Three Square Meals Ch 77 - Complete!

Nope.. from Teflers POV every chapter = income. The benefit of being here is contributing to the story and having dibs on as he writes them chapters. I think if he wants a nice vacation he churns out some. Chapters back to back.. Say 3 or 4 more than normal for two or three months.. Pockets the profits and takes a vacation. (I actually think a real vacation would help stimulate him creatively. Go somewhere like India with centers of overpopulation and amazing culture. Think about how John and the girls would take it in. Then use that in your stories. As an example.

Grimlakin

I think Tefler should have one chapter in the hopper so he isn't always writing just-in-time chapters every 10 or so days! So if it means we wait... we wait! Thoughts?

Big Dude

He posted updated last chapter on may 1st. So only 3 days has passed since last chapter. Give tefler minimum 10 days to complete chapter because it is space battle chapter which is harder to write than normal chapter.

Here we are on May 4th and no next chapter... Sigh... ;)

Grimlakin

Page 82 second paragraph!

Big Dude

I thought Faye took care of that

Actually, I'm a little worried for Jade's safety in the next chapter. Hope those two misaligned armor panels don't turn out to be a significant mistake.

andrew finlayson

It really is more just curiosity. I know I mentioned it somewhere else, but I'm working on a piece of literary fiction of my own, that may one day even turn into a book, and I was just curious for insight i to the workings of another author's mind.

ETNSosa

With the other girls only having training in firearms and limited martial arts, what would nice is to have them trained with small blades (daggers and knives) as well as trained in using a rapier. Looks nice as part of formal uniform but has lethal usages.

Terra_Lupis

ETN, am with you there. Every time I download, I convert to single spacing, justify text, insert page numbering then upgrade Heading to larger font, bold and centred. . Means I turn 88-ish pages to 58 pages and in a format that is more user friendly. OK I am a pedant but I admit it.

Wookey

Actually they've started using their armor as parade gear. I wouldn't be surprised to have them attend the awards ceremony in full armor with their weapons on display. Sends two messages. 1. We can protect ourselves. 2. We have the best tech. BUT let's be real. They will dress in their Alyssa designed uniforms. Stun the crowds. Alyssa can disable any sniper and Sakura is possibly faster than a speeding bullet. I could see her parrying a round meant for John then re sheathing her sword as security crashes down on the potential shooter.

Grimlakin

And now, having read (at least most of the way through all three versions, awesome story, Tefler... Love the little variations between the versions. Keep up the great work. Looking forward to the battle/evisceration of the drakkar.

ETNSosa

Go for it. Speculation is what has made Tefler's fandom as fun as it is.

Jedi Khan

Tefler, just outta curiosity, what makes you pick the particular formatting that you chose for the paragraphs, as far as 1.15 line spacing with 10pt "after" paragraph spacing and then a double space between paragraphs? Was it just the default settings you stuck with?

ETNSosa

With the way that Jade handles the Raptor, and Calara can pick bombers out of the skies (space?) with beam weapons, and how Faye is now doing much the same with the Invictus's point defense weapons, having fighters almost seems pointless. It would almost be better to have a second Raptor, as it is more capable and survivable than a single fighter wing. Faye could have one of her alternates pilot it in a pinch to pick up survivors or rescue pilots or prisoners from vessels that John and the Girls board.

ETNSosa

Well, we did see a 40 meter hole get cut in the bow of the Invictus during the refit, which I'm guessing is for the launch bay the new mech is in.

Jedi Khan

It's a Gundam. Gun-dam. But the cockpit's in the wrong spot... Shut it you.

Jedi Khan

Personality, perhaps?

Jedi Khan

GAH!!!! I just remembered something I thought of while I was driving/working... Is there something about the colors of shields? Alyssa creates white hexagons, John makes blue ones, and PJ had black ones... What do the different colors indicate? Ideas?

Muledrvr

Agree with Brad, A few small fighters for Faye would be badass. How do you see the Mech being used in such a large scale battle. It would be way cool to see the mech attach itself to the outside of a ship and start blasting away. Or even equip it with a giant sword and let it start cutting holes in things. The strategy staying in close and jumping from ship to ship will keep Dana out of the line of fire.

MJHSharkbait365

Quick note, you should change the measurements for the gundam to feet or drop them substantially. If the leg is 15m then the whole thing is like 30m-40m, at half the size of the Raptor, it would be like 80m. That's closer to frigate or corvette size and a fifth of the size of the old Invictus. A 10m big gun on a 15m gundam is acceptable. But a 40m mech is more Megazord/Jeager, a bit unweildy for a single pilot, too.

