upgraded.

Big Dude

If you recall Lynton extended her vacation and delayed her deployment to the dragon March to complete the change from LK. This is one of those continuity threads in the story that has been well established. Tefler has done an AMAZING job managing continuity details and pitfalls, so far. Maybe, the break from the norm with Lynette’s upgrade is a small thing and can be overlooked, maybe it isn’t. What happens when/if there is a next girl that needs to become a Lioness? It is just the most glaring and obvious change to the well established guidelines within Tefler’s universe that I can recall.

MJHSharkbait365

Malifica was a smuggler not a bounty hunter . She still might have had extensive contact with the minor kingdoms . She found the secret of having a Drakkar as a crew mate (Groluk) just keep him well feed . Because of their culture , which was pretty much the biggest , baddest & most cruel ruled , the worst of them gained power ,which then led them to pretty much to be bad neighbors .They respect power above all else so with John's support , I'm thinking that as long as the Ashanta keep them well fed they will be able to work with them , just make sure you stock the pantry well , otherwise you coud end up on the menu .

bigdawguw65

Yeah, like just last month I was talking about Quantum Computers and other Quantum Physics type things...including a Quantum Drive Unit for TSM and got shot down hard by self proclaimed Physicists. Both here and on Lit and on Patreon. I also mentioned the possibility they could be wet wired...and was told that could never happen... But with room temp. Quantum Chips that becomes a distinct possibility....Especially with the recent advances in the field <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2016/08/15/putting-a-computer-in-your-brain-is-no-longer-science-fiction/?noredirect=on&amp;utm_term=.23831ea3dd8b" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2016/08/15/putting-a-computer-in-your-brain-is-no-longer-science-fiction/?noredirect=on&amp;utm_term=.23831ea3dd8b</a> and Nanotube computer chips made out of carbon rather than silicone that will more easily mesh with biological structures <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3935076/The-end-silicone-IBM-creating-carbon-chips-make-computers-TEN-times-faster.html" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3935076/The-end-silicone-IBM-creating-carbon-chips-make-computers-TEN-times-faster.html</a> Washington Post Putting a computer in your brain is no longer science fiction This company can help humans win the race against artificial intelligence by putting a chip in their heads. Mail Online IBM is making 'carbon chips' that could make computers 10 times faster IBM labs in New York have finally unlocked the secret to creating microchips using carbon nanotubes, an innovation that could lead us to some of the most powerful microchips ever created. It will not be long before plastic based Fibre Optics will not be fast enough and we will have to use carbon fibre nanotubes to run our IT infrastructure. Imagine a Carbon Fibre, Nanotube based Quantum Computer in the 50,000 qubit range being wet wired to your brain. You would have the sum total of all human knowledge and Quantum Physics knowledge at your fingertips. You could communicate wirelessly with anyone at any time just by mentally dialing them up. AI robotics would be child's play. And all of this will happen in my children's lifetimes.

PLRus--Founding member of the TSM F5 club.

Hah, hitch the unwanted guide to the Forge as a power source.

If I am right Tashana had all her memories restored and she had forgiven both Illirith and Erdale. Tashana's memories must also contain knowledge about the minor kingdoms as she was a bounty hunter in the space mostly occupied by the minor kingdoms. Also the Drakkar were not mindless beast as she had a lieutenant who was a Drakkar. It would be really interesting if Drakkar agree to peace with Ashanth emissary and join John's alliance recognising the manipulations they were subjected to by LK. If Tashana can share some information on her life with minor empires as their bounty hunter it would help us learn more of that world.

Think if John and girls can go from Terran space to Genthalas and back to Olympus in hours or minutes. They can visit all minor empires and help when and where support is needed becoming always available in his space.

John had big advantage over all his opponents because he travel faster than any one else. Initially his offensive capabilities were poor but pace and flexibility allowed him to win. With time focus have clearly moved to bigger guns and shield. John focused on procuring those when he was unaware of threat from Progenitor. Now I think he must start thinking of making his ship faster, stronger and flexible. He not only need a wormhole generator he need to make his ship faster once it's travelling in hyper speed. John must start out thinking the opponent. Its like a game of chess for LK and win necessarily doesn't mean death to all but it can be a checkmate.

It amazes me that so many people think they know better how Tefler's universe works than he does . We've seen through out the story John's growth in his power &amp; ability ,he's now in control of his powers (although a bit stunted by PJ) &amp; it's mostly circumstances that direct how he uses them . LK wasn't in a hurry to change Lynton , she was on leave , &amp; I'm sure he could have done Lynette's changes quicker but probably painfully which isn't John's way . Hopefully we can just enjoy his story without the nit picking , if it bothers you too much , read something else or even better write your own so we can nit pick it for you..joke!

bigdawguw65

TF...from the reaction of the Bolon Ambassador after the rescue that sort of behavior was abhorrent to them, while it seems slavery &amp; torture are SOP for the Enshunu , Tashanna had years of the worse kind of torture at the hands of that Capt before she literally "smoked" (turned him &amp; crew into smoke smears on floor &amp; walls) him . I'm looking forward to her getting her revenge &amp; doubt very much if there are many "good" Enshunu

bigdawguw65

Could they do worse that the current bunch of morron's who run the place? Roll on robot overlords.....

