Three Square Meals Ch. 58

Woohoo!

Woohoo! It's finally out! Hopefully I won't fall asleep reading this at almost 1 am.

At last!

It was a long wait, but I'll be da***d if it wasn't worth it! Only one problem with this awesome chapter, it's gonna make the wait for the next one even worse. :)

Finally!

It was so long between updates I was worried Tefler had abandonned the story.

Re: Thylex

Glad you enjoyed it! It was a fun one to write, and hopefully you liked the twists and reveals at the end. :-)

You shouldn't have to wait too long for the next one, as I'm working on Chapter 59 at the moment, and making good progress. It'll be a regular length chapter, and will probably be out by about next Tuesday.

Cheers

Tefler

Re: Tefler's last comment

What twists and surprises?

If anyone is still surprised that John's dad is behind all the chaos that's going on, they're only reading the sexy bits of the story. Honestly, the only thing that surprised me in this chapter is that Faye and Irilith didn't replace/convert Nexus leaving the AI fleet under John's control. I guess that'll be in the next chapter.

After that, I figure the AI fleet of 46 cruisers will ambush the Kintark ambush and save the Terrans from annihilation despite Norwood's efforts. Hey, there's a question. Did Norwood start the investigation into John because he's working for the previous generation of Mael'nerak and noticed the similarities, assuming that Norwood started it? That investigation is part of the Dragon March secret archives so that doesn't seem like much of a stretch.

-Aderi

Wow....

That was epic...more please! NOW!! lol

Oh crap

Bow to the master of cliffhangers!!!!! Out freaking standing chapter.

I had a feeling.....

Finally...... Well worth the wait. I like how Faye's "growing up" is coming along. I have suspicions about John's surprise for her.

That little feeling that something is wrong when you enter a system and there are "only" four ships defending. All that build up and only four? I thought that the I fleet had gone somewhere. I was right..... I didn't think it would be as easy as shutting down one set of servers either. If I was a "smert" AI, I would divvy up my "brain" between multiple ships, and then be mobile. Kind of Ceylon like. That is what I was expecting, and then they went to the server farm, and.... Well, we all read it. How the future plays out, we'll have to wait for Tefler to write it. LOL :( (hurry up :P )

Oh, a bit of criticism... This is the second time (I think) I have read you write about a "binary system that has three stars". I did look, in case I was wrong. By definition, a binary system has two stars. I did come across a picture of a "binary system" that had five stars, but it was a binary and a trinary combined together. So, it was two groups of stars with orbits entwined. Would that be "quinary"?

Liked the new armor, but like John, I thought it might have been a bit over the top. LOL But I can't disagree with Alyssa's reasoning. But she still has het work cut out with the repairs.... SOMEday, she'll be strong enough to make armor that he can't damage. LOL

I'm sure, since Dana has to look out her damaged faceplate, she will come up some new idea. (hint... maybe my helmet idea? (360) lol :P )

Jade's insta-heal was neat also. I would imagine that Nymphs would be difficult to kill. And with her gaining power also, nearly indestructible

Now there is definitive proof that there is a progenitor active in the Terran realm. I guess, that will explain a few things. Lets let that one simmer for a while. I shouldn't mention all I saw... lol

GREAT CHAPTER!!!!!!!!!!

Re: my own last comment

After reading what I posted, I think it came across as a little more harsh than I intended. This was a logical progression from earlier chapters but it was still a fun read and I eagerly await the next installment (partly to see if my predictions come true (and I've got a lot more)).

-Aderi

Outstanding and well worth the wait

What a juggling act. Been checking for a follow up story everyday so knew you must have been writing heaps. It's been worth the wait!
Love the interface with Irrilith and the cyberspace and how you've written that. Love the increased storyline for Faye and look forward to seeing where you go with that ;) The overthrow of the old houses on the Maliri home world's, Nexus, how to resolve that and then the surprise involvement of the Progenitor again, the traitorous Admiral, John's hidden enemy and what about Tashana! You've got a lot going on! Can't wait to read what happens next. Awesome!

