Veil of Reality (Cadicle #2): An Epic Space Opera Series

by Amy DuBoff

  “Cris just contacted me. May I come in?” he asked, realizing only after he had spoken that it sounded as if he brought bad news.

  Kate paled. “What is it?”

  “Everything’s fine, Kate,” Banks assured her.

  She stood aside to allow the High Commander to enter and closed the door behind him. “What did Cris say?”

  Banks beamed. “He has Wil. He’s fine. They’re on the Vanquish together now.”

  Kate’s breath caught, tears of joy and relief in her eyes. She collapsed on the couch, shaking her head seemingly with disbelief. “I couldn’t let myself hope.”

  Banks sat down on the other side of the couch and removed his tinted glasses; the impending conversation was best handled without such barriers. “Things have a way of working out.”

  For the first time in days, Kate smiled. “Thank the stars it’s over! When will they be back home?”

  It’s far from over. “It might be a while.”

  Kate’s smile faded. “Why?”

  “They need to make a stopover on the way.” Banks bit his lip. This never gets any easier. “You said you suspected me earlier because of some encrypted communications and files tied to my account.”

  “What about it?”

  Banks swallowed. “Well, with Wil rescued, there are some things you should know. I already talked with Cris.”

  He proceeded to tell her about the rift and the ongoing war with the Bakzen. Facts, presented bluntly and without ceremony. He would have eased some people into the idea of the hidden conflict, but he knew Kate well enough to know that she would appreciate a direct approach. However, he was careful to stay away from the details about the nanotech manipulation of bloodlines, and especially Wil’s place in the coming war. It was the least relevant, and the rest was already enough to overwhelm anyone.

  Kate was quiet as he told her. Banks wasn’t sure if the silence was from shock or acceptance. But from the way she clutched a throw pillow to her chest, he suspected the information was more than she wanted to acknowledge at the moment. The anger and hurt would come with time. It always did.

  “So, they’re heading toward this other Headquarters now?” Kate asked when Banks was finished.

  “Yes, H2. They need to debrief with the other High Commander, who’s in charge of all Bakzen affairs.”

  “You couldn’t give them a few days to recover?” Kate’s tone had a vicious bite. The shock hadn’t lasted long.

  “No, this is for the best. They’ll be home soon.” Banks checked the time on his handheld. I probably shouldn’t linger. My presence will only make this worse.

  “This is crazy! How have you kept the war a secret all this time?” Kate’s face darkened.

  No one would believe the lengths we’ve gone to, even if I told them. Banks rose, recognizing it was time to retreat while he still could. “I wish I could talk with you more, but I need to alert H2 that the Vanquish is coming. I just wanted you to know that Cris and Wil are safe.”

  Kate glared at him. “How thoughtful.” She stayed on the couch.

  Banks walked to the door. “I’m not sure how long it will be before they return, but know that they are in good hands. I’ll let you know if I hear anything else.”

  Banks saw Kate nod as he closed the door. With a sigh, he restored his tinted glasses and began the trek to his office. Now for the really hard part.

  The halls were completely empty and the lights were dimmed. Banks had once found the nighttime state of TSS Headquarters to be peaceful, but it instead seemed unsettling, knowing how Wil was taken. With the perpetrator still unidentified, everyone would need to be cautious.

  Once in his office, Banks sat down at his desk to contemplate his approach to the conversation.

  He maintained a somewhat strained relationship with the other TSS High Commander, Erik Taelis. They had known each other for decades. Taelis was four years ahead of Banks in the training program, and they first met when Taelis was an instruction assistant in one of Banks’ classes. After Taelis graduated, Banks heard nothing of him for years.

  Their parallel lives were set when Banks accidentally intercepted a communication. He was fulfilling his first assignment as an Agent to oversee Comm Command operations when he happened to overhear a conversation between the previous High Commander and the Priesthood discussing Taelis’ future. It only took a few seconds for them to realize Banks was listening in, but he had already heard enough to be dangerous. They had spoken of the war and directly tied the Priesthood to the TSS. The war was a closely guarded secret from all those who weren’t under the strict confidentiality agreement of a Jotun assignment contract, but the TSS’ relationship with the Priesthood was even more covert.