Brutal Deluxe? are you kidding? They have no roof attack, everyone knows that, London Jets all the way! Apart from that I loved the chapter, can't wait for more x

Well, the issue with a fully fledged Quantum based AI is this...there is no law of robotics that can prevent it becoming our overlord.

PLRus--Founding member of the TSM F5 club.

and what if it is just that we have one bad bolon operating with one bad 'person' of enshunu extraction who has a hard on for tashana for something she did? and Tashana remembers for some reason. Like what happened with Rachel and Calara John and the other lionesses go into avenger time.The outcom could be thatthe Invictus ends up doing the rest of the kinder Enshunu a favour (like they did with the first glowing queen). This line of thinking I suspect might be outside of the current story line whether LK is puliing the strings - but who knows....

TF4EVA

I would agree with your assessment if not for the fact that the minor species are (to my knowledge) not located at the edge of explored space, but are within Trankaran space sort of like the Vatican is within Italy.

Orthen

If Tefler wish then the whole minor species thing can be made as a set up for surprise. I would like to point out our knowledge of space is based on John's experience. Which on its own can be misleading. John was not fully aware of Maliri society, culture or history. Similarly he had a better idea of Tarakkan's and Ashanth as he had traded with them in past. Currently he is also allied to them but it's on forging the alliance he got to know of their secrets. For Brimorian's their lack of war fighting capability is now know from Maliri and Terran federation history. Abandoned was a surprise to John, so was Vulcat civilization. Why can't one of these civilization considered minor turn out to be not minor at all ? The spevies could represented itself as such one to protect themselves. Being on the fringe of known world allows them that option. South American , African and many Asian civilization was all considered minor till artifacts , monuments etc proved colonisers wrong after hundred of years. Maliri was also doing a similar process to isolate themselves but by show of power. Again assume what if one of these civilization is also a gateway to another habitable space with different set of species and civilization. Let's say the species in border land can hence rely less on the ocuipants of space in which John lives. John or Terran federation or his allies had not explored Drakkar, Kirrex or Kintark world and space after that. Currently our visualisation of John's world is like ancient Greeks with earth as the centre and everything else rotating around it. However space is infinite and so is the possible life forms. After all Progenitor did not originate in any of the living civilization John knows. Our story has a lot of places to go and visit in my opinion. And to travel those distance in reasonable time we need huge huge upgrade for Invictus...

Asimov's The Last Question.

Evan

If they were, then Ranagon's territory probably completely surrounded Mael's, because it seems to me that the Enshunu now are on the opposite side of space from where Ranagon invaded. Ranagon invaded Mael's empire through what is now Trankaran space, however the Enshunu border Maliri and Kintark space. Think of this region of space as being in layers: Trankaran space is the bottom layer, TFed, Kintark, Brimorian, and Ashanath space sharing the next layer, with Maliri space on top. Given the evidence so far, I think it more likely that the Enshunu are the descendants of the race that built Underworld station, survivors from when Mael first arrived in this region. That would explain how they knew how to reactivate the station, and their poor outlook on women - since it was an all female army that destroyed them, what better way to prevent that from happening again by enslaving women so they can't become thralls?

Jedi Khan

I have to wonder when the Enshunu will show up again. We know they have red eyes and did not some of the physic echos on the Legacy that Alyssa saw have red eyes and yellow skin but I do not recall mention of the Enshnu's skin colour. So perhaps the Enshunu were one of Ranagons thrall species?

Nibbles

As Rachael announced Jade's mind had been altered sometime in the past she is not the same as the other Nymphs. Now that john is enhancing the "sisters" or other nymphs then maybe they will not behave as they were originally planned as Johns enhancement is overwriting the original programming.

Nibbles

And ultimately, when the universe runs down: Quantum said let there be light, and there was light.

Question: How does IBM's quantum computer compare with their Watson supercomputer? Or has Watson been upgraded to use the new quantum computer, with the old supercomputer having been replaced?

Jedi Khan

The Quantum Computer: What many do not realize is Quantum Computers already exist. IBM currently has a 5 qubit Quantum Computer that users can access online. And, in just a couple of years the plan is to create a 50 qubit Quantum Computer. To put this in perspective, a quantum computer with 300 qubits would be able to process more bits of information than there are particles in the universe. The 50-qubit quantum computer will be 10 times larger than a 5-qubit system already housed by IBM. And the new system will be able to do things that conventional computers can’t do. It will accelerate drug discovery and make scientific discoveries, IBM said. IBM is building faster quantum computers to show such systems aren’t theoretical dreams. IBM’s ultimate goal is to build a universal quantum computer with thousands of qubits to run a wide range of computing tasks.

