Summer Friction: A LitRPG Sci-Fi Adventure (Space Seasons Book 3), page 18
It was even harder for me when I felt his energy leaving.
But, though my health was falling steadily, Yun and I were holding strong.
I felt someone at my side. Hiroto?
It’s Sadie. She’s got a tube for you. If you aren’t going to take a break, she said she’d force feed you.
I felt her touch the side of my face, and the small tube was placed on my tongue.
“Too dangerous with all the kenosi around here for needles,” Sadie said. “Please swallow it.”
I didn’t want to do it, and I knew it would be awful, but Hiroto did, cutting off my gag reflex. Nice job.
It was good to feel the fluids going in. I knew my health would go up a few more notches now, and I’d last longer. I instantly worried for Yun though; he was still taking the hit.
If he failed…
That didn’t bear thinking about.
I seemed to drift in and out of thought as my concentration was fully engaged.
How far are we off? I asked Hiroto.
Not far now.
I felt myself faltering big time, and I noticed the main thread was starting to show cracks again. This time there were many more.
Will the cracks hurt the engine? I wondered, and then suddenly knew it could. I had to patch it and fix what was going on inside the energy banks.
I moved my view, and there saw the largest crack I could. That wasn’t going to work at all.
Me - Ty, I need you to take the second spot.
Tyto - What?
Me - There’s a problem I need to fix, and I need to move to do it.
Tyto - I don’t know if I can.
Me - You can, and you will succeed.
I moved away, feeling his hesitation, but as soon as I had, he was in my place and he was doing it. I felt so proud of him. But I also knew I didn’t have much time.
I stepped closer to the shielding around the engine and pressed my hand to the panel. I knew Denn was near me; she had no idea what I was going to do, but she also wasn’t going to stop me. She was just making sure I wasn’t on my own, and with her hand on my arm, she guided me inside and where I needed to actually be.
I could sense the energy that was being stored. And I reached forward. Sadie helped me place my hands on the side of the computer system.
“Thank you,” I whispered to her.
She then stepped back. I started to figure out how to fix the issues, slotting in some of the extra energy where I could.
It was working. Hiroto spoke up. It’s working, but you have a long way to go.
I knew that. I had lost focus, but now I was going to fix my own problem and then get back in line.
But as I started to dig deeper, something was drawing me in. I felt the power.
Wait, what is that? Hiroto said.
Xirob’s thoughts were quick. Kyle, pull back. You don’t want to go there.
Go where?
But it was too late. There in the energy, there was something else. Darkness.
YOU ALREADY HARNESSED THE DARKER SIDE - DO YOU REALLY WANT TO GO THERE?
GET ALL THE ENERGY YOU NEED KYLE. COME ON INSIDE.
It was tempting.
So tempting.
Xirob’s voice was calm. You’re not going to go there, Kyle. The people here rely on you. Doing that would result in your death, and mine.
That was a definite no.
I did exactly what he said, and I pulled back.
The energy levels were stable and doing well. I didn’t need to sacrifice anything else, especially us.
My eyes actually focussed enough to see Denn and Yun.
Holy fuck!
Yun was red, like all red. I shivered at the sight of him in full solid form. He was larger than I’d ever seen him on the battlefield.
Denn touched my arm. “He’s fine. You need to get back in line.”
I quickly pushed the thoughts of pure demon to one side; he was good, totally good. I moved back behind him and settled in place, making sure I connected with him and then with Tyto. It was tough, but I managed to take it from him and pass it to the giant familiar that was Yun before me.
Me – Jai, we need everyone back on the line.
Jai - They’re not capable.
Me - I know, but we’re not doing it without everyone.
I knew his thoughts without even being there; his shoulders stiffened at my request. But he had the order out in seconds.
I felt the others re-join the line with only a short break. Most of them were at the tipping point. We didn’t have long at all.
We didn’t need long.
Jai - We’re rolling again. Good work.
Me - How long? I don’t think we can hold this for much longer.
Jai - Hiroto?
I couldn’t ask the question to both places, and it seemed Jai knew this.
Jai - Three minutes. Kyle, just three minutes.
My mind drifted, and once again it wasn’t quite the way I wanted it to. Lyndsey/Finn. What they’d just given us, what I wanted for my future here and for Earth.
Kyle! Xirob said. Don’t. Focus. You can do this. They can do this.
His voice woke me, and I tried my best to concentrate. Three minutes. It felt like a lifetime. A lifetime of struggling.
YOU DON’T HAVE THE CAPABILITIES!
