Three Square Meals Ch. 172 (Completed)
Added 2025-01-01 05:02:45 +0000 UTCHey everyone,
I've finally finished chapter 172, after wrestling with writer's block for the last few weeks.
I'm sorry that it took so long to finish. I had to change my original post-Gahl'kalgor plans to include the attack by Aahn’laetar, which meant planning out another battle right after the long fight on John's Throneworld.
Combat is always more complex to write than any other type of scene, and I always want to make each fight feel different from anything you've seen before. I really hope you enjoy the chapter.
I've added a # symbol where I left off the last scene. Just search for that symbol if you want to jump to the new content.
Best wishes,
Tefler
Comments
One issue that I noticed. “I’m not even going to ask what she’s being saying to you.” -> “I’m not even going to ask what she’s been saying to you.” Another one is: I was thinking that we need to upgrade the Invictus’ amour and guns -> I was thinking that we need to upgrade the Invictus’ armour and guns One more: Irillith remind her. -> Irillith reminded her. And this one: The only sound to be heard was John’s moans of pleasure, and Kaija’s gulping -> The only sounds to be heard were John’s moans of pleasure, and Kaija’s gulping And another: with plenty of request to see the video. -> with plenty of requests to see the video. One more: Avery Gibson was my boss for six years and gave my big break on an interstellar news network. -> Avery Gibson was my boss for six years and gave me my big break on an interstellar news network. Henry Ross -> Henry Voss The last piece that I’m wondering about is the timeline. During the conversation, they said that John surpassed Henry’s wealth months ago. How long has it been since the Callopean Shoals disaster? How long has it been since John claimed the Maliri? I know it feels like years, but I don’t think all of the girls are even 19 yet. I am going to have to find the timeline information and check on this further.
Evan
2025-05-02 04:22:23 +0000 UTCTwo Minds, One Wand by Robert Wilson. A continuation of Harry Potter with all the old characters. Good and obscene.
GreyManley
2025-02-11 00:04:06 +0000 UTCthe ketchup does come out before month’s end
stephen mincher
2025-01-31 23:56:04 +0000 UTCToday…
MVFast
2025-01-31 22:26:39 +0000 UTChttps://makeagif.com/gif/classic-heinz-ketchup-anticipation-tv-ad-1979-jUclwS
2ndAndrocentric
2025-01-31 20:26:12 +0000 UTCDon't look further as next I post the answer.
2ndAndrocentric
2025-01-31 20:25:43 +0000 UTCLadies and whatevers, in what way is ketchup like TSM? Besides they're both part of three square meals of course...
2ndAndrocentric
2025-01-31 20:24:08 +0000 UTCVaporized not shredded, right, that's why my shredder broke when I tried to feed it my server. Like when my wife wanted to argue that Hilary had indeed used bleach on her server...not the program BleachBit...Miguel no jodas!
2ndAndrocentric
2025-01-31 20:16:00 +0000 UTCfoes mind(s) scrambled / fried, ... dropping the info that Xar'aziuth gets, ,,,, nice thought, ... ;-) ttfb
Michael56Smith
2025-01-31 07:53:27 +0000 UTCOne more day.
MVFast
2025-01-30 08:46:51 +0000 UTCNone were as evil and bloody as Edraele.
MVFast
2025-01-29 08:34:40 +0000 UTCAddendum; These abilities may not be something Rahn can use. Much like physical talents, you’re either born with them or you aren’t. We all have a (different) default level of intelligence/physical ability that can be sharpened. However, few people will ever run a one minute mile. Few people are as smart as Richard Feynman. Rahn imbued John with his abilities, but may not have been able to gain them for himself.
MVFast
2025-01-29 03:01:03 +0000 UTCI won’t presume to know Tef’s thoughts. I’ll have to go back and reread Rahn’s dialogue. I’ve never written anything of any length. Certainly not like this! I’ve thought of writing, but haven’t considered writing Fanfiction before.
MVFast
2025-01-29 02:52:18 +0000 UTC-- John was Rahn's long distance revenge (the coward), ... --- John was surprisingly better than Rahn'Hagon had thought, .... big surptise! ,,, ;-) ttfn
Michael56Smith
2025-01-29 02:41:22 +0000 UTCOh, yeah, I could heartily wish that Tef would incorporate your Mad Jonah subplot into the TSM canon, .... it would be awesome! ... -- Oh, and by the way, Faye's Server was vaporized not shredded, ... FYI ... '-) ttfn
Michael56Smith
2025-01-29 02:23:05 +0000 UTCJohn needs a few weeks to tie up loose ends. This is an excellent reason for Xar to pull back and evaluate the next move carefully which fits the story arc well. I think Xar gets a "muddled" version of that the dead Progenitors saw, probably because Kyth'vyndathys fries their minds and not just their brains. On a similar note, we readers need a bunch of non combat chapters for the long list of loose ends Unresolved Plots was kind enough to gather together.
2ndAndrocentric
2025-01-28 20:09:47 +0000 UTCNot quite AzureReader. If Jonah does not come at the end of the story as the "shadow" agent that together with a small cabal of original Kyth'faren; Tefler shall be decried as a total failure. That of course is a :) for those unaware of a joke.
2ndAndrocentric
2025-01-28 20:04:13 +0000 UTCSo we are nearing the end of Jan and I hope he does recruit that particular matriarch. Valeria was too bloodthirsty to be suitable but perhaps this one is not. After all Emandra Holaris is getting a second chance
2ndAndrocentric
2025-01-28 19:17:32 +0000 UTCI remember Rahn specifically telling John that his revenge was John. I remember John calling Rahn a coward for wanting to have him do all the dangerous work.
