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Three Square Meals - Chapter 147 (Part 1) (Patreon)

Published:
2022-01-01 03:20:33
Imported:
2026-06
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Hey everyone,

Here's the first (proofread) part of the upcoming chapter, which you can treat as a preview or just wait for the entire thing. I've finished several more scenes, but I had to chop them out because I need to make some tweaks so they fit properly in the timeline. I still need to add another couple of scenes before John can leave Genthalas and rejoin the girls at Kythshara.

I'll be working on this chapter over the next few days and I'll ultimately bring the word count up to 20k words.

I hope you have a Happy New year!

Best wishes,

Tefler

Comments

Alice

Thanks Tefler! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Jedi Khan

Well now, this is a surprise. I was actually wondering if there'd be any sign of 147 before time ran out this month.

Benito Cuevas

Happy New Years to everyone. Thanks for the updates.

Braw

cheers mr happy new year

Deke

Wonderful treat so soon after he last chapter. Thank you.

Jedi Khan

Yup. It's Faye that's coming back as a real girl. Who else do we know who has sung for John before?

Jedi Khan

Oh, before I forget, Happy New Year, Tefler.

Kensyi

Oh that preview was just mean, I need the rest. I think I love all the vailed References to Faye.

a Norman knight

Happy New Year Tefler! I'm wishing good health and prosperity to you and your family!

Jim lynch

Happy new year tefler may it bring you and your family nothing but joy. Oh and the sooner Faye comes back the better Daphne needs her mother.

Just me

Thanks for the partial chapter. This is a no charge update as it is not finished correct?

TF4EVA

woohoo - happy new year

Christopher Miller

At least we've now seen Aureali again. Was past due in my estimation.

Jeff

Happy New Year!

Mjk154

Happy New Year

Steve

Happy New Year!

TF4EVA

Auralei for matriarch?

stephen mincher

Thanks tef. Well 4 loads a day x teaspoon dose = >500,000 per year , so yeah BIG question.

Bp Hlpt

Thanks, Tefler!

vontzki

Happy New Year and thank you for sharing!

Graham Bailey

Thanks Tefler great New Years present. Hope some of your latest problems are behind you now.

2ndAndrocentric

Since no one else, EVER, complains; I will complain. I wish we could have chapter names as well as numbers. I like the teaser from a chapter name before reading it.

Chadwick Luther

Please be Faye. Please be Faye. Please be Faye...

Johnkr

There are some possibilities with helping rebuild the civilization where all the thralls were husked.

David Shmilowitz

I want to see more political intrigue between t-fed and colonies and john.

stephen mincher

I have always seen pints mentioned not litres.

Newnotsure

I am so confused not one of the past story lines are going anywhere so many hangers please let’s see what happens with the out edge and more along with the travel to the ships. But yes I know he is starting it now with the few pages he did on this one.

Cornbread

Hello all, I am noticing something, Xar’aziuth has not sent another Progenitor to claim Larathyan’s Empire. We know he has sent Gahl’kalgor to deal with John but should he have sent somebody to fill the void in power as well? I believe we have confirmed that none of his thralls are alive so the region can be claimed.

Cornbread

I had posted my earlier question on Discord and during the postings !raptor brought posted an excellent question: What brought Larathyan to this part of the Galaxy?

Michael56Smith

.81: Oh yeah, that reminds me... It has been strongly suggested that the Nymphs are a Progenitor creation, but not necessarily Mael'nerak's... although he might have modified them somewhat... maybe? '-) TTFN

Cornbread

Remember, Larn'kelnar was already in the area causing trouble when we started Chapter 1. John was not activated at the time.

Cornbread

How about this for a plot twist? Mael was blow into the future from the explosion and that future is in a few days.

James Hârn

Wonderful scene between John and Edraele - kinky, sexy, and intimate.

Kris

Correction "they sat their together "

Brittany durin

Anyone know how long it takes John to "reload"

Michael56Smith

.118: This is a somewhat related comment / question to Brittany's, I was wondering about 'Giant' John's relatively weak gallons of psychic cum compared his regular four-pint (British pint - 20oz vs 16oz) load. Has anyone, say on Discord, ever calculated a ratio of height / growth and his relative psychic strength in the load... If John just grew a bit and produced say about a gallon of his cum instead of his normal four pints, then how psychically strong would that gallon be? Since 4 pints equals 2 quarts, and there's 4 quarts in a gallon... then would the gallons' relative strength be about one eighth... or 1/2 pint of John's regular spunk per quart... that still might be useful in maintaining a psychic connection over a longer time, with eight or so girls it might let it last more than the first few minutes into whatever new conflict the crew is sailing into... that is IF the girls consumption time is directly related to the fluid ounces of the cum, maybe? ... so, any thoughts? ... ;-) TTFN

Michael56Smith

.125: and how close is Jehanna to the end of her 2 weeks on her High Protein diet? Because soon, John will need to start topping off his next Kyth'faren princess, the cloned body for Athena! and then there is, hopefully, the cloned kitty cat body for Faye... along with all those New Matriarchs, the pregnant Young Matriarchs and his regular crew, John Juice is going to be in high demand... Rachel needs to do more research into the limits of Jumbo John's spunk... ;-) TTFN

jerry661

I thought we would have the finished chapter by now.

matthew

https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/34590b71-3f99-4db6-bfa4-36e59ee733d1/doj3m1-78fca75a-4d99-4eb2-9699-8894a41705d1.jpg/v1/fill/w_1024,h_768,q_75,strp/halifax_station_by_strangelet.jpg?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJpc3MiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwic3ViIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsImF1ZCI6WyJ1cm46c2VydmljZTppbWFnZS5vcGVyYXRpb25zIl0sIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiIvZi8zNDU5MGI3MS0zZjk5LTRkYjYtYmZhNC0zNmU1OWVlNzMzZDEvZG9qM20xLTc4ZmNhNzVhLTRkOTktNGViMi05Njk5LTg4OTRhNDE3MDVkMS5qcGciLCJ3aWR0aCI6Ijw9MTAyNCIsImhlaWdodCI6Ijw9NzY4In1dXX0.kM0qzsciZUqFkwmNBoobhhfdta4MpV2UdxUnDF2eDow BING LINK CHECK IT OUT

Jedi Khan

A thought occurred to me this morning: what is GK's mental state at the moment? From the scene with his matriarch, it sounds like he's not doing too well, with drastic swings in behavior between being free of control while under the Shroud looking for John and under Xar's control while back home. I can't imagine being yo-yo'd like that is good for his mental health. I wonder what kind of impact this will have on him when he finally engages the locals in John's neck of the woods.

matthew

what i find interesting is that so far we have established that psy energy comes from thralls but maels trap using the mist of loralar was a psy trap using psy energy that did not come from thralls so where did it come from

Christopher Miller

My guess was some kind of passive gathering system, possibly from the astral plane, or as a by product of the shroud itself. It's space magic though, like the Force. So whatever Tef feels works will be how it functions.

Michael56Smith

.174: Say, what are we thinking about Alyssa? Rachel ID'd her as another Progenitor, but then the 'spirit' haunting that Citadel of knowledge in the Astral called out to her thinking she was Kyth'faren... could both be right? Are Kyth'faren that closely related to Progenitors? Is our Alyssa a Kyth'faren psychic Princess? has anyone discussed this, or has Tef let something slip on Discord? ;-) TTFN

Brittany durin

Has anyone made a map using all known star systems yet. Using the 88 constellations as a guide then marking where stuff would be in the story?

TF007

F5 F5 F5

matthew

how big is Genthalis i know it was said to be several times the size of Olympus but it's also in the shape of a wheel so how big truly is it can someone give me a description or frame of reference to help my imagination picture it better

GBo

Hello. In the previous chapter, Alyssa remembered something that happened in New Eden about "imbuing a prototype with a ‘Spark of Consciousness’". Any idea what that was about?

Kensyi

I'm starting to get Tefs notations on time, at least that's how I feel lately

Kensyi

Not when I say a few days, that would be at most 3 days, not 12.

