IllustratorsLeak
Tefler
Tefler

patreon


Three Square Meals Ch. 173 (Completed)

Hey everyone,

Here is the completed chapter 173.

I'm sorry that it took so long to finish. The kids passed on a flu bug they caught at school which took me a while to recover.

Please let me know if you spot any typos.

I've added a # symbol to the text, so you can jump straight to the newly added scenes.

Best wishes,

Tefler

Comments

Did I totally miss chapter 166, please? I can't find it on Patreon. Sigh.

Lawrence David Thompson

That would affect their own mobility too, so perhaps not such a good idea. Now a network of cloaked cloak breaker probes, so they can track the Dreadnoughts ............

ThunderBird Two

Was it just me, or did the talk about worm-hole generators and the difficulties of defending a space against dreadnaughts cause you to want Dana to be set to work on the problem? Perhaps she could develop a network of disruptor satallites causing such generators to malfunction and "bounce-off" or something (such as dump the user of the worm-hole tech into the nearest star).

Stephen Paynter

At the beginning of March, I challenged myself to start from the beginning, so I'm reading from chapter 1, I'm on chapter 157 on March 31st (1-145 on Literotica, the rest from previous downloads), Completed chapters is 173, and placeholder chapters is 189. Faye is still on ice iirc from 173, and I can't remember if the Brimorians have been dealt with, since the gaps between posts have been like a trailing doppler effect. I suppose I will re-evaluate if I consider this an abandoned story in a week or two. Oh, I skipped all the Tom Walker garbage, and most of the "good man" whining after the Lion area battle. About 3-5 chapters worth of content. Despite recent lags, I would still strongly recommend 3SM as a series.

Fort Wayne Movie Club

F5

Ricardo Miguel Pereira da Silva

My guess? 1.5 chapters.

MVFast

Two more days.

MVFast

Hey Tef, here is a plot Twist (a Tefler Twist) for you: when they explore a few 'Empty' Empires, the gang finds a baby progenitor, a neophyte, ... and Alyssa places Athenia into the young Progenitors mind, ... to help 'guide' him to be a better Man, ... -- you're Welcome, ...... ;-) ttfn

Michael56Smith

... is Nonconformist putting words in Tef's mouth, .... what did he say, ... nothing early this time, just to do his best to write more, ... no crazy promises, ... ;-) ttfn

Michael56Smith

I never mentioned it but I also thought there may have been more than one writer to this saga, and the original author is no longer here. Not saying it's a fact, but it did make me go "hmmmm" on reflection...

Greg Hill

Nearly time to stop my membership A G A I N because as usual Tefler doesn't do what he says he's going to do.

Nonconformist

The main character is called Blake, and he flys around in a very fast OP spaceship. There may be more than seven of them, but it sounds extremely British. I wonder which one is Avon? Maybe the Fleet Admiral can become a Servlan type character, now she has had the makeover. I can see it now, Lynette reviewing the fleet in high heels and an evening dress

ThunderBird Two

Yeah, ... what will be Tef's (TSM canon) answer be to Xan'aziuth's redirecting the troops, ... ;-) ttfn

Michael56Smith

Well, I have not been to England recently and I might be a few decades out of date, but this was once a common phrase, ... -- And Tef did say he relied heavily on Sci fi movies and television, as well as novels, all of which are very Americanized, ... ;-) ttfn

Michael56Smith

I challenge you to find one person on the British isles who wouldn't think "knock me up" meant to make pregnant - up the duff, bun in the oven etc ... I'm still suspicious about there having been two writers, back when Tef was being prolific. Too many Americanisms, and references to American culture. Then followed by very British things.

ThunderBird Two

Correct.

MVFast

My mind may be a little foggy on this, but I thought the operation to remove the Abandoned had already begun, with many already having been rescued in Maliri transports...although interrupted by the attack on Genkiri Station...

Greg Hill

... to be knocked up = pregnant (USA), ... and as for knock me up (UK), British for to Knock on an acquaintance's door ,... ;-) ttfn

Michael56Smith

... hey, you spotted the difference between US and UK English right away, .... -- ,,, and Webster (USA) and Oxford (UK) ... ;-) ttfn

Michael56Smith

To be "knocked up" is to become pregnant 😯. Can't remember if it was Webster or the other one, who wrote their dictionary with changed spellings, because Americans were too stupid to spell correctly. They also wanted to de french English.