2ndAndrocentric
2025-01-28 19:15:27 +0000 UTCOK so, speculation: Mad Jonah is a millions of years old Kyth'faren guiding John from the shadows. Reasons: 1- interesting how John gets a tip about Karron from mad Jonah just in time to make it to Karron for Alyssa's 18th birthday which coincides with her having to escape the Diablos. 2- How did "Sparks" aka Dana get to Karron from the eugenics experiments and what a coincidence this genetically enhanced engineer should befriend Alyssa. Was it possible that Jonah or another manipulated that encounter? 3- Who set up the shroud? It seems to be similar to a psychic inhibitor but operating at much larger distances at the sacrifice of intensity? Who would have such advanced technology Xar cannot defeat it? The Enshunu perhaps...guided by a more ancient people hiding out in that section? 4- "Fat Tony" saw something deep in Karron from the earliest mining tunnels that was the same color as the Enshunu. Karron was not in Enshunu territory as that area does not have rubble instead of planets so, who had that advanced of a technology? Could there be a network of these things maintaining the shroud? 5- I've posted a list of how the etymology of names fits well with the characters. Jonah is famous from returning from the dead which would fit his role perfectly. I shan't go through the list but it is impressive. 6- Shortly before her server was shredded, Faye saw something and never got to tell anyone about it. Perhaps it was the psychic locator/beacon that Larn used to track John, later used by Rahn. However Rahn mentioned that he had never seen one fail before and yet it did. Perhaps what Faye saw was a shadow of Jonah and perhaps it was Jonah who found and destroyed that beacon. 7- Repeatedly we are told in this story that when a lot of coincidences pile up that there's a conspiracy. That's a lot of coincidences. Seven being the number of completion I am done. So my guess is that as the Kyth'faren were falling, some sacrificed themselves to maintain those fortresses in the deep Astral but a few others learned the art of hiding. A few of these "dark Kyth'faren" then hung around manipulating things over many millennia. Besides, I already wrote 2 short stories based on this (which I cannot seem to find). So I have skin in the Jonah game.
2ndAndrocentric
2025-01-28 18:55:49 +0000 UTCYes, the Malaria matriarch (only the female mosquito draws blood, the males content with nectar) definitely promoted hemoglobinopathies; most being point mutations. That's why one of my grandsons has Hb C which is common from west Africa where one of my grandparents came from. My other grandson has a variant of Cornelia de Lange of which there's only one other case with his specific variant in the world. I am so happy to speak about my family and show forth my brilliance, again, thank you!
2ndAndrocentric
2025-01-28 18:49:43 +0000 UTCIt appears to have altered the Malaria matriarch, done something to A (when she messed with her ears). So I can only assume it's going to/has done something to John too. Not sure it will turn out well for him. If it's to get the matriarch to kill him after X is offed, then he may be ok
ThunderBird Two
2025-01-28 17:56:34 +0000 UTC... Maybe, it's just MVFast's assumption regards Rahb's thoughts of revenge, ... or Tef has more to reveal, .... but does Tef (the Author) actually think that way? ... And have you considered writing your own Fanfiction TSM story, ... ;-) ttfn
Michael56Smith
2025-01-28 10:08:52 +0000 UTC.... Kyth'faren revenge plans from millions of years ago, ... wow, can anybody think that far in advance? Even with awesome psychic abilities, ... maybe? ,,,, so, does that mean the end of Xar'aziuth is near to hand? ... ;-) ttfn
Michael56Smith
2025-01-28 10:04:12 +0000 UTCHere is a foreshadow Tefler gave us before John fought his guide. "I doubt that the full extent of the personal enhancement project is documented in the archives," Rachel noted, looking at him with sympathy. "Whatever the Kyth'faren had in mind, they wouldn't want to scare away a curious Progenitor seeking unlimited power." His shoulders slumped as he listened to her explanation, feeling it was the truth with a dreadful sense of certainty. "So instead of enhancing himself, Rahn used me as a guinea pig... imbuing me with all the secret Kyth'faren knowledge he found in that archive." Soooo, the Kyth’faren laid plans. The question now is, how big of a Hail Mary was this gambit? Meaning, 1) did they put this plan together and just hope? 2) are/were there safeguards to keep it in “good” hands? Or 3) is it a “Monkey’s paw”, and will harm the user of these runes and abilities? Any speculations folks?
MVFast
2025-01-28 03:21:24 +0000 UTCYes, without a doubt. Why didn’t Rahn do it himself? He could EASILY have taken the Cora, the ship Jessica was on when they came to Arcadia. Then, he could have claimed the Maliri. What we don’t know is why didn’t he take the power and abilities promised by the Kyth’faren for himself instead of giving them to John? It seems he doesn’t fully understand those abilities himself. John is his guinea pig, much like Irillith was Edrael’s guinea pig.
MVFast
2025-01-27 20:27:33 +0000 UTCRan wants to strike back at X, in part because of what was done to him, but also because he doesn’t want to be turned into a monster in the astral and be forced to serve him for eternity.
MVFast
2025-01-27 20:21:16 +0000 UTC... I don't recall anything in Tef's story that supports the revenge idea, .... did you get that from a fanfiction story? ,,, :-) ttfn
Michael56Smith
2025-01-27 20:15:40 +0000 UTCPretty sure Ran was planning his revenge
ThunderBird Two
2025-01-27 13:39:09 +0000 UTCAhhh, the latter hadn’t occurred to me.
MVFast
2025-01-27 03:14:40 +0000 UTC... ultra couscous, ... or a coward? ... or was he fated to sire Kyth'vinthlys, .... ? ;-) ttfn
Michael56Smith
2025-01-27 03:13:43 +0000 UTCA thought… Like people, some progenitors are smarter than others. Certainly, they have different drives. Mael’nerak sought to create. Larn’kelnar sought to be a puppet master. Ran’hagon searched the Astral plane. He stayed on Arcadia for 10,000 years? Even without thralls, he still had his abilities. In that amount of time, he should have been able to build a new starship. No, it wouldn’t have been made with black metal. No, it wouldn’t have had a wormhole drive. He could have claimed the Maliri in that time. Clearly, he was/became a coward in his time there.
MVFast
2025-01-26 22:19:24 +0000 UTCExactly.
