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Hi everyone,

With everything that's been happening in my private life for the last couple of months, I haven't been able to release any new chapters for a while, and my financial situation is getting pretty dire. 

Fortunately I'm back to full health now, and aside from being a bit shellshocked at how rapidly my father declined, I should be able to do some solid writing in April. I'm sick and tired of being behind on the releases, so I want to get caught up as quickly as possible.

Writing has been quite cathartic for me recently, as it's been nice to lose myself in a bit of harmless escapism. 

I'm sure you're all as eager to reach the conclusion of the Galkiran invasion as I am, and I'm guessing that either Chapter 162 or 163 will be the final battle. I've sketched out the framework for the upcoming scenes, but it's a bit tricky to estimate their size, as events at Genwynn station might be brief or wordy, depending on how it all plays out when I write it.

We're also reaching the end of the Tom Walker subplot, so love or loathe that, it should also be concluding soon. 

Fleet Admiral Devereux will also be returning to Olympus Shipyard imminently, which ties in with the rebellion in the Outer Rim. I have a couple of key scenes in mind for that too, so thinking about it now, the showdown on Kythshara will most likely be in 163.

Anyway, I hope you're all in good health.

Best wishes,

Tefler

Comments

JeanMartin Freites

Nice to know that particular subplot is getting solved because it's been going on for such a long time.

Nate

Happy that you’re getting back to it now that everything is starting to settle. Sorry that your financial situation is tough at the moment. I wonder if it makes sense to commission artwork or something that would count as a billable post so you can help get right.

Bp Hlpt

Thanks for the teasers! I fully understand the need for this placeholder, but I sincerely hope that once/if you are able to get caught up, that the need for future placeholders will be eliminated. That will then be one less thing for the grumblers to complain about.

Mojarra

Wait - now three chapters behind? No thanks, I’m gone.

Mehak Arora

It's ok on the placeholder and being behind and everything but you sure you got the right number for the post?

Ramen4life

You're a great author Tefler. I love the universe you built. I really want to continue supporting you. I hope you deliver in April. Was excited to see an email pop up saying you posted a chapter. Edit: My bad didn't see that you posted on 161.

Evan

Thank you, Tefler! I’m glad to see you posting again. I empathize with your situation and I wish you only good fortune moving forwards. You’re now 2.5 chapters in with this latest placeholder. I do hope that you manage to start clearing the backlog this month. My best wishes to you and your family.

Khaezarn

I don't mind at all, what people forget is you are a person, one that has faced a lot of really difficult hardship. As someone who had a wife in and out of the hospital for over a year, the need for extra funds is an ever present demon. I am again very sorry for your terrible loss and I simply hope for the best for you and your family. I'm just happy to hear that you're excited to write again because it gives you an escape from the chaos and hardship. Keep up the amazing work, I'm here for the long haul!

Vince

I perfectly understand. Let us support you. After all, it’s a small investment that secures the sustainability of your career choice & of our beloved story.

Taco1085

thanks for the heads up and I totally understand, can't wait for the new chapters and hope the family is doing great... I lost my father-in-law 5 weeks ago and I can only imagine what you have gone thru. My father left this earth 6 years ago and I was devastated for a long time. I am glad to hear you are excited to write.

AzureReader

Glad you’re writing again. Nice chapter so far. Hoping we see the introduction of the Valkyrie and Raptor from the thrall perspective. The opposing perspective is my favorite part of any battle story. Nice reference to today’s M61 Vulcan gatling. Once they have a larger forge still hoping for a throwback to the much, much larger GAU-8 Avenger 7 barrel gatling with 7 separate 6-round flux charging chambers. Something powerful enough to cut through dreadnought armor like relatively small caliber DU sabot rounds cut through tank armor today. It would be nice if they could find a rune for the penetrator rounds that breaks the soul bind from the black metal… some rune Helene might have an affinity for.

Alex H.

