Tildari Sunrises (The Agitator's Code #3) Read online

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1.....................................................................3

  Chapter 2....................................................................11

  Chapter 3....................................................................16

  Chapter 4....................................................................25

  Chapter 5....................................................................31

  Chapter 6....................................................................37

  Chapter 7....................................................................41

  Chapter 8....................................................................51

  Chapter 9....................................................................55

  Chapter 10...................................................................62

  Chapter 11...................................................................67

  Chapter 12...................................................................75

  Chapter 13...................................................................81

  Chapter 14...................................................................87

  Chapter 15...................................................................90

  Chapter 16...................................................................96

  Chapter 17..................................................................101

  Chapter 18..................................................................108

  Chapter 19..................................................................117

  Chapter 20..................................................................124

  Chapter 21..................................................................132

  Chapter 22..................................................................141

  Chapter 23..................................................................149

  Chapter 24..................................................................154

  Chapter 25..................................................................160

  Chapter 26..................................................................165

  Chapter 27..................................................................169

  Chapter 28..................................................................172

  Acknowledgments...........................................................178

  About the Author............................................................179

  By Octavia Atlas.............................................................180

  Copyright..................................................................181

  Chapter 1

  Darion studied Tolrek’s face, seeing the deep furrow between his brows. They were discussing a possible change in Tolrek’s military status. Rumors were circulating that the Vaironian Security Branch would discharge Tolrek from military service. With that looming over Tolrek’s career plans, his usually vibrant green eyes were filled with anger and frustration.

  “We’ll deal with this together,” Darion said. “Isn’t that right?”

  Tolrek finally smiled, his deep dimples appearing. “Right. This is another challenge we’ll power through.”

  Darion was glad the strained silence was gone. Tolrek’s sour expression wasn’t due to anything Darion had done, but it still bothered him Tolrek had been upset.

  Najrina, their pet hettira, rested with her head in Tolrek’s lap. Her usual boisterousness was subdued, as if she’d sensed the serious mood. Tolrek ran his fingers through Najrina’s blue-gray fur, his expression thoughtful.

  “Why do you think the VSB even wants to end your career?” Darion asked.

  “They’re scared of me.” Tolrek stroked his jaw. “And I understand why. I’m still learning what I can do. It’s already enough to worry me. But the VSB’s thinking of discharging me. That’s not right.”

  Less than a year had passed since Tolrek had found out his true roots. He’d been able to connect with the Ruiskatani people of Western Ledano. He’d experienced a serious health issue, resulting in frequent nose bleeds, severe headaches, and vomiting blood clots. The cure for Tolrek’s condition had been on a different planet than where he’d been born. During the process of learning who he was, he’d found out he was host to three symbionts. The health issues had been caused by them trying to fully mature. He was still adjusting to those changes.

  “I wish I could be there now,” Darion said. “You look like you need a hug.”

  “I need that—and much more.”

  Darion touched the hologram of Tolrek. He knew it wouldn’t be enough, but it was all they had. He and Tolrek were over 160 million miles apart.

  “Will it get any easier?” Darion asked.

  Tolrek shifted on the couch, his expression returning to being frustrated. “I’d like to think so. But maybe I’m being too optimistic. The days seem like they’re creeping along.”

  Darion let out a sigh. “I know what you mean. At least we’re one day closer to being in the same place.”

  They relaxed in their respective living rooms, having a late night conversation that crossed planets, with Tolrek on Bharatos and Darion on Krefana. While they’d last been together three months ago, the full weight of a long distance relationship affected them. Darion was stationed in Tildar, focused on demanding assignments for the empire. Tolrek continued his active duty status in the Vaironian military. Given their hectic schedules, they could only visit each other every few months, if they were lucky. That arrangement had been going on for over a year.

  “Let’s not dwell on the time,” Tolrek said.

  Darion laughed softly. “Missing me?”

  “It’s the same for you, isn’t it?”

  “Definitely. But it can’t all be bad for you.” Darion wiggled his eyebrows. “You’re in that military calendar.”

  Tolrek shook his head and laughed. He’d been part of a campaign to enlist more mecha pilot candidates. That year’s VSB holographic calendar had focused on the current kezriun pilots, prominently featuring him.

  “You seemed to have fun with the promos,” Darion said. “I’ve watched the videos. A lot.”

  Tolrek had been filmed for a profile on him, chronicling his youth, his years at the military academy, and his success while serving. Over the course of seven weeks, the VSB had uploaded segments about Tolrek to the interplanetary multinet. His mixture of professionalism, teasing charm, and good looks had increased his popularity online and offline. Recruitment for the mecha pilot program had improved by ten percent.

  Tolrek chuckled at Darion’s teasing. “I know we need more recruits, but that process was embarrassing.” He cursed softly. “This makes the VSB wanting to discharge me even more of an insult.”

