Three Square Meals - Chapter 137

Chapter 137 Alyssa breathed deep them exhaled as she nodded, Alyssa breathed deep then exhaled as she nodded, Tsking in irritation, Valeria turned to address the other the last pair of thralls. Tsking in irritation, Valeria turned to address the last pair of thralls.

Bp Hlpt

I am curious if there is a connection between Onyxium and the Progenitors planet buster. Those socially immature demi-gods sure seem to enjoy blowing up perfectly good gaia class worlds,.. could their ravenous need for the black metal be a consolation prize to the loss of livable planets? And is planetary destruction their way of creating this wonderous metal? Murderous bastards! TTFN

Michael56Smith

sorry but if the neigh sayers want to wait on literotica, amazon and other spaces for the complete chapter let them. Go forth there peoples and let us who don't care as long as we get our monthly fix and moan at our levels of anticipation (tongue in check mostly) stay here on patreon. Did the addition add much value - some but if I didn't have the added I still would have been happy at where it finished before the edit. I'm enjoying the story however it comes....

TF4EVA

I always thought this saga would be an amazing anime

Erik Hanson

,.. hummm, a comics (graphic novel format) version of TSM might be better than a television series or a cluster of movies! Anyway, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of Tefler Nation!

Michael56Smith

Tefler nation: While reading some Starwars comicses today, I was like, Man, we should have this saga also in Comics format! I would pay whatever it would cost when anything would come on this from Tefler!

Sushant Bhartiya

Merry XMas to all of you!!

Sushant Bhartiya

Merry Christmas !

Come on tefler give your people a gift lol

Jim lynch

Merry Christmas!

joy to the world

Mjk154

Merry Christmas Teflon Nation!

Metheus108

Merry Christmas to Tefler and everyone

Merry Christmas to Tefler and all the TSM addicts out there

Merry Christmas people hope your all safe and well and we’re all good boys n girls this year. Ha ha I’m hoping for an extra Pezzie from tefler tonight.

Jim lynch

Merry Christmas everyone

MERRY CHRISTMAS to Tefler and all the Telfler fans out there.

Merry Xmas everyone!

Teun Segers

Merry X-MASS! Maybe we will get an present?

Christoph Freye

P.S. Did Rahn accidentaly make John the Kyth'faren messiah or was it deliberate? Also, hope third time's the charm and they can at least carry a civil conversation the next time Jessica reaches out to the Invictus.

Hey, Tef. Hope your family is well. Just want to throw something out there. If Alyssa is a Kyth'faren woman, doesn't that mean John should breed her constantly like he'll be doing the Nymphs to bring the species back from the brink of extinction? Cause that would be SO hot!

Is John's 41st birthday due soon? The girls will likely throw him a party/orgy, non-exploding variety hopefully! Will the Maliri declare a empire wide holiday? And what do you get for a Progenitor that has pretty much everything? (Oops, sorry for the repeat, I mistakenly thought the 1st one got deleted). TTFN

Michael56Smith

I guesstimate that it as been at least 9 to 10 storyline months since John's 40th birthday, maybe longer. Will the girls and or Queen Edreale throw him a party? Or maybe declare a Maliri wide holiday in the protector's name! And what do you get a Progenitor who has everything?

Michael56Smith

The draining en masse is terrifying. Sadly it's life force taken during extreme pain and torture. It's not like they survive the experience. Though noted the change when exposed to super love is interesting the base life force is still there.

Grimlakin

There has to be a thread for there to be a psychic connection between the forge and the black metal for the process to work. So if John can change the connection to an emotion of love then voilà the Love Forge is created.

Jeffrey Hoskins

How about Soul Forge having a black thread in it's make-up, if it was removed; would it make safe? Just a thought!

A very good theory. It makes sense in a twisted Progenitor/Xar'aziuth way of thinking. It is spelled Gahl'kalgor. I keep a list of their names because I can't remember how to spell them either.

Jeffrey Hoskins

Ok so I have a theory about the black thread that was in the bond. I always wondered what would happen to activated thralls if their progenitor died before them. We know they respond violently to thralls of another progenitor so we can assume any that were still on the ships would be killed. But what about the ones at home? They likely wouldn't be able to be claimed by another progenitor so how would you get rid of them to have a clean slate? The black thread makes them hysterical with grief and either kill themselves or die from grief. I feel this is likely otherwise the thread would serve no purpose. Also feel like John is about to find this out the hard way with Galkehnor(or however you spell it). Someone might have already said this. And maybe it was obvious to everyone else. I don't know just putting my thoughts out

SuperAzureReader

I have downloaded the document and found nothing wrong with reading the content. Try again the download is my advice

Heinz Molck

Is anyone else having problems reading this chapter? I can download it but then can read it.

Mainstream, never heard it called that before.

