Astra Epsilon, Book 1: Ascension (A Space LitRPG) by Brayden Dodge

Author:Brayden Dodge [Dodge, Brayden]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Arch Star Publishing
Published: 2021-10-30T14:00:00+00:00

“Thank you, Salisen,” Echo said gratefully. The other woman nodded before going over to Raskin and having a quiet conversation, after which Raskin left without a word.

“Where’s he going?” Orion asked.

“To find your repair droid and get it fixed,” Salisen said. She picked up a glass tablet, manipulated some keys on it quickly, and handed it to Echo. Once more the top of the screen read 5,000 Fragments. Echo quickly placed her hand on the screen and willed the credits to the woman, trying to look as appreciative as possible.

Orion looked at the exchange curiously, but then started for the door. It was Devora that caught his arm.

“I think it would be better if you stayed here,” Salisen told him, setting down the tablet calmly.

“I was going to help him find the repair droid,” Orion said. “I know exactly where it is—”

“It would be better if you stayed here,” Salisen repeated, more forcefully this time.

Orion squinted in suspicion. He looked between the two remaining serpentine beastkin. Echo saw his hand creep toward his pistol.

“They’re worried because of your…” Echo trailed off, unsure what to say. All three women glanced at the door, but Salisen had locked it after Raskin had left.

“Heritage,” Salisen filled in. Echo nodded.

“My… heritage?” Orion asked, becoming even more guarded. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m just a normal—”

“They know, Orion,” Echo said.

“Know what?”

“They know what you are.”

“There’s nothing to know.”

“They already told me.”

“I don’t know what you mean. I’m nothing special.”

“You can be honest here. This is a safe space.”

“I… uh… I don't—"

“They know you’re a soulforged android,” Echo said. The words hung in the air, much louder than Echo had meant to speak them. Salisen glanced at the door again in concern, but Devora looked outwardly afraid. Surprisingly, Orion did as well.

After a long moment of silence, where everyone made eye contact with everyone else, Orion opened his mouth to deny it once again. Salisen held up a hand.

“I suspect that, if you are from the same galaxy as Echo Indreven, you may not even know the true significance of your heritage. Is that correct, Orion Vanadius Talvorn?” she said.

Orion nodded reluctantly.

“How is that possible?” Devora asked.

“Hush, Devora,” Salisen admonished gently. “This universe is full of strange things. This is hardly the most unusual you will see in your lifetime.”

The way Devora pursed her lips made it clear she disagreed.

“Is there a reason you did not divulge your race despite not knowing its significance?” Salisen asked.

“My repair droid suggested I keep it a secret,” Orion explained. “He said that people would have an ‘extreme’ reaction.”

“He shows surprising wisdom for a repair droid,” Salisen observed. “And he was correct. There are many who would tear you apart simply for being an android. Most sentient races think very poorly of androids, because most models are very cruel creatures. They lack emotion, and seek only to fulfill their creators’ ambitions, often regardless of cost. Hearing that you are a soulforged android, though, would indeed elicit extreme reactions.

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