Rewind my fate

Chapter one: The mission

I remember the first time I saw the ocean. I was around the age of five and my mother Lorraine Hargrave and my father Adrian Hargrave brought me to Lockin Beach. It was a nice beach it had tidepools with creatures such as crabs and fish, even starfish. On a sunny day, many seagulls called out making their presence known to all.

There was the smell of fresh fries and fish since a fish and chip shop sat alongside the parking lot. It was run by an elderly couple who owned it with their children and grandchildren called 'Mai and John's Fish and Chip Stop'. I remember the first time I stepped into the ocean.

The feeling of the waves crashing against my legs. I loved the feeling of the sand underneath my feet but hated how I would find sand on my body even long after being at a beach. Nonetheless, I knew when I grew up I wanted to have a job to do with the sea.

And now I am twenty years later. I'm not just a marine biologist; I'm a deep-sea biologist, spending my days studying the mysteries of the ocean's depths.

"Doctor Hargrave!" A familiar voice broke through my thoughts. I looked up from my notes to see my friend and colleague, Masie Green, striding toward me. Tall, with long blonde hair always tied in a neat ponytail, her sharp green eyes gleamed as she approached, dressed in the standard black pants and white shirt beneath her lab coat. I set down my notebook and sighed finishing the last line of the recording I found at the beach just the other day and spoke in a blank tone "Hm? Do you need something?"

I saw Masie smile like a little child on Christmas and let out a soft laugh at it and spoke again in a softer tone "Go on tell me before you explode" Masie grinned again and spoke in a cheerful tone. "Holy shit! Lyra- I mean Doctor Hargrave! Our m-misson! It got approved! It starts as soon as we can get a team!" My eyes light up and I stand up quickly grabbing her collar and shaking her in excitement "R-Really?! You mean it?! They said yes?!" Masie returned my happy tone and shook me back

"Yes! After five fucking months! They said yes we get to do it!" I couldn't believe it, after five months of begging and research they said yes! If this mission works out how we hope it to go me and Masie would be on the front news page! Worldwide! This was it! Our breakthrough! In the heat of the moment, I pulled her close kissed her forehead, and grinned so big my cheeks started to hurt "Masie! You beautiful creature! How did you do it?! How did you get them to say yes?!"

I laughed and saw Masie turn a light pink and grinned as she replied "I don't know but I'm not gonna question it!" I grinned at her response "We did it!" I gasped and took off my glasses I felt tears rolling down my face happy ones..."H-he told me to never give u-up and I didn't a-and now we did it w-we did it..."

I felt myself back at the beach...the water was so cold my father stood watching the waves and my father leaned down and in a hushed tone spoke to me "Lyra, one day you will understand why I did this...you will see why it had to be like this..." he pulled out a small vile and pulled it close to my mouth his voice and handshaking "Please f-forgive me my child-"

Suddenly I was pulled back by Masies voice "Lyra?...you okay you look really pale..." I shook my head from side to side brushing the memory back my hand was touching my lips where I had a small scar I spoke softly "Y-yeah! Sorry, I just got lost in thought! Don't worry!" I smiled at her and lowered my hand back down. I spoke softly "It's nothing..." I smiled and put my glasses back on and spoke again "Come on let's round up our team for this mission!

Masie grinned and nodded. "We'll need someone with brute strength for sure. Who do you think fits the bill?"

I thought for a moment, then my face lit up. "Levi Morales!" I said with a smirk.

{Levi Morales
Levi was a towering figure with a calm but intense presence, his long dark hair always tied back neatly, emphasizing his piercing gaze. Known for his strength, Levi could handle even the toughest physical challenges without breaking a sweat, yet it was his quiet, commanding nature that truly set him apart. He carried a subtle scar along his neck—a mark he never discussed, brushing off questions with a half-smile and an easy change of subject. Among the crew, Levi was a natural leader in tense moments, providing silent reassurance with his steady hands and unwavering calm. He rarely spoke, but when he did, his words carried a weight that had everyone paying attention, whether he was offering a plan or a rare joke that softened his otherwise guarded demeanor.}

I spoke up again. "We have four more slots left. Who do you think we should bring in?"
Masie thought for a second, then replied, "How about Isla Tran? She's one of the best navigators we have."

{Isla Tran
Isla was a Vietnamese-American tech genius with an uncanny sense of direction, able to navigate even the trickiest environments. Her prosthetic left leg painted a sleek metallic blue, was a tool she'd customized herself, full of hidden gadgets she'd made for emergencies. A mix of wit and humor, Isla had the sharpness to match her engineering skills and wasn't afraid to speak her mind—even if it meant clashing with superiors. Her laugh was contagious, and she was the one everyone relied on when a tense moment needed breaking.}

"Perfect. And we'll need someone with medical experience," I added thoughtfully.
Masie nodded in agreement. "Dr. Aaron Malik would be great for that role."

{Dr. Aaron Malik
Aaron, a British-Indian field medic with an easy-going demeanor, was known for his steady hands and calm approach to even the most chaotic situations. His dark brown eyes were quick to spot injuries, but he always made sure to check on his team's mental health too, knowing how important it was in high-stress environments. His pockets were full of herbal remedies he swore by, often surprising others with his knowledge of ancient treatments and modern medicine alike. When things got rough, Aaron had a knack for keeping everyone grounded with a few calm words.}

I tapped my chin. "That covers navigation, strength, and medical needs. How about someone who can handle the pressure if things go south?"
Masie snapped her fingers. "Talia Rivera. No one keeps their cool like her."

{Talia Rivera
Talia, a Puerto Rican deep-sea diving expert, was the team's fearless adrenaline junkie. With her cropped, brightly dyed hair and confident smile, she was a natural in the water, often volunteering for the most dangerous parts of a mission without hesitation. Talia's courage was paired with an almost supernatural ability to gauge danger, and she had the instinct to spot a shift in the currents or a lurking threat from miles away. The others joked she could "feel the ocean breathe"—a skill that had saved the team more than once.}

"Last but not least," Masie said with a smile, "we need someone with serious engineering skills. A tech genius to help Isla on the hardware side."
I smiled, knowing the perfect choice. "Then it has to be Lykos Frost."

{Lykos Frost
Lykos was a young Black engineer with an eye for design and a reputation for turning even the most impossible ideas into functional tech. With his signature glasses and a collection of pens (a collection which most call his mini army he owns around one hundred pens which he says are all his but we all know he steals yet never admits it he will say he lost it) and tools always clipped to his belt, he was the go-to for solving high-tech problems on the fly. Known for his energetic yet iron focus, Lykos spoke a lot and was very loud at times He and Isla were old friends, and their playful rivalry was a source of amusement for the entire crew.}