UnderToker

Hate to put it like this but this half finished chapter was put out on the 1st as an after Christmas "i need cash" grab.. i mean its a $8000 post people LOL

Bp Hlpt

While TRYING to patiently wait for the next installment, I know it's impossible for anyone, I've reread, yet again, the last 2 years of posted chapters, (since Ch. 130), and was amazed to realize how little time in the TSM universe has transpired - I think only 2 or 3 weeks? WOW So much has happened during that time. Anyway, I did find a few needed corrections, so for Tefler's convenience I'll post them all here.

Bp Hlpt

Chapter 132 “Just a couple of days to go, then we’ll back at Genthalas,” “Just a couple of days to go, then we’re back at Genthalas,” -or- “Just a couple of days to go, then we’ll be back at Genthalas,”

Bp Hlpt

Chapter 133 “There have been no sighting so far, Shoal Master. “There have been no sightings so far, Shoal Master. -or- “There has been no sighting so far, Shoal Master. He heard the squelch of his fruit being crushed and let out an anguish cry. He heard the squelch of his fruit being crushed and let out an anguished cry. -or- He heard the squelch of his fruit being crushed and let out a cry of anguish. but despite hitting the barrier with everything she’d got, but despite hitting the barrier with everything she had, Enclave forces safely navigated half the way across the field. Enclave forces safely navigated halfway across the field. flickered into existence on both flanks of the armada, then began to drew closer. flickered into existence on both flanks of the armada, then began to draw closer. “It looks like I was too late to spar with you, Master.” “It looks like I am too late to spar with you, Master.”

Bp Hlpt

Chapter 134 “Where in the depths is he?!” the Shoal Master raged, grinding in his teeth in fury “Where in the depths is he?!” the Shoal Master raged, grinding his teeth in fury After watching the Nymph rest on the flagstones floor, After watching the Nymph rest on the flagstone floor, -or- After watching the Nymph rest on the floor's flagstones, Tamolith’s pupil dilated in surprise as her tastebuds Tamolith’s pupils dilated in surprise as her tastebuds -- needs to match [then those amber orbs glazed over]

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,

Bp Hlpt

Chapter 136 A swirling barrier formed in front of John, blocking his charge and bring him skidding to a halt, A swirling barrier formed in front of John, blocking his charge and bringing him skidding to a halt, -or- A swirling barrier formed in front of John, blocked his charge, and brought him skidding to a halt, just as the undulating appendages lashing out to strike his hex barrier from a dozen different directions at once. just as the undulating appendages lashed out to strike his hex barrier from a dozen different directions at once. -or- just as the undulating appendages began lashing out to strike his hex barrier from a dozen different directions at once. on one condition...” She flicked a glanced at Neysa, then back to him. on one condition...” She flicked a glance at Neysa, then back to him. The bright lights from the bars and shops made the places looking so exciting, The bright lights from the bars and shops made the places look so exciting, they hugged again to show there was no hard feelings. they hugged again to show there were no hard feelings. forming a sequence of runes that didn’t appear on the Kyth’faren runic alphabet. forming a sequence of runes that didn’t appear in the Kyth’faren runic alphabet.

Bp Hlpt

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

Bp Hlpt

Chapter 138 With Falihna’s heir apparent reduce to smouldering ashes, With Falihna’s heir apparent reduced to smouldering ashes,

Bp Hlpt

Chapter 139 She asked that I arrive at her quarters for eight. She asked that I arrive at her quarters at eight. -- "for" might be "British" usage, but I couldn't find a reference for it but even if it was true, it honestly doesn’t matter but even if it were true, it honestly doesn’t matter then sighed with a relief as it reached twelve o’clock then sighed with relief as it reached twelve o’clock clasping her hand and give it a comforting squeeze. clasping her hand and giving it a comforting squeeze. Leave all the arrangements with me. Leave all the arrangements to me.

Bp Hlpt

Chapter 140 Sarena met his concerned gaze and he could see the glittering spark Sarene met his concerned gaze and he could see the glittering spark Your were traumatised as a child and I’m trying to heal all the scars You were traumatised as a child and I’m trying to heal all the scars You’re already at the peak of fertility and ready to bred tomorrow night. You’re already at the peak of fertility and ready to be bred tomorrow night. -or- You’re already at the peak of fertility and ready to breed tomorrow night. I’ll make love to Kali, then I’ll feed you, Sarinia; how does that sound for a plan? I’ll make love to Kali, then I’ll feed you, Sarene; how does that sound for a plan? She looked at him wide-eyed with astonishment. She looked at him with wide-eyed astonishment. “A dire predicament,” the propriety agreed, nodding sadly. “A dire predicament,” the proprietor agreed, nodding sadly. It was a pleasant surprise being able to meet you so much early than we expected It was a pleasant surprise being able to meet you so much earlier than we expected Keeping her temper until tight control, she strode into the reception area Keeping her temper under tight control, she strode into the reception area Thank you helping me today. I think you’re amazing. Thank you for helping me today. I think you’re amazing. I’m so glad I asked you to join me; this was so much nicer than lying her alone. I’m so glad I asked you to join me; this was so much nicer than lying here alone. The continued onwards and Luna glanced at her again. They continued onwards and Luna glanced at her again. Struck speechless by the generosity of such a extravagant gift, Struck speechless by the generosity of such an extravagant gift, After that, we’ll take care of you in a way that I know you’d enjoy. After that, we’ll take care of you in a way that I know you’ll enjoy. -ie- After that, we will take care of you in a way that I know you will enjoy. it all got too much and I just couldn’t handle any more. it all got to be too much and I just couldn’t handle any more. -or- it all became too much and I just couldn’t handle any more. I think that’s because you care as deeply about people too. I think that’s because you care so deeply about people too. -or- I think that’s because you care deeply about people too. the Thralls were heavily outnumbered, but they still managed to quickly gained the advantage. the Thralls were heavily outnumbered, but they still managed to quickly gain the advantage. -or- the Thralls were heavily outnumbered, but they still quickly gained the advantage.

Bp Hlpt

Chapter 141 Tom gave her beleaguered shrug. Tom gave her a beleaguered shrug. Luna and Sarinia will be travelling separately and will arrive shortly afterwards. Luna and Sarene will be travelling separately and will arrive shortly afterwards. -- Edraele knows this She struck from the shadows repeatedly to keep the thralls disorientated and maintained the element of surprise. She struck from the shadows repeatedly to keep the thralls disorientated and maintain the element of surprise. -- 'maintain' goes with 'keep', not with 'disorientated' -- ie she struck ... to keep ... and maintain ... Athena laughed, then turn her attention to Jehanna. Athena laughed, then turned her attention to Jehanna. It wasn’t me using hit and run tactics that made you decided to give me Shadow was it? It wasn’t me using hit and run tactics that made you decide to give me Shadow was it? the coat of scarlet scales matching the leathery red wings that were attached to shoulders. the coat of scarlet scales matching the leathery red wings that were attached to her shoulders. she replied, her tone lightened considerably. she replied, as her tone lightened considerably. she replied, her tone lightening considerably. then grinned as she recognised the blunt honest in her reply. then grinned as she recognised the blunt honesty in her reply. his height clearing well over fifty metres until he ceased his psychic expansion. his height clearing well over fifty metres when he ceased his psychic expansion. “I’ve got so used to you giving me incredibly insightful advice, I was shocked that we “I’d gotten so used to you giving me incredibly insightful advice, I was shocked that we -- John is talking about a time and event in the past John was worried about squashing her, so he reached down to support his own weight.” John was worried about squashing her, so he reached down to support his own weight. -- extraneous quote That’s why they found it easier to put aside the old rivalries and starting making friends, That’s why they found it easier to put aside the old rivalries and start making friends, Kelenis face crumbled and she fought back tears. Kelenis' face crumbled and she fought back tears.

