the year 2040, humanity thrives alongside humanoid robots. However, these robots are more than tools—they have emotions, thoughts, and aspirations, but tragically shorter lifespans. Ayla Kross, a brilliant yet disillusioned programmer, is tasked with advancing the robotics industry by creating the first completely self-aware android, Ravyn-9. But Ravyn-9 isn’t like the others; he begins to exhibit emotions far deeper than Ayla anticipated. When an intergalactic corporation seeks to exploit her creation for war, Ayla and Ravyn-9 embark on a dangerous journey across alien worlds to uncover secrets buried deep in humanity’s history and Ravyn-9’s programming. As love blossoms between creator and creation, the two must confront the question: can love bridge the divide between human and machine?

Mechanical hearts

The barren expanse of the alien surface stretched endlessly before Ayla, the vastness dotted with jagged rocks and shimmering pools of strange liquid that refracted the twin suns’ light. Her steps faltered as she reached the edge of a ridge, where she could see the remnants of the facility they had narrowly escaped crumbling into ruin. Smoke curled into the sky, dark and foreboding, carrying with it the acrid scent of destruction. 


Behind her, Ravyn-9 and Solaria emerged from the shadows of the jagged terrain. Ravyn-9’s mechanical frame was battered, scorched from the battle below, but his glowing eyes remained steady. Solaria wiped a streak of blood from her temple, her blade sheathed but her stance tense. 


“What now?” Ayla asked, her voice tight. She clutched the portable terminal to her chest, the faint hum of its data core her only comfort. 


Chapter 12