Aquaventure

In the vibrant heart of Cuba, a young man named Manuel has long dreamt of working at the new Chinese luxury resort that overlooks the turquoise Caribbean waters. When he's offered the position of a lifeguard, it feels as if the universe is finally aligning in his favour. But this isn't just any lifeguard position. As part of his training, he's handed a pair of cutting-edge augmented reality (AR) glasses designed to enhance his capabilities and ensure the safety of the resort's guests.

With their sleek design and intuitive interface, the glasses offer Manuel real-time data, from detecting swimmers in distress to predicting potential hazards in the water. His job becomes a blend of tradition and technology, and soon, he's known as the most efficient lifeguard on duty.

However, tranquillity at the resort is short-lived. One fateful evening, as the sun dips below the horizon, the serene atmosphere is shattered by an unforeseen threat: terrorists storm the premises, holding guests hostage and demanding ransoms. The resort descends into chaos.

Amidst the panic, Manuel's glasses activate an unexpected mode. They begin to provide tactical insights: safe paths to evacuate guests, real-time locations of the attackers, and potential objects to use for defence. What once was a tool for beach safety transforms into an invaluable asset for survival.

Guided by the AR glasses and driven by his unwavering sense of duty, Rafael navigates the treacherous situation.

"Aquaventure" is a tale of unexpected heroism and a testament to the convergence of humanity and technology during the gravest of circumstances. It underscores the idea that, when wielded right, technology can amplify the best of human instincts - courage, intelligence, and the unyielding drive to protect.

This short-story is a tie-in to an upcoming novel series called MEANTIME.