  Banks had shown himself to be trustworthy and capable in other respects, so the TSS decided to bring him into the fold of the Jotun division. He was made an assistant to the previous High Commander for the primary Headquarters, serving as a liaison to Taelis, his counterpart for Jotun. What Banks and Taelis didn’t realize at the time was they were both being groomed as future High Commanders for their respective TSS facilities.

  The Priesthood was very particular about their selections for key assignments. They wanted someone with initiative, but show too much and it might be viewed as a threat. Conversely, being too agreeable made for an ineffective leader. Banks had found what felt like the appropriate balance over the years, but Taelis had opted for a more aggressive approach. It did suit his position. Banks had the luxuries of any fine home on the Taran worlds, but Taelis and those under his command subsist in an active war zone.

  Over the years, the difference in styles and circumstances had grated on their relationship. Their greatest disagreements were always over how to handle Wil. Taelis never seemed to understand that Wil had all the feelings and needs of any other boy. Consequently, Banks was often in a position where he had to stand up in Wil’s defense, much to Taelis’ discontent. There was no doubt Taelis would view Wil’s capture solely as a failure in Banks’ leadership.

  Banks groaned. No sense in delaying the inevitable.

  “CACI, contact TSS High Commander Erik Taelis,” Banks ordered. He stood in front of the viewscreen, waiting for the transmission to go through. The TSS emblem floated on a black background before the picture changed to a man standing in an office very similar to Banks’ own. “Hello, Erik,” he greeted.

  The other High Commander looked annoyed. “Jason, we’re in the midst of a crisis. Can this wait until our check-in next week?”

  Banks’ eyes narrowed behind his tinted glasses. “I wouldn’t call you if it weren’t important.”

  Taelis looked away at something out of Banks’ view. “Make it quick. I’m very busy.”

  “I think this takes precedence over all other matters.”

  Taelis took a deep breath, obviously irritated. “What is it?”

  “I am not always able to contact you immediately about every development…” Banks began slowly.

  “Yes?”

  “This was one of those situations. Wil was captured by the Bakzen—”

  Taelis’ face drained. “When did this happened? This changes everything! We’ll have to—”

  “Erik, would you let me finish?” Banks insisted, becoming agitated. “I sent my Lead Agent, his father, after him. He found Wil. He’s safe. But in the process, they entered the rift. That puts them under your jurisdiction until they’re debriefed.”

  Taelis scowled. “You should have informed me the moment the Primus Elite was captured.”

  So he could tell the Priesthood? I’d be dead in an instant. “We have a security breach, and the extent of it is still unknown. I didn’t want an enemy potentially listening in on the specifics about the rescue mission,” Banks retorted. “Besides, I am still Wil’s custodian.”

  Taelis looked exasperated. “And the next thing you’ll tell me is the Aesir are after him, too?”

  Banks looked down. That will be another challenge.

  Taelis�
�� brow furrowed. “They aren’t, are they?”

  “No, not now,” Banks replied. “But we know the Aesir are aware of him. They have yet to make a move.” But if and when they do, nothing we can do will keep Wil from the real truth.

  “The Aesir are slow to make any move.” Taelis sighed. “Well, it’s no matter, now. I suppose you ordered the Primus Elite to H2?”

  “Yes,” replied Banks. “It’s time he sees the full extent of TSS forces. The purpose for keeping it from him has outlived its usefulness. If I know Wil, then he’ll be worrying about everything that we don’t have. It will be good for him to see that we’re not entirely outmatched.”

  “You’re too attached to him.”

  “It wouldn’t do you any harm to be more understanding,” Banks shot back.

  Taelis dropped his gaze and shook his head. “Oh, Jason, let’s not do this. If he really is coming here, then we need to get some things in order. I will be as cordial as I can.”

