Conspiracy Read online

  CONSPIRACY

  MINDSPACE: BOOK 2

  A.K. DuBoff

  MINDSPACE: CONSPIRACY

  Copyright © 2018 by A.K. DuBoff

  All rights reserved. This book is protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America. No part of this eBook 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.

  This is a work 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

  Want to be notified about A.K. DuBoff’s new releases?

  Newsletter signup:

  www.subscribepage.com/akduboffnewsletter

  Special thanks to Beta/JIT readers:

  Craig Martelle

  Jim Dean

  John Ashmore

  Kurt Schulenburg

  Tracey Byrnes

  Leo Roars

  Eric Haneberg

  Randy Barber

  Curtis Johnson

  Ron Gailey

  Micky Cocker

  Kelly O’Donnell

  Kimberly Boyer

  John Findlay

  Sarah Weir

  Joshua Ahles

  Daniel Weigert

  Larry Omans

  Tim Bischoff

  Peter Manis

  Mike Pendergrass

  Publisher: BDL Press

  Cover Design by Andrew Dobell (www.creativeedgestudios.co.uk)

  Cover Copyright © 2018 A.K. DuBoff

  First eBook Edition: January 11, 2019

  Kindle Edition

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  Forward – The Cadicle Universe

  Key Terms, Cast, and Locations

  Book One Recap

  CHAPTER 1

  CHAPTER 2

  CHAPTER 3

  CHAPTER 4

  CHAPTER 5

  CHAPTER 6

  CHAPTER 7

  CHAPTER 8

  CHAPTER 9

  CHAPTER 10

  CHAPTER 11

  CHAPTER 12

  CHAPTER 13

  CHAPTER 14

  CHAPTER 15

  CHAPTER 16

  CHAPTER 17

  CHAPTER 18

  CHAPTER 19

  CHAPTER 20

  CHAPTER 21

  CHAPTER 22

  CHAPTER 23

  Also by A.K. DuBoff

  Author’s Notes

  About the Author

  Forward – The Cadicle Universe

  The events in the Mindspace series are a self-contained story arc set in the larger Cadicle universe.

  Tarans are the predominant race in the Cadicle universe; humans are a Taran sub-race. Because these characters aren’t human, they use different swears and terms. Most of the Taran sphere falls within the purview of the Taran Empire, governed from the planet Tararia. There are several rogue colonies on the outskirts of the Empire, some of which broke away from the Empire so long ago that they have forgotten their Taran ancestry, such as Earth.

  Chronologically, the Mindspace series takes place after the events in the original Cadicle series and before the forthcoming Cadicle sequel series, the Taran Empire Saga.

  There are references in Mindspace to the Bakzen War and a political coup related to the Priesthood. These are the central events in the original Cadicle series, so it is recommended to read that series first if you’d like to experience the events in chronological order. However, prior knowledge of this broader story universe is not required in order to read and enjoy the Mindspace books.

  Key Terms, Cast, and Locations

  KEY TERMS

  Taran – The race of all people in the Taran Empire; synonymous with human

  Tararian Guard – The primary military force for the Taran Empire

  Jump – Faster-than-light travel through subspace

  Beacon Network – The navigation method for subspace jumps, maintained by SiNavTech

  High Dynasties – The seven ruling families of the Taran Empire, collectively a governing council

  Tararian Selective Service (TSS) – A quasi-military organization specializing in telekinesis; a complement to the Tararian Guard

  Priesthood – The former governing body of the Taran Empire

  CAST

  Tararian Guard

  Kira Elsar – Captain, team leader

  Ari Lanmore – Lance corporal, weapons specialist on Kira’s team

  Kyle Asher – Lance corporal, technical specialist on Kira’s team

  Nia Boro – Lance corporal, technical specialist on Kira’s team

  Leon Caletti – Civilian consultant, geneticist/scientist, Kira’s significant other

  Terence Kaen – Colonel, Kira’s chain-of-command

  Lucas Sandren – Major, Kira’s commanding officer

  Deanna Olvera – Major, Orion Station head of security

  Doctor Elric – Lead medical doctor for Orion Station base

  Allen Lucian – General, leader of Orion Station base

  Elusian Alliance

  (member world of Taran Empire)

  Elton Joris – President

  Ellen Caletti – Press Secretary, former Mysaran spy (Leon’s sister)

  Nico – Assistant to President Joris

  Mysaran Coalition

  (independent world)

  Cynthia Hale – Chancellor

  MTech

  (Research company based on Mysar with a branch on Valta)

  Monica Waylon – Director of MTech’s lab on Valta (deceased)

  Jared Frey – Monica’s research assistant at the MTech lab

  LOCATIONS

  Orion Station – Tararian Guard base

  Elvar Trinary – Kira’s home system (planets: Mysar, Valta, Elusia)

  Tararia – The central planet of the Taran Empire

  The Story So Far…

  Captain Kira Elsar leads a covert ops team within the Tararian Guard, specializing in information retrieval. She is the sole telepath within the Guard, with a unique blend of abilities only found in some individuals born and raised on her homeworld of Valta.

