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Chapter 168 (placeholder) (Patreon)

Published:
2023-08-01 02:47:21
Imported:
2026-06

Content

Hey everyone,

My family is away next week and thankfully I'm not stuck in hospital at the moment, so this will finally be "Catch up August".

I want to thank all of you for persevering with me and TSM over the last year. I know that a lot of you have been really disappointed in the drastic slowdown in chapter releases, and me charging for placeholders. I promise I will keep striving to catch up on the chapters I owe you, and I hope you'll continue to enjoy the story.

The next couple of chapters are all planned out by scenes, I just need a clear run of not being hospitalised with gallstone complications to actually complete them.

Anyway, thanks again. Your ongoing support has made a tremendous difference to me and my family during these difficult times.

Best wishes,

Tefler

Comments

Rayce Royal

Just get better, Tef. Don't worry about our support. As we say in the states, "we got your back".

Hugo

You are human, shit happens. I just hope you get this behind you. From someone that read the last few chapters in a hospital bed. Stay strong and this too shall pass.

MyseriousMage

It's not so much the lack of chapters that is the issue, at least for me. It's the complete lack of communication. I have absolutely no problem supporting even if we don't get chapters if there is good communication. I understand times can be hard but you need to communicate and once a month post saying things have been bad but hopefully that's changed and progress will be made is not communication. Honestly just a pick a day of the week and give us a 60sec update. "Hey, had xyz come up this week and unfortunately only managed to get a couple paragraphs done." Or "Good news something happened while I was writing this week got in the flow and managed 3 pages this week" or whatever.

Cocchi Tech

Just trying to keep up with what is still in placeholder status. Ch 163 is completed Ch 164 changed from placeholder to cliffhanger, might see it completed before October. Ch 165, 166, 167 were all prepaid placeholders charged in June or earlier, and maybe might have partial chapters released on undefined timelines but should be before 2024. Ch 168 is the newest prepaid placeholder charged in July. No date at all as to when it might be published even as a partial chapter

Tony

get well soon

Rich C

Get well soon Tefler. As a patron for a wee bit over five years I'm ok with how things have been while you are ill. Life happens sometimes. It's not like we're waiting for you to publish "Doors of Stone". lol Hopefully the liver specialist will be able to cure what ails you. Thank your lucky stars that you aren't in Canada where they seem to have mistaken the suicide hotline for urgent care.

Darragh

If you are going to ask for charity, you have to make it optional

Nicholas

I hope you get better soon Tef! The extra communication would be nice, BUT I also understand life taking a dump on you. Focus on getting better and don't be bothered by those with less patience. 🙏🙏

Jolly Giant

Thank you for all the work you do for the story! Get better and keep on rocking. You are an amazing author and your universe that you built rocks!

Evan

Tefler, feel better and get well soon. You know that I’ve been advocating for increased communications for years, but you have to do what’s right for you and your family, first, and what’s right for us has to come after that. I did note some cases in the additional story content where you specified the wrong name (Rahn’hagon instead of Gahl’kalgor), which I indicated via the comments under that chapter. Other than that, I was very impressed by the new content and enjoyed it thoroughly. Thank you. I will continue to support you as you regain your health, but I do hope that you start to clear the current backlog.

Adam Rawls

Tefler...just provide an option to support you monthly! You don't have to pre-charge for chapters. We understand life can slap you around, sometimes. Just allow us the chance to support you voluntarily. You don't need to rely on written/completed chapters!

QaraYetti

Unreal. 5 chapters owed now. Not even the rest of 164. Just “hope to catch up next month while I swindle and steal from my fans”. Im having a hard time believing that he’s actually ill anymore. One ailment after another for the last two years+. I held out this long for love of the story and most months he’d at least deliver something from the previous month’s pre-charge. 5 chapters pre-charged now. Crowd funded theft under the guise of “it’s only a couple dollars”. He owes collectively over $35,000 worth of undelivered work, but it’s only couple dollars.

Robar

Just bring up what you have

Rev. Thwack

Tefler, we all understand that shit can happen in life, we get it. What you've asked though is for is to just smile and grin through a solid 2+ years of "shit happened again and I haven't delivered what I promised I would, so here's another pre-charge and empty promise to get caught up." Stop treating us like a bunch of idiots and simply admit that you have no idea when you'll finally catch up. I'd suggest you either get back to putting out at least a full chapter a month, or quit with the pre-charging until you've cut out a lot of the backlog. It doesn't take much in the way of math skills to realize that even if you were still as productive as you were last year, it'll be December before you deliver what you've already charged your patrons for. At your current rate, it'll be next April.

Andrei

Goddamn swindle is what this is. Zero communication except a last second of the month post about another disease tragedy or some other life event. I’m reporting every placeholder I see at this point. There’s pretty much no other recourse unfortunately. Fun fact. Other authors I follow on this platform also have issues and somehow don’t manage to treat their base as complete crap. Proper communication if something is delayed and not charging people until it’s actually released. You’re the only one that seems to think this is acceptable.

Arakasi

He having medical problems and all you can think of is yourself!🙄

Michael56Smith

.28: we love when you write, and publish, your Awesome / great stuff, ... but please remember to take it easy and watch your energy levels and your health in general, ... see ya later alligator, .... ;-) ttfn

JP

I think it's hilarious that people are still believing Tefler's excuses. I said it last year and I'll say it again, the constant need for money, no communication throughout the month, last minute posts and placeholders has all the earmarks of an addiction problem. This is a reasonably skilled fantasy writer stringing everyone along with increasingly unbelievable stories. The benefit of the doubt has long since evaporated.

darkuncle

Life happens; the way people react shows who your friends and supporters are, and who's just here for the transaction. Supporting you and your family while times are hard is just the right thing to do, for those who can do so - it's less a transactional relationship than supporting a friend in trouble right now, tbh. Won't be this way forever.

Chandler

Is this headed for a "Incomplete and Inactive" like you see at the bottom of too many stories on SOL

Bobdaniels

Since New Year’s Eve we have been charged with 8 placeholders. This year he has delivered 3.5 chapters. Several times this year he has promised he would “catch up this month”. Zero times he fulfilled that promise. It’s a grift/scam at this point. I don’t mind going months without content, but I do mind being repeatedly lied to.

Alex H.

Get well soon and take the time you need.

Keepit simple

Message board should be used for discussing plot or communication related to story. As no new content is being released....see you all in a couple months. Hope to have something story related to talk to all about then. Tef is good writer but terrible at running his business.

Kirk Gero

Hey Tef I am all for rest but not for lame excuses you have charged me for 4 chapters that you haven't delivered good thing your not in the US because here that is called theft do what you say or quit charging us this is b.s.

