《Marine World》Twelve| The truth sets you free
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In one quick movement, I have his gun out of his holster and I am pointing it at his face.
If he is shocked, he doesn't show it. He keeps his eyes trained on mine, his body tense, unmoving, but I know it's there somewhere–the sense of betrayal, the realization that he was right. I am dangerous, because Marine World has forced me to be.
I look him dead in the eye, praying my voice doesn't shake when I speak. "I'm going to need your pass."
Reece doesn't move, but his left eyebrow raises. "I had a feeling there was more to you than you were letting on," he says carefully.
"Too bad you won't get the chance to tell the rest of them," I say. The gun shakes between my fingers. I have no idea how to get such a contraption to work–instructions didn't exactly come with the dictionary definition–but my finger hovers over the trigger, anyway.
The corner of Reece's mouth twitches slightly, though his eyes remain cautious. "How far do you think you'd get alone?" he asks. "The park gates are locked. You have no idea where you're going."
"I'm sure I'll figure it out," I say, though I don't sound confident. If this were Jackson, I think I'd shoot in a heartbeat, but not Reece. Not the only person who has ever looked at me like I am a human and not an exhibition. "Look, I don't want to hurt you," I whisper, lowering the gun an inch to show him I'm not a threat–at least not if he complies. "Please just give me your pass."
"Be smart, Aura," he finally growls, taking a step forward.
I clutch the gun harder, close to pulling the trigger. "Don't move!" I hiss. "I–"
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In the next instance, Reece is flipping the gun from my hands and pointing it at me. I fall impossibly still, though my heart continues to pound with regret. I hesitated to kill him, let my humanity get in the way of my survival, and now everything I've been envisioning–my escape, my freedom–is crashing down around me.
I close my eyes. This is it, this is the moment it ends for me, and instead of struggling, or fighting, I feel myself wanting to give up and welcome it.
When it feels like several moments pass, I open my eyes to see the gun is back in Reece's holster and he's watching me carefully. "Look, I'll get you out," he says, his voice low and unusually soft, "but not today. All right?"
For a moment, I just stare at him, unable to comprehend his words, and when I finally do, I don't believe them. I can't. "You're lying," I say, casting my gaze to the far wall. "You wouldn't help us."
"When you go, it needs to be while the park is still open," Reece says, ignoring my comment. "Preferably on a Saturday, when it's busiest."
I step forward slightly, expecting him to step back, but he doesn't. "Why?" I ask, craning my neck to look at him. "Is this some kind of trap? Appease me until tomorrow morning when Marine World can get rid of me?"
Finally, he snaps. "You think I don't know that this is wrong?" he asks, grabbing my arm before pulling me toward him. "Because I do, all right?"
He lets go suddenly as though he hadn't meant to touch me; my arm continues to tingle even after his fingers have left my skin.
"I'm supposed to do my job and not ask questions," he says quietly, avoiding my gaze. "Those are the rules, Aura." He finally brings himself to look at me. "I told myself you were happy here, that you wouldn't survive out there in the real world, and it made things easier to accept. But after interacting with you–" he stops to exhale slightly. "There's a lot you don't understand about this place, or the people that run it. Hell, there's a lot I still don't understand."
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"Then tell me," I say, my voice demanding. "Please. I can't–I can't stay here anymore. I can't do another one of those tests."
He takes another breath before running a hand through his hair. "It happened almost twenty years ago," he says. "Hundreds of labs across America were caught making genetically engineered embryos for wealthy customers, designing the babies the way the parents wanted them to be. When the cops found out, they shut down the labs, made genetic engineering against the law and destroyed the remaining embryos, or so they thought. Some were stolen and sold on the dark web. Apparently, the owner of Marine World, Mark Goodings, got a hold of multiple embryos and raised them here in secret. You were one of them."
I am silent, still trying to process his words. I have always known I was altered as an embryo, created by Marine World to please the guests, but Marine World never disclosed anything more and strangely, it never occurred to me to ask.
"I don't understand," I finally say. "Are you saying I was already altered before I got to Marine World?"
He takes me by the shoulders and pulls me toward him, an urgency in his grip. "You were made this way by scientists, not Marine World. Designed to be the perfect embryo for some rich couple, somewhere."
I shake my head, feeling as though I might be sick. "Marine World told me I was specially made to perform for the guests."
Now it's his turn to shake his head. "It was a lie," he says. "The owner of Marine World saw a way to capitalize on you all. They would have paid some woman to carry you to term. She probably would have stayed here in Marine World until she gave birth."
I close my eyes for a long moment, trying to curb the queasiness. I might not understand all of the things he is telling me, but I do know one thing.
Marine World has lied.
