Kiss of the Bionic Mermaid, page 1
Kiss of the Bionic Mermaid
Leslie Dacapo
Delusion Tree Press
Copyright © 2024 by Leslie Dacapo
All rights reserved.
No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.
To Anna, my favorite mermaid and the best daughter ever.
Contents
1. Chapter 1
2. Chapter 2
3. Chapter 3
4. Chapter 4
5. Chapter 5
6. Chapter 6
7. Chapter 7
8. Chapter 8
9. Chapter 9
10. Chapter 10
11. Chapter 11
12. Chapter 12
13. Chapter 13
14. Chapter 14
15. Chapter 15
16. Chapter 16
17. Chapter 17
18. Chapter 18
19. Chapter 19
20. Chapter 20
21. Chapter 21
22. Chapter 22
23. Chapter 23
24. Chapter 24
25. Chapter 25
26. Chapter 26
27. Chapter 27
28. Chapter 28
29. Chapter 29
30. Chapter 30
31. Chapter 31
32. Chapter 32
33. Chapter 33
34. Chapter 34
35. Chapter 35
36. Chapter 36
37. Chapter 37
38. Chapter 38
39. Chapter 39
40. Chapter 40
41. Chapter 41
42. Chapter 42
43. Epilogue
Free Novella
Acknowledgements
About the Author
Chapter 1
The three-story mer-cannon loomed over the Realms of Neptune show pool. Jayna Cooper pulled herself from the water as the Sirens of Atlantis closing musical number echoed through the aquatic theater. Adrenaline pumping, she positioned herself on the cannon’s backstage launch platform. Out in the performance tank, her castmates sang and swam their way towards the show’s grand finale.
Roxie, the stagehand in charge of the cannon, rushed to inspect the latches at the back of Jayna’s glittering turquoise top. Jayna checked her matching silicone mermaid tail and the thick exomuscle sheath that enveloped her legs and feet.
“Better turn it down to five tonight,” Jayna said. “We’ve got toppers in the front row.” She hated having to pull back on the show’s big finish just because entitled people with more money than sense didn’t understand the concept of a splash zone.
Roxie made a sour face. “Yeah, I saw them,” she said in her light Australian accent. “Obsidian something or other. Handsome bloke, but apparently none too bright, sitting so close to the water with his crew dressed like that.”
Jayna hadn’t gotten a good look at the man or his group, but it was clear even from a distance they were seriously over-dressed for an amusement park. “They probably think the red seats are left over from pre-mermaid days when the show was all about whales and dolphins.”
“That’s why you gotta give them the Cannonball. Show what a mermaid can do.”
Jayna smiled at the thought. She had dedicated hours to perfecting her signature Bionic Cannonball dive. With a little help from the mer-cannon and a slightly modified tail she could drench the first three rows of section D. A giant show-stopping splash would not only bring the toppers down a notch or two, but it would also boost streams of the performance on the Myst and increase the dynamic royalties paid to everyone in the show.
Out in the theater, the song modulated as it built towards its climax. “I’d love to give them a splash they’ll never forget, but the last thing I need right now is to have Carter drag me through the coral for offending ‘important people from the higher lists.’”
Roxie scowled at Jayna. “But it was Carter who told me to set the cannon on high.”
Jayna must have misheard. “Carter told you what?”
“Yeah. Surprised the detritus out of me when he popped up right after the opening number. He said it’s a special show tonight, so make sure we give it everything we’ve got.”
Jayna rushed to process this new information. The park’s owner and general manager had made an unprecedented appearance backstage to ensure the cannon was set to full power, even though some very important-looking people were seated directly in the line of fire.
Carter was up to something, and Jayna hated the idea of playing along. His subtle but persistent bullying had been a source of aggravation ever since she’d rebuffed his unwanted advances years before. Things only got worse when he inherited the park from his father.
But Jayna didn’t have time to analyze Carter’s motive, so if it meant giving herself and her coworkers a little boost while dealing some comeuppance to a group of toppers, she’d give Carter—and the audience—the finale they wanted.
“What are you waiting for?” she said to Roxie. “Turn this thing up to eleven!”
Roxie let out a whoop that was nearly drowned out as the music swelled towards its final crescendo. The mer-cannon roared as a torrent of water filled the large, thrumming flexiglass pipe. Jayna put the merbreather into her mouth, drew in a breath, and dived headfirst into the breach. She was instantly caught up in the jet of water. Seconds later, she launched into the air high above the aquatic theater.
The crowd gasped and cheered as Jayna soared over the show pool, her bright red hair streaming behind her. Adrenalin pumping, she adjusted her trajectory. This cannon shot was more powerful than any she had experienced, and the additional height was thrilling.
As she reached the top of her arc, Jayna tumbled and twisted through the air like an Olympic diver, her turquoise tail glittering in the bright theater lights. She struck the water with a satisfying thump and slapped the surface with her tail for added effect, throwing up a torrent that was one for the record books.