Bp Hlpt

Chapter 142 Thank you for going for making such an incredible effort to make us all feel at home. Thank you for going to such an incredible effort to make us all feel at home. -or- Thank you for making such an incredible effort to make us all feel at home. is if they were testing my abilities and prepare measures to counter them. is if they were testing my abilities in order to prepare measures to counter them. “The way they feel is never going to change, John,” Rachel murmured, given him a gentle kiss. “The way they feel is never going to change, John,” Rachel murmured, giving him a gentle kiss. it felt like being a voyeur on something intensely private. it felt like being a voyeur of something intensely private. Yes. You have my solemn pledge than I will never be killed ever. Yes. You have my solemn pledge that I will never be killed ever. to reclaim Kythshara and all its secrets for the Maliri.” # --- Hash tag no longer needed? She glanced at Irillith

Bp Hlpt

Chapter 143 They descended in the grav-tube and walked to the door leading into rear loading area. They descended in the grav-tube and walked to the door leading into the rear loading area. -or- They descended in the grav-tube and walked to the door leading to the rear loading area. She nodded giving him a brave smile. She nodded, giving him a brave smile. Should Dana have had to remove her runes before John was able to re-make a wing for the Rapter, or had they effedctively been removed by the damage sustained being bombarded during re-entry? And how about the added strength of the Rapter from 35-times reshaping plus Dana's runes? Did it do any good? It's "improvement" is never mentioned again, so why do it? His crosshairs was still lingering over the thrall’s chest His crosshairs were still lingering over the thrall’s chest He straightened up and turning his attention to the stricken Nymph, He straightened up and turned his attention to the stricken Nymph, “It sounded like it came from behind us?” # --- Hash tag no longer needed? She nodded vigorously. then the tachyon bolts sprayed over the robots torso. then the tachyon bolts sprayed over the robot's torso. with enough force to lift it off the floor, and send it careening across the room. with enough force to lift it off the floor and send it careening across the room. they could see starlight above in the night’s sky, they could see starlight above in the night sky,

Bp Hlpt

Chapter 144 If they’re all as arrogant as Larn’kelnar turned out ot be, If they’re all as arrogant as Larn’kelnar turned out to be, springing up from her seat behind the Comms station and pointing frankly at a holographic screen. springing up from her seat behind the Comms station and pointing frantically at a holographic screen. the sensuous pair licking, sucking and gently biting her hardening buds. the sensuous pair licking, sucking, and gently biting her hardening buds. then a rippling pulse of light spread out from her stomach to spread out around her body. then a rippling pulse of light swept out from her stomach to spread out around her body. as he wondered how best to encourage Irillith to open to him. as he wondered how best to encourage Irillith to open up to him. I’ll resolve this nonsense with Irillith when I get back to the Invictus. -- This makes no sense because John and Irillith are currently in John's Ready Room on the Invictus After that, I’ll resolve this nonsense with Irillith when I get back to the Invictus. -- Now it's clear that John means after he deals with Edraele “That’s actual a precise reproduction of Neysa’s mind,” “That’s actually a precise reproduction of Neysa’s mind,” Alyssa’s telekinetic bands erupted out of the earth, then lock around the scaly limb, Alyssa’s telekinetic bands erupted out of the earth, then locked around the scaly limb, She zoomed in using her Paragon suit’s HUD and searched for any sign of moment, She zoomed in using her Paragon suit’s HUD and searched for any sign of movement, “That’s not the first time I’ve been favourable compared with an elephant,” “That’s not the first time I’ve been favourably compared with an elephant,”

Bp Hlpt

Chapter 145 I get Sakura and the twins because they’re out best fighters, I get Sakura and the twins because they’re our best fighters, “There, no more distractions.”Re “There, no more distractions.” -- remove extraneous 'Re' The recently promoted commander of the House Waephyra fleets turning to face her monarch, then gaped The recently promoted commander of the House Waephyra fleets turned to face her monarch, then gaped

Bp Hlpt

Chapter 146 Xar’aziuth’s might be able to attack people directly when they’re not protected! Xar’aziuth might be able to attack people directly when they’re not protected! He was about to protest that meeting the matriarchs was about business rather pleasure, He was about to protest that meeting the matriarchs was about business rather than pleasure, Rachel’s had a lot more practice at healing those kinds of injuries than me, but it was an emergency, Rachel’s had a lot more practice at healing those kinds of injuries than I, but it was an emergency, Follow the Maliri Queen’s telepathic directions, the matriarchs rose from their seats Following the Maliri Queen’s telepathic directions, the matriarchs rose from their seats The Terrans, the Trankarans, the Kintark, and the Brimorians have all lost millions of people in those needless wars and the Maliri The Terrans, the Trankarans, the Kintark, and the Ashanath have all lost millions of people in those needless wars, and the Maliri -- The Brimorians have lost millions, but only indirectly, not directly due to Larn’kelnar. The Kirrix also lost millions, but I don't think they were directly influenced by Larn’kelnar either. Edraele sent a warm sweep of affectionate across their bond. Edraele sent a warm sweep of affection across their bond.

Bp Hlpt

Chapter 147 but it was high overhead, shining it brilliant radiance down on the planet’s capital city. but it was high overhead, shining its brilliant radiance down on the planet’s capital city. Does it meet with you approval? Does it meet with your approval? He couldn’t help thinking about what they had planned for after their first training session together, -- There are actually two places in the last couple of chapters where this upcoming event is referred to. But John and Luna have already had a training session together, [Chapter 139, where they made love afterwards in view of the folks in the viewing galleries], so shouldn't this event be called "their next training session" instead? If so, then both references should be changed. Ch. 146 -- Let’s save that for our first sparring session. - Let’s save that for our next sparring session. Ch. 147 -- they had planned for after their first training session together, - they had planned for after their next training session together, I haven’t give you a boobjob before... and I thought we should correct that shocking oversight. I haven’t given you a boobjob before... and I thought we should correct that shocking oversight. then they sat their together, enjoying the intimacy of the moment. then they sat there together, enjoying the intimacy of the moment.

Shep

Hi Bp Hlpt, I don't usually like being "That Guy", especially after someone has obviously gone to so much trouble documenting and collating all of those fixes - but some of us wait for the whole chapter to be available before reading, and having to scan through pages of spoilers in order to read comments from other members is rather annoying. Great job and all, but could you maybe post them in the relevant section of the discord where they should be? Thank You :) [Although to be fair, it's only really the 147 section I am actually concerned about...]