PLRus--Founding member of the TSM F5 club.

No, I don't think the Trankarans have a Soul Forge. Since they are master metal workers, it's possible that they have higher quality, more productive forges than the other empires, and those are what they call star forges. We also know that they have forges aboard their ships, or at least their flagship. We know that because Dana met with their forge masters about Niskera's flagship.

Jedi Khan

Rereading to keep my addiction under control &amp; in Ch 92 when Niskera describes her eyes as 'like the flames of The Great Maker's Forge are burning within me..." Big question are the Soul Forge &amp; Great Makers Forge the same thing &amp; if they are , where did she see it , also in Ch 94 speaking to the Senate after her revel's herself as the Glowing Queen she says "We must ensure that the star forges are in full operation once again , building ships the like's of which have never been seen before " . Soul Forge = star forge? Maybe the Soul Forge is similar to the eternity crystal process which requires a being with physic powers to function properly . Just waiting for TF to let us in on the secret.

bigdawguw65

I believe that occurred back on Ashana, before the trip back to Olympus and long before Oceanus. The metal at the time was the Invictium metal, the first psychically reactive metal that Dana developed. As for your question, the answer is no, we have not seen anything similar. Honestly, I think it was only significant to show that both John and Jade had psychic powers, even if they didn't know it. The metal was psychically reactive and it reacted to them, therefore they are psychic.

Jedi Khan

Like a powercore explosion?

Braw

It may or may not relate to the 'soul forge' but during the refit at Olympus before the Invictus went to Oceanus Jade and John are kissing on the hull of the ship and as the team leave, the hull of the Invictus was noted as being shrouded in a faint nimbus of light, the radiance centred where the amorous couple had been kissing. It slowly faded out of sight as the group walked away, leaving the jet black hull glistening with a dark sinister lustre. Has there been any further reports of similar activity?

TF4EVA

I agree with you, but let’s face it, the story is great and I’m willing to cut it a lot of slack. If you really want to nitpick the story all I have to say is “where are the frigging nuclear weapons??” There have been nuclear artillery shells since the 1950s! Can you imagine what would happen is one of those go off inside a ship?

Bad Dog

I can just see the SUN/STAR headlines now...FLEET ADMIRAL AN IMPOSTER!!?? together with security camera montages showing both of her face/body reveals as captured by the station security service cameras in/around the Admiralty's gym. When faced with obvious evidence of something serious that security people would find instantly objectionable, SOMEBODY would squalk - and quickly - and they would do it regardless of any existing privacy-protection protocols. This would quite simply be WAY too big a story/secret to keep.

GrandPaM

OK, I must object at this point. Tefler, you've made a breaking-with-the-suspension-of-disbelief strategic error, and I have to explain it as it really causes much of the last few chapters' worth of storyline - especially in all that relate to Fleet Admiral Devreaux - to completely fail, IMO. I'll begin my objection with this one word: security. Lynette Devreaux is now the undisputed leader of THE ENTIRE TERRAN FEDERATION, right? So, where is her security detail? For a Fleet Admiral, there would unquestionably be one - and in fact, there would be one assigned to EVERY admiral who serves in the upper echelons of the Admiralty at all. TFED Security Services would - without a doubt - have a security detail - one of GREATER size and complexity than that of the US President today - tasked with the personal body-close protection of whoever is the service Fleet Admiral - and also a slightly lesser effort to protect the other top-line Admirals (of which John is now one also). One of several defining characteristic of these types of protection details is this: clandestine surveilance (via multiple means and methods) of their person and their immediate environs - whether at work or at home. Another is that their every need is anticipated and provided for - their favorite coffee constantly available at a whim or a gesture to a personal secretary? a given. What I mean here is that there are going to be MANY PEOPLE constantly around her (or him) - both their staff officers/enlisted as well as their security detail personnel. What Tefler is painting here is a situation of Lynnette's having "two faces" quite literally - and with the simple expedient of her holographic device being able to sustain that illusion for more than 10 minutes? It is an utterly absurd proposition in the context of the close and continual observation and interactions she would be having around her at darned near all hours. So, I can't buy this. The part of this story with her and Jehanna sharing this secret of fooling Charles (and, more to my point, _everyone else_) like this - it just does not pass even the most casual of sniff tests. Sorry - but my suspension of disbelief had broken down over this. This is just quite simply a bridge WAY too far for me to cross.

GrandPaM

That’s what I mean. Ceredan might decide his daughters should be with John long term, despite his reservations

ncamferd

Only regularly feeding gifts immortality,Lynette,Jehanna and Niskera have all been told they can have a long 'normal' life before joining John and REGAINING their youth.

