Free Crossroads of Fate (Cadicle #5): An Epic Space Opera Series by Amy DuBoff

Engineering so the ship isn’t completely unattended, but otherwise it’s just us.”
    “What are those engineers’ names?” Saera asked.
    “Nolan and Becca. Why?”
    Saera’s stomach knotted. “What about Aram Laensir?”
    “Aram? No, he’s working back in the lab.”
    “Well, he stopped by when I was in the Command Center a few minutes ago.”
    Laecy crossed her arms. “He shouldn’t have been up there without a senior engineer. He’s apprenticing in bioelectric engineering, working on the telekinetic interface with the ship.”
    Trespassing and mysterious performance readings was a concerning combination. “How long have you known him?”
    “He’s bounced around to a few different positions over the past three years or so. He used to be a pilot.”
    Saera tilted her head. “He’s not an Agent.”
    “Many of our pilots here aren’t.”
    “Why the career change?”
    The engineer slumped. “There was an accident. His squad landed in the H2 hanger and there was an explosion. Killed one of my best friends. A few of the pilots were never the same afterward, him included.”
    Saera took a step toward the nearest access terminal on the wall. “What was the cause of the explosion?”
    “A Bakzen weapon. Silver goop stuff—we call it Detno. We’ve only ever seen it out on the battlefield before and since then. Normally it detonates on impact, but this one didn’t go off until the jet was back at H2. Never did identify what triggered it.” Laecy’s brow knit. “Why?”
    “Time to reopen the investigation.” Saera activated the terminal and navigated toward the internship communication system.
    Laecy’s eyes widened with shock. “You don’t think Aram…?”
    “Two strange circumstances and one person present for both. I’m not taking any chances around Wil.”
    “Becca and Nolan were present for both, for that matter,” Laecy countered.
    Saera brought up the Vanquish on the comm menu. “Then we’ll question all of you.” The call connected after a moment. “Cris, hold off on sending the Primus Elites over. We have a situation.”
    *       *       *
    Wil surveyed the War Room. It was completely interior to the Headquarters structure, with no windows. An oblong touch-surface table with polished metal legs was in the middle of the room, equipped with a holographic projector and surrounded by a dozen chairs upholstered in dark blue fabric with a slightly iridescent sheen.
    Five officers sat around the table. All of them had been at Wil’s hasty welcome from the transport shuttle.
    Taelis took a seat near the middle of the table and gestured for Wil to sit at the head by the door.
    “What did you think of the Conquest?” Ramsen, the Lead Agent, asked.
    “It’s perfect,” Wil replied. “I can’t wait to perform a detailed inspection.”
    The officers nodded with satisfaction. They then looked between Taelis and Wil, not sure who was going to take the lead.
    Wil broke the uncomfortable silence. “I know it’s strange, finally having me here.” No one said anything, but a couple people looked down at the smooth tabletop. “The last time you saw me, I was still more or less a kid. I hope I made a decent impression on you, but I was totally out of my depth. I’ve learned a lot since then. I know what you need from me, and I’m here to lead.”
    Taelis relaxed into his chair. “Good.”
    “Now, tell me everything.”
    A grimace passed across Taelis’ face. “Where to begin?”
    Wil folded his hands on the tabletop. “For starters, what’s the state of the TSS fleet?”
    “We have the numbers we hoped to have for you, but the fleet isn’t positioned well at the moment. We have far too many ships bunched up here around H2.” Taelis activated the holographic projector at the center of the table. “Here’s a schematic of our current positions.”
    Wil studied the map. Red dots indicated offensive vessels, such as cruisers and battleships, green were supply carriers, and