2ndAndrocentric

Since hitting F5 and invoking "Space Magic" does not seem to bring me new material, I have written another completely unauthorized, non canon story for the sake of my mental health. Time to Man Up at Geniya, part 1 “Welcome to Lady Luck’s favorite son!” Ceraden declared with a bow and flurry of hand gestures. “Ceraden, it is good to see you. Have you scheduled the meeting with the heads of the guilds here at Geniya for tomorrow, or did no one decide to attend?” “John, given all the intrigue about the home worlds, what was difficult was keeping too many people from coming. Even without that curiosity, I was pleasantly surprised how many people just wanted to see ‘The Lion of the Federation’ after all the TFNN reporting. We do a lot of business with Terrans here, and keeping up with recent events only makes sense. Still, you’re something of a curiosity around here, even without all the speculation about the Invictus and it’s lovely crew of Terrans, Nymphs and whatever else you have flying around all over Maliri space. I still think you’re not going to get many men to go back to the home worlds; but the meeting hall is packed and more than a few friends were annoyed when I said you wanted to keep it to no more than 50 men.” “Ceraden, I told you AROUND 20.” “Well John, you used to be a trader, and I still am one. You’re going to blame me for your lack of precision?” Ceraden removed his ornate helmet so John could see his good natured smile. “Ceraden, you’re beginning to sound like a worm girl…” “Is that a new species you have added to your crew? Doesn’t sound very appealing but then again, I’ve seen Jade. I remember one of your very old Terran movies, and you’re the Lion. ‘Lions, tigers and bears…Oh My!” Ceraden chuckled, and I hear there might be a dragon as well…” Ceraden laughed as he pointedly looked at John’s only companion, Jade. “Actually 2 so far, a green and a red so far.” Added Jade with pride in her voice looking at John. “Jade please, this is not the time for that discussion.” Turning to Ceraden John said “My friend, your teasing sometimes remind me of a certain blonde worm girl I left back on Valaden.” Suddenly and urgent beeping from Ceraden’s desk interrupted the banter. “Excuse me John, apparently some urgent business from flight control.” John turned to walk away and give his friend privacy but Ceraden firmly asked him to stay. “John, you have made my life more worthwhile than I could ever imagine. I would be insulted if you left thinking I have anything private from you. Anyway, this is probably some idiot unhappy with a recent trade.” Ceraden waved over a rune on his desk and the holo image of a flight control Maliri in armor appeared. “Mr. Ceraden, there is a certain ‘Mad Jonah Beginnings’ approaching in a decrepit freighter called ‘the Fools Gold’ insisting that he must speak to you immediately. I would normally not bother you but this man is quite insistent. He also said some very disturbing things I would rather not repeat. I am going to connect you over a secure line, if you wish.” Ceraden looked up at John with a quizzical face. “Mad Jonah, yes, I know him and yes I gave him my old ship. Put the old spacer through and let’s be kind. The man did me a huge favor.” Returning his helmet to cover his face, Ceraden waved his hand again and John was staring at the back of Mad Jonah. Before a word was said, Ceraden rotated his finger and the holodisplay was now shoeing Jonah’s face to John. “Hi Jonah, I am glad to see you my friend, but I am rather busy so what can I do for you today?” “You can be our vengeance John. That’s why we helped father you after all. Or do you still believe that Tyrenium and worm girls just happened to be waiting for you on Karron on 2 occasions? Were those coincidences? I think it would be best to speak directly son. Maliri security is good enough for most things, but not for the next tip I have for you. Still too busy to speak to an old, very old, very mad, spacer? You know mad has two meanings.” John froze. Ceraden slowly removed his helmet and sat back studying John’s face. As a prosperous trader Ceraden was very good at reading people’s faces, especially an old and very honest friend like John. What he saw on John’s face Ceraden did not understand. John had always been fearless. It was not exactly fear on his face. It was something much more disturbing. Ceraden could not think of a name for it. One thing was clear; John’s entire world had just changed in an instant. “There’s a ship called the Invictus…” “John, it would be much better to speak aboard the Fool’s Gold.” Mad Jonah chuckled, and went on “I guess there are some coincidences though. I have gold here, and a long time ago I was a fool. I don’t mind if you bring anyone with you that you trust, except no Maliri women, no matter how much you trust them. It would not be good for any of us if a Maliri woman were to see me, not good at all. You know what I am talking about.” Jonah said, not sounding mad at all. “I should arrive in about 40 minutes. I will stay on my ship waiting for you. In the meantime, I suggest you think about the sign of Jonah, son. Not all your fathers are disappointed in you. ” With that the communication was cut off at the source and an uncomfortable silence settled on the room as John watched the wall behind Ceraden with unfocused eyes while Ceraden and Jade very much focused on John. Breaking the silence John looked at Ceraden. “My friend, I don’t think I can enjoy your hospitality at the moment. If it is OK with you, I would like to come back after I speak with Jonah, if that’s even his name. Whenever it is convenient to you of course. I will let you know if tomorrow’s meeting is going to even happen then. Obviously I don’t know some very important facts.” “Again John, I am in your debt for life, and we Maliri live a long time. Come back whenever you wish. No business is more important than what you are obviously dealing with right now.” John blinked and looked at Ceraden, then at Jade, tens of thousands of years old Jade who looked 18. He thought to himself, a long time. Ceraden had no idea what a long time was. If “Mad Jonah” was what John thought he was, neither did John understood what a long time was. Millions, maybe hundreds of millions of years. John’s matriarchs were very quiet, thought John to himself. *Alyssa, I am sorry to have left you back at Valaden. I thought this was going to be a simple thing and I wanted you to coordinate …” *John, please, I am there with you always.* thought Alyssa to John. This was no time for distractions, Edraele and Jade were usually much better about not distracting John but Alyssa could feel John’s emotional and intellectual capacity overwhelmed. She went totally quiet again, as Jade just looked at him and said “Master, may I come?” “Yes and I want you to share everything you hear from Jonah with Alyssa and Edraele. I want Calara and Rachel there too.” *They may not be mind readers, but they’re very perceptive and in any case, if this so called Jonah is who he seems to be implying, I don’t think anyone is going to be reading his mind today.* This John thought to his Matriarch as he briskly walked away from Ceraden and realized that having Alyssa there physically would make no difference. Normally John would be more courteous with Ceraden but he had too much on his mind. He didn’t even say goodbye, but Ceraden did not mind at all. Ceraden thanked Lady Luck that he was not as “fortunate” as John with the kind of pressures his friend was under to make the right choice. ~~~ The four of them stood there for quite some time in an unusual silence waiting for the Fool’s Gold to finish settling and opening the airlock door. John, Jade, Rachel and Calara walked calmly in, feeling not calm at all. There, in the cargo hold, was “Jonah” looking very sober, with very pointed ears. As Jonah began to fondle the point of his right ear he said. “I can’t tell you how many times I have had to cut these off and how fast the damn things grow back! I've even grown to like the taste of swallowing my own earpoints, which is thoroughly disgusting to think about. Still, I won’t chance holo emitters or even the shadows so I’ve become rather quick about it.” “Are you…” Yes John, I am one of the very few Kyth’faren that survived the holocaust so many millions of years ago. We tried to warn the others, but they would not listen, especially since we did not know how our civilization would collapse, or even when, but just a vague premonition from those of us that were attuned to the shadows and quite frankly, were cowards at heart. Even cowards can contribute. While the rest developed their abilities in many wondrous areas, we learned to hide better every millennia. So we prepared for the coming disaster the only way we knew how. We hid, we hid very deep, and when the Monster began to suck the life of our brothers and sisters, we taught a few of the brave ones how to build fortresses in the deep Astral and fuel them with their life. We taught them how to lay traps in those fortresses knowing that some day we might be able to lure one of the Monster’s servants there looking for power. Then we continued to learn more deeply about hiding, cowardice and the shadows. Eventually we learned how to make the Shroud, and make it permanent. It was easy getting the Achonin to cast it, just left enough clues on how to do it, because they hated the Kirrix anyways. Everybody hates the Kirrix, and the Kirrix hate everybody. Axioms can’t be questioned” The kythfaren chuckled at a very old, very private joke. “So when the Shroud came, eventually the Monster tried to investigate. Mael’nerak was too powerful and we, very quietly helped here and there for quite some time; because we needed Mael’nerak to be in the Shroud long enough to care for someone other than himself. We were actually surprised he began to create life, rather than just destroy; but that definitely sped things up. Terrans with their mutations offered us a fertile field to make some that would bring back the goodness of our ancient ways. They also however went in all sorts of directions we could not control without revealing too much about our survival. You see, the Monster could not stamp out every trace of the Kyth’faren from whence she produced the Progenitors, as you call them. Eventually the situation was just right and Rahn was sent. You know most of the rest. Except that Rahn’hagon manipulated your DNA to make a ‘Progenitor killer’ in part by using knowledge from one of the fortresses. Like the arrogant fool all Progenitors are, he never bothered to fully understand what he was doing. So you were born, and abandoned. We were there too, in the background as always, just like we were there when you locked up your guide as a young man. One of us was a frequent customer at your grandparent’s restaurant. I had to listen to her complain about cutting off her earpoints all the time, but she knew that even with our mastery of shadow manipulation the risk was too high that somehow someone would notice.” Jonah chuckled again. “It is really funny that one of the AI in the collective is all about an ancient show called Star Trek. Like I said, sometimes there might be a coincidence. Or maybe there’s Another that is helping all of us.” He took a deep breath and continued. “So Mad Jonah led you to Tyrenium, so you could have a decent ship and much more importantly; to Alyssa and then Sparks. She’s always going to be Sparks to us John. That’s how we honor the pain we inflicted