Braw

I’ll have to reread it, but is Ceredan aware of the immortality bit? If so, he may want that for his daughters, despite his obvious reservations about the “process”. Not sure how that conversation between him and John would go, but I’m picturing some wonderfully awkward comedy

ncamferd

just had a laugh reading comments on literotica for 105...pretty funny all the stuff people write waiting for next chap to drop! Oh wait a minute we do that stuff here too..........lol

B S

Ben, really? You are considering the ability to talk to babies to be a superpower? Now, the ability to communicate with babies (or anyone else) and have them follow your instructions, well, any good mother will be able to do that, too! ;-) Of course, that still doesn’t discount it from being a superpower...

Evan

On Helene, faye helped john realize that Helene is not a warrior, so she will start to develop super nurturing powers. These include overproduction of breast milk, ability to talk to babies, the ability to track children, sleep inducing lullabies, and the ability to help women with pregnancies, childbirth and post pardom. What did i miss?

Benj

i had a thought last night on the Dana's inventions debate....my opinion is that prehaps her human gift for invention is producing improved versions of the progen devices they have been coming across despite not being able to create the black metal. I think she will come up with her own alternative metal that will be better than the black metal. We shall see

B S

Is Dacres fleet still standing off Olympus? or is it patrolling Terra? Admiral Morgans fleet still off the Brimorian border? and Commodore Campbell is still there waiting for the new fleet reenforcements of Admiral Zelig? Which Admirals fleet will be upraded first? Hopefully Caldwell is last!! Who had command of the Saturn Station as they seemed to do pretty well in the battle for Terra. Just who and how will the recovery forces rescue those holed up in the deep mines i.e Seb and co

TF4EVA

if soul forging does hve anything to do with the astral it is unlikely that the invictus can be decked out in soul forged armour and weapons before they go into action with the Kirrix. Loading out with the new progen parts and weapons made from Danas special element would seem to be the best they can do - knowing that just that alone means they are punching way above their weight as a battle crusier. If as we suspect there will be a call for ground clearance then the raptor, mech, personal armour and weapons also need attention. Hopefully in her project management Rachel will realise this as well as the need for the twins to concentrate on the language and translation as well as the need to build her new medical bay.

TF4EVA

Interesting concept, it could also mean the "soul energy" comes from the beings in the astral, and we are well aware of their titanic strength. I don't doubt the energy they provide would be much more than a simple thrall could give.

Roethan

Personally, I suspect that the Soul Forge that has been alluded to may involve forging material from the Astral Plane (not material from this one at all) using the power of the souls being funneled into the Progenitor. Such material may not be bound (entirely or in part) by the same laws of physics as those that are native to this universe, potentially making it able to exceed some of the restrictions of those selfsame laws. For example, being able to extrude Astral Energies directly into matter without breaking E=MC squared, as the energies required are only being used to siphon and direct, not directly create, thus introducing new matter into our universe that doesn't consist of any elements that are native to it. This would also explain why Valada and the ancient Maliri couldn't simply cobble together their own technology to reproduce it, even when they were involved in the creation of their own Thrall ships under Mael'nerak.

Evan

Another awesome read...thanks!

Arrowglass

This chapter also explains one reason why the Maliri may have retreated behind their own collapsed borders after Mael’nerak left them, and why they concealed their racial identity. They knew what Thrall craft could do and wanted to avoid further contact with them and their Progenitors. As Edraele thinks in this chapter, ‘While her ships might be able to utterly demolish the vessels from their neighbouring empires, against Thrall craft there would be an altogether different outcome. She was under no illusion just how devastating that kind of fleet battle would be for the Maliri...’

Evan

‘work our ass off’ -&gt; ‘work our asses off’

Evan

Well why can't Charles have them both if John can have scores of them??

Not to distract you overly much, Tefler, but what's the news on the art commissions? It's been awhile since it was last mentioned.

Jedi Khan

Bear in mind they got eight done in part of a day. If it took only a quarter day (say four or five hours) between them, then they have three more stints to go in a day, giving rest time between. I foresee that the last ones will be a headache.

Damian Wright

Edreale must have thought Ceraden needed a high paying job to support 6 wives &amp; an up coming brood . Poor Charles years without female companionship &amp; now two at once , &amp; I can tell you two women at once is one too many for health &amp; sanity , hope Lena takes a hint &amp; backs off , think once she realizes Lynette's interest she will , main reason I think for her attaching herself to Charles is she sees him as a step up career ladder &amp; getting on the bad side of Fleet Admiral is a bad career move.

