Web of Truth (Cadicle #4): An Epic Space Opera Series

by DuBoff, Amy

  Marine rose and stepped toward Saera. “It’s gorgeous.”

  “I hope I get to wear it,” Saera mumbled.

  “What do you mean?”

  Saera’s brow knitted. “It just doesn’t feel like a wedding is possible with everything that’s going on.”

  Her mother cocked her head. “Come, now. A wedding is a happy occasion.”

  “It is. And being with Wil is all I want. But it’s tough…”

  “Life in the TSS?”

  “That, and seeing what it’s doing to him. He gives the TSS everything and doesn’t leave anything for himself.”

  “You mean, for you.”

  Her mother’s observation was astute, but Saera didn’t make any indication. “I try to help him remember what we’re doing it for.” So we don’t have to live in fear. To make a future for those we care about.

  Marina rose and stepped forward to place her hands on Saera’s shoulders. “Well, seeing you in that dress—he’ll definitely remember.”

  Saera blushed. “I hope so.”

  “You need to take time for yourselves,” Marina continued. “Enjoy those moments, Saera. You never know when it might be over. Don’t have regrets you didn’t take that time when you could.”

  Saera took a deep breath and was impressed to see that the digital fabric of the dress flexed around her. “You’re right. I will.”

  * * *

  “Hey,” Wil greeted Saera as she stepped through his door. “How’d it go?”

  She smiled. “All official.” She exposed her left wrist and projected a light from her handheld over it. The family crest illuminated in purple on her skin.

  Wil ran his thumb over the Mark. “I wish I could have been there with you.”

  Saera leaned up and kissed him. “We’re back together now.”

  “Now you just need to graduate and we can have the wedding.”

  Saera traced her finger on Wil’s chest. “About that… I ordered a dress.”

  “Oh?”

  “My mom came to the hearing with me, and afterward she took me to see a seamstress to design one.”

  Wil was caught off-guard. Dress shopping already? I guess this is really happening. “Okay, great.”

  “You seem surprised.”

  “It’s just unexpected. But I’m glad to hear you’re getting along with your mom.”

  Saera nodded. “She’s making an effort, so I am, too. And, shockingly, it sounds like she’s onboard with that plan your parents are preparing.”

  Wil’s eyes widened. “Really?”

  “I’ll tell your dad when I see him tomorrow.”

  “It sounds like everything’s falling into place.” Wil pulled her in for a hug. “I look forward to seeing you in the dress.”

  Saera grinned. “As you should. I look damn fine.”

  “I don’t know what I’ll do. Probably TSS dress uniform, like my dad did.” May as well make a political statement, right?

  “Fancy.”

  Wil smiled. “Yeah, well, there aren’t many occasions for it normally. “

  “I’m looking forward to seeing you all dressed up, too. It’ll be a fun day.”

  Probably one of the last before the war consumes our lives. He pushed the thought away and leaned down to kiss Saera.

  The handheld in Wil’s pocket buzzed, interrupting the moment. With a groan, he retrieved the device. The message was from Laecy: “The IT-1 works. Thanks for the cores.” He smiled to himself.

  “What is it?” Saera asked.

  “Good news from Laecy. The new rift jets are finally working properly.”

  “That’s a relief!”

  Wil sighed. “It really is. Things need to start going our way.”

  “They are. You’re doing great.”

  “It doesn’t feel like it.” Without simultaneous observation, we’re still missing half the equation to win the war without even greater loss.

  “One day at a time. We’ll get there together.”

  The words warmed Wil’s core. It was true—he did have people there to support him. There’s hope. I can’t give up.

  * * *

  Cris’ stomach rumbled. At least it was time for dinner.

  He shifted the two pre-packaged meals into his left hand as he palmed open the door to his quarters.

  Kate emerged from the bedroom when he opened the door, wearing loungewear. “Thanks for picking up dinner.”

  “Absolutely. I’m starving.” Cris slipped off his shoes.

  “How was your day?”

  “Good. I heard that Saera’s back from Tararia. Everything went through.” He opened up the meal containers and handed one to Kate.

  “Thank the stars that’s over!” she replied, collapsing on the couch.

  Is it over? Cris joined her on the couch and dug into his meal. He took several bites. Everyone was played. “Even after having a year and a half to sink in, I still can’t believe that Saera is Marina’s daughter.”

  “I hate to say it, but it did simplify matters in some ways.”

  Cris frowned and took another bite. “Only because we’re playing directly into the Priesthood’s hands.”

  “They chose to be together, same as us.”

  “That’s true,” Cris admitted. “And I wouldn’t have wanted anything else for Wil.”

  “I wish they had some time to just enjoy each other. We got some good years before…” Kate stared down at her half-eaten dinner.

  “And I’d give them that if I could.” I wish I had that, myself.

  “There’s no way we’ll ever be able to replicate the ignorant bliss of our past,” Kate continued, “but maybe we can still give them little moments here and there.”

  “Hopefully, but it’s difficult to know what’s truly in their interest, and what’s part of the Priesthood’s hidden objectives.”

  “We can’t think purely in those terms,” Kate objected.

