Tales from the Mosspark Universe: Vol. 5: Tales From the Mosspark Universe, #5

By Neil Mosspark

This fifth book in a series of short story collection brings together science fiction themes such as genetic engineering, gene altering viruses and the consequences of hunting alien monsters in the dark. These stand-alone stories occur in the same universe as Neil Mosspark's novels, shedding light on unseen characters and pivotal events. 

Explore the consequences of vat-grown children in Child_2.0. 

Observe a fisherman hunting the Kraken inside the black anomaly. 

Follow Olivia Thorne as trouble finds her, no matter where she turns, in a classic Cyberpunk tale.

Watch as medical staff attempt to identify patient zero in the beginnings of the Chimera Syndrome epidemic. 

Join in to take part in a superhuman support group where the Chimera Syndrome has affected a group of genetically altered men and women.

Come and explore the Mosspark Universe!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Neil Mosspark
• Release date: Sep 2, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386614111

Neil Mosspark

I was born in British Columbia, Canada and grew up in the rockies before traveling to see the world. I’ve been writing Science Fiction and Fantasy for more than a decade, but only recently have decided to share my work through eBooks. Currently I have a backlog of novels that I am editing and publishing on various platforms. I write the type of Science Fiction and Fantasy that I enjoy reading. Most of my work takes place in the same ‘universe’ with subtle crossovers that allow fans of my work to pick up on the nuances, while new readers don’t have to play catch up. Please feel free to leave a review, I always love hearing from readers. If you want to chat, you can find me on twitter @NeilMosspark or email [e-mail].   Thanks for reading!

Book preview

INTRODUCTION

Many of my readers enjoy reading about the characters and places that populate the universe I have written about in my novels. I will often set aside time to write short stories as explorations of characters and ideas that appear in books such as ‘Thorne Inc: Dark Crypto’ and ‘The Black’.

None of the stories here require that you have read either of the books and inversely, none of the books require that you have read any of these stories. Each stand alone as their own fun and thought-provoking tale.

Both the books and the short stories exist as a part of the Mosspark Universe, and I am happy to share them with you here.

Thanks for reading,

-NM

NIGHT FISHING

This short story occurs inside the black anomaly about a hundred years prior to ‘The Black’ and ‘Dark Crypto’.

-Neil

TEM PULLED HARD OUT on the oars. Each stroke counted. Each stroke measured. The charcoal tar he had rubbed all over his skin was as dark as the water that lapped at the hull of his boat.

Only the lights from the shore acted as a beacon.

Tonight, he was here to get away from the cooking fires. Only here on the black mirror of the lake could he finally fish for his prey.

A Kraken.

Quietly he swung the oars inside the boat. Careful not to knock the wood against the hull. He sat for a moment, listening, feeling the water settle.

The Kraken would not rise if the water were disturbed.

He had rowed out every night for eighty-three long nights. Each time, the water had been too choppy. He had been too loud. Once even he had fallen into the water while standing in the boat. Another time, he had almost set fire to his craft with a lantern.

Patiently, he waited. The water's surface reverted to a smooth pane.

From a small wicker basket at his feet, he plucked a nest of matted material. Smoke spiraled up. He smelled it more than saw it.

Blowing into the next gently, he witnessed a spark kindle to life as a minute coal. It brightened with each breath and the smoke rose to choke his nose.

The ember glowed strongly, but not enough to set the nest of material alight.

Reaching carefully with his left hand, Tem plucked a tiny candle from his pocket. Careful not to breathe and blow out the tiny light, Tem leaned the candle over top of the next. The wick gently touched the yellow light.

Soon the wick brightened, and in the darkness, the boat danced with the flutter of the minuscule flame.

Tem panicked. He hadn't prepared the lantern.

He placed the candle on the bench and leaned forward to unfold the paper