Chapter 2.4
"Aunty Simgale, why is your daughter still here? She's mediocre at best."
"At least 60% of the staff is mediocre at best, Ms. Libra."
"Hmm, true. In that case, we need to make this year's culling more challenging."
"Are you targeting my offspring right in front of me?"
"Well, it would be quite rude to do it behind your back. You're one of my favourite watchers. I don't want you to hate me."
"Ms. Libra -"
"Our simulation needs to evolve, Aunty. The Omniscient One has spoken and watchers who do not improve their compliance rates will be terminated. Useless tribes and their worlds will be deleted. Even your precious 143 is -"
OMNI: Merman Song Detected. Fixer Required.
"What? What is Kaiso doing?"
OMNI: Merman Song Detected. Fixer Required.
---
Simgale Sinclair
Kaiso was a warrior. He would have fought the Reapers when I was pregnant with the twins and they came to get me. And they would have been no match for him in The Antilles. He's unstoppable near the water of any universe! But living apart is a small price to pay for a treaty that secured a happier life for merfolk everywhere and not only the ones lucky enough to live with his tribe. I only see him when I'm sent to manage his rage. They would delete him if they could... Management at The Cube do not believe in gods and the leader has the audacity to call themselves the Omniscient One. But something has been protecting Sarawak merfolk from the beginning of their simulation. Something about Sinclair genes puts fear in the heart of the sims that have raided, dominated and deleted entire worlds. And despite what we were told by Kaiso's father, it seems like my common genes did not stop my son, my little Daemi, from being chosen as the next Sarawak Chief. "You weren't supposed to inherit that ability. They said both parents must be mermaids. Damn it. Where is your father?"
"Claire's Island. Moji brought Claire to see him. They were both in that weird Child of the Ocean mode again... Dad kept triggering the rain yesterday and then Moji showed up in a bad mood but now they're good."
"How much does Maricela know?"
"I only tell her basic things about the artifacts. Nothing about the war or life before it, mum."
"Good. I know access is limited down here but OMNI will still look for any reason to break the treaty and delete your father. Do not go starting revolutions."
"Yes, mum."
"And why would you fall in love with a watched-sim, Daemi? Are you trying to make your life more difficult?"
----
Simohgi Sinclair
I didn't hear a sound. But my daughter, Claire, started screaming and was inconsolable until my father took her and started making sandcastles.
"Doh cry, baby girl. The first time is always scary but you'll learn what's a war cry and what's a love confession soon enough. Looks like I'll have another son or daughter-in-law soon."
I heard stories about the rare Merman's Song when I was a child. In Meta-Universe 85, the merfolk are from the Sarawak tribe and Sulani is named The Antilles. They were all "saved" by the Omniscient One and imprisoned, I mean relocated, to Sulani in this Savefile. It was under my mother's control until I became a watcher and then she gave it to me. I moved Jason Lavantille and his social circle here so that I could build a dynasty legacy with him that would make this Savefile untouchable.
My parents would not speak of all the things my dad is capable of. And they were not expecting my brother to be a merman or this strong. He keeps surpassing both of their expectations everyday while I can't seem to live up to my mother's. "What's happening, dad? Shouldn't we do something?"
"Nahh. Yuh mother already here. Leh we just enjoy the peace and quiet while we can. Is nuh often that OMNI shuts off down here. That buzzing noise does drive me mad sometimes."
"It would be nice to be a mermaid but ah glad my hearing sucks compared to you."
"You does hear a lot of things I cyah hear, baby girl. Yuh just need to learn how to redirect that negative energy."
"Talk plain nah, dad." I wish he would be more straightforward when he's trying to teach me something.
But he just smiles and changes the topic. Every single time. "Are you ready for the culling?"
"I guess. I still think it's a mistake to put me on the team."
"No, it's time. Ravi believes in you. We believe in you. Just do your best."
Previous | Next