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

of the man’s mind revealed that he was used to being in a studio—and was well-respected in that capacity—but he hadn’t conducted an on-the-fly field interview in two decades. It was understandable why the world would have nominated a known, trusted person to serve the role—probably one of several candidates selected via a lottery—but he was unfortunately stumbling in this novel situation.

Wil looked around the growing crowd of press and spotted a reporter he recognized from his time as an Earth resident. She wasn’t the best investigative journalist he’d seen, but she had a calm confident energy even amid the current frenzy. “You.” He pointed at her and beckoned her forward. “Jessica Rodriguez, right?”

The middle-aged woman looked down at the press credentials hanging around her neck as if she needed to verify her own name. “Yes, that’s right.”

For a moment, Wil wondered if he’d made the correct call to invite her over. “I remember watching you on the evening news,” he replied to her unspoken question. “Let’s see if we can have a more productive conversation.”

The original interviewer made little effort to hide his disappointment and annoyance at the turn of events as Jessica took his place near Wil.

“Why don’t we start over,” Jessica suggested, to Wil’s relief. “Who are you and who do you represent?”

Much better. He smiled. “My name is Williame Sietinen, and I’m here to reunite Earth with the Taran Empire.”

—     —     —

“Ouch, that was an awkward start,” Raena said to her brother as they watched the interview unfold from the otherwise empty passenger area of the shuttle.

In all fairness, her father had cut off the original interviewer before he’d had a chance to get his legs under him, and his abrupt answers hadn’t helped the situation. However, there was no guarantee the conversation would have gotten on track after the rocky beginning, and they would only get one chance at this first impression. She had been over the talking points with her father and they knew what needed to be said in order to set the tone for what was to come.

“We share a common ancestry,” Wil was explaining outside. “Tarans have sought to honor the wishes of those who settled on Earth to allow your free development. However, you have reached a level of technological sophistication that it is no longer feasible to keep our presence hidden from you.” That particular line was stretching the truth, but they’d agreed that it would make humans feel more special.

“I detest the pandering,” Jason said, shaking his head. “The only reason we’re making contact now is because of imminent doom.”

“Oh, and that would make such a great first impression?” She eyed him.

“We’re starting out the relationship by hiding key information. Not great.”

“Nothing about any of this is ideal.”

The interviewer had taken Wil’s response and expertly rolled it into the topic of opening cultural relations.

“She’s pretty good,” Raena commented with a smile.

“I remember Jessica,” Jason said, watching the interviewer. “I’ll deny it if you ever try to tell another soul, but I had a little crush on her when I was, like, twelve.”

“Oh, I know. No twelve-year-old is that interested in suburban traffic incidents.”

He smirked. “Right. Just like you were fascinated with the weather there for a while.”

She crossed her arms. “Shut it.”

“Yeah, that’s what I thought.” He sat back with a smug smile.

They were quiet for a while, half-listening to the interview outside.

“I’ve missed this. Us,” Raena said.

“Me too. But life took us in different directions.”

“We could have tried harder to stay in touch.”

He shrugged. “You were off learning to be a princess with your Prince Charming. I was living in Dad’s and Mom’s shadows in the TSS, trying to prove myself in my own right. There hasn’t been a lot of time for socializing.”

“That’s not an excuse, Jason. We could have easily exchanged more messages here and there. I made an effort. Why didn’t you?”

“This is really not the time.”

“Then when will it be? Isn’t that the issue? We’re always putting off conversations rather than saying what we can when we have the opportunity.”

He glared at her. “We’re making freaking first contact with Earth right now, and you’re starting an argument with me about how I could have been a better brother? Are you hearing yourself?”

She pursed her lips, realizing she hadn’t come across in the way she’d meant. I don’t want him to feel like he’s alone. He just lost his girlfriend of nine years and he hasn’t said a word about her.

“What I mean to say is,” she tried again, “I’m always only a call away if you ever need to talk.”

He looked her over, evaluating the statement. “I hope you know how good you have it.”

An amazing husband. Wealth. Power. I know I do. She nodded.

“I don’t mean that tangible stuff,” he countered, picking up on her open thoughts. “You have this natural way about you that lets you slide into any situation and, almost magically, know exactly how to act in order to get your way. I’ve always been envious of that.”

“You’re plenty adaptable.”

“Not like you, though. I take things in first and then want to test the boundaries. You just know what those confines are and then turn the situation to your favor. At least, that’s what it always seemed like to me with our friends.”

“It doesn’t work like that on a galactic scale for the Empire,” she said wistfully. “I wish it did.”

“Maybe it’s that you haven’t found the right way to play to your strengths,” he suggested.

“I don’t know. Perhaps.” When he didn’t offer any more, she asked, “So that’s why you pulled away? Because you were envious of my adaptability?”

“What? No.” He shook his head. “I saw you were on a meteoric trajectory and I didn’t want