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Three Square Meals - Chapter 135 (Patreon)

Published:
2020-08-01 02:28:59
Edited:
2021-01-10 18:23:37
Imported:
2021-01

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Content

*** UPDATED - FINAL VERSION - Added the second half of this chapter, bringing the word count up to 30k words. ***

Hey everyone!

I've been working on chapter 135, but I'm afraid it's not quite complete yet. Apologies for making you wait for the entire thing. I'll give you the first half (just over 19k words), then wrap up the second half and add it to this post as soon as it's finished.

(You'll only be charged once obviously).

Regards,

Tefler

Comments

Evan

Thank you, Tefler!

Anonymous

Woooo!!!

Old Cruiser

Thanks Tefler!!

Evan
>>41382708

Oh My Goodness! I'm first? I've never been the first responder before!

Anonymous

Great!!!

Anonymous

Wahoo!!

Anonymous

thank you Sir

Cignal

Thanks Tefler

Muledrvr

Yay, just in time for dinner

Anonymous

Thank you sir

Anonymous

Thanks Tef, I hope your family is doing a bit better in these troubled times. Family first

Timtom12

I don't mind if you do 2 smaller chapters if that's easier, or you need the funds.

Anonymous

Thank you for putting it out there. With alm that’s going on in the world, we can always look forward to John and the Crew!

Anonymous

Cheers teffler...you rock as always thanks!!

DCM

Oh Boy!

Anonymous

Tefler, this is just my personal opinion, but these half chapters are getting old. It was cool when it was just occasional, or when the delay for the rest was only a couple days. For the last 4 months or so though, it seems to have become the rule rather than the exception. I'm a massive fan of your work and will continue supporting you, I just wish your updates are a bit more honest.

Evan

we managed to protect the vast majority of the civilisation population --&gt; we managed to protect the vast majority of the civilian population

BrianM

Thanks, Tefler. I appreciate the effort and hope all is well on the home front!

bob lakhanpal

I understand the real life pressures you are under. Do take care of your family...

Metheus108

Thanks for your continued effort Tefler and improved fortunes for you and your family this day and all others!

Anonymous

Not worried about needed one every month or not. You do great work and is worth waiting for. I will pay my membership regardless each month. Look foIrward to r reading itI!!!!!

Bp Hlpt

Thanks, Tefler!

Evan
>>41383359

Rob, respectfully, I disagree with you. Tefler's posting schedule is driven, in large part, by Patreon's schedule and Tefler's desire to deliver "full chapters" of a certain approximate size and quality. He's writing significant amounts each month, but the problem is that he doesn't get paid unless there's a Paid for by patrons post during that calendar month. Family issues caused him to get 'behind', if you will, by about a half chapter. He's still producing a chapter a month, and you're only paying for a chapter a month, so why does it matter if it's in two parts?

Evan

before giving her own evaluation the Kintark officer --&gt; before giving her own evaluation of the Kintark officer

Florida Reader

Correction: He knew that Alyssa had take a long time --&gt; taken

Anonymous

YAAYYYYYY!!!

Evan

always been marevellous at making --&gt; always been marvelous at making

Evan

say that with the feisty redhead, his escapades over the previous six months would have ended --&gt; say that without the feisty redhead, his escapades over the previous six months would have ended

Robert Hibbs

Tefler, thanks for your effort, but I would rather wait while you take the time to create and finish the chapter to your satisfaction. No matter how hard you try, you can never write as fast as we can read, so do what you need to and we will still be here when you finish. Stay safe.

Evan

Done with my initial pass. Thank you again, Tefler, for an enjoyable last day of the month. I hope that you and your family are all doing as well as possible.

Nonconformist

I prefer to wait for the complete chapter before reading. I understand real life intruding on Tefler's writing so am not going to complain about that. I would like an earlier notice that the chapter isn't going to be complete but there is a lot going on in Tefler's family and life right now. The problem with posting partial chapters ( at least to me ) is that some patrons start commenting on things in the chapter when it isn't finished. You can't skim through looking for anything from Tefler without risking something catching your eye. I don't know if everyone is the same but when Tefler updates his post from tonight it won't show in my e-mail because the system see's it as an existing post. I would appreciate if people would refrain from commenting until the complete chapter is posted but that most likely will not occur.

Robar

Happy to pay for your posted

Anonymous

Great job Tefler.

J B

Thanks, M Tefler, appreciate your craftsmanship. One question - does John have two runeswords now? This one, if I recall correctly, came from the ship's armory, and ends up in the Raptor's. My apologies if I'm stepping on plot skullduggery...

Brian Woods

Speaking of small plot holes, Tefler, I imagine you’re quite excited to share the new Paragon suit design, but unless you’re sharing something future revealing why didn’t Dana wait until John beat his guide to start designing the new gear? Supposedly he will soon learn the crafting requirements for black metal, and hopefully in quick fashion a similar, less soul draining variant is designed. Will the new design be modifiable? Inquiring minds wish to know...

Anonymous

'John studied her thoughtfully for a moment. That’s true.' - should have an open quote before That's true

Anonymous

well when i just clicked the link for the doc text it gave me this error "{"errors":[{"code":902,"code_name":"AttachmentNotFound","detail":"Attachment with id 6080029 was not found.","id":"646cbafd-6e89-4aa2-847e-f780926c8c5c","status":"404","title":"Attachment was not found."}]}"

Anonymous

ah nm guess it was just the website being a bit gay no offense meant to any1! yaya :D

Heinz Molck

but I never had any attention (= intention) of disobeying your request.

Anonymous

The Raptor drifted towards the centre of the lighting pad &gt;&gt; center landing

Anonymous

Great things take time. Thank you for everything that you do and the awesome reads.

Anonymous

What is the preferred way to report spelling/grammar errors? Can I annotate the document and send it back somehow?

Jedi Khan
>>41400045

You can post the suggested change here, or if you're on the Discord server, there is a dedicated channel for suggesting edits. When suggesting an edit, indicate the chapter and page number (if there is one), and if the chapter happens to be on Lit or SOL, mention that too. Only show a few words around the suggested edit, not the full line or paragraph; just enough for Tefler to do a search to find the spot.

Evan

Tefler, thank you for making the changes already to take our comments into account. I noticed that you left in: protect the vast majority of the civilisation population and I admit I'm still having an issue with the term at the end, there, both because I haven't found it spelled with an 's' in the dictionaries, nor does it appear to be the right term. I honestly thought you meant to indicate the civilian population, but I may be mistaken.

AlyxHaestrom

Out of curiosity, why, when John or Alyssa have to take off/put on their armor without an equipping frame, do they not use telepathy to make it easier? I feel like they could in/equip their armor very rapidly that way.

Anonymous

Robots have gone missing!!!!

Tefler
>>41405025

It was just a typo and should be fixed now (to civilian). Civilisation is the English spelling of the word. :)

Tefler
>>41405831

Alyssa could equip herself quickly using Telekinesis but John would struggle with manipulating multiple armour plates simultaneously.

Anonymous

Great beginning! Not only did you manage to keep me on the hook for the guide battle, but now I can’t wait to see what happens with the new paragon armor!

Anonymous

He knew exactly where to end it to keep us hooked but not disappointed

Anonymous

Instead, we just built up to the battle!

Arrowglass

Tefler...outstanding interplay with the characters...intense feelings....touching moments...seems like a prelude to something as dynamic as the Invictus being cut in half! GAWD can you write...the emotions you stir up in people!!!! Can't wait for the rest of Ch. 135 as it feels like everything is on hold until then!

thomas rodrian

Tefler, that was depressing watching John say goodbye. I hope you make his death a little less macabre.

Jim lynch

You never cease to amaze me but chapter after chapter just have me so emerged into the story as if I’m there living it. The character development has made these characters seem totally real to me ( if only ). As always I’m sat desperate for the next instalment so please hurry.

Rhys

Thanks Tefler!!!! I for one am more than happy for partial updates, thanks for giving us something while you finish up!!!!! Hope things are going well for you!!!!!!

Anonymous

Thanks Tefler, I've just joined Patreon to get my fix. I marathoned 118 chapters and then had to painfully wait for each chapter to be released on Lit. Now I get to enjoy it every couple of weeks.

Anonymous

Any idea on timing for the second half?

James Hârn

A+ Character, A+ Lewds. Thanks, Tef!

Anonymous

Um, I actually don't think the guide battle is even going to happen in this chapter, there has been so much padding: at best it will be a cliffhanger.

Anonymous
>>41490183

John, Tefler just said on Discord Yes the confrontation will happen in this chapter. 7:20 PM ET Tefler: "The confrontation with the guide is in this chapter."

Anonymous

What if Johns guide and Ranagon meet him on the astral plane and congratulate him for getting to this point and just hand over everything ?

Brian Woods
>>41496290

That...would be astoundingly anti-climactic. With all the farewells being bandied about, and the foreshadowing gloom upon us with the guide fight, to just...handle the whole matter with English civility over tea and biscuits would make me feel a little cheated, no offense to afternoon tea. Having said that, hopefully the fight has sufficient gravitas and word count to be as momentous as we expect. Looking forward to it Tefler!

Anonymous

Anyone else see the classic Tefler curve coming with the guide confrontation? I sure do.

Rhys
>>41498567

Um, I admit, I didn't consider that possibility....Until you brought it up!!!!!LOL

TF4EVA

given all the prep with Sakura you just have to have a scene where PJ beats up John is about to take Johns women and Sakura steps up and wins back enough ground for John to retake the situation and claim his inheritance. In the process Sakura is beaten to a psychological and physical pulp that helene and John have to heal.....

thomas rodrian
>>41503531

I thought the fight would occur in John’s astroplane bubble. If it does, then Sakura has no access. The twins and Alyssa could intervene though.

Anonymous

First time post:

Anonymous

I think John is saying goodbye to the girls because he has to disconnect them from his mind in case he loses

Anonymous

By disconnecting himself (breaking the psychic bond), PJ will not be able to draw on the girls for power.

Anonymous

BTW: Awesome story!!