Bp Hlpt

I hope your health issues get resolved soon, Tefler. Hang in there.

Vince

Tefler, as I stated previously, you have to be more forthcoming to your patrons. I mentioned this in June. You did not take it to heart that more patrons would be upset. Please look at telling us once a week how you are doing. I would say 99.9% of us understand about physical pain and suffering, but you have a responsibility to your loyal audience to explain what is going on. I follow Darkstrider and he gives updates. You are a ghost until month's end. Some people bitch more than others which is part of the Bell Curve. You have ttfn on the ass-kissing end and you have many in this thread on the bitching end. Me, I am moving to the concerned end. I am concerned for your health and I am concerned about the over-promising you have made regarding overdue chapters. Just give us live weekly updates about your status and your approval will hit 99.99+%.

Vince

Oh, and my last point. Making promises only goes as far as the credibility remains high✋.

Unresolved Plots

Looking forward to these upcoming chapters. We will have the battle(s) with Gahl'kalgor imminently. Then the aftermath, which will likely include the long awaited resurrection of Faye. Then we have the preparations for the next invasion (Finding, Occupying and Bringing all 11 Battle Stations online, organising Thrall fleets around the empire, improving the sensor net, mining invasion routes etc...), which will probably include the males and their hidden technologies? They will probably want to investigate more of Mael'neraks secrets on Kythshara and the bunker under the palace while still in Maliri space. They will have to deal with millions of Galkiran's currently in Maliri space (unless they are all husked)! The males relocation from the stations/cloaked settlements back to the homeworlds needs to be completed soon. They will want to visit the Star Forges soon to start making use of them. They still need to deal with the Brimorians and the small issue of possibly Billions of Abandoned slaves to save. The Hyperwarp Gate near to Arcadia could be requisitioned and possibly relocated. Tom Walkers trail will be coming to an end shortly. How will they become involved? Lynettes issues with the Outer Rim and High Command have to be resolved. Tefler has a lot of material he has cultivated to continue his story. So there is plenty to look forward to in the upcoming chapters!

Vince

Could it be that the standard high fat, high carbohydrate, high sugary coffee, fried English breakfast catching up to Tefler? I got ridiculed earlier this year suggesting a large water intake, cut down on meat and fried foods from some "real geniuses" here. Yet when one looks at suggested remedies on search engines, that's what is suggested. Well...?

BrianM

Tefler, thank you very much for the addition to 164 - very enjoyable and a couple of very interesting twists! My best wishes for a productive week next week of adding to TSM and, of course, my continuing best wishes for a rapid, complete and satisfactory solution to your ongoing health issues.

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

Rayce Royal

Are we getting another installment today? Maybe the completion of 164? Ppppppllleeeeeaaasssse

Mike Biagio

It is good. We want to see the rest but health comes first.

Timtom

How about you don't wait until the end of the month to post the stuff you owe us.

Anthony Kester

Attention All Connoisseurs of Redhead Beauty!!! Please visit us at the the new and improved Discord server. Oh yeah, we also talk a lot about some space story, written by some guy... But it has a Redhead in it!!! https://discord.gg/tXEPg9PuhM

Michael Hawkins

this is 100% percent @ Michael56Smith just to be clear. You and I are both Beta readers for another writer on Patreon. I did not insult you or act childish please reread my comment. You post comments trolling for arguments. I would love to see you do the same on the other Patreon's page because it would not be tolerated.

Newnotsure

Is there a way to block people in patrons. So we don't need to read their poison

Michael56Smith

.88: I do not enjoy tying up comment space with Troll Chow, but some of these miscreants do need a bit of push-back from time to time, ... just to let them know that they might not have a proper understanding of the situation, --- Most just ignore them when they raise their negative voices, but then they learn nothing, so I do my bit to help, .... happy August people, enjoy the rest of the summer months, ... ;-) ttfn

Jim lynch

Any chance of catching up a bit this month tefler ? Please

Newnotsure

Michael56 Smith you put out the most and clog it all up please stop

vardic d

Just finished bum-rushing through this series, can't wait for the next chapter.

Michael56Smith

.98: Okay, now the Invictus crew must race (wormhole) off to Kythshara, and protect Mael's Lab and Faye's body, set up the Planetary / Nebula wide defense with Daphne running some of it, give the Maliri Marines a pep talk, ... also Dana has a ton of upgrades just waiting for a little free time when our Grand Engineering Overlord could rapidly do a few of them, from fairly minor ones like needing to complete the fix of the nausea wormhole effect, to shields and weapons upgrades, and they need to lay down those spyder mines too, ... Prioritize all this for them John, .... -- the battle of the Loralar Nebula awaits, and maybe a Progenitor Dual awaits us too (come on magic hungry rune sword), .... ;-) ttfn

Michael56Smith

.99: ... and can they find the time to build Daphne a progenitor / Nexus style server, and will it work for her? yeah, 12 processing streams could probably help out John's little girl, ... we'll see if Tef agrees, ... -- the mass fabricators have made a couple of those servers already, they could likely make another one, that the maintenance 'bots could put together, ... So, no tying up Dana or any of her minions, ... --- Although Dana and Irillith (and papa John) might wish to monitor Daphne's download into the new server, ...;-) ttfn

Richard

I popped in with a head of steam and then read a few of the comments who beat me to it and all the will to yell left me. Bro, go ahead and toss 3 or 4 more placeholders down, it's fine And if the British Healthcare is turning into Canadian Healthcare instead, well its been great

Rayce Royal

Halfway thru "Catch Up August". Really looking forward to reading 4 chapters this month.

Lawrence

I would be very satisfied with 2 chapters and a placeholder.

andrew finlayson

Somehow, I think it will probably be the second half of 164 and another two placeholders. Cant wait for the excuse this time .... we should run a lottery!