The backs of Jayna’s legs stung from the impact, despite the thick prosthetic tail and layer of synthetic muscle surrounding them. When she broke above the surface for her final bow, she winced at just how thoroughly the splash zone had been hit. While the regular park guests cheered and laughed at their drenching, the well-dressed group in the front seemed understandably upset, and she felt a twinge of regret.
Jayna pushed down the guilt rising inside her chest and reminded herself that the splash was part of the show. Those stunned, soaked toppers were the ones who had chosen to sit in the splash zone. But she still felt bad for them. Carter was devious and manipulative, and she regretted that, whatever his game was, she had played right into it.
Chapter 2
As soon as the stage lights dimmed and before the applause had fully died away, Jayna dived beneath the surface and swam out of the theater. She bypassed the cast changing area—just in case Roxie had misinterpreted Carter’s intentions for the mer-cannon—and went directly to the park’s rehearsal pool.
It was a warm Southern California evening, and the aroma of grilling fish wafted through the air as Jayna surfaced in the practice area. Although she was already tired from the show, she immediately began swimming laps as fast as her bionic tail would push her. The Manutai Jubilee Merathlon was in less than a week, and this was her last night to train before she flew halfway around the world. She needed to make it count.
Although bionic mertails had been in use at theme parks like the Realms of Neptune since 2065—the same year as the 50th Merlympic games—the Merathlon was the first major competition to allow their use. The event organizers had designed an aquatic pentathlon around five essential mer-skills. The goal was to highlight the bionic mertail’s athletic capabilities in the hopes of generating greater acceptance within the mer community as a whole.
The effort seemed to be working, as the Pasifika Pod had rescheduled their annual Merfest to coincide with the Merathlon and personally invited each of the merathletes.
A solid showing at the Merathlon would also help Jayna personally. Although she loved performing the role of Mermaid Aaramere in the Sirens of Atlantis revue, her real passion was hosting mermaid-themed events for disadvantaged kids. Her tiny Aaramere Foundation was funded through the dynamic royalty payments that came whenever her likeness was shared in the Myst, and if she did well at the Merathlon, those payments would get a much-needed boost.
As Jayna sprinted through the water, the frills and glittering scales on her thick, heavy show tail slowed her down considerably. After a few laps, she grew so frustrated, she wished she had taken the time to change into her sleek athletic training tail, even if it would have meant risking a run-in with Carter.
Unwilling to give up and head back to the changing room, she was about to start another set when she noticed her friend Gabrielle standing at the edge of the pool.
Gabrielle was a food services manager at Realms of Neptune, and her sudden appearance in the performance section of the park brought Jayna’s concerns back with a vengeance. Something was definitely wrong.
Gabrielle stood with her arms folded and her lips pursed. Her white catering uniform was a mess, and her long, dark hair had nearly broken free from its bun. The aroma of grilling fish had grown stronger and was now joined by lively music that drifted along on the warm ocean breeze. There must have been an event in the reception grotto, though she didn’t remember hearing about one.
Jayna swam to mee
Gabrielle rolled her dark brown eyes. “Not in a million years.”
Jayna never could understand why Gabrielle worked in a mermaid-themed amusement park, given her aversion to all things aquatic. “What is it then?” Jayna asked.
“Obsidian Hayes,” Gabrielle said flatly.
Jayna cocked her head, confused. She had assumed Gabrielle was there to warn her that Carter was upset about the Bionic Cannonball or something like that. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. What’s an ‘obsidian haze’?”
Gabrielle’s eyes narrowed. “Not what. Who.” She kicked off her shoes and sat on the edge of the pool. With her bare feet dangling in the water, she patted the spot next to her and motioned with her head for Jayna to join her. “You’ll want to be sitting down for this.”
Concern turned to ice in Jayna’s gut. She hoisted herself up onto the edge of the pool next to her friend and nervously swished her turquoise tail in the water. “Gabs, what’s going on?”
“Obsidian Hayes is one of those billionaire investors who buys up companies in trouble, strips them down to the bones, and then sells them off for a hefty profit.” Gabrielle sighed. “Today he bought Realms.”
The news hit Jayna like a tidal wave of ice water. “Carter sold Realms of Neptune?”
Gabrielle nodded, her mouth in a thin line. “Yup—about three hours ago.”
While Jayna had no love for Carter Sterling, he was, so to speak, the devil she knew. This Obsidian Hayes character was a complete unknown.
Jayna’s mind raced, trying to process what this sudden revelation meant. “Have we all been fired?”
Gabrielle gave Jayna a dry smile. “Not yet. But there’s a meet-and-greet in the reception grotto for Hayes and his team. You should be there.”
The knot in Jayna’s chest grew tight. “Why didn’t Carter tell us he was selling the park? And why sell to someone who’s going to fire everyone and tear the park down? Why not sell to the Kingdom of Tangaroa?” Kingdom was a competing park in Manutai, started by former Realms employees shortly after Carter took over.
Gabrielle made a gagging noise. “Thanks, but no thanks. I know you and Kalani are still close, and I know he’s been helping you prepare for this mermaid competition. But I’m perfectly happy with him ten-thousand kilometers away.”
