Scions of Change

by Amy DuBoff

  “All right,” she agreed. “I’ll focus on taking care of the Priesthood.”

  Wil chuckled. “That’s the spirit. One fight at a time…”

  * * *

  The conversation with his father hadn’t quelled any of Jason’s concerns. He stared into the meditative, swirling light of subspace while the Vanquish returned to Headquarters, allowing his mind to wander.

  He’d expected his father to offer some alternate explanation or to refuse commentary when Jason brought up evidence of the nanotech he’d discovered in the High Dynasty bloodlines, but instead his statements had been met with affirmation.

  When Jason had gone on to question about the true nature of the field trip to the rift, his father had made no effort to hide that it was about Raena and her abilities. It was no surprise, then, when her meeting lasted twenty minutes, compared to the seven minutes others had spent in the conference room. What concerned Jason, though, was that Raena wouldn’t discuss what had transpired during the meeting.

  As twins, they’d told each other nearly everything. In their time since joining the TSS, though, they’d drifted apart—not much, but enough that Jason knew he couldn’t rely on Raena to tell him everything she might know.

  For that reason, he’d elected to keep his own discovery to himself. The orchestration of their lives ran far deeper than anyone had admitted before his father’s confirmation today. Jason wasn’t about to let it slide.

  I know we were made, and I know they’re not finished with us yet. If they wanted his help, he’d need to be let into the inner circle.

  * * *

  Wil relaxed on the couch in the center of his office facing the viewscreen on the side wall. The trip to the rift hadn’t gone quite how he’d imagined and there was a lot to process.

  As if his conversation with Jason hadn’t been enough, both of his children’s growing abilities were going to complicate matters more than he’d anticipated.

  He’d known for several months that Raena was significantly more proficient than even he had been after an equivalent amount of time following his own Awakening. What she had been able to do while in the Priesthood’s custody would have been considered remarkable for even a seasoned Agent, but for an untrained first year student… It was the reason he hadn’t told her about her true potential. That degree of power was more than any one person should tap. But now that she knew, it remained to be seen what she’d do.

  Then there was Jason. His abilities had grown at a more measured rate, but he had already outpaced most Junior Agents. He would need to be kept busy if that exceptional ability was to be channeled productively. But, moreover, his son had started digging into matters that Wil had hoped would remain buried in the past. It was a longer-term concern, though, so Wil set it aside while he focused on more pressing concerns.

  I hate being in this position. My life was orchestrated behind the scenes and now I’m about to do the same thing to my own children. This isn’t right. He took a deep breath and ran his fingers through his hair. There had to be another way.

  He’d vowed to let his children choose their own path. When he and Saera moved down to Earth, that was the driving force behind their decision. He needed to remain true to those original wishes.

  Given that mandate, there was only one course ahead in the immediate future.

  Raena needs to visit the Aesir. The notion scared him more now that it was an imminent event. His own encounter with them had changed his life. The truth that Raena would undoubtedly see would certainly change hers, as well.

  A light knock sounded on the door, and a moment later Saera cracked open the door.

  “Hey. I thought you might want to talk,” she said and entered.

  “Good timing, as usual.”

  “Well, that brief telepathic exchange when you got back on the Vanquish made it clear something significant happened.”

  Wil patted the couch next to him. “Yeah, that’s one way to put it.”

  “So…? Details.” Saera removed her tinted glasses and plopped down on the couch.

  “In short, Raena is too advanced to stay here in the TSS,” Wil stated, removing his own tinted glasses. Hearing the words out loud, it sounded even less real than it did in his head. I didn’t think anyone else’s ability could actually worry me. But it does.

  Saera raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t expect to hear that.”

  “I think whatever we throw at her, she’d just do it intuitively. I took her out with me.”

  His wife’s eyes widened. “You mean astral projection?”

  “Yes, and she picked it up immediately. She has a true gift for seeing… And if she has a limit, I think it would be beyond mine—and I don’t think she’d need years of training to get there.”

  His wife took a minute to process the revelation, tugging on the end of her braided auburn hair. “Then what do we do?”

  “She’s asked if she can visit with the Aesir sooner than later, and I see no reason to stop her.”

  “A year ago I would have refused, but I think you’re right.”

  “I have no worries about her passing the test,” Wil said. “They’ve already established that she has great value to them, so they won’t risk harming her. I genuinely believe that they’ll be able to tell us the best path forward. We ultimately want the same things—to fix the Generation Cycle and to restore balance to the Taran empire.”

  Saera nodded. “We need powerful allies beyond the handful of High Dynasties on our side. A relationship with the Aesir might give us a measure of insurance we can’t get anywhere else.”

  Wil searched her jade eyes. “I expected you to be resistant to the idea.”

  “Don’t get me wrong—I’m not happy about the notion of Raena, or you, getting wrapped up with the Aesir. We hardly know anything about them. But I do know that Raena is special, and if ever there was a time to go outside our comfort zone, it’s this.”

  “Agreed.” Wil took a deep breath. “And then there’s Jason.”

  “Is he as strong as her?” Saera asked.