ThunderBird Two

Well, as Winstin Churchel once said, " the UK and the USA are two countries that are separated by a common language, " .... So, yeah, both in words and spellings, there are differences, .... -- Torch vs Flashlight, Bonnet vs Hood, Theatre vs Theater, Knock me up vs Come Visit me, and many more differences, ... ;-) ttfn

Michael56Smith

As a wise man on the internet once said "There is no such thing as US English. There is just English, and mistakes"

ThunderBird Two

Wrt the two writers speculation. I don't think this is the case. My guess is that at the beginning Tefler wasn't sure whether to stick with his British English or to cater to the US English of the majority of his audience, so switched between the two on whatever program he was using to write e.g. Microsoft Word. It could also be down to editors too, if he had both British and American ones.

Unresolved Plots

And what's happening with the other Progs that they were fighting before X redirected them? Will X tell those Progs to "have at it"? In which case Johns hands will be full with protecting his new Thralls empires.

ThunderBird Two

Just having a bit of a re read. I can see X throwing another Prog at them after 4 hours. If two in a row die without producing a big feed, (John would gain another Wormhole equipped ship) X could change tack or put John on the back burner (he is immortal, so can afford to be patient). X could switch to sending a neophyte Prog (X won't miss out on much if he dies) on a long term Recon mission. This would help the story move on, and maybe add a twist with the newbie Prog working out what's going on and rebelling/defecting? Re reading the earlier chapters, jogged my memory, and I remembered wondering if there were two people writing the story. Some chapters spell words correctly, and others use the US spellings.

ThunderBird Two

Well said. I feel the same yearning to consume the rest of this tale. I often pass up reading unfinished stories for this very reason, but this story is so good, I'm more than willing to endure the pain.

Joel Wyrick

Joel, the thing is he is topnotch writer. And so it gives us so much pain when we don't get the full elixir in time.

Unctadsk

... all good questions Jerry, .... and it will take Tef to really tell us, ... but my guess is that many likely died, ... and then when John claimed them, .... the survivors soon felt better and stopped with all the dying, ... but who knows what Tef will do, ...

Michael56Smith

What is happening to all the (former) thralls back in their empire? Are the thrall ships full of grief stricken corpses? do they get notified or mind free when John takes a matriarch.

Jerry Isdale

...best of luck Joel, ... ;-) ttfn

Michael56Smith

Finally got around to reading this chapter. In spite of the writing delays, this is top quality stuff. As a reader I have to thank Tef for this amazing epic story. As a writer, I'm envious and hope to get this good some day.

Joel Wyrick

? ... so, does Tef need a compass, or do we? ... ;-) ttfn

Michael56Smith

... okay Randy, you need to settle down now and put away all your toys, then you can go wash up, ... and I'll get your blanket and teddy bear, .... it's time to take your nap, ... ;-) ttfn

Michael56Smith

I am still waiting on him to change to just a monthly option of support me or not and get rid of the placeholder posts. Would make things a lot easier, especially since there is no way he will realistically catch up anytime 'soon'.

Randy

You know how when you’re lost in the woods and despite trying to follow a straight path you eventually end up where you started? That’s what these chapters are starting to seem like.

AzureReader

They do not properly find the NHS to meet demand. Government is more than capable of providing services, but politics often gets in the way of good work.

Garrett

Yes indeed. But, as Calara has said several times, their highest priority is fighting the progenitors. Further, taking down the Brimorians would only be a start. Then, Helen’s people need all the infrastructure to maintain their civilization, and the skills to operate it.

MVFast

-- in addition to rescuing the Abandoned, John will want to rescue the Deep Lord's Nymph, Celephna, ... so, the Glory Days of the Brimorian Enclave are sharply limited, ... ;-) ttfn

Michael56Smith

I'm starting to think Tefler is dead and this is his dog faithfully submitting whatever bits and pieces are leftover until the well runs dry and he finally has to go buy his own kibble.

Garrett

If I stole $1 from a thousand people, would I still be guilty of theft? That's where we're at. The amount per person isn't the problem here.

Garrett

Yeah but to have the option of reading it, it kind of needs to be written first...

Garrett

Likely just obsolete but could be both.

