Elements (The Biodome Chronicles series Book 2)

by Sundin, Jesikah

  Mike and Francesca Mesneak of Tapestry Church (Monroe, Wash.): Your living example of God’s love has changed the way I view myself and the world. Thank you for all the prayers and support over the years. I am beyond blessed to have you in my life!

  Talbot Shoemaker: Um, I kinda borrowed your name for Mack’s family’s Smart Tech business: TalBOT Industries. Now you’re immortal. That’s cool, right? *grins innocently*

  Traci & Jason Kaldestad, Diane & Jay Dillion, Shelece Nosker & Pat Garrett, Crystal & David Spurrier, and Jill Reasoner: Neighborhoods really can’t get more epic than ours. We’re pretty badass. I owe many productive hours of writing to each of you. Thank you for including this reclusive, quirky, geek girl as part of the neighborhood cool, even if I don’t listen to country music or watch football ;-)

  Morgan, Olivia, Xander, Abie, Cady, Geneva, Cameron, Cayden, Julion, Baby Jayce Oakley, Kiera, Hayley, Brody, Brynlee, DJ, Valerie, Sophia, Peter, Nathan, Evelyn, Jamie, Alice, Lia and Sera: Thank you so much for being part of Myles, Colin, and Violette’s lives. I love listening to all your many adventures while I sit at the table inside or outside and write. You each bring smiles to my face every day! Remember, never underestimate your value and worth. It’s immeasurable.

  And now, time to get busy writing book three.

  Tsuzuku...

  (To be continued...)

  HACKER TERMINOLOGY

  HACKER – A hacker is an individual who breaches security in a computer system or computer network to capitalize on exposed weaknesses, for beneficial or nefarious reasons. Sometimes the term is applied to an individual with expert knowledge of computers and computer networks. A subculture now exists for hackers, formed by a real and recognized community known as the computer underground. This subculture of tech-savvy individuals has also developed a unique language and slang terms defined and collected in The Hacker’s Dictionary (originally known as the Jargon File), which is searchable online.

  A Lefty’s Catcher Mitt – Net jargon for something people think exists, but doesn’t. The term came from the anime show Laughing Man (Ghost in the Shell), where a character owns a left-handed mitt inscribed with a quote by Holden Caulfield, title character in the novel The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

  Bagbiter – a person who always causes problems, is a whiner, and is never satisfied. Comes from the hacker term for a piece of equipment, hardware, or software that fails

  Black Hat – someone who maliciously hacks into secure systems to corrupt or gain unauthorized information. The hacker subculture often refers to this person as a “cracker” rather than a “hacker”

  Bletcherous (bletch) – disgusting, makes you want to vomit, usually in reference to an object, and rarely regarding people

  Defragment (defrag) – an action to reduce the fragmentation of a software file by concatenating parts stored in separate locations on a disk

  Faraday Cage – a grounded metal screen (usually copper) that surrounds a piece of equipment to exclude electrostatic and electromagnetic influences

  Fatal Exception Error – an error that closes down and aborts a program, returning the user to the operating system

  Glitch – a sudden interruption in electric service, sanity, or program function, sometimes recoverable

  Gritching (gritch) – to complain; a blend of “gripe” and “bitch”

  Kernel Panic – an action taken by an operating system when detecting an internal fatal error from which it cannot safely recover; also known as “the blue screen of death”

  Loser – an unexpectedly bad situation, program, programmer, or person

  Uncanny Valley – The hypothesis in the field of aesthetics which states that some humans feel revulsion or disturbance when robotics or 3D animation look and move almost, but not exactly, like natural beings

  White Hat – someone who hacks into secure systems and instead of corrupting or taking unauthorized information, exposes the weaknesses to the system’s owners so they can strengthen the breach before it can be taken advantage of by others (including Black Hats)

  ANIME TERMINOLOGY

  Anime / Manga – Anime is a distinctly Japanese style of animation, while manga is the term for comic books that feature anime-stylized characters. Anime differs from American cartoons in that it is more often created for teens and adults with a range of topics that typically explore serious themes. It has been criticized by parents in the United States for discussing such taboo topics as teen suicide, violence, social rebellion, spiritual ideas, and sex. However, anime and manga include many genres, including romance, comedy, horror, and action, and feature several series for children, Pokémon being the most notable and successful in the U.S. Many video games, for general or mature audiences, feature anime-style characters and themes. In Japan, and even in the U.S., anime fans have formed a subculture with punk undertones emulating goth, emo, or cyberpunk movements.