  “His father, Cris, is my Lead Agent, remember, so make sure you treat him as such,” Banks instructed. “Don’t ask too much of them right now. They’ve both just been through a terrible ordeal. I doubt either of them will be at their best. And keep in mind how young Wil still is. He has a long way to go yet.”

  “Well, we’ll see soon enough. I’ll debrief him as I would anyone brought to this side of the rift.”

  Skirting the truth, as we always do. “Tread carefully. He’ll make connections no one else could.” And one day he’ll see through it all, despite our efforts.

  Taelis nodded. “Always.”

  “Erik, I highly recommend you ease them into this. You’ll get more out of them in a debrief if you win their trust first.”

  “You know an immediate sit-down interview is standard protocol,” Taelis countered.

  “I encourage you to make an exception. Like I said, Wil sees patterns the rest of us don’t. Show him what the Jotun division has to offer first, and he’ll lay out his observations about the Bakzen in a way that will be most useful to you.”

  Taelis pursed his lips. “I’ll take it under advisement.”

  Banks bowed his head. “Thank you, that’s all I ask.”

  “I’ll contact you once they’ve arrived. Take care, Jason,” Taelis closed in the most congenial way he had for a long time.

  “You too, Erik.” Banks ended the transmission. That could have been worse. I just hope for Cris’ and Wil’s sake that he’s not in one of his moods.

  Banks looked at the time displayed on his desk. “I may as well stay here at this rate,” he muttered to himself and walked over to the couch in the middle of his office. It wasn’t a rare thing for him to spend the night there. At least we can rest peacefully with the knowledge that our future is safe for the time being. Stay strong, Wil.

  * * *

  Wil awoke with a start in almost complete blackness. He felt panicked for a moment, but then lay back with reassurance, remembering he was on the Vanquish.

  He looked around the room with renewed energy. Eventually, his gaze rested on his sleeping father, who was curled up in a chair in the corner of the room. Wil felt a twang of pity, knowing that he had taken his bed.

  Wil got up silently and walked out of small bedroom into the main living area. It was relatively dark, but the room was a familiar location from his youth and he had no difficulty navigating around the furniture. He looked out the window and noticed a starscape. Why aren’t we in subspace?

  After standing momentarily in the middle of the room, Wil got himself a glass of water and sat down in a chair facing out the windows. It seems so peaceful. If only it really were. He let his thoughts drift, taking occasional sips from the glass, until he was suddenly brought out of his trance by the feeling of someone watching him. He turned around and saw his father standing in the doorway of the bedroom.

  “What are you doing up, Wil?” Cris asked through the fading haze of sleep.

  “I could ask the same for you.”

  His father came to sit by him. “I take it you’re feeling better?”

  “Yes, much. And you?” Wil set down the empty glass he had been holding.

  Cris nodded. “I needed some sleep, but I started feeling better the moment I saw you.”

  “I know the feeling.” And I’d think we would want to be back home as soon as possible. “Why are we stopped?” Wil asked.

  His father rubbed his eyes again. “We’re taking a detour on our way home—one that’s best we face rested. I had them find a nice secluded spot to park us overnight.”

  Wil tensed. I just want to be back home and forget all about this. “What kind of detour?”

  Cris ran his hand through his hair. “Wil, I learned some things from Banks while you were away. The TSS hasn’t been honest with us.”

  “What do you mean?” I’ve never seen him look so uncomfortable.

  Cris closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. “The TSS has been at war with the Bakzen for hundreds of years. They’ve been fighting the war inside the rift and keeping it a secret from almost everyone.”

  It should have been a shocking revelation, but the statement rolled off of Wil after the events of recent days. “That explains a lot.” All those restricted files and communication logs on the Mainframe. I should have known something was going on.

  “I wish it were just that.” Cris looked ill. He hung his head.

  “Dad, you can tell me.” Do I even want to know?

  “Apparently the Bakzen have far more advanced telekinetic abilities than most Tarans. Banks told me they can travel between the dimensional planes at will.”