Benj

Scriptwriters can do a lot to adapt a novel for the screen. I agree that it would be difficult to drop the role of cum as a psychic catalyst, but I think the cum inflation could be removed. Even if John has a quad, there is no reason why that should cause him to come in pints (does he have massive prostate and seminal vesicles as well?). I think the pregnancy/tummy fetish and the explicitness of the sex could be toned down substantially as a result. Would that be enough to make it mainstream?

John Jameson

But I really like the space magic. The powers are cool and have a development arc of their own. The Astral is brimming with story telling potential.

Teun Segers

TSM could only be made as anime/hentai, too intricate and involved for live action CGI. It would be must see.

Jeffrey Hoskins

Unfortunately the explicit sex , cum inflation etc. is too entwined with the whole rise in power that to try & gloss it over would rip the logical thread to shreds . I think that's why Tef has been saying there will be less sex & little 'space magic' in the sequel . He has realized his a terrific story teller & his characters & action scenes will make for a great novel for a wider audience than just we perverts . :-)

bigdawguw65

you could not take out the basic premise without changing the entire plot.....it would make an epic porn series however!!

B S

I wouldn't. I would make a anime/hentai series out of it and not deviate from the story at all.

Frostfyre

Quick question -- If you represented a book publisher or tv/film company, how would you suggest changing TSM to make it suitable for mainstream audiences?

William Pitcher

maybe next year tef will have 12 chapters ready and will release 1 for each of the 12 days of christmas

tony

Hear, Hear!

Tefler posted the first Chapter of TSM online (elsewhere) on 12-20-2015. It was the first story he had ever posted. I saw it online when Chapter 3 came out, went back to Chapter 1, and started reading. Five years and 137 chapters later, it is the work of a master. WOW. Congrats, Tef. It has been a great run. PS. Faye should be here to celebrate the anniversary.

Mapper

Why can I hear this when I read your comment https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9srmft6STc

Braw

Hums: "All I want for Christmas is two chapters, two chapters, two chapters....."

justarando

I think we have reached the point where further speculation is at a dead end. We are at the point where we are waiting for the massive curveball or the meteor strike from outer space from Tefler. It will be epic and intensely interesting to see what the next few chapters bring from the creative mind of our master of suspense. To all, be safe and happy.

Jeffrey Hoskins

Hi all - I've been enjoying the story as a Patron since a little after Battle of Terra. Honestly, given how the series has started, I think there is way too much complaint about "too much sex". You really can't take too much out, or even make it R-rated, since the basic premise is such a crazy kink. Tefler is doing a great job, for the most part. Just one example - Tefler doesn't give too much (usually) anatomical details. This is great - leave it up to the user to fantasize. Ok, the whole tentacle monster thing with Jade doesn't do much for me and too much fascination with pregnancy. And I'm glad John did not rescue any more half-starved, underdeveloped orphans from Karon - too close for comfort to child sex. Interestingly, everything in this epic work is about very serious topic, *except* the sex. When I started reading TSM, I expected a campy sex-adventure, but I got something completely different. The juxtaposition of the serious story-line and sex scene is refreshing and just works when you are reading a story about genocide and abuse on galactic scale. Why do you think so many people wanted John to do it with a dragon! So ... keep up the great work Tefler. Can we start a thread on people's favorite sex scenes?

Well I for one would add any new book to my Kindle as soon as it became available. It gives me a little frisson of amusement when I have a break at work, sitting down with the Kindle and smoking my pipe, that none of my work colleagues have the slightest idea of what I am reading.

He probably doesn't make as much, or as steadily, with the book sales as he does with the Patreon money.

Jedi Khan

You'all are seem to forgetting the money from Tefler's Book sales.

Probably have 2 chapters for January to help pay all the bills!

Who Me

With a wife and a family, plus the holidays coming up, walking away from a $7,000 pay check would be difficult for most. But we shall see. Obligations are a bitch.

Jeffrey Hoskins

Kind of hoping that we get something by xmas, but yeah most likely next year.

Guaranteed Cyberpunk! That's what he said 6 months ago. See you next year!

Who Me

I wonder if we'll be seeing 138 soon, or if Tefler has already been sucked into Cyberpunk?

Jedi Khan

I have been re watching SW- Mandalorian while waiting for the next chapter! It has restored my enjoyment of SW

B S

Hey Tef, thank you for laying out the groundwork for an exciting universe!

Dan

Nope - Cyberpunk is starting - won't see nothing new until next year! January 31, 2021

Who Me

As a gift for Xmas, SWEET. I have been good (crossing-fingers) this year.

Cornbread

I'm predicting 7 more days for an update and another 7 for the release date. Any takers?

Jeffrey Hoskins

I agree she will be the key. If she can endow singularity shells with her black-metal-cleansing psychic mojo perhaps they’ll have something that can really fuck up Progenitor dreadnoughts, as Dana might say.