I didn’t like these comments this time around. I could do with more appreciation than actual sarcasm here, but the fact it kept on coming through everything I was doing…sheesh.
I dug deep and found the reserve I needed. I wasn’t going to let go, to lose.
That’s it! Xirob said.
Jai - Two minutes!
I didn’t like the countdown, but I also needed it. I needed to hear how long I had to hold out for.
I felt the line behind me straining.
I heard Sadie shouting orders to the people that were around us. I could see not just mana and others trying to help us, but feel it.
They were also pulling all the stops out.
Kyle, there’s a couple who are too close to the edge.
As their energies started to dissipate, I knew it was almost past the point of no return.
I looked out to the enemy ships in wait, knew this was our only chance here to get out. It took all of my reserve to shout at them, so they could all hear me. “Hold the line!”
Me - Jai, they’re coming in.
I watched as he stood and looked out into the black. Motaki was indeed making a move. It was easy to see the planet’s outer defence systems flicker to life as well. If we left, would we be leaving them to the attack? I swallowed. I couldn’t think that. I had to think of us, the future.
Jai - If we’re doing this, I need that power now.
I didn’t think we had anything else to give, but as Jai’s voice came over the comms to speak to everyone. He did the one thing I would envy him for the rest of my life.
“One minute out! I’m asking you, give me everything you have left now!”
The surge of energy was immense. I struggled to contain it myself as it rushed towards us.
Xirob was the one who instructed me. Don’t worry about it. Get it in there.
I wrestled with it, feeling the cracks and filling them with everything and anything I had left. My health dropped like a concrete boot, my conscience almost with it.
No sooner had it passed through me, I spoke clear, locking eyes with Sadie. “Jai, now!”
It was as if the world around me faded, glistened, and then BOOM!
I don’t think any of us expected it to be so loud. My ears rang and with the sudden movement, I was thrown around like a rag doll. If my health hadn’t already been so low, I might have taken it better, but as I tried to protect myself, I felt the bones in my arm break. Fuck, what was it with this galaxy and broken bones, missing limbs. I pushed myself up, watching as those around me did the same, and then I ran.
Chapter Eighteen
I entered the bridge still almost at a run. Jai was picking Miquel up, dabbing at his head where he’d managed to hit it on something. I wasn’t sure what, the side of a unit no doubt. Immediately I took my station and started to run numbers. I was beyond exhausted, but I also knew I couldn’t let this by.
I needed to know how far we’d gone, how much of a lead we had, because I had no doubt that as soon as Motaki realised we’d gone, we’d be tracked, and he’d be after us again. He wasn’t going away anytime soon.
Jai looked my way. “You shouldn’t be here,” he said, sitting Miquel back in Tyto’s chair, then seating himself. His hands worked just as fast as mine, and I could see him physically checking the ship over.
“I’m here, before I pass out. I’m not going anywhere.”
The ship and we needed supplies fast. As I looked through the logs, I knew we’d saved ourselves probably a month in space, if not more. But health-wise, we were desperate.
I found the first close job I could.
“We can make that short haul here where we are now. Sector Six’s Tomoth Station to a planet called Storia. Drudel is within a good distance now, and they’re both planets on the way to Tolsa,” Hiroto said over the comms.
I checked his findings.
MISSION LOG - SHORT HAUL
REWARDS - 125,000 GOLD
Y/N
It was just what we needed. I hit the accept before Jai could even look at it, and I set the course. We didn’t have the time to wait or mess about here; we needed supplies for us and for the crew. No matter how good we were, the sheer number of potions and the low health that we were now all suffering with meant we needed it.
“Reports coming in from all stations,” Miquel added, still holding onto his head slightly.
Jai frowned at me only once but also let me take the lead. “Kyle.”
My hand was flying over the station, and even with the break I was doing the best I could with my other. Hiroto and Xe were working on my body, per usual to the fullest, but I needed a break, a rest. I needed to recoup myself.
Xe spoke softly. We’re doing everything we can.
I started to sort the issues and notifications from the kenosi jump. The worst one, the one I already knew at the back of my mind. I glanced at it.
FOUR DECEASED
And the Kiain and Finn made six. I’d lost six people since I started this journey.
I sealed them in my mind and got on with the job.
Of course, there were consequences. Serious ones. We’d lost four members of our crew. Four had died, really died. Died getting us the energy we needed to make this one giant leap of faith.
“Denn, report on the engines we need to move, now.”
“Power banks are okay, absorbing from the local sun. Kenosi is totally depleted. We…”
“I know. Concentrate on what we need right now and make sure the engines can supply us. We’re going for Tomoth Station.”