  “Your discharge is a rumor.”

  “I can’t help feeling like it’s going to happen. And it’s frustrating.”

  “Let’s not worry until we can be sure. Focus on the good things.” Darion graced him with a hopeful smile. “Remember we’ll see each other next month.”

  “Yes.” Tolrek’s tone was wistful. “I’ve missed us being together. Traveling in Tildar. Going to the family dinners. Being there as a hologram isn’t the same as in-person.”

  At the end of each week, Darion attended a meal at his parents’ home. A place was set for Tolrek and his holographic representation was displayed. He participated as fully as he could and they made the best of the situation, finding as much joy as they could.

  Tolrek’s mindset seeming to be much better, he leaned forward. “D, I really needed to hear from you tonight.” He slipped Darion a gentle smile. “Thanks for pulling me out of this sour mood.”

  “I’m yours and you’re mine, remember?” Darion smiled at him fondly. “I’m in tune with you.”

  Tolrek graced him with a heated gaze. “Speaking of being in tune with each other, I’ll send you another batch of pictures.”

  “When?” Darion sat up straight. “Like now?”

  “Soon.” Tolrek winked at him. “I know you need more of me. Don’t look at the photos until after work tomorrow. That’s an order.”

  Darion groaned in mild frustration. “How am I supposed to concentrate now?”

  Tolrek shrugged playfully. “Good luck...and goodbye.”

  Darion laughed softly as they ended their call.

  ***

  Two days after his conversation with Darion, Tolrek thought back to what they’d discussed. His speculation about the Vaironian government’s growing suspicion about him had been correct. Nolan Barel and Eleni Khane, the VSB’s Director and Deputy Director, sat a short distance from him in Nolan’s office. Everyone’s attention was on the large viewing screen opposite Nolan’s desk. The video playing was from the country’s main news network, with a reporter detailing military developments. Tolrek clenched his jaw, as he listened to a recent news story about himself:

  The Vaironian Subcommittee for Defense’s annual review of the nation’s Kezriun Program ended with heated comments about Captain Tolrek Marou. The famous pilot, previously imprisoned for leading a rebellion, has never gotten out from under the shadow of his actions. Marou became the subject of speculation again when a confidential military source revealed to o
ur network that he was not Vaironian.

  Marou is from Western Ledano, also known as Ruiskata. The Ruiskatani have an unusual affinity with machines. That may explain why the captain could lead a team that breached Ersha’s capital, a feat no other nation has achieved.

  The Subcommittee for Defense has voiced serious reservations about Marou’s place in the military. During a recess from the review, Subcommittee Leader Qriv stated, “a non-Vaironian in such a prominent position is unacceptable.” We expect Marou will remain under scrutiny as the government determines what kind of threat he is. Stay tuned for regular updates about this volatile issue that could shape the country’s defense strategies.

  The news feature ended and Tolrek felt the tension rise in the room. The meeting with Nolan and Eleni was the last thing he’d wanted to do. He barely kept himself from rolling his eyes, given how the reporter had finished the segment. He’d bet “volatile issue” had been chosen to sound sensational. The reporter in the news clip had used a critical tone, making Tolrek more annoyed about the situation.

  Tolrek chafed under Nolan’s scrutiny, as he wondered what Nolan thought. The official’s shrewd gray eyes were even more piercing than usual. Tolrek wasn’t sure he’d like where the conversation would go. The matter he’d been dreading had finally fully surfaced. The VSB had been asking more about his abilities to control machines. He’d imagined that the more he showed his talents, especially as a mecha pilot, the more the VSB would demand answers. A set of security drones, though they were camouflaged, already followed him whenever he was in public.

  “Captain Marou, your attention is drifting,” Nolan said, his tone sharp. “This situation is important.”

  Nolan ordered his office VI to play footage from Tolrek’s recent training exercise with Alrak Nor, Tolrek’s kezriun. He’d zipped his machine through the air, easily outmaneuvering seven other mecha pilots.

  “We need to understand what you did,” Nolan said. “Nothing we’ve built should be able to move like that. I’d say what I saw was impossible but...” He motioned to the footage. “We have it on record.”

  “The only thing I see is that I’m the VSB’s best pilot.”

  “That isn’t the full truth.” Nolan’s gaze was critical. “I could compel you to tell me.”

  Tolrek gave him a restrained smile. “You could try.”

  Eleni cleared her throat. “Did something happen when you visited Ruiskata?”

  “I learned about my background on my father’s side. My paternal grandmother, Serene Zenia Adrati, was glad I was alive and welcomed my visit.”

