Empire Reborn (Taran Empire Saga Book 1): A Cadicle Space Opera A.K. DuBoff (guided reading books TXT) 📖

She motioned dramatically with her arms as she stepped from the covered breezeway into a magnificent courtyard planted with rich foliage and vibrant flowers that brought a sweet floral scent to the salty air. A tiered stone fountain at the center offered a soothing babble of background ambiance that fit with the dappled light streaming through the tree canopy. A rectangular metal and glass table with eight padded chairs were arranged under an elegant shade canopy. The table had several pitchers sitting in ice buckets alongside trays filled with fruit, cheese, and other snacks.

“You’re really liking this lifestyle of having house staff, aren’t you?” Wil observed with amusement.

Raena grinned. “They’re amazing. I thought we would have trouble getting anyone to move out here from the mainland, but we’ve had people competing for the jobs.”

Saera took her seat at the table. “Oh, really?”

“Word has it they love that Ryan grew up as a Ward and spent time working as a servant himself. We’re sorta like a celebrity couple—commoners turned nobles. That, or the fact that we’re offering payment fifty percent over the standard rates.”

Wil chuckled. “I’m sure both help.”

“All jokes aside, we have a really good team coming together here.”

“It’s wonderful to see you happy and settled,” Saera said.

“It really is,” Wil agreed. “I’m glad you’re bringing goodness back to this place.”

“We’re working on it. The Priesthood left a mess of things everywhere. We figure that their former stronghold was the best place to start with the recovery.”

They got their drinks and made small-talk for twenty minutes until Wil sensed the familiar presence of his parents approaching. He rose in greeting when they came into view a minute later.

His parents appeared nowhere near their late-seventies as they were in actuality. Both were quintessential representations of their respective families; Cris with graying chestnut hair and cobalt eyes iconic to Sietinen, and Kate with dark-brown hair and hazel eyes that perfectly matched those of her three older Vaenetri siblings. Born to the two most prominent High Dynasties, they were the pinnacle of refinement in their attractive looks and confident bearing. Thanks to careers spent in the TSS, they’d fallen into more casual mannerisms that weren’t easily shaken even after they eventually submitted to the responsibilities of helming the family business. Wil always appreciated that about them; they’d left their comfortable lives of wealth on Tararia in order to serve their people. He was grateful to have them as role models.

“Ah, I see the party is already underway,” Cris said with a warm smile.

“Hey, Dad.” Wil embraced his father.

“You’re looking well,” his mother said as she hugged him afterward.

“So are you. I think I’m finally getting used to seeing you out of uniform.”

She arched an eyebrow. “It’s only taken a decade.”

“Just nine years and two months. Give me some credit,” he jested back.

They exchanged hugs and greetings with Saera and Raena.

Cris beamed. “It’s good to see you. Stars, how long has it been?”

“I’ve lost track, honestly,” Wil replied. “Six months, maybe?”

Kate nodded. “Like most visits here, I take it you’ve come for more than the pleasure of our company?”

“Yes, though I welcome any chance for all of us to be together.”

“Except Jason’s not here,” Raena said with audible disappointment.

“Next time.” More than anything, Wil wished he had both of his children nearby. It was unlikely they’d live on the same planet anytime soon, but he would make a point to arrange a proper family reunion once the current danger had passed.

“And where’s Ryan?” Cris asked.

“Still working, but we’ll catch up with him soon,” Raena replied with an appreciative smile.

Seeing the warmth in their relationship helped ease Wil’s misgivings about his daughter having moved away from him at such a young age. If any people were worthy guardians, it was his own parents. He was pleased they’d also taken in Ryan, since the young man’s biological father had died before he was born—especially fitting, since Ryan’s father had been Cris’ former mentor in the TSS and was also Jason’s namesake.

Cris turned his attention to Wil. “So, what does bring you here?”

“Let’s go somewhere more secure to talk,” Wil suggested.

Everyone grabbed their beverage and a snack plate, and Raena led them to a nearby conference room with a pleasant view of the garden. “All right,” she said once they were settled, “out with it. Why the short-notice visit?”

“We’re here to find the Priesthood’s physical archives,” Wil revealed.

She tilted her head. “I thought those had already been cataloged.”

“We’re looking for records that were never digitized. The Priests were meticulous about data collection, and what we’ve logged from the raid can’t be the sum of the Priesthood’s knowledge. I’ve known that there were gaps, but there was never a compelling reason to find out what we were missing. Until now.”

“The Rift aliens,” Raena said.

“Yes. Specifically, we need the text of the treaty between Tarans, the Gatekeepers, and whatever this other race is called.”

Cris nodded. “That does seem like the kind of thing they might have held onto. But where?”

“My guess is somewhere in that labyrinthian basement of theirs.”

Raena eyed him. “I hope you’re saying that facetiously.”

“Of course. Though, based on what little I’ve seen, the underground complex is at least as extensive as what we can see on the surface. I suspect, with more investigation, we’ll find even more.”

“That’s an unnerving thought.” She crossed her arms.

“Have you sensed anything down there?” he asked.

“No. I strongly suspect that if there was something alive down there, I’d have picked up on it. But a bunch of file boxes? I can’t say I’ve made the slightest attempt to look.”

“Well, between the lot of us, we’ll be able to find any hidden areas equipment can’t pick