by DuBoff, Amy
“Once the TSS is out of our way, we can shape our new home.”
Broadening the rift—making a place where abilities had no limits. Haersen brimmed with anticipation. “What’s our next move?”
“Now we go for Tararia.”
Next in the Cadicle series
Volume 5: Crossroads of Fate
Time for war. With the Primus Elites’ training almost complete, Wil and his men relocate to H2 to make their final preparations. Everything seems to be staged for a swift TSS victory over the Bakzen as Wil assumes the position of TSS Supreme Commander with Saera and his most trusted friends by his side. But, Tek won’t let the Bakzen go down easily. He will find Wil’s greatest weakness and do anything to make him crumble. The generations-old war began as a feud of races and ideals, but with this fight, it’s personal.
Crossroads of Fate is the fifth installment in the Cadicle series. This novel chronicles the decisive space battles to end the war with the Bakzen so a new era for Tarans can begin.
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Acknowledgements
This was a milestone book for me. It’s not only the longest of the novels in the series so far, but it’s also getting to the core of the story I set out the write. The foundation is laid and my characters are free to grow in their world. I’m so excited that you have come along as a reader on this journey with me.
Thank you to all of my friends and family who have supported me with this crazy project. I would especially like to thank my friend Annie for her advice and encouragement. She’s kept me grounded and focused, which has been invaluable.
Special thanks to my beta reading team for helping to elevate the novel: Eric, Katy, Jakeb, Bryan, Cassie, John, and Kurt. Thank you also to my mom for her tireless support, and to my amazing husband for standing by me while I pursue my dreams.
Glossary
Aesir - A mysterious group of people known to be of Taran descent that live on the outskirts of explored space, engaging in metaphysical pursuits.
Agent - A class of officer within the TSS reserved for those with telekinetic and telepathic gifts. There are three levels of Agent based on level of ability: Primus, Sacon and Trion.
Baellas - A corporation run by the Baellas Dynasty, producing housewares, clothing, furniture, and other textiles for use across the Taran civilization. Additional specialty lines managed by other smaller corporations are licensed to Baellas for distribution.
Bakzen - A militaristic race living beyond the outer colonies. All Bakzen are clones, with individuals differentiated by war scars. Officers are highly intelligent and possess extensive telekinetic abilities. Drones are conditioned to follow orders but still possess moderate telekinetic capabilities.
Cadicle - The definition of individual perfection in the Priesthood’s founding ideology, with emergence of the Cadicle heralding the start to the next stage of evolution for the Taran race.
Course Rank (CR) - The official measurement of an Agent’s ability level, taken at the end of their training immediately before graduation from Junior Agent to Agent. The Course Rank Test is a multi-phase examination, including direct focusing of telekinetic energy into a testing sphere. The magnitude of energy focused during the exercise is the primary factor dictating the Agent’s CR.
Dainetris Dynasty - Formerly a seventh High Dynasty, the Dainetris Dynasty was responsible for ship manufacturing before its fall from power.
Earth - A planet occupied by Humans, a divergent race of Tarans. Considered a “lost colony,” Earth is not recognized as part of the Taran government.
High Commander - The officer responsible for the administration of the TSS. Always an Agent from the Primus class.
High Dynasties - Six families on Tararia that control the corporations critical to the functioning of Taran society. The “Big Six” each have a designated Region on Tararia, which is the seat of their power. The Dynasties in aggregate form an oligarchical government for the Taran colonies. In descending order of recognized influence, the Dynasties are: Sietinen, Vaenetri, Makaris, Monsari, Talsari, and Baellas.
Independent Jump Drive - A jump drive that does not rely on the SiNavTech beacon network for navigation, instead using a mathematical formula to calculate jump positions through normal space and the Rift.
Initiate - The second stage of the TSS training program for Agents. A trainee will typically remain at the Initiate stage for two or three years.
Jump Drive - The engine system for travel through subspace. Conventional jump drives require an interface with the SiNavTech navigation system and subspace navigation beacons.
Junior Agent - The third stage of the TSS training program for Agents. A trainee will typically remain at the Junior Agent stage for three to five years.
Lead Agent - The highest ranking Agent and second in command to the High Commander. The Lead Agent is responsible for overseeing the Agent training program and frequently serves as a liaison for TSS business with Taran colonies.
Lower Dynasties - There are 247 recognized Lower Dynasties in Taran society. Many of these families have a presence on Tararia, but some are residents of the other inner colonies.
Makaris Corp - A corporation run by the Makaris High Dynasty responsible for the distribution of food, water filters, and other necessary supplies to Taran colonies without diverse natural resources.
Monsari Power Solutions (MPS) - A corporation run by the Monsari Dynasty, responsible for power generation systems for the Taran worlds, including geothermal generators, portable generators, and reactors to power spacecrafts.
Rift - A habitable pocket between normal space and subspace.
Sacon - The middle tier of TSS Agents. Typically, Sacon Agents will score a CR between 6 and 7.9.
SiNavTech - A corporation run by the Sietinen High Dynasty, which controls and maintains the subspace navigation network used by Taran civilians and the TSS.
Starstone – An extremely rare gem. Only ten such gem veins know anywhere in the galaxy, and each of the six High Dynasties has claim to one. Only enough material for one set of wedding rings is produced by each vein every generation. Starstones emit a luminescent resonance when positioned near other stones cut from the same vein.
TalEx - A corporation run by the Talsari Dynasty, managing mining operations and ore processing across Taran territories.
Tarans - The general term for all individuals with genetic relation to Tararian ancestry. Several divergent races are recognized by their planet or system.
Tararia - The home planet for the Taran race and seat of the central government.
Tararian Selective Service (TSS) - A military organization with two divisions: (1) Agent Class, and (2) Militia Class. Agents possess telekinetic and telepathic abilities; the TSS is the only place where individuals with such gifts can gain official training. The Militia class offers a formal training program for those without telekinetic abilities, providing tactical and administrative support to Agents. The Headquarters is located inside the moon of the planet Earth. Additional Militia training facilities are located throughout the Taran colonies.
Trainee - The generic term for a student of the TSS, and also the term for first year Agent students (when capitalized Trainee). Students are not fully “initiated” into the TSS until their second year.
Trion - The lowest tier of TSS Agents. Typically, Trion Agents will score a CR below 5.9.
Priesthood of the Cadicle - A formerly theological institution responsible for oversight of all gove
rnmental affairs and the flow of information throughout the Taran colonies. The Priesthood has jurisdiction over even the High Dynasties and provides a tiebreaking vote on new initiatives proposed by the High Dynasty oligarchy.
Primus - The highest of three Agent classes within the TSS, reserved for those with the strongest telekinetic abilities. Typically, Primus Agents will score a CR above 8.
Primus Elite - A new classification of Agent above Primus signifying an exceptional level of ability.
VComm – A telecommunications corporation owned and operated by the Vaenetri Dynasty.
About the Author
Amy has always loved science fiction—books, movies, shows and games. After devouring some of the classics like Dune and Ender’s Game in her tween years, she began writing short stories.
In the ensuing years, Amy attended the Vancouver School of Arts and Academics in Vancouver, Washington, where she studied creative writing. She eventually became a Psychology major at Portland State University, but also pursued a minor in Professional Writing. After graduating, she stumbled into a career as a proposal manager.
Amy currently lives in Portland, Oregon. When she’s not writing, she enjoys travel, wine tasting, binge-watching TV series and playing epic strategy board games.