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

by Amy DuBoff

  Kate ran forward and embraced Wil. Silent, she held him close. Wil was nearly as tall as her, and he hugged her back easily as she cradled his head to her shoulder. Normally he would resist such a public display of affection from his mother, but he needed it as much as she did.

  After a full minute, Kate released Wil from the hug, but continued to hold him at arm’s length. Gently, she brushed his hair from his forehead and searched his eyes.

  “I’m okay, Mom,” he responded to her unspoken query.

  Kate continued gazing into his eyes. “I know.”

  Wil swallowed. I can’t let her see how much I’ve changed. It’s just not fair for her. But at the same time, I cannot hide who I am… “I assume you would like to speak with me, Banks?” Wil asked, turning from his mother to the High Commander.

  Kate looked pained, but quietly accepted that there were still official matters to discuss. Cris took the opportunity to embrace her, which she didn’t hesitate to return.

  Banks glanced at Cris, then back at Wil. “I’ve already read through the reports you filed with Taelis,” Banks responded, “but there is another matter we should address. Cris, I’d like you to you attend, as well. Shall we go to my office?”

  “Wherever is most comfortable,” Wil replied.

  Cris gave Kate a kiss and then pulled himself away from her.

  “Stay close,” Kate said to Cris.

  Banks led the way down the main corridor of the administrative wing with Wil and Cris following close behind.

  It felt good to be back in the halls of Headquarters, but Wil still felt anxious. I fear the good times are all behind me.

  Once in the High Commander’s office, Banks faced Wil and Cris in the middle of the room. “Wil,” Banks began as he shifted on his feet, “you handled yourself exceptionally well, but you never should have been in that position. It was a failure in TSS security, and I take responsibility. I wish I had an answer. Your mother and I have been over all the security logs and I still can’t definitively tell how the Bakzen got in.”

  So I’m still not safe here. “I’ll just have to be more careful.”

  Banks nodded. “Well, you know the security system inside and out, so maybe you can see something I didn’t. At any rate, I’m just glad you got away.”

  “There was a lot of luck with my escape.” Wil looked to his father. “And a lot of help.”

  Banks smiled. “Luck, skill—it was an admirable effort all around. The important thing is, you’re back now, and I will do everything in my power to keep you safe.”

  Wil examined Banks. “If there’s anything I learned, it’s that I need to be responsible for my own safety. I can’t count on someone having my back.”

  Banks nodded slowly. “Maybe so, but that doesn’t mean we can’t take precautions.” Banks glanced at Cris and shifted restlessly again. “To that end, after you arrived at H2, I reached out to your grandparents—”

  “I thought you were going to keep this quiet?” Cris interrupted. “The last thing any of us need is my parents butting in—”

  “Cris… just let me finish.” Banks refocused on Wil. “Since we don’t know the nature of the security breach within Headquarters, I wanted to go to an outside resource. I kept it vague, but your grandparents were naturally concerned about your well-being. They were eager to make a contribution.”

  “What sort of contribution?” Cris asked.

  “Your grandparents have sent a personal bodyguard,” Banks told Wil, leaving Cris at the fringe of the conversation. “Though he is now formally a member of the Tararian Guard, he was TSS trained through the first year, as is customary. From what I hear, he would have made a very good Militia officer—”

  “How could you?” Cris blurted out, all but ignoring Banks’ disapproving stare. “I thought we had all agreed to keep Tararian governmental society out of Wil’s life.”

  “Dad, I—” Wil began, but was ignored.

  “It was my idea,” Banks stated. “You don’t have to like it.”

  Cris fell silent.

  “I’m not sure I like the idea of someone constantly trailing me,” Wil asserted, taking advantage of the pause.

  “I know,” Banks said, “but your safety is becoming increasingly more important.”

  Wil shook his head. “Still, I’ve been trained far more than any guard. I don’t know what good one would be.”

