Dome Locked - Part 2 (Novella)

Here is an ongoing story I have been writing for the last month or so. Currently, there are four chapters written, and this one here is the start of the fifth.

It started before November and was enjoying the story and characters, so decided to try and complete it as part of NaNoWriMo, but, here we are in December and I'm still working on it.

Currently, I have a feeling the Eighth chapter will be the final one, however, it could go on a bit longer than that, based on how the story concludes.

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A Night In The Western Wastes

Chapter 1

Night In The Western Wastes - Part 1

Night In The Western Wastes - Part 2

Night In The Western Wastes - Part 3

Night In The Western Wastes - Part 4

Night In The Western Wastes - Part 5

Night In The Western Wastes - Part 6

Night In The Western Wastes - Part 7

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Sin

Chapter 2

Sin - Part 1

Sin - Part 2

Sin - Part 3

Sin - Part 4

Sin - Part 5

Sin - Part 6

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Lost For Words

Chapter 3

Lost For Words - Part 1

Lost For Words - Part 2

Lost For Words - Part 3

Lost For Words - Part 4

Lost For Words - Part 5

Lost For Words - Part 6

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Revolutionary Type

Chapter 4

Revolutionary Type - Part 1

Revolutionary Type - Part 2

Revolutionary Type - Part 3

Revolutionary Type - Part 4

Revolutionary Type - Part 5

Revolutionary Type - Part 6

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Dome Locked

Chapter 5

Dome Locked - Part 1

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Source

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       The Doshan was right. Before Mari knew it, the substance she inhaled had worn off. Her vision returned to normal, but there was a hint of crystalline sight in her peripherals. It was as if the new view caused her to ignore all that was around her, instead focusing on what lay directly ahead.
       Walking throughout the lower levels of Sin made the place feel completely alien to her. She had been here so many times before, but now everything was brand new; experiencing it as if it were her first time.
       Everywhere she looked there were namely, faceless entities in the venue, moving to the beat of the music blaring throughout the place. The noise of Sin. The sound of rebellion. This was a place like no other, and it was a beacon of light to all wayward souls. Beckoning them forward, the music enticed them, and when it had them locked, it intensified. They were all trapped here. Her too. They were all Dome Locked, and it never felt so good. Regardless of what anyone said or did, there was no escaping it, it was difficult to find a way out of the mess. The mass of willing participants blocked every exit. They were all a part of the unseen, all-knowing blob of consciousness. A collective, separated into individual bodies. Thoughts, feelings, and emotions; all unrestrained, and unrestricted by the sensation of speech, touch, or the mixed-up chemicals in the brain that cause all free-thought or emotions to be categorised into easily boxed labels like happiness, sadness, anger, or fear.
       Someone once told me I was crazy. She remembered with glee how good it felt slabbing them. Try to gaslight me into believing I'm nuts. Blood splattered walls, and a twitching corpse. There wasn't much they could say after that. The red teeth on the floor were the thing she liked the most. Funny what a few bullets can do. They can end almost every problem.

       "Well, you're not wrong there." The Doshan said.
       Mari blinked and she was out of the crowd and in a quieter part of the Sin. The music was present, but nowhere near as intoxicating.
       "Yeah. It helps to have a friend by your side, and mine is never far from me." She said as she brushed her fingertips off the warm steel.
       "Who's this?" Mari heard a voice from behind and turned to see a man approach, followed by a few others wearing similar clothes to the Doshan. Dark leather, insignias. The man collar was large, flopping on one side, but stiff on the other. High enough to cover his left ear.
       "A new friend." The Doshan replied, as she was grappled by him, as he started playfully kissing her and she squealed with joy. "Stop, not here."
       "Let's go then, nothing more to see here, and I've got rid of my supply." He replied as he let go of her. "We should probably re-up," he looked back at the others.
       "How did the fight go?" The Doshan asked.
       "Fight? Wasn't much of a fight. Some security stopped us as we were walking him outside." The man said. "You know what Rat-Trap said?"
       "No, what?" The Doshan asked as she looked at another of their group.
       "He's TPD." The man replied as he finished the last of his drink. "Screw the re-up. Let's get out of here before the place is raided."
       Mari felt a bit uneasy, hearing about a potential raid incoming. "You sure about that?"
       "Who's this?" The man said as he stared her up and down. "You're not involved in this conversation."
       "She's a friend of mine, so can talk with us if she wants." The Doshan said as she glanced at Mari.
       "Forget this. Let's go." He replied as he turned and left the table, followed by a few others.

       "Do you want to come with us? Better of making some distance, just in case something happens." The Doshan said, as she turned to look at the others leave.
       "I don't know." Mari replied as she looked around the area. "I came with a few people, and I kind of lost them."
       "You sure? If some Peacekeeper got jumped her, they'll be sending in the heavies." The Doshan said.
       "Yeah, T-Tec don't mess around, they'll just come in blasting." The greasy one said.

       "Okay. I'll go." Mari didn't feel comfortable with leaving the others, but she could be sure they'd choose self-preservation if they were given the choice. "I can contact them on the way. Thanks."