A Cog In The Machine | ONC 2021
veelozada
  • Reads 2,083
  • Votes 456
  • Parts 16
  • Time 1h 50m
  • Reads 2,083
  • Votes 456
  • Parts 16
  • Time 1h 50m
veelozada
Complete, First published Feb 03, 2021
aliensearthfantasygalaxynewadultnewadultstoriesnovellaoncsavetheworldsaviorsciencefictionscifiscifi-fantasyshortstoryspeculativesteampunk
Frank is a clock mechanic, set out to replace a broken loop in 2018, but when Luz, the friend he shouldn't have made sees more than she should've, the simple tasks he was given turns into a mission to save the world.

*

The world doesn't live on because of the "save the Earth" attempts humans make on yearly basis. The petitions and events do nothing more than lazily cover the broken existence that is their planet.

And you can't fix a detrimental problem with duct tape.

This is where clock mechanics thrive. Created by the overlords of the galaxy, "Cogs," as they're called, are sent out to various planets to repair the clockwork system running the planet. Of course, Earth has more Cogs on its roster than any other world.

Frank has been assigned to Earth. As a newly employed Cog, his task is simple: repair the year 2018. But he's young, lonely, and makes a friend. And his friend, Luz, seems to see more than she should.

No one outside of the galaxy's employment is supposed to see the clockwork system. And with the secret out in the air, sitting on her lips, Frank must decide:

Keep her quiet. 

Or save the world.

*

⭐ ONC 2021 1ST ROUND AMBASSADOR'S PICK
⭐ ONC 2021 LONGLIST
⭐ ONC 2021 SHORTLIST

#25 in Steampunk 

ONC prompt #76.
Completed rough draft.
All Rights Reserved
aliensearthfantasygalaxynewadultnewadultstoriesnovellaoncsavetheworldsaviorsciencefictionscifiscifi-fantasyshortstoryspeculativesteampunk
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16 parts

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Why Is There An Alien Princess In My Room? (ONC 2023 - Alien Romance - Complete)

26 parts Complete

Tristan is a Quiz Bowl star. Vyrsa is from the stars. But is their interstellar romance written in the stars? *** Following a successful heist on a rival planet, Princess Vyrsa just needs to step through the Portal of Wishes to be brought straight back to her home planet Isola. But when Vyrsa steps through the portal, she finds herself on Earth, a primitive planet in a forgotten corner of the universe, with no means to return home. After having spent the night studying for an upcoming Astronomy test, galaxies, planets, and asteroids are on Tristan Conway's mind as he drifts into dreams. So he's unfazed when a strange glittering woman suddenly appears in his dorm room, convinced she's nothing but a figment of his imagination. When he finds her in his kitchen the next morning, eating his textbooks and befriending his cat, he's not so sure anymore. With no fancy alien tech at her disposal, Vyrsa will need Tristan's help to return to her faraway home planet. Ecstatic to be part of a plot reminiscent of the space movies he loves, Tristan throws himself wholeheartedly into the mission. After studies of possible fuel sources turn into Netflix binging beside her endearing host, Vyrsa's resolve to leave weakens. Maybe she'll just stay with Tristan a little bit longer... Surely nothing bad could come from it? Unless the owners of the artifact she stole figure out where she went and decides to obliterate the whole planet where she's hiding just to punish her, of course. *** This is an ONC Novella using prompt #18: You step through a magical portal thinking it's the way back home, but what you find isn't what you expected. This story is completed.

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