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

“I’ve always liked that idea. The connections we feel to others, to our home. In the most tangible sense, our bond.”

“Exactly. But there’s also the flip side. When actions take the distribution of aesen out of alignment the universe finds ways to self-correct.”

“Like the way you dealt with the Bakzen.”

He couldn’t help wincing slightly at the mention of their name. “In a way, but that still came down to the actions of individual people. I choose to believe in freewill, that I made a conscious choice to fulfill my role, because I understood the consequences if I didn’t. But that’s not to say that our actions aren’t, in some way, influenced by forces beyond our understanding. Perhaps each choice that seems like freewill is the product of some greater cosmic scheme, where our decisions are swayed based on what’s needed in any given moment to maintain the alignment of aesen.”

“For everything good, there’s bad. For everything created, something is destroyed.”

“Maintaining neutrality. Balance.”

“And these beings that can control the aesen themselves? Then what are they?” she asked.

“Maybe the cosmic overseers—the last line of defense if the normal checks and balances don’t succeed.”

“What does that say about us if they have determined we should be eliminated?”

“One of two things: either we must become better, because we have failed; or they are acting purely in their own self-interest. Just because someone has authority, it doesn’t mean they will wield it in the right way. You know the adage about absolute power.”

“What if coming after us actually makes things worse?”

He shrugged. “That is the question, isn’t it? In either case, we need to do everything we can to survive.”

CHAPTER 15

Wil sat alone in his office in the morning, running through the most likely scenarios for how the coming weeks and months would play out. Too many variables prevented an accurate prediction, but one thing was clear: no matter what happened, the Empire would be better off if the TSS and Guard were working together.

The rivalry between the two organizations went back as far as anyone could remember. The Guard was, without question, older—tracing back to when the Taran Empire was confined to a handful of settlements across the territory now known as the Central Worlds. The police force and military had no doubt been separate at one point, but the Guard and its Enforcers had become a joint symbol of Taran law and order.

Meanwhile, the TSS had spent much of its existence on the fringes of society. The Priesthood had formed the TSS only a few hundred years prior in order to train Gifted soldiers—a necessity upon realizing the danger the Bakzen posed. But, with such abilities outlawed among civilians, those in the TSS were equal parts awe-inspiring and pariahs. They set up the TSS in old structures previously occupied by the members of the Priesthood who broke off and became the Aesir. It was no wonder so many people viewed the TSS and its Agents with apprehension. Wonder, fascination, respect, too—but there was also fear there, knowing the power they wielded.

Only within the past few years, following the Priesthood’s fall, had such abilities been legalized for common use, as they had been before the Priesthood’s meddling. However, changing the public consciousness took more time than rewriting the law. Many people grew up learning that Gifts should be hidden and ignored. It didn’t matter how open a handful of Dynasties were with their abilities; many civilians would continue to denounce those with Gifts, no matter what. Only time and patience would heal the divide.

As a result, the Guard was viewed as trusted protectors while the TSS remained a strange quasi-military-but-also-academic institution. Their strengths were complementary, and each held value. Yet, it was still too soon after the broadcasted images of TSS ships facing off against the Guard during the final fight to bring down the Priesthood; people weren’t ready to fully move past their differences.

But if we don’t, this fight is already lost. Wil felt it in his core. I have to try.

The best way to work toward unity was by reaching out. He briefly considered running the idea by the other senior Agents but decided that there wasn’t anything worth discussing. It was the most sensible action—and it was prudent to confirm that the Guard was willing to play nice before anyone else was brought into the conversation.

He’d only spoken with the Tararian Guard’s leader, Admiral Jakob Mathaen, on a handful of occasions over the years. Their last exchange had been professional but curt when the TSS had been asked to lend a hand in dealing with an incursion in a remote Outer Colonies system. Hopefully, the successful outcome of the joint operation had established a measure of goodwill.

Wil called Admiral Mathaen’s personal handheld, not wanting to have to explain himself to an administrative assistant.

The TSS logo swirled on the main viewscreen while Wil waited for the vidcall to connect. No doubt, the admiral was cursing under his breath while he tried to figure out why the TSS High Commander might be calling.

After nearly a minute, the image on the screen resolved into a hardened older man with squared jaw, close-cropped graying hair, and dark eyes that were pinched in intense focus. “High Commander Sietinen, what can I do for you?”

“Hello, Admiral. It’s past time we have a frank conversation, one-on-one, leader-to-leader. Are you somewhere private where you can speak freely?”

The admiral inclined his head slightly. “I’m listening.”

“I’m sure you’ve already been informed about the destruction of the Alkeer base.”

“Yes. My condolences.” His deep voice held genuine sympathy; a good sign there was a heart beneath the gruff exterior.

“Especially now that the unrest in the Outer Colonies has escalated, my intention is to minimize future Taran loss of life. It goes without