MVFast

-- and was the cruiser really that 'old', or just an obsolete model? ... ;-) ttfn

Michael56Smith

-- thank you

Michael56Smith

-- If Mason Newmont, the unacknowledged 'Rat of the Federation, has gathered a crew for his older (obsolete) model Brimorian cruiser, ... might some of his officers be from those corrupt officers with secondary ties to former Fleet Admiral Buckingham, Mace's father, ... some of these bad apples might have hooked up with the 'Rat' after they made their desperate run-for-it, ... the rest of the crew might just be picked from the normal, everyday riff-raff that has a hard time staying employed in space, ... or did Mason already have his crew picked out? -- I also wonder what Tef has in mind for that 'Rat' to be doing with his Cruiser, ... Pirate actions, ... exploring - treasure hunting? ... taking over a colony? ... it could be anything, but with a Tef Twist, .... ;-) ttfn

Michael56Smith

But if h bis related to Jabba, it won't work! "Your jedi mind tricks won't work on me boy"

ThunderBird Two

Him and his LIES??

Garrett

Personally, I’d guess Alyssa will probably read his mind and find he’s innocent. Then, Irillith will find out they were hacked. Somewhere along in there, Rachel will check him out, and his DNA will feel ‘familiar’ (similar to Dana). Perhaps he’ll be injured in a jailbreak, and she will heal him. However, like Alyssa’s cousin, it’ll have to be kept secret to avoid making him a (larger!) target. There will be those who’ll never believe he’s innocent and will be after him since it was a highly publicized trial. Perhaps Jehanna and John could make a Terran Federation wide broadcast that’ll convince 99.99% of the population he’s not guilty, but out of a population of 100’s of billion, that 0.01% is still a lot of people. Further, if he’s exonerated, the Brimorians might want to’tie up a loose end’ if they’re still around. Mr Smith, I like your idea of the hacker trying to find a way to meet John.

MVFast

And an ‘old’ cruiser at that!

MVFast

... And despite the funds Tef rakes in (after taxes and such) from his writings (placeholders), it is quite highly expensive to get private care in the UK, .... I am sure many of Tef's fans would have wished that he had gone that route, but, .... ;-) ttfn

Michael56Smith

yeah DevilDoc, and just a few paragraphs further along Tef has a 'with' that s/b a 'without' .... he was on a roll, .... ;-) ttfn

Michael56Smith

-- Poor falsely convicted Tom Walker, ... his girlfriend hates him, and his parents have disowned him, ... So: -- Will Tom Walker finally make a jailbreak? ... -- Will the weakened ISD, due to losing so many, so recently, make some error that let's Tom escape? ... Maybe so, ... -- but My money is on the Maliri Hacker, Shanryl, for breaking Tom from T-Fed Jail, ... and getting the Lion involved, ... 'cuz she wants to meet Baen'thelas so bad, ... then, look out Mason Newmont, (the true Rat of the Federation), all the Lionesses (especially Tom's relative Dana) are all coming for you, Mace, ... and that obsolete Brimorian cruiser won't save you, .... -- I wonder if he has recruited a crew for it. (?) ... ;-) ttfn

Michael56Smith

typo "Have fun the twins", should be "have fun with the twins"

DevilDoc82

I can tell you from conversations with friends who are in the UK and/or work for the NHS, they are short handed, and overloaded. But that's the price you pay for "universal free healthcare" and "open borders"

DevilDoc82

... Assumptions, .... dark Assumptions, .... '-) ttfn

Michael56Smith

Oh well, I guess that you'd know, ... ;-) ttfn

Michael56Smith

If we focus on the content, not the form, he has a point. Tefler's writings are financially motivated. So consistent lowering the monthly contribution across the fanbase is a valid option

Aldo

for the past 2 years I know Tefler has been dealing with gall bladder surgery. Usually a surgery in the UK would be done in 12 months and yet his keep getting pushed back for some reason. I have heard the medical system there is in a rough state but I am not there so I cant say what is going on only what I know. Not an excuse but I have had a gallbladder issue for over a year and I can barely operate when the attacks happen. changing your diet and living helps some but there comes a time you have to have it removed to live a normal life.

Taco1085

Tefler lies about everything, dude. I've got a bridge to sell to anyone who still believes these bullshit excuses he gives for not writing.

Garrett

He doesn't have a family. He never got sick. He doesn't own a house or have lights to keep on. He's incapable of love and I'm going to prove it!

Garrett

He's fifteen chapters behind. I literally can't enjoy those stpries.