  Banks sighed. “Wil, sometimes it’s not the action, but the thought that matters. Just having someone else around can be a major deterrent.”

  “True. But that still sounds like an awkward arrangement.”

  “Well, I’m not comfortable with you walking around on your own anymore. There’s no telling what might happen. And, instead of thinking of him as a guard, just treat him as a friend who would do anything for you,” Banks said.

  “Are you sure there aren’t any hidden motives?” Cris asked.

  The High Commander examined his Lead Agent. “Cris, though you may not have the best relationship with your parents, I hope you know that deep down they do care for you. I don’t see why you’re so quick to judge their feelings toward Wil—”

  “Because I spent the early years of my life growing up in their world, and I have come to know they don’t care about individual people. They care about bloodlines, and that’s the only reason they show the slightest interest in Wil. I utterly disgraced my parents by running away from the life they set out for me, and I will never be completely forgiven. I’m afraid some of that resentment has been transferred onto Wil, as my son.”

  “Dad, you’re talking like I can’t hear you.”

  “You have already figured out that much for yourself, Wil. It’s no secret that I don’t get along with them. Surely you remember that one trip we took to Tararia when you were four. I don’t believe our animosity requires any explanation. At least Marina wasn’t around, for once, to exacerbate matters.”

  “Yes, I remember. Still, don’t expect me to have the same problems with your parents that you do. I get along with you, after all.”

  “Yes, Wil, we get along. But that’s because I’ve played an active part in your life so I could understand you. My parents never offered me that courtesy.”

  Wil felt a twinge of pain. “It’s not your actual understanding of me, it’s your desire to.” Otherwise, now we would be more distant than you could possibly imagine.

  Banks cleared his throat and the two Sietinens fell silent and looked at him. “We have digressed far from the original matter at hand. Wil, you are getting a guard whether you like it or not. As we speak, he is waiting to meet you.”

  Great, all I needed was something else to make me stand out. “For how long?” Wil asked.

  “At least until you’re an Agent,” the High Commander responded.

  Wil nodded. That’s so soon now. It always seemed so far off.

  Banks telekinetically cracked open the main door to the office with a whip of his hand. “Send him in,” he told the sentry outside.

  The door swung open the rest of the way and a tall, muscular man walked in. His dark hair was cut short and he wore the gray uniform of the Tararian Guard. The firm angles of the uniform gave him a stiff appearance, but it was obvious from the way he walked that the illusion did not correspond with his disposition. He quickly looked over everyone in the room with silent respect and then bowed deeply. “My lords,” he murmured in a warm bass voice as he straightened and stood at attention with his arms at his side.

  “At ease,” Banks told him and turned to Wil. “Wil, I’d like you to meet Caeron Reccaros.”

  Wil looked Caeron over. There’s no arguing that he’s fit, but I’m skeptical of his ability to deal with me. “Pleasure to meet you,” he said, though he wasn’t necessarily in the mood to be friendly to anyone potentially encroaching on his independence.

  “The pleasure’s all mine, my lord,” Caeron replied.

  Cris looked sick. He shot one fierce glare in Banks’ direction. “I can see that no
ne of this concerns me.” He walked out the open door.

  Caeron’s impassive face suddenly became alarmed. He opened his mouth to say something, but immediately closed it, remembering his place.

  “It’s nothing you did,” Banks assured, seeing his concern. “Why don’t you two go get acquainted.”

  Wil sighed. “Come with me.”

  * * *

  Kate exhaled slowly. Wil wasn’t the same person she had seen only a week earlier. Her heart ached for her son—seeing the burden he carried. But, they had all changed with the knowledge of what brought them together. Yet, they were still family. In time, they would learn how to support each other in their new roles.

  Kate made for the elevator to take her down one level to her quarters. While she waited, Haersen passed by her on his way across the lobby.

  “I’m glad to hear Wil is home safely,” Haersen said without breaking stride.