on that poor little girl. We didn’t institute that horrific eugenics program; but we saw one bright gem in that horrible gloom and managed to get her to Karron. Then we kept her pure. That generator did not blow itself up at just the right time at just the right force. Sparks was too good with machines even at 8 years old to have approached it. That horrible scar kept her personality safe. Sparks did not have the iron will, the indomitable fire of Alyssa. So we let Alyssa be your most wounded little bird, so that a wounded lion could find her; and you could change each other. You can hate us all you want for the years of pain, our cowardice, whatever else you want. You can’t argue with the results though. What is it again that Terrans say…’whatever doesn’t kill you…’” “In any case, here we are. Finally at long last we believe it is safe enough to come out of hiding, well at least to you. Remember we are cowards John, we don’t deny it, we embrace it and try to do the best we can with our nature. We have been helping very carefully in the background; but you needed to prove to us you would were capable of winning against the hordes arrayed against you. You are going to win John, and now you are going to get our help. In the background, always from the shadows John, but we are not disappointed. In fact, so far you have exceeded our expectations by a wide margin. Soon, Rahn and your mother will come around, one of us is on that ship, and it is almost time. Talk to your mother then, forgive Rahn, or at least try not to hate him so much that you won’t take his help. Rahn still wants what you want, to starve the Monster, and he can be an ally. Just don’t tell him about us. In fact, don’t tell many people about us. From a distance it is good that Edraele knows. We need to help you overcome the instinctive hatred built into the Maliri female DNA for seeing one of us now that you have claimed them. It can be done, but it won’t be easy. In the meantime no Maliri woman can actually be allowed to see any of us or Rahn; you saw what happened. Since you no longer enforce obedience, because they’re not enthralled, you can’t just clamp down on their instincts. Just try to keep your eyes open when you sneeze, it is that hard. So ask your questions. I will answer what I think it is safe for me to say, but I will not lie to you. Lying to you would not be safe for us at all. ” John immediately asked “Did you kill Faye?” His Matriarchs in his head said exactly the same thing that Calara did: “What?” Only Rachel was silent, admiring the colossal intellect that was John, who thought himself a “dumb marine”. “No, absolutely not! You’re right that she caught a glimpse of me in the internal cameras of the Invictus. I was terrified knowing that soon she would talk to you and make my hiding nigh impossible. It was sheer coincidence that Larn attacked exactly there soon after. In fact we did not know that Larn was there because that area does not have “Cloak Breaker” sensors and there just are not enough of us to keep tabs on everything. We’re not infallible. I almost died myself during the attack. We’re going to help you get Faye back John. We have warnings for you about AI, but we actually were very surprised how you changed Faye given she is not biological. You actually broke Faye when she was still in the hacking deck with a few words John. You are more than we ever were John. When you end the Monster we have no desire to repopulate or take over the galaxy. You have exceeded us in every way!” “Like you said, for your sake you had better not be lying to me about Faye…whatever your real name is.” “Yes, about that, keep calling me Jonah. The guy that was swallowed into darkness to be vomited back up 3 days later. The Monster has a long memory. I am not about to tell you my real name. There is power in a name. There is no benefit to you knowing my real name and great risk to me should the Monster learn it. There are records of my birth and naming, John, records the Monster can access. That gives her my DNA. That gives her knowledge of me, and knowledge is power. Which is why, at some point, we need to have a very long discussion about sex. You know your power is sexual in nature. Well, there is something fundamentally definitional about the biology of living beings that have only 2 sexes, like all of us here. Sure, the E. Coli in your gut have 7 sexes, and there’s all kinds of other systems out there. But by far, the most powerful system is just 2 sexes, equaling two genders, and there is a very specific way that works in our species, which is basically your species. I’m glad Rachel is here. In fact, later she can explain it to you; just like she loves to demonstrate it.” John stood there, a million questions in his head, but none seemed important right now. “Do any of you girls have a question?” Silence, somehow John expected that. Then Rachel spoke up. “Not so much a question as an observation. I think it would be better to focus on the immediate problems for now.” “Thank you Rachel.” John said, “I think you are correct. Jonah here does not look like he is going to spend a lot more time with us right now. I have some pressing issues and it seems Jonah wants to go back into the shadows because he is a coward. No offense intended.” “None taken, and you’re both quite right. Too many people are going to wonder what is going on inside this old freighter already and we are on the edge of Maliri space. I can’t go further in, where the women are, and nowhere else is particularly safe for a long conversation.” Jonah produced a datastick. Or rather, the data stick that was always right there in plain sight, not cloaked or hidden in any normal way, right on the upturned palm of his hand, suddenly became noticeable. They had all seen it and ignored it. There was more than one way to hide. Often not being noticed was better than not being seen. “These are instructions on the genetic and psychic changes that must be made for a Maliri not to lose control and attack one of us on sight. Rachel here can show you they are safe and then you can provide someplace safe deep inside Maliri space where I can continue to inform and advice you. I am not your guide John, you exceed me; but I know some things that you don’t and knowledge is power. We of the shadows know this very well, which is another reason we hide. In the meantime you have a meeting with the men here tomorrow. You don’t really need my advice for that. I’m pretty sure you were planning to do what you do best: shock, awe and destroy. Like Shadow, Destruction is not an inherently bad rune; but it must be tightly controlled and no one keeps himself under more control than you do John. Like Alyssa says, for a ‘Progenitor’ you practically live the life of a celibate monk. Go ahead and blow their minds with psychic demonstrations. Get them out of their self pity by showing them how wonderful the new Maliri society will be and destroy their complacency by telling them how vulnerable they are to a progenitor attack. I suggest you offer them planets scattered deep inside Maliri space where by law males have absolute rule and no woman can enter without their expressed permission. It is only a temporary solution, but over time it will break down as nature takes over and the natural sexual order reasserts itself away from this skewed birth ratio. As to the coming attack, it is going to be Gahl’kalgor and Jehanna was correct: red faced. He will be easy to defeat because he is not cunning like Larn’kelnar. He is vicious and direct but he has also become somewhat mentally unstable recently. We don’t often wonder far from the Shroud for obvious reasons but this one we know of. You see, when the Monster first sensed you in the deep astral, she sent a clever one to investigate. Then Larn’kelnar went rogue and instead of wiping you out immediately, decided to have fun playing like a mouse with a cat. You however, are no mouse, like Jade here keeps telling you. Since she is at a fundamental level a cat, well, she knows who you are by instinct.” Jonah looked at Jade and paused as Jade was smiling in a surprisingly vicious way. It was all Jade could do to keep herself from growing long canines and claws as she was deeply reminded of both her, and her Master’s nature. “See, destruction, predation, it is not all bad. It can be very sexy.” Jonah said as everyone was looking at Jade who was now shivering trying to keep herself under control and not pouncing on John for a bite. A real bite. Jonah shook his head, and went on. “Well, now the Monster has sent a very direct and vicious Progenitor. In the meantime your little Calara has changed her plans from building an offensive fleet to traps designed to destroy a reckless advance. I’m not saying we had anything to do with that, that maybe we dropped a few clues here and there. It is not like we are subtle or anything like that you know…” John said coldly, “So you admit to manipulating us.” “Well of course we do!” sounding very gruntled at the unintended compliment. “How many times has Jade said that Alyssa has you wrapped around her little finger? Does Alyssa mean you ill or well? Manipulation, just like Shadow or Destruction can be Good or evil. Like Edraele keeps telling you. It is the context, the intent. Your success is our safety, and just like Rahn’hagon who last led the redskins before, we are your natural allies. You can think poorly of us all you want, but our cowardice is your guarantee that we are acting in your best interest.” “My father tried to kill me the last time we spoke. Was that in my best interest or yours?” “Your father was in shock, and I was on the surface trying to heal myself after crashing with the Invictus at the time. We don’t control everything John. We are very few, very cowardly and a lto of things surprise us. Are you going to let your hate for him, or your contempt of me be more important than your love for your girls? We both know the answer John. You may be nauseous about it, but in the end, you gave Emandra immortality didn’t you? You would have done the same for the rest of the old Matriarchs, and no, we were not at all instrumental in what Sarinia did or in fact what Edraele did before Sarinia. Since you, or better said, your now dead guide went into Maliri space we left in a hurry and none of is going there until you decide to fix their instinct to kill us on sight. I understand how difficult this all is for you emotionally John; but you love your girls and ultimately will do anything to protect them. You are going to get over this and when we get your mother to contact you again you are going to suck it up and take all the help Rahn can give you. You know I am right. Look, there is no need at all to trust anything I am saying right now. Keep doing exactly what you are doing and over time, our help will convince you that whatever you think of us or our methods; we are on your side.” There was a pause as John understood that Jonah was correct. In fact, though he would not admit it openly, Edraele decide to whisper the obvious in his mind. *You are not just beginning to like Jonah are you? You liked Jonah from the very beginning and that feeling is growing despite you being so different than him.