Tefler from patreon - Three Square Meals Ch. 172 (Part 1)

It seems that Tefler has realized the difference between a "magazine" and a "clip". (One has moving parts and the other doesn't.) I was happy to learn that he knows the difference between a lectern and a podium.

John Lisbeth

2025-03-07 02:44:21 +0000 UTC

To limit the number of times you can be charged per month before the end of the year to take care of that pesky second placeholder. Go to Membership -> Edit -> Payment Amount -> Set Monthly Limit and enter "1".

Tom Ray

2024-12-22 11:04:27 +0000 UTC

@Tefler... so you do read the comments? Isn't it depressing to see how angry everyone is?? We'd much rather be talking about the stories you're writing than arguing over YOU. Please get help, man.

Garrett

2024-12-21 02:31:06 +0000 UTC

Hey there, Terence the 2nd, ... America and Britain are two countries separated by a common language, ... -- oh, and they did put ain't into the dictionary, a few decades ago, ... --- and who's to say what degenerated words will be in use in Tef's 28th century, ... just our favorite author, .... -- the 28th century just might be pretty Awesome! ... ;-) ttfn

Michael56Smith

2024-12-16 21:12:00 +0000 UTC

My thinking is that traitor is Beth, Larnkelnor probably recruite d her.She wasn't effected when he died. When Mason rebuffed her, she tried to get with the hero.

Green Seadragon

2024-12-10 21:21:59 +0000 UTC

I find it curious that with all the people that have pointed out typos and misspellings, nobody had pointed out the continuous use of made up imaginary words like orientated, whilst, spilt, etc. I know that some of these words are commonly used in some parts of the world just like the word aint is used a lot by the uneducated in the US, but they are not real words just the same.

Terence2

2024-12-10 00:05:15 +0000 UTC

Chapter 172(2) Page 19 - "Even if the enemy were to attempt an ambush all the forces at his disposal, we could easily evade combat and withdraw from the nebula.” Should be "attempt an ambush with all the forces at his disposal.” Added "with". Page 32 - :“There’s no exceptions,” the Nymph said with more conviction. Should be "There are no exceptions. There's = there is. Exceptions is plural.

John Lisbeth

2024-12-02 18:33:09 +0000 UTC

"have a massive trap laid out for our hero and his harem." It's a plan, but I guess X would need more info to set a good trap? Assuming a spy didn't get spotted by the sensor network and finished off, X could think attacking poor old Earth would be good bate, or if he didn't want to risk sending people into the Shroud, one of Johns Wards Throne worlds. Would be potentially good for the plot/story, having a spy lurk for a bit while John did story stuff, then get spotted and wiped out. Then a bit more story stuff while X sets up the trap - that won't work due to Cs precognition.

ThunderBird Two

2024-12-01 09:11:38 +0000 UTC

Yes! Now, now, now!

MVFast

2024-12-01 05:55:52 +0000 UTC

--- oh, please come on, ... F5, F5, F5, F5, F5, ..... ;-) ttfn

Michael56Smith

2024-12-01 05:45:05 +0000 UTC

F5....F5....F5.....

Unctadsk

2024-12-01 05:30:40 +0000 UTC

It’s 4AM in England. I’ve noticed when Tefler isn’t close to finishing anything significant he gives up before this and charges us. I’m guessing he’s trying hard to deliver a complete chapter 172. Either way, thanks to Tef for not cashing in early and making every effort, at least on the final night, to deliver as much as you can.

AzureReader

2024-12-01 04:15:46 +0000 UTC

--- come on, ... F5, F5, F5, F5, F5, ..... ;-) ttfn

Michael56Smith

2024-12-01 03:01:14 +0000 UTC

F5, F5, F5…

MVFast

2024-12-01 02:55:20 +0000 UTC

I certainly hope so.

MVFast

2024-12-01 02:54:58 +0000 UTC

As for X's response, I'm not sure he will want to send multiples to the shroud at one time. Once there, he has no control over them. I'm thinking more that he will now try to bate John into coming out of the shroud to attack the next progenitor, and have a massive trap laid out for our hero and his harem.

Rayce Royal

2024-12-01 01:39:37 +0000 UTC

We should, and within the next 6 hours, ... just hang in there, .... ;-) ttfn

Michael56Smith

2024-11-30 23:09:44 +0000 UTC

-- Yeah, that's what I mean by Fanfiction versus Tef's universe, .... only Tef will know the best way(s) of claiming another Progenitor's Empire, .... -- Come on Tef, it is the EOM, do swe need to wait for the final hours too? ... ;-) ttfn

Michael56Smith

2024-11-30 20:12:27 +0000 UTC

are we getting part 2 and another chapter today?

Jim Owens

2024-11-30 19:39:36 +0000 UTC

I was really hoping we’d get the second half this afternoon and then whatever else Tef had written on 173 at 12pst

!raptor

2024-11-30 18:50:34 +0000 UTC

As long as she doesn't touch the black metal with bare skin, she should be ok.

ThunderBird Two

2024-11-30 18:09:50 +0000 UTC

-- just recall her organizing the takeover of Larn'kelnar's dreadnaught from within, and the rescuing of John, ... she can cope, ... ;-) ttfn

Michael56Smith

2024-11-30 17:46:33 +0000 UTC

Isn’t Alyssa going to be incapacitated by ghosts aboard the enemy black ship?

AzureReader

2024-11-30 15:00:30 +0000 UTC

Problem is there's a 14-hour window when he loads up a matriarch that nothing is happening so I'm not sure how many of them would be saved

Rayce Royal

2024-11-30 14:10:10 +0000 UTC

Not sure that would work, after the last lot going nuts, and seeing the network unravel in front of their eyes. But if they were super quick, who knows.

ThunderBird Two

2024-11-30 14:00:51 +0000 UTC

A quick win? ... in a number of fanfiction stories, .... when John beheads the next Asshat, ... if he can get Jade (filled with a full load of John's tasty cum) to quickly pump it all down the 'enemy' Matriarch's throat, .... then John can claim that Matriarch as well as the whole of the enemy's psychic network and also, he'd be claiming the opposing Empire too, ... I wonder if that'd work the same way in Tef's universe? ... ;-) ttfn

Michael56Smith

2024-11-30 12:19:45 +0000 UTC

"I assume you are talking about the relic that the other Progenitor fighting the Aeltari found? I assumed that was a slight technological advantage of some kind that Xar gave him to even out the sides so the war would last longer." Possible, but I got the impression that it was something outside the "Game"- Maybe robotic Ships/Soldiers, maybe an advanced shipyard, maybe a super weapon? It could be anything, but I bet John will want it.