  “Thank you. It’s been rough,” Kate replied. “I wonder if we’ll ever get back to normal.”

  “It’ll all be over soon.”

  “Not soon enough.” We have years to go until the war will end. Kate entered the elevator and made her way to her quarters. There was no telling how long the debrief with Banks would take. She was just grateful to not be a part of it. She couldn’t look Banks in the eye after he’d kept so much from her even as he professed to be telling the whole story. She didn’t trust anything he said, even if Cris did.

  Kate was just getting settled on the couch when Cris came through the entry door in a huff.

  Kate looked up in surprise. “I didn’t expect you so soon. Why aren’t you with Wil?”

  “Banks made some sort of deal with my parents for a personal guard. The nerve.”

  Kate jumped to her feet. “You left Wil alone with him?”

  “If Banks vetted him, he must be trustworthy.”

  “It’s not the guard I’m worried about,” Kate said. “There’s still a traitor somewhere in Headquarters. I told you to stay close!”

  “The Bakzen aren’t getting in again. Everything’s fine.”

  “You think they’ll let this go? If they can’t have Wil for their plan, then…” Better dead than an opponent.

  Their eyes met as Cris made the connection. He yanked open the door. “Stars! Where is he?”

  * * *

  Wil left Banks’ office with Caeron in tow. Once near a somewhat private alcove along the hallway, Wil looked squarely at his new guard. “First of all, I would like to make it clear that I’m not enamored with the concept of a ‘guard.’ I have expressed that position to Banks, but he doesn’t care much for my opinion on the matter. Don’t take any of my hostility toward you personally. As far as I am concerned, I will be looking forward to the day I no longer need to be followed everywhere and can travel on my own without an unwanted escort.”

  Caeron stood quietly for a moment before responding, “When I accepted this assignment, I didn’t expect any special treatment, my lord,” he began, “I took it to help ensure the safety of someone of great importance—”

  “Please, don’t address me formally,” Wil requested. “It’s not appropriate here. Within the TSS, no social rank in the outside world applies. As a general rule, nothing more than ‘sir’ will ever be used. Even then, it is reserved for official occasions and not used in everyday speech, at least between Agents of the same rank. As a Junior Agent, I have absolutely no seniority, even as a Sietinen heir, so I should not be treated any differently.”

  “I understand, s— I’ll refer to you any way you wish,” Caeron replied.

  “Thank you. Now, I have a lot on my mind, and I’m going to my room. I have no idea of where they intend for you to sleep, given that I’m in Junior Agents’ housing, but you can walk me to my quarters, if you want.”

  “My living arrangements are not an immediate concern. I’ll follow you at a distance.” Caeron ventured a small smile, but Wil wasn’t paying enough attention to catch it.

  Wil nodded absently and continued down the long hall toward the central elevator. The hall seemed more vacant than he remembered, but perhaps that was just his disquiet from recent events.

  Caeron followed Wil at a fair distance, but Wil could feel him watching. He tried to put his new shadow out of his mind, just looking forward to sleeping in his own bed again. There was a lot to process, and he needed time alone.

  As he approached the central elevator lobby, Wil was brought to attention by a familiar voice.

  “Welcome home.”

  Wil spun around to see the Mission Coordinator standing behind him. “Yes, it’s nice to be back finally.” Go away. I just want to collapse on my own bed.

  “I have been assisting Banks with the investigation into your capture,” continued Haersen. “He informed me that you played a key role in programming the latest security protocols.”

  “I did.” Please, not now.

  Haersen nodded. “I think I may have found a point of entry for the security breach, but I need some assistance deciphering the underlying algorithms. Could you give me a quick orientation to the system? I should be able to take it from there.” He seemed flustered.

  “This isn’t a good time.”

  “It should only take a few minutes. We will all be able to rest easier once we get to the bottom of this.”

  “Where did you spot the breach?” There are no holes. Even I’d have a difficult time hacking the system from the outside, and I know everything about it.