MVFast
2025-01-23 19:15:07 +0000 UTCMVF. I was thinking it might work if they can "recruit" the matriarch so quickly the phycic network hasn't had a chance to unravel. This dening X all the nom noms from the thralls killing themselves while boosting Johns potential energy reserves
ThunderBird Two
2025-01-23 17:06:06 +0000 UTCNice to see discussion about the story rather than about how Tefler doesn't write any more. Wish we could go back to the hay-day of this series when Tefler was producing all the time and the community was vibrant. So gloomy around here now.
Garrett
2025-01-23 10:12:02 +0000 UTCThat’s a good point. If he takes a progenitor’s matriarch, then he could get all the thralls, leaving X with almost nothing to feed on. It would be instant, and a lot simpler than giving them a nymph’s kiss.
MVFast
2025-01-22 22:02:17 +0000 UTCM56S "Logically" if the Progs turned into mindless monsters they wouldn't be so terrified about ending up as one. To be that terrified, I assume they must be aware of what they have become (whether they can still communicate is another matter).
ThunderBird Two
2025-01-22 12:15:59 +0000 UTCInteresting to see if John gets to the original matriarch before the physic network fully unravels, if he will hijack what's left and gain "Free" thralls? I also think if X doesn't get a nice feed from losing this Prog, he will be far more cautious about throwing another straight in Johns face for no return.
ThunderBird Two
2025-01-22 12:09:19 +0000 UTCI open my chapters with Microsoft WORD, woks fine for me, .. ;-) ttfn
Michael56Smith
2025-01-20 23:47:11 +0000 UTCWhy can’t I open chapter 172 complete.
Jacques Lemay
2025-01-19 20:00:58 +0000 UTCWhen he claim the Terran Admiral he was starting his shit. That was months before John rebuffed X. He stumbled on the shroud. So he was fleeing Xarth's control.
Green Seadragon
2025-01-18 16:17:48 +0000 UTCTefler devoted over 15 chapters to Gahl’s invasion and defeat and barely more than 1 chapter to Aahn’s ‘invasion’ and defeat. This was an interesting choice of storytelling perhaps only possible in a massive epic. Chapters 1-155 was like climbing to the highest camp on Everest. Chapter 155-169 was like hiking from the final camp to just short of the summit. And chapter 170-172 was like the short but sweet little climb that last few feet. I really enjoyed the journey broken down this way. Not that the story is over. A lot of exciting, unexpected, and life threatening things can happen on your way down Everest. And it’s a long way down.
AzureReader
2025-01-18 00:56:05 +0000 UTCYeah, I agree, no peeping, except for a Progenitor's death location, .... that's apparently too strong a signal to be Shrouded, ... ttfn
Michael56Smith
2025-01-17 17:45:41 +0000 UTCOkay, the Shroud is a blanket, an Astral dampener, .... it keeps Xar'aziuth from peeping, ... but the death trauma of a Progenitor is a much stronger thing, and marks the location for the Devourer to send in the next evil Progenitor to, ... that's the facts we know them, so far, ... -- Just what info Xar'aziuth gets from a newly dead Progenitor before and after he is transformed into a hideous astral monster is still up in the air, ... Tef is not saying yet, ... ;-) ttfn
Michael56Smith
2025-01-17 17:36:14 +0000 UTCI think they established that X doesn’t know exactly what happens in the shroud, only where it happens.
Nate
2025-01-17 10:50:19 +0000 UTCI’ve read chapter 172 10 times now. I believe it’s the climax of the entire epic. The core theme of the story has been John and the girls struggling to overcome increasingly difficult challenges that make them stronger. Despite that there was little hope they could take on a full strength progentior. Now they have defeated three progenitors. The first two were a struggle, to say the least. Only this third victory was a commanding performance. It leveraged all their skills, talents, intelligence and hard won experience in a coordinated way. There will certainly be more battles and challenges in the future but now they know, and the readers know, that they can not only defeat a full strength progenitor… they are going to be very proficient at it. For writing such a epic story arc and bring it all together in this crescendo chapter… bravo Tefler.
AzureReader
2025-01-16 02:48:42 +0000 UTCOne thing we don’t yet know is, how much (if any) of the knowledge a progenitor has at death is transferred to X? Perhaps Tefler hasn’t decided on that yet? It would make a very large difference how the story line goes from here on out. If X knows everything, that’ll make it very difficult for John. If he knows nothing, that gives Baen’thelas (sp?) the most options.
MVFast
2025-01-14 08:23:37 +0000 UTC... very interesting, ..... ;-) ttfn
Michael56Smith
2025-01-13 18:06:18 +0000 UTCAlso, time moves faster in the astral plane. He may plan out the next attack. Progenitors don’t get along with each other, so that’s (normally) out. He may tell the next progenitor to enter outside John’s territory, and do so with a fleet. This recon mission clearly didn’t go well. One other thing. Every progenitor gets killed sooner or later. X probably isn’t panicking. Yet. Concerned? Yes. But even that’s probably in (large?) part due to the fact he has almost no power there. Question. We know he’s unable to manifest in the physical plane within the shroud unless someone on this side opens a portal. But, can he manifest in the material plane outside the shroud? I think it’s unlikely, but…
MVFast
2025-01-13 02:13:44 +0000 UTCPretty sure Larn stumbled across the shroud area (he wasn't keen to go back), as 10k years is a long time to go check something out. I think X only became interested, after John flipped him the metaphorical bird in his dream training.
ThunderBird Two
2025-01-12 20:49:05 +0000 UTCYeah he had , but maybe not until after he realized that the shroud blocked the sights of the denizens of the deep astral did he go rogue...but I believe ultimately he would have been sent there to see what had happened to Rahn, who had previously been sent after Mael, as of yet there was no reason for Larn to be focusing in on John Blake...X'araziuth should also have charged those Progenitors with finding out the secrets of the shroud( if he knew of it specifically, especially after the astral plane battle at Henry Voss's home) and why it blocked his observation of that little corner of the galaxy. In the story arc it seems to me that information about the shroud would be even more valuable than information on Baen'thelas himself!