AzureReader

Just curious. Why do you think that John (or any of his crew) know *anything* about the Star Forges? All that they know - insofar as I am aware - is the name 'Star Forges' and that they were now fully operational and rebuilding the Trankarran fleets. They know nothing of their history, again, insofar as I am aware. We only learned of them ourselves after the Invictus was last in the area and Niskera was given a tour and made a speech. I agree that they are a fascinating discussion and story point, and that they were not made by Mael'nerak idly, but why would John or his crew know anything about them to indicate how special and powerful they are?

Evan

To the unnamed person above, I believe Helene is the key to the metal. Her enhancement power will be exponentially increased as she overworked herself. Remember in previous chapters John mentioned the girls get stronger when they exercise their powers. Well Helene went overboard protecting Alyssa from exploding. So now Helene should be real powerful.

Big Dude

Tefler - Perhaps after a visit to Mael’s throne world, which is sure to answer some questions but leave many unknowns, it would be an interesting read to have a summit of ‘experts’ to discover the mysteries of the black metal. The summit might include John, the leading Trankaran Forge Masters (who have a nearly magical relationship with metals and ores that could be explored), Niskera, and some of the girls with a strong relationship to the black metal, such as Dana, Alyssa, and Helene. John might start by telling the Trankarans the whole story starting with the Xyth’Faren, and how Xar created the Soul Forge and Progenitors. They would hear how black metal is reinforced with the souls of thrawls. And that black metal can be cleansed of souls (by Helene). Samples of black and cleansed white metals should be provided to the Forge Masters to work on - perhaps collaboratively with Dana as she has done with engineers from other empires. I’d love to hear some of the lore around Star Forges, partially because they seem magical. And to have a discussion about how Mael’ might have been trying to make a Soul Forge alternative later in his reign when he had a change of heart. Perhaps Mael discovered a black metal alternative the Star Forge can make... and this science needs to be rediscovered. Or perhaps Mael never could figure it out and John’s Xyth’faren knowledge or powers might finally be what is needed complete the Star Forge ‘experiment’. Xyth’faren psychic powers + Dana genius might play well against Forge Masters dropping their jaws as the forge produces the god of all white metals reinforced with John’s unlimited positive psychic power. This new white metal would be the basis for stronger ships and more powerful weapons than the progenitors could build. Can they figure it out in time? Will this be the basis for the ultimate Invictus upgrade? Can they ‘forge’ enough new white metal ships, weapons, and combat suits for the Malari? Can the Ashanath play a role in channeling John’s psychic power into Star Forges to answer what Mael’ was thinking when he created that species?

AzureReader

That would be an excellent plot that would allow the Trankarans to help save the day. Especially if psychic powers from John or perhaps even large teams of Ashanath are needed to bring the Star Forges up to their full potential of working with some impossibly tough black metal alternative. It was never explained why Mael’nerak created the Ashanath, and made them with psychic abilities. Perhaps this is why.

AzureReader

This has been on my mind for sometime but I believe Mael'nerak had already developed an alternative to the Soul Forge, the Star Forge. It struck me as odd that there were 5 Star Forges (I believe that was the number) in operation at one time. If Dana could examine them with advanced Progenitor, Kyth'faren knowledge she may be able to decipher them and build a fleet 5 times as fast. Just my opinion and observation.

Jeffrey Hoskins

OMG I step away for a few days and I come back to an 'Orgasmitron' device. Everybody step away from the computer 🖥

Cornbread

To prevent any copyright issues that might arise from using this idea, I suggest that his 'Orgasmitron' NOT be spelled with an 'i'. Well done, team.

Seems a bit more likely perhaps that said orgy would take place inside an "edited" reverse engineered soul forge of Dana's design. To create an opposite of the black metal. Will be interesting to see where Teffler goes with it

An ancient Orgasmitron is discovered in the countryside of Great Britain, replicated and improve by Sparks. Every Maliri household is equipped with one. On command an entire system orgasms, dissolving the progenitor ships. Focused beam of course. Okay, my work here is done. Thank you.

DCM

We know that Love - or at least, psychically enhanced and transmitted Love - can destroy the black metal. We now have a better idea as to why than we did before. The black metal of the Progenitor ships is truly imbued with power from agony, terror and other 'dark' emotions. It's no wonder, considering the fact that it's been sponsored by Xar'aziuth for ages. Is Helene going to be the Destruction of the Progenitor fleets? Does anyone else remember the "Make Love, Not War" signs of the 60's? I do hope that Tefler doesn't end the entire war with the Progenitors simply by having a grand orgy with the crew and Helene channeling and projecting all the love outwards. It might work, but it's so cliche. Save it for the final battle with Xar'aziuth! :-)

Evan

I think Dana may be the Soulforge for the or at least the key. All they need from the size of it is psychically infused metal which Dana has temporarily done before as well as John while have sex with a few girls