Jayna knew there was history between Gabrielle and Kalani, but neither of her friends had been interested in sharing details. “At least the leadership of Kingdom would treat us fairly.”
Gabrielle’s scowl deepened. “Not as fairly as we’d treat ourselves. I still haven’t given up on trying to secure financing for an employee buyout.” She sighed. “And if Obsidian Hayes is planning to turn around and sell the park, maybe he’ll be open to the idea of selling to us.”
“Have you met him yet?” Jayna asked.
Gabrielle nodded.
“Do you really think he’ll work with us? Or is he a psychopath like Carter?”
Gabrielle pursed her lips. “If he’s a psychopath, he hides it well. But I haven’t seen anything to make me believe he’ll be any better to work with.”
Jayna groaned. “Why did Carter do this to us?”
Gabrielle shifted her weight and said, “Apparently Hayes offered him $300 million. That’s almost twenty percent over the park’s appraised value. Carter would be crazy to turn down an offer like that.”
This whole thing kept getting stranger. “Why would anyone pay that much for Realms?”
“I don’t know. But Carter was in a giddy mood all day, and he left right after the Sirens of Atlantis show started. He only stuck around long enough to make sure that Hayes and his group were seated in section D, row one. Which is the other thing I need to tell you.”
It took a second for Gabrielle’s comment to sink in. Jayna’s mouth went dry. “No! You mean those toppers in the front row…”
“Yup. I’m afraid the people you soaked with your Bionic Cannonball are the park’s new owner and his management team.”
Panic flooded over Jayna. “And you didn’t lead with that?” Then a sudden realization struck her. “Carter told Roxie to run the cannon at full power. He knew Hayes and his team would get drenched, and now they hate me. He set me up so I would be the first to get fired.”
“Relax,” Gabrielle said. “They don’t hate you. I’m sure they know the Cannonball was part of the show, and if they blame anyone, it should be Carter.”
Jayna tried to slow her breathing, but Gabrielle’s reassurances weren’t doing the trick.
“They are asking about you, though. I know your training is important, but you need to change and get to the grotto as soon as you can.”
Chapter 3
“Mr. Hayes, are you really going to replace everyone at the park with swimming robots?”
Sid must have answered this same question at least a hundred times, but apparently the message wasn’t getting through.
He fought the urge to glance at his assistant Emmaline and roll his eyes. Instead, he gave the warmest smile he could manage to the group of beautiful but concerned-looking mermaids.
At least, he assumed they were mermaids, given their question, though without the seashell tops and prosthetic tails, he couldn’t be certain. And were they still considered mermaids when they were out of costume?
Sid was in way over his head.
“No, we won’t be replacing anyone with robots. I seriously doubt robot mermaids could deliver anything close to the amazing performance I saw tonight.”
The women visibly relaxed, though the concern never completely left their faces. “Thank you. And sorry about Mermaid Aaramere and her Bionic Cannonball. She usually holds back when there are important people in the front row, so I’m not sure what happened tonight.”
Sid drew in a breath and struggled to maintain his smile. Nearly everyone in the park had apologized for the way he and his team had been soaked. Everyone, that is, except the red-haired mermaid who had done the soaking.
Emmaline put a hand on the nearest woman’s shoulder. “It’s okay. We know that splash was part of the show, and we should have been more careful when choosing our seats.” The borrowed blue park security uniform and plain chestnut-colored hair were very different from Emmaline’s regular look, but they worked well with her medium brown skin and seemed to amplify her reassuring presence. “If you see Mermaid Aaramere, can you let her know we’d like to meet her?”
The young women agreed, thanked Emmaline for understanding, and then left.
As the performers walked towards the food table, they passed Sid’s transition manager, Hazel. She paused to watch the girls, then turned back to Sid and Emmaline. Her sandy blonde hair hung limply around the shoulders of her borrowed green ride attendant uniform, and her mouth was set in a tight line.
“There sure are a lot of pretty girls around here,” she said. “Are you sure this project is going to help your reputation score?”
Emmaline stiffened at the question. Over the past couple of years, she had done an amazing job helping Sid rebuild his reputation. His decision to buy the park had been based almost entirely on her advice, despite Hazel’s many unresolved questions and concerns.
Yet Sid knew Hazel’s concerns were valid. After all, the damage to his reputation had started with an attractive face at a previous project company, and he was determined not to make the same mistake again.
“That’s the reason I put you in charge of the transition team,” he said to Hazel. “I’ll be involved in setting our strategy, but I trust you to work directly with the employees and identify any potential issues so we can steer clear.”
“But an amusement park?” Hazel asked. “Really?”
Hazel was right, and Sid knew it. Emmaline had made a strong case for buying Realms of Neptune, but now that the deal was done Sid couldn’t help but wonder if it had been a mistake.
“True, it’s not our usual manufacturing company. But the fundamentals here will be the same as they have been for every other project,” he said, trying to convince himself as much as Hazel. “Your job is to find opportunities where we can leverage our expertise, improve operations, and build this into a business that can be sold for a profit.”