Dude!!!!!!!!!!!!

you don't disappoint I loved this chapter I actually read all of your stories to date in the last 5 days just to get a refresher and I am still glued to find out where your mind is taking this story I cant wait thanks by the way any books along this same type youd recommend as reading material while I wait for the next chapter id really appreciate it

Enjoyed it beginning to end!

Excellent! Even though I knew Edraele was planning something it did not play out how I thought. It was surprising but still made sense.

I am also really liking the parts wit Faye.

Here's what I'm thinking...

The body that we are all expecting for Faye. A purely mechanical body just won't cut it. She needs to be able to connect flesh to flesh with the rest of the crew. Also John's wonderjizz needs something to work on. Perhaps a vat grown body with an electronic brain she can possess. Or mech skeleton cyborg T100 style.

Brillig

Absolutely brillig!! Well worth the wait, and so much ground covered, this will require another read to fully download the the full implications.

Thanks for another brilliant chapter.

Mal

Curious about Faye

Interesting feedback, thanks everyone! Quite a few of you have mentioned that you like Faye, and have been enjoying her story arc. I was just curious what you guys liked about it/her specifically?

Re: Muledriver
Good point about Beta-Persei and the binary star. I read the Wikipedia entry, and slightly misread the description, then didn't even think about the 'eclipsing binary' only referring to two of the stars. It's obvious now, so I feel like a dummy!

The star names I use are mostly based on real systems, and I try and use the correct colours of the stars where possible. The exact details of any planets is unknown, so I've taken artistic license to make up the system contents to fit the story.

Chapter 59 is going well, and I'm about half way through so far.

Tefler

Awesome

As normal awesome chapter love the way Faye is coming along and the twist with the terrain AI

Action action!

From the relaxed trip straight into battle (and more coming).

1. John tactics / strategies - I've said it before and again FAIL!
considering his experience he keep fucking up.
a system with only 4 ships and he doesn't think it's wrong...
going into combat (again and again) with a small team against hundreds... (at least get a tank/mecha!)
wasting Esraele energy in the top level when they had 70 below
2. Alyssa - why didn't she just squash the robots with her powers like the entry door?
3. Rachel - so the Valaden's family is special, woohoo! not such a surprise
3. Faye & Irillith - cool fight, as we all expect Faye gonna get a body made by Dana
3. Edraele - you seem to neglect her, she is intriguing and she can do a lot without John. also she should be more active simply because she can hear and speak with him
4. Jade - YAY! we've waited ages for her to fight! MOOOOORE please

so now we have the team going in two ways simultaniously, Nexus as he's heading to earth with nothing to stop him (terran forces at least), the traitor (cause the expect loss and Calara's family).
can't wait to read how you're solving it!

Bow down to the King.

Ok love the chapter, alot of has fiqured that Faye would be receiving a body. I agree that it seems like the AI fleet will get hacked. But believe it still wouldn't get to dragons March in time to stop the invasion. I figured that was a plan to wipe out all the old house except like 1 daughter of each house I be a convert to John when he returns so that the houses are all under his control petty much

Exceptional!

This is one of, if not, the best chapters of this series. Again well done.

Just so you know Tefler...

... I hate you so much right now, it's 10:10 pm and this chapter has 16 pages... That means I won't get no sleep tonight...
*dark circles around my eyes intensify*
I guess I'll leave some feedback in the morning unless I'm too tired by then...
*stifles a yawn*

THX

Finally! My dealer gave me my fix.

Re-Curious about Faye

What I'm drawn to is Fayes innocence, joy and unswerving loyalty. Now you've given her the capability to learn and apply things from what she experiences. I think it would be cool for her to come into the physical world as a biological (obviously) and mature into full sentience, gain acceptance of this from the rest of the girls then go through the trials and tribulations of wanting and finally having a relationship with John. Rachels analysis of John's cum may need to throw up some clues as to what effects it may have for Faye in the future.
I'm thinking that it would be good to have Irrilith as part of the ground team with Jade giving Faye pilot duties on the Raptor and cyber protection and liaison duties on Invictus when Irrilith is on the ground. You've also got all of these Nexus controlled robot ships and things that will need to be taken and controlled at some stage too. It's a universe of possibilities!

si/fidave dont ever stop .this fatboy needs more ..