  When a recon mission goes wrong, evidence of illegal nanotech experimentation and a brewing civil war point toward Kira’s homeworld. She is sent on an undercover mission to gather information, with her ex-boyfriend, Leon Caletti, serving as her local point of contact. Leon works as a genetics researcher in the target lab on Valta, the newest facility of a Mysaran organization called MTech.

  Through her investigation, Kira discovers that the MTech lab’s director, Monica Waylon, is one of the rare Tarans with telekinetic abilities. She has been gathering subjects on which to test a new strain of alien-hybrid nanites, which may grant recipients special abilities. The resulting ‘Robus’ can shift from their normal Taran form into a hybrid state with enhanced speed and strength, metallic scales, silvery claws, and distinctive orange bioluminescent eyes.

  Meanwhile, there’s a mole somewhere in the Tararian Guard. Colonel Kaen launches an investigation with the security chief, Deanna Olvera, and they eventually discover three seemingly independent leaks—one connected to each of the three planets in the Elvar Trinary: Elusia, Mysar, and Valta. They realize that forces have been working behind the scenes to prevent the independent colony system from officially rejoining the Taran Empire.

  Political pressures come to a head. Leon’s sister, Ellen—who was working on Elusia for Mysaran conspirators with the objective of assassinating the president, Joris—realizes she’s been working for the wrong side and pledges her allegiance to Elusia. With the Mysa
ran military making a move against Elusia, President Joris signs the Taran reunification agreement without formal approval from others in the system, leaving Valta and Mysar with an uncertain future.

  Realizing that MTech’s plans extend far beyond Valta, Kira transmits the necessary evidence for the Guard to seize the MTech lab. However, Monica won’t go down without a fight. Kira’s backup arrives, and she re-enters the MTech lab to free Monica’s test subjects and arrest the rogue scientist and her assistant, Jared. In the process, Kira gets into a physical altercation with Monica, during which Monica slips her a dose of a new strain of experimental nanites via a syringe.

  Kira wins the fight, killing Monica in the process. Leon is out of a job when the MTech lab is condemned, but Colonel Kaen offers him a position as a civilian consultant with the Guard, which Leon accepts. Kira returns home, happy to have rekindled her relationship with Leon. Everything seems to be the best it’s been in years—until she looks in mirror and sees the telltale glowing eyes of a Robus staring back.

  CHAPTER 1

  Eyes weren’t supposed to glow orange. Captain Kira Elsar was positive about that fact, and she was especially sure that her eyes should be nothing other than hazel.

  She backed away from the bathroom mirror. What the fok happened?

  Kira’s mind pored over the events from the last several days—her infiltration of the MTech research facility, her struggle with the mad scientist, Monica, and… the prick on her wrist.

  “Oh, fok,” she whispered.

  Her medical exam had come back clear. Everything had seemed fine until this moment. But Monica must have given her the treatment that she had been working on in her secret lab—an experimental strain of nanites.

  But Kira didn’t want to be anything other than herself, let alone some freakish alien hybrid Robus with fifteen-centimeter claws, enhanced strength, super speed, and stars knew what else. Well, admittedly, the speed and strength would be perks, but that was beside the point.

  Leon! With sudden panic, she remembered her ex-boyfriend turned second chance lover waiting in her bed. Her hopes to rekindle the relationship would most certainly meet a premature end if she slashed his face off.

  She slammed the door to the bathroom and locked it.

  “Everything okay in there?” Leon called from the next room, having roused to the sound.

  “Uh… we might have a problem,” Kira replied.

  “What is it?”

  “Um….” She thought about what to say. Well, can’t exactly hide foking orange glowy eyes. She swallowed. “So, remember when you thought you saw Monica slip me a shot while we were fighting in the lab?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Well, looks like I was dosed after all.”

  Running footfalls sounded in the other room. “Kira, what’s happening?” His voice was just on the other side of the door.

  Kira looked in the mirror. “My eyes are orange.”

  “Kira! What…?”

  “Nothing else seems off, though,” she added. “But I saw what those things did in the lab. If I transform completely, I don’t know if I’d be myself. I don’t want to hurt you.”

  “Well, a tiny bathroom isn’t the best place for you to be right now. We need to get you somewhere where we can run tests and figure out what’s going on.”

  “Leon, you are being entirely too calm and rational right now, considering I just told you I might be infected with alien nanotech!”

  “Losing my shite won’t help you.”

  Stars, she wished she could kiss him through the door. I am never letting this guy go again. She took a deep breath. “Thank you.”

  “Now, if I recall, Melissa didn’t shift as long as she was calm,” Leon continued. “I know you’re freaking out right now, but take slow, steady breaths and clear your mind.”

  Kira did as she was instructed. Her heartrate slowed, and she felt she was in control.

  After a minute, she looked in the mirror and saw the orange was fading from her eyes.

  “That worked! Fok, why is this happening?” She unlocked the door and slid it open.