SuperAzureReader

Spotted a possible Brimorian sex change occurring ... Pausing by the comms officer, he tapped a clawed finger on her desk. “Any updates from our ground forces?” The Wave-squire held her hand to the device in her ear and sat bolt upright. “Nothing of importance to report, Shoal-Commander! Otherwise I would have relayed any messages,” she replied, her gills quivering with trepidation. # After acknowledging the orders with a nod, the comms officer turned back to his station to carry them out. A few moments later, he blurted out, “There’s no response from the border comms beacon! Our connection to Brimor is broken, Shoal-Commander!” # “Incoming hail, Shoal-Commander!” the comms officer called out in warning. “I knew the sight of all our guns would put them in a talkative mood,” Olbhugh chuckled, studying the unknown fleet with a smug grin as he recognised their posturing for what it was. He straightened in his chair. “Let’s hear what they have to say.” The Wave-squire shook her head. “No, not them... it’s Shoal-Commander Faogh, from Fleet Naiorrid.” So, one wonders if, under pressure, Brimorians morph into another sex state or, much less exciting, there are 2 comms officers. There is of course another possibility ...

ringill

I don't think that Alistair would be happy flying around in a craft forged with the souls of any creature. She has no particular love for the thralls used to forge the progenitor ships, but can't stand being in those crafts. Why would she feel different in a craft made with the souls of the brimorians?

John Gregory

I have a theory that they may be able to use those they deem as bad to fuel the Soulforge like the Brimors. I wouldn't think it would matter who got put in as long as it was a soul have creature.

I would think it would likely be enthralled because look at john with the Maliri one look at him and they are in awe. They probably just do whatever he says and willingly sit in the chair

Hey Tef, thanks for letting us know your future writing plans. My two cents is if you are writing a sequel, people will kind of have to have read TSM. Your writing deserves to be read by loads more people, not just us Patreons or on Lit or SOL. It is a shame you feel the need to write 80 or 90 pages of sexy sci-fi to be worthy of us subscribers to pay you a dollar or two a month. I’d be happy with more frequent, smaller fixes of TSM. Maybe your e-book publishers can give you more feedback on your net worth, but I reckon you’re selling yourself short. IMHO, you should write a mainstream novel & become the space opera equivalent of JK Rowling. Having said all that, I look forward to the end of every month, waiting for that email notification that you’ve published a new chapter – I hope it continues for a long time. Cheers & thanks again for your wonderful writing.

GBo

As always, this chapter is gripping. Would love to know though if the thralls sacrificed in the soulforge, do they go in under duress (kicking and screaming or at gun point), are they tricked in, similar to the Jews in the gas chambers during the haulicaust, where they were told they were going to get showered after their long train ride, or are the thralls so enthralled that they willingly sacrifice themselves?

John Gregory

Sequel?

Emmanuel

Oh Creator of the universe, Do we have to end the story? I understand you been at it a number of years but you have built something that has been so fun to read. It just feels like there are so many things to be said, done and explore. It will be sad day for me when you write the final chapter.

Cornbread

Thanks for the interesting feedback everyone! To answer the points made above: 1) John's guilt issues. I had John plagued by a guilty conscience to add some balance to his character. If he wandered around the galaxy mind controlling girls at a whim, then he'd seem like a real asshole. I wanted there to be real weight behind adding crewwomen and John's guilty conscience meant lots of introspection about the changes he made to their lives. 2) Too much sex and intimacy. That's a fair complaint. When you're writing month after month, it's hard to get an overall impression of the story compared to just reading the whole thing over a 2 week peried. 3) What was the point of Tamolith's scene. She'd been fed for the first time and just woke up (hence being thirsty). Tamolith would normally have killed the Sub-Prelate without a second thought, but the momentary flicker of emotion was her experiencing John's change to her connection. After that, she stayed her hand and just told him to get out. It was summarising her change in outlook for the future (because I probably won't be going back to her again until the epilogue). She'll also feature in the sequel. 4) Fat Tony, Kelli and Perl. The point of that subplot was to show a terrifying Kirrix invasion from a civilian point of view. It allowed me to show you what happened to Karron in a different way, rather than John and the girls just turning up and everyone had been abducted. Alyssa having previous history with Fat Tony tied into an ongoing character arc which was concluded in this chapter. Those three characters will feature in the sequel. I've included a number of other supporting characters in side stories, like Tashana's smuggler crew, Murphy the Terran fighter pilot, and the cruiser captains that warned of the Kintark invasion. I included them to add more depth to the universe and show some of the impact that John and his Lionesses have on a more personal level.

