Empire Reborn (Taran Empire Saga Book 1): A Cadicle Space Opera by A.K. DuBoff (jenna bush book club TXT) 📕

Once the communications were ready for sending, he stared out the viewport at the swirling light of subspace until the ship arrived at the waypoint. He sent off the messages to their respective recipients and then returned to the Command Center for the remainder of the journey.

“Messages are sent. Let’s get home,” he said to Curtis.

The Agent reinitiated the subspace jump at his front console. “What did you say in the communication?”

“There has been an attack, and we’ve tragically lost many of our own,” Wil repeated from memory. “The exact nature of the enemy is unknown, but it’s clear they mean us harm. Despite our losses, we are still hoping to find a resolution that will keep us from war. However, we will respond with appropriate force at such time it becomes necessary. TSS Command is working on a coordinated response. Until you receive further instruction, remain vigilant.”

“Well put,” Curtis said softly.

Everyone fell silent. There was nothing else to say.

—     —     —

None of it seemed real. Jason was still floating outside himself, watching the events unfold. He remembered leaving the Command Center and then being comforted by his father, but it felt like it was happening to another person.

What was she about to say? That we could… ‘what’? He’d never know. They’d left things on good terms, but it was never meant to be ‘goodbye’.

He slumped into one of the chairs around the conference table. Having the support against his back helped ground him a small measure. He was safe. His family was okay.

But she’s gone, and she’s never coming back.

This time, though, no new tears wet his cheeks. Crying about her death wouldn’t solve anything. She wouldn’t want that.

Instead, he tried to think about their happy moments together. Even though everything still seemed unfocused, he was warmed by Tiff’s presence in his thoughts. She would always be with him.

He formed his arm into a pillow and laid his head on the tabletop while he stared at the swirling blue-green light of subspace. He had no idea how much time had passed until the light transitioned into a starscape and the TSS spacedock came into view.

Jason looked up when he heard the hiss of the door opening. His eyes still itched, but a bit of the tightness in his chest had eased.

His father stepped inside and waited for the door to close. “I’ll walk down with you.”

Jason stood up slowly, finding his legs unsteady after being slumped for so long. “Thanks for letting me have some space.”

“I know more about this kind of thing than I care to.”

The knife twisted in Jason’s gut. “I still can’t believe it.”

“Sudden loss is the worst kind. I’ve found it helps to think about the good times you shared.”

Jason gave a weak nod. “I am, and it does. Stars, I didn’t think I’d be needing to follow the advice I gave Darin just a few days ago.”

“This turn caught me by surprise. I’m sorry.”

His breath caught in his throat. “I knew it in my gut, and I let her go anyway.”

Wil stepped closer, his brows drawn with concern. “You can’t think that way, Jason. You have absolutely no guilt to bear for being a good friend and letting her go live her own life.”

“Still, if I’d asked her to delay—”

“No.” Wil gripped Jason gently by his shoulders. “You did everything right, and this isn’t on you. It’s a terrible situation. It sucks! But please, believe me when I say there is nothing you could have done. We act based on the information we have at the present moment, and you have shown exemplary care in your thoughts and actions. I am very proud of the man and leader you have become. And I’m going to need you now, more than ever, for whatever happens next.”

Jason dropped his gaze and nodded. I need to honor her memory.

Wil gave him a hug. “Take a couple of days off. Rest. Process. Keep perspective. Being fueled by guilt or vengeance isn’t the answer.”

While a nice offer, there was no way Jason was going to stay on the sidelines. We can’t afford any down time. We need to bring the fight to them.

—     —     —

As he took the transport shuttle down to TSS Headquarters with his son, Wil relayed telepathic instructions to several friends to make sure the pathway to the Primus Agent wing was clear. The last thing Jason needed right now was to be bombarded with well-meaning questions from his friends.

Once Jason was safely inside his quarters, Wil walked down the hall to the suite he shared with Saera.

The moment the door closed, Saera embraced Wil and held him in silence, waiting for him to speak. He considered sharing his impressions telepathically but decided against it. Over their many years together, they’d found a balance between spoken and telepathic exchanges. Even though it was slower and less intimate, there was something about talking through things out loud that helped them work through issues and get new perspectives. This was one of those times where he needed any burst of inspiration he could get.

In time, he released her from the hug. “It’s bad.”

She nodded, likely having watched the video recording of the incident a dozen times by now. “That was a good message you sent out.”

“You know I’m one for transparency. I’d rather our people hear we’re at war directly from me than through the rumor mill.”

“Has it come to war already?”

Wil shook his head. “I don’t know for sure. If we can’t open a dialogue, fighting might be our only option.”

“Who—or what—are they?” Saera asked.

“Proof that there’s so much more out there than we understand.”

“That’s not really an answer.”

“I’d tell you if I knew, but I don’t. All I can