First my sincerest condolences for your father. I can understand, you are shellshocked, but the only thing we all can wish for, that it happens fast, when our time comes and our loved ones are there. I have no doubt you will work up your backlog fast, as you did, when the thing with your roof happend.

Dem0n Hunter

Dude. Stop fucking place holding. That’s three now. And we all have fucking shit going on in our lives. It sucks. But that doesn’t mean keep stealing from us, promising to get this or that done. And for all you fan boys that’s gonna suck on tef’s cock to tell me boohoo shut up he’s diamonds and gold. You can shut the fuck up too. All of you go ahead and send me $20 for free right now. “I promise” I will send you a product that’s worth it in good time…. Idiots. All you need to do is change your subscriptions then there’s no reason to bitch about it Tefler. But you don’t have it that way. So stop taking what isn’t yours since I don’t have mine.

Steven

Hey Tef, Regrettably we know that "life is a war game with a 100% mortality rate. No one gets out alive." It's still shocking when you lose someone. Hopefully the are roses to smell, sunsets to see, someone soft to touch, & music to hear along our path. Our condolences. And there's way too many pissy people out there. Escapism is a good thing. It gives a chance to spend time with old friends. Thanks

Buffy

Hi Tef, good to hear things are getting back on track. As someone with a full-time job and medical insurance, it's hard to imagine what you have to cope with. Best of luck.

Peruvemba

noob question - want to start reading from scratch again - Is there a easy wway to get say chapter 100 onwards? Sadly have not stored as i read on mobile device.

Carl

Sorry for your problems .look forward to new chapters

B S

great to see you back writing after all that has happened. Best wishes from Oz

Cassandra Wren

Glad to hear of the improvement in your life Tefler. I'm excited to see the plot movements planned in the story too. I hope that you and the family are in a good place now?

Matt

When are the pre-charges done?

Dave Barrack

I had always assumed the Tom Walker storyline would involve someone calling a Lioness as a witness and they're like "Shit yeah, I could hack that stuff no prob. All this evidence is super fake and Terran InfoSec is a joke." But I don't see the crew of the Invictus making it back to Earth anytime soon, so I guess we'll see.

Michael56Smith

.31: THIS IS A NON-TSM COMMENT, ... regards an upcoming Jack Danner, by BurntRedstone, new installment, "Jack's Moonlighting", this is quoted from his own Bio page, ... "Jack Danner's next adventure, "Jack's Moonlighting", is another epic story. As I approach the one-hundred-and-fifty-thousand-word count (the story is nearing its finale, I promise), I've come to realize I will have to release it in parts. Minimal delay between the publication of each but still, two parts. Both parts to be released this summer, ..."This comment is just for my fellow Fans of other (BurntRedstone+) authors, ... ;-) TTFN

2ndAndrocentric

One silly thing I miss is (are?) descriptions of the psychic pictures the girls had in Alyssa's head; plus none ever having been described from Jade. I do remember the wonderful scene after the 5 catgirl smoochathon where Edraele awoke completely drunk talking about all the pretty stars. I relaize TSM is massive already, but for my taste, it could double in volume and I would love it even more. It is a fantastically great story from an excellent storyteller.

Michael56Smith

.41: Hey Tef, on the free sites, chapter #143 has been the latest for many months, ... you only dropped a total of 4 chapters all last year, .... with placeholder #163, you will be 20 chapters ahead of the free sites, ... any chance of catching them up to something closer? Dropping just one to two chapters per month would catch them up to the now current chapters in about a year, then it would be only around 10-12 chapters behind, that's a bit better, and the free sites would have fresh material each month, (happy fans), Perhaps a writer/editor Intern a few days a month, might be an answer for you, to help dole out the free chapters each month, ... Anyway, I am so glad that you are back, ... so don't work too hard, no relapses please, .... ;-) TTFN

Anthony Kester

Are you looking for a 3SM Discord Server for serious people run by a lunatic? Have we got the server for you!!! Come on down to "The Invictus, a Three Square Meals Forum" and post your thoughts on the epic. https://discord.gg/tXEPg9PuhM

Silent Count

Glad to hear your are bounced back to full health.