Garrett

-- yeah, Spelling error, .... ;-( ttfn

Michael56Smith

-- you do know that reading this story is purely optional, right? ... ;-) ttfn

Michael56Smith

-- Beware, the next EOM, 31 March, is one day short of April Fool's Day, ....;-) ttfn

Michael56Smith

Ty

Viktor Hauge

hey Viktor, you wrote 'reale' and you meant 'really', ... right, ... -- Also 'pr' s/b 'per' ... spell check, .... ;-) ttfn

Michael56Smith

What i reallly dont understand is why not everyone set theire contribution to a Max figure and for only one posting pr month? If he then start posting more then one it will be ok to change the setting….

Viktor Hauge

I had hoped for a bit more… Hopefully, we won’t have to wait until the end of the month to get it. Get well Tefler.

MVFast

Another great addition. I honestly don't know how you can think of all the things happening and then make a terrific, interesting, exciting story . Pleas keep it up.

John the 5th

Really considering the validity of past hypotheses re someone else submitting the chapters. Always waiting until the end of month combined with length of submission and the constant promises to try and catch up followed by the never ending excuses as to why it has not. I love the story but come on; when does it reach a point of no return

Achromicbethel

How long and how seriously a Flu virus affects someone is different for each person Nate, depending on the virus strain (of which there are many), the individuals health (Tefler has told us he recently had a gallstone operation), age, medication they take etc... Typically its symptoms last for 3-7 days. Some people die from the Flu. I've had the Flu once in my life and was bedridden for almost a week. I remember at the time being told by another ignorant non expert that it couldn't have been the Flu because "the Flu lasts for 2 weeks and you feel like you are dying the whole time". Fyi this is wrong too, for the reasons I gave above!

Unresolved Plots

The only reason it's taking 20000 years is so that John and Alyssa can come back and do the mind Jedi trick, declare him innocent and reveal the true traitor. But first we have to work our way through rainbow progenitors

Korzic

not expected to formerly salute a passing Fleet Admiral S/B not expected to formally salute a passing Fleet Admiral

Evan

yep, ole Tef had a few problems with both 'with' and 'without' this chapter, ... and others have noticed too, but thank you for playing, ... ;-( ttfn

Michael56Smith

I think Have fun the twins" should read "Have fun with the twins"

Jonathan Fowler

I was expecting Lynette to stumble across something in Sofias' file linking her to Buckingham, and therefore rousing her suspicions about the trial. Was not expecting the Dana reveal (which I suppose is why I put up with all the BS here). Going to guess that shortly they will jump back in to Fed space. John will watch the news and spot that Walkers mum is Danas mum. He will then investigate for Dana, and Rill will find the hacking.

ThunderBird Two

That's one of the few things I don't miss about having young kids anymore...all the colds and flu lol

Kerry Rowland

"impending crisis is the potential succession of the Outer Rim". The word should be "secession", not succession. Good chapter, thanks.

bjcreek

I think it has a greater purpose of linking Dana's story to Tom walker and Outer rim will be involved. let's see. Chiao.

Unctadsk

Still a big supporter despite all the naysayers, Tefler. But the full release of this chapter was pretty brief. You say you had the flu but that passes in a couple of days. Are you making excuses? I wonder if you’re taking on too much now. Maybe you need to start thinking about how John would manage this endeavor. Would he do everything himself or would he start outsourcing some of the load? You have the income if you pick up speed. Bring in folks to help with storyline and writing. Being in editors. Heck, even bring in a graphics person. Maybe it’s time to be more of a Product Owner than an individual engineer.

Nate

Okay, Alright, and Whoa pardner, ... Early Dana revelations, .... her connection to the Tartarus run Genetics program? and Tom Walker? maybe Tef is going to shake out one of the loose threads, ... Wow! ... ;-) ttfn

Michael56Smith

-- besides the missing 'with' ' that Jeff spotted, there was a similar ERROR on the bottom of Word page 43 of 50, ...: "While he was delighted that they’d been able to liberate the Aeltarians with losing a single thrall, ..." - 'with' s/b 'without', ... -- All that just shows that you wrote a lot of good words that you rounded out the conclusion to chapter #173 with, ... but that cliffhanger of an ending just means that you OWE us the next chapter very, very soon, ... like by next week, ... so get back to work, ... since the cliffhanger involved our lovely Dana, I do NOT want to have to wait until the EOM, you MUST write faster, Please! -- I am really enjoying the series (although I am wondering about poor Tom Walker though -- he needs a jailbreak), ... thank you for all your delightful writing, ... ;-) ttfn

Michael56Smith

Did All Alyssa not vow to never let him bath alone? "After guiding the pair into each other’s arms, John had a brisk shower to freshen up. He got dressed after drying himself, then gave the twins an affectionate kiss on the cheek before departing. " A serious mistake on her part! :D Thank you Tefler :)

Myrnalin

Goddammit.