Puttanegra Ficondo

Just make peace with the status quo. You are paying a constant monthly subscription that gives you roughly ten chapters a year. The moment you start looking at it that way and transcend the bullshit, it gets a lot less upsetting. I don’t understand why the billing is not changed to flat monthly and we stop this constant need for justifications. It is obvious that he will never catch up. The only way would be to compromise severely on the chapter quality, which would be much worse than a well-thought chapter late. We saw a few months ago what happened if we push too hard. We had a chapter that was all fluff and filler. Writing is hard, and writing TSM now has become daunting with a lot of substories, loose ends, and a world to keep consistent. The pay-per-chapter model simply does not work anymore for TSM

Newnotsure

But at what cost per month promises still don't cut it

Michael56Smith

.111: Okay, disappointment, it is just past the mid-month weekend and still no early in the month catch-up chapters, nor any partial chapters (#164) to complete a chapter, ... it looks like while he waits for his Gallbladder surgery Tef is back to his old, familiar EOM habits, ... -- And I agree with Lawrence's comment from yesterday, -- I too would be quite happy if he just finished #164, and ecstatic if he also dropped #165, even to adding another placeholder (#169), .... I really hope he can do some real catch-up, but I think that #164 completed and #165 would really be awesome, ... fingers crossed that his pesky gallbladder doesn't disrupt his writing muse, ... get well soon Tef, we're all pulling for you, ... ;-) TTFN

Michael56Smith

.112: ... any thoughts on Rahn'hagon getting his quite conservative / cowardly ass involved in the Progenitor War, ... and if he does throw his dreadnaught (Larn's) into the mix, where will he drop off Jessica, ... and will his jumping into the mess, be a good or a bad thing for John? Can one older Progenitor, in one older dreadnaught make much of a difference? A distraction maybe? Perhaps he has recruited a few Terrans for his bridge crew? thoughts anyone, ....;-) ttfn

Vince

Been quiet 🤫 watching the fluffernutter ttfn, write inane and mostly strange things to others while having his hackles drawn up when confronted on it. Yes there are some here upset on the lack of a story in the meantime. Freedom of speech is a given ttfn, so stop attacking others. And while I am sad no intermittent story has appeared, I will give Tefler the doubt benefit until this month end. Yes, we should have seen something by now on #164 and #165.

Michael56Smith

repeat: .112: ... any thoughts on Rahn'hagon getting his quite conservative / cowardly ass involved in the Progenitor War, ... and if he does throw his dreadnaught (Larn's) into the mix, where will he drop off Jessica, ... and will his jumping into the mess, be a good or a bad thing for John? Can one older Progenitor, in one older dreadnaught make much of a difference? A distraction maybe? Perhaps he has recruited a few Terrans for his bridge crew? thoughts anyone, ....;-) ttfn

Michael56Smith

repeat: .99: ... and can they find the time to build Daphne a progenitor / Nexus style server, and will it work for her? yeah, 12 processing streams could probably help out John's little girl, ... we'll see if Tef agrees, ... -- the mass fabricators have made a couple of those servers already, they could likely make another one, that the maintenance 'bots could put together, ... So, no tying up Dana or any of her minions, ... --- Although Dana and Irillith (and papa John) might wish to monitor Daphne's download into the new server, ...;-) ttfn

Michael56Smith

repeat: .98: Okay, now the Invictus crew must race (wormhole) off to Kythshara, and protect Mael's Lab and Faye's body, set up the Planetary / Nebula wide defense with Daphne running some of it, give the Maliri Marines a pep talk, ... also Dana has a ton of upgrades just waiting for a little free time when our Grand Engineering Overlord could rapidly do a few of them, from fairly minor ones like needing to complete the fix of the nausea wormhole effect, to shields and weapons upgrades, and they need to lay down those spyder mines too, ... Prioritize all this for them John, .... -- the battle of the Loralar Nebula awaits, and maybe a Progenitor Dual awaits us too (come on magic hungry rune sword), .... ;-) ttfn

Michael56Smith

.120: does anyone wish to talk about TSM storyline / possibilities? ... ;-) ttfn

Anthony Kester

Do you want to see the stars? Do you want be a part of something bigger? Are you ready to give all that you can? The Terran Federation Navy is looking for you. Start your journey at the new Discord sever https://discord.gg/tXEPg9PuhM

Michael56Smith

.130: --- repeat repeat: .112: ... any thoughts on Rahn'hagon getting his quite conservative / cowardly ass involved in the Progenitor War, ... and if he does throw his dreadnaught (Larn's) into the mix, where will he drop off Jessica, ... and will his jumping into the mess, be a good or a bad thing for John? Can one older Progenitor, in one older dreadnaught make much of a difference? A distraction maybe? Perhaps he has recruited a few Terrans for his bridge crew? thoughts anyone, ....;-) ttfn -- please tell me what (in TSM) you are thinking, ....

Neil Houghton

Half a month passed, the week your family was gone passed, and not even ONE chapter? Give me a break

Michael56Smith

.137: It was just a few days ago (4 days), that another wonderful author, that contributes to Literotica, made a comment that was directed at one of the extremely rare persons to not care for one of his stories, ... so, here's a few of BurntRedstone's own words: -- "I get that not everyone likes my tales. That's cool. I didn't write the stories for them. Seeing rage in the comments is surprising and it's not healthy for you, Annie. You'll feel so much better if you find an author/story you enjoy and leave them some loving words. There is room enough for everyone and plenty of love to go around. I wish you well!" -- this is some good advice, rage and hate are totally unnecessary for the enjoyment of these stories, ... I too wish you all well, ... ;-) ttfn

Vince

Just came by to see what's "cooking". 16 of the last 26 posts are from ttfn. B O R I N G! Apparently ttfn takes his cheerleading responsibility seriously. Anthony Kester's discord server is more interesting than ttfn. Later! Wait... wait... wait...

Vince

Teller, Vince is pulling for you, on yourhealth and your story. I hope you are doing well. And..., I hope to see some craftiness from our favorite progenitor.

Evilebob

Lots of hardships abound at home and now a hurricane is headed directly towards me. Made me pause and wonder what wonderful reasons this month will generate a new placeholder. Wish I could post a few placeholders here... damn

William Wallace

11 more day's for chapter 165 & placeholder 169

Michael56Smith

.151: Yeah, 11 days to go, ... so, how much writing can our TSM author get done? I would think that it largely depends on how he is feeling prior to his scheduled surgery, ... you know he'll be trying to put out as many new pages as he can produce before that surgery knocks him over the moon with pain, ... and he'll be trying to keep his Progenitors straight as well, ... -- I expect we'll see a completed chapter #164, and hopefully a complete #165 too, as well as the expected placeholder, ... (#169), .... got my fingers crossed for at least that much, but more would be welcome, .... '-) ttfn

Michael56Smith

.152: ... other fingers are crossed, ... maybe while he is laid up after his surgery, Tef can do a quick review of TSM chapters #146 and #147 and send them on to the free sites, ... those poor folks have been waiting forever for new material, ... their summer reading has been rather bleak, .... ;-) ttfn

Vizth Hal

Honestly, I'm not expecting much of anything except maybe another placeholder until after he gets his surgery, my wife has gallstone issues and when it acts up she's in so much pain pretty much all she could do is try sleep and take a crap load of anti-inflammatories. Concentrating a complex task is basically impossible. We don't have lovely socialized healthcare here so all we can do is manage her pain.