Richard A. Goodwin Jr.

Am I the only one who sees no point to the Tom Walker subplot? I keep pushing the 'I believe button' to convince myself the author has some point in writing it and that it will (somehow) improve the overall story but I am losing hope. Please, just end it.

Johnkr

When rereading, I always skipped the Tom walker subplot, then after going through all the chapters I wish I had paid more attention. I would like to see Jonah come back as another good progenitor.

Michael carney

Ohh, the sub-plots. The place where Tash was rescued, what was the final explanation of what its history was and what was it being resurrected for. The nymph the fish people leader, when will she be rescued, though when tefler was only beginning this I felt I had already read this plot by another author down to the final confrontation and rescue including the layout of the room.

Bill

OK - the bad guy in the sub plane that starts with a K? or X? - that gets stronger when a Progenitor dies. Does he get stronger also when thralls die?? Is that why John isn't destroying all the vessels in G's fleet - just disabling them??

Bill

Ya know Johns father and mother has to be showing sometime in the near future. Would be nice to have a hidden Progenitor ship on John's side!! Especially if he could claim some thralls to help run the ship

Michael56Smith

.90: Wow, some interesting brainstorming in regard to the damaged (engines and rear hulls) of the wrecked/stranded Galkarin fleet vessels, .... It might be possible to develop MWM (Mael's White Metal) based cutting and repair equipment using the Star Forges, ... once Dana gets a chance to look the Star Forges over, .... this could be a good way to repurpose those ships and crews AFTER the conflict with Gahl'kalgor is concluded, .... to prep for the next Progenitor to come calling, ... well done troops, let's tell Tefler, .... --- Also, they could use that gear, and MWM to fix the hole Alyssa blasted through the hull of the Ascendancy class shuttle, ... a much better patch than the relatively weak ole Titanium, right? ---- Oh, and fix up the Ashanath's Legacy too, ... but using some of Dana's revised/improved Schematics, ... a long term, lower priority project, ... ;-) TTFN

Unresolved Plots

Agreed Bill. I have mentioned this very possibility on Discord. It should be noted that Larn'kelnars Dreadnought continued to receive updates on his fleet movements up until the moment he was killed. No reason to believe this has stopped since he died, which leaves us with the likelihood that Rahn'hagon is now receiving alerts that the Larathyran fleets are on the move heading for their Hyperwarp Gate, or even that some have already wormholed to Kythshara. What will his reaction be to this news? Will he tell Jessica? Will she insist they go to help John? Lots of intriguing possibilities.

Unresolved Plots

Also, it has been speculated that the Galkiran's and Rahn'hagon's former thrall race the Randarai(?) are one and the same, since they are both red skinned. This adds to the intrigue if true. How will they react to Rahn'hagon? Would a former claim have a residual affect on them?

20 ton

If a claim is there new or residual I believe it would cover the entire race. Doubt it would matter to a psychic wave if a thrall was claimed under the shroud.

Michael56Smith

.104: Rahn and Jessica's Dreadnought needs a name (Terran and Maliri custom), ... perhaps a synonym for Legacy: like the Inheritance, Patrimony, Bequest, Gift, Heritage, Birthright, ... and there are others as well, ... or maybe the Lollipop, she's a good ship, ... ;-) TTFN

Johnkr

I was thinking the other day that women have borne the majority of pain from Xar, shouldn’t they play the main roll in bringing him down. I was thinking of a Dana created quantum love energy device, or the combined psychic energy of the girls doing something to him. Psychic Ray, a psychic amplifier of some type. Just some thoughts

Str8NotNarrow

Hoping for 2 chapters this month.....

Michael56Smith

.118: Hey, did anyone else notice that the free sites finally got another chapter posted? TSM #144 was posted on the 8th, ... Atta boy Tef, .... ;-) TTFN

Robar

Oh yeah, just finally had time to finish what’s left of 161! Holy shit again…hopefully will able to pay for another chapter soon! Another great chapter!

