by Amy DuBoff
Exhales of surprise sounded around the room.
“About foking time!” Scott declared.
Wil smiled. “I agree with you there. But, the Priesthood isn’t going quietly. We knew they wouldn’t. That’s why we’ve been preparing and that’s why the TSS needs to step up. Our abilities grant us the means to offer policing without the use of weapons that may harm the innocents.
“Our job is to keep this situation from escalating further. We’ll help escort the Priesthood out and put temporary management in place to ease the transition.
“As of right now, the Tararian Guard is still under the Priesthood’s influence. They are not our enemy, but they aren’t friends, either. We will use our specialist teams to assess and control our opponents and adjust our strategies, as appropriate.”
Wil paused to look around the room at the faces of his old friends. The expressions were a mixture of worry and excitement, but all of them had commitment in their eyes. They trust me to see us through this. I have to deliver.
He placed his hands on the tabletop. “Many of us have been into battle together before. We came out victorious then, and we will again now. The coming hours will test us, but stay true to yourselves and each other and we’ll come out on top.”
The other Agents smiled back at him.
“I’ve been itching for a good challenge,” Ethan said.
Wil smiled back. “In that case, all your assignments have been transmitted. I’ll make the all-staff announcement. Let’s finish this.”
* * *
The TSS Conquest was the last ship Jason expected to get for his first command, but it was the only vessel capable of supporting his mission in the rift.
He sat in a pedestal chair at the center of the round Command Center. Though four similar chairs surrounded him, all were empty. Only a single officer, Rianne, was with him in the room. She had served on the Conquest during the war, and Wil had trusted no other to accompany Jason.
“Looks like the rest of the TSS is mobilizing,” Rianne commented as she monitored subspace communications from her console at the front right of the room.
“CACI, bring up a map of current TSS fleet positions,” Jason instructed the ship’s computer.
The spherical viewscreen wrapping the ceiling and transparent floor transitioned from a representation of the echoed starscape surrounding them into a high-level map of the Taran empire, accounting for approximately a quarter of the galaxy. Even after five years with the TSS, Jason was still in awe every time he saw the civilization depicted in those terms. Crazier was the notion that his family controlled so much of that empire. Being a TSS officer was enough responsibility, as far as he was concerned—Raena could do her thing on Tararia.
Jason studied the map around him, identifying TSS outposts represented by green icons and offensive vessels indicated by blue dots. Red dots representing the Tararian Guard ships dotted the map in far greater quantity than the TSS.
Based on his review of records from the Bakzen War, Jason knew the TSS fleet was a fraction of its former size. However, the task at hand was not battle, but rather to function as a police presence to keep anything from getting out of hand. If it came down to a firefight between the Tararian Guard and the TSS, there’d be bigger problems than just fleet numbers.
In addition to those already stationed at outposts, TSS offensive vessels were en route to the thirty foremost Taran worlds. The move was precautionary, in the event the Priesthood did have a neurotoxin in their game plan that might pose a threat to the civilian population. The teams of TSS Agents who’d trained for the last four years in suppression techniques and the use of technological aids would hopefully be able to keep the situation under control, but any incident on a planetary scale would likely be too much for the specialist teams to handle. If that neurotoxin extended to control of the Tararian Guard fleet, the TSS would be out of luck.
Jason gulped. We need the Aesir. But will they show up?
He couldn’t allow himself to be distracted by what might happen on the other worlds, though. His task was to protect the spatial tear within the rift. The Priesthood would undoubtedly come to claim it, and only Jason and his skeleton crew on the Conquest stood in their path.
“The fleet is stretched so thin,” Rianne commented while examining the map on the viewscreen. “No wonder we’re here on our own.”
“Not a lot of ships to spare, for sure,” Jason agreed. “But, if it comes down to us against enemy forces, it’ll be better if no one friendly is nearby.”
Rianne nodded somberly. “Been through that before.” She paused, turning around to look at Jason. “Your dad didn’t do it alone, though.”
Jason swallowed. “His officers had pulled back by the end, but that doesn’t matter. I won’t need to focus that much. If it comes down to me needing to do something similar, ships will be a whole lot easier to take out than a planet.”
The Militia officer turned back around in her chair. “Right.”
“I don’t want it to come to that.”
She glanced back over her shoulder. “I know.”
They waited in silence, watching the TSS fleet move into position. Groups of the blue TSS dots paired with the red of the Tararian Guard. As movements ceased, there was no doubt the TSS was greatly outnumbered. Even with superior firepower at individual ship levels, they wouldn’t last long if it came to blows.
Jason slumped in his chair. Let’s hope we can wait it out here in peace.
“We have incoming!” Rianne exclaimed.
So much for that idea! Jason straightened to attention. He waved his hand to minimize the map on the viewscreen, returning the view to their immediate surroundings.
A cruiser, three warships, a dozen destroyers, and two carriers dropped out of subspace around the Conquest.
Well, shit. Jason frowned. “Does that seem a little overkill for taking on one ship?”
“Clearly, they haven’t underestimated you.”
He cracked a cocky smile. “I’m not so sure about that.”
Rianne tensed in her seat. “Incoming communication from the flagship.”