Incredible work

No idea how you manage to write so much in your spare time.
frankly it tells us something about your character, either dedicated to us, or insane... hmmm
JC

Thank you very much.

Winner, becoming a "must read".

What an awesome chapter!

The R&D mission didn't go how I expected but that's what makes you such a great author!

Well that is messy

John is finding more and bigger messes so it is lucky that his team and gear are powering up exponentially.

So Irrilith and Jade take the Raptor - Since it has the same FTL tech, and chase down the Nexus so that Irrilith can tame the AI.

The rest of the team heads to the Dragon March which turns Donnybrook with Feds and Kintark both trying to focus down the Invictus. They go into sweep mode. You can't outmaneuver a wall of ships but Invictus punches through the wall, with some damage and risk each time. Unless they pure out and out run away they have to let the Dragon March play out. Maybe.

Edraele adds some Maliri fleets as Cavalry to even the odds.
The tamed Nexus fleet is able to make it into the battle.

It seems like they have peace settlements at their command.

Progenitor X shows up with a huge fleet.

John has to turn Kintark, Terran, and his own forces into a team against the real threat or expect X to destroy or convert them all.

Save the Brimorian visit for an epilogue with the Invictus full of babies.

Finished the story for you so now you can take it easy.

Glad I could help.

Lots to do!

Going after a nutty AI, exposing a traitorous admiral, evading a killer, finding more about that special investigation on him, the ship and the crew...yup, lots of material.
This(ch.58) was excellent, btw!

Tefler, you knocked it out of the park again

I do agree with a prior comment that John's tactical experience seems to be rather light in his role in this set of skirmishes. Hoping Jade & Irrileth can find a way thru the 3 remaining hordes of humanoid bots on the top level seems either careless or clueless of him, in particular.

What do I like about Faye? She has discernible personality quirks versus the meatlings, at least in part. Faye and the girls all seem very mercurial, emotionally. Suspect that to be one of the lessons Faye has picked up from the girls, just seems to take it a little faster/further in her volatility. Not a bad thing, just a slightly odd commonality imo.

Her respect for authority is also an.. exaggerated? augmented? over the top? reflection of the girls with John. It's also likely "hard coded" in via the hacking deck hardware software and data. Faye has already transcended the latter two - new hardware is all that remains between old Faye and whatever new form(s) she wishes.

Who knows, Faye's new body could be Nexus!

Thanks, Tefler, another fun read!

Muledriver

You said, "Now there is definitive proof that there is a progenitor active in the Terran realm. I guess, that will explain a few things. Lets let that one simmer for a while. I shouldn't mention all I saw... lol"

Yeah...like the fact Nexus is not a Terran AI. Like Faye: it is a Progen AI. And the fact Faye can now think for herself means she is not a slave to the Progen line anymore.

Faye and Irillith hack Nexus, Faye copies her programming among the AI ships in a full rewrite of Nexus's programming, and walla....instant Progen John fleet.

By the way, Tefler: Fantastic chapter. I rather wondered back when we first ran into the R&D ship if it was a Progen X tactic.

Also, The Terran race was a Progen Experiment....nice one!

Finally, concerning the Anti-Grav Cyclics interferring with the magnetic field shielding... If that were the case then the magnetic shielding on the suits would not work on the Invictus or the Raptor due to the core Anti-Grav device used to keep everyone from being a squashed bug on the walls of the Invictus and/or Raptor during battle maneuvers. Something Dana would not have overlooked. Perhaps after the fix on the power core, Dana can miniturize it for suit shielding?

I called it!