Garrett

He's fifteen chapters behind. I literally can't enjoy those stories.

Garrett

Since all the admonishments have already been hashed out, let's talk about the chapter, shall we? Tom's side story seems to be taking forever to reach its conclusion, almost unnaturally so. He's been tried and convicted. It would be easy to just skip a revisit to him until his execution. There's no need to repeatedly show him discovering ever deeper depths of despair. You wouldn't happen to be dragging this out on purpose, would you Tef? Perhaps to build up tension for a dramatic reversal in his fortunes? I'm still hopeful for the Maliri hacker to make an eleventh hour appearance to reveal that all the evidence against him was fabricated, or to at least cast serious doubt on the validity of the evidence by showing how easy it was for her to access and alter the Terran records. Then there's the bit with Dana at the end. Certainly wasn't expecting that. I have to wonder what purpose it'll serve? Is it just for John to give Dana a special gift, or perhaps will it serve a greater purpose in the story? I have a possible theory, but I'm going to withhold it for now.

Jedi Khan

Stop complaining and enjoy the stories.

John Doe

Stop complaining and enjoy the stpries

John Doe

One of these months I hope he goes with “the dog ate my completed chapters” as the excuse. It’d be nice to see the classics get use

Ben

Hope you and yours feel better soon!

James Dougherty

"the potential succession of the Outer Rim"

Jarrod Lombardo (he-him)

“While he was delighted that they’d been able to liberate the Aeltarians with losing a single thrall,” should the “with losing” be “without losing“?

Jeff

Eh

RFxorcist

Why are you still here? How much money are you defending? $20?

Nate

AVNs

Korzic

Politics

GreyManley

“*Have fun the twins,” Should be “*Have fun with the twins,”

Jeff

Thanks Tef. I’m sorry I don’t have the exact quote, but I believe you got autocorrected to ‘succession’ when you meant ‘secession’. Another great chapter, with a great change of pace!

HillCountryCowboy

Lord. Shouldn't "opposite to Tashana’s, which was fortune considering" be fortunate?

MuddMaxx

Wow, I didn't expect to see this promised completion until the end of the month. Looks at calendar, nevermind.

Joel Wyrick

"John pretend to give her question serious consideration." Shouldn't that be pretended?

MuddMaxx

What you aren't understanding Michael , is that for the past 2 years it's been nothing but excuses.

Hendrix Morton

"Our next impending crisis is the potential succession" Shouldn't that be secession ?

MuddMaxx

when im sick I would see that as a prime time to start writing. I usually do nothing but read the whole day, so writing would be just as natural. i will hang on a day or 2 more just to make sure nothing else drops, then thats it for me for a few months. Ill come back when there is 3 or 4 new chapters to read. Might be this time next year at this rate.

Jim Owens

Please no placeholders.

Garrett

Yeah, Im just tired of reading excuses at this point. It's been two full years of empty promises. The backlog of 'owed' chapters only ever grows. I've reported him repeatedly and patreon doesn't care. Name another profession where you can make $12k usd/mo by making empty promises...

V91

Going by his previous form, wouldn't be surprised with three placeholders this time.... 🙄

bob lakhanpal

Can you increase it to 4 placeholders, or 5 whatever without one complete chapter.

Unctadsk

15 chapters behind. Impressive

JD BREWZ

-- It's the middle of winter and the poor guy catches the flu, ... well, as excuses go, that's pretty reasonable, ... Tef, I hope your whole family is feeling better, ... -- Hey, it must now be March in the UK, ... dang this year is flying by so fast, ... ;-) ttfn

Michael56Smith

Yay! ... thanks, ...;-) ttfn

Michael56Smith

I really hope there's another 2 place holders.

Korzic

Sweet thanks Tefler

Rayce Royal

Thanks

Kenneth Murphy


More Creators