Summer Friction: A LitRPG Sci-Fi Adventure (Space Seasons Book 3), page 1
Summer Friction
Space Seasons Book Three
Dawn Chapman
Copyright © 2020 by Dawn Chapman
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the publisher, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Contents
Acknowledgments
Newsletter
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Afterword
About Dawn Chapman
About Mountaindale Press
Mountaindale Press Titles
For my next trips in 2019 it was back to the US - Atlanta and Dragon Con! My eyes were truly opened to the world here… Oh my! Huge thank you to everyone who helped me cope! You are amazing!
x X x
Acknowledgments
I’m sending special thanks and shout outs to my sprint buddy, Michael Chatfield. And my other closest friends K.T. Hannah and Luke Chmilenko. Thank you for being you and being there for me as always, and of course just being plain awesome. Guys and gals, these three authors’ books are mint, check them out!
Big thanks to my early readers, Tara, Zeb, and Adam, and to my editing team Nick and Evan. Without all of you amazing people this would not be as polished. You rock.
To my wonderful discord group. Kajack, LFB, Chris, Chauf, Ever, V, Carl, Zeb, and Richard. With special mention to some of my dearest friends, Steve Campbell and M.H. Johnson. And those who support me with Patreons love you too!
There’s also of course, an extra shout out to my publisher for working with me. MDP, you all have been a joy to work with. That includes my wonderful narrator Neil Hellegers who has brought Kyle to life for so many more listeners!
Finally, to all who chat to me daily, and whom I adore, and to the extra special people in the office you all know who you are, and working alongside such professional people, is the best. I couldn’t ask for more.
x X x
Newsletter
Don’t miss out on future releases! Sign up for the Mountaindale Press newsletter to stay up to date. And as always, thank you for your support! You are the reason we’re able to bring these stories to life.
Chapter One
“Dylan had one message for you,” Jai said, watching the reaction on Sadie’s face as he said the words. “Be prepared for war.”
I tried not to lose focus on the room, but my mind swam. I mean, I knew it was coming. But so soon, I needed to speak with Dylan as soon as I could. My focus was shot.
MISSION LOG
FIGHT FOR TOLSA
TOLSA IS UNDER IMMENSE STRAIN AS THE FACTIONS HAVE SPLIT RIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE. YOUR FRIENDS’ LIVES ARE AT RISK IF YOU DO NOT RETURN TO AID THEM
ACCEPT
Y/N
There was no way I was ever going to hesitate. I clicked the Y.
THIS MISSION WILL NOT BE AN EASY ONE
REWARDS
OWNERSHIP OF TOLSA
POSSIBLE LOYALTY OF ALL LIFE ON HER
IF YOU LOSE…
There was text there. But I couldn’t read that part. I swiped it all away.
We can do this, I said to Hiroto. Right?
Sadie coughed. “He needs some more rest, Jai.”
I felt something slip into my arm, and my notifications went off once more, but Hiroto dealt with them.
The words went around and around in my head: Be prepared for war. I lay there thinking of everything that we were going to do but my focus shifted inside. You guys okay? I asked both Hiroto and Xirob.
Eh, been better, Kyle. Hiroto said, and I felt the inside pain coming from him.
Realised how big the task is, haven’t we? I knew he had, because I had. Everything out here has serious consequences and leaving this system now with the girls and the mechs with the price on our heads…
Yeah. I turned over, letting the med bed take my weight, my aches and pains. Sure, the nanites were healing me—my health steadily increased—but sometimes it didn’t ease this kind of pain. It was internal, sure, but also mental.
I felt the air move around me, and when I turned back, I looked up into the eyes of Yun.
“Are you going to assign our points?” he asked.
“I lost mine,” I admitted. “I’m sorry.”
I couldn’t really tell how he was feeling from his appearance; his red eyes drifted in and out of this space. This world and his focus wasn’t really me.
“Penalties for saving a life? That makes no sense, yes?”
“I—we almost died. So it makes sense,” I answered. I remembered that last notification, the warnings, the one that had taken away some of what I’d been given. They were so darned hard to earn, and I’d had to let them go.
Things happen for many reasons, Kyle, Xirob said inside me. It was little comfort to the loss of the stat points and losing rank in Kenosi. I reminded myself by reading our stats just how far we had come. The time I’d been here, awake, I had done more than anyone else had. I was capable. I couldn’t let the loss affect me, only try and push me to do better.