Irillith is a technomancer. Look up shadowrun technomancers for more information. Tefler, I was there in the beginning, one of the first votes, one of the original anonymous comments. I remember starting it, stopping, going and reading this other space opera, then coming back to this. I've watched this world grow, this story grow, even YOU grow, as a writer, and a person. You have to admit, you're not the same person that you were when this began. This journey with you has been utterly incredible so far, and I feel like it still has much to grow upon, much to grow with. You created something that many of us have come to adore (I am not going to say fall in love with. That's cheesy answer tacky for us) and you reply and listen to us, so in a way, this is a part of all of us as well which I think is incredible. This isn't just a sappy story, this isn't even a romance story anymore. This is the binding point of a community and you made it, Tefler. You made it well, and you have done good.

Why I like Faye:

She was a slave construct who was saved by John and the team. You have conditioned us to like and accept those saved by them. Also, as was said, she was entirely innocent when created, which pulls on my protective instincts concerning children.

Excellant Chapter

Thank you for such a great chapter. I have enjoyed reading all of you works on this site. Found it earlier this year and just love it.

Great Chapter? Always more questions...

Eradelle - I guess most revolutions are a bit dark, but damn.
Malari/Progenitor - Seems like all of his efforts are focused on crushing the humans (except for the Ashanath who have some secret stockpile of Progenitor tech.) Im wondering why Johns dad hates humans. Also, did he intentionally set up an AI project, or did the federation stumble across Progenitor tech elsewhere.
Faye - What did she delete? How is it that she is sure Dana and Rachel have abilities and/or tech beyond the Progenitor norm (thought that the gals were merely inspired by DNA coded Progen tech via Johns psychic connection)? What else does she know? Is John ready for Android-Faye (anatomically correct)? Will she be able to remotely control a drone fleet? If John trusts her He should give the hacking deck access to a Progenitor improved server farm and processing capacity.
Dana - Shes gonna wish she had figured out how to optimize the power core rather than making bitty lasers.
Harris - Is he working with Norris and or Progenitor?! When will the already hacked emails be reviewed?
Calara - Seriously, no call to warn your family regarding Norris plot? Gonna let them march off to their doom based on a thin chance that John may be able to save the day?
Irillith - What is her range? Will she be able to ID the Nexis command ship from a distance while outside the data flow? Remotely firewall the battleships and turn their frind-or-foe against Nexis (like the lasers)?

MORE

MORE WUICKLY. LOVE THIS EPIC. MORE PLEASE.

Thank you

You are truly a great author that could easily make a nice living off your talent. Greatly appreciate your time, efforts and willingness to post your stories here for all to enjoy.

And yet another awesome chapter of sex and intrigue!

Wonder

Actually aliens better come in good guy and bad guy pairs or we would be so screwed. ;)

Re: Anon

We know how John feels about coincidences. ;)

Early Chapter access

I'm figuring out how the Patreon page works, and I've uploaded Chapter 58 to the Patreon site on the paid posts, which is only available to my Patrons.

For Chapter 59, I'll upload it to the site as soon as I've finished editing. As the Patreon page doesn't have moderators like Literotica, Patrons will be able to read the next chapter without having to wait several days for moderation.

Cheers,

Tefler

Monster! I have been waiting for my next slice of saucy space opera and here it is in spades.

i have read it all but I am really enjoying thjs series.so keep it up and ill be following.

Response to Anon:

You said: "I am waiting for the really good idea for a likeable and admirable main character, with a few realistic flaws to keep him real."

I laughed so hard at this I cried.

You are reading a story on a fantasy sex site and you want 'real'. Ummmm isn't that a bit against the premise of the whole site? I mean, if all I have read on here is real there are some pretty sick biatches and a-holes here. Fantasy is exactly that...an ESCAPE FROM REALITY!!! Perhaps you should just read substantiated (not the false self-congratulatory stuff) autobiographies instead? Thinking you would be much happier (not really).

Further reply

You remind me of a person walking into a 5-star restaurant and ordering taco's because it is Taco Tuesday at Taco Bell. You want tacos....go to the border.

Harmless escapism is exactly what I want!

Live, sometimes, is a bitch. That's why I'm happy that people like Tef are out there to provide an easy escape. I have shelves stocked with "serious" literature at home, but sometimes you just need harmless story of a good guy and his beautiful companions saving the world while loving each other.
You are doing a fine job here Tefler, don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
Looking forward to getting the next chapter before moderation on p.