ThunderBird Two

2024-11-30 09:01:39 +0000 UTC

I assume you are talking about the relic that the other Progenitor fighting the Aeltari found? I assumed that was a slight technological advantage of some kind that Xar gave him to even out the sides so the war would last longer. If that's the case, it probably wouldn't help John out much. But yeah, there basically has to be some kind of break so that the story can progress without constant battles. After losing two Progenitors within a few hours, Xar will likely take the time to gather every resource available to him before trying to wipe out John in one massive attack.

Andrew Shultes

2024-11-30 06:58:41 +0000 UTC

As Queen said " I want it all, and I want it now!"

ThunderBird Two

2024-11-30 06:36:51 +0000 UTC

Maybe after loosing two without much in the way of nom noms, (pretty sure the first guy stumbled upon John by chance) X will change tack to slowly, slowly, catchy monkey, or send a spy to find out more before attacking. Even sending the next one in at the edge of the shroud with orders to return every 48 hours, would give the rest of the story space, and stop it just being one battle after another. X may not notice John grabbing the unclaimed/really week Empires, and only react when he misses out on dinner. Or John kills this guy quickly, they gain an intact Dreadnought, Hacker space Elf finds out about the "relic", and it happens to be relatively close, they grab it, and use that to hold Xs hordes at bay, while the rest of the story continues. Thinking about it........... The plan to pick off the weak and the lame from the back of the heard, could end up with John having a fleet of Dreadnoughts.

ThunderBird Two

2024-11-30 06:35:59 +0000 UTC

--- good ole T-bird 2 wants it all, .... yeah, I do too, ... ;-) ttfn

Michael56Smith

2024-11-30 01:58:57 +0000 UTC

Good point. Wonder how ol' X will take it if John and the crew kill this one super fast?

Rayce Royal

2024-11-29 23:32:51 +0000 UTC

-- but say that they do take out this latest Asshat quickly, ... besides it being likely to send a big eldritch shiver down ole Xar'aziuth's spine, .... I think it would be a darn shame if they couldn't take over (claim) his (Aeth'Laetor's) Empire too, .... but aren't the good guys stretched a little too thin? ... although you gotta love those Nymph kisses, ... -- Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love ya, tomorrow, ... you're only a day away! ... ;-) ttfn

Michael56Smith

2024-11-29 23:22:47 +0000 UTC

Exactly 💯

Rayce Royal

2024-11-29 22:57:06 +0000 UTC

I'm hoping they take him by surprise, and end him quickly. I want to find out about Tom, the Star forge, the new Thralls, A's space station plan, the Orphanages, Ship upgrades, etc....

ThunderBird Two

2024-11-29 20:12:48 +0000 UTC

Less than 24 hours until the next update. What will it be? I'm getting really excited for the infiltration of the dreadnought :)

Rayce Royal

2024-11-29 19:18:55 +0000 UTC

--- maybe it will be later in this partial chapter, just not printed yet, .... ;-) ttfn

Michael56Smith

2024-11-29 09:10:49 +0000 UTC

It depends how much time passed between her last memory upload and her death. She thinks about telling John what she saw as they are approaching Arcadia, and that's probably an hour or two before Larn ambushes them. If she uploaded her memories frequently, like every hour, then she'll probably remember. Since she was willing to wait to talk to John about it, what she saw couldn't have been too suspicious. If it was another person or being, like I've seen a lot of people theorize, the hint that tipped Faye off would have had to be extremely subtle, because anything too substantial and she would have immediately notified John of an intruder. My first thought when I read that scene was that it would be something similar to what happened in past chapters, where she observed one of the crew do or say something and she wanted to understand it or why it made her feel a certain way. She's grown a lot though, so she is probably past that stage.

Andrew Shultes

2024-11-29 06:12:41 +0000 UTC

They only checked the Admirals who were part of High Command at that time. Sofia was one of the new Admirals that Lynette promoted after a bunch of them either died in the battle or resigned when John threatened them, plus that one guy who was arrested when Alyssa checked them all. Sofia wasn't part of High Command yet, so she wasn't checked. Maybe I'm mis-remembering and there were a few throwaway lines about checking the new Admirals, but I'm 99% certain I'm not. With John and the girls desperate to deal with the Kirrix as soon as possible, it doesn't make much logical sense for them to wait a day or 2 or more for Lynette to pick out new Admirals, and then go around to wherever they might be so they can check them. They trusted Lynette to choose the new High Command, and that with her as Fleet Admiral she could prevent anything like Tartarus from happening again.

Andrew Shultes

2024-11-29 05:59:21 +0000 UTC

Wasn’t Rachel going to tell John something helpful about making better shields?

AzureReader

2024-11-28 16:27:30 +0000 UTC

She was checked after the battle of Terra.

Green Seadragon

2024-11-25 19:37:32 +0000 UTC

-- Less than one year as an active Progenitor, and John has grown powerful enough to have defeated a couple of vastly more experienced Progenitors (millennia's of accumulated supplies, gear and troops), along with their Progenitor level technology and powerful fleets, .... the Progenitor Wars certainly are up and running, .... look out Xar'aziuth, ... ;-) ttfn

Michael56Smith

2024-11-25 00:37:36 +0000 UTC

There seems to be a myriad of typo's for 172(2)!! Namely lots of missing letters that make up words which should, (considering we are.paying for if) have by now turned into a chapter.that's been promised bought and paid for by a lot of loyal people yet still we wait???????

Jeffrey WARREN

2024-11-21 19:48:56 +0000 UTC

It's very convenient that Masons body survived the attack............ I suppose it's possible that it was arranged by someone outside the fleet, and even possible that the blue space elf hackers stumbled across the logs about Mason and Tom, and used it to cover their involvement.

ThunderBird Two

2024-11-19 06:04:08 +0000 UTC

Oops. I just went back and looked, and the Brimorians recovered the traitor’s escape pod following the battle. So the traitor was somebody on the fleet.

Drew

2024-11-19 05:55:37 +0000 UTC

Andrew, That sort of makes more sense. I thought you were originally implying that Esposito was working for the Bimorians. Self interest and corruption seem to be the Admiralty way :(

ThunderBird Two

2024-11-19 05:55:20 +0000 UTC

Mason is the most obvious person to hold a grudge against Tom, but not necessarily the only one. I feel like Tef avoided explicitly showing Mason’s fate until the end of the trial to make it more believable when Tom came to the ‘obvious’ conclusion. But even before that, I was suspecting that the actual traitor was aware of the rift between Mason and Tom and leveraging that to make Tom look more guilty. Hence why Beth was a prime suspect. And still is, to a point. If the traitor took steps to hide their true identity from the Brimorians, Athgiloi might not have known the gender and just assumed the traitor was a male. On the other hand, from what we know of her, it seems unlikely she had the level of access necessary to betray the fleet, frame Tom, and double frame Mason. But, then, who would? 🤔

Drew

2024-11-19 04:30:01 +0000 UTC

Will that ever be revealed? It’s been stated that Faye’s memory won’t include any events just before her death, as her daughter only had backups of previously downloaded data.

