Bonds of Resolve (Cadicle #3): An Epic Space Opera Series

by Amy DuBoff

  “It’s going to be hard for us to be together, but I love you so much. Whatever the future holds, I can face it knowing that I’ll have you by my side.”

  A happy tingle warmed Saera to her core. “I love you, too.”

  CHAPTER 25

  Haersen admired himself in the reflection on the polished steel wall outside Tek’s office. It was next to impossible to find a proper mirror in any of the Bakzen facilities, to his irritation. Being hairless, there was no need to shave or style hair—two of the most practical purposes for a mirror. And, as clones, there was little individuality to notice in a reflection that a glance at a comrade couldn’t provide. But Haersen, on the other hand, wanted to watch his transformation.

  The gene therapy began soon after his reunion with Tek. It was something of an experiment, but thus far the results were positive. In only four months, he felt stronger, tougher. There were few external changes yet, but they were coming. In time, he would become one of the Bakzen if the experiment was successful. Though only a test, it would mean a chance for the Bakzen to expand their ranks in a way they never imagined.

  Transforming the Taran population was a lofty goal. The neurotoxin administered to survivors of the Bakzen’s planetary invasions over the last two years was a first step to prime the bodies. Whatever treatment the Taran doctors thought they were giving to those affected only treated the symptoms of the side effects, not the root cause. The neurotoxin opened up the subjects’ minds, making them susceptible to suggestion for easy telepathic networking. The Tarans would go about their lives, not realizing there was any change. Then, once activated by telepathic command, those Taran bystanders would be turned into effective Bakzen drones.

  It was a start, but Tarans were physically weak and frail compared to a Bakzen soldier. The experiment with Haersen offered a more advanced alternative transformation. If he could be made into a more effective physical vessel, his telekinetic ability could flourish.

  Taking a kernel of potential and nurturing it into fully developed abilities was the real dream—a race of ideal beings, always refining and growing stronger. Though that future was quite a leap from Haersen’s type of transformation, he was excited to be a test case for how far he could evolve. Gaining greater ability was his sole aspiration—never again did he want to feel a wall, to be limited by how much power he could draw into himself.

  Still, those limits remained his reality. It would take time, and he would have to be patient.

  Haersen shifted on his feet, anxious to meet with General Tek. He was told ahead of time that the General had some kind of update to share—hopefully evidence of some move against the TSS.

  Another five minutes passed with no sign of the general. Then, the door swung open.

  Tek stepped out into the hall. “Good, you’re here. I want to show you something.”

  Haersen came to attention. “Yes, sir.”

  Tek led him down the hall to the transport hub for the central command facility. The network of high-speed maglev transports connected the core operations for the Bakzen world. The military presence was the most prominent on the planet, followed by the bioengineering operations. Strictly administrative proceedings, under the Imperial Director, took only a fraction of the society’s resources. The Imperial Director was a figurehead rather than anyone who yielded true power—an individual to unify the disparate aspects of Bakzen society. In actuality, the commanding general—the position Tek had claimed for himself—held the true power. But, Haersen suspected that Tek had his eye on making the military command and Imperial Directorship one in the same.

  The transport hub consisted of maglev tracks crossing over each other at different levels, with a boarding platform at each level along a broad column at the central intersection. Some of the train lines terminated at the station, while others continued on after a brief stopover. Most of the maglev tracks supported small cars suitable for six individuals to travel together, but three larger tracks carried trains capable of transporting hundreds at a time. The trains ran infrequently during most of the day, reserved for accommodating mass movements related to shift changes. The smaller cars, conversely, were always on the move.

  Haersen and Tek stepped into one of the cars on the track headed toward the central bioengineering operations.

  The bioengineering facility was a familiar location for Haersen. He had made the trek dozens of times over recent months for his gene therapy, though he had just received a treatment and wasn’t due for another until the following week. He gave Tek a questioning glance as they sat down on the plastic bench seats to either side of the car.

  “No, this isn’t for you.” Tek said. “There’s something else for you to see.”

  Haersen nodded, knowing better than to press the issue. Tek would reveal what he wanted on his own schedule.

  The car detached from the docking platform and descended along the sloping maglev track. The track reached ground-level at the edge of the enclosed hub structure, where the car exited through an archway.

  Haersen stared out of the transparent top dome of the car at the parched landscape of the Bakzen world. The surface suffered extreme temperature variations throughout the day and night, so only the most hardy vegetation survived. Most of the landscape was covered in a mixture of grainy sand and worn boulders, interspersed with scrubby brush and occasional rock outcroppings. Rock bluffs broke up the horizon, standing out as russet monoliths against the gray sky.

  At the base of the red rock towers, Bakzen laborers lived in camps outside underground mines. The settlements were only a faint spec to Haersen as the transport car sped by, but a plume of smoke rose from the mine regardless of what time he passed. There was a never-ending need for metal ores to support the Bakzen’s fleet and developing infrastructure. The planet’s rich concentration of iron and chromium yielded much of the required supplies to support the Bakzen throughout their occupied worlds.

