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  CADICLE

  An Epic Space Opera

  BOXSET VOLUMES 1-4

  A.K. DuBoff

  CADICLE: BOXSET VOLUMES 1-4

  Copyright © 2019 by A.K. DuBoff

  ARCHITECTS OF DESTINY Copyright © 2015 by A.K. DuBoff

  VEIL OF REALITY Copyright © 2015 by A.K. DuBoff

  BONDS OF RESOLVE Copyright © 2015 by A.K. DuBoff

  WEB OF TRUTH Copyright © 2016 by A.K. DuBoff

  All rights reserved. These books are protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America. No part of these eBooks may be used or reproduced in any manner without written permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles, reviews or promotions.

  These are works of fiction. Names, characters, organizations, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  www.akduboff.com

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  Published by BDL Press

  Cover Illustration: Copyright © 2016 Tom Edwards

  Kindle Edition

  Table of Contents

  About the Cadicle Series

  Prologue

  Volume 1: ARCHITECTS OF DESTINY (Prequel)

  Volume 2: VEIL OF REALITY

  Volume 3: BONDS OF RESOLVE

  Volume 4: WEB OF TRUTH

  Next in the Cadicle Series

  Author’s Note

  Glossary

  About the Author

  About the Cadicle Series

  The Cadicle space opera series spans sixty years across three generations as one family challenges destiny to win a war where enemies are not always who they seem.

  Unknown to modern-day Earth, the galaxy-spanning Taran Empire is in the throes of an interdimensional war…

  Cris Sietinen, heir to the most influential High Dynasty in the Taran Empire, was born with prohibited telekinetic abilities. Determined to be true to himself, sixteen-year-old Cris leaves his privileged life on Tararia with hopes of joining the TSS, the only organization to offer a sanctioned telekinesis training program.

  But being an Agent in the TSS isn’t what he imagined. After years of service, Cris discovers his family is at the center of an elaborate galactic conspiracy orchestrated by the governing Priesthood.

  Genetic engineering, political manipulation, and preordained destinies converge when Cris and his son Wil learn of a secret interdimensional war against the mysterious Bakzen. But the real enemy may be far closer to home. With knowledge of the Priesthood’s hidden agenda and its disastrous ramifications for the Taran Empire, Cris and Wil embark on a mission to save their civilization from certain destruction.

  Prologue

  A genetic evaluation couldn’t lie. The code was definitely corrupted.

  The scientist frowned at the results. “It was a complete failure.”

  “So, we need to try again,” the Priest said from the shadows.

  “This damage can’t be undone. The abilities are all but lost.”

  “Then start over,” the Priest insisted. “There’s still the Archive.”

  The scientist sighed. “Even if it’s possible, it would take generations—hundreds of years.”

  “Then we must begin immediately. Our enemy won’t be forgiving.”

  “That’s what the Bakzen are to us now? An enemy?”

  The Priest took a slow breath. “They’ll overpower us if we don’t find a way to match their strength.”

  “Well, the Archive is our best hope, but that will only get us one genetic line, if we’re lucky. Will a handful of people be enough?” the scientist asked.

  “If it’s the right person, we only need one.”

  Architects of Destiny

  CADICLE: VOLUME 1 (PREQUEL)

  Part 1: New Beginnings

  CHAPTER 1

  I must leave tonight. I can’t stay here any longer— Cris Sietinen ducked to avoid the electronic rapier swinging toward his head.

  “Stay focused.” His tutor jumped to the side as he stabbed at Cris’ torso.

  Cris parried the blow, a challenging glint in his cobalt eyes. “You haven’t hit me yet.”

  “You haven’t struck me, either.” His tutor circled him, steel-blue eyes locked on Cris. “Get inside your opponent’s head, just as Marina taught you. Movements can deceive, but what’s in the mind can’t be faked. Trust your intuition.”

  Clearing his thoughts, Cris prepared for a telepathic assessment. “It’s not intuition, Sedric. Science has told us that much.”