EroticPoetic

2024-11-19 03:19:34 +0000 UTC

Yeah Drew, our Tef can certainly pull some amazing stuff out of his rectum, ... but if not Mason, then who? ... and then why would they do the big frame-up on Tom? ... is this the stuff for the sequel series, ... Will Tom need to break jail to save Beth? .... a Mason trap set for Tom (?) .... ;-) ttfn

Michael56Smith

2024-11-19 02:32:03 +0000 UTC

I had originally suspected Beth, but the leader of the Brimorians did refer to the traitor as ‘he’ when they were discussing giving him a ship. But you’re correct that we don’t really know anything about the traitor’s identity beyond that. Personally, I doubt that it’s Mason, but until recently I didn’t have a better suspect. Now I’m starting wonder if it’s possible the traitor was somebody outside Morgan’s fleet…

Drew

2024-11-19 01:56:19 +0000 UTC

🤣 I found this story about a year ago and have managed to read through it twice in that time, so I have spent probably an unreasonable amount of my time thinking about it. A lot of details I bring up are ones that I consider a lot because I found them fascinating when I read about them. I miss a lot of other things, though. For example, at first I completely missed the hints that Tom was related to Dana.

Andrew Shultes

2024-11-18 14:27:38 +0000 UTC

Damn Andrew, how many times did you read the story?😅 Or did you recently binge-read through? The rest of us are reading a chapter every other month or so 😝. I feel like I need to go back to the Dragon March battles - at least - and reassess my perspectives. You bring up so many valid and relevant points, I have to go do research (re-read) to see what you’re talking about.

EroticPoetic

2024-11-18 09:56:48 +0000 UTC

Exactly, they are worried about losing the trial, so they took steps to ensure that they would win. If they lost, the Terran people would be angry that no one was being punished, and they would blame High Command. High Command would then blame the Admiral in charge of the trial, Esposito. By rigging the evidence, she is safeguarding her position, as well as earning a good reputation. Also, it was more than just a worried glance. After it happened, the Admiral got up and walked out of the courtroom, as if she had something she needed to do. Such as fabricating evidence. Esposito was not checked by Alyssa. Alyssa only checked the old members of High Command, the Invictus crew was too busy afterwards to keep checking each new member. They trusted Lynette to pick them.

Andrew Shultes

2024-11-17 17:17:17 +0000 UTC

I got the impression that the "worried glances" were due to this effectively being a "show trial", and it would look really bad on them if they lost. Having said that, Esposito hasn't been checked by Alyssa?

ThunderBird Two

2024-11-17 07:47:22 +0000 UTC

Also, the officer who lost her arm and wanted to join the lionesses was Wessex. Maddox was the really strict commander of the forces at Port Medea who got killed when the Kintark launched their huge invasion.

Andrew Shultes

2024-11-17 06:39:24 +0000 UTC

My assumption is that either the image or the corpse itself was faked. At one point during the trial, Tom saw the prosecuting lawyer exchange a worried glance with an Admiral in the court room after Tom's lawyer managed to put significant doubt into their case against him. I think that was likely the new Admiral Sofia Esposito, who was put in charge of Internal Affairs, and thus in charge of Tom's trial. Lynette has thought about and mentioned her multiple times. I think Admiral Esposito fabricated that photo in order to speed up the trial, so that she could get political points for handling it quickly and efficiently. As for Beth, the twist I see with her is that she is actually alive, but was kidnapped by Mason so that he can get revenge on her as well. He specifically set Tom up instead of just letting him die in the battle, so I think he would have a similarly horrible and drawn out revenge for a person he seems to hate just as much. I hope Beth is alive because I honestly liked her a lot, even with the limited amount of time we saw her. I think she and Tom would work better as a couple than Tom and Anna, because from the beginning, the general vibe I got from Tom and Anna's relationship was that Tom cared about it way more than Anna did. He expressed his worries about Archie multiple times, but she just laughed him off without really taking him seriously. Also, since they grew up as close friends, they've always kind of been together, and that can lead to a relationship happening because it's expected and easy, rather than actual love. Whereas with Beth, she met Tom much later and then fell in love with him, while Tom became pretty close friends with her which, if they were both free, could very easily have turned into a romantic relationship. I am far from an expert on romance, but I think that is a more natural and healthy relationship. I also don't see Tom and Anna getting back together in anything that resembles a good relationship after the events of the trial.

Andrew Shultes

2024-11-17 06:34:31 +0000 UTC

Oh yeah, Mason Newmont, not Maddox, ... That was the pretty Officer that wanted to join the Lionesses, and lost her arm, .... that Maddox, ... Oops, no that was Wessex, ... also not Beth, I think that Beth probably has died, unless Mason did nab her, maybe, ... ;-) ttfn

Michael56Smith

2024-11-17 05:45:15 +0000 UTC

🤨🤔🤯. Never even considered Beth… I was sure she died in the attack. How crazy would that be?

EroticPoetic

2024-11-17 02:03:31 +0000 UTC

We are assuming it's Mason........... But we have "seen" his body. It could be Beth, "no fury like a woman scorned".

ThunderBird Two

2024-11-16 19:30:44 +0000 UTC

X is running a "real life" RTS/4X game. Each side has it's own colour, there's a tech tree to unlock etc, etc.... John has the advantage of being able to "cheat", as he isn't being forced to stick to the rules. Unfortunately, as he hasn't been given the rules, so he doesn't have a clue what he is doing.

ThunderBird Two

2024-11-16 19:24:10 +0000 UTC

At one point one of the maintenance also referenced Star Trek. I forget the exact wording, but it did its own version of "Live long and prosper." It did the hand gesture and said something like "Lengthy runtime and useful computations."

Andrew Shultes

2024-11-16 01:58:57 +0000 UTC

In regard to your assessment of Terrans’ differences to the thrall species, I think that’s spot on. It also happens to coincide with the Sumerian creation story reflected in Genesis where Enlil & Enki are detailed in the Sumerian Tablets. Enlil, Ashetan (Satan) of Edin, lord of the Sumerian gods, was responsible for the creation of humans as a subservient race. Enki, his brother (the serpent, later referred to as a/the Devil) told Adam and Eve that he had done something to their DNA to allow them to evolve beyond their creators… In this case, humans could become and possibly exceed the Kyth’Faren (Sumerian gods). Alyssa is perhaps the first example of this evolution.

EroticPoetic

2024-11-16 01:28:33 +0000 UTC

I was going from memory, but I think you’re right. Unless his name is Mason Maddox.

