Read Online Crossroads of Fate (Cadicle #5): An Epic Space Opera Series by Amy DuBoff - Free Book Online Page A

a comm channel to the Vanquish when she sensed a presence behind her.
    “Be careful with that,” a male voice warned.
    Saera spun around to see a man dressed in a gray work jumpsuit, perhaps in his late-thirties. She didn’t detect strong telekinetic ability from him, so he was likely Militia division. No rank was visible on his outfit. “I know my way around ships.”
    “This one happens to be very sensitive,” the man countered.
    Rather brazen, talking to an Agent that way. “I’ll be spending a lot of time here, I imagine. I need to become acquainted.”
    The man frowned. “A crew hasn’t been decided.”
    “Well, it has a captain. Given that he’s my husband, I’m pretty sure I’ll be assigned.”
    The man was silent for a moment, connecting the dots. He looked Saera over. Then, there was a spark of recognition. “Are you Agent Alexander?”
    “Yes.”
    “Where is Agent Sietinen?”
    “He went for a briefing with the High Commander. You just missed him.”
    His eyes narrowed. “Why are you still here?”
    I could ask you the same thing. “I have been tasked with getting the Primus Elites settled on the ship. It seems you’re a little short on quarters, so we’ll be staying here.”
    “All the quarters are on the lower levels.”
    “I figured as much.” It was becoming difficult for Saera to hide her irritation. She took a slow breath. “I was about to send a message to the Vanquish so they could begin shuttling the Primus Elites over here.”
    “Why were you using the ship’s communications?”
    That’s enough. Saera crossed her arms. “Why the barrage of questions? Who are you?”
    “My name is Aram Laensir. I helped design the Conquest.”
    “Well, Aram, it’s a very nice ship. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some logistics to manage.” She turned back to the front console with the communications controls.
    “Wait.”
    Saera looked back at him expectantly.
    “I was supposed to give Agent Sietinen and his team an orientation. I guess I should just start with you,” Aram said, looking a little apologetic for his initial behavior.
    “All right, go ahead.”
    Aram nodded. “Okay. The Conquest follows the basic prototype for the cruiser-class TSS ships, as you probably noticed.”
    “Yes.”
    “The interior layout and overall structure are the same, with some cosmetic modifications. The internal systems, however, are quite unique. The main feature is the telekinetic interface.”
    “These podiums in the middle.” Saera stepped up onto the center platform.
    “That is the primary interface, yes, along with the front consoles. From here, an Agent can connect to any system in the ship.”
    Any system? “Even navigation? Weapons?”
    “Based on the early sketches we were working from, that was the whole point.”
    So, Wil designed a giant amplifier for his abilities. This isn’t just for simultaneous observation—it’s weaponized telekinesis. Saera felt a sudden pang in her chest. All this time I’ve been thinking of Wil as a leader and strategist, but if he designed something like this ship… he sees himself as a living weapon. Is this what has always weighed so heavily on him? Why wouldn’t he talk to me about it?
    Aram cocked his head. “Did you want me to continue?”
    Saera returned from her thoughts. “Yes, please.”
    “You may have noticed the band around the exterior perimeter of the ship. That’s the relay for the telekinetic input. It focuses the telekinetic energy from any of the access points throughout the ship. It can support the shield generator, or even the jump drive.”
    “Spatial dislocation?”
    “In theory. We haven’t been able to test it—none of the Agents working on the project were a high enough CR to even make an attempt.”
    Only Wil is powerful enough to dislocate a vessel this size. Maybe some of the Primus Elites could dislocate a jet, but nothing like this. “I guess we’ll have to test it out, then.”
    “I’d love to have the