  Sedric Almar sighed. “Telepathy, clairvoyance, call it what you will. You are one of the few with the gift. Use it.” He took a swing toward Cris’ right leg. Though decades past his prime, he still possessed the same youthful vigor as the day he joined the Tararian Guard. Now a trusted Captain, he remained a formidable opponent in any close-quarter combat, gray hair or not.

  With his mind cleared, Cris reached out to read the thoughts grazing the surface of Sedric’s consciousness—catching a glimpse of his next move. Before his instructor could complete his swing, Cris deflected the attack. “If it’s such a ‘gift’, then why does everyone treat it like a curse?”

  “Don’t be so dramatic.” Sedric jabbed toward the main sensor on the chest of Cris’ training jumpsuit.

  As he dodged the attack, Cris brought his own blade to Sedric’s collar in one fluid motion. The sensor lights illuminated red. A kill hit.

  Sedric held out his hands in defeat and nodded his approval. “Next time I won’t go easy on you.”

  Cris took a step back to rest. “I can’t solely rely on telepathy to win. There must be a reason the Priesthood condemns the use of such abilities.” His covert lessons from Marina were defiant enough, flirting with the boundaries of legality.

  Sedric reset his jumpsuit using the controls on the sleeve, and the sensors returned to blue. “It’s not our place to speculate about matters regarding the Priesthood. Not even yours, my lord.”

  “But you have to wonder,” Cris pondered. “On Tararia and most of the colonies, there’s nothing but anti-telekinesis propaganda. Yet, an entire division of the TSS is dedicated to honing the abilities of those rare ‘gifted’ individuals, and the Priesthood does nothing.”

  “The Tararian Selective Service is unique in many ways,” Sedric replied, dismissing the dispute with a shake of his head. He gripped his sword and took an offensive stance. “Now, we have a lesson to finish.”

  Cris was resolute, determined to finally get an answer to the questions his teacher was always so eager to dodge. This is my last chance before I leave. “You spent a year with the TSS, didn’t you? You must have seen so much—”

  A single crease deepened between Sedric’s dark eyebrows. “My lord, with all respect, your father doesn’t appreciate discussion of the TSS.”

  Cris’ restraint slipped. “Of course he doesn’t. He wants me to ignore my abilities, just like he did. Why should I listen to someone who wants me to live a lie?”

  “I’m sorry, I—” Sedric brought his slender sword to a resting position with the illuminated tip on the ground.

  Cris fought to maintain composure, but his serene façade shattered. “You don’t understand what it’s like… to have all the privileges of being born into this family, and yet it doesn’t mean anything. He’ll never be happy with who I am, not after the son he lost years ago. Me? I’m just his replacement heir to the Sietinen Dynasty—a tool to perpetuate our familial empire.” A disappointing shadow of the brother I never knew.


  “You mustn’t think that way, my lord,” Sedric said with a gentleness that belied his hardened exterior.

  Stars! Just a few more hours… Cris swallowed, his throat tight. Then I can get away from Tararia and stop being compared to the impossibly perfect memory of Tristen. “Shite, it’s no wonder he and Mother avoid me. I guess by now I should be used to seeing my instructors more than my own parents.” Cris met Sedric’s gaze for a moment before looking down.

  Sedric put an encouraging hand on Cris’ toned shoulder. “You’re true to yourself, and that’s the best thing you can be.”

  Like that’s done me any good so far. Cris undid the collar of his dark gray training jumpsuit, extinguishing the subtle blue sensor lights. “I’ve had enough for today.”

  Sedric nodded, but his jaw was set in a frown.

  Cris stepped from the black rubberized tiles covering the training arena onto the veined, white marble found throughout the estate. He set his sword in its rack along the wall next to the other training weapons. As he removed his jumpsuit, he stared out the window at the clear sky above the manicured grounds. He couldn’t wait to be out among the stars.