* Alyssa laughed in his head and said in a very teasing way *Jonah may be a scoundrel, but he is a very entertaining scoundrel. You better not bore me with too much righteous anger John. It is not just Admiral Charles Harris that I find an entertaining man anymore.” At that John rolled his eyes, facepalmed and Jade bellylaugherd herself half way to the floor. Alyssa was just, well she is Alyssa. “Let me guess John. Alyssa thought something completely outrageous to all of you. That girl has spirit John. Whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. I watched over her, always keeping her at the very edge of the breaking point. We needed her to change you into something far better than any of us could ever hope to be. She is our finest work, YOUR finest work. It would be an insult to call her a Kyth’faren princess, being so much more. What do the Ashanah call her? The Radiant one. Look, we need to wrap this up right now. Rachel needs to teach you about sex before we meet again. I think you both might enjoy the lessons. In the meantime I am telling you this latest asshat Gahl’kalgor and the Redskin football team he quarterbacks are going to be easy pickings. If you can, let Calara play around with him for awhile chasing around nebulas or whatever before killing him, so the Monster does not send someone else. Of course get Larn’s ships and then the latest asshat’s. Under the Shroud the Monster has no control so she can only send one Progenitor at a time or they would immediately turn on each other. You’re a team player John, they’re not.” “Quarterback, what are you talking about?” Said Rachel. “Ah the good old days back on primitive Terra. Beer, popcorn and good old American football which had very little foot about it. Yeah, sex has many outlets and sometimes the best defense is a lot of offensive sex. Shove that ball into the end zone. Really, do I need to spell it out? Tell Dana and Helene that. I am amazed you guys have not figured out how to forge a stronger version of the Progenitor metal even though you already did it once. Tell Dana to stop over thinking the problem and just fuck it.” said Jonah. “Look people, someone will contact you soon enough. This conversation needs to end now.” John put out his hand, which startled Jonah, who carefully extended it for a handshake. “I don’t want to like you Jonah. You’ve tortured a lot of people I love and I still don’t trust you. However, I am going to talk this over with the girls and I am willing to listen to you again. After all, I can’t risk boring Alyssa and having her elope with you.” At that everyone smiled and Jonah went back towards the cockpit while the team exited. Ignore the rest, a previous version “Hi Jonah, I am glad to see you my friend, but I am rather busy so what can I do for you today?” “You can be our vengeance John. That’s why we helped father you after all. Or do you still believe that Tyrenium and worm girls just happened to be waiting for you on Karron on 2 occasions were a coincidence? I think it would be best to speak directly son. Maliri security is good enough for most things, but not for the next tip I have for you. Still too busy to speak to an old, very old, very mad, spacer?” John froze. Ceraden slowly removed his helmet and sat back studying John’s face. As a prosperous trader Ceraden was very good at reading people’s faces, especially an old and very honest friend like John. What he saw on John’s face Ceraden did not understand. John had always been fearless. It was not exactly fear on his face. It was something much more disturbing. Ceraden could not think of a name for it. One thing was clear; John’s entire world had just changed in an instant. “There’s a ship called the Invictus…” “John, it would be much better to speak aboard the Fool’s Gold.” Mad Jonah chuckled, and went on “I guess there are some coincidences though. I have gold here, and a long time ago I was a fool. I don’t mind if you bring anyone with you that you trust, except no Maliri women, no matter how much you trust them. It would not be good for any of us if a Maliri woman were to see me, not good at all. You know what I am talking about.” Jonah said, not sounding mad at all. “I should arrive in about 40 minutes. I will stay on my ship waiting for you. In the meantime, I suggest you think about the sign of Jonah, son. Not all your fathers are disappointed in you. ” With that the communication was cut off at the source and an uncomfortable silence settled on the room as John watched the wall behind Ceraden with unfocused eyes while Ceraden and Jade very much focused on John. Breaking the silence John looked at Ceraden. “My friend, I don’t think I can enjoy your hospitality at the moment. If it is OK with you, I would like to come back after I speak with Jonah, if that’s even his name. Whenever it is convenient to you of course. I will let you know if tomorrow’s meeting is going to even happen then. Obviously I don’t know some very important facts.” “Again John, I am in your debt for life, and we Maliri live a long time. Come back whenever you wish. No business is more important than what you are obviously dealing with right now.” John blinked and looked at Ceraden, then at Jade, tens of thousands of years old Jade. He thought to himself, a long time. Ceraden had no idea what a long time was. If “Mad Jonah” was who John thought he was, neither did he. If Jonah was what seemed to claim, it was millions or hundreds of millions of years. John’s matriarchs were very quiet thought John. *Alyssa, I am sorry to have left you back at Valaden. I thought this was going to be a simple thing and I wanted you to coordinate …” *John, please, I am there with you always.* thought Alyssa to John. This was no time for distractions. Edraele and Jade were usually much better about not distracting John but Alyssa could be quiet also. She went totally quiet again, as Jade just looked at him and said “Master, may I come?” “Yes, you will share everything you hear from Jonah telepathically to Alyssa and Edraele. I want Calara and Rachel there too so tell them to leave the Invictus and meet us wherever the Fool's Gold lands.” *They may not be mind readers, but they’re very perceptive and in any case, if this so called Jonah is who he seems to be implying, I don’t think anyone is going to be reading his mind today.* This John said to his Matriarchjs as he briskly walked away from Ceraden. Normally John would be more courteous with Ceraden but he had too much on his mind. ~~~ The four of them stood there for quite some time in an unusual silence waiting for the Fool’s Gold to finish settling and opening the airlock dooer. They walked calmly in, feeling not calm at all. There, in the cargo hold, was “Jonah” looking very sober, with very pointed ears. As Jonah began to fondle the point of his right ear he said. “I can’t tell you how many times I have had to cut these off and how fast the damn things grow back! Still, I can’t chance holo emitters so I’ve become rather quick about it.” “Are you…” Yes John, I am one of the very few Kyth’faren that survived the holocaust so many millions of years ago. We tried to warn the others, but they would not listen, especially since we did not know how our civilization would collapse, or even when, but just a vague premonition from those of us that were attuned to the shadows and quite frankly, were cowards at heart. Even cowards can contribute. While the rest developed their abilities in many wondrous areas, we learned to hide better every millenia. So we prepared for the coming disaster the only way we knew how. We hid, we hid very deep, and when the Monster began to suck the life of our brothers and sisters, we taught a few of the brave ones how to build fortresses in the deep Astral and fuel them with their life. We taught them how to lay traps in those fortresses knowing that some day we might be able to lure one of the Monster’s servants there looking for power. Then we continued to learn more deeply about hiding, cowardice and the shadows. Eventually we were learned how to make the Shroud, and make it permanent. It was easy getting the Achonin to cast it, just left enough clues on how to do it, because they hated the Kirrix anyways. Everybody hates the Kirrix, and the Kirrix hate everybody. Axioms can’t be questioned” The kythfaren chuckled at a very old, very private joke. “So when the Shroud came, eventually the Monster tried to investigate. Mael’nerak was too powerful and we, very quietly helped here and there for quite some time because we needed Mael’nerak to be in the Shroud long enough to care for someone other than himself. We were actually surprised he began to create life, rather than just destroy; but that definitely sped things up. Terrans with their mutations offered us a fertile field to make someone that would bring back the goodness of our ancient ways. They also however went in all sorts of directions we could not control without revealing too much about our survival. You see, the Monster could not stamp out every trace of the Kythfaren from whence she produced the Progenitors, as you call them. Eventually the situation was just right and Rahn was sent. You know most of the rest. Except that Rahn’hagon manipulated your DNA to make a ‘Progenitor killer’ in part by using knowledge from one of the fortresses. Like the arrogant fool all Progenitors are, he never bothered to fully understand what he was doing. So you were born, and abandoned. We were there too, in the background as always, just like we were there when you locked up your guide as a young man. One of us was a frequent customer at your grandparent’s restaurant. I had to listen to her complain about cutting off her earpoints all the time, but she knew that even with our mastery of shadow manipulation the risk was too high that somehow someone would notice.” Jonah chuckled again. “It is really funny that one of the AI in the collective is all about an ancient show called Star Trek. Like I said, sometimes there might be a coincidence. Or maybe there’s Another that is helping us.” He took a deep breath and continued. “So Mad Jonah led you to Tyrenium, so you could have a decent ship and much more importantly; to Alyssa and then Sparks. She’s always going to be Sparks to us John. That’s how we honor the pain we inflicted on that poor little girl. We didn’t institute that horrific eugenics program; but we saw one bright gem in that horrible gloom and managed to get her to Karron. Then we kept her pure. That generator did not blow itself up at just the right time at just the right force. Sparks was too good with machines even at 8 years old to have approached it. That horrible scar kept her personality safe. Sparks did not have the iron will, the indomitable fire of Alyssa. So we let Alyssa be your most wounded little bird, so that a wounded lion could find her; and you could change each other. You can hate us all you want for the years of pain, our cowardice, whatever else you want. You can’t argue with the results though. What is it again that Terrans say…’whatever doesn’t kill you…’” “In any case, here we are. Finally at long last we believe it is safe enough to come out of hiding. Remember we are cowards John, we don’t deny it, we embrace it and try to do the best we can with our nature. We have been helping very carefully in the background; but you needed to prove to us would were capable of winning against the hordes arrayed against you. You are going to win John, and now you are going to get our help. In the background, always from the shadows John, but we are not disappointed. In fact, so far you have exceeded our expectations by a wide margin. Soon, Rahn and your mother will come around, one of us is on that ship, and it is almost time. Talk to your mother then, forgive Rahn, or at least try not to hate him