Greg Hill
2025-01-12 17:48:45 +0000 UTC-- Larn'kelnar was hanging around causing trouble for months, until John fried his ass, ... -- then Gahl'kalgo was in the area for a few weeks, .... then got his head lopped off, .... -- Aahn'laetar showed up inside the nebula, so was blinded, .... John and the girls sprung a trap on him, ... he died in under a day (a few hours). .... -- So, how soon until Xar'aziuth sends someone new? ... He might think whoever he sends next may just get a few minutes, based on the progression so far, ... -- Then will John and the girls actually get some time to clean up the messes, and absorb the new Wards, ... and have Dana fix everything as well as check out the Star Forges, ... fingers crossed for luck, ... maybe Tef will go easy on them in the next few chapters, ... -- And speaking of Dana and the Star Forges, ... John needs a new and improved ship, ... (a dreadnaught or smaller?) ... And it should be an all new Invictus, from the Keel up, with all of Dana's latest and greatest upgrades, (gasp, whatever will Charles think?) ... ;-) ttfn
Michael56Smith
2025-01-12 03:06:34 +0000 UTCI got the impression Larn had gone rouge.
ThunderBird Two
2025-01-11 08:36:02 +0000 UTC-- Health and Family poblems have been interfering with Tef's work, .... -- Also, he began posting TSM in Dec 2015, and it just may not be the joy to write that it once was (say it isn't so), ... but, after his Gallstone problem is fixed, he just might get back into a good working groove, I'm hopeful, ... and I think that even a 1/2 or a 1/3 partial chapter a month of his Epic tale is still pretty nice, ... especially versus the no more TSM at all (eek!) option, ... ;-) ttfn
Michael56Smith
2025-01-11 05:58:08 +0000 UTCok, i found tsm about 3 years ago. i finally joined up with patreon to support this story.over the last several months it seems to be a waay to milk people for their money. the story is great, but the story is not advancing. can i get clarity on when it will advance???
Larry D Smith, Jr.
2025-01-10 23:18:21 +0000 UTCyeah, I too thought Larn'kelnar started his shenanigans slightly before John's 40th birthday and Alyssa's 18th birthday, ... was he not sent by Xar'aziuth, but came on his own? (or maybe he was just nudged a little bit by the Devourer into exploring the potentially dangerous' and mysterious Shrouded space), ... and the timing with John's Ascendency was just a coincidence, maybe? ... or did Larn show up the week or so after Alyssa's birthday, while they were still traveling in the old and slow Fool's Gold, .... (it was many additional weeks before John got to Ashanath space and first encountered Larn's early influence with the Drakkar, ... -- and I'd bet ole Xar'aziuth really hated not knowing what was happening ybder rge Shroud for almost a year, ... until after Larn's death, .... -- A thought: do the recently fallen and monstrously transformed Progenitors have their brains scrambled a bit for a time ... making reporting to Xar'aziuth difficult, ... -- Did Larn only report on things Xar asked of him, .... leaving out a number of useful things, like John's name, ... Gally did come looking for Baen'thelas, ... ;-) ttfn
Michael56Smith
2025-01-09 23:59:40 +0000 UTCyeah, the chapter was pretty yummy, in a bloodthirsty sort of way, ... ;-) ttfn
Michael56Smith
2025-01-09 23:43:46 +0000 UTCI don't love the placeholders, but damn that was good.
Penner
2025-01-09 22:11:16 +0000 UTCUnresolved, I thought he was interfering way before that? In one of the first chapters John mentions rising tensions in the Dragon march. Sorry ment larn and not gally
ThunderBird Two
2025-01-09 17:42:53 +0000 UTCYeah, the Evil Devourer should be sensing a horrible and worrisome pattern emerging from under the Shroud, (like a disturbance in the Force) ... and I'd bet he doesn't much like it, ... -- I think Tef's going to have the Progenitor war kicking up a notch, .... maybe Alyssa really can get knocked up while still a teenager ... ;-) ttfn
Michael56Smith
2025-01-09 15:53:40 +0000 UTCHey there Vizth Hai, .... just to let you know that your old English teacher would mark you down for using 'too' when you meant 'to', "Feel like this chapter should be renamed to 'Aahn’laetar’s no good, very bad, horrible day' " (trying to be subtle, huh?) ... have a nice day, .... ;-) ttfn
Michael56Smith
2025-01-09 15:38:54 +0000 UTCWe know Xar sent every Progenitor to the Shroud except Larn'kelnar. In chapter 121 it is stated that John met Alyssa 8 months prior and in the same chapter it is stated that Larn arrived under the Shroud nearly 8 months prior i.e. just after John's first encounter with Xar (or one of the other Ancients) on the Astral. Imho this heavily implies that he was sent to the Shroud to find and destroy this new Progenitor who had recently rejected Xar's deal.
Unresolved Plots
2025-01-08 22:53:08 +0000 UTCWe don't know he sent mal or gal, they could have stumbled across it
ThunderBird Two
2025-01-08 17:55:52 +0000 UTCFrom Xar's perspective, first he send a progenitor to one corner of the galaxy where he stays for 1000s of years and suddenly the shroud appears cutting off his connecting with the progenitor. Then he sends Rahnhagon who stays there for a few centuries before he is also presumably dead. Then he sends another progenitor who dies in about 1 year. Then he sends Gahl who dies in a few weeks. Then he sends Aahnlaetar who dies in a few hours!
Akram123456
2025-01-08 06:24:43 +0000 UTCFeel like this chapter should be renamed too Aahn’laetar’s no good, very bad, horrible day.
