Merged
Jim and Stephanie Kroepfl
Genre: Science Fiction
Publisher: Month9Books
Jim and Stephanie Kroepfl
Genre: Science Fiction
Publisher: Month9Books
Date of Publication: September 17, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-948671-34-7
ASIN: B07P7ST29L
Number of pages: 293
Cover Artist: AM Design Studios
Tagline: Great minds don’t always think alike.
Book Description:
Seven of our country’s most gifted teens will become Nobels, hosts for the implantation of brilliant Mentor minds, in an effort to accelerate human progress.
But as the line between what’s possible and what’s right draws ever blurrier, the teens discover everything has a cost.
Scientists have created an evolved form of living known as Merged Consciousness, and sixteen-year-old Lake finds herself unable to merge with her Mentor.
Lake, the Nobel for Chemistry and Orfyn, the Nobel for Art, are two from among the inaugural class of Nobels, and with the best intent and motivation. But when Stryker, the Nobel for Peace, makes them question the motivation of the scientists behind the program, their world begins to unravel.
As the Nobels work to uncover the dark secrets of the program’s origins, everyone's a suspect and no one can be trusted, not even the other Nobels.
As the Mentors begin to take over the bodies and minds of the Nobels, Lake and Orfyn must find a way to regain control before they lose all semblance or memory of their former selves.
Excerpt:
Mr. Blue points
to the document. “Sign this and change your life. Or don’t. It’s up to you.”
to the document. “Sign this and change your life. Or don’t. It’s up to you.”
“What happens if
I say no?”
I say no?”
“The Darwin
Corporation will remain your legal guardian, but you’ll lose the
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become one of humanity’s greatest hopes.”
Corporation will remain your legal guardian, but you’ll lose the
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become one of humanity’s greatest hopes.”
So basically,
he’s saying I’m stuck here either way. “Will I always be locked up?”
he’s saying I’m stuck here either way. “Will I always be locked up?”
“That
depends on your choices.”
depends on your choices.”
I wait for him
to crack a smile. He doesn’t.
to crack a smile. He doesn’t.
I break eye
contact and flip to the last page. There’s one short paragraph stating that
I’ve read the forty-one-page document (which I haven’t), I understand the risks
(which I don’t), and I buy into the idea that two minds are better than one (or
something like that). At the bottom, there’s a line with my name printed below
it.
contact and flip to the last page. There’s one short paragraph stating that
I’ve read the forty-one-page document (which I haven’t), I understand the risks
(which I don’t), and I buy into the idea that two minds are better than one (or
something like that). At the bottom, there’s a line with my name printed below
it.
“Is it
dangerous?” I ask, really wishing my voice hadn’t cracked.
dangerous?” I ask, really wishing my voice hadn’t cracked.
Mr. Blue
hesitates, and for a moment he almost appears human. “Every medical procedure
has its risks, but the end result could change the world. And you’ll be one of
the few who have the ability to change it.”
hesitates, and for a moment he almost appears human. “Every medical procedure
has its risks, but the end result could change the world. And you’ll be one of
the few who have the ability to change it.”
What if I could
become the next Michelangelo? I’ve been given the chance to create art that makes
a difference. For now, and even hundreds of years to come. “What else can you
tell me about Bat?”
become the next Michelangelo? I’ve been given the chance to create art that makes
a difference. For now, and even hundreds of years to come. “What else can you
tell me about Bat?”
“He’s very
successful,” Mr. Blue says, taking a pen from his suit pocket. “And he’s
dying.”
successful,” Mr. Blue says, taking a pen from his suit pocket. “And he’s
dying.”
“Can you give me
a little more than that?”
a little more than that?”
“He specifically
chose you.”
chose you.”
Nobody has ever
chosen me.
chosen me.
I grab Mr.
Blue’s pen and sign the document using the name I’m adopting. If I’m going to
share my brain with someone and become a ground-breaking artist, I’m doing it
as Orfyn.
Blue’s pen and sign the document using the name I’m adopting. If I’m going to
share my brain with someone and become a ground-breaking artist, I’m doing it
as Orfyn.
About the Authors:
Jim and Stephanie Kroepfl are a husband-and-wife team who write stories of mystery and adventure from their cabin in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. When they aren’t dodging moose, their story ideas appear during their walks with their dog, who far prefers chasing balls to plotting novels. Jim and Stephanie are world travelers who seek out crop circles, obscure historical sites and mysterious ruins.
