Architects of Destiny Read online

  “We’re not the best people to answer that,” Jarek said.

  “Then what do you want from me? You still haven’t told me why you’re here.” Is there anyone I can trust?

  Agent Jarek studied Cris. “We’re here regarding your future.”

  Cris tensed. “My future?”

  “The TSS has been following you with great interest for the past few years,” Dodes said. He looked over to Jarek, who nodded. “We would like to extend an invitation for you to train with us.”

  There was a time when that would have been a dream come true, but now… “This is very unexpected.”

  “We understand,” Jarek responded. “The TSS feels you have great potential, which is only evidenced by the abilities you’ve demonstrated today. I’m sure that our superiors can deal with any reservations you may have. If you’ll accompany us to Headquarters, our High Commander can answer your questions.” He glanced at the spot where the Priest had been. “And, we can offer you security.”

  Cris looked down. He might not be so lucky if the Priesthood came after him again. And I still have no idea why they would try to kill me… I don’t want to give up the freedom I have now, but I need to learn about these abilities if I want to truly protect myself. “What would I have to do?”

  “Just gather your things and come with us. We have a ship waiting on the other side of the port,” Jarek said.

  Cris nodded. “The Exler’s back this way.” I have absolutely no idea what I’m getting myself into.

  Cris led the way to the Exler. He left the Agents at the foot of the gangway and went in to gather his belongings. He only had a handful more possessions than when he had left Tararia, but it didn’t feel right to leave it all behind. He sighed. He had to tell Thom he was leaving.

  Cris found Thom in the flight deck, reviewing the ship’s inventory. “Thom?”

  The captain looked up. “What is it?”

  “Thom, something’s come up.” Cris swallowed, feeling a sudden heaviness in his chest. “I’ve just been offered a training opportunity with the TSS.”

  Thom searched Cris’ face. “Are you accepting?”

  Cris nodded. “This is something I have to do.”

  The captain sighed and stood up. “When?”

  “Right now. I’m sorry.”

  Thom nodded, processing the loss of his travel companion. “I understand.” He took Cris’ hand, shook it. “I always suspected you were destined for greater things. I hope you find what you’re looking for.”

  Cris looked down. He might not know my real name, but he always saw me for who I am. “Thank you for everything. I couldn’t have asked for more.”

  The captain smiled and patted Cris on the shoulder. “Best of luck, Cris.”

  “Thank you, Thom. You too.” Cris turned to go.

  “Oh, and here.” Thom grabbed his Fastara deck. “Take these.”

  Cris smiled. “I’ll teach everyone who’ll listen.”

  Before he could change his mind, Cris exited the flight deck and hurried down the gangway to meet the waiting Agents. With only his single bag slung over his shoulder, Cris suddenly felt bare and alone.

  Jarek and Dodes led Cris away from the Exler toward their TSS transport ship. The Agents were unlike anyone he had met before. They moved with a sort of elegance, as though they were one with their surroundings. Even their tailored black uniforms, which were casual compared to attire of the Tararian Guard, projected a sense of regality, making Cris feel like he would be underdressed even while wearing his finest suit. There was also an energy about them that he couldn’t quite identify—a magnetism that made him have difficulty looking away.

  Over the last year, Cris had become used to blending in and downplaying the authority that had been ingrained in him through years of tutoring. Now, even in the most refined state he could muster, he still felt insignificant compared to the Agents. How long before the TSS changes me, too?

  As they passed through the spaceport, passersby looked on with wonder and gave the party a wide berth. On the rare occasions Cris had been permitted to visit Sieten, he had received similar looks from the city’s residents. There’s a sense of awe, but in the same way someone admires a majestic animal that could readily kill its handlers. What will that make me, as both an Agent and dynastic leader?

