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

society that one misstep could spell disaster. Trust was a necessity. All that was needed was to sow the seeds of doubt at an opportune time—such as during an unexpected port lockdown due to a security threat. Tie those feelings of worry to a specific target through careful messaging, and people would start asking questions. The Alliance was aiming for the top of the chain—to Sietinen itself. The Dynasty behind the revolution that had freed Tarans from the tyranny of the Priesthood. But, perhaps, it was all a ruse to claim absolute power for themselves.

It was so simple, Lexi was disappointed that she didn’t see it for herself. So, it wasn’t about the rally or the posters, but about capitalizing on the emotion of outside events and linking those to the messaging. Those emotions could be layered with time, building people into a frenzy.

Lexi rephrased and condensed the thoughts into a response for Oren, “Undermine the trust in the corporation, and the family’s political power is on the line.”

He smiled. “Yes. You understand.”

And she did, at least in terms of the logic Oren and his collaborators had used. The problem was, she wasn’t sure she agreed with their conclusion. Is disrupting the stability of the Empire’s infrastructure really the best way to have our voices heard?

Ultimately, it didn’t matter. She hadn’t joined the Alliance to further their mission; she was with them because it was the only lead she had to follow. She needed to stay the course. No matter how long it took or how deeply entrenched she needed to become, she wouldn’t stop until she found out what had happened to Melisa.

CHAPTER 8

Though the previous night’s festivities had been a welcome reprieve from everyday stresses, Wil awoke in the morning anxious to get to the mission at hand. He and Saera ate a quick breakfast before meeting up with the others to plan out the day’s adventuring in the depths of the island.

“I think it’s just going to be the three of us,” Cris informed him when they arrived.

Wil wasn’t surprised Raena had bowed out. After her experience with the Priesthood, going through the underground lab areas would no doubt dredge up painful memories best left buried. She’d tough it out, without hesitation, if her presence was critical, but there was no compelling reason for her to go. He respected that she felt comfortable establishing those boundaries.

“Mom, don’t want to get in on the fun?” he asked.

Kate chuckled. “Digging through dusty chambers in a creepy basement? Not my style.”

Three people were sufficient to tackle the task at hand, so Wil didn’t press the point. “All right, Dad, we’re ready when you are.”

Cris smiled. “Let’s do it.”

Walking through the high-ceilinged corridors together, Wil remembered his first visit to the isle with his father at the age of sixteen. It was the first time he’d seen his father’s negotiating prowess in action, as they set the licensing terms for Wil’s independent jump drive design. But the most intriguing part of the visit had been when they spotted an entryway to the underground depths of the monastery. They’d known something terribly wrong was going on down there, but it wasn’t until decades later that they’d learned the horrific truth.

It was through that same doorway they now traveled. Wil knew now that the elevator shaft was one of several leading into the underground structure, and this was the most centrally located. The door was loosely blocked off with an arrangement of potted plants, and Wil made a careful telekinetic sweep to clear their path.

“How long has it been since anyone went down here?” Saera asked as they entered the elevator.

“At least four years,” Wil replied. “Unless some of Raena and Ryan’s people have gone.”

“Pretty unlikely,” Cris said. “They try to keep that part of history out of their everyday lives.”

Wil nodded. “As they should.”

“We got so lucky they escaped back then,” Saera murmured.

Cris shook his head. “Not just luck. Those two are fighters.”

It had been the single most terrifying night of Wil’s life when his daughter was kidnapped, along with Ryan, and brought to the underground labs toward which the elevator was now descending. It was only thanks to Raena’s exceptional telekinetic abilities that they’d escaped and avoided whatever awful fate the Priesthood had intended. Choosing to live above the site of that horrible experience had been a bold move on the couple’s part, a symbolic gesture of how the Priesthood hadn’t been able to control them or crush their spirits. Wil admired them immensely for taking a stand in that way. Too often, he’d run from his own demons or tried to bury them rather than face the dark truth head-on.

As the elevator descended, he noticed the effect of the strange shielding around the facility. He’d never been able to see past the shield from the outside; now, even within, his extrasensory perceptions were muted. The effect wasn’t to the extent experienced when in subspace, but it was enough to make him question impressions he couldn’t verify with his eyes. Any space within the facility could have extra shielding, too, so a survey using his Gifts from a central location wouldn’t be reliable. They’d need to get up close to be sure.

The elevator stopped five stories down and the doors slid open. A blast of stale air assaulted Wil’s senses, bearing an unpleasant combination of mildew, bleach, and death. He was certain that no bodies had been accidentally left after the raid, but it was possible rodents had taken up residence in the dark, secluded environment.

Saera placed her hand over her nose and mouth. “Clearly, the environmental controls have been offline.”

“Let’s see if we can get everything working,” Wil suggested. He recalled there being a control room nearby on that level.

They used the lights on their handhelds to illuminate the