EroticPoetic

2024-11-16 01:27:01 +0000 UTC

Dang

Nickolas Archdekin

2024-11-15 21:36:50 +0000 UTC

That's it till the end of the month...

Hendrix Morton

2024-11-15 20:43:11 +0000 UTC

I find myself catching up in the story arc. Is part 2 available or is this the most recent chapter as of 11/14/2024?

Nickolas Archdekin

2024-11-15 03:01:14 +0000 UTC

I always read the descriptions of Tashana's abilities as descriptions of how she sees them. They were what gave her comfort and control when she was in the Unclaimed Wastes, and so she views them almost like a close friend. Every time she used them she has felt justified in her actions and that her fire helped to cleanse evil from the world. I think what she learned in the battle and will need to come to terms with is that her abilities have the capability to do great harm as well, to people who don't deserve it. This aspect of herself that she has relied on for years has a dark side to it that she now has to face. As for the upcoming battle, I expect things to get a little chaotic, especially with how loose of a plan they seem to have. However, I also somewhat expect the duel with the Progenitor to be a little anticlimactic. Unlike Gahl, this one doesn't seem to focus as much on personal combat and might be easier for John to defeat. I suspect that he defeats most of his adversaries in fleet battles. But who knows? Anything can happen, especially with the very limited information we have on him.

Andrew Shultes

2024-11-13 19:05:48 +0000 UTC

I agree with how you perceive Tashana, while in control of herself. However, there have been several subtle hints about her psychic abilities tied to what seems to be almost an alternate personality. While Tashana has full control of her abilities, the fire essence inside her seems to have a consciousness of its own. In some ways it is reminiscent of John’s guide. I can’t help but expect that the Lionesses going against an entire dreadnought of Thralls AND a Progenitor,will end up with something going ‘terribly wrong’ at least once. The twins will have their work cut out for them, and in true Tefler fashion, each should emerge from this significantly stronger with some developmental revelation. Helene, of all characters, seems to be the wildcard moving forward…

EroticPoetic

2024-11-13 17:53:19 +0000 UTC

Well said Dominic, ... I am just a little worried about how the new Galkiran Matriarch, Kaija, will handle waking up from her 14-hour beauty sleep, with possibly thousands of Wards / Thralls already tied into her, and with her not expecting anything like that, ... I hope that Alyssa and maybe sweet Helene can be there for her, ... (with John, Jade and Edraele on standby to also help her to cope), ... ;-) ttfn

Michael56Smith

2024-11-13 03:40:53 +0000 UTC

I’ve often wondered how John’s network compares to that of other Progenitors with tens of millions, of not billions of Thralls. It appears the nymphs may have been Mael’nerak’s secret weapon prior to freeing them to their home world. I can’t wait for more nymphs to join the group. Just Jade and her sisters nearly match the power of the entire Maliri psychic network, whose connections seem to be 1,000x stronger than a typical Progenitor-thrall connection - thus Edraelle getting Love drunk to the point of going into a Kyth’faren induced coma after a heartfelt speech. John created a deep bond with all of his Maliri connections, seriously amplified by completely rewiring his psychic network to give all of his connections free will by releasing them of the Progenitor compulsion. This should have a similar effect on the Galkyrans, especially once John is able to connect with them on an emotional and spiritual level, pulling them into the same type of connection he created with the Maliri, but through Kaija. How Alyssa manages all that power is mind boggling. Her mental capacity seems to know no bounds and she handles it all without hubris or ego. Throughout this saga, she navigates uncharted waters as if it’s second nature. Perhaps Teller will give us more insight into how Alyssa is managing all of this… possibly even giving us a bit more insight from her perspective. He’s done an amazing job building her character, but it’s been quite a while since we were inside Alyssa’s perspective. I think we’d all appreciate an update on her perspective, especially considering the soon to be multitude of Matriarchs channeling through her.

EroticPoetic

2024-11-13 03:28:40 +0000 UTC

Athena’s influence may help Alyssa.

HillCountryCowboy

2024-11-13 02:46:41 +0000 UTC

A lot of the maintenance bots seem to enjoy John Wayne. Also Aliens - “Marines! We are leaving!”

HillCountryCowboy

2024-11-13 02:43:07 +0000 UTC

It’s one of those mysteries, like what was it Fay saw on Invictus that she was going to tell John before Larn ambushed them, and other hints that there was an addition being or presence that was undetected.

HillCountryCowboy

2024-11-13 02:39:23 +0000 UTC

I think you are underestimating Tashana. I don't disagree with you that she is in a bad mental state at the moment, and definitely needed more time to process things before the next battle. But I doubt that she will lose control. Ever since she joined John, she only ever gives into the spirit of fire when she wants to. She only lost control once, in the Astral Plane, but that was due to the genetic conditioning to hate other Progenitors, which John fixed. I could also see an argument for when she burned the Larathyans on Larn'kelnar's ship, but again, that was due to the genetic conditioning to hate other thrall species, and she still was able to control it until she was allowed to release. I only see her losing control if things go terribly wrong, and she feels trapped in some way. The reason she is in a bad place now is because she was almost forced to kill the Galkirans, whom they largely see as innocent victims. If anything, I think she'll try to avoid conflict as much as possible.

Andrew Shultes

2024-11-11 16:41:18 +0000 UTC

I doubt John is going to tell the girls to make the Thralls a priority. If Tashana snaps and lets the fire takeover, there’s no telling how much destruction she’ll unleash. More importantly, what kind of mental state is Tashana in going into the battle and what will it be afterward?

EroticPoetic

2024-11-11 06:54:40 +0000 UTC

Very insightful thoughts. I am with you on this. Tashana scares me with her mental instability. Powder keg for sure.

Rayce Royal

2024-11-11 05:58:27 +0000 UTC

,,, but Gahl'kalgor's needs its 'g'