bigdawguw65

Nice start to the chapter, Tefler. Good to see you incorporate my concerns about Dana's tech development being guided by the Progenitor DNA rather than her own innovation. Too bad John and Alyssa got distracted from that conversation, so no real conclusion was made. Maybe later, once they have a chance to relax a little? Very interesting tech developments. I hesitate to imagine just how powerful full Progenitor tech is given that the Nova Lances, the current most powerful weapon in the team's arsenal, is supposedly devolved from the Tachyon Lances equipped on Thrall ships. If the Nova Lances, as they are now, are powerful enough to one-shot a fully shielded battleship, just how much more powerful are the Tachyon Lances? Can they one-shot a dreadnought? And they're small enough to be turreted? And Calara wants Dana to replace the Invictus' full complement of beam lasers and quantum cannons? Bloody hell, the amount of carnage those things can unleash. Question is, can the team actually complete the swap in time? I'm not too sure, considering between John and Alyssa, they only got eight done in a day, with another thirty-two left and only another day to do them in. By the way, how long did the Quantum Heavy Cannons (formerly the Gauss Cannons) last before now? One, maybe two battle...just a few weeks? And they're being replaced already? They haven't even lost that new gun smell yet. I have to wonder though, how do Dana's modifications compare to the real thing? Surely there is some loss in performance due to her using supposedly inferior materials, despite making modifications to compensate. Oh, and before I forget, Ceraden is one lucky bastard. Six loving women who are willing to share? Yep, good for him. Oh, and also being placed in charge of the commercial portion of the new station is a nice bonus too. Charles is also lucky, having two very powerful women vying for his attention. Too bad they aren't willing to share.

Jedi Khan

From my understanding, it's deep in Kirrix territory, a long ways from the TFed border worlds. So, yeah, no where close.

Jedi Khan

how close is Acadia to the outer rim?

TF4EVA

Dana sees references to something called a ‘Soul Forge’ in the construction notes on the schematics related to the armour and the metal for the weapons - not that it actually created the black metal. Does it describe a process or a piece of equipment or........

TF4EVA

Hopefully we can hear from Niskera in pt. 2. It was really great to catch up on the rest of the galaxy. TSM has grown so much in scope, so I didnt realize how much I missed reading the worlds beyond John and the girls. Also, im happy to see John and Helene grow closer together. I agree that Helene's optimism and inner light need to be protected, but i still hope she can play that part aboard the Invictus. They need a girl not plagued by the weight of death. Rachel can certainly be that, but she has a more realist perspective compared to Helene's sense of wonder.

LK isn't they're only enemy . Still have Kirrix to deal with &amp; the Brimorians are on the horizon .

bigdawguw65

Nailed it. I was thinking the same thing. Doesn’t make any sense. Although I do believe the Quantum flux cannons are ordnance based.

MJHSharkbait365

Quick question regarding replacing the heavy quantum guns with tachyon lances. Did Calara forgot the laser immunity of the black material LK ship is made of? Because its strange that they increase the size of the ship to mount solid projectile guns because the enemy ship is immune to energy based weapons to now replace them with energy based weapons.

Ahh..the conundrum of immortality , no one wants to die , but living forever just isn't a fit for human physiology . As a race we are programed to procreate &amp; to build a better life to pass onto our off spring . It's said repeatedly to bury your child is the moat agonizing thing a person can endure.Even people who believe on some sort of after life aren't anticipating finding out if their right or wrong about those beliefs (even the Pope rides around in a bullet proof car) . It's one reason I doubt any family connection among Progenitor , why have children if your going to live forever? Take a lesson from Kings &amp; Princes of old , most danger comes from your own royal family .

bigdawguw65

Going back to an earlier chapter, when Lynette shuts down Lina about the efficacy off the propaganda departement with "We can thank the lion ...". I think a few years (hundreds) down the road, "thank the lion" will have replaced "thank god" and people will be chastised for taking his name in vain.

thanks a great chapter or first half

Mjk154

At the end where Jehanna signs off it should be” the first of a series” not “serious.” Awesome 107!!! Can’t wait for 107b!!

David B

In mythology I have seen one of the punishment was to not allow death. He/She see loved ones die one after another from sidelines helplessly. So when Lynette was discussing of her possibility of long life just before going on a date with Charles, who clearly will have a short span it seemed quite odd. Is Charles just a toy for Lynette till she is with John and girls? Remember MK was getting bored and creating new life forms like babies to sustain himself. John's crew even after seeing Vulcat queen doesn't realise long life is not necessarily fun.🤔 Lack of maturity at 18-19 years!

An interesting point , we know from Nkkritt's memories they were able to kill some thrall ships (at great cost) so maybe only The Progenitors flag ship or his capital ships has this defensive system or some other weapon system they have proved effective , hope as they finish their research into the Vulkat files something pops up that can give them an edge.

bigdawguw65

not TFbut...LK's black ship seems to be virtually invisible , only the absence of the stars behind it gives it away &amp; Carala wouldn't be looking for it since it isn't involved in the fight , no other ships are shielding or protecting it &amp; with his shields up nothing can harm it (the Drakkar ship rammed it at full speed with no seeming damage to it ) so LK just sits back &amp; watch his schemes come to fruition . He doesn't take any part in the battle &amp; John &amp; Co usually only are aware of him when he powers up to leave . They know they can't compete with the black ship so they are better off just ignoring it for now , they know any attempt to attack it would only lead to their distruction .

bigdawguw65

Dana and Alyssa have no known siblings..probably from same orphanage..