Evan

I agree. It would be nice to see chapters 164 and 165 completed this month (not to mention 166, 167 and 168), but given Tefler’s gallstone issue, he may not have anything completed at all. I am concerned about the continuing placeholder chapters being added to as we’re currently 4+ chapters out, but I also understand the mitigating circumstances that have lead to that situation. Getting back to the story, I recall that Dana indicated that the Invictus couldn’t have any more power cores due to their not being able to be in that close proximity to each other as they would cause interference with each other. I also recall that the station had a ton of power cores to power all of the guns on the station, not to mention the Quantum Devastators which can’t be removed from the station. So, how are they going to transport so many guns and power cores (which combined, may well outmass the Invictus itself) back to Kythshara? We currently have a very complex situation in TSM with a number of outstanding threads that need resolution: The removal and transportation of all the movable guns from the station Providing for the powering of all the movable guns after their removal The return of the Invictus to Kythshara and setting up its defenses The return of the Maliri-crewed thrall fleets to Maliri space The actions of Rahn’hagan after observing the arrival of these fleets The interactions between Jessica, Rahn’hagan, John and the crew The interactions between Gahl’kalgor, Valeria, Ashryn and Narzera The upcoming communications between Gahl’kalgor and John (and …?) The upcoming confrontations between Gahl’kalgor and John (and …?) The rebirth of Faye and her interactions with the crew and the Collective The Trankaran Starforge (Mael’nerak’s new Soul Forge) and bringing it *fully* online Lynette’s desire for a harem of her own for Charles (Lina and Tamar) Lynette’s continuing efforts to be a remarkable Fleet Admiral Addressing the Terran Federation’s situation with the Outer Rim colonies Dealing with the new territory acquired from the Kintark empire Tamolith and the diminished Kintark empire The Brimorians being punished and the Abandoned being rescued The interactions between the Maliri matriarchs and the male elders Tom Walker’s trial (and the Maliri hacker and her group who framed him) And for possible future threads… Recognizing that Soul Forges are made of metal that was forged in a Soul Forge and that all Soul Forges are thus linked to an original Soul Forge and that all Thrall and Progenitor constructs made of that black metal are thus all psychically linked to the original Soul Forge, which was probably made by Xar’aziuth. Making new Progenitor-grade equipment for the Invictus using their own purified Soul Forge and the Trankaran Starforge that won’t be psychically linked to the ones that the Progenitors are using. Locating the original Soul Forge and using that link to weaken all of them by infusing a huge amount of positive energy into the original Soul Forge, destroying it and thus weakening all the subsequent Soul Forges such that they destroy themselves when in use in a cascading chain effect. Progenitor (and Thrall) realizations that their equipment has now been weakened to the point where firing overpowered weapons or activating wormhole transportation will likely cause catastrophic failures. Even running drives at maximum power won't be possible. How are they going to wage their wars without proper equipment?! Oh, the horrors! And much more that I’m sure I haven’t even thought of. This is a huge amount of work and all of these threads need to be woven into a proper pattern. This will take time and we need to have patience while it’s done properly, and Tefler’s health issues just add to the complexity and difficulty of achieving this with the quality that we’ve observed to date in Tefler’s writing. Castigating Tefler for taking the time to get it done right never helps, and certainly not while the man is in pain. And yes, I do think that he should at least post - either here or on Discord - a sentence or two to let us know how he’s doing a couple of times a month, but I’ve never been able to get him to do that, so why should I expect otherwise after so many years of trying? Tefler, I wish you all the best and look forward to your next communication, as always.

Steven

The story only says that each new Progenitor first makes his own Soul Forge and doesn't alude to how it was specifically created. The Progenitors had the knowledge and ability to psychically shape so I'm guessing also had knowledge of the source black metal and they did it themselves. Unfortunately I suspect that Tefler will leave it as an unspecified. So, probably no one ring to control them all. Evan I also liked your summary.