I quickly drew up where we were, making adjustments to our course. “You’re sure,” Jai asked me.
“We need the money and the supplies. We won’t survive without them.”
Jai read the reports just as much as I was doing. He nodded. “Okay, we have a plan. Now you need to get some rest.”
I glanced to my stats.
KYLE RANZ HEALTH = 3%
“We’ve all been running on extra low. If only we can get some time to recoup.”
Jai brought up the new flight plan. “All nineteen of you are assigned to bed. Be it in your quarters or the med bay, I don’t care where. But you’re not moving till you’re over fifty percent, got it?”
I looked to Miquel who still had blood dripping down his face. “Yes, general,” I replied and moved to stand, but I couldn’t. Fog clouded my thoughts. My eyes glazed. I motioned for Miquel to help me. I wasn’t really going to do this without any extra help. Miquel looked to Jai. “I’ll escort him to the med bay.”
“Good idea. Get that bump looked at as well.”
Miquel nodded and came to me, offering me a hand. I took it, and he helped me up. “Thank you.”
The med bay was filled with lots of the crew members. Sadie and her team were running around making sure people were comfortable enough. Miquel found us both a place to rest while we waited for our turn.
I chose then to look inside and see what things I’d learned from the ordeal. There was a soft rustle to my left, and I noticed the wisps of Yun’s other body. He didn’t hesitate in reaching for me, and still taken aback, I struggled as he passed me some energy. My health at least came up to at least twenty percent.
I thanked him quietly and drew my character sheet up once more. There were quite a lot of differences within myself and him.
Kyle Ranz - Contains –
Name - Hiroto Toshiaki
Level = 31
Name - Xirob Veti
Level = 112
Name - Kyle Ranz
Human/Denti
Year of Death- 2629
Class = Fighter/Sorcerer
Age 18 + 2
Level = 38
Respawns = 2
Memories = 94%
Health = 20%
Kenosi = Rank 46
Nanites x 102,541
Body Type = Unknown
Structural Integrity = Tungsten and Alumi
Internal AI chip = X Class
Skin Strength = 34
Blood Capacity = 24
Healing Speed = 29
Overall Personal Level = 370
Strength = 96
Dexterity = 23
Constitution = 152
Intelligence = 84
Wisdom = 38
Charisma = 14
Luck = 18
Quick Points = 1
Mech Warrior Operational Level = 76
Battle Mage - Rank 21
Mech Pilot - Rank 18
Nanite Engineer - Rank 37
Nanite Factory - Rank 70
Human/Machine Interface - Rank 35
Mech Merge - Rank 16
Mech Remote Control - Rank 4
Molecular Insight - Rank 12
Molecular Manipulation - Rank 9
Molecular Acceleration/Deceleration - Rank 16
Molecular Combustion - Rank 4
Molecular Reversion - Rank 2
Vrolsh Coding Learned
CAD Tech - Rank 21
Kiain Language - Rank 6
Shuttle Operator - Rank 16
Freighter Operator - Rank 10
Computer Science - Rank 12
Electronics and Communication - Rank 15
Electrical Engineering - Rank 18
Mechanical Engineering - Rank 21
Information Technology - Rank 24
Foot Soldier - Rank 25
Merc - Rank 16
Sniper - Rank 19
Gun Smith - Rank 14
Shadow Awareness - Maxed Out
Future Insight - Rank 9
Negotiator - Rank 17
Deception - Rank 17
Reconstruction Expertise - Rank 18
Muscle Healing - Rank 26
Viral Fighting - Rank 15
Poison Resistance - Rank 19
Night Sight - Rank 3
Sword Play - Rank 22
Animal Handling - Rank 7
Null Gravity Management - Rank 8
Detective - Rank 3
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 Xe.
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!
Connection to Faith and Unborn Child of Xirob – Detected
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 – Damage increased by 50%
Particle projectile cannon
Uses energy direct from mana reserves
Can store within battery compartments to aid when needed
Special attributes – when inside a mech it will enlarge to the size needed by its soul bonded owner
Name - Yun
Species - Sitha
Male = Level 61
Health = 98%
Strength = 77
Constitution = 80
Dexterity = 50
Intelligence = 37
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.
I’d lost quite a bit in Skin Strength, Blood Capacity, and Healing Speed, though with what I just put my body through, it wasn’t really a surprise. But a lot of my other learned skills had ranked up, some a lot more than I thought they might, but then again, we’d just done a tremendous feat.