Arrowglass

I would only say...it's Tefler, expect the unexpected!

thomas rodrian

It’s weird when you see a post disappear.

Anonymous

How many loose plot lines are there now? Must be dozen, but I haven’t tried to count them up. Might be interesting to do that and come up with a list. Anyway, at least some of these plot lines have to be resolved before the big showdown with the other Progenitors, or the crew of the Invictus flat out loses. I predict that P/John puts up some token resistance, but gives in gracefully in the end. Honestly, what’s the point at this stage for him to hold out any longer when John has clearly demonstrated a better system.

Anonymous

I wonder if John has the guts to merge with (P)John. He can't kill him since it is a part of him.

Brian Woods
>>41655055

Well, methinks the ‘death’ in this case is simply a matter of the Guide’s will and desires, so as to allow John access to power without incorporating the more...evil?...aspects into himself. Although, I wouldn’t necessarily be opposed to a more masculine acting John, given his propensity to being led around by the nose by his girls. A certain level of ruthless and decisive behavior could work out well, especially with a war on the horizon.

Brian Woods
>>41647043

Actually, I have to wonder about the Guide’s mental state currently. It’s been determined that it has been trapped in a sensory deprivation prison for...several weeks now? With no sense of time, and no stimulation to speak of, will it be a rational individual that emerges?

Lord Winter

Very nice. I'll be glad to get this guide business out of the way once and for all and see what John is really capable of with his take on the Progenitor's abilities. This has been an awesome ride so far. Keep it up, Tefler!

Rhys

I want to see how John will handle the situation in Malari, also, what about Walker's frame job? I can't wait to see what happens next..

Anonymous

After a lot of screaming John's hair will stand straight up and turn golden once this guide is merged/killed.

Anonymous

John unlocks Super Saiyan level 6

thomas rodrian

Just wonder what will be the first thing that happens when John confronts his guide. Several people have suggested a ‘let’s be friends’ scenario, which sounds antithetical to 3SM’s theme to me, but I’m interested anyway. So, two hulking men have a sit down for posh tea and scones. Not sure if you can have posh tea without scones, but no reason to tempt fate. Since it is John’s mind scape, he acts as host asking, “Fancy a cuppa?” After a slight nod from our demure guide, Giovanni, John lifts a teapot in one hand and in the other hand is a tea strainer, so he pours the tea through the strainer into a cup. When the cup is almost full, he asks Giovanni, “Milky, black, or lemony?” Right after Giovanni chooses milky, John finishes filling the cup with milk and passes the cup and saucer to Giovanni. As Giovanni lifts his cuppa, with thumb and two fingers in his left hand, he asks, “So, if we are BFFs, does this mean I can fuck Alyssa?” And suddenly chaos rained supreme as John unsheathes his runesword and sliced Giovanni in half. Whoops-a-daisy, that didn’t work the way it was supposed to. Maybe next time.

IanBio

It just struck me that the encounter between John and his guide will likely be on the astral plane. If John cuts off the girls then he and guide are on a level playing field, since they share the same mind. But Alyssa is a progenitor too, and she will have access to most of Johns network and power. Which will make her a mightly ally to John on the astral plane.

thomas rodrian
>>41736164

There are advantages and disadvantages to cutting off the girls, but Alyssa is not the only person who can access John on the astral plane. The Maliri twins and Athena are astral plane travellers too and might even be more useful to John with less risk in a fight. As the first matriarch. Alyssa has access to all the thrall’s power, so if she joined the row and Mr. Guide subsumed her, its all over except for the ten count. If any of the others join the fight, Mr. Guide cannot use them like Alyssa.

Anonymous

Any sign of tel?

thomas rodrian
>>41738732

His VW Golf was last seen on the Old Street Roundabout trying to smooth out the corners. I’m guessing squareabouts are offensive to progenitors.

Anonymous

At this point I hardly care how it ends with PJ. It’ll either be the snatch victory from the jaws of defeat approach Or a philosophical tussle before John’s final victory as the PJ concedes John’s superiority, or a combination of the two. This subplot line as stated earlier has gotten tired.

TargetDrone
>>41791007

well, i guess with that kind of attitude, you might well want to avoid reading any kind of fiction... because at some point or another every serious writer will make the story somewhat plausible, and not have his characters act either completely dumb or like total psychopath, because well, those stories tend to become quite chaotic and/or nervegrating. and of course, that also means some plot lines might be deductible. If you are the overanalysing type that needs constant random events as to not have any way to predict future events, be on the lookout for random word generators... shuffle enough times , and a totally random story will pop up.. :P that said, even if the conclusion of the PJ arc might be a foregone conclusion, i am much more interested in how we get there. My philosophy is to enjoy the ride, instead of only focus on looking forward to the next stop.

Anonymous

I’m just tired of the innumerable nick-of-time rescues by Alyssa on this day it subplot.

Anonymous
>>41803517

Everyone is entitled to their opinion and mine is somewhat different. I like it when Tefler incorporates the team approach of solving a problem instead of just one person doing all the heavy lifting. One thing I know for sure is that I will enjoy whatever Tefler comes up with because he has always managed to make it entertaining.

MeCherAmigos

Prosecution of the Progenitor War, in my humble opinion, requires John to master his progenitor side and become the Baen’thelas he is meant to be. The Maliri subplot must include resolution of Commander Walker subplot - at some point. The only way to win the Progenitor War, again in my humble opinion, will require a confrontation on the Astral Plane directly against Xar’aziuth since this entity is the driving force behind destructive Progenitor behavior. I love the bit where Helene corrupted Progenitor forged black material by soothing the agony of the souls used in its making. No, never write off the subplots Dave2282, and never assume that Alyssa is the only kick-a** member of team John. I'm anxious as every other reader to see where this story goes. Three Square Meals is an addictive drug because Tefler has the ability to transform an over the top space opera into an adult adventure story that contains echoes of Robert Heinlein (The Moon is a Harsh Mistress) and Harry Harrison (The Stainless Steel Rat). I have chuckled over the opening to The Stainless Steel Rat where the protagonist drops a three ton safe on the cop who came to arrest him for over 50 years. I may need to live at least that long again before Tefler finishes with this story, but I'll enjoy every subplot - and hope he ties them all up before I leave for the astral plane myself.

Anonymous
>>41814764

@MeCherAmigos. Could not agree with you more about John having to confront Xar'aziuth on the Astral Plane. It is this monster who controls and drives the other Progenitors, so it would be a tactical advantage to take him out first, in order for John to better face potentially dozens of Progenitors without this evil influence hovering over them. There would also be the added bonus that the fall of Xar'azituh would necessarily throw the whole caste of Progenitors into turmoil, as their primary source of information and power would be essentially cut off. Before any of this can happen however, it would be prudent for John to make himself as powerful as possible, psychically more than physically, and this can only be achieved by confronting his own Progenitor guide, defeating him, and therefore gaining all of the knowledge and power that should be his as a birthright. BTW, to to alleviate anyone's worries, James Bolivar diGriz (aka The Stainless Steel Rat) dropped the three-ton safe on to the head of a 'Robot' cop which still tried to arrest him, even though all that was left of the pseudo-cop was a single arm.

Anonymous

My issue is subplots pop up like squirrels , it now turns out the entire Brimoran arc since chapter 100 was pure filler. Crush their fleets, Give the Kintark Empress a load of cum and punt further activity on the Kintark and Brimoran story lines until after the Progenitor wars.

MeCherAmigos
>>41828231

I believe we will see that Helene is vital to winning the Progenitor War - not by anger (Alyssa) but by love. Tefler had the need to draw this plot device into the story to make the final combat more than saving Calara in Chapter 5 from the Largath. I've authored a novel the old-fashioned way, but I'm in awe of how far out Tefler has set the plot points in this story. I'm still waiting for the eventual return to Oceanus and Karron, I also see a way how the Walker incident can benefit the Rim Worlds (another one of Tefler's sub-plots). I don't begrudge the sub-plots as they are the weave of the overall story line. I confess that I'm excited to see that events are coming to a head.

Anonymous

On the walker sub-plot, the way I see it, while everything else is going on, we are going to have john inadvertently clear his name, which is going to cause walker to have mixed feelings over john, thankful for the rescue, but still bitter about buckingham. This is going to lead to strife, that we probably won't totally feel, until the sequel. On the subplot of the abandoned, while helene is one of johns, I can see the abandoned becoming one of the thrall races for one of john's offspring, maybe as an antagonist (kylo ren style) or as an unprecidented in progenitor history, an ally. there is also the subplot of 'return of faye' that could be a book closer, with an opening into the sequel. I can see her return, and the collective as a whole, becoming the historians/teachers to the next generation of proj-hybrids. Just my opinion...

Anonymous
>>41837619

Why would walker feel bitter about Buckingham. That wasn't his dad. It was was Mason's dad

Dan

Speculation follows...

Dan
>>41858930

Jade was Mael's AI, and Faye is John's AI.

Grimlakin

Hope tef is alright.

BrianM

I hope so too but it was July 12th when he released the last part of 134 (full chapter posted on the 13th) so maybe he's just busy and this second part of 135 will be out shortly.

thomas rodrian

Patreon question: is anyone else experiencing trouble this page? For the last few weeks, Patreon frequently makes me prove I am nor a robot, login again, will not allow me to see posts, and munges other posts.

Big Dude

Tef used to update us more often. Seems covid has done more damage than people thought.

Anonymous
>>41864084

If I'm remembering correctly, his father is going through treatments for leukemia

Arrowglass

I have to prove I am not a robot much of the time when I log in!

Arrowglass

Thought no one would notice...LOL Tried for the last couple of hours to post this reply, but just kept getting the login line!

Anonymous
>>41894158

Patreon may be responding to someone/thing trying to hack in on your username. Or if you forgot password and went too many times - so now they are checking your logins.

Arrowglass

It took two hours to post the response to Writer Mick's comment. I kept getting a login line every time I tried to post/respond. Continuing problems with Patreon it seems.

Arrowglass

Now stuff I typed once and then it disappeared is starting to show up as duplicates!