Vizth Hal
2025-01-07 03:34:29 +0000 UTCSadly, I think Telfers followers are down to the die hard fans. With such a phenomenal saga, his base should be growing, not dwindling down to loyalists. Honestly, Tefler, put out a poll. You’ve been putting out “partial” chapters that otherwise qualify as full chapters. See if we, the fans, approve of renumbering the chapters &/or scrapping the place holders and starting the new year fresh. You have my vote!! 👍🏽 Commit to posting chapters on Lit to get new patrons, do weekly or bi-weekly updates and post shorter chapters every 2 weeks so you can “feel the love” of your adoring fans again. The truth is, Tefler, we all want to see you win at life and we want the saga to continue. We know you can’t catch up if you continue this way, and everyone loses. Just hit the restart button and make a fresh start for 2025. We’re all rooting for you… even those of us who’ve turned to complaining
Erotic Poetic
2025-01-07 02:24:07 +0000 UTCRedemption for Rahn seems likely. We have seen that ties can be cut by the top guy and reforged by someone else. Or a brand new group can be handed over. Ignore the following. The most interesting part is when Mad Jonah reveals that he and a small cadre of original Kyth survived the massacre by being cowards who studied the shadow arts. They made the Shroud as a diffuse psychic inhibitor that sacrificed power for distance with several stations such as the one found by Tony inside Karron and, of course, the one under Coral Castle. However I think Mad Jonah and crowd will elect not to have children and allow "Kyth 2.0" as it were to rule wo competition. If you're still reading, you were warned.
2ndAndrocentric
2025-01-06 16:58:09 +0000 UTCThe true vengeance of the Kyf world not just be defeating X but the reestablishment of the Kyf as a species. Alyssa was the first and was recognized at citadel . Who is next? Clara for length of time or Dana for all the fill ups before research. Perhaps Rill or Eradel because the thralls genetics is close. Does the azure fade to pale. John wouldn’t hurt an innocent child and could use the help spreading the genetic change since he has no aspirations to become the emperor of the universe. Could Rahn be allocated thralls and use a gate to recruit and spread the wealth of genetic changes among allies. John has claimed Rahn’s original red thralls. Would Jessica be ok with orange or yellow. As an LSU fan I’m partial to purple and gold but that’s probably many chapters down the line the road.
20 ton
2025-01-06 13:23:24 +0000 UTCVery nice chapter. Focused and not meandering from the "main" path". Enjoyed it!
Hans Eriksson
2025-01-05 22:44:19 +0000 UTCBut i am sory. So long as we keep geting more of this i am fine. That was an ending worthy of Hollywood. Damn, the other John, the Maclane would be proud.
Ricardo Miguel Pereira da Silva
2025-01-05 18:42:14 +0000 UTCI umderstand the frustratiom of so many of us. The delays and the place holders and all of that.
Ricardo Miguel Pereira da Silva
2025-01-05 18:40:34 +0000 UTCIf Xar finds out John is claiming multiple empires, he could then send different Progenitors attacking on multiple fronta. That would be very bad for team Blake.
2ndAndrocentric
2025-01-05 17:31:43 +0000 UTCPoint 1 and 2, you're correct. Wrong about 3; thralls were sent to collect data but could easily be ordered to take command of systems. You're correct about the Nymphs manning weapons but only IF things went badly wrong. Their orders were to stay hidden UNLESS an all out shootout (in which case team Blake would have to evacuate). Their presence was insurance in a worst case scenario. At that point of course the Nymphs first would have to incapacitate the thralls; but there's no need to spoil the ambush on Aahn himself by alerting him to trouble ahead of time. Regarding 4, as stated multiple times, one of "team Blake's" advantage is they being an actual team as opposed to a tyranny of one. IF trouble had started on Gal's ship as Aahn was beset with so many other problems his response would NOT be to "focus 100% on that problem." Rather he would eliminate the problem from his "to do list" by giving orders to go where there were no guns and massive damage and use all remaining weapons to destroy Gahl's ship so he could focus on his own. Sorry but RESPECTFULLY stated, your suggestion still holds no merit though I was wrong on points 1 and 2.
2ndAndrocentric
2025-01-05 17:30:27 +0000 UTCThanks to both replies above which I agree with. The part about these "uncorrupted" Progenitors being able to run some of the empires is intriguing. There would be no need to "turn down the offer" if Xar is eliminated. John understandy is concerned about his inability to give sufficient time to the many and growing number of women as well as their future children. I suppose he could employ the "Krishna solution" which is being in >10,000 places at the same time. In fact when the Elanis object to the harem, they're ignoring their own religious background.
2ndAndrocentric
2025-01-05 17:14:01 +0000 UTCIt’s an overall power supply issue as to running both the stealth generator and shields at the same time. The Invictus only has 3 power cores and a Progenitor Dreadnaught has 5 if memory serves.
Khaldian
2025-01-05 09:20:35 +0000 UTCI am so pleased with this chapter and its climactic slaying of the distraction from the reunion with Fae 🧚🏽
Malcolm Rickarby
2025-01-05 05:42:19 +0000 UTCSomehow returning the Kythfaren to the galaxy by finding the successful result of Mael’neraks experiment with Terra. Is Tom Walker one? Is Dana his sister separated at birth? Is Alyssa now the next evolution of the Kythfaren? Was Dana abandoned on Karon because it is the source of the shroud? Only Tefler can tell us the answers to the many gems embedded in this epic tale . Happy new year 🥳 everyone.
Malcolm Rickarby
2025-01-05 05:34:17 +0000 UTC@2ndAndrocentric - 1. Aahn’ would normally tune into video/audio of his thralls progress with non-psychic communications. Like radio. 2. No where did I say the thralls would be killed… only taken out. A missing limb or two was effective at doing that to hundreds of thousands of Gahl’s thralls on Kythshara. 3. The thralls were sent to Gahl’s dreadnought to collect data logs to find out what happened, not take command of the weapons. The nymphs on the other hand were sent to Gahl’s dreadnought to use its weapons to help take down Aahn’s sheilds if contacted by Jade to do so. 4. Don’t think Aahn’ would have time to do anything about his missing thralls if he discovered his dreadnought had been boarded right after this scene. He would have to focus 100% on that problem.
AzureReader
2025-01-04 23:24:42 +0000 UTCThe kids are ok until they are abducted and bargain part of their soul to X. Fear and the unknown are in X’s favor. Could preparation help them to turn down the offer? Maybe protecting them in a sub plain or accompanying them to protect them MIGHT save them.