“On screen.” Jason turned his attention to the front of the domed viewscreen.
The view of the rift surrounding the dome dissipated in the front center, replaced by the image of the Tararian Guard cruiser’s Command Center and a very stern-looking middle-aged man who appeared to be none too happy with his present assignment.
“I’m General Allen Lucian of the Tararian Guard, acting on direct orders of the Priesthood. Stand down at once.”
Jason evaluated the man. “You do realize, General Lucian, that as of 09:26 this morning, the Priesthood is no longer a recognized authority.”
“I swore my allegiance to the Priesthood, and I will carry out my duty.”
“Yeah, about that…” Jason leaned forward in his chair. “See, we figured you’d say something to that effect, so we looked at the specific wording of those oaths. Turns out that you actually swore allegiance to serve the Taran people. Since the Priesthood is, you know,” Jason swiped his hand across his neck in a cutting motion, “it’s kinda now treason to keep doing things in their name.”
The general stared at him with shock and confusion. “Who are you?”
“Oh, right. Sorry I left out the introduction there. I’m Jason Sietinen. You may know my dad, Wil. This is the ship he used to blow up the Bakzen homeworld.”
General Lucian stood his ground, but the staff behind him in the Command Center visibly shrank into their chairs.
“Sir, maybe we should—” a woman next to the general whispered.
General Lucian ignored her and glared at Jason “You have no authority to be here.” The woman took a step back, staring at the floor.
Super charismatic leader, this one. “Yeah, I’m gonna have to disagree with that assessment,” Jason replied. “I suggest you take your little fleet and leave. The rift is in TSS jurisdiction.”
Rianne muted the comm channel. “
Their weapons systems just activated. I’m not sure how many direct hits we could take. Is this a fight we can win?”
“Not without blowing up their ships,” Jason replied in her mind without taking his level gaze off the viewscreen. “The point is to limit loss of life.”
“You’re provoking them,” Rianne muttered.
“They won’t fire on a Sietinen heir… I don’t think.”
Rianne sighed and unmuted the comm channel.
Jason smiled at General Lucian. “So, why don’t you just head on back to Tararia, or wherever.”
“I’m afraid that’s impossible,” the general replied. “I must insist you stand down now or we’ll need to use force.”
“Really? That’s a shame.”
General Lucian shook his head. “Are you actually in charge here? You’re a kid.”
“I’m twenty-one, so technically I’m not really a ‘kid’ anymore,” Jason said. “In fact, I’m actually a TSS Agent. And a dynastic heir. So… even if I were a kid, I’d at least be an important kid. I really don’t think you want to attack my ship.”
“Listing off your titles won’t keep me from completing my mission,” General Lucian insisted. “We—”
The comm channel muted on the other end.
“Difference of opinions?” Jason speculated to Rianne.
“Maybe, but you should probably be aware that their weapons are now fully charged,” she replied after muting their own mics.
“Well, that’s just fantastic.”
* * *
Cris was pulled back to the present by Marina waving a hand in front of his face.
“Cris, you with me?” she said, her tone pitched with urgency.
He nodded. “Right, sorry. The Guard fleet…”
“They’ve mobilized on all the major Taran worlds and all their docks have been emptied. If we can’t get through to leadership, it looks like they’re prepared to carry out the Priesthood’s orders even if it means attacking their own.”
“And the TSS?” Cris questioned.
“Almost in position, as well. We should have the full complement in orbit of Tararia within ten minutes. But you know the numbers…”
Cris drew a slow breath. “Their backup is better than not having it, even if their presence in and of itself won’t be much of a deterrent.”
Marina crossed her arms. “Do you think this will turn into a firefight?”
“Well, this wouldn’t be the first civil war the Guard has fought,” Cris muttered. He leaned against the wall outside the conference room where the High Dynasty assembly had recently adjourned. “We need to let Wil focus on the other worlds. Our immediate concern is what’s happening right outside our window.”
“Oh, this is very, very bad!” Raena shouted as she ran up to him from down the hall. “A destroyer is in geosynchronous orbit right above us.”
“There’s what?” Cris exclaimed, coming to full attention. “They wouldn’t possibly…” What am I saying? Of course the Priesthood would issue that kind of order. He groaned. “Well, shite! What can we do about that?”
Raena frowned. “How good is that shield around the estate?”
Cris tossed up his hands. “Will it hold up to an orbital bombardment? Maybe. But the deflected weapons fire would completely vaporize the city.”
“So, weathering the storm is a no-go,” Raena concluded.
“Not if we want to have anything left of our home when this is over.” Cris ran a hand through his hair. “Wait, where’s Kate?”
“Talking to Kaiden, I think,” Marina replied. “Things over in the First Region are looking a bit grim, as well.”
“And Ryan?” Cris asked.
“Adding his seal to all the orders regarding the Priesthood’s dissolution,” Raena replied. “Why?”
“We need to divert that ship,” Cris stated.
Raena eyed him. “That’d be great, but how?”
“Between the four of us, I think we could send a powerful enough telekinetic beam to make them move away,” Cris suggested. “It wouldn’t buy a lot of time, but I’ll take however many minutes we can get until the TSS arrives.”