Youkai-sama

Like really redundant. All lasers are just streams of light which is composed of photons, its akin to calling something H2O water and expecting it to mean something different than just water.

Blackfyre

Also photon laser is kinda a redundant name.

Blackfyre

Have been imagining the same thing. Imagine a fleet of 10-12 of Faye and her friends going all out, rogue even, on Kintark and Drakkar.

Wookey

Tef, add the chapter titles too! Miss them here, although you add them in Literotica

Loved this chapter! Great build up and I'm so looking forward to What comes next! You are consistently meeting or surpassing my expectations. Great work.

Its is antiwave technology!

PLRus--Founding member of the TSM F5 club.

Hey Tefler, I don't know if anyone has commented this before but to my knowledge Railguns like the punisher rifle if they are shooting supersonic rounds, cant be silenced as there will still be a sonic boom when the projectile travels at such high speeds. They don't operate like normal guns.

Blackfyre

I'm 2/3 finished with the chapter, and just read that the mech is gonna fly in space? John's building a Progenitor Veritech, LOVE IT! Eat your heart out, Macross!

Lord Winter

Tefler, thank you for posting up the new version, and for posting it in both .pdf and .docx formats. I'll compare, but it should better reading on the iPad in the .pdf format, I suspect.

Evan

No problem, I always want to know when there's mistakes to fix! :-)

Tefler

Sorry to do this to you so quickly (I spotted it in v2 and it's still there in v3), but in the paragraph *And you thought I couldn't get you to blush any more!* Alyssa teased her lover, delighted at Calara's reaction. Her voice turned lusty and she added, "To make it up to you, when you're playing King and Queen with John, I'll be your obedient servant girl. I'll have to follow all your royal orders and do whatever you tell me to." both Alyssa's comments should be telepathic since she's in their quarters while John and Calara are in the Ready Room.

ringill

Attached!

Tefler

Huh? Where is v3 doc?

What is the worst that can happen? Famous last words...

I would like to see a swarm of drones.The size of modern drones, maybe a foot or so square that are meant to defend the ship front inside or can be shot at a ship they wish to capture. Highly maneuverable with some cutting ability and a snug nose has rifle up the center.

Can't wait for the new weapons testing in actual battle!

We have a mech suit for Dana. Would love to next see a swarm of compact fighter drones for Faye. Imagine a team of a dozen or two miniature highly maneuverable drones with a progenitor engine, powercore, and several photon lasers with crystal allysium six formed plating. Each drone running a custom Faye program written by Faye/Irilith, with battle tactics from Calara, similar to the battle simulation. That way Faye could provide battle coordination and oversite between drones without dedicating all her AI's to run each one. Imagine a swarm of insanely fast angry photon lasers that can fire on multiple independent targets, or run a coordinated pinpoint attack on a larger target. Collective photon laser power of the Invictus but impossible to hit because so small and fast. Deadly.

That was fun. And am I mistaken or was that a line from "big bang theory" in there. Damn I might have the name of that show wrong.

Grimlakin

Loved the buildup in this chapter, I was either to engrosed by it to notice any mistakes or there where n 't any. Now I have to wait for the next chapter tough.

Richard de Leeuw

Loving the buildup Tefler. Just wanted to ask you when will we see more of the Terran Federation ? Their reaction (and especially charles, calara's family, etc) to the whole maliri and dakkar conflicts would be interesting to see. Plus i'm missing seeing more of the Terran - Kintark story :)

Sid1712

I believe they were surprised by the actual level of control he has. Before, they thought it was just his sperm he could control. Now it turns out to be both the sperm and the egg.

Jedi Khan

She read up to chapter 13 but she's not a fan of sci-fi and got bored of it. :-)

Tefler

Ah well spotted, thank you!

Tefler

Wonderfull chapter Tef cant wait for the next

It's not like the "Dark One" would take credit for something John & crew did . That would make him a villain ....lol

bigdawguw65

you ain't done too bad yourself Stacay with your side-story

Wookey

Wow that was freaking awesome!!! Can I give it six stars please?

Omg, omg. Over and over. This story had me with damp eyes to being ready to sign up with the Ashanath!

DCM

which one Dan?

Wookey

John, I read that as 4 3-barrelled lasers, but maybe I misread it?

Evan

yep, no one is going to beat you at 3SM Trivial Pursuit.

Wookey

I was thinking the same thing...John needs to keep an eye on that girl.