Anonymous

Let me see if I can post. Lets try to edit also. That worked, although the edit did not appear immediately: I had to refresh the page (after submitting the edit). Now the edit worked fine.

Anonymous

Hope everything is alright

Evan

Based upon Tefler's previous releases, I estimate that we're likely to see the remainder of this chapter released sometime this week. OTOH, this is a very special chapter that he's been building up to for over a hundred chapters, so if it takes more time for Tefler to be satisfied with it, I'm more than happy to patiently wait for that to occur.

Jammus1

Can someone help me out? How do you see the date/time of comments in iOS app?

thomas rodrian
>>41915351

The Patreon app does not seem to support datetime. Even in Android, which is weird, I can understand not supporting it on an Apple product but denying access to information on a real OS is weird.

Anonymous

I’ve no idea why he has chosen to write 30,000 word chapters, full novella length. Instead of 10,000 word ones. I’d

Chicken

I tried posting this last night but it seems to have gotten eaten by Patreon. What I was saying, with ~11k words left I don’t see how the PJ issue is solved in that little time. Tef has spent so much time setting this up, I don’t see him just getting it over and done with that quick. I suspect we will see the start of the fight but the conclusion will be in the next chapter or 135 will turn into a double chapter. I want to say Tef even said that about 4-5 chapters ago that 135 would be a double chapter. Hopefully everything is ok with his family and we see the end of this installment soon 👍

Anonymous

One option would be for Tef to post a bumper sized chapter. It is August so there is a good chance he will go on holiday and hence not really be able to make inroads in to Chapter 136. He could call 135 a double chapter and hence charge for a partially complete double, or he could leave us with a bumper chapter while he is on holiday, perhaps inviting our goodwill to support him in other ways (e.g. by pledging at the 2 dollar level in September in return for a couple of juicy harvest-time 2 dollar posts).

Anonymous

id be ok with it being a 10k dump to finish this chapter out, then another 10 k for this month to finish the battle TBH. i get that life happens and we are here as much to support him as we are for the story.

Anonymous
>>41957504

Tefler said John would confront PJ in 135. He never said it would be completed. ;~)

thomas rodrian

T-9,223,372,036,854,775,808

Anonymous
>>41894460

Cookie settings possibly? Or your browser is not keeping you logged in to Patreon? Or, like I suffer occasionally, hallucinations can be very realistic. And on a related note, Jade and her sisters are great dancers. But for some reason, they always want to dance to Billie Eilish.

Anonymous

What other authors are people supporting on Patreon while we're waiting. I'm following Vanessa Ravencroft - Erica's back in a new Tigershark novel, one of the better ones in the Tigershark series; Dragon Cobolt's latest is Pax Multi, all of his books are great and more than a bit quirky; BluDrayn Searching for the sky series is excellent too; and FortySixtyfour's AnimeCon Harem. They all publish on either literotica to storiesonline too.

Metheus108
>>42016951

I'm trying to support 40-64's Patreon too, but I really only like Trailer Trash, so its been a struggle.

Anonymous

Some good leads thanks

Anonymous

I was following another author on Patreon who had posted several chapters but he hasn’t posted anything in over a year and now his page says that he hasn’t made a post yet. Does anyone know why that would happen?

Anonymous
>>42036293

To many reasons, life, death, illness, work, family or combinations of all those, even something mundane like writers block, or loss of interest.

Kensyi

Any news on the rest of the chapter?

Metheus108

I just had a 'blast from the past' moment about Alyssa and it got me thinking about her motivation. In Chapter 6, Alyssa has this thought- "He had asked her to become a First Class Navigator in a roundabout sort of way, so she had thrown herself into his request with gusto." I was intrigued that this passage jumped out at me, because I didnt remember anything like that. So I went back to Chapter 4 again. She asks him about where they are and that "Stars are pretty!" so "John launched into a beginner's guide to Astro-Navigation." Soon after, John makes an encouraging, almost throwaway statement of "Keep this up and we'll make a first class navigator out of you in no time!" There was NO request in any sort of way for her to throw herself into with gusto, but she took his innocuous statement and ran with it. This seems to be her habit as she takes tangential journeys from innocent or misunderstood comments from John. Just seemed interesting as I read the whole thing yet again to see those early seeds of behavior.

Anonymous
>>42105517

Back then she was still under the compulsion aspect of the bond (tho' both were unaware of it at the time), so it makes more sense that she heard that innocuous sentence as somewhat of a command.

Rhys
>>42099214

Apparently not, I guess we'll have to keep waiting.....

thomas rodrian

I just heard there is a warrant out for the arrest of Admiral John Blake for insecticide and ichthyosis vulgaris. The Kirrix and Brimorians have asked the ACLU, Amnesty International, and UN Watch to assist in prosecution. The ACLU has agreed in principle to assist but BASF, Bayer, Dupont, Dow Chemical Company, Monsanto, and Syngenta have started a GoFundMe page for John’s defence. If anyone sees John, please tell him to hide while Admiral Hot Lips Lynette recruits for Charlies Angles.

Anonymous

Thomas I think that needs more acronyms

Anonymous

2 weeks and no update on part 2 of the chapter, has anyone heard from Tef or on discord? Getting a little worried.

Anonymous

The chapter was paid for two weeks ago though only half has been delivered and no further commentary from the author. Sadly the tardiness is getting old, as are the excuses....

Anonymous
>>42172345

Wow. Just wow. Excuses? Like his father suffering from cancer and going through heavy chemo? Yeah, getting old, for sure. Tefler's break-neck tardiness must've really spoiled you.

Anonymous

Tef I hope your Dad is doing good, family first!

Anonymous

Ahh the vitriol.... it appears Nchalada you believe name calling is reasonable and mature. WOW... RobMob you must be new, there have been numerous excuses prior to the one you mention... I have no issue with delays but don’t take payment in advance of delivery.

Wombat

What's the chances on Chapter 135 being magically bigger if I open it again? Really do hope all is well in the Teller household.

Ralf
>>42173579

You have already been delivered 19k words, there is no exact amount tef has guaranteed us per chapter. Just be happy and patient like the rest of us. A two week delay in the writer world is nothing compared to other authors

Anonymous
>>42173679

Magically? Chances are none. Hasn't stopped me from checking :)

Anonymous

As Jedi Khan says, there is no guarantee how long a chapter has to be. I've stated more than once, there is nothing magical about the 30,000 word figure per chapter he's been using. Personally I think he's nuts to grind out 30,000 words a month for us for what we pay him. It would be much better for him creatively to use a flexible chapter word count instead of ones carved in stone. He could end them wherever he likes and at a couple bucks a chapter I'm not going to bitch. If he would have joined Patreon a year later all his supporters would have been paying monthly stipends instead of per chapter ones anyways. Personally since he's doing it by chapters, I'd much sooner read a tight 10,000 word chapter like the earlier chapters in TSM were than a 30,000 word one that wanders all over the place because it's padded with filler content to get the word count up. I also think there's too a good chance that he'll say screw this and walk away from TSM before it's completed if the pressure of grinding it out continues in definitely. I don't know how many stories I started reading that just ended because either the writer got fed up, got writers block or died in some cases.

Arrowglass

So Tefler has some goals...and doesn't always meet them! Welcome to the real world!!!! I was raised to set goals for myself...short term and long range. At the same time, I had goals set by others. Growing up...college...grad school...business...that is daily life! Tefler provides us readers with a stimulating, fascinating, challenging, addicting story in TSM and I am thankful he does! Real life gets in the way often with our best intentions, so we roll with...adjust or re-think our objectives...then move on! It is much better to have a talented author adjust or extend his goals and produce the kind of exceptional work that Tefler does. We are all better for it and it is one reason his story generates the kind of discourse here and on Discord! Thank your lucky stars for Tefler and the TSM universe.

Arrowglass

If you want some excellent and further addictive side stories in the same universe, read those penned by Recurve33 and Kin in Discord under Fanfiction!!!!!!!!

Anonymous

I personally would be happy with shorter chapters if Tefler can take time to 'get it right'. Also, given the current circumstances I am willing to wait.

Anonymous

I really dislike all artificial influences on the creative process such as monthly deadlines and word limits. I would much rather receive variable length chapters with less padding on an irregular basis as the plot ideas dictate.

Anonymous
>>42210752

IIRC, Hemingway only wrote before lunch but daily. Stephen King writes as a 9 to 5 day job (well now at least, who knows while he was doing heavy cocaine in the past). And Ben Harper writes a song every day. But not much of this daily output makes it to print or a recording studio but I think they use it to explore other ideas and hone their craft. Ben Harper admitted that all most all of his "daily songs" are dreck. But he treats it like exercise to keep the "muscles" in tone. But I think most people have Michael Chabon's image of the writer in mind from Wonder Boys: the compulsive typing of someone with the "midnight disease".

G E

I am happy with the writing period. The artificial influences are not so artificial since they dictate how one gets paid. Nothing good in life is free.

Anonymous
>>42213922

They dictate *when* one gets paid, not how. Tefler gets paid the same per chapter no matter when he releases it, but if he hits a monthly deadline he gets that payment 1 month sooner than if he doesn't. That's an artificial incentive.

Anonymous

For everyone complaining about how long it's taking y'all need the hush. 1st off the man's dad is sick and idk what role he is playing in the care but it doesn't matter because he might be trying to spend time with his father before it's too late and it obvious some of y'all don't have loved one to spend time with if all y'all doing is bitching here. Second it's better to let a author that has never failed to deliver(albeit a bit late sometimes) a breathtaking chapter (as of late anyways). Can't speak for tefler but if you think your money entitles you to boss him around you need to go elsewhere

Arrowglass

Well said!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous
>>42218475

From what telfer has said, this chapter is going to be a epic battle between john and his guide. That is something that has been talked about and hinted at for over 50 chapters. As such I would rather Telfer took all the time he needs to make it up to his standards then rush because people want to see it.

Darrion

If you think you guys have been waiting a long time talk to readers on LTPC’s story endangered. Hasn’t uploaded in over a year and still doing posts charging saying it’s otw once or twice a month

Anonymous

Darrion LTPC isnt charging i am patreon do him too and he hasnt charge once only when he realse a chapter

Anonymous

Any news yet??