Michael56Smith

2024-11-11 04:55:42 +0000 UTC

Is anyone paying attention to Tashana? She’s on the verge of a mental break. Alyssa caught her just in time to talk her down from igniting an ethereal inferno that would have wiped out the entire Galkyran ground forces. She never got her debrief with John and hasn’t been able to process her mental and emotional journey from the battle. She’s far too powerful, and like fire, dangerously unpredictable once the spirit of fire takes on a life of its own. During the conflict with the Thralls on Larn’Kelnar’s dreadnought, her inferno was contained and utterly lethal. Is she on the verge of a repeat performance that will be exponentially more deadly? Tashana could practically wipe out all the thralls on the entire dreadnought, sparing the bridge crew, letting John and the Lionesses engage the Progenitor directly while Alyssa or Sakura knocks out his matriarch. . . Once the Progenitor has been killed, if Ailita fills his Matriarch’s tummy with the load she’s holding, would John be able to take over the entire psychic network as it’s decaying, restructuring it as his own and freeing the entire Thrall network from Xar’s compulsion? It’s a question that’s been bugging me for some time, and would ultimately play well into John acquiring massive psychic reserves after each battle. I’m hoping Teller writes some scenario into the story that allows for a break in the Progenitor engagements to allow for so many questions to be answered… Can Dana activate the Star Forge and build a White Metal Invictus-style Dreadnought & fleet for the Maliri? Can the Thrall vessels be converted to White Metal through the Star Forge? How will the multiple Thrall Armadas get integrated into the psychic network? John and his parents need to reconcile. Tom Walker needs to be saved. The rogue Maliri who framed him and those wielding the cyborg tech need to be brought into the fold. The Brimorians have to be dealt with and Ath’giloy’s nymph concubine needs to be rescued. The T-Fed, Kintark, Trankaran & Ashanath empires need tech updates to prepare them for the upcoming Progenitor invasions. The Enshunu taking over the Achonin station in the badlands is an afterthought, but could signal some interesting challenges for John in the sequel series. There’s enough content here to keep this story going for years to come, and I’m here for it! Let’s pray Tefer stays healthy and can start putting out one or more chapters each month again. 🤞🏽

EroticPoetic

2024-11-10 23:48:15 +0000 UTC

I’ve often wondered how John’s network compares to that of other Progenitors with tens of millions, of not billions of Thralls. It appears the nymphs may have been Mael’nerak’s secret weapon prior to freeing them to their home world. I can’t wait for more nymphs to join the group. Just Jade and her sisters nearly match the power of the entire Maliri psychic network, whose connections seem to be 1,000x stronger than a typical Progenitor-thrall connection - thus Edraelle getting Love drunk to the point of going into a Kyth’faren induced coma after a heartfelt speech. John created a deep bond with all of his Maliri connections, seriously amplified by completely rewiring his psychic network to give all of his connections free will by releasing them of the Progenitor compulsion. This should have a similar effect on the Galkyrans, especially once John is able to connect with them on an emotional and spiritual level, pulling them into the same type of connection he created with the Maliri, but through Kaija. How Alyssa manages all that power is mind boggling. Her mental capacity seems to know no bounds and she handles it all without hubris or ego. Throughout this saga, she navigates uncharted waters as if it’s second nature. Perhaps Teller will give us more insight into how Alyssa is managing all of this… possibly even giving us a bit more insight from her perspective. He’s done an amazing job building her character, but it’s been quite a while since we were inside Alyssa’s perspective. I think we’d all appreciate an update on her perspective, considering there will soon be a multitude of Matriarchs channeling through her.

EroticPoetic

2024-11-09 06:45:44 +0000 UTC

The only vessel sending out a signal after a victory would be Baen’thelas’ dreadnought after an exhaustive, albeit victorious battle with Gal’khalgor, or perhaps one of the Maliri thrall battleships requesting help from within their territory. Both would be worth investigating. I doubt Aahn’laetar is expecting to find Gal’khalgor’s dreadnought or a member of his armada sending out a distress signal so deep within Baen’thelas home territory. It would be contradictory to typical Thrall behavior during or after Progenitor engagements, especially after a Progenitor is killed/defeated.

EroticPoetic

2024-11-07 06:50:05 +0000 UTC

Hey Tef, I have puzzlement (not quite a question), ... the Nymphs are running around kissing (recruiting) the various Marine officers and NCOs, .... how will that work for the poor confused new Matriarch, Kiaja, when she awakens, and will Kiaja need Alyssa's help to figure things out? After all she had no Thralls/Wards when she began her 14-hour nap, ... now she'll have many hundreds to a few thousand, ... that's more than Edraele began with, ... ;-) ttfn

Michael56Smith

2024-11-06 00:03:18 +0000 UTC

-- you might try leaving and returning to the Tefler site, see if that resets things for you, ... good luck, ... ;-) ttfn

Michael56Smith

2024-11-05 23:54:03 +0000 UTC

--- the tracker was not able to handle the speed, temperature and pressure that Alyssa was putting the Invictus through, .... while she was roughly doubling the progenitor FTL drive's speed, .... the tracker stopped as she was rounding very close to a star, ... I must 'assume' that the device was not designed for such extraordinary activity, ... -- they had to about double the strength of the Invictus's CA hull plating to keep the ship safe, no crumpling, ... up from Deca-shaped to 20x at the bow (front third) and to 15x elsewhere, ... ;-) ttfn

Michael56Smith

2024-11-05 23:20:45 +0000 UTC

-- less than a year, around 8 months, ... but their supplies were already running low, ... ;-) ttfn

Michael56Smith

2024-11-05 23:14:12 +0000 UTC

Do you think the Bots have watched the Highlander films or TV series? There can be only one! Or maybe Alice in Wonderland? "Off with his head!"

ThunderBird Two

2024-11-05 19:12:07 +0000 UTC

I am i doing something wrong? I don't have a link or attachment? I have had one for evey other chapter.

Michael Ball

2024-11-05 03:32:14 +0000 UTC

And star wars. One of the bot's when defending little one in cyber when Irrilth was investigating her shut down was breathing like Darth Vader

rich ed

2024-11-04 04:04:12 +0000 UTC

Oh - you’re right! The bots seem to have watched every movie and are the ones spewing out 20-21st century cultural film references… that the Invictus crew always are mystified by. Forgot about that.

AzureReader

2024-11-03 22:35:46 +0000 UTC

It’s been a while since we’ve seen an explicit year mentioned, but they do pop up every now and then when discussing historical events like Ganymede. I believe we are in the late 2700’s? (Although who knows if they are still using the Gregorian calendar…) John and the Terran girls don’t seem particularly into holomovies in general, but the twins have thrown out Big Lebowski references, and the maintenance bots are familiar with at least The Terminator and The Good the Bad and the Ugly.

Drew

2024-11-03 20:00:04 +0000 UTC

In theory, John and the girls should know that he can track Larn’s former ships from the dreadnought, because that’s how they knew where to find them in the first place. They had a whole discussion about the fact that the navigation computer had up to date locations for all of his fleet movements even though he hadn’t been back to his homeworld for at least a year.

Drew

2024-11-03 19:47:46 +0000 UTC

During the last battle all the stabbing, shooting, spearing, cutting on every part of Gahl’ except the head made me think of the Thanos/Thor scene. And drove me crazy since it was like they forgot there’s only one way to kill a progentior. Tef almost never uses cultural references from films in our era. I think there might have been a brief mention of a light saber a hundred chapters ago, but I’m not sure. The Maliri do seem to like Terran TV but all the shows mentioned are imagined ones from their time. Antiproton, another author I like, uses cultural references from film constantly.

