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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:
2026-06
Tags:

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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!

SSH

Hi

SSH

Me 2

Elf

Wahoo!!

Cignal

Thanks Tefler

Muledrvr

Yay, just in time for dinner

Steve

Thank you sir

BobTheBrit

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.

Jim Herrera

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!

Timothy Lucas

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

Rob B

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 --> 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!

Emma B

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!

Bimboboipink

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

before giving her own evaluation the Kintark officer --> before giving her own evaluation of the Kintark officer

DigitalDreamer

Correction: He knew that Alyssa had take a long time --> taken

Evan

always been marevellous at making --> always been marvelous at making

Evan

say that with the feisty redhead, his escapades over the previous six months would have ended --> 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

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...

Bob Clarke

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

thomas poulsen

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."}]}"

thomas poulsen

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.

Sparky's Wife!!!

The Raptor drifted towards the centre of the lighting pad >> center landing

Martin espino

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

Teun Segers

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

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.

Sajith K S

Robots have gone missing!!!!

Thetues

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!

SuperAzureReader

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

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!!!!!!

RoughRoad85

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.

James Hârn

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

John Jameson

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.

Oldwood

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 ?

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.....

AvidTefReader

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

AvidTefReader

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

Arrowglass

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

thomas rodrian

It’s weird when you see a post disappear.

Lawrence

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.

Mr Smith

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

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..

Mr Smith

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

ETNSosa

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.

Tony

Any sign of tel?

Dave2282

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.

Dave2282

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

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.

Dave2282

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.

Technomage

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...

FOEAI

Speculation follows...

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.

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!

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!

John Jameson

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.

Devin

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?

Dave2282

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 👍

John Jameson

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).

DeepSpace

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.

Dave2282

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.

Dave2282

Some good leads thanks

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.

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.

Mr Smith

Thomas I think that needs more acronyms

Lee Sherman

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

Brandon

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

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.

Dave2282

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!!!!!!!!

David Whyte

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.

John Jameson

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.

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.

SuperAzureReader

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

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

Brandon McGuire

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

SuperAzureReader

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

CurtInAtl

Why would Sakura kill John if he wins?

John Jameson

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.

E.T. Spencer

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.

JoyofCal

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.

Mr Smith

Wait I thought this chat is the guide war.

Rhys

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

Joel Andersen

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 . . . .

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.

Nick White

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!

Mike

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.

Mike

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...

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.

BobTheBrit

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

TP

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.

Mankey

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!!

Jeff Eaton

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.

Lyrdian

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 <3

Tefler

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

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.

Malcolm Clark

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

Muledrvr

Yay,just in time for dinner

rich ed

Yuss, thank you good sir

BrianM

Thanks Mr. Tefler. Take care!

Tai

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!

GDay (FMS)

Thank you Tefler it is greatly appreciated...

Tallman51466

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

Kensyi

Damnit Tefler, stupid cliffhangers. Loved it

Chuck Baldwin

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...

Navekiller059

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!

Ken House

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?

BobTheBrit

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.

thomas poulsen

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.

Skycrane

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.

Duncan Smith

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

Matt

Thank you kindly Tef.

zingowner

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

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!

commatoes

[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.

JD BREWZ

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

Reid Joy

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!

Lawrence Hyde

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.

Mjk154

the king of the cliff hanger reines

Lawrence

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

Akamai Kekoa

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!

A Human

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.

Brian

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.

JoTaKuSan

I HATE CLIFFHANGERS!!

Mankey

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.

FOEAI

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?

MJHSharkbait365

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

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.

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.

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.

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....

Hans

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.

Primaris_Ximm

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!

Retief_CDT

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.

Zoconja

gonna update later turn whole thing into 1 doc?

Tallman51466

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.

Zoconja

are both parts final tef?

John Jameson

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,