FOEAI

Tefler, wanted to say thank you for continuing this work. I hope that when you finish it, the next story you bring us gains more followers and is able to fill more of the 'good story' gaps that we so desperately crave.

Robar

Here’s what I think about because I’m old and experienced this I read all of Michael Cropo’s “A Spartan’s War” and before he finished it…at one of his cliff hangers…no…the story was absolutely one of the best several books along stories…and he died of cancer. Devastating for me because you learn the characters and jokes st wait for next! I don’t mind paying a little extra for our author here to get healthy! The alternative is another loss of an amazing author and story.

Robar

Not all f that at the end was what I said…so check is fecked here. I cried losing that author and the story

Johnkr

What would be the word count of the standard sci fi hardcover versus the total for TSM.

Steven

And this story is easily good for another 4+ million words. Endless possibilities. My suggestion is to keep writing and exploring it. Example, when a popular restaurant closes for remodeling many customers move on and don't return or when they think they need to change up the menu by dropping many customers favorites for something "new". Three Square Meals, appropriate for my example. Thanks Tef.

Patreon42

There is a lot to cover still, I’m waiting for them to use the wormhole generator again to likely find out the cooldown time is much much lower. This would make sense since in the end the progenitor’s master wants them to die to serve him in death so he wouldn’t want them to be able to keep jumping around to avoid death. The main issue I think are the logistics of a story this size and keeping track of who’s doing what, where, and when. In scenarios like this it’s probably best to focus on the main characters to avoid getting a work to unwieldy and difficult to progress with the major story arcs. Regardless I’m looking forward to the placeholder chapters being completed ASAP and the following chapters monthly (or sooner)!

Carl

I am looking forward to getting more chapters to read

Michael56Smith

.143: ... and the Free Site fans (of Storys On Line and Literotoca) are finally getting fresh material for the first time in many months, .... the fans that have rediscovered TSM are thrilled, ... and chapter 143 is no longer their latest, now that (on April 8th) those sites have dropped #144, that's the one when they save Jade from those activated Achonon (sleeper) runes on her crystal heart, ... and Tef wrote that more TSM releases are coming soon to the free sites, .... Tef is catching up all over the place, ... so, I think his getting his Gall Stones removed did him a lot of good, .... fingers crossed that the poor guy continues to have only Good Luck, and No More Bad Breaks, ... ;-) TTFN

Michael56Smith

.145: Huh, thanks for the correction/update, ... I had just assumed, ... my bad, ... ;-) ttfn

Anthony Kester

MEN!!! Admiral Kester here. I am looking for volunteers to join an elite group. Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to go to the new Discord Server, "The Invictus, a Three Square Meals Forum" and have fun discussing everything 3SM. DISMISSED!!! https://discord.gg/tXEPg9PuhM Also, leave "RAMMING SPEED" to me.

Michael56Smith

.147: ... THAT IS ALL, .... dismissed, ... ;-) ttfn

Myrnalin

What chapter was the "RAMMING SPEED again? Wanna reread but cant remember

Michael56Smith

.153: ... with the upgrades to the Raptor and the Valkyrie (the Mecha), I was looking back to the Raptor 2.0 blueprints from last year, ... even way back then, the two main guns were not filled, ... before launching the two auxiliary crafts, they gave the Mecha a new and improved gun, (based on the Quantum flux cannon), but with a much shorter barrel, and threw old Tachyon Lances on the Raptor again, as a temporary measure, ... My thought was that Dana had been planning a Quantum Flux Cannon or even a Quantum Annihilator for the Raptors' main guns, but the little Soul Forge can't make a long enough barrel for it, ... so, later, after they fix the Star Forges, ... ;-) TTFN

valiant8086

*whimper*. looking for 161, 162 and 163 *whimper whimper*

valiant8086

just finished reading it, more more more! Lol

Michael56Smith

.163: Okay, it is now the next to the last weekend of the month, just one more full week left, ... So, I expect chapter #162 soon, and possibly #163 too, before the month is completed (fingers crossed), ... -- I really want to see what happens with Kal, .... and will John absorb the Galkiran forces into his network? And add more fighting ships too, ... --- and Alyssa tells Lynette, and Nathen Zelig that the Galkiran threat is overwith, ... ;-) TTFN