Steven

Ok, Michael56Smith wanted some TSM storyline discussion and had some ideas, here you go with some of my ideas and yours with input from others. First Rule, there is no such thing as a good or trustworthy naturally-created Progenitor. I have to repeat some earlier comments to tie them together here. Ch 164 pt1, if the Maliri appropriation teams went through Mael’s home gate (now John’s) directly to Larn’s home gate, they only had two gate addresses. They didn’t have Larn’s invasion gate’s address, nor did they have Rahn's invasion gate address which I believe that Rahn is parked by. So that would suggest that the ships that came through that gate were either another as yet unknown Progenitor or Gahl’s red-skinned black-haired thralls. Same coloration as Rahn’s from 9K years ago hmmm, ergo Gahl’s domain is Rahn’s old one? Probably. If this is true then Best case scenario, Rahn discusses these events and their significance with Jessica, and she encourages him to contact John. John & he start planning “TBD”. One possibility, for him to go through his/Gahl’s invasion gate back to his/Gahl’s homeworld and destroy his Soul Forge. Tef wrote about the Soul Forge link: Destroy Soul Forge, weaken Progenitor. Remember Rahn is in Larn’s dreadnought, it would remain unaffected. Another possibility, Rahn sneaks up on Gahl’s dreadnought and blows him away. Harsh but effective. This offer of info/help could be an opportunity of a second chance Neutral case, he does nothing! Maybe offering of the info could be an opportunity of a second chance. Worst case, John defeats Gahl and Rahn either goes through his gate or captures some marooned Galkiran thralls in Maliri space and either way once again reclaims thralls. Seriously unnecessary complication! First Rule! Even if I’m wrong in the preceding the following still remains relevant. John deals with Gahl per Tefler as he has already map out his story path. Once accomplished, suggested first priority (sorry not an orgy, but a whole lot of multitasking) is to quickly prepare for next Progenitor. It’s the “get your house in order and prepared for the next oncoming $&!tstorm NOW” concept so another Venkarys or worse doesn’t happen! Also so Tef doesn’t get stuck in highly detailed and intensively written endless invasions stories. Plus they need time to do other cool things: Faye, Tamolith, Lynette’s hidden lioness’ etc. you get the idea. John claims the Galkiran thralls immediately. Just in case Rahn gets stupid and to stop additional deaths to the Galkirans and any infighting with Maliri. John chooses his Galkiran Matriarch. Valeria? She could use a break. Probably also needs to feed the Galkiran armada and fleet commanders. He’s going to be a tired puppy. John & Dana takes Raptor to Trankaran StarForge, where she/they start building new an improved wormhole generators (nausea free and hopefully shorter or no recharge time) large enough for a battlestation possibly using “deep” Kyth’faren founder knowledge and of course for the Invictus. Don’t forget all the other stuff on her/their Honey-Do list. Invictus: installation new wormhole generator of course. Next find a Lianelis Saevath sensor for Irillith to hack and copy specs for mass fabricators. Then get Battlestation wormhole parts & maneuvering engines to Genwynn for fitting and trials as soon as ready. Alyssa, Rachel & ??? to Kythshara to use the Lianelis Saevath Cloak breaker network to find the other 7 battlestations. Work on Faye. Install Nexus server, start rebuild of robot army etc. Daphne & collective using the mass fabricators to construct however many Nexus servers needed for herself, the collective, Faye, Kythshara & however many servers needed to automate the Battlestations, as well maneuvering engines or thrusters for them. Also needed are Mael'nerak Power Cores for the wormhole generators and Lianelis Saevath Cloak breaker network sensors etc. The progenitors did not innovate except for Mael and he seemed to research and improve on everything. Didn’t he live around 70K years under the shroud? So his upgrades are most likely superior to Progenitor tech and should be evaluated and added to the Invictus at some point. Maliri ships to launch rescue missions to Venkarys. Also, deploy the new Lianelis Saevath sensors to rebuild the network and extend it into Bug space where the invasion gates seem to appear. Replace all destroyed Maliri comms. Additional: Recovering of marooned Gahl thralls (now John’s) and repair, retrofitting and upgrading to Progenitor shields and cloaks, (not Mael’s level) to Galkiran ships so they’ll be superior to other Progenitors resources when we go “huntin wabbits” I mean other Progenitors. Hopefully, you got the joke Elmer. If Progenitors can’t “see” each other when cloaked then other Progenitors won’t see John’s forces right in front of them. Also use those ships to start extending the Lianelis Saevath network to the Galkiran sectors when ready. Use some recovered Larathyran ships to the start extending the LS network to the Larathyran sector. Also plan their upgrading with Progenitor shields and cloaks. Next continue to secure and harden your realm of influence. Reason for wormhole generators is to change the battlestations from immobile “defensive platforms” to “offensive mobile & rapidly deployable weapons platforms” for Tef is “the Kwisatz Haderach” and can! – Code name “Calvary”. John did warn the male elders that other progenitors would come, probably sooner than later – and maybe more than one, because Xar'aziuth must be getting pissed. Having an AI controlled fully automated and rapidly deployable shielded and cloak enabled resources of up to 14-22 Quantum Devastators, a large but undefined number Quantum Flux Cannons and Tachyon Lances coupled utilizing a fully restored Lianelis Saevath Cloak breaker network would be a pretty good “Keep out” sign or “No Trespassing, Survivors will be Prosecuted”. Image an invasion force suddenly surrounded by up to 14-22 Quantum Devastators beams almost upon arrival to in John’s sector. Toilets will get clogged real fast. The spec ops concept of “a small force with overwhelming firepower” would be unconventional and unheard of in a Progenitor war. This would protect Maliri and surrounding space giving John & co time to breathe and help with everything everyone else has mentioned and cool stuff Tefler hasn’t written yet. (Go Tef! & now the orgy & Matriarchs & a bit of a slower pace). Yes, I’m American and old enough to remember the TV series “Have Gun Will Travel”. This is my concept of defending hearth & home in addition to “Have Big Guns Will Travel”! Now to think on your suggestion regarding, a possible limited partnership & maybe a second chance between John, Rahn & mostly Jessica would be a good idea. Question, what do you think would happen if John created and linked a “new” Terran Lioness (or a non-thrall species) and Rahn fed her? If no negative result or Rachel could block a negative result then stationing an X-number of new Lioness to crew for Rahn and keep an eye on him would be helpful. I would suggest NO new bonding for Rahn with anyone onboard, which means no eldritch battery, sorry, remember First Rule. Limited super talents to start since they’re a crew on the most powerful ship type. I do suggest universal Mind Shields & Psychic Shields for all female crew, males need not apply. Knowledge being power, you don’t want Rahn learning much. Rahn should have to rely on his extensive experience, knowledge and dreadnought. He’s still terrified of Xar'aziuth so might be of limited use. Best rules for Rahn: know your enemy and keep him closer (observed by crew directly connected to Alyssa). Several Raptor2 class gunships (name one of them Paladin, lol) & Valkyrie would be a nice addition to his dreadnought. Maybe upgrading his shields to Mael shields and fixing his wormhole generator. Other ideas: Question, does John’s cum now include non-hatred between Maliri and Larathyrans. If so maybe add Galkirans to the mix and introduce Nymph’s kisses to everyone. (Note to Jade, order Chapstick by the ship load.) Access to Mael’s/Valada’s safe room & research Brimorians & Abandoned Support Tamolith and Kintark. Allow them Kirrix space. Find more Nymphs, A suggested 200+ year old lost smugglers ship that was attacked and depressurized carrying a cargo of 28 Nymphs that need resuscitated. Thanks to Michael56Smith, AzureReader, Evan and some other unnamed. Endless goldmine!

Evan

A few more items… The Deep Lord still has his Nymph. Mustn't forget her rescue (which involves her Master's departure from the current realm of existence). The DNA used to produce Faye's 'prototype' came, in part or in sum total, from Irillith. Therefore, Faye *should* also possess the talent of being able to enter Cyberspace just as her Creator (mother) can. Could Faye be 'brought back' as an organic entity able to 'possess' a Nexus server and use it? Either way, her communications with the Collective should be greatly enhanced over that of most other ‘pure’ organic beings. The Progenitors don't have the power that they do unless they 'make a deal' with Xar’aziuth which presumably grants them the knowledge and power required to create a Soul Forge and begin their reigns of conquest. I am hypothesizing, based upon Gahl’kalgor's reactions under the Shroud, that they may have to use their parents and/or other 'loved ones' under Xar'aziuth's influence as part of this process. Furthermore, I also believe that they can't psychically shape the black metal on their own, because it was never designed (nor desired) by Xar'aziuth to be so shaped. The Soul Forges and the black metal that they generate are leashes upon the Progenitors that use them. Consider that the Progenitors' powers derive in part from and generate flow back to Xar'aziuth. I believe that their Soul Forges are similarly connected. Consider that it has been said that the death of every bound thrall (and Progenitor) feeds Xar'aziuth. Key word there is 'bound'. If they're not bound, then there's no power in their death or suffering for Xar'aziuth. The Progenitor is the key, as when the Progenitor is killed, the bond is broken between the thralls and Xar'aziuth. This then lends itself to my belief that the Soul Forges all share a common origin and common psychic link point, and I do believe that to be Xar'aziuth's original Soul Forge.