  Cris’ thoughts were interrupted by a glimpse of the TSS ship in the distance down the spaceport’s corridor. He had previously seen TSS vessels while visiting a Sietinen shipyard—one of the ancillary businesses to SiNavTech. The TSS vessel stood out from the other crafts in the port by its iridescent hull and smooth lines. The materials for the hull were far too expensive for everyday civilian use, but the superior impact absorption was an asset for combat applications and for minimizing the structural stress of subspace travel. At eighty meters long, this particular craft was much smaller than those he had previously seen, though it made sense that the Agents wouldn’t take a warship on a recruitment mission.

  “How long will it take to get to Headquarters?” Cris asked as they approached the ship.

  “About four hours,” Jarek replied.

  “I didn’t realize it was located so close to the outer colonies,” Cris commented.

  “It’s not,” Jarek replied. “Headquarters is located in Earth’s moon.”

  “Earth?” Cris asked, incredulous. “That seems like a strange place for TSS Headquarters.”

  “What makes you say that?” Dodes asked.

  “Earth isn’t part of the Taran government, for one.”

  “Which makes it a perfect location for training those with telekinetic abilities, doesn’t it?” Jarek pointed out.

  “I guess it does.” Far from the control of the Priesthood. Like most children, Cris had learned the story of Earth as a cautionary tale. Over millennia, Taran descendants seeking to escape the perceived oppression of Tararian rule had fled to Earth and mingled with the native population born from ancient panspermia. Each group of Taran colonists had brought with them elements of the unique cultures from their home worlds, but they shared the common vision of a new start—leaving behind the advanced technologies that connected them to the rest of Tarans in an attempt to disappear. As the “lost colony” of Earth gave rise and fall to its own great civilizations, Tarans had watched their divergent brethren from a distance—but apparently from far closer than most of Earth’s population would have ever imagined. Perhaps the location is also an homage to our lost relationship.

  “Headquarters is within a subspace containment shell inside the moon. Our space dock is fixed just above the surface on the dark side, so we keep to ourselves,” Jarek continued.

  Cris’ brow furrowed. “Subspace containment shell?”

  Jarek smiled. “A sustained subspace pocket surrounded by a really big wall. Basically, breaking into Headquarters would be extremely difficult.”

  “I’ll take your word for it,” Cris replied. I guess if their ships are any indication, the rest of their tech is pretty advanced, too.

  “It all might seem strange to you now, but we like being a little hidden,” Jarek said as he led the way up the gangway to the ship.

  It is pretty out of the way… “Wait, you said it would only take four hours to get there. Isn’t Earth in a sector that’s two or three weeks’ travel from here?”

  Dodes smirked. “With a civilian jump drive, maybe.”

  Is there another kind? “What does the TSS use?”

  “We have a long-range subspace transit,” Jarek explained. “It works the same basic way as commercial vessels—locking onto SiNavTech beacons. But, rather than the short jumps used by cargo freighters and civilian transports, our ships can lock onto beacons at much farther intervals to expedite the jump. Since our drives don’t require cool-down, travel time is reduced by a factor of thirty.”

  That puts the entire galaxy within easy reach. “I’ve heard theories about long-duration drives, but I didn’t know the technology was ever developed.”

  J
arek nodded. “There are many ways the TSS is outside the mainstream. Travel technology is one of the big ones.”

  They reached the top of the gangway. Inside, the TSS ship was simply appointed but comfortable. Gray carpet covered the floor of the hall, and metal wall panels were inset with tan accents. Jarek headed down the hall to the right.

  The technology divide is so much bigger than I ever imagined. “I’m surprised I never heard about the extent of SiNavTech’s work with the TSS.”

  “I’m sure you would have eventually,” Jarek said. “But it is kept pretty need-to-know.”

  What else haven’t I been told? “I guess so.”

  The hall ended at a lounge room. In the center of the space, there were four plush chairs upholstered in a matte black fabric, which circled a low table with chrome legs and a glass top. An expansive window filled the outer wall, and one of the side walls had a broad viewscreen.

  “I hope this will be acceptable for the next few hours,” Jarek said.

  It beats the flight deck on the Exler. “It’ll be fine, thank you.”

  “Make yourself comfortable,” Jarek said and gestured toward the chairs.