Michael56Smith

.164: Speculation: they find a Neophyte Progenitor, 3 to 5 years old, .... and try to keep him from becoming spoiled rotten, ... --- develop a team of Terrans (Super Nannies) to raise him right, and cushion him from his Thrall/Seed race, ... Terrans would not have that built in aversion to the other seed/thrall races, ... ----- And the Shroud; can Dana learn to make more of them to blanket the Galaxy with, cutting off Xar'aziuth from any further Progenitor/Thrall feastings? ... or do we need to await the series sequel? ... ;-) ttfn

Dean Lee

I haven’t checked Daily at all this week.

DigitalDreamer

I liked what Tef added to 161. I am glad he is trying to keep the quality up.

AzureReader

If takes 25 days to write one chapter we’re probably already in a 1.5 chapter zone for the month, followed a promise of the last bit early next month. Dig deep Tef… maybe there’s still a small window for 2 chapters this month!

Benj

Do you ever wonder about the logic of the thrall gender imbalance. It seems like this merits further discussion. Today, we are seeing the tragic consequences of the one-child policy in China. Russia is experiencing an exodus or extermination of its male population. I imagine Chinese men seeking Russian brides as a win-win, but it does not seem logistically feasible. I doubt that many war widows want to move to China or spoiled "only chd" bachelors moving to Moscow. Instead both populations will plummet and gray. But, our John is not Putin.

Michael56Smith

.176: I have been rereading the entire TSM series (again), ... as it is the best written thing going, ... and in chapter #156, after the Faye clone reveal, John asks about cloning Alyssa to give her guide, Athena, her own body, ... Alyssa breaks down why that would not work, ... that got me to thinking, (and yeah it hurt--I took some aspirin) and thought, while it might be that an Alyssa clone could not be wholly Athena's body only, they could still share, but with Athena getting more time, like around 50%, and Alyssa's little sis getting the other half, .... then Alyssa Prime could absorb her Athena and grow stronger, while Athena 2 could still watch over John as he sleeps, and be an active part of the crew, .... already skilled in a large number of ship positions, ... she might not be as powerful as Alyssa Prime, but she (both aspects) is still quite powerful, and would be an organic 'backup' to John's 1st Matriarch, ... so, win-win, plus-plus, right? ... --- think it over and tell Tef, .... LET'S SAVE ATHENA!!! ... ;-) TTFN

Michael56Smith

.177: ... or if/when things get better between John and his parents, .... then at some point, ... an Athena Guide (Copy) could help Jessica learn/develop as a Matriarch, ... and explain a few things to Jessica about Progenitors and Harem life too, ... that could be interesting (save this idea for the sequel?) ... ;-) ttfn

20 ton

Why cloning Alyssa doesn’t work seems a little off to me. They are taking a prototype of Faye and adding memories which would be the basis of her personality by bio electric impulses. Developing a way to transfer Athena’s memories into impulses doesn’t seem to far out with all the “space magic “ being used. Even if you add some of Alysa’s memories as a base, you would be reproducing not distinctly transferring them. I have always wondered why with the Ashanath’s love of cataloguing everything, wouldn’t it be good to introduce Nkkrrit to them over the astral. Let them keep the civilization alive if only through their recording it. She might have her loneliness eased as well as the burden of her civilizations end.

Anthony Kester

This just in to the TFNN news desk. A new Discord server has been created for Tefler's epic and it's growing. Reports coming in suggest intelligent conversation, reasonably mature members and lots of redheads. For further information go to https://discord.gg/tXEPg9PuhM

Dean Lee

It’s the end of the month fellas … we’re gonna get an update or a story….. heavy breathing commences…

TF007

3 days and counting

Newnotsure

I hate to say this if we do it will be a short story for sure and a place card and we will still be two chapters back I hope not please Tefler prove me wrong. Okay I have big shoulders bring it on

AzureReader

2.5 days and counting now. No chance for two chapters now unless he’s writing both chapters of the final battle together so it reads cohesively. But probably not.