Anonymous

No offense but do y'all really have nothing else to do with your lives than wait for this chapter? Like another novel an anime, a show, exercise,etc.

Arrowglass

Congrats Tefler on reaching AND exceeding 3900 patreons!!!

thomas rodrian

After posting a spoof on one battle scenario, I wondered how many possible outcomes I could identify. While writing the following, I thought of a few other variations, but they were substantially encompassed within one of these. For example, in each scenario what happens post battle is irrelevant even if I can think of irreverent options. 1. Guide wins battle but Sakura fails to kill him 2. Guide wins battle and Sakura kills him 3. Neither Guide nor John are victorious – status quo 4. Neither Guide nor John are victorious – agree to work together 5. John wins battle and Sakura kills him 6. John wins battle but Sakura allows him to live

Anonymous

Why would Sakura kill John if he wins?

thomas rodrian
>>42255847

Mistaken identity. Right after the battle, John either does something unexpected or fails to complete a post battle handoff, so Sakura is compelled to kill John.

thomas rodrian
>>42251322

Just for complete disclosure: for two combatants with three potential outcomes, there are eight possible combinations. The two I left out were: 7. Both lose 8. Both win Intuitively, I think we can choose to ignore these scenarios. However, if you believed either are valid, please let me know. I just received permission from Mrs. Queen to sale the Tower of London.

Anonymous

Okay, if fantasy guide-battle outcome is the name of the game, here is my suggestion. Guide wins battle but John decisively weakens him so Sakura can kill the guide/John body, but the guide escapes to the astral and alerts Ranagon that he is being destroyed. If I recall rightly time in the astral is momentary in real time, so there can be another confrontation in which Ranagon either kills or neutralises the guide and alerts e.g. Alyssa to the fact that he has done so. John is not yet braindead so Rachel heals him, and he recovers. I don't know if this fits with all the mechanics of the Tefler universe, but it seems to me like a good combination of curve-balls and emotionally satisfying conclusions which are typically Teflerian.

Anonymous

What happens if he kills his guide and he loses all the hidden progenitor information he hasn't been able to access yet? What if he loses an important piece of himself that he didn't know was tied to his guide. What I'm curious about is, was the guide born evil or driven mad by being placed in solitary confinement for forty years? If it's the first then I don't know what can be done other than a long talk but if it's the second one then there's another solution. The guide gives up the hidden info then goes to live with Athena on her astral home. Maybe the love of a good woman straightens him out. Plus he's not alone anymore and she's strong enough where she doesn't take his crap. Of course this all happens after there's a big battle.

Anonymous
>>42262607

Would be a good idea but ranagon doesn't care about the guide. I bet it's either a overwhelming victory towards John or snatching victory from defeat somehow. Don't think the guide will actually win

Anonymous
>>42264591

Well the thing is he isn't actually destroying his guide as that would be destroying a piece of himself and that would literally be destroying about half his mind. He is gonna absorb him or that is the current plan and would thus gain all the knowledge

Anonymous

Mr. Tefler, as we understand Guide war will be a critical one, request you to close 135 soon and put guide war as 136 which will come on 31st August. This will support us many heartburns, waiting and unnecessary comments.

Anonymous

Wait I thought this chat is the guide war.

Jedi Khan
>>42289871

Kinda doubtful he'd finish 136 by the end of the month, especially considering he hasn't finished 135 yet and the month is already half over. He'd likely need most of September to finish 136.

Anonymous

Ohh Great Tefler, please take care of yourself and your family. While I am a fan of your amazing work, I'm an Even bigger fan of you staying alive and your family staying healthy. And I apologize for all of those who seem to have lost their humanity during this process.

Metheus108
>>42248290

I've been watching that climb up all week on my daily checks on this page. Congratulations Tef! 5000 by the end of the year?

Rhys

Take care Tefler, as much as I love reading this story, I can wait. I hope things are going OK.

Anonymous

OK I CAN'T DO IT ANYMORE!! I have been trying to wait for the rest of the chapter. But this is it. YOU DROVE ME TO THIS!!! . . . reading . . . .

Anonymous
>>42320616

Chuckle... Enjoy your latest run though of TSM.. I am already back to chapter 57.

Kim Biel-Nielsen

Tefler family is always the most important - so take care and whatever time you need. But please also keep you fans informed - it is much easier to wait if you have just an idea of how long. If you fail the plan is fine - just update the plan and nobody should get stressed or wearout the F5 key. 😎

thomas rodrian

Some days you wake up morose and then things start returning to normal. As you enter the living room you see the dog left a gift in your recliner again, you hear a neighbour yelling at the morning news anchor, another neighbour has been running his leaf blower for the last hour trying to get one final grain of sand off his driveway, and its already 90° in the shade. After cleaning up dog sick, you reclaim the recliner to join your neighbour yelling at the television. Of course, if I had something good to read, I would not be sitting here while my hairy bum tries to squeegee up water.

Anonymous

You all are a bunch of whinny , fretful, lost word junkies , scratching and dancing around waiting for your dealer to dole out your next fix get real , hell get a life , I am. I'm thinking a live chicken sacrifice might help Jobu give tefler some added inspiration, who's down for a voodoo ceremony to speed this up . Daddy needs his joy juice of words and NOW!

Arrowglass

I have to make a comment here! Ten years ago I went through my father having cancer, surgery and then radiation treatments. I dropped everything and flew home to take care of him and my mother who used a walker to get around...both in their 80's. He had never been down before...had bladder cancer for ten years and was treated with chemotherapy on and off between vacations they used to take. He lasted four months after I got there. For that period of time, he was my MAIN FOCUS and I stayed with them there the entire time. EVERYTHING else took second seat and I was not concentrating on anything but him/them. Fortunately, I had a support system and people I could trust to step in for me in regular daily life with minimal input from me. Tefler does NOT have anyone to "step in" for him as the author of TSM and most likely is focused and concentrating on his father and his battle with cancer. I can sympathize with him and understand what is important!

Anonymous

Hi guys. Felt like making a comment as Long term subscriber and I don’t interact too much or at all. Telfer keeps giving bitch comments and we’ve had months of slow out it and late releases. I run a business, Dad went through terminal cancer warning last year in UK. Still going. Father in Law died etc. All this life stuff happens but I still need to go into work as self employed or I risk mine and my employees livelihood.

Anonymous

I checked my account history and the average in 2017 was three posts it fell to two in 2018 and since then down to one post per month. I am not a writer so don’t have an opinion on writers block. I just observe what’s actually happened and how output has fallen irrespective. This is the first time I’ve commented in a few years, cheers for all the grief...

MoDangles
>>42382312

If I’m not mistaken, the drop in chapters per month coincides with an overall increase in chapter length. Could be wrong, but to this point feel it’s worth my monthly support just to get the chance to get an early read of his latest work, whenever he feels it’s ready to be published.

Kim Biel-Nielsen

It’s not the slow pace - quality takes time. And acrually given approximately 30k words a month and the complexity of the story - the pace is fine. The problem is the lack of information.

Anonymous
>>42387187

Yes I agree just a few words would be greatly appreciated

Anonymous

Why don’t we all pipe down and leave Tef in peace? The chapter will appear when it’s done. All this nit picking won’t make the process any shorter, and it surely must piss the tits off the author

Anonymous

Let me start by saying I am not an artist or writer. I do believe that inspiration a.k.a. someone’s muse is an irrational thing when you are distracted by real life it is difficult to be creative. I choose to cut Mr. Tefler some slack for that, we are each entitled to our own opinions, but I do think that people should respect his circumstances. I have noticed that his output has lowered but I believe that the quality of writing has improved and they may be related. I have no problem paying for a partial chapter based on the monthly cycle. I would have a problem with another charge without completing this chapter, but short of that I will be understanding. I do check several times a day to be sure, but I am not angry about it.

Anonymous

FFS people, cut the guy a little slack. We are all going through our own little pieces of hell right now because of this global pandemic, and Tefler has more than enough other issues that he is having to deal with. So please cut him the slack that he needs and enjoy what work he put up when he is able to put it up.

B S

I just look at is an opportunity to start at the beginning and devour 134chapters of EPICness, its amazing what u notice on a re read!!

Anonymous

A lot of suck ups posting. Teller obviously doesn't care either way. So unsubscribe or don't. Really, whether or not you criticize or suck up, makes no difference. Only money does. Do what you want to do. Just stop with the tug-a-war of groundless speculation and attacking each other. Its annoying as hell.

Anonymous

Ya’ll need to get kindle unlimited and leave the poor man alone to take care of family, life and writing at the pace needed. Lots of love Tefler, do right by your family and your loyal fans will stick with you until the progenitor threat is gone &lt;3

Tefler

I've added the second half of this chapter to the post. I hope you enjoy it! :)

Anonymous
>>42431549

Did the same about a week ago. Concur completely on the EPICness of it. LOL

TF4EVA

Thanks Tefler. You rock !!! As always worth the wait and waiting now patiently for the next exciting chapter. Thanks agan and hope all is well with you and yours.

Arrowglass

Thank you!

Anonymous

Thank you good sir, take a nice long nap :)

Muledrvr

Yay,just in time for dinner

rich ed

Yuss, thank you good sir

Anonymous

Awesome thx tefler

BrianM

Thanks Mr. Tefler. Take care!

Anonymous

The fight barely started and,its already over,the chapter i mean.John is a very pathetic hero,at least that is how he is being portrayed by Tefler.Its the ladies to the rescue,once again,i think.We shall find out at the end of the month.

Bp Hlpt

Thank you, Tefler!

Timtom12
>>42442804

Behind every strong man is a strong women, or a whole bunch of them in this case, but that's what makes the story so fun!

GDay (FMS)

Thank you Tefler it is greatly appreciated...

Anonymous

And we have another Fantastic Tefler CliffHanger. THanks Tefler, this is Great.

Kensyi

Damnit Tefler, stupid cliffhangers. Loved it

Anonymous

Groovy! Another cliff hanger. And another long wait. Oh well, shoulda known better......