Thanks for the Awesome chapter. You accurately described the pre-battle tension. I am holding off my second read untill final version.

Tef, "They'd been travelling deeper into Ashanath territory for hours how," Word usage error - how should be now. Thanks for the wonderful chapter!

Another minor correction: "John lifted the triple-barrelled laser weapon with ease," Then the next paragraph: "They did the same for the upper weapons, making sure the full complement of quad Photon Lasers were securely attached to the mechs weapon deployment system." So are there three or four barrels?

PLRus--Founding member of the TSM F5 club.

LMAO: So the dark one eliminated Okug as a potential challenger eh? I thought it was John and Co. who did that....tisk tisk. “It had been months ago that the Dark One had made his presence known and they had sealed their bargain. The Dark One had announced that he'd eliminated Overlord Okug as a potential challenger, removing one of the most dangerous thorns in Vekrok's side. Okug had been popular, well connected, and a strong warrior, which meant a challenge from him was risky on multiple levels. Since then, the Dark One had supplied them with this wondrous new metal to plate their ships, and had even gifted Vekrok and his personal retinue with battle armour and weapons.” After the Ashanath refit, Chapter 29 Page 5: "Sir, it looks like they're trying to escape through the hangar bay!" the Drakkar lieutenant gasped to the darkly brooding Drakkar raid leader. Overlord Okug was seated in his impressive war-throne, resplendent with spikes and the impaled skulls of the sixteen challengers who had tried to usurp his command.”

PLRus--Founding member of the TSM F5 club.

Tefler: A minor thing, but the Drakkar blood is not mustard yellow (the warlord killing his navigator), it is blue. "Drakkar didn't even have time to react as high velocity rounds slammed into them, blasting holes in the creatures, and sending dismembered limbs and blue gore flying around the room. "

PLRus--Founding member of the TSM F5 club.

On a practical level I can't see the males doing the asexual thing, they are just too angry and agressive, so there have to be females. One wonders if they are like female Klingon (agressive and warlike). John doesn't seem interested in species that diverge too much from the standard Terran template (ie ashanath)

Dennis Aston

Damn man, bonus points for keeping track of all that. I had wondered and if your math is right that's amazing

Dennis Aston

I agree the mech needs a sword, a cool name, and I need chapter 78.

Rachel too

Sean McAllister

Did anyone else notice that line about the Terran Fed Admiral wanting to ensure that Carla was at the award ceremony? I think i see possible trouble for her in the future...

Jared

So, is Chapter 78 done yet?

GrandPaM

Y'know what, now It would be humorous of one of those emails were a Tax Audit notification... lol!

GrandPaM

Okay: The Raptor has 2 Beam Lasers. Originally they were laser cannons upgraded to Maliri Beam Lasers which were 12 times the power of Terran Beam Lasers. New Beam Lasers are Twice as powerful as the Maliri version. So the Raptor now has the equivalent of 48 Terran Beam Lasers or 8 times the original compliment of the Invictus. Now this is not including the pulse cannons which are between the power of Terran Laser Cannons and turreted lasers but on a turreted base with near continuous fire rates. Basically the Raptor is now the fastest, most agile, interceptor in the Galaxy by a third, with the firepower and more resilience than a Terran Battle Cruiser (sans the mass drivers). That also means the Mech, having 8 Dana designed beam lasers, would have 32 times the original Invictus beam laser power. Think about that for a moment. That Mech has the Beam Laser equivalent of 32 Terran Cruisers. That is roughly the equivalent of all the Nexus cruiser class vessels that attacked Terran Planetary defenses and took out a small Terran fleet. That does not include the high calebre gatling cannons or the two heavy cannons on its back which can really screw up ship armor plating. Thinking Dana needs to have 8 more of those Mechs built and placed in the large bay so Faye can operate them. That would give the Invictus 288 times their original Terran Beam Laser output and 9 times the Original Mass Driver output with just the Mechs...Not including the Raptor and the Invictus Mk II (about to be MK III with two additional power cores and changing out the 24 Maliri beam lasers with the Dana upgrades). That would give the Invictus the equivalent beam laser power of 96 Terran Cruiser class vessels along with the cannons of a Terran Capitol Ship and the Singularity Drivers of a Dreadnaught. Not to mention the two Nova Lances capable of a one-shot kill on a Battleship every 30 seconds. With 9 Mechs, the Raptor, and Invictus MK III you are talking about the combined firepower of a mid to larger sized Fleet with two of those (the Raptor and the Invictus) capable of in-system FTL to outflank any fleet any where, any time.

PLRus--Founding member of the TSM F5 club.