Tefler

I thought this chapter was one of the best, finally putting to rest John's whinging & insecurities, of which we all, including the girls, have had enough. Tefler had always planned the guide to use these doubts against John in his confrontation, so Tef had to keep sowing these seeds throughout the story. I still enjoy the sex scenes, which got me reading this story in the first place – I never skip a word. Everyone should have guessed how the SOULforge must have worked – its right there in the name. Alyssa’s reaction to the dark metal’s essence through the psychic echoes was another huge clue. So it’s good to get that out in the open. It won’t be long until Dana figures out how Helene cracked the bed & it will be interesting how she/Tef create a Loveforge. I agree with Ferrum1 partially but this chapter shows John has turned the corner & will now be a more confident dude & should become more likeable. That whole doubt/guide story arc is finally put to bed. The Fat Tony & Perl sideline was a strange interlude, spending a lot of time developing nice characters but then writing them out – but maybe we haven’t heard the last of them, given that Lynette is visiting the Outer Rim soon. Tef’s too good to let that hang. And I suspect that Tony Walker’s story arc will bubble up nicely soon, to keep paying Tef’s bills. All in all, brilliant writing & imagination, Tefler – you will always keep me coming back for more. The way Dana can crack me up & then later in the same chapter you can have me a bit teary – awesome. Congrats!

GBo

Tefler u are doing great! I love this story and can't wait for more chapters!!

Dominic Janning

Uhm… Jeffrey? You do realize we're up to 137, right? Next one would be 138?

Evan

All I want for the pagan holiday is peace on earth and chapters 128 and 129, okay I'll settle for 128.

Jeffrey Hoskins

I'm always curious about that oft used 'it's his story and he can tell it how he wants' defense. Nowhere in my post did I say otherwise, and I don't know that I've read anyone else suggest different, either. My point was that the scenes were getting overly repetitive and formulaic, distracting from the overall story of the war against the bad guys. Time and time again we tune in to a new chapter to find it only covers John giving hugs all around the harem, or the harem trying to stop John from whining yet again. If we're lucky, there's one paragraph about something else somewhere far away. For example, in this last chapter, we got to spend some quality time with dragon chick mourning for her kids. We even got to see her gulp down gallons of water and reaffirm her deep sadness. Okay. How was that entire scene important? Aside from the interactions between the guards, and their being impressed by the carnage, what was about that scene wasn't covered in the previous chapter? What about it was needed for the overall tale - or couldn't have been put off until somewhere far in the future? Why did we need to know that Dragon Chick was mourning... when we already knew that from the previous chapter? Some will say that it was important character development, I'm sure. I disagree. To my mind, it came across as attempt to "force" the reader to see how super-sad the Dragon Chick is and how powerful John and Harem are. In the end, it did nothing for me, added nothing new to the story, and didn't advance the narrative. I already knew she was super-sad, and for good reason. I already knew John&Co were holy terrors in a fight. We covered all that stuff just one chapter back. So why use up the limited number of words in a chapter with a lengthy repeat of what just happened in the last chapter? How does it advance the overall narrative? Now, I'll freely admit that I'm a bit jaded on the subject after being burned by the side-story of some gangbanger and whores fighting their way to salvation in a mining asteroid. Chapter after chapter of getting to know them and see their plight.... only to have them written out of the story with nary a care. And I fully expect the Walker side-story to do the same. After that, I'm very leery of these little jaunts that take us away from the main narrative which is the battle upcoming and the progenitor tech. Do I want the story to continue for years? Sure. It's a fun read and there are a thousand ways it could continue for another decade. However, that doesn't mean it should be filled with fluff just to take up room and stretch things out.

Ferrum1

People here are supporters as they are paying to support Tefler's work. It's fair for them to talk about what they especially like and conversely what they don't care for as much. Given where I first found this story, it's safe to assume what I started reading for. However, that's not why I keep reading the story. I like the main plot line and the world building. I think that's Tefler's big strength. Of course, it doesn't help that inflation and pregnancy stories don't do anything for me that way.

William Pitcher

For the critics out there: https://www.libreoffice.org/ That is a link to a free word processor, write your own damn story.

Emmeran

Remember the bed in the black shuttle.

jerry661

I agree with Jeffrey Hoskins & BP Hlpt above. This is Tefler's tale and we pay him to write it. While we can criticize the plot engine and the enigma of John Blake, we keep asking for more. While some of the sex scenes care explicit and lengthy, it is still Tefler's story to tell. I think the story of love and sex will become clearer as Tefler explains how the black metal is formed as we saw Alyssa's going nuts reaction to the psychic echoes and now Dana's reaction to the black metal fabrication methodology.

Big Dude

I understand your point of view. The thing is, if Tefler spent more time showing what the girls are up their characters would be more developed and you would probably be more invested in their interactions. However that would slow down the main story even further. I think Tefler has struck a reasonable balance of how deep he goes into given subjects without overindulgence. It's impossible to do it to everyone's tastes. I love the girls for who they are as individuals, because I choose not to see them as bland. I let my imagination fill in the gaps; create my own depth.

Teun Segers

Anyone please correct me if I'm wrong, but Tefler has stated on Discord that e-books will be added after wrapping up TSM.

RobMob

The last two post are a perfect example of the type of discourse needed, respectful and concise. Not mean spirited at all.