so much that you won’t take his help. Rahn still wants what you want, to starve the Monster, and he can be an ally. Just don’t tell him about us. In fact, don’t tell many people about us. From a distance it is good that Edraele knows. We need to help you overcome the instinctive hatred built into the Maliri DNA for seeing one of us now that you have claimed them. It can be done, but it won’t be easy. In the meantime no Maliri can actually be allowed to see any of us or Rahn; you saw what happened. Since you no longer enforce obedience, because they’re not enthralled, you can’t just clamp down on their instincts. Just try to keep your eyes open when you sneeze, it is that hard. So ask your questions. I will answer what I think it is safe for me to say, but I will not lie to you. Lying to you would not be safe for us at all. ” John immediately asked “Did you kill Faye?” His Matriarch in his head said exactly the same thing that Calara did: “What?” Only Rachel was silent, admiring the colossal intellect that was John, who thought himself a “dumb marine”. “No, absolutely not! You’re right that she caught a glimpse of me in the internal cameras of the Invictus. It was sheer coincidence that Larn attacked exactly there soon after. In fact we did not know that Larn was there because that area does not have “Cloak Breaker” sensors and there just is not enough of us to keep tabs on everything. We’re not infallible. I almost died myself during the attack. We’re going to help you get Faye back John. We have warnings for you about AI, but we actually were very surprised how you changed Faye given she is not biological. You actually broke Faye when she was still in the hacking deck with a few words John. You are more than we ever were John. When you end the Monster we have no desire to repopulate or take over the galaxy. You have exceeded us in every way!” “Like you said, for your sake you had better not be lying to me about that…whatever your real name is.” “Yes, about that, keep calling me Jonah. The Monster has a long memory. I am not about to tell you my real name. There is power in a name. There is no benefit to you knowing my real name and great risk to me should the Monster learn it. There are records of my birth and naming, John, records the Monster can access. That gives her my DNA. That gives her knowledge of me, and knowledge is power. Which is why, at some point, we need to have a very long discussion about sex. You know your power is sexual in nature. Well, there is something fundamentally definitional about the biology of living beings that have only 2 sexes, like all of us here. Sure, the E. Coli in your gut have 7 sexes, and there’s all kinds of other systems out there. But by far, the most powerful system is just 2 sexes, equaling two genders, and there is a very specific way that works in our species, which is basically your species. I’m glad Rachel is here. In fact, later she can explain it to you; just like she loves to demonstrate it.” John stood there, a million questions in his head, but none seemed important right now. “Do any of you girls have a question?” Silence, somehow John expected that. Then Rachel spoke up. “Not so much a question as an observation. I think it would be better to focus on the immediate problems for now.” “Thank you Rachel.” John said, “I think you are correct. Jonah here does not look like he is going to spend a lot more time with us right now. I have some pressing issues and it seems Jonah wants to go back into the shadows because he is a coward. No offense intended.” “None taken, and you’re both quite right. Too many people are going to wonder what is going on inside this old freighter already and we are on the edge of Maliri space. I can’t go further in, where the women are, and nowhere is is particularly safe for a long conversation.” Jonah produced a datastick. Or rather, the data stick that was always right there in plain sight, not cloaked or hidden in any normal way right on the palm of his hand suddenly became noticeable. They had all seen it and ignored it. There was more than one way to hide. Often not being noticed was better than not being seen. “These are instructions on the genetic and psychic changes that must be made for a Maliri not to lose control and attack one of us on sight. Rachel here can show you they are safe and then you can provide someplace safe deep inside Maliri space where I can continue to inform and advice you. I am not your guide John, you exceed me; but I know some things that you don’t and knowledge is power. We of the shadows know this very well, which is another reason we hide. In the meantime you have a meeting with the men here tomorrow. You don’t really need my advice for that. I’m pretty sure you were planning to do what you do best: shock, awe and destroy. Like Shadow, Destruction is not an inherently bad rune; but it must be tightly controlled and no one keeps himself under more control than you do John. Like Alyssa says, for a ‘Progenitor’ you practically live the life of a celibate monk. Go ahead and blow their minds with psychic demonstrations. Get them out of their self pity by showing them how wonderful the new Maliri society will be and destroy their complacency by telling them how vulnerable they are to a progenitor attack. I suggest you offer them planets scattered deep inside Maliri space where by law males have absolute rule and no woman can enter without their expressed permission. It is only a temporary solution, but over time it will break down as nature takes over and the natural sexual order reasserts itself away from this skewed birth ratio. As to the coming attack, it is going to be Gahl’kalgor and Jehanna was correct: red faced. He will be easy to defeat because he is not cunning like Larn’kelnar. He is vicious and direct but he has also become somewhat mentally unstable recently. We don’t often wonder far from the Shroud for obvious reasons but this one we know of. You see, when the Monster first sensed you in the deep astral, she sent a clever one to investigate. Then Larn’kelnar went rogue and instead of wiping you out immediately, decided to have fun playing like a mouse with a cat.You however, are no mouse, like Jade here keeps telling you. Since she is at a fundamental level a cat, well, she knows who you are by instinct.” Jonah looked at Jade and paused as Jade was smiling in a surprisingly vicious way. It was all Jade could do to keep herself from growing long canines and claws as she was deeply reminded of both her, and her Master’s nature. “See, destruction, predation, it is not all bad. It can be very sexy.” Jonah said as everyone was looking at Jade who was now shivering trying to keep herself under control and not pouncing on John for a bite. A real bite. Jonah shook his head, and went on. “Well, now the Monster has sent a very direct and vicious Progenitor. In the meantime your little Calara has changed her plans from building an offensive fleet to traps designed to destroy a reckless advance. I’m not saying we had anything to do with that, that maybe we dropped a few clues here and there. It is not like we are subtle or anything like that you know…” John said coldly, “So you admit to manipulating us.” “Well of course we do! How many times has Jade said that Alyssa has you wrapped around her little finger? Does Alyssa mean you ill or well? Manipuilation, just like Shadow or Destruction can be Good or evil. Like Edraele keeps telling you. It is the context, the intent. Your success is our safety, and just like Rahn’hagon who last led the redskins, we are your natural allies. You can think poorly of us all you want, but our cowardice is your guarantee that we are acting in your best interest.” “My father tried to kill me the last time we spoke. Was that in my best interest or yours?” “Your father was in shock, and I was on the surface trying to heal myself after crashing with the Invictus at the time. Are you going to let your hate for him, or your contempt of me be more important than your love for your girls? We both know the answer John. You may be nauseous about it, but in the end, you gave Emandra immortality didn’t you? You would have done the same for the rest of the old Matriarchs, and no, we were not at all instrumental in what Sarinia did or in fact what Edraele did before Sarinia. Since you, or better said, your now dead guide went into Maliri space we left in a hurry and none of is going there until you decide to fix their instinct to kill us on sight. I understand how difficult this all is for you emotionally John; but you love your girls and ultimately will do anything to protect them. You are going to get over this and when we get your mother to contact you again you are going to suck it up and take all the help he can give you. You know I am right. Look, there is no need at all to trust anything I am saying right now. Keep doing exactly what you are doing and over time, our help will convince you that whatever you think of us or our methods; we are on your side.” There was a pause as John understood that Jonah was correct. In fact, though he would not admit it openly, Edraele decide to whisper in his mind. *You are not just beginning to like Jonah are you? You liked Jonah from the very beginning and that feeling is growing despite you being so different than him.* Alyssa laughed in his head and said in a very teasing way *Jonah may be a scoundrel, but he is a very entreating scoundrel. You better not bore me with too much righteous anger John. It is not just Admiral Charles Harris that I find an entertaining man anymore.” At that John rolled his eyes, facepalmed and Jade bellylaugherd herself half way to the floor. Alyssa was just, well she is Alyssa. “Let me guess John. Alyssa thought something completely outrageous to all of you. That girl has spirit John. Whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. We watched over her, always keeping her at the very edge of the breaking point. We needed her to change you into something far better than any of us could ever hope to be. She is our finest work, YOUR finest work. It would be an insult to call her a Kyth’faren princess. What do the Ashanah call her? The Radiant one. Look, we need to wrap this up right now. Rachel needs to teach you about sex before we meet again. I think you both might enjoy the lessons. In the meantime I am telling you this latest asshat Gahl’kalgor and the Redskin football team he quarterbacks are going to be easy pickings. If you can, let Calara play around with him for awhile chasing around nebulas or whatever before killing him, so the Monster does not send someone else. Under the Shroud the Monster has no control so she can only send one Progenitor at a time or they would immediately turn on each other. You’re a team player John, they’re not.” “Quarterback, what are you talking about?” Said Rachel. “Ah the good old days back on primitive Terra. Beer, popcorn and good old American football which had very little foot about it.” said Jonah. “Look people, someone will contact you soon enough. This conversation needs to end now. John put out his hand, which startled Jonah, who carefully extended it for a handshake. “I don’t want to like you Jonah. You’ve tortured a lot of people I love and I still don’t trust you. However, I am going to talk this over with the girls and I am willing to listen to you again. After all, I can’t risk boring Alyssa and having her elope with you.” At that everyone smiled and Jonah went back towards the cockpit while the team exited.