Okay Lynette is just jealous because Charles had shown interest in another girl.. Now think what happens when Charles find out Lynette is Mary.. Charles ask Lynette/Mary, how is it possible she looks so young and then she goes, I drank you best friends juice..I mean ejaculations..no no it's not like how you think..It was totally asexual but fully consensual...😁 Charles being a male is likely to have no ego, no emotional problems etc with such an incident to have happened in the past. He also is never going to feel insecure about his woman in presence of John. The whole scenario is hilarious.. It's going to be fun how Tefler crafts their future interaction and how he turns and tunes his character...May be Charles is kinky!

In my opinion she is by a hair almost a full crew member just like the other girls now. Just don't know if it is being mentioned anywhere

MaydaysSin

Timolith necessarily did not know of the arrangement with Brimorians.I remember Alyssa telling there was plan to surrender Terran Federation waterworlds to Brimorian empire in return for shield technology. Brimorians would have been waiting for fall of Terra to occupy those planets and naturally they were upset they did not succeed. Double game they played was giving John the shield in return for Vulcat tech. Admirals of Brimorian empire currently assume their shield allowed John to win over Kintark forces and he did not give them useful tech as they need psychic converters to process Vulkut tech. Also the their discussion of alpha shields uselessness against Maliri suggest best tech not given up. It would be fun to see their surprise when John arrive with offense and defense capabilities far greater than what they estimated..

Vulkat scientists confirm soul forge created black metal used by Progenitor..Now here is the question..what if soul forge indeed need soul or life to create metal, will John start a sacrificial chamber? From his nature till now answer is no he will not, then what's the alternative..Can't John arrive at the alternative with out looking desperately for Soul forge itself ...questions.. questions..

No that was an old alchonin station

Sean McAllister

Faye casually mentions she is preparing more bots parts using fabricator and can help Dana.Just no mention in story of Dana/Illirith approving the decision of Faye.John had insisted Faye had to go through Illirith for decision on any alterations, enhancement etc when they were in Maliri shipyard or am I wrong here ... Doesn't she need enhancement too , long pending...

Tefler why is Carala not worried that she had missed to detect the presence of LK in battlefield more than once while he had made his presence known to them.. In earlier chapters it was clearly mentioned Invictus could detect pirate and other Terran federation ships at a distance before they detected Invictus..overtime this progress in long-range scan seems to have not been pursued any further..If I am wrong please ignore, just getting frustrated LK has no reason to worry about Invictus as he is always hidden..

Tefler has made bombers and missiles redundant. Now I wonder will shields also not prevent shells of canons, rail guns etc from penetration as they also depend on kinetic energy or force of impact as much as missiles ? So only weapon that can take out thrall ships are energy weapons, like lasers or electromagnetic pulses.. Interesting and I am still quite not sure what does the guns in Invictus actually fire...

Techsposition at the beginning slowed down the pace, but the rest of it was very fun. Nice to see Helene and John finally together... here's hoping he can breed her soon!

James Hârn

Just wait until John finds out there is another nymph on brimorian planet. Rescue time!

I forgot that Athgiloi has a nymph too. I wonder if she was captured at the same time as Helene's people? Or, if she has other sisters around?

Benj

Lynnette jealous? I guess john only deters this regarding him. Chuck is fair game.

Benj

Why do you say that? I don’t recall any evidence of contact between Larn’kelnar and the Kirrix.

Evan

Think about it from a Progenitor viewpoint. Until Alyssa, insofar as we know, all Progenitors have been male. Females are already a Progenitor’s natural ‘prey’ for influence purposes. How best to influence the males of lesser species without having to customize a female of their species, first, such as has been done with the Maliri, Terrans and Trankarrans in the story?

Evan

Holy Borer Bomb Batman! Are Alyssa and Dana's sisters sheltering with Seb Mortimer? Is Fat Tony with a long memory also there? Will Tamolith be asking for John Blakes help when the Bimorians come a'calling? Interesting Larn’kelnar didn't know about the Nymphs but more interesting is what will happen when Jade and her sisters get in his range.....Nice one Mr Tefler

TF4EVA

Carden will be incharge of John's starbase..nice..want to hear of the progress soon..I think with automation available Maliri can create such a base faster than Terran's. Think of Terran Federation surprise if such a base come online in weeks when they are in detailed planning and upgrade process of Olympus themselves.It will also allow engineers of Maliri in Olympus.. everyone desperate to know what is it under the armour...

Or else there must be some rules of engagement which LK has to follow. Tefler ...tell us why...

Is LK settling the new Progenitor "our John" in a nest? Is he making an ideal environment for a Progenitor to evolve by producing unwanted conflicts and bringing John's skillset out. In the process LK is also removing the bias, sense of superiority and aloofness some of the sepcies had. Isn't his action making entire sepcies in this part of space depending on John for protection? What if that is the plan? Allow to grow, evolve and develop followed by a duel in times to come! Otherwise LK had time, tech and opportunities to remove John like nothing..