  “That’s still unclear. It’s possible he’s a fair match for me, but since I don’t rightly know my own limit, I can’t make an accurate comparison. What I do know is that he’s already bored with the pace of the training program, and he’s going to start making trouble if we don’t give him something to do.”

  Saera groaned. “I was afraid of that.”

  “But moreover, I learned that he’s digging into some of the darker truths surrounding our lives. He’s already made some connections I was hoping our children would never know.”

  “Like what?”

  “About the degree of genetic engineering that went into our creation. He’s been researching nanotech.”

  Saera’s face drained. “How did he find out?”

  “I have no idea. A lot of information was declassified after the war. He’s smart, and determined. I’m sure there was something out there waiting to be found and he dug until he found it.”

  “That didn’t take long! It hasn’t even been a year.”

  “Precisely,” Wil said. “So, we either allow him continued free rein, or we give him so much structure that he falls in line with our larger plans.”

  “Knowing him, he’ll see the manipulation for what it is and rebel even harder.”

  “Not if we tell him the truth.”

  Saera eyed him. “And what truth is that?

  “Something I haven’t wanted to admit to myself,” Wil replied. “We say we’re in this final fight with the Priesthood so there can be peace. But there’s never going to be peace—not completely. There will always be conflict of some sort because it’s the nature of our species to push boundaries and drive changes. Not everyone in a population of trillions is going to want the same thing, and without a doubt there are going to be arguments that escalate beyond innocuous political spats. Someone needs to be there to keep things from getting out of hand when that happens.”

  “The TSS needs to remain a
police force,” Saera concluded.

  “Yes. The notion of being just an academic institution is shortsighted. I hate to say it, but weaponized telekinesis shouldn’t go by the wayside.”

  She sighed. “So much for that vision of living a quiet life without any drama.”

  “When did we ever think that would actually happen?” Wil laughed.

  “Okay, maybe that was all in my head for, like, a second.”

  He smiled at her. “You agree, then?”

  “I do,” she admitted. “I don’t like it, but I’d rather be on the side holding all the cards than the other way around.”

  “All right. I’ll talk with Jason and we’ll figure out a plan. I’ll have to play it by ear, but I think we can work out a new training program that will keep him occupied and get us where we need to be.”

  “And Raena?” Saera circled back.

  “I’ll contact the Aesir. It’s time we learn more about what they have to offer.”

  “I have always wondered where they live.”

  “Me too,” Wil said. “Years ago, they said I was always welcome among them. I hope that means I can come just for a visit.”

  “Any chance I can tag along?” she asked.

  “Doubtfully, but even if you could, I’d feel better knowing that you were watching over Headquarters here. It’s one thing for us to take a trip to Tararia together, but there…”

  “Yeah, I know what you mean.” Saera looked down. “So, do you think they’ll test Raena the same way they did you?”

  Wil nodded. “It seems to be their standard induction. It’s actually why I’d like for her to meet with them sooner than later.”

  “Why?”

  “I want to know what truth she sees,” he replied. “It very well may shape our future.”

  CHAPTER 5

  The morning after the field trip to the rift, Raena had made up her mind. I need to meet with the Aesir right away.

  She’d considered waiting longer, but after mulling it over as she had lain in bed unable to sleep, she realized there was no point in delaying the meeting. Whatever information could be gleaned from the Aesir would be best to get as soon as possible.

  After breakfast, Raena fiddled with her tablet in the Primus Elite’s common room while she tried to think of the best way to broach the subject with Ryan. She had just adjusted her positioning on the couch when a buzz sounded at the entry door.

  “I’ll get it,” Nora offered, being the closest.

  When the door slid open, Raena was surprised to see her father.

  Nora startled. “Sir, what can—?”

  “Good morning,” Wil greeted and then spotted Raena. “Raena, may I speak with you?”

  “Is this about the Aesir?” she asked.

  “Yes,” he confirmed.

  “Sure. Let me grab some shoes,” Raena said aloud and ran into her bedroom. She returned to the common area and slipped on her boots before following her father into the hall.

  He led them to a meeting room several doors down.

  “I reached out to the Aesir yesterday and told them what we’d seen,” Wil said as soon as the meeting room’s door was sealed. “They confirmed that’s what they’d wanted us to witness.”

  “But why? What does it mean?” Raena asked.

  “I don’t know, but they’re worried. They don’t want the Priesthood to learn about it—it’s made them want to accelerate the plans.”

  Raena crossed her arms. “The political pieces aren’t in place yet for an overthrow.”

  “No, they’re not. So I don’t know what to do,” Wil admitted.

  “I need to look into the nexus,” Raena stated. “That will reveal my path, right?”

  Her father nodded. “I hope so. But are you sure you’re ready to do this?”

  Raena smiled. “I was just about to come find you and say I want to go.”

  He let out a sigh of relief. “Good, because they’re standing by to send a ship. I was also able to convince them to let me come along. After your test, they’re allowing us to go see their home.”

  “Really?” she asked incredulously.

  “I’m not sure if there’s only one place—and if it’s a space station, or a planet, or something else entirely—but they have tech beyond anything the Priesthood allows anyone to possess these days. It sounds like they might be willing to share some of it with us.”