  Cris set his travel bag down on the floor next to one of the chairs with a good view out the window. He settled into the chair, and Dodes took a seat across from him.

  Jarek remained by the door. “Excuse me, I’ll get us underway.” He inclined his head to Cris and left the cabin.

  Dodes pulled a handheld out from his pocket and began looking at something on the device.

  Cris took the opportunity to clear his head. He closed his eyes. I never thought I would be joining the TSS. Especially not like this. I always thought growing my abilities would be useful and fun, but now I’m scared to see what I’ll be able to do. I never wanted to hurt anyone.

  After a few minutes, Cris felt the low rumble of the jump drive through the floor. Unlike the Exler, the vibration seemed muted and controlled. He opened his eyes. The stars out the window slowly became masked by blue-green light as the ship slipped into subspace.

  “It’s nice to just be a passenger for a change,” Cris said.

  “I’ll bet,” Dodes replied, looking up from his handheld. “Relax while you can. The TSS isn’t exactly known for easing people in gently.”

  “What should I expect?”

  “I honestly don’t know. You’re a unique case. The High Commander wants to meet you, and he’ll figure out where to place you.”

  Cris crossed his arms, pulling inward. “Is it because of what I did earlier?” Do they also think I’m dangerous?

  Dodes hesitated. “Yes, but not just that. You have a lot more potential than most.”

  Cris looked down. “I didn’t know I could do those things.”

  “Soon enough you’ll be able to do a lot more.”

  Cris leaned back in his chair and stared out the window at the swirling blue-green sea of light. I hope this is the right choice.

  “Did you really have another option?” Dodes asked in response to Cris’ thought.

  Cris realized he had let his mental guard lapse and raised it again. “No, not anymore.” Not now that I know what I can do.

  “We’ll take care of you, don’t worry,” Dodes said.

  At least I’ll finally be around other people like me. Cris stared back out the window. Maybe I’ll finally fit in.

  * * *

  “Sir, we have him. It sounds like he wants to join.”

  Banks leaped up from his desk and walked toward the main viewscreen to speak with Jarek. Thank the stars, finally! “Good. Did you have any trouble?”

  “Yes, actually. Much more than expected,” Jarek said.

  “Did he resist?”

  Jarek’s brow furrowed. “No, he came quite easily.”

  “Then how so?”

  “He was attacked.”

  No, don’t tell me… “Attacked? By whom?”

  “An assassin from the Priesthood. They must have been acting on the same information about his whereabouts that we were.”

  Bomax! What were they thinking? Banks was careful to hide his indignation. “How did he escape?”

  Jarek looked away. “Sir, he ‘stopped time.’”

  Banks tensed. “What?” How is that possible? I know he’s gifted, but that…

  “I don’t know, sir. He seemed distraught. I asked him afterward, and he said he’d never done it before.”

  If he really did… “It’s unheard of, pulling off that maneuver without extensive coaching.”

  Jarek looked shaken. “I know, sir. I barely knew what I was seeing. I’ve only witnessed it once before. But that’s not all.”

  Banks took a slow breath. “There’s more?”

  “Then he threw the assassin against the wall telekinetically. I was struck by the power of it—absolutely astounding. There was a great measure of control, even though he claimed to not know what he was doing.”

  “This development complicates matters considerably.” I can’t possibly put him in with other new Trainees. Not with that level of ability. “But he’s safe?”

  “Yes, sir. Shaken, but unharmed.”

  Banks nodded. “Good. We’ll decide what to do after I meet with him.” After all of our careful planning, we’re back to making up a strategy as we go.

  “Yes, sir.” Jarek inclined his head.

  “Dismissed.”

  CHAPTER 7

  The TSS ship dropped out of subspace. In the distance, Cris glimpsed Earth with its large continents that in some ways reminded him of Tararia. The planet was soon obscured by the white moon, barren compared to most of the moons he had encountered in his travels.