LK is already scewing Brimorians by encouraging them to attack the Kintark, he know the whole fleet is not destroyed and he promise John will be eliminated. From his past actions it's clear he has no such plan for John and crew or else he could have got rid of John long back. Deepsea lord is being duped by LK.

LK necessarily don't have a dislike for humanoids, his motives are different but a chapter with 'How I met the Progenitor' will be interesting none the less.

Tefler seems to agree through John and Alyssa's discussion Dana has got her technology thanks to Progenitor diet. They also have pointed out she however find different applications for same tech in combination with other tech, which was not intended or done by the Progenitor. Will be interesting to see whether her innovation capability win over tech advantage of Progenitor...

Heroes in stories are of two types, one with abilities like John and those others who are committed to a cause. In our story we have John the Superman, extraterrestrial but we don't have any Batman. Human committed to a cause. Would have loved to have such a character, male or female, limited by inherent genetics but enhanced by determination, training and willpower.

LK seems to have upgraded Kirrix, he is increasing the level of the game he is engaged in with John and crew. Upgrade of gun and shield of Invictus will help them.They would however need upgrade of personal body suites which once again never came up in the story. Interested to see what happens when they meet up with Terran federation ships.

Nymphs assume form of female that pleases it's master. Should the master always be a male?

I am interested to know whether Nymph of Deepsea lord was subdued or programmed to behave in the manner she did when LK came into chambers. Jade was never impacted by John in that fashion at the pirate ship. It clearly gives a measure of advantage LK have over John and possible vulnerability with Nymph's in general.

Tefler has presented Brimorians as this species with false bravado who seems to discuss their plans as if they are meant for greatness all the while they are doing is hiding and bidding time to do back stabbing. Backstabbing seems very normal to them, would like to know what circumstances made them this way....

Henry Voss's message list suggest Dana has given a lot technology which can be considered double use technology, civilian and defence.It now will take some engineer with brains to apply for defence application, hope Terran Federation have them..

John has taken permission from every girls family to marry them, now for Jehanna we are yet to have family introduction.. want to see that coming soon..

Hmm loved this one. However I felt scene with Helena and John could be improved with features that make her different brought out in the scene.I rushed through it. Otherwise engaging as it showed story moving ahead through characters not part of John's crew. Still there are characters I missed, some were well defined in last few stories. Left wondering why Terran's in general are not honouring fallen soldiers. Is it because war is not considered over by Terran's till Kirrix are removed? If so story doesn't seem to point it out except telling us action is on to save outer rim planets.Battle of terra has not been portrayed as part of war with two species. Charles being a gentleman wouldn't look into Mary, but won't there be question like for Batman where does Mary disappear when Lynette appears? Wouldn't someone run a background check after such public exposure? Loved Henry getting a new life and Rachel getting a Stepmom who cares for her dad. Fat Tony seems most human, driven by circumstances and still on that path, a product of the circumstances in which he survives..will be interesting if he survives to meet Dana and Alyssa..

Plot development along the main lines. One of the new plot lines in Karron shows some promise as a short term distraction. Nothing major will develop from this but hey, entertaining none the less, not a waste. One of the other nagar segments of this story with the Buckingham’s daughter’s fiancés is a struggle to get through. Sure hope this goes somewhere soon, if not. What a total waste of brain power. When there are so many other deserving plot lines just begging for scene time. This so called “catch up” chapter is barely deserving of the name. As it did very little to catch up on most of the anticipated secondary plot lines. Overall this is a decent chapter when viewed as a brief distraction to the main story. If anyone is hoping to get more of the greatly anticipated secondary plot lines, such as Gibbon, Leprechaun, Niskera, Caldwell. Or really any other name you could pull from a het. You will have to be patient and wait.

MJHSharkbait365

Over all this is an enjoyable chapter, ok, entertaining, and miadly interesting. Sumerizing from 10,000ft, the main plot lines continued in a decent manor, nothing earth shattering happening, but nothing feel part either. Solid plot development all

MJHSharkbait365

I think LK is leading the Brimorians down the same path that he's taken the Drakkar , Kintark , &amp; rebel Trankarans . Assuring them everything is under control &amp; you can't lose &amp; the BOOM!!! John blows shit up &amp; down go their little figure on the Galactic Map. I'm sure he knows the Maliri are following John &amp; wouldn't be standing by for them invading Kintark space or Terran either .I wonder if Athgiloi really believes what he told other Lords or is just stalling for time &amp; hoping for a couple breaks to go his way .Still think John will dip in the deep frier .

bigdawguw65

So... the Brimorians are screwed. The Kintark are not going to be nearly as toothless as they think in about a week's time. The Bolon and Ashanath are both John's allies so they'll get no eternity crystals (unless maybe the Enshunu are psychic). Plus John does have a score to settle with the Brimorians too. The deep Lord even made it onto Alyssa's list of bad guys that need killing. Can't wait to see how LK plans to take John out of the picture. I predict a hostage situation, or he'll somehow release PG from his mental prison. I liked Fat Tony's adventure. I can't wait to see Alyssa and Dana's reunion with their old mates Kelli and Perl when the Invictus saves Karron. I fear for Terri's ability to make it out unscathed though. It was fun to catch up with the other characters too and see some reactions to the Lion's exploits from them. I hope Cerdan has some fun with John when they next meet and pretends to be furious at what he did to his little girls! Anxious to get back to Maliri space, that is where most of the answers are that the crew needs, and that artwork with the twins can finally happen. I'll leave the proofreading to others and only say the scene with Helene needs a once over. Thank you very much Tefler, you continue to exceed my expectations with this story!