  Bishounen (bishonen, bish, bishie, bishy) – literally, “pretty boy” in Japanese, a term used to describe a young man—including those in anime, manga, and video games—who is notably beautiful and attractive

  Bakayarō – dumbass, idiot, fool

  Chikara – strength, power

  Desu – Japanese for “it is,” often said at the end of sentences to seem cute or unwitting

  Dokyun – a derogatory internet slang term that spread from Japan’s 2ch.net, which mostly means dumbass or idiot

  Henshin – “to change or transform the body”; in anime and manga, this is usually when a character transforms into a superhero

  Hikikomori – someone who purposely stays in their house all day long, isolating themselves from society, and who usually spends all their time on the Internet, playing video games, or watching anime

  Jitsu – martial arts term for “technique” or “art”

  Kono Yaro – translates to “that bastard”

  Kusogaki – little shit, shitty brat, damn child

  Otaku – in Japan, originally a very negative term to describe a recluse who has no life, usually because their world revolves around fictional characters, such as in anime and manga; in America, the word has been applied by anime fans as a positive term for fanboy/girl

  Nakoudo – translates to “matchmaker” or “go-between” and is the person who contracts a marriage between the man and woman who hope to marry

  Nettomo – slang term for a friend made on the Internet

  Nosebleed – used by fans about someone whom they think is hot or exciting; when an anime or manga character has become sexually excited, it is portrayed with a sudden nosebleed

  Yuinou / Yuinou no gi – translates to “betrothal presents” and is the ceremony where the groom and bride to-be swear their engagement publicly, followed by an exchange of gifts between the two households

  ADDITIONAL DEFINITIONS

  Cob – a type of structural mud made from clay, sand, water, and straw that is applied wet between stones or in clumps to form walls. Cob homes, shops, and barns became the preferred building type during the Middle Ages, especially in the British Isles. The mud structures reached the height of popularity with Tudor-style architecture made famous for its external geometric timber designs, stone or brick accents, oriel window boxes, and lead multi-lit latticed windows. This is the most commonly featured style of building in fantasy storybook villages.

  Cyberpunk – a literary and visual media genre that takes place in a future or near-future Earth and is most notably known for the film noir detective-like qualities of the story, high technology (computers, hackers, robotics, artificial intelligence), and a degraded society. The world or place setting is typically regulated and influenced by large corporations and wealthy elite rather than traditional governmental bodies. The protagonist is usually a rogue/misfit, a loner in society with a dark past. The cyberpunk genre is prominently featured in anime and manga in Japan.

  Dungeon Master (DM) – individual in charge of organizing and planning the details and challenges of a given adventure
in the table-top role-playing game “Dungeons & Dragons.” He or she also is a participant in the game, but their key role is to make all the rules and control the story, telling the player characters what they hear and what they see. The only part a DM does not control are the decisions/actions of the player characters.

  Emo / Emocore – an alternative rock subculture influenced by the punk music scene that emerged in the 1980s, featuring lyrics about self rather than traditional punk themes of society. The Emo scene exploded in the 1990s with the indie rock grunge scene and popularity of pop punk, and was later brought back to mainstream teen culture in the early 2000s through the Internet social media site MySpace. Individuals belonging to this subculture have a unique and notable fashion, the modern looks and trends believed to have been influenced by the anime and manga subculture. The Emo’s (sometimes called Scene Kids or Ravers) are described as being “emotive” in nature, giving rise to the idea that the boys possess more feminine traits and qualities than their non-emo counterparts.