  “Come with me, I’ll show you.” Haersen smiled. “If you do, I can get you out of filing an extra mission report. I’m sure you’d rather take the day off tomorrow.”

  That’s tempting… “This won’t take long?”

  “Not long at all.”

  Wil nodded his consent. He followed the Mission Coordinator into the elevator, and Haersen closed the door before Caeron could enter. He’ll catch up.

  Haersen set the elevator to Level 10.

  “Level 10?” Wil asked. “Can’t we go over the logs in Comm Command?”

  “Yes, but it’s more private down there,” Haersen replied. “Don’t want anyone listening in.”

  Fair point. Wil leaned against the side wall while the elevator descended.

  When the doors opened, Haersen led them a short distance down the hall to Secondary Communications. When they entered the spacious room, it was dimmed and vacant.

  Haersen walked toward the center of the room—lined with screens and consoles—and suddenly looked at Wil with a strange gleam in his eye. “This is an excellent place to work undisturbed. I come here sometimes, and sit in the dark to see what I can see.”

  “Oh.” I’m not surprised. He’s always been a little strange. “So about the security system…”

  “Sometimes, I even receive some communications all on my own.” Haersen continued into the back recesses of the space.

  Wil tensed. “You do this in secret?”

  “Oh, yes. No one else knows. I know the system quite well. That’s how I was able to spot the breach. I’d like to show you now.”

  “What is it that you want to show me, exactly?” Wil’s pulse quickened.

  “Over here.” Haersen gestured Wil to the far side of the room.

  As Wil hesitantly approached, Haersen accessed a computer terminal and activated the large viewscreen on the back wall. “I have this friend, you see…” Haersen opened a video file. “I think you’ll know him.” The video took several seconds to begin playing. “He definitely knows you.”

  It took Wil a moment to accept who he saw in the video, not wanting to believe. He glanced at Haersen and back at the face. There was no mistaking Colonel Tek of the Bakzeni Empire.

  Wil stepped backward, every muscle poised for action. Haersen is working with them? He let them in! Why? His mind racing, he missed the first few words of what Tek was saying. Then, he began listening as he continued to back up toward the door.

  “…Carzen, the incompetent fool, didn’t see Dragon’s tr
ue value to us, and he will ultimately pay the price. Even the Imperial Director can’t be trusted anymore, after he let Carzen’s political experiment persist for so long. And to think I carry those same genes—it’s heinous! If only the Director fulfilled his potential as well as I, perhaps he would have followed my plan for your Primus Elite from the beginning. While using Dragon to expand the rift toward the Taran colonies would have assured us a quick victory, at least we can still eliminate him. As soon as he returns, see to it that he will not be a problem.”

  He’s going to kill me! Wil was in full panic. The door was on the other side of the room. Too far to run.

  Haersen stopped the recording, and looked at Wil with disgust. “You may think yourself powerful, but you are nothing! So frail next to them. You, Cadicle, are the best Tarans have to offer, and you are still no comparison. Flaws—the Bakzen fix them, improve. But our race… we let the weak survive, coddle them. The Bakzen have shown me the true way to perfection, have been making me better. Stronger. Tararia doesn’t understand, but they will learn.”

  Wil continued to back up. He reached out telekinetically, but the shielding within the main Headquarters structure prevented him from doing anything useful. A cold chill gripped his chest.

  The Mission Coordinator eyed him with the same contemptuous glare, but remained silent.

  Wil kept eye contact with Haersen as he backed away. When he reached the threshold where the door should automatically open, nothing happened. No! Wil took another step to be sure, but there was still no movement. Locked in. If he was to get out, the door would have to be opened manually.

  Haersen reached for something inside his coat, agitated.

  Wil returned his full attention to Haersen. “With all due respect, sir, I think you need to reconsider what you’re saying. If I heard correctly, you are in league with the enemy, who have just made a death threat against me. It’s a serious offense—”