Kyle Ranz - Contains –
Name - Hiroto Toshiaki
Level = 30
Name - Xirob Veti
Level = 112
Name - Kyle Ranz
Human/Denti
Year of Death - 2629
Class = Fighter/Sorcerer
Age 18 + 1
Level = 35
Respawns = 2
Memories = 91%
Health = 87%
Kenosi = Rank 39
Nanites x 2,541
Body Type = Unknown
Structural Integrity = Tungsten and Alumi
Internal AI chip = X Class
Skin Strength = 56
Blood Capacity = 47
Healing Speed = 58
Overall Personal Level = 360
Strength = 96
Dexterity = 23
Constitution = 152
Intelligence = 79
Wisdom = 33
Charisma = 14
Luck = 13
Quick Points = 1
Mech Warrior Operational Level = 70
Battle Mage - Rank 19
Mech Pilot - Rank 17
Nanite Engineer - Rank 34
Nanite Factory - Rank 68
Human/Machine Interface - Rank 30
Mech Merge - Rank 14
Mech Remote Control - Rank 1
Vrolsh Coding Learned
CAD Tech - Rank 19
Kiain Language - Rank 6
Shuttle Operator - Rank 16
Freighter Operator - Rank 10
Foot Soldier - Rank 21
Merc - Rank 14
Sniper - Rank 18
Gun Smith - Rank 13
Shadow Awareness - Maxed Out
Negotiator - Rank 13
Deception - Rank 15
Reconstruction Expertise - Rank 18
Muscle Healing - Rank 21
Viral Fighting - Rank 15
Poison Resistance - Rank 19
Night Sight - Rank 3
Sword Play - Rank 18
Animal Handling - Rank 7
Null Gravity Management - Rank 8
Special Traits Awarded x 4 – Any extras here do not show on your Stat Sheet Totals.
Healer = Internal AI chip X Class – Crystalline and Silver metal chip with integrated healer nanites led by Nus.
Intelligence = Internal prototype AI Chip, inserted on 17th birthday, with consciousness of Hiroto.
Knowledge = Direct from Xirob if he freely gives it. Extra skills and training available.
Shade Brain – One in a million, you managed to not only keep your memories, but you can also hide them. Your character sheet is elusive to even the strongest of will. UPGRADED - No one can penetrate your Shade now!
Space Sickness - Unknown Effects
Spells - Active - Minor Healing = Requires Kenosi of Rank 5
Spells - Active - Medium healing = Requires Kenosi of Rank 20
Spells - Passive - Intensive Healing = Requires Kenosi of rank 50
Spell - Active - Lightning Fury – Requires Kenosi of Rank 20 – Dam
age increased by 50%
Name - Yun
Sitha Male = Level 53
Health = 98%
Strength = 62
Constitution = 65
Dexterity = 50
Intelligence = 27
Wisdom = 19
Charisma = 22
Luck = 20
Kenosi = Rank 100 – Draws from his bonded partner and the denti master.
Special Attributes
Made within the shadows, born of noble blood, all Sitha are sacred creatures to never be harmed. They are loyal to the core, respected by all species. Hurt or maim one, and your life energies will suffer until you can do something to redeem yourself. Chances are, you never will.
Abilities = Skilled Keix = Level 60 = Skilled swordsman. Once Kenosi is harnessed, this Sitha is a killer. Nothing can withstand the sharpness of his blade or the strength with which he will wield it in your defence.
Yun was growing just as quickly. I was proud of him, proud to have him on my side. He was a phenomenal fighter, and well, without him, I knew I’d have been toast trying to save Shion.
I heard a voice out in the corridor and listened to the tone. It wasn’t anyone I recognised, but it was annoyed. I pushed up and watched as Yun vanished into the darkness once more. That’s when I saw her. Shion. Dressed in almost earth-style hospital scrubs, she was stomping around like a very angry child.
I sucked in a breath and shakily stood. I really was shaky too, and my stats and health had mostly returned to normal. Why was I feeling so sick? My stomach knotted, and I wanted to vomit.
The notification spun before me, and I half read it.
SPACE SICKNESS
SYSTEM REQUIRES REBOOTING
REBOOTING – NOT AVAILABLE
HEALING – NOT AVAILABLE FOR SPACE SICKNESS
I’d not thought about this sickness in ages. I’d forgotten it was actually there. Why was it making a comeback now? Was it related to the time I’d been in space?
