by Amy DuBoff
“I know we do.” Cris gave Wil another brief hug. “Stars! I can’t believe I’m leaving this place.”
“It’s been home for a long time,” Wil agreed.
“But now you’re finally back, and the twins… We were just about to all be together.” He shook his head.
“Hey, don’t talk like that,” Saera said in an upbeat tone. “We’ll come to visit. It won’t be like it was before.”
“I know.” Cris released a slow breath. “I wish I could stay to talk more and say a proper goodbye but things are a mess right now on Tararia and we need to get there as soon as possible.”
“Of course, I understand.” Wil directed his father toward the elevator, recognizing he was floundering in the awkward situation. He hated seeing someone he’d always admired for his poise under pressure now in such a stressed state, especially since it so easily could have been avoided. It wasn’t fair for my grandparents to Leave so suddenly like this. They could have given us some notice.
“We’ll take care of everything here, don’t worry,” Saera said as she fell into step on the other side of Cris. “I’ll be in touch if we have any questions.”
“I know you can handle it,” Cris replied. “It’s me that isn’t ready to go.”
Wil smiled. “There’ll always be a place for you here.”
“I wish I’d listened when he told me to come to Tararia,” Cris murmured. “They’ve been asking me to come for so many years, I dismissed it like always. But this was different. I should have been there.”
“You’ll be there now when it matters most,” Wil said.
“Well, I guess I should finish packing.” Cris shook his head. “I can’t shake the feeling that this is a dream and I’m going to wake up at any moment.”
Wil nodded. “I know what you mean. Me being in command of the TSS again… I didn’t think that’d ever happen.”
“Hey now, you two,” Saera interjected. “That’s enough reality-questioning for one day. We’ll get through this just fine. We still have each other.”
Wil took her hand as they walked toward the elevator. “You’re right. And we always will.”
* * *
As Cris rode the central elevator up to the spaceport with Kate and a travel bag in hand, his heart was heavy with thoughts of all the changes ahead. He was leaving his home and family for the one placed he’d tried to avoid for the entirety of his adult life. Though he now held the power to shape that loathed environment into something more palatable, it was still far from where he wanted to be.
“We’ll make it our own,” Kate commented, not needing to read his mind to know what he was thinking after forty-eight years together.
“I’ll miss this all the same.”
“Me too.”
When they reached the surface of the moon, they strolled down the corridor slowly, pausing at the railing where they’d gazed out at the stars on their first date. Cris took his wife’s hand while they took in the view one last time as Agents.
“I’ll miss this the most,” Kate said. “Stargazing through a planet’s atmosphere just isn’t the same.”
“Especially with the light pollution from Sieten. I guess we’ll have to get used to staring up at a moon.”
Kate smiled. “Or two.”
“And being at the center of civilization as we know it. No longer the outsiders looking in…”
“The revolution we’ve been planning is finally coming.”
“I really did get you talking crazy like me.” Cris grinned at her.
“No, you just enlightened me.”
The sound of voices in the elevator lobby carried down the hall. Cris looked over to see Wil and Saera approaching with the twins.
“You didn’t think you could leave without saying goodbye, did you?” Wil called out.
“You said it yourself, this isn’t goodbye… Just a ‘see you later’,” Cris replied.
Wil shrugged. “Well, all the same—”
Before he could finish, all the elevators in the lobby opened almost simultaneously and three dozen Agents and senior Militia officers poured out, led by Scott, Marsie, Alec, Kari, and all their other friends who’d been a central part of their lives for the past five decades.
Cris’ throat tightened as he looked over the familiar faces. “You didn’t need to see us off like this.”
Scott smiled and walked up to him. “But we wanted to. We’ll miss you, man.”
Cris smiled back. “Don’t you mean ‘my lord’?”
“Whatever,” his friend quipped. “You High Dynasty types are still people just like the rest of us. I guess you aren’t that hard to talk to, after all.”
Cris stepped forward to embrace him. “Take care of yourself.”
“You too. I’d tell you not to cause too much trouble on Tararia, but I know better.”
“Oh, we’re going to cause all the trouble.”
Scott clapped him on the shoulder. “Go get ’em. We’ll be waiting.”
* * *
Wil ran his hand over the edge of the desk in the High Commander’s office, noting the details in the grain of the wood. He’d known the desk for his whole life but had never really studied it. Now it was his, as well as the responsibilities it represented. High Commander of the TSS. That’s going to take some getting used to.
Though technically a demotion from the Supreme Command title he’d held during the war, this new role held more weight in his mind. It wasn’t just a title bestowed upon him during extenuating circumstances but rather a position many had worked toward for their entire career. He would soon be tasked with steering the TSS in a new direction and forging an identity for the organization that would see them through the political trials ahead and into the future.
Also unlike the war, the lives and careers of those he now directed were his family and close friends—not the faceless statistics he’d had the luxury of commanding during the war. His attachment to individuals within the organization gave him a different perspective and he was committed to honoring their best interest.