Jeffrey Hoskins

Thanks for posting, @Ferrum1, with proof that Tefler can't please everyone, (nor should he). If Tefler had left out 90% of the "affirmations of love" scenes, 90% of the sex scenes, 90% of John's "whining" about his insecurities [I admit I'd have liked Tefler to have cut out maybe 40% - 50% of those], if he had cut out 50% or more of the sub-plots, and if he had somehow left the crew size at six or seven girls, I'm sure that Tefler would have gotten much fewer complaints over the years, and the story might well have been finished by now. On the other hand, there are probably many folks that would have liked to have seen more sex and a larger crew, some that would have liked to have seen more "affirmations of love", more sub-plots and side trips by the Invictus, and maybe even a few that liked all of the whining [I don't know who, but...]. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and thank you for expressing yours in such a well written manner. But bottom line, this is Tefler's story to write, a wonderfully complex one [it's easy to skip over the parts you don't like but you can't add in what's not there, except in your imagination], and I am very, VERY glad that it is not over yet and I hope it continues for many years to come.

Bp Hlpt

Well, can't say that I was really too interested in this chapter. Like a lot of them, it was easy to scroll through and not miss anything substantive. Sorry if that sounds harsh, but... fuck it. How many times do we need to see these blushing affirmations of love? How many times do we need whole chapters devoted to nothing more than everyone giving everyone hugs and kisses? There is, to my mind, such a thing as too much of a good thing. While it's certainly nice that we can see how much everyone cares for everyone, after awhile it gets old and tiresome. Because it happens so much, usually at least once per chapter, none of it holds any special meaning. For example, consider how special Faye's death was. All that time spent building her up, teasing the readers with the idea she might somehow become organic, and then she's ripped from the script in the most heinous fashion. It was gut-wrenching in large part because she was the only character ever to suffer such a fate. It wouldn't have held nearly the gravity if main characters were dying left and right. Similarly, we can look at John's growing relationship with his daughter. Watching her become self-aware, then getting the new chassis, then finally calling John "father".... all very powerful stuff because it's not done over and over and over. That character is almost never seen in the story, yet each scene she appears in is fairly solid and you are hoping for the best. The rest of the crew? Honestly, I'd have abandoned ship a long time ago just to get away from the constant needs of such a huge harem. Every chick wants something, needs something, etc. While there's no "jealousy" between them, there's still the expectation that John do things for them individually and spend time with them. Overall, it seems like there's a war to be fought, but it's always put off into the distance so we can sit there and watch everyone holding hands and singing kumbaya one more time.

Ferrum1

Not yet!

Big Dude

vomit

Who Me

Hi Tefler, Great chapter. Just aa question, about this (“I’m not going to (vom ?) again, if that’s what you mean,” ). What does vom mean?

After so long on character-and LONG-story development in recent chapters, this latest edition feels like the story is finally getting back on track again. It is most definitely the most rewarding (IMHO) for quite a while, and it feels the the story pace is finally picking up again. One major question that I do have though is this: when are we likely to see Books 5 and beyond on Kindle? I wish to support Tefler as much as I can and cannot wait to download the later chapters to my Kindle to enjoy at work at my leisure

Is it clear what has happened to Athena after Alyssa's struggles?

John Jameson

This feels like the first chapter of the final book of the story. Great work!

Thanks for all your hard work.

Idaho Spud56

I always keep the original and the update, then do a redline comparison in Word...

David Kepler

The final scene is at the very end, so you can safely continue reading.

Where was the final scene? I have already read ≈ 60% so I wonder if can continue or if I should re-read something.

Hans Eriksson

John wanted the troop transports captured to transport the Abandoned from Brimoran territory.

Jeffrey Hoskins

Thanks for the great chapter Tefler. This was one of the best in my opinion. You did a great job consolidating story lines for the final arcs. Things are really moving forward, and it's good to be back at Genthalas. One thing though, why did Maliri marines need to capture the fishy siege ships? Were there captives on them? Otherwise it's kinda like a terminator squad needlessly boarding a space hulk when they could just destroy it at a distance. Looking forward to the next installment, be well and focus on your real life priorities first as always!

Such a good chapter, issues resolved, story lines advanced and a new and renewed sense of purpose. Overall one of the best non action chapters yet. Finally back to Genthalas where the real work begins.

Jeffrey Hoskins

Excellent occupation with absolutely pages upon pages of roto-rootering the crew fanservice! Personally I’d have left off the concluding scene, and made the Soulforge reveal even nastier. We knew what it involved in broad strokes but I was waiting for black metal quenched in blood or something, to close out the chapter

Durindana

IIRC Lynette didn't add any females to High Command when she assumed the position of Fleet Admiral.... Just checked Wu and Esposito were added to replace fallen Admirals just before she assumed the position of Fleet Admiral but from the way I read it Lynette did not make the decision to add them. They were recommended by Maybridge because they were in the group of the most experienced Admirals to step up to High Command.

Thanks! John merging with his guide was a big deal and I wanted to try to show the impact that reunification had on him. The personality shift reflects his newfound confidence, as well as a deeper understanding of who he is as a person (and that he's not a Progenitor at heart).