Steven

Agreed on Celphna. I'm hoping you're wrong on Soul Forges because then Tefler can easily wrap the story much too quickly. Leaving many threads unfinished. Current word count slightly over 4.24 million words.

Michael56Smith

.169: -- And how are those 95,000 newly relocated and saved from the Bugs, Abandoned (merfolk) doing? And are they ready for few million more? -- Mostly it will be the Maliri to aid them, but Lynette might send a few hundred councilors, and a few thousand other useful-skilled folks every month to help our Abandoned brethren, it's a start, ... but they'd all need to be sworn to secrecy about the Maliri, and how beautiful they are, ... Baen'thelas might need to say something, ... and forget defending against Progenitors, they'll need to keep the Maliri defenses strong to protect the pretty blue space elves from the lusty Terran mobs, ... -- As one of the more basic incentives for Terrans to help out, ... You might have the Angel of Terra to provide her eldritch, special, deluxe health exams (wind the clock back a decade or two) for some of the better trained and qualified personnel, after all they'll be needed for a long time, as it is a big job, ... -- Just how quickly and how well, can the Maliri absorb those, newly freed, teal-skinned merfolk? and a BILLION of them, wow, that's a lot, ... Edraele once said the Maliri might provide twenty of their worlds, ... With an even splitting of a Billion Abandoned, it would work out to be around 50 million added Abandoned per world, ... and some of the very fertile worlds could handle more, while others would do less, ... share the wealth, right? and more seafood in the Maliri diet, ... -- and will the Abandoned change their name to the Mermaids formerly known as the Abandoned? ... or maybe something to do about frying up the Brimorians, ...? ;-) ttfn

Evan

The Abandoned could easily fit within the abandoned homes of all the deceased Larathyrans OR Maliri, given their respective population declines, however, would either be truly suitable for an aquatic race, even if they're amphibious? Even aboard the Invictus, Helene spends at least half the day swimming, more often than not, within the Lagoon that they've set up. I mean, she spends so much time in there, she wasn't even seen in chapter 163! As for trainers for the Larathyrans, do they really need them? They have all of their knowledge archived and their infrastructure is setup for this event to take place over and over again, as are all of the Thrall empires. This is all by Xar'aziuth's design, after all, for the greatest harvests to take place and then the fields to be quickly sown anew to prepare for the next ones.

Hendrix Morton

A week left in Catchup August....Why do I feel we will end up with mustard all over the place?

Evan

Consider some things that we think we know. 1 - Normally, in Progenitor conflicts, Thralls fight Thralls until there are almost no more Thralls left to fight on the losing side at which time the Soul Forge of the defeated Progenitor is located and destroyed. 2 - The destruction of the defeated Progenitor’s Soul Forge weakens what was made from it, including the Cloaking Device (and everything else?) that was made from it. At that point, the winning Progenitor can locate and target the defeated Progenitor. 3 - Xar’aziuth gains power from each Thrall killed on both sides up until the Progenitors battle and one is slain. At that point, any further deaths amongst the dead Progenitor’s former Thralls are worthless, providing no power. 4 - Killing the Progenitor who claimed the losing Thrall race ends the conflict *immediately*, as the winning Thralls no longer wish to even be in proximity to the defeated Thralls. 5 - ‘Soon’ thereafter, a new ‘baby’ Progenitor is seeded amongst the defeated Thralls, to be raised amongst them until he makes a deal with Xar’aziuth, builds his own Soul Forge and claims the race that he grew up amongst as his own. This reestablishes the link between the Thralls and Xar’aziuth allowing their deaths in the Soul Forge and elsewhere to provide him with additional power. Perhaps the ‘seeding’ is even done by the Progenitor who defeated the previous Progenitor and it’s quite literal in nature? 6 - Mael’nerak lived under the Shroud in relative peace for tens of thousands of years, maybe as much as 50K or more. It was only after 60K years under the Shroud, as best as we can determine, that Rahn’hagon was sent to this area to find and destroy Mael’nerak. So, what was the impetus for this dispatch? Could it have been the destruction of Mael’nerak’s Soul Forge, ending the flow of power to Xar’aziuth via the Thralls drained in that manner? 7 - When Mael’nerak destroyed his Soul Forge, did he already have the Star Forges in place? If so, why were all of the Maliri buildings and ships built of the golden crystal, including his shipyard, Genthalas? Perhaps he was only able to manufacture the white metal in limited quantities or at a later date to start, so the Maliri first transitioned to the golden crystal and just never got the chance to transition to the newer, improved technology that Mael’nerak was making for them to be able to use? Perhaps he and they simply ran out of time? Just some thoughts for consideration…

PLRus--Founding member of the TSM F5 club.

Fellow Patrons of Tefler: I would like to pass on some sad news about one of our members who was a Tefler recognized fan-fick author writing stories about the minor empires of TSM. She has passed away from cancer. According to her friend: she passed quickly and with little warning at about 1350 on the 21st of August. She had been mostly stable with pulse and breathing for the last couple days, but with increasing fluid in her lungs. She took a few slower breaths, one big one, and slipped away. You can read her works at Max Intel: Melinoe - Chapter List (pchotshots.com) and you can leave a message in memoriam at https://discord.com/channels/352559623724728339/1144048086260400258. Her primary editor will, at her request, continue her story.

Greg Hill

What happened with David and Madison, and their entire Sentinel Mech. division...with all the time spent building their romance they simply disappeared from the storyline...nothing at all with them, or the actual traitor who set the fleet up for the Callopean(sic) Shoal massacre...or anything else about the Maliri that were working with the Brimorians as agents in the planting of false evidence.

Evan

Whatever happened to Rahn’hagon’s Soul Forge and Thralls? The Soul Forge was left intact, but all of his Thralls are dead, possibly drained, just like Larn’kelnar’s were. How do we know this? Well, we know because it’s his old Progenitor Cloaking device that’s currently providing the cloak for the Invictus, since it was ‘requisitioned’ from Rahn’hagon’s old ship and it’s still working, which it wouldn’t be if the Soul Forge had been destroyed. It was also stated that Rahn had to drain his Thralls in order to survive Mael’nerak’s trap. Now, let’s assume, just for a moment, that he didn’t in fact drain every single one of them, as his Matriarch was dead and he was alone on Arcadia. Every single one of them would still have passed away naturally within a few hundred years, and he had no way to make more. So, while he may have drained some, many or all of them, other than from a moral perspective, it wouldn’t have made any difference at all over the last 10K years in terms of historical events. Nothing of consequence would be different.