Anonymous

should have known better, great work, but still feel....... empty

Arrowglass

I wonder if John is really that inept...or if he is playing the "cat to the mouse" as Jade suggested...letting PJ get complacent...see what his plans are...where he is coming frrom...how much power he has? Heck of a cliffhanger though! He must have changed his mind as Ch. 136 will be the main battle now!

MeCherAmigos

Thanks, Tefler, a very good chapter and cliffhanger. I'm still impressed by your plotting and character development. John has to grow into his destiny, not just inherit it. I really love what you did with the Guide.

André Lange

Wasnt this supposed to be the chapter where John actually had the fight... not just a damm cliffhanger! That sucks...

Anonymous

Nooooooo why did you leave such a evil cliff hanger??????????

thomas rodrian

Three Square Meals - Chapter 135 - part 1.docx has minor edits.

Evan

Thank you, Tefler!

Anonymous

wow part 2 was amazing

thomas rodrian

One of the shortest fights in the history of progenitor-kind. ¡Adios amigo!

David Shmilowitz

Is this the final version of the chapter, or is there still editing and scene adding to do?

Anonymous

polygonic? polygonal

Anonymous

Oh Tef! You bad, bad person! Master of the hanging ending

The Crimson King

From Sakura right up until he finished his goodbyes and went in to face his guide, that was heart-wrenching.

Matthew Marrinan

Yet again John “assumes” and pays the price. You’d think he’d have learned by now that going against a galaxy-devouring races’ creation would not be a cakewalk! He spent so much time saying goodbye to the girls, then just immediately set PJ free and got flattened. I’m picturing the next chapter starting with him captive, and PJ doing the usual villains gloating and saying what he plans, until some miracle probably helped by the girls saves him.

Anonymous

was a decent chapter altho i was exspecting more of an in depth ending with the fight with his guide and finding out the outcome...man u have a tendency for huge cliff hangers!

ringill

Spotted a couple of telepathic and normal speech mismatches: From part 1 Feeling relieved that he’d been able to help Helene, John slipped out of the bedroom, being careful not to disturb her. *Is Sparks still in the Workshop?” From part 2 *I wanted to talk with you before I cut our connection... to tell you how much I appreciate everything you’ve done for me,” John began.

Anonymous

Ugggggg... your killing me. Another great chapters that leads to another huge cliffhanger

Marauder

Given John "plunged into darkness" I guess we can assume he lost and passed out. If so, can he just please die? Because at this point, he hasn't contributed to the story in a very long time. He's ineffectual, useless, whiny, weak in body and mind, and a complete incompetent who is dragging the girls and everyone else down. I can already hear the outraged screaming from some. But think about it for a moment. Beyond being a jizz dispenser. What has John's contribution been since Alyssa effectively became the leader of their group, became the uncorrupted Kythfaren who gets recognized by the ghosts on the Astral plane, etc. Pretty much all the fights, all the events, everything would've turned out the same if John hadn't been around. Some of them would've been easier and safer without his meddling and overestimating himself. At this point, just slap his dick on Alyssa and call it a day.

Marauder
>>42452806

The girls shouldn't save him. He's not worth it. He had a million chances to deal with PJ, he never did. And now he completely lost against him in a one on one duel. The girls bailing him out over and over and over again just helps to show how worthless, useless, weak, and whiny John really is. They deserve better, and this point even PJ would be better than him.

Duncan Smith

Superb Tefler. I enjoy the story Immensely and look forward to each and every release.

Anonymous

Well been following tefler since the 2nd or 3rd chapter. I loved the burnt-out "hero" John was. Loved his good heart and level head. Loved his progression on finding how much stronger he was getting and how he was becoming a "hero" again and still kept his values. Things were great, funny ( first invictus upgrade at genthalas as an example) and he felt more like the man he should be than the one he has become. Well it sometimes feels like he turned into an emo teenager (nothing wrong with emo teenagers but not my type of character. I like strong characters). Being less pro-active and riding with the flow more than he should have knowing the progenitor war coming. Getting his girls saving him time and time again. Alyssa has been the fierce warrior he should have been, growing all the time, pushing ahead, never backing against adversity. I can hear Yoda tell her "Do or Do Not. There is no try." Alyssa doesnt try. She does. ( I feel she would have been the ultimate jedi/sith.) And in this case is doing a much better job at being the progenitor than john did for a long time. She has convictions and push forward and learns from her mistakes. Gives her 100% at all times. John however feels like rarely do he give his 100%. And only when one of his girl is in danger does he ramp it up to about 80ish%(my feeling anyways). When the nymph (forgot her name) made him understand the predator vs prey mentality, i thought we had found him again but no. Im hoping that when he beats his progenitor self, he will become as fierce and unflinching as alyssa or the other progenitors. Time will tell. While waiting for the next chapter, i would recommend reading Battleborne by Dave Willmarth from kindle unlimited. Its a litRPG but its not annoying with so many stats etc. Skulldudgery is pretty good too.

Anonymous

Thank you kindly Tef.

Anonymous

"...he asked, slipping an arm around his waist." her waist?

Anonymous
>>42465955

"...I had quite the checkered history. I imagine..." chequered?

Brian Woods

So...chapter thoughts! Firstly, oh Tefler, you bad bad boy, gilding the lily as much as you can to buy time to finish the fight...If we didn’t like you so much for your writings we might be inclined to believe you aren’t quite sure how to finish a fight you’ve supposedly had plotted for months, if not years ;P. On a serious note, I am slightly disappointed you chose to put off the true fight yet another chapter, though real life must be seriously getting in the way to force such an issue, out thoughts and prayers are with you. Secondly, interesting info dumps regarding the suit designs and black metal, as well as possible twists regarding his ‘destiny’ and the Kyth’faren archives, and a distinct chance of explaining the Guide’s ‘corruption’ as an ancient plot of revenge from beyond death. Third and finally, I see only three possible outcomes following the cliffhanger you placed before us: one, John is dropped into some kind of dark mental abyss to be tortured by the mad Guide, whereby his thoughts of the girls give him strength to win by having his life flash before his eyes; two, he has passed out, and the Guide engages a twofold fight against the girls and a trapped John, leading to the girls ‘helping’ John win his battle somehow; finally, with Sarinia and her plots still on the horizon, it’s possible, though highly unlikely, that you might use John as a hostage and force some extended time with the Guide in charge, and maybe even push it past Gahl’kalgor’s arrival and subsequent defeat. Of those, I must begrudgingly admit the first option is your best, and quite frankly, only option at this point: if for no other reason, John HAS to take out the Guide alone so as to maintain his status as protagonist, Marauder is correct on this point. If you force feed us a tag team battle with everyone fighting, you WILL cheapen John’s overall contributions to simply sharing his magic spend to prop up Alyssa’s solidification as the actual heroine of the story. If that’s your goal, very well, but know that many fans will be shocked, disappointed, and maybe feel a little cheated by the move. As always, eagerly awaiting the story to come...good luck and God bless!

Tefler
>>42466758

I do have the fight planned out, but it felt wrong to just brush over the build up to it. John's never really faced a serious threat without the girls assisting him in some way and this is against a pivotal enemy who has been an antagonist for over 100 chapters. It would've felt like a disservice to the characters to gloss over John seeing each of them a final time before that fight. I also wanted to illustrate just how traumatic it was for the girls to have their psychic connection to John broken for a couple of reasons. One of which was to show that this is not "just another fight" that they could've done in a spare five minutes. John confronting his guide and attempting to merge with him requires considerable effort on his part... this was not something he could do on a whim (or when Rahn'hagon was about to execute him!). Hopefully the next part of the story should be interesting! :-)

Anonymous

[Peeks out from behind the couch. Does a happy dance because the chapter update has been posted. Sinks back down to read it over lunch.]

David Shmilowitz

this reminds me of seeing the loading bar at 98% on the computer. just hoping my willpower can hold out until the chapters final version so i can finally read it and not have to avoid the other comments to dodge spoilers.

Anonymous
>>42461089

Well said as to how he has been acting. I am thinking it has something to do with his guide's influence. I think the guide comment at the end might have been alluding to this( asking about "only memories" ). Guess we will see at the end of next chapter.

Metheus108
>>42447147

I have a feeling that something in that memory dump from PJ is going to be a key. Its sort of like the end of The Last Dragon where you had a very powerful but very conceited enemy that seems to hate order and meditation being overcome by the strength of calm motivation. John beat PJ before he even knew it was there, just by being calm and ordered and focused (and OCD.) This may very well play out like that or the end of the Matrix where Neo suddenly "got it" and realized how easy it was to beat an artificial construct.

Anonymous

just to confirm where that one ended...... fight loading?

Anonymous

We'll take whatever you can dish, Tefler! But seriously, you're doing great. Been waiting for this astral confrontation forever it seems, and I'm excited to see what you've come with after all this time. Also, I can't get over how the scenes that hit me with the hardest feels always seem to be about the non-human crew members of the Invictus crew. Maybe it's because we human readers automatically expect the emotional responses from John and The Girls, so reading that Faye just wants to be a real girl or about Daphne being rendered speechless over the fact that she's so treasured carries an unexpected weight. Keep it coming!

TF4EVA
>>42455911

and probably a lot of complaining by us fans that the next chapter or part thereof is taking too long - we too spoilt!!

Anonymous

That 's what was missing. One of the girls should have given John the "strike fast, strike hard, no mercy" speech. As it is, he wandered in there and let himself be lulled into trying to learn and understand when he should have had his shield up, a first and a second strike ready, and been ready to battle.

Anonymous

the king of the cliff hanger reines

Anonymous

Very satisfactory ending, and a great set up for the next. I sorta like getting a half chapter every 2-3 weeks.

Robar

Please get this next chapter up soon

Anonymous

Now THAT"s the way to write a cliffhanger! AWESOME!!!

