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

on some of the Middle Worlds. It carries more weight than a clip in the Sensationals.”

Raena’s brows drew together. “The ‘facts’ can easily be refuted, though. They’re just sowing disinformation.”

“The problem is that saying it is disinformation will make people believe it’s true even more fervently. History shows that time and time again. People will look for confirmation of their established beliefs and it’s very hard to change minds.”

“It doesn’t make sense! Say something once and then it becomes the immutable truth?” A hint of worry edged Ryan’s voice.

“Primacy effect, I guess,” Wil said. “If the source is perceived as trustworthy, then all others afterward will be seen as the opposition.”

“Except the Herald isn’t all that trustworthy,” Raena pointed out.

“Perhaps ‘trustworthy enough’ would have been better phrasing,” her father amended. “The point is, they are a known quantity, so there’s enough there for people to take notice.”

Ryan exchanged a concerned glance with Raena. “What are we supposed to do, then?”

Wil shrugged slightly. “Say nothing. Let it play out.”

Raena’s mouth dropped open. “No! It’s wrong. We have to release a statement or do something!”

Her father shook his head wearily. “But by taking that defensive stance, people will dig into their position harder that you’re trying to hide the truth.”

“Remaining silent will do the same.”

“Except, you won’t lose credibility that way. If you try to take a stand against what the masses believe to be true, you’ll paint yourself as an ‘outsider’. In other words, an enemy.”

“Silence leaves hope for redemption,” Ryan murmured.

Wil nodded. “Yes, it’s the only way to play this for now. Wait for the right time to make a statement, when people will be receptive to it. Because once you’re painted as ‘the other side’, there’s no going back. The best option is to remain neutral. At least then you are still part of the conversation.”

“Except for the fact that they are trying to get rid of us,” Raena muttered. Has he always been this perceptive about political positioning? I thought he hated this stuff! Regardless of her father’s dislike for politics, he did bring up a valid point.

“They have no power to actually unseat you, though. Who else would take your place, really? Play along, and eventually their case will unravel.”

Raena felt a flush in her cheeks. “It goes against everything in my nature to play along with such a farce.”

“What is true and what is right are not always the same thing. We must find a balance we can live with.”

The sage words carried even more weight coming from her father, knowing what he had been through and what kind of awful decisions he’d had to make as a leader. Nonetheless, Raena was surprised to hear him so willing to concede truth in the matter. We fought to free Tarans from the Priesthood’s corrupt messaging. And now it’s okay for others to make up stories? It didn’t sit right.

“Doesn’t VComm have a responsibility to make sure people are getting accurate news?” she asked. “I feel like we should cut into the news broadcasts and shut down the misinformation. The lies.”

Her father raised an eyebrow. “And thereby wield the very power your accusers claim you have? Any action in your own defense will be viewed as confirmation of the claims. Especially if it’s saying what is or is not reliable information.”

Raena crossed her arms. “Well, that’s a frightening thought.”

“It is.”

“No, not that in and of itself.” She paused. “I was running with the thought. In this matter, silence is an option. The best option.”

“Yes.”

“But what if there were to be a situation where we couldn’t afford to remain silent? If inaction would be even worse than doing nothing and taking the beating.”

Wil leaned forward as he seemed to realize where she was going. “Then they would get the ‘confirmation’ they needed in order to get their soundbites proving we’re the enemy. But if we refuse to give them that, then we would be equally lambasted for not helping when we had the power to do so.”

“Yeah.”

“Shite.” Ryan breathed out through his teeth.

“The question is, what kind of scenario could be orchestrated that would meet that criteria?” Raena pondered.

“Any number of the civil unrest situations growing in the Outer Colonies,” Ryan offered.

Raena nodded. “Peaceful protest is well and good, until it turns violent. But that’s the Guard’s responsibility.”

“And who does the Guard report to? The High Council,” Wil continued. “Create a confusing enough situation, the Guard is going to take action, and that action is going to piss off one side or the other.”

Raena caught the lead. “And that will get run up the chain—”

“—until someone breaks a story that the High Council ordered it,” Ryan finished the thought. “And the public consciousness was already primed to trust that source, and have all naysayers be the opposition.”

“Leaving us…” Wil started.

“Completely screwed any way you look at it.” She sighed. “So, what do we do? If the endgame leaves us on the outside and powerless, should we try to take action now?”

“I believe buying time is still better than cutting off our arms and legs right out of the gate,” he replied.

“I agree, but…” Her face contorted, at a loss for words. She could see everything playing out, just the way the case had been presented. The specifics were vague, of course, but the logic tree was all there in plain sight. Take little, seemingly innocuous actions and layer them until a movement took on a life of its own. Whoever was behind it was brilliant. A plan beautiful in its simplicity.

She took a steadying breath. “I won’t give up. We haven’t lost yet. Far from it.”

“Nor will I. Having an inkling of the end game that’s in store for us will go a long way toward heading off