Re: I called it

That was a really kind comment, thanks very much! It's a strange coincidence you wrote that actually, as quite often people mention the chapter they started reading from, and I wondered how many people had been reading the story from the start, and stuck with it as each new chapter came out.

"You have to admit, you're not the same person that you were when this began."

I'd definitely agree with that! It's been a really fun journey, and I can't believe nearly ten months have passed since I started writing.

"This is the binding point of a community "

That reminds me of a question that I'd love to know the answer to: Just how many people are following this story? The lowest view count (excluding this chapter as it's only just been released) has been 13k views, but people have read through the story multiple times, and others have read through particular chapters several times.

There's approximately 900 votes per chapter (which I'm guessing is perhaps partially inflated by people voting on a couple of devices). I never voted until very recently, so I can only assume many people don't either.

If I had to guess, I'd say around 4-5k, which is pretty awesome to think about. Anyway, excuse my rambling, your comment just got me thinking! :-)

Tefler

Re: Nekronom

"Life, sometimes, is a bitch. That's why I'm happy that people like Tef are out there to provide an easy escape."

Ultimately I write stories I'd like to read myself, and it's really satisfying to hear that others enjoy them too.

Regular readers of the comments have probably read the feedback from people saying they were down, and a bit of light hearted escapism was exactly what they needed. Hearing things like that makes my time spent writing feel all the more worthwhile! :-)

Tefler

Nekronom

No problem. So us guys have our own version of Twilight. ;) I can rest it there.

There is a guy who posts obsessively on every chapter, I guess. Laughter is the best medicine when someone wounds your pride. Keep laughing, maybe you'll hyperventilate.

WOW!

Finally got a chance to read this chapter and it's a great action packed one! Well worth the wait. I'm going to have to read it again.
Thanks Tef,,,

Chapter 59 status updated

I've written 16k so far, so its going to be bigger than I initially anticipated. It won't be a huge like Chapter 58 though, so you can probably still expect it early next week sometime.

Tefler

Apologies to all the non trolls

This will be a bit of trolling the trolls comment so fuck me but I will sound like an idiot to everyone that is not a troll. That means everybody that can at least remember the last time they had a really good day can shake their head and move on - please. This is trying to be a troll vaccination but like all thought infections, troll disease is communicable by exposure and that means just thinking about trolls is a risk best avoided. Ignore all trolls, and certainly never respond to them, or dogpile them by commenting a comment like the one I am making here. I have taken this as a semiprofessional training and can tell you that the risk to non trolls of proceeding beyond here can be severe.

To trolls,
You have hope. Your case is not terminal. You would be in deep denial and have stopped reading by this point if you were beyond healing. You would have deluded yourself into thinking that you remember having a really good day. The day you saw an old lady fall down the stairs or a cat get run over by a bus might be examples you would point to. Any time that somebody else was fucked up and made to suffer or thwarted from just enjoying themselves basically was a feel good moment in your life. But you are worried you might be a troll. You have a better than 80% chance of recovery and leading a normal life.

Nobody cares if you think trolling is the best use of the Internet since bangedup.com in its heyday. If nobody cares then trolling is not much fun is it?

Nobody cares if this particular story is not sensitive to all real world issues. People read a fiction in large part for the fiction, not the reality. They play with realism but nothing near actual reality. Issues that you feel are important could make an excellent story. I would love to read that story. Write it please. Your objections to this story mean you should write it. Obviously you believe a story can change people's minds so fucking write your story. Inform minds that you feel are vulnerable. Until you do that you should stop painting this story as criminal for not being the story you want told. It would only be polite for you to please fuck off in other words.

Have a really great day, and many more to follow. Things like: sharing smiles with a pretty girl or boy or at least a bitch that wags its tail at you even. Discovering a new favourite food, or drink. Helping a nice old lady down some stairs and getting some sweet sticky buns as a reward. Finding some stray pussy on the street and taking it home with you after the vet you dropped it at says it won't be having kittens or giving you parasites. It is hard to have an awful day when you can't go to bed without warm pussy crawling all over you.