  The maglev track carved a straight path across the open plain between the central command base and main bioengineering facility. At the outskirts of the destination, low buildings dotted the landscape. Each building contained the maturation tanks for Bakzen soldiers and laborers, a hundred in each.

  Haersen had been shocked the first time he saw inside the maturation buildings—the growing bodies twitching in their chambers, tubes feeding their bodies with nutrients. It seemed like such an unnatural way for life to begin. However, the longer he reflected on it, he realized it was simply efficient. The Bakzen came into the world a fully formed physical vessel ready for cognitive imprinting with everything they would need to fulfill their function: rudimentary language, understanding of applicable technologies, and the willingness to self-sacrifice for the greater Bakzen good. Though new clones were always being produced, the resource investment in maturation and training was significant enough to warrant salvaging a clone whenever possible. It was important for all members of the society to remain functional and whole, but in Bakzen fashion, differentiating scars were always left as evidence of restorative procedures.

  The track led into the heart of the main bioengineering facility, inclining to the third story of the seven above-ground levels. Like most of the structures on the Bakzen world, the building was constructed of poured concrete and metal fittings. Very few widows broke up the walls, since the Bakzen placed little value on having a view. Any openings were purely functional, for lighting or access.

  The car came to rest next to a platform that curved around the center of a four-story atrium topped in translucent glass. Haersen and Tek exited the car as it looped around the platform on its way to the return line.

  “We’ve been working on a new project,” Tek said as they crossed the atrium.

  “What?” Haersen asked.

  “A solution to one of our greatest issues.”

  Haersen followed Tek across the polished concrete floor to an elevator at the back of the atrium. The glossy floor was the most decorative aspect of the building, a striking contras
t to the rough concrete walls rising above. Translucent windows on the upper floors lined the atrium, bringing natural light to the inner rooms of the building.

  On the touch-panel next to the elevator, Tek selected a destination in the basement of the facility. He swiped his wrist along the panel for authorization.

  Haersen looked at the selection with interest. He had never been to parts of the building below the planet’s surface. Most of the upper levels housed medical facilities to treat lost limbs or other serious injuries the soldiers and laborers sustained, but the purpose of the lower levels was unknown.

  They entered the elevator, and it descended into the depths. Several seconds passed in silence.

  When the doors opened, Haersen was surprised to see a natural stone corridor approximately three meters wide. It looked like the tunnel had been bored directly through the bedrock. The walls were slightly damp, and water dripped into a narrow channel carved on either side of the corridor. A cool breeze ruffled his hair.

  “What is this place?” he asked Tek.

  “Our most secure research area,” the general replied. “I think you’ll appreciate the latest development.”

  Tek led the way through the dank tunnel. A row of lights along the ceiling illuminated the passage in an orange glow. Metal doors were inset along the walls at irregular intervals.

  Haersen eyed the doors. Anything could be in there.

  The tunnel branched twice along their route. Both times, Tek headed to the left. Twenty meters after the second branch, the corridor terminated in a metal door identical to the others they had passed.

  Tek activated a panel next to the door with a swipe of his wrist, and the door shot into the ceiling.

  Inside, overhead lights illuminated rows upon rows of maturation tanks. The clones were still only infants, fed by a single tube to their gut. Neurosensors monitored their cognitive development, displayed on panels next to each tank.

  Haersen looked on with astonishment. The clones were so tiny and helpless. All the others he had seen were close to maturity, but these—something was different about them. He stepped toward the tank closest to the door. Upon closer examination, he noticed that there was a fine hair growing on the infant’s head. He looked to Tek for an explanation.

  “These are the next stage of Bakzen evolution,” Tek stated. “We took some marrow from the Primus Elite. What we learned in the analysis of his genetic profile was quite interesting.”

  Haersen swallowed. “I didn’t know you did that.”

  “Why wouldn’t we? He’s supposed to be so special, after all.”

  “So what did you find out about him?” Haersen asked.

  Tek watched the infant squirm in its tank. “He had a genetic marker we’ve never seen before. A mutation of sorts. It’s on the segment of code that normally denotes the limit for telekinetic strength.”

  Haersen’s breath caught. “He doesn’t have a natural inhibitor?”

  Tek shook his head. “Not in the traditional sense. While the rest of us hit a barrier eventually, it appears he could keep focusing the energy until he burned himself up.”

  Maybe the Primus Elite really was special after all. Haersen looked at the tanks. “So what are these?”

  Tek smirked. “Hybrids. Soldiers without the inhibitor.”

  “What will you do with them?”

  “They’ll make the perfect instrument for completing the rift.”

  “But I thought the pathways are almost complete?” Haersen said. “It has to be years before these will be mature.”

  “Eight years, to be precise,” Tek clarified. “But they aren’t for the pathways. They’re to widen the rift across the entire galaxy.”

  “Why? The rift is a place to hide and move covertly. What would you—”

  “The rift is our home!” Tek interrupted. “We can’t feel complete without touching the two planes. Normal space… it’s so confining.”

  Haersen nodded. He had only spent a little time in the rift, but he knew what the general meant. The energy was intoxicating. “An entire galaxy… tailored just for you.”

  Tek laughed. “Oh, this galaxy is just the beginning.”