Everything that’s about to come is for them. I can’t think of myself—not like I did before. This time, though, rather than having Saera driven from him she would be right by his side. Partners in life and in their leadership roles within the TSS, she’d be there to keep him on course and make sure they didn’t lose sight of their goals.
As he sat down in the padded chair behind the desk, he reached out to her telepathically and beckoned her to him. She arrived two minutes later, slowly swinging the door open.
“This is weird…” she commented as she stepped inside. “Are we really the ones in charge here now?” She closed the door behind her.
“I know, right? I keep feeling like I should have some oversight.”
“Yeah, now that I think about it, you’re really bad with administrative duties. The entire time I’ve known you, I’m pretty sure you’ve only filed four reports on time.”
“And I maybe read a quarter of the reports submitted to me.” He laughed. “Yeah, the TSS is pretty screwed.”
“Or this is a chance for us to rethink how things are run—not just in terms of the divisions and training program, but mundane operations, too,” Saera suggested.
He gazed at her. “You are so incredibly brilliant.”
“Stating the obvious is all it takes to be called ‘brilliant’ these days? I’ve been going about this all wrong.” She grinned.
“Come here.” Wil waved her over to him and she leaned against the desk right next to his chair. “I never would have taken this position if you weren’t Lead Agent, you know.”
“We are always at our best when we get to work as a team.” She stroked the side of his face.
He cupped her hand in his. “Yes, we are.”
She looked into his eyes. “Are you okay, Wil? You’ve barely said two words about your grandparents. I know you weren’t close, but…”
“It’s strange,” he admitted, “knowing they aren’t the
re and having my parents taking over that role. Everyone close to me has always been here in Headquarters, for the most part. Being divided will take some adjustment.”
His wife nodded. “I feel bad for them. We promised time with the twins after they came of age but they never got the chance.”
“Raena, though, should spend some serious time on Tararia.”
“It does make the most sense to name her as your heir, doesn’t it?”
“She has the temperament, aptitude, and now a promising partnership. I don’t think Jason would have the patience to put up with the politicking, at least not for years.”
“I agree, Raena has a knack for diplomacy. She could learn a lot from Cris working alongside him.”
Wil nodded. “We could probably have her ready for graduation in four years, then send her to Tararia for her internship.”
“I like it.”
He wrapped his arms around Saera’s waist and she scooched in front of him. “We need to keep each other balanced,” he told her. “Husband and wife in the two most senior positions might get tricky.”
She smiled. “I’m pretty sure we established that Michael will jump in when we start acting stupid.”
“That’s true. We’ll just have to make it clear that he should.”
“I think they’re planning to enroll Corine in Militia next year,” Saera added.
“Good. We’ll need everyone we can get.”
“And in the meantime, we’ll have each other.” Saera leaned down to kiss him.
Their lips parted. “Stars!” Wil exclaimed. “How suspicious are people going to be every time the High Commander and Lead Agent have a private meeting?”
“You’re probably over-thinking it. But since you brought it up, we may as well give them something to be suspicious about.”
“Is that so?” Wil rose to stand in front of her and leaned in for a kiss.
Saera halted. “I wonder how many others have in here…”
Wil pulled back. Like my parents… He grimaced and quickly blocked the notion from his mind.
“Sorry! Nope, forget it. I did not just say or think anything.”
“Already sealed in the vault.” He lay Saera back on the desk. “CACI, suspend all telecommunications. And lock the door.”
CHAPTER 25
Wil gazed around the conference table at the twenty most senior Agents in the TSS. With the formal setting, seated at the head of the table with Saera to his right and Michael to his left, it was the first moment he felt the true weight of his new position as High Commander.
“I know we’re already going through a lot of transitions around here, but with this change in leadership, I’d like to make a few more,” Wil stated.
“Before you go any further,” Irina cut in, “I’d like to tender my resignation.”
The announcement caught Wil completely off-guard. “Pardon?”
“It’s not you, Wil,” she clarified. “This is something I’ve been mulling over for a while now. With all the other changes going on, I think this is the right time for me to step away. I wanted to make the announcement publicly so you couldn’t talk me into staying.”
“Are you sure we can’t persuade you?” Scott asked.
“Retirement is far too appealing,” she replied. “I’ll stay for another month to assist with the transition.”
Wil nodded. “You’ll be missed.” She’s been here my whole life. It won’t be the same without her. “Any other imminent retirement plans?” he questioned the group.
“Was that an open offer?” Ian asked.
“You’re not getting off that easily, Ian. I have plans for you,” Wil smirked.
Ian slumped back in his chair. “Yeah, that figures.”
No one else spoke up. “All right. So, regarding assignments,” Wil continued, “I’d like to try something new with the instructors and division heads. The historical arrangement of making assignments based on Agent class was useful from a command perspective, but I’m not sure that’s the most beneficial setup for students. I’d like to experiment over the next couple of years with having high CR Agents spend more time with the students that have lower estimated potential to see if we can get any lift effect.”