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THE ENCOUNTER
One day in 2022, a mysterious Alien Entity arrives in Melbourne, Australia. What is their purpose of coming here? How will our world react to their arrival? The story follows the footsteps of Jack Geralt – a Royal Australian Regiment veteran who, along with his friends, is recalled into active duty in response to this event. P.S #1: Because this is my first time I write and post my novel here, I will wait for your reviews before posting more chapters. Whether you like it or not, I still hope you enjoy reading my novel. P.S #2: I am sure you noticed that the Cover Art is not mine. I simply chose from my collection of favorite Concept Arts. If whoever designed this art sees this, I thank you very much. Since I am doing everything myself and have to alternate between my work and writing, this is the best I could do. P.S#3: If there are any inconsistencies with what you know (for example, location’s names, recent world events and properties), please remember: This Story takes place in a fictional and alternate reality.
8 103Dip$h!+s in Space
An eccentric comedy novel (that thinks it's a TV show) about space, and the Dipsh!+s that end up stranded in it. This hyper-self-aware comedy of stupid proportions, centers around Captain William T Lawg (no relation) and his adventures as a guy who managed to afford a refitted soft-top ice-cream truck, in space. Explore the universe with his trusty crew of valiant randos. Marley, the tech-bro, stoner spacebunny, who just wants to get away from his home world and the bullies it harbors. Duffy, the plump and sassy female mechanic, who has had every job in existence totaling far more years than possible. Roy, the frigging fabulous, flamboyant android, and former spy…or possibly current spy. (dun dun, daaaa!) And lastly, but certainly leastly, that other chick the captain keeps trying to bang. Ride with the crew of the notorious Tast-E-Chill, to a world of wonder that a lot of other space travelers have already been before, but probably not Lawg, so it's still exciting. This satirical joke on itself and every sci-fi trope ever to exist, will be sure to either thrill you or disappoint you, because COMEDY…IS…SUBJECTIVE! With a crew of 3-10 and an IQ of also probably 3-10, The captain putters along to uncharted lands, where history, loot, drama, innuendos of the sexual verity, and various Technicolor hoes shall surely be waiting, usually with some form of trap. Each season brings new and interesting crewmen, like: Menace: the adorable genderless frog-child-thing with the heart of gold and the dialogue vocabulary of a slightly trained parrot. Greg: the 8 foot tall, ancient, thermonuclear, semi-retired alien overlord who just wants to prove he still has a purpose…and also to rule the galaxy. Izzy: a 3rd generation, age-reversed reboot, accidental clone of her own mother/sister/older self, who happens to be Greg's daughter-in-law…and much, much more. Prepare yourself for shallow adventure, moderately-to high offensive dialogue, and overwhelmingly childish scenarios. Tag along as the crew battles, fierce enemies, lack of food and survival tape, and occasionally their own incompetence. Teen Romance, current politics, subtlety, dignity, this sucker has none of those, and it darn well knows it. Raise the sails and grab the rails as a bunch of dipsh!+s find themselves...IN SPACE. (Roll dramatic tapering credits, to royalty free trumpet music)
8 126Relic Heirs
Bridget wasn't supposed to be chosen. The middle child between two prodigies, her entire family is shocked when her father's legendary relic whispers the first piece of its name to her, marking Briddy as the heir. Against her parent's wishes, she steps into the harsh glare of the limelight, landing herself a spot in the same magical university that banned her siblings from its grounds, despite being local legends at the school. Now, Bridget has to juggle a family that has no faith in her, the shadows of her siblings that still loom over her school, and an acrimonious rival, all while trying to find her self-worth in a magical relic she can barely summon. Luckily for her, she isn't alone. How do you stand tall on your own feet when you sit On the Shoulders of Giants?
8 160Luster
Growing up with her recently deceased mother’s addiction and her own struggles with gender identity, June Fujiwara was not a nice person. Gaining powers from nearly being murdered didn’t change that, and neither did becoming a mercenary to fund her transition. It took horrific manipulation, the resulting trauma, and the family that helped her through it all. Luster is a derivative work based on Worm by Wildbow (John C. McCrae) that begins prior to Worm and although it doesn't show straight away, the story is very AU.
8 79I became the strongest magical tome. But I am still a teacher! Book 1
I am not human anymore. I am not even alive for that matter. But I haven't lost my love for teaching. The smiling face of a student always brought me joy. Giving and reciving knowlege alway's excites me! So I will not become discuraged! Even though I am a book now and my student is a dungeon monster!
8 219Immutable
The world went to hell in a handbasket. Overnight, something called the Allworld downloaded itself into the universe and everything but the kitchen sink appeared to end the planet. Governments fell and chaos reigned. People were left to fend for themselves. Of course, that's not, like, a bad thing. Pollution is at an all time low which means no more global warming. And all that corrupt bureaucracy is gone now too. Which means all those evil people refusing to do something about our dying planet are gone. Plus, people got superpowers. Which is, you know, pretty sweet. Of course, they can't be normal superpowers, everything but the kitchen sink was thrown in after all. Caleb is immutable, unable to physically change in a world completely changed; Alex was granted a system that talks to her in cat puns, but also gives her power over all cats; Nathan met a god of impulse, who gave him powers because he felt like it; and June is given a power to make things lazy, something opposite to her personality. The four of them meet by chance while hunting monsters. They met by chance but must learn to work together when an empire from space lands on Earth with the intent to subjugate the surviving humans.
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