  How can we think any differently? It’s the truth. “After finding out about Saera, and Michael’s father being sent to look after her, I wouldn’t put anything past the Priesthood.”

  “They’re hiding something, that’s for sure.”

  Cris nodded. “And whatever it is extends far beyond the High Dynasties.”

  “But we’re at the center of it.”

  “Without a doubt. And Wil most of all.”

  Kate set aside her empty meal container. “We may never know what’s coming, but we can have each other’s backs.”

  Cris took her hand. “We’re in this together, no matter what.”

  CHAPTER 11

  Saera pushed back from her classroom desk. “Ugh. Economic Trade Theory doesn’t even sound like it should be a real thing. But moreover, why do we have to learn it?”

  “Because we’re soon-to-be TSS Agents and are supposed to be well-rounded,” Elise replied with a sarcastic smirk.

  “I’m pretty sure they won’t be sending an Earthling like me on diplomatic missions.” Saera grabbed her handheld and checked her inbox as a distraction, but there were no new messages. She set it down with a huff.

  “Well, you never know when these things might come in handy,” Elise countered, tucking her dark hair behind her ear as she returned her attention to the assignment.

  Of course, she’s actually interested in sociology. Give me a nav system to reprogram any day… Saera looked over the parameters for the essay again and cringed. It was going to be a long night.

  She tried to outline her essay during the remainder of the class session. After making almost no progress, she was relieved for the Agent to dismiss the class. At least the essay wasn’t due for another week.

  Saera grabbed her handheld and headed for the door alongside Elise.

  “Are you still free tonight?” Elise asked once they were in the hallway.

  “For what?”

  “Hanging out with us.”

  “Oh, right.” The women from Saera’s initial cohort of Primus trainees liked to get together once or twice
a month for a casual escape from current classwork and training. Their early years together had solidified an enduring friendship that made them prioritize the gathering over anything else. Saera would feel the same way if it weren’t for Wil. “Let me double-check my calendar.”

  She sent a quick text to Wil asking if he was busy that night. His response came back almost immediately: “You’re welcome to stop by, but I’ll be working.”

  Saera sighed inwardly. “Yep, I’m free. May as well procrastinate on this essay, anyway.”

  “Great!” Elise exclaimed. “I love it when we’re all together. Just like old times.”

  “Even Leila’s coming?”

  Elise shrugged. “Well, you know how she is. She’ll ‘see if she can squeeze it in.’”

  Saera smirked. “That phrasing conjures up so many other images…”

  “Wow,” Elise said, looking appalled at first, but she laughed. “I think we’ve been hanging out with the guys too much.”

  “All in an effort to have a well-rounded character, my dear,” Saera jested.

  They returned to their quarters for some quick study time. Saera’s room was in the back left corner, with Elise next to her. Across the common area, a brand new Junior Agent, Lucia, was in the front right room, and Selma, who was a year ahead of Saera and Elise, was in the back right room.

  The four of them rarely hung out together, since friendships had already been established in the previous years with the TSS. Saera was thankful to have a good group of friends—for the first time in her life, really. She felt guilty keeping her relationship with Wil from them, but it was necessary. Elise, perhaps, could be trusted, but the others were too prone to gossiping. Saera had no doubt that being able to keep secrets would be a theme with their upcoming internship assignments.

  Saera finished up some interplanetary biology homework when she got to her room, and an hour later she accompanied Elise to the mess hall to meet up with their friends.

  The other girls were already situated at a booth in the back corner of the mess hall. Leila was seated next to Caryn, and Nadeen was on the inner booth bench across from them.

  Saera grabbed a freestanding chair from a nearby table as they walked past to add a fifth seat.

  “Hi!” Elise greeted as she slid on the bench next to Nadeen. “Look who I found.”

  Saera set down the chair at the end of the booth table. “Sorry I missed last time.” She meant it, but her citizenship hearing on Tararia was a valid excuse.

  “It’s good of you to make an appearance,” Caryn said to Saera.

  “I’ve had a lot going on,” Saera replied, trying to deflect the hostility. She didn’t blame the others for considering her a bad friend after her secrecy over the years. She removed her tinted glasses and placed them in her pocket like her friends.

  “Including some trips outside of Headquarters, right?” Leila prodded.

  “Great to see you, too, Leila,” replied Saera with a forced smile. She sat down in the chair. “Still nosey, I see.”

  “You do like to sneak around,” Caryn pointed out. “It’s not like we have no grounds for suspicion.”

  “I’m here now. And if I did go anywhere, trust it was for a good reason,” Saera replied.

  “And in this hypothetical travel, where might you go?” Nadeen asked, her dark eyes questioning. “Back to Earth?”

  “No.” Saera ran through some excuses in her head and tried to settle on one.

  “Then where?” Leila asked.

  “All right! Enough interrogating,” Elise cut in. “This is supposed to be a fun evening.”

  Saera looked around at the faces of her friends. They only asked because they cared about her. It wasn’t fair to them to keep lying. “I was on Tararia,” she admitted.

  Their eyes widened.

  “What for?” Caryn asked.

  Maybe telling them part of it will be enough of a distraction to keep them from asking about everything else. “I learned some things about my birth mother recently. She’s Tararian.”