20 ton
2025-01-04 21:59:32 +0000 UTC-- I'd love to see the Grays (Ashanth) get Gahl'kalgor's old beat-up dreadnaught, to add to their collection, including the sliver of Mael's Dreadnaught, and then they might also use some miscellaneous parts from the damaged Galkiran Fleets (with Dana's guidance) to build a few of a smaller (mini) dreadnaught like ships, .... They'd be a noticeable bit more powerful than a PBM battleship, ... and they might get some of their parts (like tachyon lances) off of the damaged fleets of ships that were scattered throughout Maliri space, ... the ones that were not salvage able anyway, ... And perhaps they could get a couple of the Maliri male's Stealth Field (cloak) generators installed on their prizes, .... -- I am assuming that Eitherium or possibly Maliri crystal tech will be usable on the PBM (negative eldritch energy) surfaces, ... ;-) ttfn
Michael56Smith
2025-01-04 21:17:53 +0000 UTC--- well, I assume that Nature vs Nurture, since a powerless neo-progenitor would not be royally spoiled by his future Thralls in this case, .... maybe John could assign a few Terran Nanny's to spank and hug him as needed, ... and Terrans would not be affected by Baen'thela's claiming of the kid's future subjects, ... but they'd still need to surround him with some guards and a staff of locals that John cures of the blind hatred compulsion, ... like he did for the twins, ... other adjustments and help (like an AI teacher?) might be handy too, .... might be worth saving a few of these kids from becoming Asshats, ... and later they could help John run his bloated empires, .... whatcha think? ... -- Oh, and Dana needs to reproduce a Shroud field generator, to keep Xar'aziuth's evil nose out of there, ... -- then the kid(s) just might have a chance, ... ;-) ttfn
Michael56Smith
2025-01-04 20:51:10 +0000 UTCSo what happens to a baby through adolescent Progenitor when John claims a thrall race? As they've not yet claimed a race and thus not unlocked their powers perhaps they grow up like John; an unusual alien with an inert third DNA strand that grows old and attracts little attention. I'm GUESSING that a Progenitor that has not "activated" his third DNA strand does not receive the instinctual hatred of a thrall race claimed by John. It would be rather nasty if suddenly the foster parents develop an irresistible hatred for the child just because John claimed their race.
2ndAndrocentric
2025-01-04 17:56:26 +0000 UTCPartially agree with you Drew, but I find it odd that Dana cannot solve the problem. The Invictus is much smaller than a Dreadnaught (about 1/3 the size?) and thus the fields generated together should be possible. Further in this chapter we have Aahn's ship activating shields and stealth AFTER the wormhole jump is completed. There seems to be inconsistencies here.
2ndAndrocentric
2025-01-04 17:46:35 +0000 UTCNo, first of all Progenitor Matriarchs do not bond with their thralls thus communications are only one way: from Matriarch to Thrall. The Matriarch can perceive: 1 emotions, 2 which specific thrall and 3 how much "life force" a thrall has, but nothing more. Also if Marika and Neysa had attacked, 3 bad results would follow: 1 thralls would needlessly die 2- Aahn might kill them by destroying the Dreadnaught they're on and 3- make Aahn even more wary before the strike. Lastly he whole point of the 2 Lenarrans being alone there was that they would not be noticed either by scanners (register as "biomatter") or visually as they could become some tiny insect or whatever and easily hide in a massive ship. They were there as insurance that the thralls would not use the damaged dreadnaught in active battle.
2ndAndrocentric
2025-01-04 16:35:44 +0000 UTCGR8 chapter . Now they have 2 dreadnoughts at their disposal . About the place holders . They are your thing . That is the way you do it . All good . They have no monetary value and are of no concern to us .
Azwiz
2025-01-04 15:12:48 +0000 UTCPlease keep writing
Yofletch
2025-01-04 05:55:13 +0000 UTCLoved how the battle was short and sweet but… wish there was a paragraph with Aahn’ still on his bridge watching his thralls approach Gahl’s command deck only to begin losing contact with them. Maybe a brief flash of fur and teeth. A burst of gunfire. Some screaming. Then total silence on both dreadnoughts as Aahn’ is left trying, but failing, to imagine what nightmare could take out six squads of his elite troops in a few seconds. Then the chiming warnings of doors and weapons malfunctioning would break that silence and shock.
AzureReader
2025-01-04 05:14:51 +0000 UTCPretty sure Dana has acknowledged the inability to run shields and stealth being a power distribution issue rather than any inherent conflict between the two systems. Also, the Galkirans that managed to get a hit on the Invictus were surprised when the Invictus turned their shields on after coming out of stealth as they realized it meant their shields had not been on before that point. On the other hand, I think it is possible for a progenitor dreadnaught to have stealth on during a wormhole jump. The Invictus was able to detect the energy spike from Galkagor jumping in and out at Arcadia, but they were not able to detect the actual ship (or else there would have been no reason to discuss whether the second energy spike was the original dreadnought leaving or a new one arriving).
Drew
2025-01-04 02:29:40 +0000 UTCXar'aziuth has got himself into a tricky position. Progenitors work alone, but alone they fall one by one to John - and their defeats will only get quicker and easier, as Dana gets a chance to upgrade the Invictus and their firearms, and John gets to build his multi-empire psychic support networks with freed-thralls.
Stephen Paynter
2025-01-03 23:39:38 +0000 UTCIf memory serves, Tefler mentioned he was setting the Achonin subplot in the way back burner so that is likely a very long wait.
2ndAndrocentric
2025-01-03 20:16:38 +0000 UTCJohn has finally learned from the previous 2 encounters.
2ndAndrocentric
2025-01-03 19:33:59 +0000 UTCYes, that was quite clear and an excellent author way to fool us.
2ndAndrocentric
2025-01-03 19:33:31 +0000 UTC"The Progenitor grudgingly acknowledge that sealing up the marines in their barracks ..." acknowledgeD
2ndAndrocentric
2025-01-03 19:01:55 +0000 UTCRegarding this scene: "Drawing from his psychic reserves, the Progenitor gathered eldritch power around his gauntlet, where it flickered ominously and swirled around his fingertips. " At this point I would have expected a comment regarding a surprise realization by Aahn’laetar that his powers are muted under the Shroud. Not a necessary element to the story, but to me would have expected some sort of reaction. Accusations of hair splitting accepted.