  To Cris’ disappointment, when he glanced at the time displayed on the viewscreen integrated into the wall, he saw that it was only halfway through the scheduled lesson time. He sighed.

  Sedric rested both hands atop the hilt of his sword. “Why the sudden interest in the TSS?”

  Cris returned to the arena, wearing only the gray t-shirt and black workout pants that had been beneath his training attire. “It’s a significant institution, but all I ever hear are rumors. You were actually there. What was it really like?”

  “Very different than anything here on Tararia,” his instructor replied after a moment.

  “How so?”

  Sedric scowled. “You’re trying to get me in trouble.”

  “This is just between us, I promise.”

  The Captain eyed him, still on edge. “First off, nothing of anyone’s life outside the TSS mattered. You could come from one of the High Dynasties or from the streets—everyone was treated the same.” He paused, but Cris’ pleading eyes drove him on. He smoothed his light gray uniform as if reliving a morning muster. “Though I was just in the Militia division, I had a few chances to meet the Agents. They have this presence that can quiet a room. Such power. I was always awed by their abilities. It was something timeless.”

  Cris was captivated. Unrestricted telekinesis… What can they do? “So why did you leave?”

  A grimace flitted across Sedric’s face, barely perceptible. “Many only attend for the first year. It just wasn’t the life for me.”

  Cris examined his instructor. “If many leave after the first year, it must be easy to join. How do—”

  Sedric let out a gruff laugh. “Oh, I see! I never should have said anything. Now you’re getting fanciful ideas.”

  A disarming smile brought out Cris’ natural good looks. He ran a hand through his chestnut brown hair. “Please, Sedric? I’m only trying to broaden my knowledge of the outside world.”

  His teacher scrutinized him. “There’s an open application process for Militia, but most Agent slots are by invitation. However, it is best if you permanently remove such thoughts from your mind.”

  Cris composed his face, but the mischievous smile never fully left his eyes. “I was just curious.”

  The old guard was not convinced. “You have a duty, my lord. Whether you like it or not, you are the Sietinen heir and will one day be in charge of SiNavTech and the Third Region of Tararia. That is an extraordinary responsibility. I only hope that you will embrace that power.”

  “Oh, I will, eventually.” Just as I will embrace the power that I have within. “But I’m only sixteen—that’s still a long ways off.”

  Sedric was about to respond, but was interrupted by the door opening.

  Cris turned to see who had entered. His gaze rested on Marina Alexri, one of his father’s Court Advisors; the intrusion did nothing to improve his mood. Marina was in her mid-twenties and pretty, but she had a frigid demeanor that could silence a room. Her station as his sole telepathy instructor was the one redeeming element of their relationship. He instinctively bolstered his ever-present mental guards, careful to bury his plans for that night. Stars! What does she want?

  “Working hard with combat techniques, I see,” Marina said, gliding forward. Her dark blonde hair was pulled up into a complex bun with braids and twists, and she wore a rich emerald dress tailored to her slender figure. Her green eyes surveyed the room, missing no detail.

  Sedric came to attention. “We were exploring the finer points of verbal battle, madam.”

  “Naturally.” Marina smiled curtly. “Come, Cristoph. There is a matter your father must discuss with you.”

  “It’s ‘Cris’,” he corrected, despite failing with his hundreds of previous attempts.

  “As you wish, my lord.” The Court Advisor withdrew from the room.

  When Marina was out of sight, Cris let out a slow breath and turned to Sedric. “I’m sorry for arguing. You’re a wonderful teacher. I don’t mean to be difficult.” His throat constricted. You’re the only one I’ll miss… You always believed in me.

  Sedric beamed. “Think nothing of it, my lord.”

  Marina returned to the doorway. “Come along. Your father is waiting.” She disappeared again.

  Cris smiled one last time at Sedric before he followed Marina, trying to ease the knot in his chest.