AzureReader

2024-11-03 17:30:42 +0000 UTC

I think he was, if only because he’s in Larn’s dreadnought and he’s the one who set it. The ‘device’ died/failed for some reason while he was watching it I believe after they took off for Terra last time. Why it failed never seemed to be explained. Or maybe I missed it.

AzureReader

2024-11-03 17:17:59 +0000 UTC

Is John's father the only one who knows about the psychic/astral tracker?

David

2024-11-03 16:58:46 +0000 UTC

It wasn't a completely serious comment. Plus I am sure they have made reference to old films ....... (?)

ThunderBird Two

2024-11-03 04:15:26 +0000 UTC

I don't think we know how far in the future this story plays, but it's likely at least a few hundred years. We don't even generally watch movies that are a few decades old, I'm pretty sure most people in TSM's universe also don't watch movies that are centuries old.

Qahlz

2024-11-02 23:41:20 +0000 UTC

Well spotted, thank you!

Tefler

2024-11-02 13:53:51 +0000 UTC

Good points. Thinking it through, yes, a thrall ship needing help isn’t able to contact a progenitor, or even their matriarch, since it’s normally only one way telepathy from the matriarch to the thrall.

MVFast

2024-11-02 12:15:53 +0000 UTC

It could be over very quickly if they can hack the Dreadnought from the inside, lock all the Thralls in rooms, and rush the lone bad guy. The runic penetrators to bring down his shield, and then this time CHOP HIS HEAD OFF, so he can't heal. Didn't John and the Girls watch the fight between Thanos and Thor?

ThunderBird Two

2024-11-02 09:15:31 +0000 UTC

It has been implied that most of them don't like to get their hands dirty, unless they really have to. So it could be a rescue beacon sending messages to their Progenitor? I did find it odd that a Dreadnought would be broadcasting an "sos".

ThunderBird Two

2024-11-02 09:08:44 +0000 UTC

Fun start

Muledrvr

2024-11-02 04:37:55 +0000 UTC

It was just the Invictus that couldn't do the shields and stealth field simultaneously, due to power constraints. Dreadnoughts don't have that problem.

Tldr

2024-11-02 02:06:01 +0000 UTC

FYI this part of 172 is a little less than a third of the total size of 171. In case you were wondering.

WWODBD

2024-11-02 00:34:55 +0000 UTC

Jehanna couldn’t have look any more embarrassed. Better I think as "couldn't have looked"

Str8NotNarrow

2024-11-02 00:32:10 +0000 UTC

Betrixa coasted the Raptor to a halt things don't cost too shalt in space. Maybe "slowed the Raptor to a halt"

Str8NotNarrow

2024-11-02 00:30:17 +0000 UTC

until one the Comms Officer. Delete one. Just "until the Comms Officer

Str8NotNarrow

2024-11-02 00:21:16 +0000 UTC

All I misremembering? I probably am. This sentence. Engage Stealth Field Generator,” Aahn’laetar ordered. “Activate shields.” I thought you could be cloaked or you could have shields. Is that wrong on my part?

Str8NotNarrow

2024-11-02 00:19:01 +0000 UTC

Also. Don’t even try to deny you don’t fantasise about. Double negative. Do not need second dont

Str8NotNarrow

2024-11-02 00:10:26 +0000 UTC

Typo. luxurious white mane hair should be white mane of hair

Str8NotNarrow

2024-11-02 00:04:40 +0000 UTC

After finding the battle with Gahl’ being long and seemingly missing a lot of things I’m liking how Chapter 171 and 172 is leading up to a more interesting engagement. John is on the hunt and trying a very aggressive tactic that should put almost everyone in the battle. They keep talking about working as a team against a progenitor but have not so far. The battle on Kythshara was so large everyone had to spread out. Now they will be boarding a ship that, despite its size, will be tight quarters in comparison. Tef - please finish 172 early. Set a countdown clock for 72 hours, display the clock prominently, and use that as the pressure to finish 172. Tell everyone you’re in writing quarantine and must not be disturbed. Waiting until the end of the month and pulling an all-nighter has, at best, allowed you to write a half chapter for years now. The technique is not working. Please admit that to yourself and try something new.

AzureReader

2024-11-01 23:30:37 +0000 UTC

GR8 chapter and GR8 progress . Enjoying every bit of it . Be sure and take care of your health , family and life . First and foremost .

Azwiz

2024-11-01 18:49:37 +0000 UTC

Yeah I can see that happening and before John attacks, his mom begs for his forgiveness and to hear her out. Itll be for a moving scene

Charles Bell IV

2024-11-01 18:43:30 +0000 UTC

He used his own drive. So he is stuck. I bet Dana disconnects his gadgets and requisitions them. Irillith jumps in and takes over the ship systems.

Green Seadragon

2024-11-01 17:55:54 +0000 UTC

Communication is hard in a nebula, aka kintark nebula, so it would be hard to telepathically coordinate thrall ships from hitting each other, beacons would work

Johnkr

2024-11-01 17:39:23 +0000 UTC

The last we saw of that plot was Rahn agreeing to go back so Jessica can speak with John. I'm almost expecting them to jump near to Kythshara either during or soon after the coming battle, and the crew will think that X sent another Progenitor immediately.

Andrew Shultes

2024-11-01 17:07:14 +0000 UTC

From what I remember, I think Edraele has around 10,000 wards. Most of those are either Genthalas staff or marines. Someone else can correct me if I am wrong. As for the size of empires, I suspect that most established and stable Progenitor empires are larger than the Maliri, in terms of population at least. The Maliri population has been declining for a while because of the gender divide, which wouldn't exist in other empires. In fact, having children is likely encouraged so that the Progenitor has more thralls.

Andrew Shultes

2024-11-01 17:02:03 +0000 UTC

Yeah, if you haven't read it in a bit, I can see that getting mixed up. Larn was defeated in his ship above Arcadia, then Gahl jumped in to investigate his death and bombarded the planet in frustration after not finding anything, before leaving to prepare for his invasion.

Andrew Shultes

2024-11-01 16:50:13 +0000 UTC

He didn't use a gate, he used his wormhole generator. He would have had to build a new gate to use one, because he doesn't know the codes for the other gates in the Shroud. As for the distress signal, the civilians in the thrall empires probably use distress signals for accidents or breakdowns. Any signal that is being widely broadcast and essentially says "we need help" would get the job done. The entire situation will make this Progenitor suspicious, and the hope is that he is careless enough with his thralls' lives that he doesn't mind sending a squad to investigate. As far as he knows, he is invisible to sensors, and even if he is found, his ship is powerful enough to hold it's own, so he probably won't be worried.