Another incredible chapter. One question that is raised from the past two chapters and still has me wondering is what are the chances of there being female Drakkar? Another couple of questions that also come to mind are when are we going to see John 'christen' the Ares/Thor (the battlemech), are we ever going to see Irillith and Tashana engage in Ouroboros style orgasm-fest perhaps including Alyssa, is Faye going to given a biomechanical body made out of Crystal Alyssium or is she going to have a humanoid body with cybernetic components, with the humanoid body comprising of DNA from all of the Terran girls and lastly are we ever going to see or hear from the emporium guide on Gravitus again?

Terra_Lupis

Sure, will do.

Tefler

or that there was no PMT, ever.

Wookey

'That has to be PJ within doing that.' I disagree, if it were PJ, I'd think he'd be all for knocking up as many as possible, giving John even more stress, and a possible way to take control (i.e. reduced internal concentration on the barriers holding PJ in).

A crystal sword would do the same thing.  Imagine just poking holes in battle ships before jumping off.  I wonder if the feet have magnetic clamps that would let them run along the ship.   Perhaps a magnetic grapple cable that would let it swing around like spider man in space...  :)

Can you send a Patreon notice when the final version is up on site?

With everyone focused on the upcoming battle: I have a few storyline interests to throw at you for your considerations. "The women in Valada's lineage have triple-helix DNA which is unique amongst the Maliri. This genetic abnormality was definitely triggered by Mael'nerak's influence." Hmmmm: So all the girls, along with Edraele, will have children with triple-helix DNA? Holy power surge Batman! Those children are all going to be super Maliri, or even possibly/eventually Progenitor Maliri before this even goes into the first quarter century! Is John building an army of psychically linked Progenitors to battle the Progenitor creators/Progenitors? “With that advice in mind, she was overwhelmed by the thought of a beautiful blue baby in her arms, the vision intensely powerful and crystal clear in its clarity...Tashana nodded slowly, still reeling from her vision, but she had the presence of mind to smile back at him and return his wave as he left the room.” The wording here seems to suggest more than just a simple longing....Is Tashana developing prescience? Talk about a tactical and strategic advantage! "Yes, I know you could use speed to get out the way, but what happens if he tries to burn Dana and Rachel? Those forearm shields aren't big enough to protect you and you'll get torched trying to save them, I know it!" Obviously Alyssa intends they meet the BSP as a group rather than John alone. “He could imagine it now, her cradling a baby in her arms as she looked at him in wonder, sky-blue eyes filled with love and adoration. Something held him back though and as much he dearly wanted to make that tantalising vision a reality, he knew he couldn't risk it.” That has to be PJ within doing that. Which means two things: PJ knows something John does not and that PJ still has some influence over John...if only very limited. Perhaps it is that the BSP could take ownership of the baby in a fight if he was to be losing? Or is John afraid PJ might do the same?

PLRus--Founding member of the TSM F5 club.

How did John's brilliant girls not notice that they stopped having their periods?

John Jameson

Very nice job of doing the balancing so far, Tefler! At least, under the assumption that you expect your protagonist to win, but to have to work for it. :-) Seriously, you've obviously put a good deal of time, thought and effort into this, and it shows. Thank you.

Evan

,,In an endless cycle of carnage that's been repeated for countless millennia'' - damn Progenitors are Reapers :) Great pre battle chapter. ( Whispers: hoping for Dark One cameo or more ). Can't wait for 78!

Cliffhanger?!?! NO!!!!!

Malthe Mørk Mejlby

Great job Tefler. You deserve all the praise you are getting. $1600 and 1000 Patrons here we come. So much to absorb. Will have to re-read it tonight. Btw does your wife read your stories? And does she enjoy them? Interested in her take on your literary efforts.

Wookey

Lol Voltron? Defender of the Universe does sound familiar.

Dennis Aston

Now Dana needs to make 4 more Mechs that all combine ;->

VycronDyz

Imagine watching 10-20 of your favourites having kids at same time. Was hard enough watching 2 three years apart.

Wookey

I won't go through and respond to every comment this time, but rest assured, I have read them all! I'm delighted you guys enjoyed this chapter! :-) It was actually a hard one to write, as I had to come up with new weapons, weapon names, consider weapon balancing, design the mech (and worry about sizing!) as well as balancing the incoming Drakkar fleet and the Ashanath minefield gambit. I don't know if anyone noticed, but in chapter 76, Dana talked about creating 2 laser guns for the mech. If I'd just gone with 2 weapon mounts, then the mech would have effectively been a slower version of the Raptor! (with a few minor differences). I've submitted edits to chapter 76 to fix that. That's one of the reasons why combat chapters take a lot longer to plan out, although there actually wasn't that much in this one (That's all coming in chapter 78!). Creating all the new ships and tech takes a fair bit of thought to make sure it isn't over/underpowered, while also bearing in mind that the tech hoover (Dana) will be grabbing it afterwards!