2ndAndrocentric
2025-01-03 18:58:36 +0000 UTCOrange you glad Khaldian spotted it? GROAN
2ndAndrocentric
2025-01-03 17:58:22 +0000 UTCTHANK YOU! I had to scroll a lot before I got to a "Tribe Wars" comment which is the highlight of my day everytime...wrote someone who knows not sarcasm.
2ndAndrocentric
2025-01-03 17:56:38 +0000 UTCYeah, this is what an old time Space Opera will do at this particular time ... political comments self-censored.
2ndAndrocentric
2025-01-03 17:54:22 +0000 UTC“Engage Stealth Field Generator,” Aahn’laetar ordered. “Activate shields.” Assuming that all Progenitor dreadnaughts are the same; it appears they do not have shields or stealth during a wormhole. However they can have both stealth and shields together. That last bit seems different for the Invictus and something Sparks (Dana) could improve upon. Comments invited please.
2ndAndrocentric
2025-01-03 17:51:10 +0000 UTCThank you for finishing up chapter 172 I very much enjoyed it . I know life has given you a lot of problems. But I hope the chapters are a bit longer I have gotten used to a chapter taking almost a full day to read through.. I love the story love the characters and looking forward to many years of reading in the future.
Jeremey Bartel
2025-01-03 13:04:36 +0000 UTC"It's just a flesh wound" - The Black Knight
ThunderBird Two
2025-01-03 02:37:51 +0000 UTCI have read this whole story through 5 times so far, and I've been reading sci-fi since the '70s. I have never had so many thrills and tears and excitement in a story, it's like someone designed a (X rated) theme park just for me.
Kerry Rowland
2025-01-02 21:30:37 +0000 UTCForgot to say thanks for this update and Happy New Year Tefler
Unresolved Plots
2025-01-02 20:48:56 +0000 UTCWow, that was super intense!
DCM
2025-01-02 13:32:59 +0000 UTCI'm happy to see someone else remembers the Achonin. I've been waiting for a follow up since after the crew clean that station out it and some mysterious group took it.
Lonald Howard
2025-01-02 05:09:36 +0000 UTCspot on though
rich ed
2025-01-02 04:41:26 +0000 UTC-- they were Jehanna's illusions, ... no one died there, .... ;-) ttfn...
Michael56Smith
2025-01-02 03:47:26 +0000 UTCI got that they were illusions created by Jehanna....As AL was killing these blue skinned thralls... “You bastard!” Jehanna yelled furiously at the Progenitor, her face distraught with grief for her fallen comrades. “Alright, don’t oversell it,” Rachel murmured, while stifling a grin.
Hendrix Morton
2025-01-02 03:36:26 +0000 UTCOkay, that was worth the wait. I waited for the whole chapter before reading it. Hope to get more on a timely basis. Thanks.
Hendrik J Kopmels
2025-01-02 03:12:06 +0000 UTC*sniffs air* hmm it smells like fecal matter here
JP
2025-01-02 03:06:02 +0000 UTCpretty rude JP
Jeff Wilkinson
2025-01-02 03:04:03 +0000 UTCSo the chapt didn't explicitly say, but sounds like when Aahn killed a bunch of thralls, those were his own, with illusion overlays to trick him into thinking they were blue... right? The girls smirking about it seems the only confirmation.
Jeff Wilkinson
2025-01-02 03:01:44 +0000 UTCa pretty thoroughly broken gift though. can't even claim it was broken in shipping. ;-)
Jeff Wilkinson
2025-01-02 02:58:17 +0000 UTCplus the whole cut in half first, then burned... yeah probably safe to say Aahn's good n dead...
Jeff Wilkinson
2025-01-02 02:56:49 +0000 UTCXarry could send another progenitor right away, though it seems he'd probably hesitate having lost two so quickly. Still John & co need to be ready anytime another progenitor attacks... xarry could also try sending more than one at once, though how to keep them from attacking each other could be a problem.
Jeff Wilkinson
2025-01-02 02:54:35 +0000 UTCNow *that's* how to take out an enemy progenitor... fast and brutal. Full-team shock & awe tactics to keep him off balance and panicked. End him fast. John & his team become exterminators.
Jeff Wilkinson
2025-01-02 02:49:32 +0000 UTCAlthough smart and careful, he was “young” for a progenitor.
MVFast
2025-01-01 23:40:22 +0000 UTC“He plunged the sword into Aahn’laetar’s torso, and the 2,382 year-old Progenitor was immolated in a blaze of righteous fire.“ He’s dead.
MVFast
2025-01-01 23:38:40 +0000 UTCThanks for the great content! As a long time Sci fi and fantasy reader I am accustomed to years of waiting for new content so a few months is nothing to me. I hope you are well enough to enjoy life even if you can't write as prolifically. The story will get out eventually guys!
Holly Lowery
2025-01-01 22:49:49 +0000 UTCSince Xar'aziuth is confiened to the Astral plane, and apears unable to cross to the present, it will make any journeys that John makes into the Astral Plane much more difficult. No doubt Xariaziuth will pause for a moment after the efeat of Aanh'laeter before sending another rogenitor to attack John. This will allow some of teh sub-plots to be advanced (such as Walker, Edraele and the station, the Outer Colonies, the Abandoned and Bimoreans, and of cure the Enshunu who know a lot about Achonin. No doubt Dana will use the star fogres with the TransKarans to forge more of her alloy, and even build ships with it. There are all the toher progenitor "colonies" with no or very young progenitors wiating to be harvested. We are in for interesting future chapters.
Jonathan Fowler
2025-01-01 22:07:31 +0000 UTCA delightful surpise for Aenh"laetar marking a fitting end to him being outclassed, outsmarted and caught flatfooted. Tefler has delivered a great CHAPTER THANK YOU.