  CHAPTER 26

  Wil took a deep breath. It’s just the Course Rank Exam. Everyone takes it. The knowledge did nothing to settle his nerves.

  The testing facility was suspended below Level 11. Its sole purpose was to test Agents-to-be to the limits of their abilities. Wil had watched exams in the past, but it was very different being inside the chamber.

  He looked up at the window to the observation room. His parents and Banks were watching, along with half a dozen other senior Agents. Their faces were drawn and serious.

  Everyone has been waiting for this. It’s finally time to see what I can do uninhibited.

  “We’ll begin whenever you’re ready,” Banks said over the intercom.

  Wil took a deep breath. “Ready.”

  “Good luck.” The intercom disconnected.

  Wil poised himself to act. This part is easy. Just focus.

  Holographic opponents illuminated all around him. The goal was to dispatch as many as possible within one minute, and any extra time would be added to the score.

  Wil centered his mind and generated a spatial distortion. Within it, time appeared to stand still. He flipped and kicked his way through the first wave of a dozen opponents within the distortion. Each image shattered as he dealt a blow. As the last one dissolved, he returned to a normal state. Only a fraction of a second had passed.

  The next wave of opponents appeared—twenty. Wil restored the spatial distortion and swept through the wave, twisting and tumbling to strike each as quickly and efficiently as possible.

  He dispatched wave after wave in the same manner, each wave gone in the blink of an eye to the observers watching from above.

  After seven seconds in real-time, the waves suddenly ceased.

  Wil looked at the clock counting the remaining seconds in the exam, seeing how little time had passed. “Why did you stop?”

  “That was one-thousand opponents. The system is only programmed to send that many,” Banks said over the intercom. “You have fifteen minutes to rest until the next stage.”

  Wil nodded. Maxing out the test already. What’s next?

  * * *

  Banks looked to Cris and Kate. “I’m concerned about how the rest of the examination is going to go.”

  “We don’t have to proceed,” Cris said. “I checked the rulebook. Senior officers can assign a suitable rank if it’s deemed the traditional CR exam will not yield an accurate rank assessment.”

  “No, we need to see it through.” Too many are awaiting the results. We need to know how strong he really is… to see if it will be enough.

  Kate took Cris’ hand. “What good will it do anyone if he hurts himself?”

  “Better to know a limit now than to find out when he’s in a battle,” Banks replied. “He’s taking the test for the same reason as anyone else.”

  Cris looked down at Wil pacing in a circle around the testing chamber. “Can this facility even withstand that magnitude?”

  “The sphere will bear the brunt. It will be fine,” Banks assured him. At least, it should.

  “I’ll intervene if I have to,” Cris said.

  “I wouldn’t expect anything else.” Banks let out a slow breath.

  At the bottom of the testing chamber, Wil was waving his arms. Banks activated the intercom, “Is everything okay?”

  “I was just wondering if I have to wait fifteen minutes between the stages. I’m ready for the next whenever you are,” Wil said.

  “All right. We’ll proceed shortly,” Banks replied. Today is going to be a wild ride.

  * * *

  Wil made a couple more impatient laps around the room before the low tone sounded, indicating that the testing was about to resume. The next stage of the test would be the easiest of them all for him, and he was anxious to get it out of the way.

&nb
sp; Holographic targets appeared around the room—red boxes suspended at varying heights, some in groups and others standalone. Blue boxes were intermingled with the red. The objective was to destroy all of the red with a telekinetic blast as quickly as possible without hitting any of the blue. It was a more complex version of the training exercises any TSS trainee did early on in telekinesis practice.

  Wil shot a telekinetic spire toward the first dozen red boxes. Each shattered and disappeared as it was struck. Then, the boxes started to move around the room, slowly at first, but gaining velocity as the test progressed. Soon, there was no direct line of sight between Wil’s position and the red boxes.

  Wil smiled to himself. This is where it gets fun. He queued in on the red boxes and started weaving the telekinetic spires through the tangle of blue cubes, sending four at a time like heat-seeking missiles locked onto a target. Early on, he’d discovered that others had difficulty with attacks that broke line of sight, but it had always felt natural to him—each spire an extension of himself.

  The one-hundred red targets shattered four at a time, and all were gone in a matter of fifteen seconds.

  He looked up at the observation room. “Next.”

  “Hold on,” Banks said over the intercom.

  Wil crossed his arms and waited. There were two more stages until he would face the testing sphere. Everything before that was procedural filler. The question on everyone’s mind was not if he would break the elusive Course Rank of 10, but by how much.

  He waited two minutes before the tone sounded again.

  The lights abruptly cut out, leaving Wil in complete blackness. He took slow, steady breaths. Even though he already couldn’t see anything, he closed his eyes. The third stage focused on spatial awareness. Any moment, his perception would be put to the test.

  An energy pulse drew his attention to his left side. It was the starting point to an invisible maze. He walked through the darkness, sensing the exact location. Once standing at the center of the energy pulse, he stuck his arms straight out in front of himself. Tendrils wound around his forearms, fusing artificial wings to his limbs. The material was lightweight and made it easy for him to maneuver, but he needed to concentrate to make the new wings truly part of himself.