  “And you’re using that properly?” Leila interjected. “She’s from Tararia, not just a Taran?”

  Saera groaned. “Yes, I’m not an idiot.”

  Leila held up her hands in defense. “Hey, sorry.”

  “Anyway,” Saera continued, “since that discovery, I’ve been going through the process of getting Taran citizenship.”

  Caryn flushed a little and looked down. “Okay, that’s a pretty big thing to have going on.”

  “Why didn’t you say anything?” Nadeen questioned.

  Saera rapidly thought of a justification that wouldn’t point toward Wil. “Well, I wasn’t sure it would go through. I didn’t want to say anything until it was final.”

  Leila eyed her. “And now it is?”

  Saera nodded. “I have my Mark and everything.”

  Her friends’ jaws dropped with shock.

  Saera realized her mistake a moment too late. Only dynastic lines have Marks. Shit, why did I say that?

  “Which Dynasty?” Caryn questioned in a low voice, her eyes darting to see if anyone had overheard, but no one was nearby.

  Too late to take it back now. “Nothing special,” Saera replied. “My mother is from Alexri.”

  They thought it over, but there was no recognition on their faces.

  “I guess that explains how you picked up New Taran so quickly,” Elise stated. “Your mom probably spoke it to you as a baby.”

  Saera shrugged. “All the same, it would be nice to have not been abandoned on Earth.”

  “Does your mom have abilities?” Nadeen asked.

  “She does,” Saera replied.

  The girls looked at each other. “Was she an Agent?” Caryn asked for the group.

  Saera shook her head. “No. She never had the chance to explore her potential.” It was a stock response Saera had seen others use—a way of halting a conversation on the topic of telekinesis.

  Her friends nodded with understanding.

  “You’re the lucky one,” Elise said after a pause.

  “We all are,” Saera responded.

  The group fell silent.

  I didn’t mean to kill the mood completely. Saera shifted in her chair, not sure what to say.

  “All right, enough of that,” Leila announced, to Saera’s relief. “Let’s eat.”

  “Yes, excellent plan!” Caryn agreed.

  They all stood and headed for the buffet.

  Elise hung back next to Saera as they walked over. “Why didn’t you at least tell me about your mom?”

  Saera’s heart felt heavy, wishing she could confide in her friend. “It’s complicated.”

  “It always is with you.”

  “I’ll fill you in later, okay? Let’s just enjoy tonight.”

  Elise nodded. “Okay. But I want details later.” She pointed her finger at Saera and narrowed her eyes. “I’ll hold you to it.”

  Saera grinned. “Deal.”

  * * *

  Wil stretched and settled into his desk chair. His bed called to him to make it an early night, but he needed to take advantage of every productive moment he could. With Saera preoccupied with her friends for the night, he had a chance to work uninterrupted. Not that he minded her company—it was just easier to think by himself.

  Struck by a wave of tiredness, he decided to take a low-level stim to get him through the next few hours. He knew he’d been relying too much on medication rather than getting a proper night’s sleep recently. Saera would chastise him if she found out just how far he was pushing himself. Still, he was able to keep a clear head most days. The schedule might catch up with him eventually, but he would keep going for as long as he could. Too many people were relying on him to allow any reprieve.

  As the stim took effect, he pulled up his latest design portfolio. He’d been sketching out some new ship specs on those rare evenings he had alone without data to review on the Primus Elites. His work on the IT-1 jets had him thinking about other appl
ications for the neural interface. It occurred to him that there was great potential for scaling up the design.

  The document projected in front of him was the schematic skeleton for one of the many components to a warship built around the neural interface. But, the bridges between the pieces were missing.

  If I could only find a way to magnify the energy from multiple Agents through a single vessel… Wil hesitated. His power alone was untested. There was no telling what could be accomplished with others through an official magnifier.

  It likely would never work. But even if it did, he didn’t want to find out what such a weapon could do.

  That’s not a path I want to go down. He scrapped the whole design and threw it in his archive of discarded ideas. Onto the next.

  * * *

  The message was flagged like countless others Laecy had received over the years: confidential and from an untraceable sender. After Wil’s initial visit to H2, she’d been able to piece together that the messages were relayed from TSS Command. Someone would mine his personal files looking for design specs or other engineering notes and send them her way. It was a violation of privacy and she hated being a part of it. All the same, any time she received one of the mystery emails, giddy excitement fluttered in her stomach.

  She opened the latest message, anxious to see what it contained. There was no body content and only a single attachment.

  The attachment file was a series of digital sketches. Laecy flipped through them on the holodisplay of her work desk in the engineering lab. All of the individual notes dealt with a discrete component for a larger design. She thumbed through the workbook searching for the unifying schematic. Nothing.

  Laecy sighed. Another puzzle. Normally she’d like a challenge, but she was already overwhelmed with her day-to-day responsibilities.

  She flipped back through the notes, and one of the schematics caught her eye on the second pass. “Oh shite.”

  The sketch looked simple at first—a vertical column topped by a rod to serve as a handhold— but then Laecy noticed the details. Based on the specified materials, it was intended for biofeedback. A neural link.