Crossroads of Fate (Cadicle #5): An Epic Space Opera Series (33 page)
Read Crossroads of Fate (Cadicle #5): An Epic Space Opera Series Online
Authors: Amy DuBoff
Wil took in the happy faces of his friends around him. Despite the trials from the last several years, they had made it through. “We’re not completely done yet. The Bakzen war may be finished, but as long as things stay the same, there could be another.”
“That kind of change—it’s not going to be easy,” Cris cautioned.
We can’t turn back now.
Wil squeezed Saera’s hand. “Nothing worth fighting for ever is.”
* * *
Arch Priest Quadris strolled down the airy corridor of the administrative building on the northern coast of the Priesthood’s isle, his black robe billowing around him. A breeze blew off the surrounding sea, bringing a briskness to the otherwise temperate summer weather. He breathed in the salty air and admired the rolling waves in the distance as he walked.
Deep within the island below, the newest experiment was progressing nicely. While the Bakzen had been a nuisance for far too long, at least the Priesthood would gain enduring benefits from the Bakzen’s advances in remote mind-control, thanks to the information relayed by the TSS. Using the counteragent developed by the TSS, soon the Priesthood would be able to reverse engineer the Bakzen’s original neurotoxin and command codes. Not only would the Priesthood then be able to activate the neurotoxin already within the Taran survivors of past Bakzen attacks, but it would only be a simple matter of manufacturing and distributing more of the neurotoxin to any worlds that demonstrated a risk of getting out of line—such an elegant solution to the growing political unrest. Despite the bold claims of Cristoph Sietinen, the TSS would never stand a chance in gaining influence over all the Taran worlds. The Priesthood’s continued reign was secure.
When Quadris arrived in his office at the corner of the main administrative building, he accessed his workstation. Waiting for him was a message marked with the highest transmission priority, but there was no subject line or return address. The sender was identified only as “Cadicle”. Sending such a message would require the utmost skill and knowledge of Taran communications infrastructure.
Quadris glared at the message, having no doubt about whom it was from. It read: “I’ll come for you one day, and there’s nothing you can do to stop me.”
Volume 6: Path of Justice
In the years since the Bakzen war, Wil and Saera have raised a family on Earth outside the purview of the High Dynasties and Priesthood. Except, it’s almost time for their teenage twins, Raena and Jason, to begin telekinesis training and they have no idea such abilities even exist. With the Bakzen threat eliminated, Wil hopes the TSS can offer them training without the need to commit to a lifetime of military service. Just as the twins come to understand the life on Tararia that was kept from them as children, the family discovers that there’s always another layer of secrets guiding their lives.
Path of Justice
is the sixth installment in the Cadicle series. This novel lays the foundation for the plan to finally bring down the Priesthood.
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In early 2015, I never would have imagined I’d have published five books by September 2016. Considering that I started working on this series around 1997, it’s been a whirlwind year and a half to finally have the books release out into the world in such a short span!
When I first started conceiving the Cadicle series, this fifth book was, in many ways, the original story I set out to write. I had read “Ender’s Game” in fourth grade, which ignited my love for science fiction. One of my early thoughts was, “What if Ender had known that it wasn’t a simulated game, and, right from the beginning of his training, he knew what he was going to eventually do?” Being the daughter of a therapist, I couldn’t help but think through the psychological impacts of that knowledge. As I began crafting my own story, I knew that inner struggle was something that I wanted to explore with Wil. Many details of the Cadicle series have evolved over the years, but that balance of duty and morality has been a steady theme.
It’s been an exciting challenge to bring those early concepts to fruition, and to watch the story grow as I’ve been shaped by experiences in my own life. I am indebted to my beta readers—Eric, Kurt, Katy, Julie, Liz, Cassie, and Bryan—for their tireless evaluations and candid feedback. Without them, this book wouldn’t have become what it is today.
As always, I am especially thankful for the support from my husband and my parents for helping make this writing dream become a reality. I am incredibly lucky.
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.
Ateron –
An element that oscillates between normal space and subspace, facilitating high levels of telekinetic energy transfer.
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.
H2 -
The nickname for the TSS headquarters in the rift. The facility was created to serve as a base of operations for the Bakzen War
.
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
.
Jotun -
The codename assigned to the division of the TSS dedicated to the war in the rift, based in H2
.
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.
Simultaneous Observation -
The act of separating one’s consciousness from the physical self in order to observe multiple spatial planes (i.e., normal space, subspace, and the rift) at the same time.
SiNavTech -
A corporation run by the Sietinen High Dynasty, which controls and maintains the subspace navigation network used by Taran civilians and the TSS.
Spatial Dislocation -
The act of physically transitioning from normal space to the brink of subspace, either by means of a jump drive or telekinetic abilities.
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 governmental 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.