Andrew Shultes

2024-11-01 16:47:04 +0000 UTC

Page 3: “Very mpressive, Miss Marant,” he joked a she posed for him. Should be as she posed Page 8: Hisattention was transfixed on the holographic map that dominated the Bridge of his dreadnought, the information rapidly update as the sensor array swept the local systems. Should be "updating" Page 12" As soon as the gunship had cleared the hangar and began racing towards Gahl’kalgors deserted flagship Should be Gahl'kalor's

John Lisbeth

2024-11-01 16:32:08 +0000 UTC

yeah, Achromicbethek, you do need to re-read the earlier chapters, .... and take your time, enjoy them, ... you might even take some notes, .... ;-) ttfn

Michael56Smith

2024-11-01 16:28:38 +0000 UTC

Very, very likely. That’s one of many sub-plots to be explored.

MVFast

2024-11-01 16:21:22 +0000 UTC

If he came by a gate, then yes. Unless he used his wormhole generator shortly before using the gate.

MVFast

2024-11-01 16:20:08 +0000 UTC

So desperate for Faye back

Ian Kay

2024-11-01 15:47:54 +0000 UTC

Such a good first half. I'm wondering if Johns mom will come back in the story. Feel like you were inching toward it but it disappeared

Charles Bell IV

2024-11-01 14:42:33 +0000 UTC

I'd like someone to mention harvesting the nav data from prior conquests. Also Calara should review these data to inform her battle strategies and planning. Might Dana benefit from tech data? Rachel might benefit from the added medical knowledge too. Think borg.

Benj

2024-11-01 13:58:02 +0000 UTC

You're at your best when the lead is quick. Good work

Str8NotNarrow

2024-11-01 13:54:43 +0000 UTC

I would like an update on the Maliri matriarch. Her reserve must be huge. Maybe provide an overview of the network given the newest additions. How big is it now relative to before when he had only one thrall empire? Does the size of the newest progenitor's empire compare to John's?

Benj

2024-11-01 13:54:06 +0000 UTC

Since be came via a hyper warp gate, isn't he jump ready at any time? Maybe I'm the one who is confused

Str8NotNarrow

2024-11-01 13:53:52 +0000 UTC

Guess I need to start reading this story again. Mentioned early in the chapter about Gahlkagor bombarding Arcadia?? Wasn’t that Larnkelnor(sic)? I thought Gahlkagor just headed thru to Kythshara

Achromicbethel

2024-11-01 13:07:34 +0000 UTC

When we need to claim the thralls, >>then<< you can help me recruit a new matriarch. Reads better to my ear without 'then', or perhaps 'you can then help me'. Gahl’kalgors dreadnought -- missing possessive apostrophe. Another great beginning to the next sequence. Thank you. I hope you're not uncomfortable while waiting for medical attention.

GC

2024-11-01 12:31:59 +0000 UTC

Just two minor corrections I noticed:

GC

2024-11-01 12:21:40 +0000 UTC

please please please do finish this chapter before November 30th

Puttanegra Ficondo

2024-11-01 11:15:55 +0000 UTC

Best wishes for your health

James Dougherty

2024-11-01 11:04:58 +0000 UTC

Also, since he just jumped in, he has to wait 12 hours (minus the time they took to close in) before he can jump out. The Invictus is much faster in hyper warp, so he can’t escape.

MVFast

2024-11-01 10:53:02 +0000 UTC

Hmmm. A… distress beacon… Who would a progenitor hope to have rescue him? Hmmm? He (or his matriarch) would use telepathy to reach their people assuming the very unlikely event all their communication is down. Anyone else is an enemy. This could only be seen as a trap, or something other races would do. As he closes in and sees it’s another progenitor’s dreadnaught, even though it was damaged, he should be expecting the unexpected. What in the heck IS a progenitor “distress” signal? A Morse code SOS is unlikely. Perhaps just say they are broadcasting a strong focused continuous wave beacon that flashes like a naval lighthouse.

MVFast

2024-11-01 10:48:04 +0000 UTC

Unexpected surprise, thank you and I hope you get the treatment you need soon!

Rhys

2024-11-01 10:43:52 +0000 UTC

This one could be a stand alone chapter. It seemed complete

Tefler Fan 007

2024-11-01 10:26:18 +0000 UTC

Was not expecting this. Thanks for the surprise. Hope your health is getting better. Happy Halloween.

DemonHunterCole

2024-11-01 06:27:25 +0000 UTC

Great work Tef!!!

Roman Andrew Chalfant

2024-11-01 06:27:17 +0000 UTC

Three Square Meals Ch. 172 (Part 1)

Comments

It seems that Tefler has realized the difference between a "magazine" and a "clip". (One has moving parts and the other doesn't.) I was happy to learn that he knows the difference between a lectern and a podium.

To limit the number of times you can be charged per month before the end of the year to take care of that pesky second placeholder. Go to Membership -> Edit -> Payment Amount -> Set Monthly Limit and enter "1".

@Tefler... so you do read the comments? Isn't it depressing to see how angry everyone is?? We'd much rather be talking about the stories you're writing than arguing over YOU. Please get help, man.

My thinking is that traitor is Beth, Larnkelnor probably recruite d her.She wasn't effected when he died. When Mason rebuffed her, she tried to get with the hero.

Yes! Now, now, now!

--- oh, please come on, ... F5, F5, F5, F5, F5, ..... ;-) ttfn

F5....F5....F5.....

--- come on, ... F5, F5, F5, F5, F5, ..... ;-) ttfn

F5, F5, F5…

I certainly hope so.

We should, and within the next 6 hours, ... just hang in there, .... ;-) ttfn

-- Yeah, that's what I mean by Fanfiction versus Tef's universe, .... only Tef will know the best way(s) of claiming another Progenitor's Empire, .... -- Come on Tef, it is the EOM, do swe need to wait for the final hours too? ... ;-) ttfn

are we getting part 2 and another chapter today?

I was really hoping we’d get the second half this afternoon and then whatever else Tef had written on 173 at 12pst

As long as she doesn't touch the black metal with bare skin, she should be ok.

-- just recall her organizing the takeover of Larn'kelnar's dreadnaught from within, and the rescuing of John, ... she can cope, ... ;-) ttfn

Isn’t Alyssa going to be incapacitated by ghosts aboard the enemy black ship?

Problem is there's a 14-hour window when he loads up a matriarch that nothing is happening so I'm not sure how many of them would be saved

Not sure that would work, after the last lot going nuts, and seeing the network unravel in front of their eyes. But if they were super quick, who knows.

As Queen said " I want it all, and I want it now!"

--- good ole T-bird 2 wants it all, .... yeah, I do too, ... ;-) ttfn

Good point. Wonder how ol' X will take it if John and the crew kill this one super fast?

Exactly 💯

I'm hoping they take him by surprise, and end him quickly. I want to find out about Tom, the Star forge, the new Thralls, A's space station plan, the Orphanages, Ship upgrades, etc....