  Gamemaster (GM) – an individual who officiates and referees multi-player role-playing games (table-top or live action), sometimes with other Gamemasters. They arbitrate and moderate the rules, settle disputes, create and define the game world/environment, blend and weave player character stories together, and oversee the non-player character roles and influence in the story. The Gamemaster’s specific job and function is unique to each game.

  Live Action Role-Playing (LARP) – a style of game that transcends traditional table-top or video game role-playing into live action where people physically become a character and act out their role in a defined fantasy setting. A LARP must contain three consistent ideas in order to be considered true live action role-playing (expanded in more depth by larping.org): collaborative (a mutual operation where everyone understands they are a character and must work together toward a common goal); pretending (a necessary element for each LARP, such as the game world/space, weapons and characterization, to name a few); and rules (agreed upon by the community of gamers and refereed by Gamemasters but usually sustained by an honor system among players).

  Mundane – an object or person that does not belong to the fictional game or setting, such as a cellphone in a medieval community, or the President of the United States in ancient China. In the LARP and role-playing subculture, mundane also refers to one’s “real” life versus his or her character life/world.

  Visual Kei (“visual music” or “visual system”) – an alternative rock music movement in Japan that features band members who typically try to emulate a unified androgynous appearance. They embody unique makeup, hair styles, and clothing that is punk in nature with mainstream success and influenced by Western concepts such as glam rock, goth, and cyberpunk. Some argue that Visual Kei is no longer about a music genre but about a subculture of individuals who reflect this fashion style and trend.

  TRANSLATIONS

  “Coal, nice to finally meet you. Je vous souhaite une cordiale bienvenue en touchant le sol de la terre pour la première fois.”

  Translation: I extend a warm welcome as you walk Earth for the first time.

  Coal regarded the man warily, surprised by the welcome to Earth in French. “Acceptez mes humbes remerciements pour l’invitation et l’experience,” Coal said. Although he felt insulted by the insinuation that he was an alien to their land rather than a neighbor, Coal thanked him for the opportunity nonetheless.

  Translation: My humble thanks for the invitation and experience.

  There were far too many questions, Coal internally quipped. Instead, he voiced the loudest of them all in French, too ashamed to ask in English before John and Michael. “Est-ce que mon père a donné son autorisation finale?”

  Translation: Did my father grant final permission?

  “Fillion,” a male voice whispered. Warm air pulsed near his ear, followed by a firm shake. “Fillion.”

  “Koroshiteyaru mae ni hotto ite!”

  Translation: Go away before I kill you!

  Fillion squinted and lifted his head. “What?” With a groan he fell back onto the pillow and sighed when the sound of wheat hulls rushed in his ears. “Hanarete ikanakereba, umarete kita toki o koukai suru zo!” He had been dreaming in Japanese. Reality was a bit soupy at the moment.

  Translation: Leave me alone or you’ll wish you were never born.

  “Arigatou gozaimasu.” Fillion wanted to roll his eyes with the shaky sound of his voice.

  Translation: Thank you.

  “Yeah. Same to you.” Unable to resist, he gave a shallow, tight bow and said, “Yoi ichinichi o.”

  Translation: Have a nice day.

  Mack pulled open a drawer from a nightstand positioned against the bed and removed a large, thin book. “Read and write?” Mack asked. Coal grit his teeth against the insult.

  “Bien sûr, idiot, et en trois langues différentes!”

  Translation: Of course you idiot, and in three different languages.

  He straightened the cloak around her shoulders with a sad, distracted smile. “Your indomitable spirit has encouraged me these past few days.” Leaf slipped Fillion a quick look, but said to her, “Je suis fier de la femme que tu deviens.”

  Translation: I am proud of the woman you are becoming.