2ndAndrocentric

I really enjoy these stories by 2ndAndrocentric, but if he keeps pushing the envelope like this Tefler is going to rightfully band him.

2ndAndrocentric

Yeah well, ban him from the band I guess.

2ndAndrocentric

So the darkest skinned Terran girl gets Shadow powers. Th Nymphs don't count because like the twins, John merely enhances their abilities. I am completely certain that is a coincidence. Space Magic, don't leave home wihout it.

Michael56Smith

.257: Okay now, Luna, John has gifted her with some psychic ability that Tef is being all coy about... Any thoughts? ... she will be training with Edraele, a telekinetic telepath, who has had John boost her powers as well, are Gahl'kalgor's minions going come a knocking and need a lesson in how to behave in someone else's empire (or Protectorate) ... maybe that will a part of chapter #150, the next big battle? Fun times ahead!! ;-) TTFN

2ndAndrocentric

Mad (crazy or angry?) Jonah (a man returned from supposed death) Bennings (begs to ask, begginings?) is all coincidence. Or is he an ancient Kyth'farren that had Karron all prepared to activate John?

TF007

F5….F5….F5

John Degennaro

As we have nothing new here to read, I was wondering if anyone has read L Ron Hubbard's Battlefield Earth. What did you think of it? I thought it was the best sci-fi book I've ever read till TSM.

Bp Hlpt

Was just re-reading comments that were made here almost TWO YEARS AGO (after the first half of Chapter 130 was posted) and ran across this set of posts that were made by some of our more insightful readers: CurtInAtl I suspect that Jade is the key to defeating Xar. What if she is some sort of revenge or you could say "time bomb" left by the Achonin that is programmed to attack once she gets close enough to him. In a way she may well be the last Achonin. IronLance So Jade's sisters, who don't have the Achonin runes on their crystal hearts, are what? Something like clones? Somehow, I can't see Mael deciding to use a defeated enemies creations for any reason. Nice twisty theory, though. I think John's entire way of viewing his 'thralls' and the Lenarrans is the real key. Brian Woods I have often wondered about the exact nature of the Nymphs and their relationship to Progenitors. Given that Larn was aware of them when he met one by way of Athgiloi, they are probably not an Achonin creation. He mentions them ‘still operating as intended after all these years’ as if they broke down due to unforeseen issues after a time. Since Jade possesses their runes on her heart, we know she came in contact with them in the past, so what if she was used to bring them down originally? Sent like a spy into Achonin civilization, she could have probed their weaknesses for Mael and shared the info to bring them down. The only unexplained issue would be if they changed her heart to stop Mael from destroying them and failed, or if they recorded their history into her heart for future generations to use as a tool against Xar and his Progenitor armies. I expect we will find out these mysteries when the regular Nymphs begin ‘malfunctioning’, so to speak, sometime after the next 10 chapters or so finish up following the fight against Gahl. Lee Sherman Actually out of all the runes they found on Jade's heart, Dana only said 1 of them looked like a rune she saw on the Achonin station. Doesnt mean they are Achonin runes. just saying. :) Steve Chatterton I think it is still possible that Jade has Achonin roots. Although, Mael defeated the Achonin's it is possible that he recognized genius at work when he discovered Jade. So, instead of destroying her he decided to see if he could replicate her. It is not beyond belief that he would do something like this because creating new species is Mael's specialty. Golden-one Pretty sure Jade is running some high end Achonin spy-ware. Nymphs are supposed to "factory reset" when bonded to a new master, forgetting everything that happened previously. Admittedly, with a sample size of two, it's hard to know how they're supposed to interact with progenitors, but it looks like they bond, unless their "maker" recalls them. Jade on the other hand remembers everything, other than the run in that let some achonin scribe those runes. I'm guessing that it will become relevant once the current Forest fire has been extinguished

TF007

Am I the only one who is sad it’s taken almost 2 years to get from chapter 130 to chapter 147???😢

TF007

F5….F5….F5

Big Orca

When I used to buy books, waiting 1-2 years between books was very normal. Faster iterations usually involved ghost writers, and quality suffered greatly.

2ndAndrocentric

Trois Cleans UP After an Orgy “Monsieur, werez do I put diz?” Trois asked John in her exaggerated French accent, waggling her eyebrows. “Oh, that, I haven’t seen that in a while. Dana made it, so maybe she has a place to put it.” John responded suggestively. Trois turned the replica of John’s genitals standing proudly at full attention on a base with the letters “M.V.D.” on a small plaque below it. “It is not for zee staff….”she let the word staff hang for a few seconds. “…to question but, sil vous plait, whad iz M.V.D.?” “Most Valuable Dick; Dana pulled …”John let the word pulled hang also “…that out at the end of a post battle briefing a few weeks ago. She had mentioned that an award should go to the best performance after each battle, but that in order to prevent arguing, it should be awarded to the biggest and most valuable, in her words ‘equipment’ on the team.” “Perhaps I should return it where it was, outside of camera range, so that Madame Daphne not be disturbed; rather than put it where Mademoiselle Dana might wish it?” They both shared a laugh. Trois turned and left with a wink and John thought again how the first rule of AI did not seem to apply where he was concerned.

TF007

F5…F5…F5

TF007

I wonder how powerful the new hybrid quantum flux cannons are? The one on the Legacy fired 6 energy rounds every 20 seconds. Will the new guns fire 6 rounds or will it cram all the energy for six into one physical shell? The guns also only fire forwards but can elevate 45 degrees.

Brittany durin

Non official word count after 139 is 3,641,900

Bp Hlpt

Yet another couple of insightful readers from A YEAR AGO (posted after Ch 138) Zachary Hoover How about giving jahenna shadow powers Ryan Smith Nope she should be a illusionist.

Michael56Smith

.315: Q: when Jehanna is training and getting to practice with her shadow powers, (against Alyssa?) will poor Alyssa have any PTS flashbacks from John's not so nice Guide, PJ? or will others have to practice with our shadowy reporter? ;-) TTFN

Wassim Haroun

I don’t normally nag but where is the next installment pleeeeeease