Less than 24 hours until the next update. What will it be? I'm getting really excited for the infiltration of the dreadnought :)

--- maybe it will be later in this partial chapter, just not printed yet, .... ;-) ttfn

Wasn’t Rachel going to tell John something helpful about making better shields?

She was checked after the battle of Terra.

There seems to be a myriad of typo's for 172(2)!! Namely lots of missing letters that make up words which should, (considering we are.paying for if) have by now turned into a chapter.that's been promised bought and paid for by a lot of loyal people yet still we wait???????

It's very convenient that Masons body survived the attack............ I suppose it's possible that it was arranged by someone outside the fleet, and even possible that the blue space elf hackers stumbled across the logs about Mason and Tom, and used it to cover their involvement.

Oops. I just went back and looked, and the Brimorians recovered the traitor’s escape pod following the battle. So the traitor was somebody on the fleet.

Andrew, That sort of makes more sense. I thought you were originally implying that Esposito was working for the Bimorians. Self interest and corruption seem to be the Admiralty way :(

Will that ever be revealed? It’s been stated that Faye’s memory won’t include any events just before her death, as her daughter only had backups of previously downloaded data.

I got the impression that the "worried glances" were due to this effectively being a "show trial", and it would look really bad on them if they lost. Having said that, Esposito hasn't been checked by Alyssa?

Also, the officer who lost her arm and wanted to join the lionesses was Wessex. Maddox was the really strict commander of the forces at Port Medea who got killed when the Kintark launched their huge invasion.

Oh yeah, Mason Newmont, not Maddox, ... That was the pretty Officer that wanted to join the Lionesses, and lost her arm, .... that Maddox, ... Oops, no that was Wessex, ... also not Beth, I think that Beth probably has died, unless Mason did nab her, maybe, ... ;-) ttfn

🤨🤔🤯. Never even considered Beth… I was sure she died in the attack. How crazy would that be?

We are assuming it's Mason........... But we have "seen" his body. It could be Beth, "no fury like a woman scorned".

At one point one of the maintenance also referenced Star Trek. I forget the exact wording, but it did its own version of "Live long and prosper." It did the hand gesture and said something like "Lengthy runtime and useful computations."

I was going from memory, but I think you’re right. Unless his name is Mason Maddox.

Dang

That's it till the end of the month...

I find myself catching up in the story arc. Is part 2 available or is this the most recent chapter as of 11/14/2024?

Athena’s influence may help Alyssa.

A lot of the maintenance bots seem to enjoy John Wayne. Also Aliens - “Marines! We are leaving!”

It’s one of those mysteries, like what was it Fay saw on Invictus that she was going to tell John before Larn ambushed them, and other hints that there was an addition being or presence that was undetected.

I doubt John is going to tell the girls to make the Thralls a priority. If Tashana snaps and lets the fire takeover, there’s no telling how much destruction she’ll unleash. More importantly, what kind of mental state is Tashana in going into the battle and what will it be afterward?

Very insightful thoughts. I am with you on this. Tashana scares me with her mental instability. Powder keg for sure.

,,, but Gahl'kalgor's needs its 'g'

-- you might try leaving and returning to the Tefler site, see if that resets things for you, ... good luck, ... ;-) ttfn

-- less than a year, around 8 months, ... but their supplies were already running low, ... ;-) ttfn

Do you think the Bots have watched the Highlander films or TV series? There can be only one! Or maybe Alice in Wonderland? "Off with his head!"

I am i doing something wrong? I don't have a link or attachment? I have had one for evey other chapter.

And star wars. One of the bot's when defending little one in cyber when Irrilth was investigating her shut down was breathing like Darth Vader

Oh - you’re right! The bots seem to have watched every movie and are the ones spewing out 20-21st century cultural film references… that the Invictus crew always are mystified by. Forgot about that.

I think he was, if only because he’s in Larn’s dreadnought and he’s the one who set it. The ‘device’ died/failed for some reason while he was watching it I believe after they took off for Terra last time. Why it failed never seemed to be explained. Or maybe I missed it.

Is John's father the only one who knows about the psychic/astral tracker?

It wasn't a completely serious comment. Plus I am sure they have made reference to old films ....... (?)

I don't think we know how far in the future this story plays, but it's likely at least a few hundred years. We don't even generally watch movies that are a few decades old, I'm pretty sure most people in TSM's universe also don't watch movies that are centuries old.

Well spotted, thank you!

Good points. Thinking it through, yes, a thrall ship needing help isn’t able to contact a progenitor, or even their matriarch, since it’s normally only one way telepathy from the matriarch to the thrall.

It has been implied that most of them don't like to get their hands dirty, unless they really have to. So it could be a rescue beacon sending messages to their Progenitor? I did find it odd that a Dreadnought would be broadcasting an "sos".

Fun start

It was just the Invictus that couldn't do the shields and stealth field simultaneously, due to power constraints. Dreadnoughts don't have that problem.

FYI this part of 172 is a little less than a third of the total size of 171. In case you were wondering.

Jehanna couldn’t have look any more embarrassed. Better I think as "couldn't have looked"

Betrixa coasted the Raptor to a halt things don't cost too shalt in space. Maybe "slowed the Raptor to a halt"

until one the Comms Officer. Delete one. Just "until the Comms Officer

All I misremembering? I probably am. This sentence. Engage Stealth Field Generator,” Aahn’laetar ordered. “Activate shields.” I thought you could be cloaked or you could have shields. Is that wrong on my part?

Also. Don’t even try to deny you don’t fantasise about. Double negative. Do not need second dont

Typo. luxurious white mane hair should be white mane of hair

GR8 chapter and GR8 progress . Enjoying every bit of it . Be sure and take care of your health , family and life . First and foremost .

Yeah I can see that happening and before John attacks, his mom begs for his forgiveness and to hear her out. Itll be for a moving scene

He used his own drive. So he is stuck. I bet Dana disconnects his gadgets and requisitions them. Irillith jumps in and takes over the ship systems.

Communication is hard in a nebula, aka kintark nebula, so it would be hard to telepathically coordinate thrall ships from hitting each other, beacons would work

The last we saw of that plot was Rahn agreeing to go back so Jessica can speak with John. I'm almost expecting them to jump near to Kythshara either during or soon after the coming battle, and the crew will think that X sent another Progenitor immediately.

Yeah, if you haven't read it in a bit, I can see that getting mixed up. Larn was defeated in his ship above Arcadia, then Gahl jumped in to investigate his death and bombarded the planet in frustration after not finding anything, before leaving to prepare for his invasion.

yeah, Achromicbethek, you do need to re-read the earlier chapters, .... and take your time, enjoy them, ... you might even take some notes, .... ;-) ttfn