  “Indomitable? Really, Leaf Watson.” She blinked with embarrassment. Nevertheless, her brother’s words of pride touched her heart. “Père serait très fier de toi, cher frère.”

  Translation: Father would be most proud of you, brother dearest.

  Lynden accepted the sticks with a tight head nod and said, “Arigatou gozaimasu.”

  “Dou itashimashite,” Selah replied.

  Translation: Thank you / You’re welcome

  He tried to restrain a smile as he intensified his gaze, knowing it was comical at best. “How about now, mon joli petit dragon?”

  Translation: My lovely little dragon

  Overcome, she pressed a hand to his heart and whispered against his lips, “Voici un témoignage de mon affection, conservez-le bien.”

  Translation: Here is a token of my affection, guard it well.

  He covered the hand with both of his, and whispered in reply, “Korekara zutto, ore no jinsei wa anata no mono desu. Zutto eien ni sasagemasu.”

  Translation: “I now see that you have always owned my life, and always will. I give it to you.”

  ELEMENTS OF YOUR LIFE BLOG FUN WITH READERS

  The Biodome Chronicles presented an opportunity for a couple additions to the cast in book two. In an effort to create a fun and memorable character, I requested help from my readers. Yep, YOU dear readers!

  In the blog titled, “What is your favorite color? No really?” (May 2014), these were the questions I asked:

  1) What is your favorite color?

  2) What is your nervous habit?

  3) Do you like to walk barefoot? Or prefer shoes?

  4) Night Owl or Early Riser?

  5) Time Management Guru or Procrastinator?

  6) What is a random fact about you?

  Here were the replies I used:

  Jessica Jett (via Goodreads)

  What is your nervous habit? Biting my lip ring.

  * Used for Lynden.

  Anzu (via Goodreads)

  What is your nervous habit? Constantly turning my thumb ring around.

  * Used for Lynden.

  Leylan (via Goodreads)

  Do you like to walk barefoot? Or prefer shoes? Definitely barefoot.

  * Used for Coal.

  Barb (via Goodreads)

  What is your nervous habit? Wiggling my feet.

  * Used for Nadine, the hacker in the underground who wiggled her feet/combat boots on Mack’s desk, and for Lynden, who often swung her legs/feet when sitting.

  Lynne (via Goodreads)

  What is your nervous habit? Humming.

  * Used for Oaklee, especially when she leaves the Great Hall to wander alone at night. Coal refers once to wanting to hear her hum, too.
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br />   Kalliopeia (via Goodreads)

  What is your favorite color? Violet.

  * Used for Oaklee, the shade of silk she desires if she could have anything from the Outside world.

  Bipasha {is eviscerated by fiction} (via Goodreads)

  What is a random fact about you? I’m heterochromic. Hazel and Dark brown.

  * Used for Nadine, the hacker in the underground who focused on the Hanley and Connor relationship. Coal noted her two different eye colors.

  Francesca (via blog on my website)

  What is a random fact about you? When in a crowd, I have a social limit. When I’m done, I am DONE talking to people.

  * Used for Fillion and Oaklee, who were both often “done” talking to people, especially when in or before a crowd.

  Melissa Lee (via blog on my website)

  What is your favorite color? Blood red.

  * Used for Lynden, often referenced by Coal who admired the “blood red” chunk of hair that swooped across her eye.

  Jennifer Newsom (via my Facebook page)

  What is your nervous habit? Recite my favorite passage from Dune in my head: “I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.”

  * Used for Lynden and Coal. OK, so I took some liberties here (please don’t hate me Dune fans). The message given in this beautiful passage became Lynden’s mantra to “toughen up” and “You are awesome.”

  Megan Jacobson (via my Facebook page)

  What is a random fact about you? Hmmmm... I like putting hot cocoa mix (powder) on vanilla ice cream if we don’t have other chocolate sauce.

  * Used for Lynden, her surprise dessert for Coal during the maglev train scene.

  I had a great time while building characters that utilized random and unique ELEMENTS of you <3 Thank you for the fun!