I have no idea? Hiroto said. Maybe you need to ask Sadie?
Making sure I threw on some clothes that had been laid out for me, I didn’t bother with the boots, and I tried to force the sick away.
I pushed my door open, and Sadie glanced my way. “I’ve not cleared you to get up yet either, Kyle.”
I winked at her. “No, but it looks like you’re having a little trouble.”
The young woman before me, glared. “I’m not having trouble, she’s trying to stick me with another needle! And. I. Said. No.”
“What’s the needle for, Sadie?” I asked.
The doc looked at me, rolled her eyes. “Shion’s not easy to monitor. There’s nothing inside her that lets me. No implants, no nanites.”
I raised an eyebrow, yet I’d been able to see her stats, so there must have been something. I glanced her way, but I got nothing.
I believe she’s blocking you, Hiroto said. Now she’s healthy enough, she doesn’t want anyone to see who or what she is.
So, she’s a denti Shade? I remembered what her stats had showed though, at least the basics.
At least I thought I did? Xirob?
Honestly, I’m not sure what you saw was the truth. Looking at her now. I doubt it.
She was at least looking a lot healthier than back then, maybe had put a little weight back on, her skin pinked out. But I’d no idea what she was capable of. “Sadie give us a little space. I want to talk to her.”
“You’re not qualified to do anything, Kyle.”
“Maybe not, but I am the one who saved her life. I think she might want to talk to me, alone.”
Sadie was clearly not happy, her arms crossed against her ribcage. “I’ll be in my office, but I’m not leaving the med bay, understand?”
I nodded and watched her as she left, so did Shion. Then she stared at me, and this time there was no glare.
“It was you?” she asked, her eyes not giving anything away.
I watched as she leaned back against the bed. She shivered. She’s still very weak, Hiroto said.
You can see her stats? I asked.
No, dummy, I can see she’s about to collapse.
I picked up a blanket. She didn’t move, so I wrapped it around and leaned on the bed beside her.
“I’m Kyle Ranz,” I said and held out a hand for her.
“I can’t touch you.” She shrank backwards. “But thank you, thank you for your kindness. I—I—”
“Was almost dead and dead for good,” I interrupted. “There was no coming back from there.”
She lowered her head, and I noticed her sister outside the room. I moved to get up, but Fiona shook her head. Shion’s hands gripped the blanket, and I saw them turn white.
“It’s okay,” I whispered quietly, trying my best to reassure her.
“You don’t understand.” Her hands twisted together, just like my stomach did, in knots. When her eyes met mine, I saw something else there. “I did die, I’m not supposed to have respawn capabilities. I’m pure denti.” With a shaking hand, she deftly flicked it to the side. Then I saw something I hadn’t expected, her character sheet.
Name - Shion Clifton = Denti = Age 17
Respawns = 1
Memories x 97%
Health = 32%
Strength = 0
Dexterity = 0
Intelligence = 0
Wisdom = 0
Charisma = 0
Luck = 0
Chosen Specialty = NOT CHOSEN
I swallowed. What the fuck? I heard both Hiroto and Xirob say.
I didn’t have any words. Hiroto went right into full on analysis mode. I haven’t seen that since you spawned here for the first time, and usually even then most systems give the characters at least something. I thought you were a glitch, but maybe they really do just start you at 0?
I thought about his words and replied. I never stayed alive long enough to really know, to level up the way I should have. With my second death, I was…I paused. Well, you know, part Xirob. We need to ask Tyto when I next see him. He’s the only other person I know who was something before the game, then entered it and reset.
Shion shivered beside me. “Sorry,” I said. “You didn’t want Sadie to see? Why? She could help you, help us all understand why this happened.”
She shook her head and let her sheet fall back slightly. I could see how frail she was. Not just in her shivering state, but actually physically. Was that due to her stats being set to 0 again? So many questions. I was totally confused.
“I’ve never heard of it, ever,” she said, her eyes locking with mine.
Xirob?
Neither have I. I could ask my family? If she’d let me?
“I can do some research…If you’d let me?” I asked her.
She didn’t deny me, kind of nodded. But it was hard to distinguish.
“I’m a freak,” she cried. “A total freak. How can I do this all again? Who would ever want me for a mate now?”
I wasn’t really understanding her words, her society on the whole. Even though I’d known Xirob a while, denti culture was pretty much still a mystery to me.