  The TSS ship taxied toward a sprawling space dock fixed with a gravity anchor fifteen kilometers out from the dark side of the moon. There were crafts of all sizes, from shuttles only four meters in length to massive warships. Cris exhaled slowly with wonder. I haven’t seen a fleet like that outside of a shipyard.

  “It’s something, isn’t it?” Dodes commented. “And to think most people on Earth have no idea all this is up here.”

  Cris couldn’t take his eyes off the window. “It’s impressive, for sure.”

  The door opened, and Jarek looked in. “Time to get going.”

  “Come on,” Dodes said, gesturing toward the door.

  Cris tore himself away and grabbed his bag off the floor. A wave of nerves suddenly struck him. Joining the TSS would set a new future for him. A path he never thought was possible. But I need to do this. It’s the only way I’ll ever learn to use my abilities. He swallowed and took a deep breath. Resolute, he followed Dodes into the hall.

  Jarek led the way to the gangway off of the ship. The gangway was glass on either side, with a metal floor and a thin strip of metal along the top. The transparent walls afforded an impressive view of the moon’s cratered surface and the surrounding ships in the port. The lights along the port’s structure reflected off of the iridescent hulls of the ships, making the more distant vessels look like gems against the dark starscape beyond.

  At the bottom of the gangway, Jarek turned to Cris. “Best wishes. I know the TSS will be quite a change for you, but I hope you’ll find a sense of community here.”

  “Thank you. I hope so, too.” Cris shifted the pack on his shoulder. For the first time, I’ll be around other people like me.

  Jarek and Dodes took Cris down one of the wings of the spaceport. The port was unadorned, with plain grated metal floors and matte metal structural beams. Curved glass panels swept toward the ceiling.

  They approached a row of small shuttles. Waiting for them was a woman dressed in dark gray. She appeared to be in her early-thirties, with dark eyes and hair pulled back into a tight bun.

  “This is where we leave you,” Jarek said. “Trisa is one of our Militia officers. She’ll take you to the High Commander.”

  “Okay. Well, I’ll see you around,” Cris said.

  “Yes, I’m sure,” Jarek replied.

  �
�Take care,” added Dodes.

  Trisa held out her arm toward one of the waiting shuttles. “This way, please.”

  The oblong shuttle was only four meters long. Windows wrapped around the perimeter, making it difficult to distinguish between the front and back of the craft. A door on the side connected directly to the spaceport’s corridor. The interior was one open room with dark gray padded seats along the walls, each with a four-point harness. Cris took a seat in the middle, and noticed a control panel inlaid in the wall next to the door.

  Trisa sat down next to the control panel. She didn’t secure herself in a harness, so Cris left his off, as well. Without a word, Trisa made a few inputs on the panel. The shuttle door closed with a hiss and the craft pulled away from the port. It glided toward the surface of the moon, accelerating.

  Cris swiveled around to stare out the window at the cratered white surface. Is there really a whole facility inside there? It looked desolate and barren, but an illuminated ship port stood out at the base of one of the craters. The port was a simple structure consisting of three corridors with docking slots for transport shuttles to either side along each of the wings. Approximately half of the slots were occupied by a craft.

  The shuttle slowed as it approached an open docking slot between several other shuttles. It set down with a barely perceptible bump. The door automatically sealed with a portal in the wall of the corridor, and the door slid open after a moment.

  Cris gulped. I guess I’m committed now.

  Trisa led Cris across the port through a security checkpoint at the end of the corridor. Beyond the security gate, the port opened up into a central dome at the intersection of the three branches. On the far side, there was a bank of what looked to be elevator doors arranged in a half-circle.

  Trisa stopped in front of the doors. After a minute, one of the doors opened, revealing an elevator car with an upholstered seat around the perimeter and room for a dozen people. I guess this takes us down to the core? Cris took a seat along the back wall, and Trisa sat near the door. As soon as the door closed, there was an initial feeling of acceleration. Trisa glanced over at Cris on occasion, but made no effort to converse. Minutes of silence passed. The only indication of movement was a pulsing white light to either side of the door. Suddenly, there was a loud thud outside.