  Is that even possible? Wil shook his head, a knot forming in his gut. “I sensed that some of them are quite powerful, but I never saw them do anything like that.”

  “I know, it sounded crazy to me, too,” Cris said. “Supposedly, that ability has always kept the TSS at a disadvantage in the war. They can even jump their jets without a rift drive.”

  “Why didn’t they use that when I was getting away?”

  Cris gazed out the window. “I don’t know. Maybe they didn’t want to hurt you.”

  Wil thought for a moment. “I guess they did try to snare me in a containment net at first, but when they couldn’t, they didn’t hesitate to open fire. Before all that, they were about to throw we out an airlock.”

  His father looked horrified. “You never should have been in that position.”

  “It’s in the past now.”

  Cris nodded. “All I know is that the damage was to the maneuvering thrusters of your jet—either it was luck, or they were shooting with the intent to disable without harming. But, that’s just speculation.”

  “It doesn’t make sense that they’d try to kill me, and then recapture me once I escaped.”

  “Well, they know you’re special.”

  “No, they’re crazy, Dad. What they were telling me—”

  Cris looked down. “I don’t know what they told you, but Banks and I talked. My entire perception of ‘crazy’ is pretty much shattered.”

  “Why, what did he say?” Was Carzen being honest with me?

  Cris grimaced. “According to Banks, Tararian scientists set out to create a genetically superior Taran soldier, using the High Dynasties as the genetic foundation for their plan. Someone to match the Bakzen’s abilities.” Cris shook his head, his face drawn. “Wil, they’ve been playing us. There was a master plan for me to meet your mom and for you to be born. They think you’re the one who can defeat the Bakzen.”

  Wil felt like he was being crushed under every word. When Carzen had made similar claims, it was the rantings of a crazy man, a sworn enemy. But coming from his father… What could one person do, compared to the combined ability of a whole race? “So what General Carzen said is true.”

  “What did he tell you?”

  I don’t want any of this to be real. “He talked about my ‘makers’ and how I would have some sort of special ability no other Tarans have. At t
he time, I thought he was just saying anything to keep my attention, but…” Wil took a shaky breath. He felt faint.

  “Banks was reluctant to tell me much of anything. I hate to say it, but it looks like this is the first real truth we’ve heard for a long time.”

  Wil looked out the window, knowing the Bakzen were waiting somewhere in the distance. I was made to fight the Bakzen… It sounded preposterous. Normally, he would have laughed—but, he had seen too much to ignore the statements. He bit his lip, and was gripped by a deep apprehension. What if I’m not who they think I am?

  Cris crossed his arms. “Fok all of them.”

  Wil’s chest felt tight. “What now?”

  His father shook his head “They want you to continue training and pretend like everything’s great. Then, when it’s convenient, have you step in as a military commander and end the conflict.”

  Wil shrank inward. “I always knew I’d become a powerful Agent, but commanding a fleet isn’t what I had in mind.”

  “I know, Wil. This is all so profoundly foked up. Everything Banks dumped on me is blurring together. None of it seems real.” Cris slumped back in his chair.

  “It sounds like you covered the important parts.” Our life paths have been designed, and I’m supposed to stand up to an enemy that seems impossible to defeat.

  “I can’t trust anything they say.”

  “But if it’s really true…” Wil looked down. That will be my whole life.

  Cris nodded, his expression grim. “I don’t want to believe any of it, either. But, we’re on our way to some sort of secondary TSS Headquarters that deals with the Bakzen. I suspect we’ll learn more there.”

  Wil choked. “There’s another Headquarters?”

  “That’s what Banks said, anyway. He called it ‘H2.’ I guess we’ll see soon enough what they have to offer.”

  “They’ve held out against the Bakzen. It must be substantial.” At least, I hope so.

  Cris examined Wil. “You’re taking all of this rather calmly.”

  I’m in shock. Wil let out an unsteady breath. “It doesn’t feel that way to me.”

  “We’ll get through this together.”

  Wil nodded. “It’s amazing how one event can change so much.” He stared out at the stars. “Nothing will ever be the same again.”