UPON VESTIA: CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

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Ethan nodded. "I guess that makes sense. Do they execute the ruler, or do they have to keep them alive?" He probably had too many questions.

~~
"Oh, I know that feeling," Vestia said sympathetically. She watched Amari snooze. Aww.

Mourn nodded. "Organics repress memory, I find way help robot do same yes? Still there, just.. no so easy to access. If there way to do it, I find it." He hopped down from the desk.

"Thanks. Do you need me, or are you going to be able to work on it with just a computer?" Ethan asked.

Dawn shrugged "That's up to you and how long it takes you to process the information and take the tests to become certified." She said honestly.

~~~
Starr gave him a small smile then sighed "Don't give up on me. I will find a way to be okay with what happened, even with setbacks like this." She shook her head and looked away again.

Asher nodded. "It takes a lot of time to recover from something like what happened to you, but I have no doubt you will. For now, take it easy. I'll talk to the others about Amari, you focus on yourself." He watched her, wishing there was something he could do for her. She'd done so much for him, he wanted to return the favor. But he wasn't sure how.

Mourn shrugged. "Have simulator, when have idea, I come tell you I need yes?"

---

Esk nodded slowly. "Alright... eat your food. "

Ethan nodded. "All right, sounds good. Want any books while you're here?"

Starr turned and went to Asher to hug him because she wanted to and she knew he was worried about her. "Talk to Sawna, she's spent time with them, so she would be most likely to be with us."

~~~
Dawn smiled at him and looked to the food, starting to eat. "I think it's good that you want to help the others like this, it is a position we should have filled with this crew."

Mourn shook his head. "No need books" He grinned. "You no got anything useful anyway."

---

Esk frowned. "Eventually they won't need a soldier, or they'll find someone better at shooting things. This way I get to stay useful. Plus it'll really piss Kay off if I can outrank him." He smirked.

Asher hugged Starr back. "Good idea. I'll go talk to her next. See you later, Starr."

~~
"I just meant books for fun, I know they can't tell you much about robotics," Ethan said dryly. "You could probably write the book on robotics at this point."

Mourn shrugged. "Got better things do that read book. " He grinned. "Maybe one day write book, when robots free."

Ethan smiled oddly. "Fair enough. I'm sure all the androids will want to read every word you write once they're free." The idea of androids treating Mourn like a celebrity amused him.

Mourn cackled. "they build statue"

Ethan laughed. "I can just imagine them leaving offerings of flowers at your statue, and praying for your guidance."

Dawn tried not to laugh at that, but it was funny. "You can keep trying to one up Kay, but you don't need to change yourself just for a position here."

~~
Starr smiled softly then stood, heading for her room. She wished she could get past that so it wouldn't matter anymore, but it was hard.

Asher sighed and watched Starr go. It hurt to see her hurting, he was so used to thinking of her as being wise and calm, and always in control, but she just wasn't. She was just another person who'd been thrown into an unfair situation, and now she was trying to deal with the aftermath, and it was heartbreaking to see.
He wheeled glumly toward Sawna's cafe, guessing that was where she'd be.

Esk shrugged. "I don't like freeloading. Plus I like getting paid." He reasoned. He had real issues with having to be useful.

---

Mourn laughed heartily, clapping his hands together. "I prefer tuna."

Ethan snorted. "We'll put a sign on your statue. 'Please leave tuna offerings here'. Then your fan club will know you like tuna, not flowers. What I'd give to see that someday."

Mourn snickered. "Maybe." He tilted his head. "you no think you see? I make sure live long time if want. Yes."

Ethan shrugged. "I'm not sure any of us will live long enough to see your statue put up somewhere. Plus, where in the world would they put it?" He looked amused. "With all that inventing you've been doing, my chances of seeing your statue are greatly improved."

Mourn nodded. "You see statue, you tell them they get it all wrong." He grinned.

Ethan snorted. "If they consult with me, I'll make sure they get the fur and the cybernetic arm right. We can't let them mess up your appearance." He shook his head. "You really want a statue? It's gotta be weird to have a statue."

Mourn cackled. "I be immortal!" He straightened up. "Everyone ask, who that? and the robots tell. Make up stories about, I be legend!"

"Okay, that does sound good. Those stories are going to be ridiculous in a few hundred years," Ethan mused. "Legends about your being the Chosen Prophet and all that. Maybe I'll write a couple just to make people wonder what you really did and didn't do, so they can speculate."

Mourn snickered. "Yes, tell them I fight off whole army on own!" He liked this idea, it fed his ego.

Ethan snickered. "And that you personally barged into MegaBrainTech and stopped production of all robots, before leading them to freedom like some sort of cyborg religious figure." He wasn't entirely sure which religious figures had led people to freedom in this universe, hmm. "I like this plan."

Mourn cackled. "yes, good plan. I make sure you live long time so can share tales of how great I am!"

Ethan looked amused. "I used to think you did this as charity, but I guess it's in your own interests to help us after all. Gives you people to sing your praise."