“Yes, that could definitely work.” Raena perked up momentarily, then drooped. “Except, we’d have to drop the shield to launch the assault.”
“Even better—it’ll look like we’re cooperating,” Cris said.
“I guess it’s really the only play we have right now. Let’s get outside,” she agreed.
“I’ll hold down the administrative center,” Marina told Cris. “Good luck.”
“We’ll do our best.” He flashed a smile, but doubt was creeping in. This has already turned so much more violent than I ever anticipated. Was this the right move for us to make?
Cris and Raena dashed toward the gardens of the Sietinen estate, sending telepathic messages to their respective partners about where to meet.
“I now understand where my dad and Jason get their crazy streak from,” Raena commented as they ran.
“Me? I’m subdued and practical,” Cris replied.
“Tell that to the crew of the destroyer we’re about to knock out of orbit.”
Cris smirked. “Okay, maybe ‘subdued’ isn’t the right word. But practicality does apply.”
They reached an empty spaceport Cris had identified as the rendezvous point. At four hundred meters away from the manor, their telekinetic exertion shouldn’t cause any damage to the structure.
Coming down the path, Cris spotted Kate and Ryan running to join them.
“It figures that the one day I wear heels, I end up sprinting around the estate,” Kate grumbled once she was within earshot.
“Ah, I miss my TSS uniform…” Cris lamented while staring up into the sky, attempting to identify the exact location of the destroyer. The craft would be invisible to the naked eye, but his telekinetic senses would allow him to home in on its signature with a little focus.
His initial search was ineffective. However, Kate picked up on his goal and assisted.
“I think I feel it,” Kate said after several seconds. “Right up there.” She pointed.
Raena and Ryan joined in the telekinetic assessment.
“That’s definitely it,” Raena agreed. “Those things look big up close, but that’s a tiny target from this distance.”
“So are we.” Cris took a slow breath. “Marina,” he relayed telepathically to the other side of the manor, “we’re in position. Drop the shield.”
A moment later, a shimmer passed along the boundary of the massive dome that had provided transparent protection for the estate.
Cris nodded to his family. “Follow my lead.”
The four of them linked their minds in preparation for the assault. It had been years since any of them had performed a significant telekinetic feat, and Cris sensed a shared elation as they each drew energy into themselves. Unbridled power coursed through Cris, waiting to be unleashed.
When he could hold no more in himself, he focused the energy into a beam, targeting the signature of the destroyer in orbit above them.
Beams from the others joined in, blending into a single ray of pure energy. They fed the beam as it shot upward toward the ship, true to its course.
Cris winced as the beam hit its mark and was partially absorbed by the shields. He sent one final burst of energy, enough to knock the ship from its fixed location. A flash was just barely visible in the daytime sky as the craft’s shield lit up to protect the hull from the force of the blast as it careened out of orbit.
Raena let out a relieved laugh. “That actually worked!”
“Wow…” Ryan breathed.
“Well, I bet that royally pissed them off,” Kate said.
Cris smiled. “Indeed. That was surprisingly satisfying.”
“Better get that shield back up,” Raena advised.
“Right.” Cris sent the requisite message to Marina and took a deep breath. “The TSS fleet should be in position any moment. We’ll either be safe, or
things are about to get a whole lot worse.”
* * *
Wil studied the fleet positions on the holoprojector in the Primary Communications room of TSS Headquarters.
A broad viewscreen spanned half of the back wall, and consoles filled with Militia and Agent tactical personnel wrapped around the sides. Two curved consoles occupied the center of the room, leaving a clear pathway to a table with a holographic display of fleet positions beneath the main viewscreen.
The room was abuzz with support personnel coordinating logistics and optimizing fleet distribution in response to the Tararian Guard’s shifting movements.
Accompanied by Saera, Michael, and a handful of his other most trusted TSS friends, the scene was too eerily similar to the Bakzen War for Wil’s liking. Except rather than a sworn enemy, these are our own people ready to fight us.
The conflict would hopefully diffuse on its own accord once everyone learned of the Priesthood’s treachery and removal from power, but that information took time to disseminate and many wouldn’t trust the first wave of reports. The TSS would need to keep a full-on civil war from breaking out until all the facts were public knowledge. But at the rate the Tararian Guard was ramping up their offensive, he wasn’t sure they’d be able to hold out for that long.
There was no doubt the Guard was acting on direct Priesthood orders. Though the TSS had once reported to the Priesthood, that relationship was always kept need-to-know, and once Cris had taken command of the TSS, the ties were officially severed. It meant that the TSS had autonomy, but their actions now might be perceived as a coup—which wasn’t exactly inaccurate, but not in the way people would assume.
“I don’t like the way this is going,” Michael commented from next to Wil, his brow knit as he examined the number of Guard ships versus their own.
“It won’t just be us out there,” Wil tried to assure him.
But the truth was, there had been no sign of the Aesir. All of their preparation had been with the assumption that they’d have the Aesir as allies to step in and diffuse the situation. Wil hadn’t taken Jason’s concern about their follow-through seriously, but now he found himself questioning if that had been the right call.