Bp Hlpt

I, like @Marsha, have no problem with half chapter releases. To those that don't like it, maybe think of them as two different chapter releases, with every other one being free. :)

Rhys

Thanks!

bigdawguw65
>>42456836

without John all the girls would be long dead by now . He carried most of the fighting in the beginning until he got all the girls up to a level they could protect themselves &amp; aid him . He has been the one to come up with the wild-ass plans that carried the day ( Battle of Regulus , Jade aping Athgiloi , &amp; others ) .He doesn't just dispense the jizz , it allows his access to do all the modifications that have made the girls such kick ass warriors . He just single handed whipped out a Kirrix Queen &amp; her whole Armada . Without John this tale doesn't happen &amp; if he dies so do the rest (eventually ) . While all the girls are acknowledged as wounded birds , but John has been just as burdened with his past &amp; none of them has a alter-ego piggybacking his mind ready to kill them , so just cut the man a little slack already .

TF4EVA
>>42512808

if they don't like half chapters stop reading and wait till a whole chapter is done. A half TSM chapter is a book compared to some other authors and at least Tefler isn't making us wait years!!!! As someone mentioned earlier took Jim Butcher way too long to produce Peace talks and yes Endangered, missing dragon and Ahzuras Warlock story come to mind

Anonymous

Thanks for the chapter Tefler. Looking forward to John discovering a new strength within himself to overcome PJ. You've masterfully drawn out this confrontation. I thought it was coming back in chapter 90. I hope John gets all sorts of advanced progenitor lore as a reward like a way to jump to Larn's old empire and take those ships before the new antagonist attacks. Then of course he'll have to imbue all those vessels with love infused psychic metal, but that should be no problem once we get back to Maliri space (: Hope everything is well with you and your loved ones. Again take all the time you need to finish your chapters. Splitting them is fine by me.

Anonymous

Just curious, I can see the other girls being upset at John breaking the link, but why Alyssa. John turned her into a Progenitor but she has since morphed into a ... Ky' ... you know who I mean. Anyway she has her own power and is not dependent on John, and the link should have less effect on her now.

Anonymous

I HATE CLIFFHANGERS!!

Anonymous

After such a long wait for this long-anticipated battle between John and his evil Guide, now that it is finally underway I am more than happy to exercise my patience for the outcome. Well, for the next 4 weeks at any rate. The one little niggle that I have had in recent months is that John, with the Invictus and its crew, seem to have been heading back to Genthalas in ever-increasing slowness. It is like a carrot being dangled in front of us until the carrot is nothing more than a black, shrivelled, dessicated husk. Think about it for one moment. In real time, it is now well over a year since John stated that he was 'racing' to be with Edraele and the Young Matriarchs again, and we have had countless interruptions and hesitations along the way. This one sole factor has had the effect of, in my mind, slowing the whole story down almost to a dead stop. Unfortunately, the pace of much earlier chapters seems to have vanished and we have become mired in the minutiae of interpersonal as well as galactic relationships. I look forward to when our esteemed storyteller decides to take the brakes off and picks up the general pace yet again.

Anonymous

Thanks for the chapter we Tefler 😊

Dan

Tef, bang up job on exacting a wonderful story from all of these webs you've woven.

Hinterlands Man

Gotta hand it to ya Tef, you pulled a sneaky and just dropped one of your most poignant, well-paced chapters ever. We really appreciate the heart and soul you put into this saga.

David Shmilowitz

I'm a bit confused because of how stretched out the release of this chapter has been. Is this the final version or is there still more editing to be done?

Jedi Khan
>>42609909

Always more editing. It's not the "final" until it's been posted to the free sites, and even then it might change some more when Tefler gets around to adding it to the ebooks.

Anonymous

Theory....John will win the fight but he will not absorb his guide. He will reject the darkness and destruction that will come along with the guide....yes this means giving up the progenitor knowledge as well. He will figure out he doesn’t need it. And is doing so he will purge all the Remaining progenitor Influence within him and become pure Kyth’feren

Anonymous
>>42633106

I agree, I too think John will kill PJ and not absorb him only to find PJ was holding him back. Not a treasure trove of info. Because PJ's info is the way of hate and not the way of love the Kyfrin(sp) believe and share power

Jim lynch

Oh bloody hell I hate these cliffhangers they are truely torturous and your so god dam good at them. I’m either getting soft in my old age or your a bloody good author of sentimental romance parts of writing when John had his talk with Daphne my bloody waterworks started and the wife and daughter noticed I’ve had nothing but taunting all afternoon with no end in sight so once again thank you tefler and please hurry with chapter 136 part 1.

Kris

I figure it might play out where the guide defeats John, Alyssa says John is defeated, Sakura kills John, Alyssa brings him back to life like John did to others, and John is back, minus a guide. That would allow all of the build up of the various characters to come to fruition.

Anonymous
>>42664508

No offense, but I hope you're wrong. Ever since the middle of this story John 's somehow became less. He can't get anything done without Alyssa doing it for him or telling one of the other girls to do it for him. Please Tef, let John do something impossible for himself once. Let him be a hero for once. Of course this will never happen. If it did, then that means Tef wasted the whole Sakura trained to kill him arc. I just hope he doesn't make John look like such a pansy this time around. On another note, no matter how much I complain I love this story. Excellent work Tefler. Prayers for your family.

Anonymous
>>42664508

Couldn’t agree more....love how exceptional the girls are but not a fan of them surpassing John them way they have....let John win on his own...save Sakura to fight other progenitors.

Anonymous
>>42664508

My vague expectation is something very broadly along the lines of John winning once he believes in himself. As Athena says, "You're well beyond the point where you were ready to absorb him" so there's something standing in the way and given what we know about progenitors, self-confidence is likely the answer. Alternatively, all the careful plans for "just in case" screw up and it's the guide preparing to kill one of the girls that tears it.

Anonymous
>>42494065

Could John not get the girls to give him all the psychic energy they could afford (with the exception of Sakura, obviously) before breaking the link so he was as psychicly prepared as possible before facing his guide?

Marauder
>>42664508

Tony, John became less for two reasons. He's grown within the boundaries of the story, the girls have not. While thought went into John to make certain he doesn't grow too quickly and is too competent. No such limits were applied to the girls. They've grown in bounds and leaps. The other reason is that a lot of their growth came as John's expense. Calara taking over orchestrating the battles and commanding? That was John's role prior. Sakura doing all the crazy melee fighting? John's role prior. Alyssa pretty much leading, coordinating, making the decisions, etc. And having the whole "being able to talk mentally to everyone/being connected to everyone"? That was once John's role, except for the talking to people mentally. All their growth came at his expense, ever diminishing him. Further, he's used as metric for their growth, showing how they grew, caught up, and then left him in the dust. Think about it for a moment. When he started training Calara and co in melee fighting. He was the one who was competent at it. Now they're more "humouring" him and playing with him. Actively holding back so they don't just run him over. The same is the case for all other aspects.

Grandizer

I am thinking he will defeat his guide, and as others above have stated, not absorb him. I am not sure if he will dump him in the other realm though, or if he will re imprison him inside of himself again. I do think that he will have to find a way to "convert" the black metal to the white metal, I am thinking that it will be a combo type thing with a few of the ladies and at least one of the Nymphs. And like shaping, it will get easier the more it is done. Thinking more on it, it would not surprise me that others can do it as well. That way he can send a BUTTLOAD of Malari subjects to do it while he continues doing other things.

Marauder
>>42710683

Imprisoning the guide is just kicking the can down the road. One way or another, the guide needs to be dealt with, permanently.

Anonymous
>>42664508

Isn’t that kind of everyone’s point...progenitors are supposed to be the ultimate force in the galaxy...at least for what is currently known...what John has accomplished in developing the girls is incredible. However, despite that accomplishment. As a group they were barely a match for Larn Kelnar.. that fact that John has not grown all that much is a disappointment. Don’t get me wrong John has shown growth with his psychic strength. Rahn says he has never seen anyone as strong as John, but he was no match for Larn, or his guide. The inconsistency’s are not adding up.

Tefler
>>42664508

Raw psychic strength =/= combat effectiveness. John isn't used to fighting psychic opponents and is learning how to harness his new abilities. Rahn'hagon was impressed by John's strength, but did not watch the Larn'kelnar battle.

Tefler

@Marauder. You've been very vocal about how John is now a redundant character and that he should be replaced by Alyssa, but if he died, the whole team would immediately fall to pieces. You've read how they all reacted when John severed his psychic connection to the network... how do you think they'd react if he was killed? As for growth of the other characters coming at his expense, I disagree with every point you've raised: Calara started as the Invictus' gunner, and expanded her role to fleet command. John's never done that. He was a Marine Commander, not a Bridge Officer... Calara was recruited specifically to fill that role! He tends to come up with the unorthodox Hail-Mary plans that save the day: peacefully averting the Maliri civil war, bluffing the Terran traitors into surrendering at Regulus, getting Jade to mimic Deep Lord Athgiloi... they were all his ideas. Sakura has spent a lot of the recent battles in the Valkyrie, not fighting in melee. John discussed this point with her just a few chapters ago, because Sakura wasn't spending any time fighting at his side. They've talked about working closer as a team vs Progenitors, but I really don't see how you could think she's replaced him. Alyssa has always been coordinating with the rest of the girls behind the scenes, ever since I introduced telepathy via the bond. John speaks to the crew in person and resolves whatever's bothering them... that's not changed at all. Alyssa has been acting more independently recently, but there's a specific reason why that's been happening. He's still their leader and she still defers to his decisions. As to the final point: when have any of the girls been "humouring" John in melee training? I can't remember a single scene where that happened.

Evan
>>42725701

Tefler, I agree with every point you made, with one exception. Alyssa 'humors' John every time she teases him about going to watch Calara and Sakura train, with comments regarding *her* focus on the *end* of their training. [At least, I find it humorous and I believe that both she and John do, too.]

Anonymous
>>42664508

Tef, you are the artist and this your work of art. You see the big picture while we only see the random colors and stray lines. In the future when we get to see the whole masterpiece I'll probably feel stupid. Until then I'll grumble and complain but you should know we all love your story. If we didn't we would stop reading and stop commenting here. Even when we don't agree with everything you write we can't stop reading this story. Good work Mr. Tef. Can't wait for the next two chapters.