Tefler

I always planned on ending it with another scene. I just stopped at the end of the Soulforge bit because it was 4am. :-)

Tefler

Did anyone else notice that Lynette has placed more females in power positions in High Command? Admiral Sofia Esposito and Admiral Xiu Wu, to go along with Admiral Lina Van Den Broeck. I find that interesting.

Jeffrey Hoskins

You're welcome! :) I'm glad you're still enjoying the story.

Tefler

Nice job. This chapter seemed to reward readers by leveraging 136 chapters of character and species development to tell the story from the most diverse set of perspectives I think we’ve seen from any chapter so far. In many ways the new John is a new character. I like how familiar characters were used to gently begin the character development.

AzureReader

I believe it still uses some conventional devices, as this chapter mentions null gravitational machines to possibly pressure elements into materials, but the decisive power source for all functions is in fact psychic/soul energy. The description speaks of imbuing power into the metal for reinforcement purposes, and as there is no clear indication of alternative sources of power, the Spirit Divergence Chamber seems to be it.

Brian Woods

So does the soulforge need the metal still or if you Chuck enough thralls in there will it creat the ship completely out of their energy?

Jewbear

Awesome conclusion to this chapter Tefler. Yes, that last piece is a much better Chapter Pause, then the scene at the Soulforge.

David B

Tefler...I want to just say thank you for taking the time to "get it right" as you continually do in penning each chapter of this epic entertainment extravaganza that is the TSM Universe!!! I know I can comfortably speak for myself and others in saying this evolving story is even more addicting than before!!!

Arrowglass

Waaaaaaahh! Why can't I consume this story in dictionary-sized gulps? I can do it; put me in the game, Coach!

Youkai-sama

Just what this story needed, thank you for adding in the last scene.

donald abbott

Ok now that ended on a FAR better note,lol.

Fantastic, thank you sir. Really enjoyed John and Alyssa's date.

Steve

Thank you for the additional scene and an excellent round off to 137!

BrianM

Just fixed another typo. Admiral Morgan hadn't risen from the dead... that should've been Admiral Kester. :)

Tefler

Thank you, Tefler!

Evan

Only 2 more years ;-)

!raptor

I've done an editing pass and added the final scene to the chapter. Please ignore the # note at the beginning. It's a possible scene addition I might add in for the eBook when I finally get this far. :)

Tefler

Thank you for all your hard work and dedication. Keep safe

Mjk154

Awesome again

Muledrvr

There is still a lot of mystery about the power increase. Rachel asked a great question: “It seemed like you received a huge boost in power. Was that just because your mind was reunified or did the alteration make any difference too?” Then John went on to talk about the two changes but didn’t really answer Rachel’s question about where the power increase was coming from. Perhaps if your massaging the chapter you can have John add a couple of clarifying sentences. I was guessing that the dark thread connecting Progenitor link to thraws through control and dominion was going to be portrayed as a bottleneck for the much more powerful loving connection John has to his girls. But the connecting thread does not seem to be one of the two things that was entirely changed. Not clear about that though.

AzureReader

I’d be interested in seeing how many times John can reshape crystal alyssium now. Clearly they need an alternative to the Soul Forge and I’m wondering if the strength of reforging crystal alyssium comes from embedding a little positive psychic energy into the metal each reshaping - especially as it gets harder to reshape. If John can reshape it 50 times perhaps it will be as strong or stronger than the black metal.

AzureReader

Well, I have had my fix for a while at least. While avoiding spoilers, I know everyone that read the chapter already had their suspicions confirmed in gory detail. The transition from Dana to the last section was a nice touch. And it was more gruesome than I anticipated but the perfect amount of gruesome.

commatoes

Thanks for another great chapter, Mr. T, which I'll have to read a couple more times to get my head around all the details and how/where they tie into the rest of the story. I'm looking forward to getting the additional scene whenever you have it ready for us!

BrianM

Take your time Tef :) Your work is always worth the wait! Twill be interesting to see where he seeds you have sown will grow and always fun to see what they become!

Thanks for the new chapter Tefler, interesting teaser with Dana at the end. On another note, I know Tom Walker's a minor character, but I hope we can get a positive outcome for the guy.

Thanks for the comments everyone. I'm glad you guys enjoyed the chapter! I'll work on the last scene now and hopefully have it finished in a couple of hours.

Tefler

It should actually be "chaise longue". It's kind of a sofa with half a back.

Tefler

Nice! Fixed.

Tefler

There were parts of this chapter that were tricky to write, like the conversation between John and Alyssa relating to their interactions over the previous 6 months. It was all a lot easier to get through than the previous chapter though, which was technically complex and then emotionally draining. :)

Tefler

The fleet that was blasted by the Maliri was ordered to stay behind to guard the siege craft that were invading and occupying Kintark planets. The panicked call they received was from one of the fleets damaged by Calara's first trap (detonating the asteroid field with seismic charges). They took superficial hull damage that would've slowed them in hyper-warp and were left behind by the invasion Armada.