“There is anecdotal data from the original Primus Elite cohort to support that theory,” Irina said.
“Exactly. To that end, Ian, I’d like you to take over as the Division Lead for Sacon, and Ethan, for you to take over Trion,” Wil announced.
Agent Elra, the current lead for Sacon bowed his head. “I welcome the experimentation.”
The Trion lead, Agent Cordan, also inclined his head. “As do I. My aspiration has always been to help our students realize their greatest potential. All I ask is that I remain an instructor.”
“Of course!” Wil hastily added. “We need all the instructors we can get, especially experienced ones held in good esteem by students. Please, don’t take any of these changes in a negative light. My only aim is to see if the regular presence of CR 9 Agents can elevate someone with 7 potential to, say 7.2.”
“If it’s as simple as that, we can all feel foolish for not trying it sooner,” Elra stated.
Wil shrugged. “The old priorities were not what they are now. My intent is to find the best way forward.”
“You have my support,” Cordan said.
There were murmurs of agreement from around the table.
“In addition to new instructor assignments,” Wil continued, “Michael will step in as the lead trainer for the new Primus Elite cohort. I’d intended to lead it, myself, but my new position won’t afford the required time. However, I’d like all of us to take an active role in the training of every student. The more of our knowledge we can pass on, the more well-rounded our graduates will be.”
Wil dove into the minutia for the remaining assignments and was relieved to find that the other Agents all seemed supportive of the changes. With such an exceptional team supporting him, High Commander might be his easiest assignment yet.
As soon as the meeting adjourned, Michael pulled him off to the side of the hall.
“I just received word that the last of the Primus Elite Trainees has arrived,” his friend said. “Could I convince you to give an impromptu welcome speech to start things off right?”
“Now?”
Michael grinned. “Isn’t a sudden and unexpected announcement the way of things in the Elites?”
Wil laughed. “You have a point.”
Michael led Wil to a classroom on Level 2 that was serving as a staging area for the new arrivals. When they entered, Wil immediately saw Raena, Jason, and Ryan in the front row of the tiered seating along with the seventeen other new Trainees.
A couple of the students inhaled sharply when they spotted Wil.
My reputation still precedes me. He smiled up at the twenty young men and women. “Your formal induction into the TSS isn’t until tomorrow, but I wanted to be among the first to greet you. I am High Commander Wil Sietinen. Though my primary role is running this organization, I hope to also take an active role in your training.
“I’ll be perfectly upfront with you,” Wil continued, “because that’s how it’s always been with the Primus Elite group. You have been identified as the best and brightest, so I will hold you to a higher standard.
“TSS central command is now an old club of friends. That makes it like pretty much any other organization out there, and that means you either need to play nice with the club or you’ll find yourself in an uncomfortable place on the outside. You’re in luck, though, because the Primus Elite group is my pet project—and my own children are a part of it. You’ll get favoritism—no sense denying it—but in return I expect your unwavering loyalty and following of directions.”
A young man Wil recognized as Hank Guilin, the heir to one of the lower Dynasties in the Second Region, raised his hand.
“Yes, Hank?”
“Why be so open about your bias?” the youth asked, his dark green eyes narrowed.
“That doesn’t seem like a great way to gain followers.”
“So it’s better for me to be dishonest with you? No, this only works if we’re transparent with each other,” Wil replied. “This group will hone the skills I know to be critical for effective leaders. I want you to challenge yourselves and each other to establish a firm ethical and moral foundation that will guide you for your careers. You will be the model of future student generations to come and will help transition the TSS into its new role.”
“And what’s that role?” a young woman named Samantha asked.
Wil smiled. “A new compass for the Taran civilization.”
Hank’s eyes shifted to the faces around the room. “That’s the role the Priesthood plays…”
“That’s what they’re supposed to do, anyway,” Wil told him. “Should they falter, another entity needs to be ready to step in to prevent complete chaos.”
In the front row, Raena smirked and flashed a knowing look to Ryan and her brother.
“To guide you through your studies,” Wil went on, “your primary trainer will be Michael Andres. He’s one of my best friends and was also my second-in-command for many of my most critical moments as a leader. If anyone can teach you how to become respectable authority figures, it’s him.”
Wil gazed around the room. “But I’ll be there, too. As will many of the other senior officers. One person cannot turn out a group of well-rounded students; it takes input from many people. I would be nowhere the person I am today without the guidance of multiple perspectives. Together, we will try to prepare you for anything because we honestly have no idea exactly what we’ll face.”
Michael stepped up and clapped Wil on the shoulder. “Wil taught me everything I know and I am honored to be able to pass that knowledge on to you.”
“And to begin that journey,” Wil continued, “you need to set aside whoever you were on the outside. You represent all Taran citizens and will respect everyone for their unique position in our society. That is our guiding tenet. We come from different places but together we can make a bright, new future. Get to know and trust each other—these are relationships that will last a lifetime. Today, you begin training to be Agents of the TSS.”