Michael56Smith

.214: Well, those Tefler fans (maniacs) are all on tenterhook's, anxiously awaiting your next chapter(s), ... will it be one chapter, or will it be more (2?), ... inquiring minds want to know, ... just a couple more days until the magic curtain is opened and the next chapter is revealed, ... this home stretch is always the hardest, ... see ya 'round boys and girls, ... ;-) ttfn

Michael56Smith

.216: AND WE'RE SINGING, off key: It's time for Tefler Man i acs, ... and we're Zany to the Max, ... So, sit back and relax, ... You'll press F5 'til you collapse, ... We're Tefler Man i acs! ;-) ttfn

Michael Hawkins

Should be 3 chapters so he can get paid this month.

William Wallace

I am seriously thinking of canceling my support, I only support him so he could update SOL the chapter are already written! But he is not even doing that, so why should I pay a Patreon pledge for placeholders. He is a good writer when he doe produce something, but not that good to wait 30 day’s for the next chapter if it ever comes? Everybody has something ro complain about or constant pain, but we still keep going.

Michael56Smith

.221: ... it is last two days in April, a weekend, so it is likely that we'll see a chapter or two drop on Sunday, ... Tef came out strong this past month, after his Gallstone operation and his recovery, ... but he has been his normal 'quiet' self since his chapter #161 update on April 3rd, ... so, either he has been working hard and we will get several new TSM chapters tomorrow, or he has had more family drama and we get maybe a partial, and a placeholder? ... that Tef, he is always making us guess, ... but, then he comes through in the end, .... I can scarcely wait for Sunday evening, .... feels like Christmas again, .... Ho ho ho, merry May Day, and best wishes to all you good boys and girls, ... ;-) TTFN

TF007

Sunday April 30 at 1000 pm EST. Let the countdown begin 😁

Bill

Everyone have new F5 keys for tomorrow night??? 😎😁✨⚡

Joel Wyrick

What's the over/under on it being another placeholder?

Peter Albright

Raised my level from $1 to $5 for this month. Hope my faith is rewarded.

Chandler

Well, here it is a month later and still no word OR chapter and it's no surprise

TF007

9 hours to go…..🎉🎊🍾

MikeA

Ho hum, da, da, da, da. Twiddling my thumbs and tapping my foot. Bored. Impatiently, waiting for the next chapter to drop.

Jeff Eaton

An entire month with no update is troublesome.

TF007

7 hours to go…..it’s taking too long. Anyone have a Time Machine? I’ll pay in Monopoly money and alcohol.

Evan

Chapter 161 has been released and is presumably complete(ish). It’s now the end of April and I had hoped (as I’m sure that Tefler did, too) that one or more of the two other chapters that have already been charged for would have been released by now. I’m sure that there will be a release later today, but I’m concerned that we’ll probably still be two chapters ahead in this regard. On the other hand, I do know that it’s hard to schedule creativity and that Tefler might be working on a multi-chapter section of the book, planning to release more than one chapter at a time once he has them worked out. So, we live in perpetual hope and look forward to the release(s) that we get.

TF007

3 hours to go….

TF007

2 hours…..

Vince

Does it on California time!

Jim lynch

Hurry up or you’ll never catch up buddy

Michael56Smith

.255: Hey there TONY!!! Here it is!!! ;-) ttfn

tony

ah ha , so it is !

Mapstar

Yea thanks :D

Michael56Smith

.262: TEF!, where oh where is chapter #163 where oh where can it be? -- with its battle scenes cut short and its sex scenes cut long, .... -- I am anxiously awaiting new words my favorite Space / Sex Opera is due, .... So, ... where the f*** are you? Berma Shave ;-) TTFN