Evan

Why would Rahn’hagon, Larn’kelnar & Gahl’kalgor each feel that he himself is a slave after entering the area of the Shroud, refer to it as a treasure and vow never to leave it? How was it created and why? Might it be extended to an area? Might it be removed from an area? Knowing the details of this might give John and the girls so much insight into the Progenitors and potentially how to defeat them all. It might even help remove the menace of the Kirrix without requiring genocide.

duff

I'm honestly fine with waiting but it's really hard not to notice a pattern here. For longer than a year now there is always something that happens at the last minute stalling progress. Either his house breaking down, an accident, a family member's illness, now it's tefler himself. It's clear that he is going through something else and treating his followers like trash.

Anthony Kester

EXCITING CONVERSATIONS!!! INTERESTING DEBATES!!! LOTS OF PHOTOS OF REDHEADS!!! Coming to a Discord near you, "The Invictus, a Three Square Meals Forum". https://discord.gg/tXEPg9PuhM

William Wallace

4 more day's for a new placeholder, and maby a partial chapter,

Michael56Smith

.211: NYMPHs, ... probably were NOT created by Mael'nerak, at least not entirely, ... Recall Larn'kelnar's meeting of Celphna at the home of Deep Lord Athgiloi, ... he knew something of her (species?) and he was impressed that she was still 'working' after all these years, ... might he have downloaded her millennia's of 'spy' memories? .... Also there was Celphna's fascination with the Progenitor (Larn) face to face, and with just the image of John, .... something that was built into them before 72,000 years ago? or by Mael for some reason? -- speculation: some forms of the Nymph species were to be found (at least 72,000 years ago) in at least a few of the various Progenitor Empires, and maybe they were common to the majority of them, .... and so Mael'nerak brought a bunch of them to his war on the Achonin, (and he likely made a few minor DNA modifications?) using them as spies in his war effort, .... much later he wiped their memories and freed them onto the world of Lennara, all to please his Matriarch, Valada, .... these Nymphs would likely be slightly different from any that are currently (if any still survive?) living in Progenitor space, ... distant cousins maybe? ... -- Oh, and I am also wondering if Celphna, like Jade, was a returned 'double agent' spy, ... and that might help to explain her traveling a more convoluted journey down the years to end up with the Kintark, who then gifted her to the Brimorians, ... maybe? So, does she have Achonin glyphs on her crystal heart? That John will need to cleanize? ,,, -- Just a few thoughts about those sexy cat-girls, ... any further ideas? '-) ttfn

Mike Saxion

Tefler has reached the point he is an empty producer. As an independent writer he should have prepared for eventualities. Independent anything plans for outages. I’ve said it before, he would make more money if he kept his promises.

Michael56Smith

,213: Rahn'hagon's thoughts: ".... a fact confirmed by his son, who claimed that he only had a thousand thralls in his network. Such a pitiful number would make little to no difference, but there was no denying just how powerful John had become. It was becoming very clear that his son had approached his Progenitor legacy in a radically new way, with spectacular results. Establishing multiple matriarchs, gifting psychic abilities to his Terran thralls and... Alyssa... whatever she was, were all conundrums that Rahn'hagon desperately wished he had answers to." --- And he still doesn't know anything new, ... And Jessica would love to beg her son's forgiveness and become friends with ALL his fiancé's and baby momma's. It has been a fair number of chapters, but we haven't gotten any answers to any of these questions or desires, ... well, maybe Rahn will do something in the next few chapters, ... maybe, ... ;-) ttfn

Newnotsure

Okay here is a thought I have been finding that when an author takes a long time to do the next chapter people tend to look to other authors and really don’t care if and when the author starts again they kind on to the next good author. I could be wrong but just a thought

Newnotsure

Wow not a hater/basher just saying that is all. I am still here each month paying the moneys and waiting, I have always sent good wishes on chapters showing up. I hope it is here this week but the money still comes out on the first of each month for me. Michael56smith your nose is turning colour. Have a great day.

Unresolved Plots

Here's a thought. A few trolls make comments designed to encourage others to join their little group, bashing an author in an attempt to bully them to try to get what they want...more chapters posted more quickly. The problem is that even though they are in a very small but very vocal minority, most of the 4200+ people they are preaching to are indifferent to their obvious agenda and they don't inspire anyone to follow them with their constant negativity.

Unresolved Plots

I'd encourage all of the positively inclined patrons to join the Tefler Discord through the permanent invite https://bit.ly/TeflerDiscord Lots of additional story resources are available there, like the free in depth timeline that Cignal maintains, fanfictions by Recurve (who has just sadly passed) and Kin Asdi etc... We also have many interesting story discussions there, going in depth with lots of interesting ideas. As an example, a while back on Discord, I proposed that the Great Wheel that the Trankarans refer to in their oral history might not actually be Genthalas as appears obvious, with some reason's why that may be the case. I've also proposed origins for the Nymphs and Mael's cloning chambers that might completely change what appears to be accepted by most. Those and many other ideas are constantly discussed there, without any of the negativity that is constantly posted here.

Unresolved Plots

Hope Tefler is doing ok. Looks like the second part of Ch.164 is going to be the build up and preparation for the battle(s) to come in Ch.165. They have a number of tasks to complete before the battle and probably have about 10 hours. The Kythshara defense platforms need to be brought back online and controlled, they need to protect Mael's cloning facility and Faye's body, bring the robotic thrall army online and control it, possibly retrofit the Larathyran fleets that have returned with weapons from Genwynn and they need to come up with a plan to isolate Gahl'kalgor so they can defeat him without him husking his thralls!

tony

i was not aware that Recurve passed.....R.I.P. Recurve

tony

tefler, i want you to be able to finish this exciting tale, that being said i'm sure you know starfleet carl passed in the 1st part of july, and i want to read the sequal as well and won't be able to if you pass from health complications, so get healthy because i want to read your future non-TSM works too.......tony

Glenn Hunter

Between Family and Health you have had quite the Year, I hope all are on the mend and you can finally catch a brake yourself!

Rayce Royal

ONE MORE DAY! ONE MORE DAY!! WOOOHOOO!!!! I'm gonna be greedy and hope for TWO chapters, but I'll settle for Mr. Tefler being in a much healthier, happier state and being able to write again without pain. Still, my brain keeps chanting ONE MORE DAY!!