  Raena’s face lit up. “I can’t wait to see it!”

  Wil grinned. “Me either. Their ships alone are incredible.”

  “Cool.” Raena thought for a moment. “What should I tell everyone?”

  “Jason and Ryan know about the Aesir already, so you can tell them the truth. For the others, it’s probably best to say that you’ve been summoned to Tararia for some urgent business for the Dynasty.”

  She nodded. “All right. Any idea how long we’ll be gone?”

  “A day or two, I imagine. But, honestly, I have no idea.”

  “Okay.”

  Wil checked the time on the viewscreen inset in the wall of the meeting room. “It will take them two hours to arrive. So, meet me in my office in ninety minutes—we’ll go up to wait for them at the main spaceport.”

  “All right.” Raena took a deep breath. I can’t believe I’m about to meet with an ancient order of people with advanced telekinetic abilities. This is crazy!

  “See you soon.”

  They parted ways, and Raena returned to her quarters.

  Nora looked at Raena questioningly as soon as she returned.

  “I need to take a brief trip to Tararia,” she replied to the unspoken question. Telepathically, she reached out to Ryan and Jason, “Have a few minutes? I need to tell you something.”

  Within seconds, her boyfriend and brother appeared in their respective bedroom doorways. Raena headed for her room and they followed.

  Tiff and Adaline were lounging on their beds reading.

  “May we have the room?” Raena requested.

  Tiff and Adaline exchanged glances. “What’s up?” Tiff asked.

  “We need to discuss some things in private. Please?”

  Her roommates eyed her suspiciously but got up from their beds.

  “Whatever,” Adaline said.

  They evaluated Ryan as they passed, probably trying to figure out just how much impact his relationship with Raena was going to have on his standing.

  Tiff’s gaze lingered on Jason, as well, but she walked past without commentary.

  Raena rolled her eyes as soon as they were behind her and she slid the bedroom door closed.

  “Why the secret meeting?” Jason asked.

  “All right…” Raena took a deep breath. “You know my extra-long meeting with my dad yesterday? Well, one of the reasons it ran so long was we were discussing the Aesir.”

  Jason’s brow knit. “What about them?”

  Raena swallowed. “I’m going to meet with them today.”

  Ryan’s face paled and Jason’s eyes widened.

  “Why would you do that?” Jason exclaimed. “Dad freaked out when they came for us before!”

  “Yeah, but that was before everything that happened with the Priesthood,” Raena replied. She looked to Ryan. “It’s pretty clear I don’t need those five years to train.”

  “You can do fancy shit without trying, we know,” her brother said. “That doesn’t mean you should go hang out with a bunch of creepy space people who would just as soon let you die or go insane if their test doesn’t go as planned.”

  “I don’t like it, either,” Ryan murmured. “Are you sure they won’t hurt you?”

  “Dad is going with me,” Raena added, hoping that would set them both at ease. “If anyone asks, the cover story is that we had to take care of Dynasty business. But, we’re really going to see if some kind of partnership is possible.”

  “Partner with the Aesir?” Jason shook his head and crossed his arms. “That’ll be the day.”

  “You don’t know any more about them th
an we do,” Raena shot back. “We have no reason to believe they won’t help us. They want the Priesthood gone as much as we do—maybe even more.”

  “But they also stood by and did nothing during the Bakzen War,” Jason pointed out.

  “Regardless of their motivations now or before, you’re walking into a big unknown,” Ryan interjected. “Still, it sounds like you’ve already made up your mind.” Worry filled his eyes.

  “I’ll be fine,” she assured him privately. “I know this is what I’m supposed to do.”

  “This is crazy,” Jason said, shaking his head.

  “It’s the only way we can get new insights beyond what we already know,” Raena insisted.

  After several seconds, her brother nodded. “I can see that. I still think it’s crazy, but I guess I can’t disagree with the plan.”

  Ryan looked less confident, but he nodded, as well. “We’ll be waiting for you to get back.”

  Jason glanced between the two of them. “I’ll give you two a minute.” He gave Raena a quick hug and wished her good luck before leaving the room.

  Ryan embraced Raena as soon as they were alone. “You better come back to me in one piece.”

  “I will, I promise.” She took a slow breath and pulled back to look at him at arm’s length. “We might be gone for a few days, so don’t freak out if I’m not back right away, all right?”

  “Me freak out? Never.” He smiled at her.

  “When I come back, I’ll know what we need to do,” she said. “No more wondering what’s right.”

  “That’s a lot of faith to put in one, brief meeting.”

  “Yeah, like that’s never happened before,” Raena jested, sending him a telepathic reminder of when they first bumped into each other.

  He chuckled. “Point taken.”

  “I’ll be back soon.” She reached her hand behind his neck and they kissed. It might be a while before they were back together again, so she made it count.

  * * *

  Ryan hated the idea of Raena going off to stars-know-where to meet with the Aesir, but he recognized she was in a challenging position. To balance responsibilities to the TSS and Tararia would be difficult enough for someone groomed to fulfill those roles, but to have grown up on Earth without even knowledge of the Taran civilization made it an overwhelming proposition.