Anonymous
>>42725701

Thanks to quarantine I just finished a read through from the start and I have to say everything holds together so well. I especially enjoyed the space battle scenes in the re-reading. Really nicely done Tefler, looking forward to the next pages. Thank you for sticking with it.

Anonymous
>>42710683

I don't think they'll be able to recreate the black metal. But both Alyssa and Helene have been able to destroy it anyway. I'm predicting a Love Lance based on the Vulkat &amp; Ashanath psychic emitter tech that can blast right through a Progenitor dreadnought.

Grimlakin

Here's the twist.. John absorbs his guide and becomes harder until the girls teach him to love again.. Or he just wins. This guide thing is a pain in the ass and not my favorite story arc by far. Maybe it's just. Covid....

Anonymous
>>42710683

i'm thinking as they can't make the black metal, and John and the girls have a different relationship to a progenitors would normally do, think this way, the power source is different John uses from the girls, even stronger than what normal projenitors use, remember the times when Alyssa got love drunk, that is the pure power they are using and a metal could be made from that, much stronger than the dark metal made from hate/fear/souls

Brian Woods
>>42710683

So...to the point of creating black metal, let’s look at this formulaically. In order to craft black metal, one needs several things: first, the inorganic elements useful in constructing metal alloys, such as onyxium, but for the moment that’s the only piece we know is needed for laser immune armor; second is psychic power, as evidenced by the metal being psychically reactive, and obviously the thrall energy infused within it; finally, the actual forging process itself, conducted presumably by a Soul Forge, which produces the metal in sheets from personal body armor size to dreadnaught plates. Theoretically, the Forge does everything from combining the materials into a usable product to infusing the metal with the echoes of a thrall’s spirit energy; therefore, the secret lies either in the metallic alloy itself and the elements that construct it, the amount of psychic energy infused into the product, or the catalyst used to forge and complete the finished metal. If the first, all Dana needs is the exact composition of the metal and they have the necessary power requirements and a completed Soul Forge on standby. If power is the prerequisite, John has already proven his access to an incredibly large reserve of energy to apply to the task. This leads me to think, as I don’t believe it could be quite that simply, the third option is correct, in that there is a process the Forge completes that catalyzes the metal into a finished product, something suitably evil and spooky, possibly requiring death and/or pain to work. That leads me to think that Helene and her empathic abilities will be necessary, not to convert black metal to positive use, but rather to reinforce Crystal Alyssium in a similar fashion as the Soul Forge does and make her ultimate material an equivalent product. Thoughts?

Anonymous

My first comment here. I've shied away from commenting in the past to give it more time before expressing my opinion, but I felt it needed to be said. This chapter was a waste of time. Too much filler content and not much progress. When I compare to the first few chapters in the beginning there is a world of difference in story progression. So much content in this chapter (and a few previous chapters) was repetitive.

Brian Woods
>>42725701

Tefler, while I agree that Marauder is a little ‘insistent’ in stating that John is redundant, the point has some weight to it: this particular arc, from recruiting Edraele to the Larn’kelnar fight till now, has almost exclusively focused on the girls and their improvements, either in personal psychic power or with battlefield/technological experience. While I’ll agree that John came up with the idea of ending the Civil War, Faye and Calara actually executed his plan with their own details. Sakura fighting in a Gundam-style robot, armed with a giant sword and tachyon lances, kinda makes her a spaceborn melee fighter in execution by carving up enemy ships at close to mid-range while doggedly avoiding any returning artillery fire. Alyssa has been quoted saying she does what John needs, not necessarily what he says, and while that doesn’t contradict your point she HAS manipulated him into following HER decisions as opposed to his directives, specifically in NOT telling him things until it’s too late to argue effectively. I, for one, will patiently await how you plan to solve that little conundrum, but others can and will find it exasperating to drag it on as long as it has. Finally, Calara does sort of ‘humor’ him during sparring, as with her future-vision she could effortlessly drop him to the mat every time they fight, suggesting that they spar for enjoyment rather than merit in honing one’s skill. Back to the original point, though, like I said earlier this current arc seems to drop John more into a supporting role, showcasing the girls and their improvements in their respective roles: each one gaining new powers, solidifying those powers and the tasks associated with them, coordinating with their Matriarch psychically to run a tight and efficient ship, and generally becoming the pieces needed to help John and the universe. Other than the fight against Baledranax, which John fought sans powers, and the massacre on that Kirrix planet where John annihilated 10,000 or more insects, John has not been as...crucial to the plot as some feel he should be. This is compounded by the last 10 or so chapters following the Larn fight, as John has seemed somewhat aimlessly drawn along from plot point to plot point, almost not making any decisions at all and letting things drag him to each encounter. I fully expect the upcoming story to put such thoughts fully to bed, but one must acknowledge such musings ARE relatively relevant. My two cents, at least...:)

Marauder
>>42664508

Tony, yeah I love the story. Which is specifically why I'm so frustrated by the developments. Tefler, the problem in my opinion is. The girls have no such problems. And they all run circles around John in terms of psychic powers. They all are naturals at it, they all put him to complete shame, their powers are stronger, more destructive, more versatile, less limited, and they instantly know how to use them. This makes John look inept and incompetent. Solely because he's the only one struggling. Combine this with him effectively having lost his place and role. He used to be the leader, the protector, the one they turned to when they needed help. All of these things have been taken over by other characters, primarily Alyssa. At this point, John seems more like a mascot the girls are humoring. :(

Marauder
>>42725701

Tefler, I love the story. Which is specifically why I disliked the slow decline of John's character. His loss of role and purpose. Brian Woods points out some of the issues but in my opinion, this is more of a slow development coming to a head and reaching a critical point. As for the girls being devasted. Sure they would be because they love him. But that does not mean he's an integral character, their leader, the one whom they are following. He's their main love interest (aside from their pairings which might be of equal or greater importance), and the group's mascot. Calara started as the Invictus gunner, which was fine. She has however since expanded her role not just into fleet command but GENERAL STRATEGIST. Yes, John is occasionally giving his input. But all their battle plans, all their decisions during battles, all the planning, large scale strategy, etc is done by Calara. When John is trying to decide what to do, he usually asks Calara. Muses a bit, asks her again and she ultimately makes the decision. When it comes to large scale tactical decisions and battles. It's almost exclusively Calara who leads the group. This is something John used to do, now he's following her lead. Go through the story, find a situation where he disagreed with her or overrode her decision. It basically does not exist. Sakura has spent a lot of time away from the group. That's for certain. However each time she was around, such as the assault on the assassins base or during their training. She has completely outplaced, shown up, and run circles around John. She's faster, more skilled, and all-around better than him. The only reason she hasn't completely rendered him redundant is that she's been fairly absent. As for Alyssa, I wholly disagree. She's their leader by now. John is specifically excluded from most of the going on's. In many ways, him lacking the telepathy makes him an outsider in his own group. Alyssa has been making her own decisions for a long time, decisions that became ever more far-reaching and extreme. She's been outright going against John's decisions and wants, because "she knows better". She's been hiding things from him, made decisions he didn't know about till it was too late to change anything about them, etc. She's pretty much undermining him left and right, treating John more like a petulant teenager she has to handle rather than someone she should take into consideration. Her casually sleeping with those two other girls, making sweeping decisions about the outer rim colonies, what she did to his mother, and so on and on and on. And she just gives John a slight "tehe, silly me" promising she totally won't do it again till she inevitably does shortly after and John just goes along with what she wants. If John is the leader, she's the shadow ruler making the actual decisions. And she very clearly does not defer to him nor respect his decisions. As for the melee training. Both Sakura and Calara with seeming ease and regularly beat John and need to hold back on using their psychic abilities and powers as they would completely overwhelm him otherwise. John has been used as a metric for their growth here, except it makes him look stagnant in comparison. Diminishing him.

Anonymous
>>42737333

Most definitely. I think Tefler's goal was to set up atmosphere and tension though. This story has always been about the emotions honestly and tefler never misses a chance to show them

Anonymous

Keep up the amazing work mate! I hate cliffhangers in the midst of an encounter, but I trust you to take the story where you want it!

Anonymous
>>42725701

Don’t forget how Rachel can totally outclassed John with shielding. When John tries to Barack through Rachel”s barrier, she just yawns. And has to put nearly no effort in maintaining the barrier. Until Sakura joined and together they overwhelmed her.

Anonymous
>>42737333

True....but the foreplay is getting a bit old.. the guide confrontation has been building for a little over 100 chapters by now. What more needs to be said

Anonymous

Loved the long setup for the battle to come. The guide intends to try to be dominant and has knocked John down, but I suspect not completely out. When the guide "wakes up/surfaces" and becomes aware he has no matriarch, and a complete lack of awareness about how John has developed the skills of his team since he last controlled John for any length of time, he will grossly underestimate everyone in the hanger, as well as being really mad and lash out at everyone there. I suspect a complex process of holding him i.e. with complex shields while not hurting him (too much) as he tries to acquire his matriarch again(without much success I expect). I am wondering if the 3 matriarchs are still able to communicate with each other, and share power while disconnected from John. I visualize John in a virtual choke hold with everyone convincing the Guide to let John proper return to control. The shock of being disconnected may wear off, while the Guide is probed to find and help John (if possible). Meanwhile Sakura will be standing ready......... it should not come to that I hope/expect. There are likely to be some injuries as it may be a violent affair like when battling Larn.

Anonymous

gonna update later turn whole thing into 1 doc?

MeCherAmigos
>>42737333

John is going to battle for not only his future but the girls and the worlds they represent. I saw John having an emotional farewell that Tefler felt is needed to set John apart from every other Progenitor and even Terran out there. Remember his mission is to destroy the Progenitors - tough to do when you are one yourself. I think Tefler could well have ended this chapter even earlier than he did and that would have either left you feeling it's all fluff or allowed you to see the psychological drama of the moment. Remember folks: Tefler has covered about six months of story time in 135 chapters - not exactly a race to the finish now is it? This next chapter, when John either dies or absorbs his guide and unlocks his Progenitor genetic technological library will not carry the story over the finish line, but it may well end the beginning.