  Tolrek intentionally left out the ceremony he’d undergone to unleash his latent powers. He was part of the small percentage of Ruiskatani born with Ravinoa, three symbionts that augmented his mental and physical abilities. Meaning “universe’s gift” in Ledani, the symbionts designated Tolrek as a Kibatai. The elite group of warriors possessed special strength, as well as a stunning affinity for controlling machines. Few details were widely-available in the solar system about the Ruiskatani and even less about the Kibatai among them. Tolrek treated that information with the protocol used for a top secret mission—need-to-know basis. As far as he was concerned, no one in the VSB would have that level of clearance for his true background.

  He studied Nolan and Eleni, making fists under the table. Over the years, his trust in them had steadily dried up. Now he simply wanted to finish his service, be honorably discharged, and leave Vaironia. He’d earned all of his accolades and lost dear friends to the VSB’s war machine. These latest tactics seemed like another attempt to chop away at his stellar service.

  “We need to understand what’s going on with you,” Eleni said. “We can’t have you fighting in our military, without knowing what you can do.” She ordered the VI to display Tolrek’s most recent medical data. A holographic image appeared, showing a silhouette of Tolrek’s body with the doctor’s notes next to it. “The head physician flagged your yearly physical, due to various anomalies. We know you’re not Vaironian, so we need to monitor you carefully. You’re using expensive weaponry and doing things with it that are unusual—and frankly disturbing.”

  Tolrek wasn’t surprised to hear any of that. The previous week, he’d flown in exercises in the Sarani Mountains. He’d annihilated his targets 20 percent faster than the other kezriun pilots. The media had acquired the footage, analyzing how differently he’d moved in Alrak Nor compared to other fighters in their kezriun.

  “We have competing interests to balance,” Eleni said. “Your abnormal abilities are getting significant attention in the media.”

  The news footage had been loaded to the multinet, unleashing a storm of speculation. Much wasn’t known about him and definitely not about Ruiskatani in general. Tolrek was aware of the wild theories, including that he’d been artificially enhanced. He wouldn’t be confirming anything.

  Nolan leaned forward and clasp his hands on the table made of the nation’s darkest wood. “The doctor noted some markings on your body. They appear to be natural, but they only appeared after your trip to Ruiskata. Isn’t that the case?”

  “Yes.”

  “Do the hexagons on your scalp, chest, and stomach mean anything?”

  “They’re also natural.”

  “Any reason they’d appear at this stage in your life?” Eleni asked.

  “It happens with all Ruiskatani adults,” Tolrek said. “I’m still learning about my heritage.”

  He wouldn’t go into detail about the intricacies of his Ruiskatani background. He simply wasn’t comfortable with the VSB having that kind of knowledge about him. He considered the Vaironian and Tildari Treaty, where the Tildari had agreed to dampen their powers, as a compromise with Vaironia. Tolrek wasn’t sure if something similar would be demanded of the Ruiskatani and he didn’t want to be the catalyst for that.

  Nolan let out a long breath. “Stubborn as ever.”

  “Director, is there a formal complaint about my service?” Tolrek asked. “The doctor didn’t indicate anything was wrong with me. I’ve received top ratings during my flights and my performance as an instructor has been stellar.”

  “We must consider the optics whenever you’re involved,” Nolan said firmly. “Have you forgotten you led a rebellion?”

  “I hope Vaironia never forgets.”

  Uncomfortable silence settled after Tolrek’s terse words. He let the tension rise, perfectly fine with making Nolan and Eleni uneasy.

  “You may go, Captain,” Nolan said. “But there will be a follow-up.”

  Tolrek stood and saluted. “Until the next time.”

  ***

  Darion needed the worst of his memories to stay buried, but yet another dream was plagued with them. He dreamed of when he was a child and part of the Meridian Program, an effort to manage those with bioelectric and other paranormal powers like his. As a young version of himself, he stood at the center of the main laboratory, his fists clenched as he stared at the lab tech. A piece of glass pressed against the technician’s throat. There was nothing the tech could do but stand there, frozen in fear and at the mercy of a furious twelve-year-old. Darion was over five feet from the frightened tech, having telekinetically slammed him against the wall. He looked at the three other techs in return. They watched him, their faces a mixture of confusion and fright.

  The door to the lab slid aside and Director Calren Gage entered, his face etched with anger. On any other day, Darion might have been scared. But today, he’d reached his limit of testing and that overrode his fear.

  Calren pointed at one of the techs. “Get over there and do your job! I’m your boss, not these damn children.”

  One of the techs finally moved and Darion deployed his bioelectric shield, sending out tentacles to force the tech to stop. Calren cursed and pulled out a device. He pressed a button on it. Immediately, Darion’s skin began to sizzle and his shield rumbled, signaling it could collapse. Calren had deployed a specialized electromagnetic pulse, one tuned to Darion’s bioelectric frequency and strong enough to shut him down. Or at least it had been able to do that a week ago. Darion had learned how to boost and modulate his power, rendering the EMP useless. And if they kept pushing him, that glass shard was going in the technician’s throat.

  A second technician pointed to another child in the corner. “Let us help Rijlan.”