I think John &amp; Lynette missed an opportunity when negotiating with Talmoth to find out how involved the Brimorians were with the Invasion , did they just trade the tech or they going to join the attack . From the Deep Lords chat while John was there I was thinking the Kintark expected the Brimorians to join in (comment about spirt of agreement as opposed to spirit of it ) . It might forewarn them about what they're up to now . Also never really asked how involved LK was , seems now he might have been brokering the deal or at least might be working with both . Very interesting LK recognized the nymph &amp; knew where she came from originally &amp; her reaction to a Progenitor .

bigdawguw65

So, based on Larn’kelnar’s comments and Celphna‘s behavior, the Nymphs are an innovative solution still working as designed after all these years and one that he admires. They also interact differently with Progenitors than with other species, even when they have a master. So, the question is, for what are they a solution? I’m still not sure but I think that my previous guess in that area might not be too far off the mark.

Evan

Reading this, I have a request for two specific scenes, which might be just one specific scene. It doesn’t have to be in this chapter, and in fact, might be a nice add-on in one of the forthcoming books. This was obviously not the first encounter between Larn’kelnar and Athgiloi, albeit the first in Athgiloi’s own chambers. I’d love to read the scene wherein Larn’kelnar first meets Athgiloi. Similarly, if it’s different, wherein he first meets the former Kintark Emperor. Both of these individuals held high disdain for humanoid lifeforms. How did he so impress them so quickly? This could be told from the point of view of any or all of the participants. I would think that it might be almost as interesting to read as to write. What do you think, Tefler?

Evan

Richard, that has been fixed in the latest release.

Evan

great work Tef ......

In the newsroom with jehana and Avery.... And the first official interview with fleet admiral Buckingham? I guess that ought to be Devereux instead or Buckingham did the gig from the grave

Richard de Leeuw

Thanks Tefler!!

Old Cruiser

Yes,it's working thanks

I just deleted it and added a new one that fixed a bunch of typos. It should be up now.

Tefler

I'm getting attachment not found

Such a wonderful cornicopia...fait Accompli!!!

PLRus--Founding member of the TSM F5 club.

Alle! Viva la France!! Alle!

Outstanding!!! Better and better. Thanks, Tefler!

Thank you! Part 2 of chapter 107 will wrap up some of them.

Tefler

I'll be interested to see what they were. :-)

Tefler

You're welcome!

Tefler

No problem! I wanted to get it done by the 10th...

Tefler

Yikes! Kelli told Fat Tony to get her name right... it should be fixed now.

Tefler

Kelli's name changed to Terri halfway through...

Thanks for the edits! All fixed now. Glad you enjoyed the first half. :-)

Tefler

Ice cream! The final was against Super Nashwan. :-)

Tefler

I just saw the Speedball 2 reference :) Am a happy geek now.

yayyyy, work :{

really enjoyed that chapter, i really love all these side-plots we got to visit in here ;)

TargetDrone

Thank you, Tefler, for the latest (half) chapter! Very enjoyable! 'angle was perfect for teal-skinned beauty' -&gt; 'angle was perfect for the teal-skinned beauty' 'was loving ever second' -&gt; 'was loving every second' 'our first in our serious of exclusive' -&gt; 'our first in our series of exclusive'

Evan

Nice chapter! Couple things I liked about it, but I'll wait a day or two to comment.

Roethan

Thanks for the wonderful chapter as always Tefler

Jared

The post where they found Tashana. Was this a soul forge?

Benj

Thanks Tefler, knew you would come through on the 15th.

MJHSharkbait365

Actually, Jehanna was planning to conduct the interview via ouija board... :-) Thanks, it should be fixed now.

Tefler

"and the first official interview with Fleet Admiral Buckingham" ????? Shouldnt that be "Fleet Admiral Devereaux"?

andrew finlayson

Hurah! One more fix! And to all french good one yesterday bastille and today world champions. Nice weekend!

Ricardo Miguel Pereira da Silva

Awesome, too bad I'm at work. Oh well something to look forward to.

palisade

Yupee - thats bugger my evening up :-)

Mac of Alden

Ayyy

YEAH!!!

Woop!

Dani Vega

*second, now third.

DemonHunterCole

Thank you

Secons

DemonHunterCole

Nice!