Tefler

I am confused. Didn't John and his ladies decimate all the Brims? Didnt they destroy all the troops on the ground and all the ships in the sky - except for the ones they allowed the Kintarks to capture / destroy?

David B

Thank you Tefler. Alyssa and John can truly progress into the next phase of their lives now.

Teun Segers

Outstanding Tefler! The hits just keep on coming! Cheers and Happy Holidays to you and your family!

Loved it yet again. I’m so lucking forward to kicking brimorian asses when that finally happens .

Jim lynch

Larn'kelnar didn't use a hyperwarp gate to travel there, but rather a wormhole generator. I loved your wording here: "I also am curious as to the actual scientific process of the device, as in people go here, energy goes there, ship pops out over yonder."

RobMob

Not even gonna try to re-edit now, just a new post in full: I also like the way Sir Tefler has snuck in a new little tidbit for our future battle with the universe at stake. With hyper warp gates only able to be anchored to another of their kind, there are seemingly only three places Gahl’kalgor can possibly appear to cause a ruckus under the Shroud: Rahn’hagon’s gate from out beyond the Desolation of Vulkat, Mael’nerak’e gate in the Mists, and the mystery of Larn’kelnar’s gate that he would have needed to make his way here. Supposing that Larn did not use Rahn’s gate to travel the highways of the stars, and his torture of Rahn in search of that seems to support the idea...where did Larn leave his gate to travel here...and more importantly, will it possibly be possible that Xar’Aziuth knows how to get the code from Rahn to send Gahl out to Spider Space?!?!? And furthermore, what might that mean for recruiting the Vulkat Queen, defending Enclave space, and our future encounter with Drakkar Podqueens?!?!? Inquiring minds want to know!

Brian Woods

So, questions answered...but mysteries still abound. Enjoyed the wind-down chapter, as it also seemingly sets up the next 2 or so for some Maliri machinations at Genthalas. Quite looking forward to it. Now, for my STUPID editing issues, I have to re-order my thoughts and again state that I love the relative introduction of a full Soulforge to the storyline, appearing as it has similar to Trankaran Star Forges, but with Ashanath overtones whereby psychic energy replaces more conventional approaches to ship building. It would also seem that Dana’s projectile distaste comes from an in-depth evaluation of the Spirit Divergence Chamber, and while I shudder at the implications therein, I also am curious as to the actual scientific process of the device, as in people go here, energy goes there, ship pops out over yonder. Should be an interesting look at the creative process...

Brian Woods

Ah well spotted! It's been a couple of years since I last read those chapters, so I'd forgotten. Do you remember the specific chapter number?

Tefler

John had already restored Sakura's virginity when she was finally healed. Because she asked him about it.

Jeffrey Hoskins

Many Thanks, Tefler!

Bp Hlpt

One typo I found, you spell lounges as longues in one place. I would copy and paste it, but my Word just decided I am no longer activated. :( Found it... Edraele glided over to the pair of chaise longues in the centre of the room.

Grandizer

Another well done chapter I feel at ease once again 😌

Yes, thank you once again.

DCM

Thanks very much.

RedB

Another incredible chapter!

Arrowglass

Excellent chapter, Tefler! Thank you so much!

Evan

YAAAAAAAAYYYYY!

commatoes

THANK YOU TEFLER

Mjk154

Trivial typo, Tefler. The score of Maliri assembled before her let out a collect sigh of relief. I think that that should be collective sigh of relief, no?

Evan

Thanks

We're always up for another chapter :) Please get some sleep and stay well!

Nice Tefler, good to see you in the swing of things. Are you having an easier time writing now?

Forbsey

Thanks Tefler, get some sleep.

Cignal

Yipii ay aee - thanks

Kim Biel-Nielsen

Thanks Tefler, looking forward to it! Take care, stay safe and get some rest.

There goes the rest of my work day 🤦🏻‍♂️

SomeYoungGuy

When you say "latest" I keep seeing "last" and I get bummed for a second~

Richard

Thank you Tefler, your dedication is greatly appreciated.

GDay (FMS)

Thank you Tefler

Thank you very much, Tefler! Sleep well!

Evan

Nice

Yay! Thanks Tefler! 🙂

cheers mr

Braw

Lol I got went to the bathroom and my phone dings😏. It's like going to the bathroom when you're waiting for your food to be brought out to you at a restaurant.

Ryan Smith

Woo! Thanks Tefler!

thanks tef!

YES! Pins and needles BE GONE! *dives into reading*

Youkai-sama

Thanks!

PwdRacing

Thank you sir.

Taco1085

Yay!!! I didn’t even break my f5 key😝

Tony

Woo hoo!

Yeah!

Nice... Needed something new to read tonight! Thanks!

Hendrix Morton

Woot!

Koa

Thanks Tef!

Hugo

Awesome thanks man and i hope you and yours have a great xmas!

Awesome

Muledrvr

yay!

Jedi Khan