Jonathan Fowler
2025-01-01 22:00:57 +0000 UTCBloody great chapter, eagerly awaiting more!
Mist
2025-01-01 19:54:21 +0000 UTCFor those of you who get upset waiting for a new Tefler post, I have a handful of folk I pay for on Patreon. Another author I follow, and can recommend, and who is quite prolific with posts, is: https://www.patreon.com/BrandonVarnell I read Varnell while I await Tefler. ;)
Unix Beard
2025-01-01 19:53:48 +0000 UTCThree for three! Maybe John and the girls can FINALLY slow down and get a chance to breathe with Aahn dealt with. Very curious how the Outer Rim, Niskera, and Walker are doing. Plus, we haven't seen Charles' reaction to Lynette's happy surprise! We love you, Tefler!
Sean Garrison
2025-01-01 18:25:36 +0000 UTCNice completion to the chapter. Hope to see 173 soon! If Tef starts back in the Terran Federation with the Walker trial, perhaps he can get more written. Since it’s not a battle, he might be able to get more work done.
MVFast
2025-01-01 18:07:33 +0000 UTC"And they lived happily ever after" As it's going, John will be "King of the Galaxy" by then. It would be interesting to see what happens afterwards. John and the girls slipping into legend, and maybe being worshiped as deities? Dana Goddess of machines/engineers Tash Goddess of Fire, etc..
ThunderBird Two
2025-01-01 17:37:00 +0000 UTCThey still didn't chop his head off, and the chapter ended before he was confirmed dead............. So he could still do a "Thanos". I hope he is dead, so the world building can continue, rather than just combat. I also think Tef prefers writing the story over the battels, so we might get more quicker. I also hope he isn't dead, as I think he would make a great returning villain
ThunderBird Two
2025-01-01 17:35:07 +0000 UTCBaen'thelas sends Xar'aziuth a present, ..... isn't that nice? ,,,,, ;-) ttfn
Michael56Smith
2025-01-01 16:55:34 +0000 UTCThat was an enjoyable chapter, thanks! It makes me wonder if we will get a glimpse of Xaraziuth's reaction to losing another progenitor so quickly. I am happy to continue to support you for as long as there is more story to write. However, at this stage, I am wondering if it might be wrapped up entirely in another 15-20 chapters. I assume Xaraziuth is the final boss and as soon as they find a way to deal with him, there should be a final chapter titled, "And they lived happily ever after"
Tefler fan
2025-01-01 15:16:50 +0000 UTCOh of course! Well spotted. I'm really glad you enjoyed the battle. :)
Tefler
2025-01-01 12:42:20 +0000 UTCBest wishes Tef, for the new year. I hope your health issues can be cleared up soon. Trust that my patronage continues, so that you can create at your pace. Cheers, and Happy New Year!
Jim Liebenstein
2025-01-01 11:32:01 +0000 UTCHappy new year. Keep on your work and could you please offer the new chapters as pdf also.
Johnboy
2025-01-01 11:14:49 +0000 UTCWishing you a happy new year. Wishing that the new year will bring a quick resolution to your health issues.
anand srivastava
2025-01-01 10:16:52 +0000 UTCWishing you a Happy New Year. I can understand people's frustrations with placeholders. But with the coming new year. I would like people to ask yourself are you a patron customer who wants his purchase immediately, or are you an actual patron who his just supporting an artist in their creation? While not the wealthiest person, I still support authors who I have not actually read their work for years. I will support not for the story's conclusion, but for the story's continuation, Best Wishes everyone.
MKW
2025-01-01 09:05:51 +0000 UTCError to Report: on Word page 43 of 49, ... "Thralls that looked like his own red-skinned Aeltarian marines," ,,, his marines were (a copper hue) Orange-skinned, it was Gally's former forces that were Red-skinned. -- A Good and quick battle, thanks, ... ;-) ttfn
Michael56Smith
2025-01-01 08:42:58 +0000 UTCExcellent chapter Tef, loved that battle. One minor issue I’ve spotted though, “Thralls that looked like his own red-skinned Aeltarian marines” should read as “orange skinned” as they’re previously described as rather than red.
Khaldian
2025-01-01 08:23:12 +0000 UTCFinally... Can you please post an EPUB version as well.
Arakasi
2025-01-01 07:57:07 +0000 UTCI feel like that is probably the oldest so far that John has fought.
Kensyi
2025-01-01 06:38:55 +0000 UTCThat was the progenitor battle worth waiting 172 chapters for. Perfect fun.
AzureReader
2025-01-01 06:33:31 +0000 UTCAt this point his sign off just seems more mean than anything, like do you really have the best wishes in mind any more.
Kensyi
2025-01-01 06:02:20 +0000 UTCThey came
Kensyi
2025-01-01 06:00:33 +0000 UTCLove the ending of the chapter!
J
2025-01-01 05:57:29 +0000 UTCYou Need to put some story into any future place holders. There comes a point
Robar
2025-01-01 05:26:32 +0000 UTCpromised a chapter in a few days and waiting on the placeholder about to come
Jeff
2025-01-01 05:16:05 +0000 UTCCue the 2 placeholders for 1/3 of a chapter...
Hendrix Morton
2025-01-01 05:10:19 +0000 UTCIncoming placeholders with a sob story in three..two..one
JP
2025-01-01 05:10:08 +0000 UTCYou're surprised why?
JP
2025-01-01 05:09:47 +0000 UTCNice, have a happy, healthy and productive new year!😊
Old Salt
2025-01-01 05:07:08 +0000 UTCI want to say thank you but after all you owe us a half chapter seems a pathetic insult to all those still trying to support you. I don't think i will be one of those supporters any longer. Very disappointed.
Don Garnett
2025-01-01 05:06:31 +0000 UTCThx for the chapter. And thx for the honest words this time. Please keep this honesty up!!
J
2025-01-01 05:05:06 +0000 UTCReally!? Right at the strike of midnight
Jeff
2025-01-01 05:04:32 +0000 UTC