Tefler

Now it really is a drop ship, lol. They need 14 more of those mechs... and the pilots... Terran/malaria mixed pilot crew, anyone? Lol. Post them all over the hull, like in robotech/macross... lol. 45 extra laser cannons all independently operated...

WOW! Talk about a cliff hanger! After reading the second part, either I was too absorbed in the action and not notice any errors, or there weren't any. Anyway all the editors have to do is read it over, then say "LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Hey Telfer I sent you a Quick message. but Just want you to know I loving this story and cant wait to see the final chapter 77 and the next

The 3SM crack addict in me wants to read this chapter. The rational side of my brain wants to wait for the final release. What to do?

Anthony Kester

This was really a brilliant chapter. High pace and lots of both action an background - I just loved it. Thanks!!! The building suspense is stellar - and then the ever present cliff hanger😎 Can hardly wait for 78.

Kim Biel-Nielsen

Bleepity Bleep Bleep. There! You stop there?! Seriously Tef gerat stuff yet again! Was too caught up in the story to notice any errors.

Derek B

There is the ever present cliff hanger...

That was awesome! The pre-battle tension! I could cut it with a knife! I will give everyone time to read before expressing more.....HOLY COW! We are not worthy! We are not worthy! (works to get his blood pressure and adrenaline down to normal)!

PLRus--Founding member of the TSM F5 club.

Holy shit that's one hell of a teasing chapter you've got me so riled up I can't wait for 78 to arrive. I really mean it your getting amazing now each and every chapter gets me so excited and emotional it's like my best friends are in battle and I don't know many authors that can accomplish that well well done ✅

Jim lynch

Now that was one heck of a chapter taken at one heck of a pace. Tremendous!

ringill

Another outstanding Chapter. Now I am really hoping Harebrained Schemes; BattleTech is released this Fall, I need a Mech combat fix. Eagerly awaiting what will surely be an action packed follow up.

VycronDyz

Question my friend. With your success with this page, meaning $ income, has your wife not started putting your supper next to you monitor so you can now keep on, keepin on? Make no mistake, I am proud of you and your success.....

Once again, you continue to please us...... Keep on, keeping on!

"LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" LMAO That was awesome..... I wonder if his decendants are still getting royalty payments, 400 years in the future LMAO.... The chapter seems awfully complete to me. I did not see any glaring mistakes in the 2nd half, and seems fully fleshed out. I propose a thumbs up and a go. The jumping from scene to scene imparts the necessary frantic pace to get everything ready to go. Obviously, in such a frantic rush, not everything would get covered, or you might get drug into an exposition of unneeded information, and slowing things down too much in the story. I am wondering if the little scene with Faye and the slight misalignment was a foreshadowing... I hope Dana doesn't have a problem because of it. Hopefully, just a case of Faye wishing to be perfect...

Muledrvr

Random thought: One downside to the whole "breed them all at once" plan is with them all connected psychically connected the shared labor pain is going to be nuts.

Dennis Aston

He knew that he could choose the sex but other than being told vaguely to not worry about it there was no science behind it.

Dennis Aston

i thought john already knew he could choose to get the girl pregnant whenever he wanted? so why did he sound surprised?

dominick vigil

Out Fucking Standing!

Must have Chapter 78...must find out what Legacy is...must see Drakkar get their asses handed to them... ~Morningfrost

Morningfrost

And for the next understatement of the century i volunteer "epic chapter!". It really is. I could see the cliffhanger coming but understand the need for it too. Really great stuff.

Dennis Aston

Great chapter Tefler! Can't wait to find out what the Legacy is. Also, IT'S A GUNDAM!!!!! I'm pretty sure I actually exclaimed that...out loud...at least 3 times while reading the chapter lol. Please please please give it some kind of energy sword. My inner child demands it... ~Morningfrost

Morningfrost

Thank you, Tefler. I enjoy reading the work in progress, myself.

Evan

Hey hey hey! Get back here! You should be working on chapter 78!

Jedi Khan

Woo hoo! guest piece and chp77 in one hit.

And now I'm going to watch Edge of Tomorrow! (again!)

Tefler