Guru Hope

This must be a game to tefler now 😐

Rev. Thwack

Rounding out the 8th month so this year, and here's our stats: * 3 chapters delivered * 8 chapters charged What's the current bets? Do we start month 9 at: * 3/9 * 3/10 * 4/9 * 4/10

Michael56Smith

.241: No more Placeholders, and he'll work to catch up, .... so no more complaining, right, .... unless you are just an unrepentant complainer, .... in that case I'll be praying for you (Rev?), .... ;-) ttfn

Tom Ray

Michael56Smith, F U and the horse you rode in on. I am tired of your mouth. you post nothing but crap on every patreon site you are on. get a life. O Wait.... this is your life.... LOL

Michael56Smith

.246: ,,, and remember the Invictus crew's several Motto's are: 1) Forgive and Forget (nah) 2) Wipe out ALL the Bad Guys, ... 2 1/2) - Fuck 'em, they're ALL Bad Guys, so all bets are Off! 3) Loot the best tech (requisition) 4) Recruit the Galaxy's Hottest girls! -- and these were lifted (mostly) from chapter #58, page 8, ...... ;-) ttfn

Michael56Smith

.251: ... Tef says he won't engage with anymore placeholders (for now), ... and after he finishes chapter #164, he will knock out the remaining placeholder chapters #165 through #168, ... ---- Now Tef's life has yet to return to what passes for normal for him, .... he still needs his gallbladder surgery, his wife's arm needs a few more weeks to completely heal, ... and the kids are back in school, so they will be sharing the sniffles and such with their classmates, .... fun and more fun, .... -- and John Blake, the Lion, is still battling Gahl'kalgor, .... I forget, has he yet to hear the 'bad guy' Asshat's actual name? or is he still just the Galkiran's Progenitor? .... It has certainly taken an extra-long time to defeat this Progenitor due to all the chapter delays, ... SMH, oh well, ... --- also, if John does use his mighty Kythvindahlys rune-blade to drain Gahl'kalgor's eldritch mojo, ... and take over all his thralls as well as fully claim his Empire, .... and then John and the Girls decide NOT to kill him so he can't inform Xar'aziuth of any useful intel about Baen'thelas under the Shroud, .... loose lips sink ships, .... will they then start calling him Kal? .... ;-) ttfn

Michael56Smith

.255: So sad, yeah, the family went away, but then came right back, when Tef's wife broke her arm, so the vacation / camping trip was a bust, and catch-up August became doing the housework and driving the kids everywhere August, ... then, he needed his gallbladder worked on / removed, ... Complications, ... and with the UK healthcare system, we still don't know if it has happened yet, ... or if he is putting it off to care for his family, ... anyway, the best laid plans of mice and men, .... ;-( ttfn

Michael56Smith

.256: Okay, more stuff that John and crew needs to do, let's make a list: (in no particular order) 1) defeat Gahl'kalgor, but not kill him, ... (keep Xar'aziuth in the dark) 2) protect Kythshara, Mael's Lab and Faye's organic body, ... 3) find and man the remaining 7 of the 11 huge weapons platforms from Mael'nerak, ... and uncover the other (besides Genwynn) hidden stations, at Geniya, Genkiri, and Genirath, all hiding the other weapons platforms, .... 4) look into the Tom Walker trail, and save him before he is executed as the Rat of the Federation, ... (real Rat is the not so dead Mason Neumont in his old Brimorian Cruiser) 5) bring Faye back to life, ... fight the nightmare Astral monsters 6) investigate the Star Forges of the Trankarans, ... get Dana to fix/upgrade them, ... test it by making super good main guns for Raptor 2.0, .... Dana to leave the Republic lots of new ship plans, ... 7) start to build John a modified/superior Dreadnaught using the Star Forges, .... smaller, faster and better 8) check with Lynette on Outer Rim problems 9) Get the Brimorians to turn over the 1 billion plus Abandoned 10) deploy the requisitioned Laranthyran fleets, and the surviving Galkiran fleets to best protect the Maliri 11) Add a few Galkiran, Laranthyran ladies. and Ashanath (Gray) ladies to the new ship's crew, because they'll need a bigger crew for manning the big ole dreadnaught, .... maybe add a few retired / crippled T-Fed officers as well, .... bridge - pilot, tactical, also medical, security and more, ... (all restored to their prime health) 12) Jehanna runs a number of Documentaries and interviews regarding all the panic / excitement from the Galkiran invasion, on her new Maliri News Network, (MNN) --- can you think of a few more activities to keep our heroes busy? (I mean besides a whole lot of sex) ... ;-) ttfn

anand srivastava

I think Gahl'kalgor will be killed, and his forces added to John's forces. And since Xar'aziuth cannot do anything under the Shroud, sending more Progenitors will be a losing case, as more Progenitors will be destroyed, making John stronger. The story will end there I think. To be continued in the sequel, where John takes up creating the Shroud everywhere in the Galaxy. The Shroud would have been created by the Achonins, during the war as a final act. That is another thing remaining for John to find how to create. The best way to destroy Xar'aziuth is to create shroud everywhere in the Galaxy. It makes the Progenitors non-malevolent, as they are no longer controlled by Xar'aziuth. And with no more massive deaths and destruction, things will become better in the Galaxy, without having to kill all the progenitors.

anand srivastava

This is the most amazing scifi fantasy story I have read. The growth of the characters and story is phenomenal. First we find out about progenitors after so many chapters and then that there more of them, and then there is someone even more powerful.

anand srivastava

I find all the whining pathetic. How many free chapters did people get? And crying over just paltry 4.5 chapters. I know that charging for advance chapters was not correct but he was trying to make his living based on the money here. Which he now understands wasn't going to work, with a family. Now he has gone back to work, as he had to, to support his family. I am surprised how insensitive these whiners are. They are behaving like little children, whose toy has been taken away. I hope Tefler will post soon. Patience is important, which you learn with age. I hope the whiners will grow up over the months, that it takes Tefler to post the next chapters. He will come back to the story because he is writing for himself. But it will be much slower now that he has a day job. Anyway it is what it is. I wish for his continued good health, and that his family issues are in the past. Wishing everybody enlightened self interest :-). Peace.

Myrnalin

After Patroen allowed us to block other users, this feed has been pure positivity and encouragement... And I have not blocked more than 10 in total. 10 People who ruins it for the rest of us. I strongly suggest blocking the whiners.

20 ton

If Tef had written 1/10 of the words as Michael since Aug 31, would we we have our promised finish to 164. Been a long couple days . Not keeping his word or simply communicating is the real problem. That’s not whining, that’s a statement of fact from someone that has checkered the site daily for months.

Jim lynch

I think michael56smith has run away and deleted all his insults to about 90% of Patreon users thank god let’s hope it stays lost and quiet amen.

EroticPoetic

Is Tefler ok? It’s April and the last update was “Catch up August”. Maybe he can use ChatGPT to help expedite the next 3 chapters? The cliffhanger of 167 is killing me! LOL - Get well soon… we’re all rooting for you, Tef and waiting for you to come back with the glorious finale to this battle!

Evan

Hoping for this to be released soon. We'll see.