Anonymous
>>42725701

Why have specialists in a team if the team leader is better at everything? Of course, every girl is better than John at their speciality, that is what he trained them for. It is the goal of every good boss that he enables his team members to decide on their own, so he doesn't have to be everywhere and micromanage. This can lead to differences, but in the long run is much more efficient, especially for bigger teams. Alyssa really knows John, because she reads his every thought. Even the thoughts he might not want to admit to himself. So she might make decisions she thinks will be good for John, that he would not have made himself. It happens in relationships.

Anonymous
>>42725701

@Marauder: Telling an author to go through his own story can come off as kind of rude...

Anonymous
>>42797794

Hope it doesn’t go that way....that would just once again prove how John is unable to handle anything without the aid of the girls.

Brian Woods
>>42725701

JPM, two things: one, if such a thing as that were to happen in a loving relationship, there would inevitably be a discussion about boundaries and how one would need to ask for permission on several issues, i.e. while it might be okay to surprise your lover with a nutritious breakfast as opposed to a delicious one, it is not okay to schedule a proctological exam for them because you are worried about their physical health; second, Alyssa is doing all these things precisely because SHE thinks it’s what’s best for him, taking much of the decision making process out of his hands. It usurps his authority as leader and commander, as she implements her vision of his best life: he no longer has control of his destiny. That’s why I cling to a comment Tefler posted previously, that she’s acting this way for a specific purpose to be later revealed. I trust his literary skills will deliver on the premise’s promises XP.

Marauder
>>42725701

JPM. There's a problem with "team leader better at everything" when the team leader is WORSE at absolutely everything. When the team leader brings nothing to the table beyond his own presence. His team being "specialists" is great, except the "leader" here isn't good at ANYTHING. Also, he's not the one actually leading or micromanaging. That's Alyssa. And she does not what he wants, but what she thinks he needs/should happen. And at times outright goes against him behind his back. Brian points out what's wrong with her behaviour quite well. Having the girls be competent, having them have their roles, their contribution, etc is fine. But not when it comes at John's expense and leaves John with no role and purpose whatsoever. Right now every single last one of the girls could beat John silly with little effort. Pretty much all of them could instantly use some king of psy-shielding. John struggled to do some minor bucklers and they had to train and belittle him for it to work out. Then the girls instantly learned to just spin their shields. Something John had trouble with.

Marauder
>>42797794

So, basically once again John would come off as completely inept and useless. With the girls having to solve his problems for him?

Tefler
>>42725701

"Right now every single last one of the girls could beat John silly with little effort." It's statements like this that make your entire argument seem ridiculous. Do you genuinely believe that Helene could beat John in a fight? Because that's what you just stated. They actually discussed this in the story and John said that there are only three girls strong enough to beat him... Sakura, Alyssa, and Jade. That was also with the proviso that he was fighting unarmoured and didn't have his runesword. In a no-holds barred fight, the only one who might stand a chance of defeating him is Alyssa.

Brian Woods
>>42725701

Now, Tefler, to be honest, IF we consider that Helene could reverse her empathic abilities to harm instead of heal, it’s possible if highly unlikely that given all the neuroses John has, she could leave him a blubbering ball curled up on the floor sucking his thumb and crying about his momma. Just saying...:)

Anonymous
>>42725701

"if such a thing as that were to happen in a loving relationship, there would inevitably be a discussion about boundaries and how one would need to ask for permission on several issues" Which is exactly what happens, when John confronts Alyssa. "Alyssa is doing all these things precisely because SHE thinks it’s what’s best for him, taking much of the decision making process out of his hands" Alyssa is not only John's partner but his XO as well. As such, she has to make decisions for the crew as a whole, sometimes without asking first. She is in a unique position to do so because she knows his thoughts. In some instances, when John is emotionally involved, she might even be able to make better decisions. If she thinks so, she takes the initiative and acts - which may result in failure, but in the case of John's mum may as well lead to very beneficial end results. Of course, being in a working, as well as a romantic relationship with somebody, especially a telepath has its own challenges, but I think John and Alyssa manage quite well.

Tefler
>>42725701

"she could leave him a blubbering ball curled up on the floor" How? Helene's not strong enough to break through his mental defences. She can only affect John's mood if he allows her to do so.

Brian Woods
>>42725701

Ah, but if we consider that she is of a similar power level to the Vulkat Queen, even with John’s mental defenses he was feeling anxious and on edge during their encounter. For all he’s been feeding her, and with her surprising display of strength holding back Tamolith’s grief, are you suggesting she hasn’t yet reached the level of power necessary to affect John without his consent? That’s how I interpreted her level of psychic power: John has been feeding her for quite a while, granted he gave her powers only...a few weeks before now, I think, but to hold back a mother’s anguish over her children’s deaths seems a powerful feat unto itself. Mere speculation would suggest the possibility, however remote, that such strength turned outward would be very impressive.

Tefler
>>42725701

"are you suggesting she hasn’t yet reached the level of power necessary to affect John without his consent?" No. I'm telling you that she isn't that powerful and as the creator of this literary universe and every character in it, my word is final. Helene has no training in using her empathetic powers aggressively and has never even tried to use them against a psychic who was actively blocking her out. She would not be able to break into John's mind if he was trying to stop her. Helene has grown from strength to strength... but so has John. Do you honestly think that the man who faced Nkkrrit in chapter 99 is as strong as the one who knocked over a hive ship using a telekinetic blast wave? Or killed a trio of Hive Queens single-handed, or wiped out a million Kirrix with a mental shockwave?

Tefler
>>42797970

Yes, I just need to go through the edits from my editors, then I'll combine the two parts.

Brian Woods
>>42725701

Of course not. Literarily, John has recruited five other girls, all of them Nymphs and as such psychic batteries, to augment his already impressive reserves. And I do recognize Helene has never shown an ability, or even the capability, to offensively effect changes to others emotions unwillingly. Because you had never informed us one way or the other that she possessed such a power, I merely thought it was possible, not likely. Thanks for the update...I appreciate it.

Marauder
>>42725701

Tef, Helene isn't really a combatant though. She's a supporting character. I'd personally not include her or the catgirls in these considerations. I was mainly talking about those with various combat abilities. JPM, I disagree. Alyssa is NOT neutral by any means. She herself has a bunch of hang-ups, biases, and prejudices. She isn't doing "what is best for John" but what she BELIEVES is best for John. And at times just what she herself thinks is right, i.e when dealing with the Outer Rim colonies. She's still a teenager, a teenager with a hell of a lot of power. She seems prone to jumping to decisions and making just as many mistakes as everyone else as well as selfish actions. From the outer rim colonies, to her domineering attitude towards anyone who disagrees with her on "how to handle John", all the way to her hook-ups with random girls on the side.

Anonymous
>>42797794

I think the girls may (barely) hold the line (maybe Helene will also help calm him) until John recovers and battles back to regain his dominance, I am sure the girls will fight, but try not to actually hurt him while Alyssa/Athena try to help John recover. The guide may then finds out John dispatched another Progenitor among other things (if he cares), and ultimately gets absorbed, making John an even more confident and dominant character. I hope the merged personality is not too belligerent afterward.

Anonymous
>>42725701

"JPM, I disagree. Alyssa is NOT neutral by any means." Which I never said, and didn't mean to imply. "She herself has a bunch of hang-ups, biases, and prejudices. She isn't doing "what is best for John" but what she BELIEVES is best for John." As has everybody. Nobody is really objective. Even John only does what he believes is best for him. Using your own judgment and choosing to follow the perceived intent and not the letter of a command are qualities, not faults. I doubt John would like blind obedience, especially considering his heritage. "She's still a teenager, a teenager with a hell of a lot of power. She seems prone to jumping to decisions and making just as many mistakes as everyone else as well as selfish actions." Correct! And still, she manages to be an indispensable member of the team.

Anonymous

Well with only roughly 5 1/2 days left in the month I am left to wonder, will we get the ending to the Cliffhanger this month or have to wait untill sometime next month. I personally have no problem waiting untill next montn for good quality work. Who the Hell am I Kidding I am dieing to read the conclusion. But I will wait for the Great Quality that Tefler produces I know that it can not be rushed.

Anonymous
>>42797970

Hello Mr Tefler, my perception of the way John shares his powers and ensures that the girls are getting more powerful is a testament to who he is- the antithesis to the progenitors, who tend to horde power. He is part of a powerful symbiotic organism ( he and the girls) as a whole and splitting the parts diminishes all of them. John is also grieving for Faye, and whilst a lot is happening, around him that he has to deal with his grief has to follow it’s own time arc, and while it’s important to be the leader, you have given us a nuanced man who has a lot of internal struggles of his own. Thanks for a complex work with multi faceted characters who are unpredictable, in the sense that as readers we are not bored and these characters are growing. Very happy to have found your world!

Anonymous

are both parts final tef?

Anonymous
>>42797970

How is it looking with the final version of this chapter?

Anonymous

It looks like they are now! (The two parts just got combined.)

Bp Hlpt

Chapter 135 “This was your bright idea. Do want to jump in?” “This was your bright idea. Do you want to jump in?” -or- “This was your bright idea. You want to jump in?” Edraele crooned, sounding equalling thrilled. Edraele crooned, sounding equally thrilled. I’m leading the House Perfaren fleet towards Kinta in search of the Brimorians ships I’m leading the House Perfaren fleet towards Kinta in search of the Brimorians' ships -or- I’m leading the House Perfaren fleet towards Kinta in search of the Brimorian ships Getting to know you over the last six months have been amazing. Getting to know you over the last six months has been amazing. It didn’t take long from the entire crew to arrive, It didn’t take long for the entire crew to arrive, When John finally brought her upright again, Athena look flustered, When John finally brought her upright again, Athena looked flustered, the guide was stunned by a blast that boomed like thunderclap, the guide was stunned by a blast that boomed like a thunderclap, -or- the guide was stunned by a blast that boomed like thunder,