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

Raena, but it was the kind of superficiality she expected the Priesthood to have encouraged. Changing mindsets would take time.

When the final attendees had taken their seats, the lights dimmed and a holoprojector at the center of the circle activated. A lifelike rendering of Wil stood at the center of the room, dressed in TSS formal attire. He spun around to face every person at the table in turn.

“Thank you for coming together today. I wish I could have been there in person, but current circumstances preclude travel. I am acquainted with the dynastic Heads, but for anyone I haven’t met, I am Wil Sietinen, TSS High Commander. I am speaking with you today in that capacity.”

There were nods and murmurs around the table.

“I don’t need to tell you about how we have faced adversity as a united Empire,” he continued. “In the five years since the Priesthood’s fall, we have been stronger together than ever before. We will need all of that strength to face what’s coming next.

“We are under attack from an outside threat, the likes of which we haven’t seen for a hundred thousand years. Even though our ancestors reached a truce with these beings, I don’t know if we’ll be so lucky. Rogue actors within the Empire unwittingly broke the treaty. The terms make it clear that the penalty for doing so is our complete destruction.”

Gasps of distress and opposition rang out in the room as Raena tensed in her seat. Somehow, hearing the news in that formal setting made it feel more real.

Wil waited for them to quiet down before he continued. “I recognize how outlandish that sounds, and far too dire to be true,” he said, walking in a small circle as he spun to face the attendees. “However, I have seen the power of these beings firsthand. I was there when they destroyed the Alkeer Station in a matter of seconds—unmaking it at the foundational level. This level of control defies our understanding of the universe. Even so, we cannot stand by while our civilization is wiped out. We need to take a stand. And we need to do so together.”

“What are you suggesting?” Kaiden Vaenetri asked. He had always been the most vocal supporter of the TSS aside from Sietinen, no doubt because he was Kate’s older brother and they had maintained a close relationship over the years. Unfortunately, now over one hundred, he was showing his age and would no doubt pass the mantle to his son or granddaughter soon.

“We usually think of the Taran Empire as beginning and ending with those under the official seal, but the reality is that there are several Taran-settled worlds that operate at the outskirts of our society. These planets are particularly vulnerable. We can’t have weak targets waiting to be conquered. I move to bring these worlds under the stewardship of the Empire, extending the protections we would offer any member planet.”

Celine Monsari scoffed. “Those savage worlds? Why bother?”

“Some are more sophisticated than you might think,” Wil replied. “Earth’s population is in the billions—significantly more than many of the Empire’s planets. Would you doom all those people to death?”

The woman shifted in her seat as the attention of everyone in the room turned on her. “I wouldn’t wish death on anyone.”

“My official military recommendation, and Admiral Mathaen is in agreement, is that we immediately commence the integration of these outlying planets. Doing so will enable the installation of planetary shields and orbital defenses. It’s unclear how effective these installations would be against the enemy, but at least we will know we did everything within our current capabilities to protect them.”

“This proposal includes Earth?” Ellen Taelis asked.

“Yes. In fact, its role as host to TSS Headquarters makes it the most critical planet of all in this proposal.”

She nodded. “Please allow us time to discuss this.”

“We’ll be in touch soon,” Cris said.

The holoprojector deactivated, and the attendees looked at each other as the lights returned to their former brightness.

Cris addressed the group. “This is a lot to take in. I’d like to state for the record that my previous role as TSS High Commander has granted no special privilege in regard to inside information about this threat.”

“It goes without saying that you bring a unique perspective to this matter,” Ellen said. “I think it’s reasonable to assume you will have a measure of bias in this matter. However, I, for one, would like to hear your impressions.”

“As would I,” Kaiden seconded.

Not surprisingly, Liam Makaris and Eduard Baellas kept quiet—always ones to see how the sentiment was going to play out before they attached to the prevailing side. In an even less surprising move, Celina Monsari outright scoffed.

“How is it even a matter for consideration? Those planets are not in the Empire and are not entitled to our protection,” she declared.

“This isn’t a political matter. It is one of ethics,” Ryan spoke up. “They are no less Taran because they do not acknowledge the rule of Tararia.”

“To that end, the modern residents of Earth don’t even know Tararia exists,” Cris added.

Ryan nodded. “Yes, you can argue all you want about the worlds who’ve made a conscious choice to leave the Empire within the last several hundred years, but going back tens of thousands? Even longer? The Taran Empire was very different back then. The people of Earth, if no other world, deserve a chance to choose whether or not they want to return to the Empire. It is unjust to make that decision for them.”

Raena’s heart swelled with pride to see her husband defend her homeworld. It wasn’t long ago that he would have remained a quiet observer in the High Council meetings, but he was really coming into his own.

“I agree, offering a choice is the most equitable option,” Ellen said.

“Is it a real choice, though?” asked