  “I’m surprised my father sent you to fetch me. Now you’re running errands for him?” Cris asked the Court Advisor as he approached. Since coming into the employ of the Sietinen Dynasty three years before, Marina was almost always posted in one of the administrative offices throughout the estate to oversee dynastic operations. Cris’ twice-weekly telepathy lessons over the last year were one of the few exceptions.

  Marina’s brow twitched. “Actually, in light of a recent development, he wished me to terminate your telepathy instruction. I thought that best said in person.”

  Those lessons had been the one thing Cris was reluctant to give up when he thought about leaving his home. If that was being taken away, there was truly nothing left for him on Tararia. “I see.”

  “Such training was an unnecessary distraction,” Marina continued. “It’s time to focus on what matters.”

  Except, what mattered to Cris was of no concern to the rest of his family. All the more reason to leave now while I still can. He shook his head and looked down.

  The Court Advisor pursed her lips. “What are you hiding?”

  Cris quickly suppressed the thoughts of his upcoming departure. “Do you really want to know?”

  Marina rolled her eyes and set off down the corridor. “Come along. We’re late.”

  Cris stood his ground. “On second thought, I’m not in the mood for another lecture. I think I’ll pass on the father-son chat.”

  Marina spun around on her heel to glare at Cris. “How can you be so flippant? You know he’s busy. Someone has to tend to all of the political and economic issues you’ve never bothered to understand—”

  Cris crossed his arms. Oh, don’t I? Try quizzing me sometime and we’ll see who knows what.

  “—and to oversee this Region, all while leading the transportation industry for known civilization… You should be more appreciative of the time you get with him.” She flourished her arms with exasperation. “Honestly, Cristoph, you become more insolent every time I see you.”

  That’s because I can’t take feeling like an outcast in my own family anymore. “Sorry. I guess I just have insurmountable faults in my personality.”

  Marina’s eyes narrowed.

  Cris glared back. “Since I’ll apparently be berated anywhere I go, you may as well lead me straight to my father so I can get the worst of it out of the way.”

  The Court Advisor let out a huff and resumed striding down the hallway.

  No snide response? I’ll
count that as a win. Cris followed her at a safe distance.

  As he trailed Marina through the spacious corridors of the Sietinen mansion’s southern wing, he glimpsed the landscaped grounds of the estate through towering windows overlooking the city of Sieten below and the great Lake Tiadon in the distance. Sieten, the capital city of the Third Region, was nestled in the breathtaking foothills of the Bethral Mountains. Its temperate climate was pleasant in the peaks of summer and winter even without weather modification, making it envied by Dynasties throughout the five other Regions of Tararia. Though it was the only home Cris had ever known, he still felt the need to get away and see what the galaxy had to offer. I’ll come back eventually. I just want to find myself while I still have the chance.

  Marina and Cris arrived at the palatial outer administrative office for the Head of the Sietinen Dynasty. The attendants and advisors throughout the room looked to be working furiously at various touch-surface computer consoles and desktop holodisplays, though Cris had doubts about how much was actually being accomplished.

  Cris spotted his father. He, like all Sietinens before, had the distinctive chestnut hair and striking cobalt eyes that defined the bloodline; carefully arranged marriages ensured the continuation of these traits. Cris knew his mother’s Talsari heritage was nearly as pure as Sietinen, but the prestige of Sietinen was paramount.

  Marina led Cris toward the elder Sietinen, who was absorbed in conversation with two advisors. To Cris’ displeasure, Marina halted just beyond earshot of his father’s conversation, leaving Cris to stand idly while the exchange concluded. How typical, after all the rush to arrive for the meeting, Cris would still have to wait. He glanced over at Marina. She returned his gaze with a decidedly hostile smile.

  After a few minutes, the advisors were dismissed and Reinen Sietinen-Monsari turned to look Cris over silently. Gray touched his temples, bringing a sense of distinguished age to his handsome features. He wore a deep blue suit embellished with silver accents, the finest available. “Marina informed you of the change to your instruction, I presume.”