  Leon was waiting for her on the other side. His brow was furrowed, and his violet eyes searched hers. “Looks normal now.”

  “I don’t want to be a Robus.” Kira wrapped her arms around him, and he held her close.

  “It’s all technology. We can find a way to fix this, or at least to keep you from turning against your will.”

  “Don’t make promises you might not be able to keep.” She pulled away. “Let’s get me into a holding cell while I’m myself. No telling what might happen next.”

  “Right.” Leon took her hand and squeezed it. “I’m here for you no matter what, okay?”

  Kira placed a hand on the side of his face. “Thanks. Nice job talking me down.”

  “I have a gift.” He gave her a quick kiss.

  She ran her fingers through his hair, relishing the contact. There was no telling when they might be alone and close together again.

  “We should get dressed,” she murmured as their lips parted.

  They put on their shipsuits in silence. Thoughts of her future flashed through Kira’s head. As much as she wanted to think that Leon’s advanced training in genetics would help save her from this apparent affliction, she had little hope there would be a treatment for her. To the best of her knowledge, once someone had nanites in their body, it was almost impossible to eradicate the tech. Whatever she was becoming, might be the new normal.

  When they were dressed, Leon extended his hand. “I’m with you. It’s going to be fine.”

  She entwined her fingers in his. “I hope so.”

  They hurried from the lower left arm of the star-shaped Orion Station—the Tararian Guard base Kira called home—to the medical facilities in the center of the structure.

  Upon reaching the reception area, Kira released Leon’s hand and stepped forward. “I’m submitting myself for placement into quarantine.”

  The intake nurse’s eyes widened. “What for? Have you been exposed to a contagion?”

  “No, nothing like that.”

  “Then why do you suggest quarantine?” the nurse asked.

  “Because a few minutes ago I had orange, glowing eyes, and I might turn into an alien monster in any second.”

  The nurse took a step back. “I’ll get the doctor.” She ran across the room.

  “It’s just my foking luck.” Kira sighed.

  “On the positive side, now we know what Monica gave you, at least,” Leon pointed out. “I was worried it might be some sort of sleeper attack thing where we’d forget there was ever a problem, and then ten years from now someone would say just the right words to activate you, and you’d go on a murder spree.”

  “Still might go on a murder spree with this whole deal.” Kira circled her face with her index finger.

  “You won’t lose touch with yourself.” Leon looked her in the eyes. “We’ll get through this, Kira.”

  She was about to respond when the nurse ran back across the infirmary with the doctor who’d given Kira a medical all-clear not an hour prior.

  “What seems to be the problem now?” the Doctor Elric asked.

  “Well, Doctor, I looked in the mirror and my eyes were glowing orange.”

  He frowned. “They’re not now.”

  “Yes, I’m aware of that,” Kira replied. “I think I was injected with Robus nanites.”

  The doctor stared at her blankly.

  “Did you not read the mission report?” Kira took a calming breath. “You know what, just lock me up and call Colonel Kaen.”

  “Wh—” the doctor began.

  Kira set off across the infirmary toward the isolation chambers she’d seen on her previous visits. “I’ll just see myself in.”

  Leon and the doctor followed her.

  “I can’t say I’ve ever had a patient so insistent to be quarantined,” Doctor Elric said.

  “It’s best not to argue with her when she’
s made up her mind,” Leon advised.

  “And you are?” Elric asked.

  Leon hesitated and looked to Kira. They hadn’t placed a title on their relationship status yet.

  “Leon Calleti, the Guard’s newest civilian consultant—genetics research,” Kira replied for him. “And he’s with me.”

  “As in, to be locked up, as well?” the doctor prompted.

  Kira sighed. “No, as in a partner—someone with vested interest in my wellbeing. If I’m not myself, I give permission for him to speak on my behalf.”

  Leon met her gaze, his mouth parted with surprise.

  She gave him a smile of affirmation as she reached the quarantine chamber’s entrance. The plexiglass box was on par with the facilities Kira had seen in the MTech search labs, and she was confident it would be able to hold her even if she lost control in Robus form.

  Doctor Elric made an entry on the keypad next to the chamber, and a transparent door slid open with a hiss.

  Kira stepped into the entry tunnel, which ran the depth of the room parallel to the main space. “We’ll talk this through with Colonel Kaen.”

  She pressed the button inside to cycle the chamber. The exterior door closed and an interior panel in the side of the tunnel slid open. Though the setup was equipped with bolts, no security lock protocols were presently engaged.

  Kira stepped into the room and walked up to the front window next to the entry tunnel. She placed her hand on the plexiglass.

  Leon touched his fingertips to hers on the other side of the barrier. “I’ll meet with my new team. We’ll figure this out.” His voice sounded hollow through the filter of the comm system.

  “You need to talk to Jared,” Kira told him.

  Leon scowled. “I want nothing to do with that piece of shite.”

  “He helped Monica do whatever was done to me. If it can be undone, he may know how.”

  He nodded. “All right, I’ll make the arrangements to interview him.”