Tildari Sunrises: The Agitator's Code, #3

By Octavia Atlas

Darion Navarr and Tolrek Marou are eager to face their greatest challenge. As part of the Tildari Empire's investigative team, Darion reveals the truth about Eastern Ledano's devastating genetic engineering program.

 

Furious about the other nation's greedy schemes, the Tildari Empress recruits Darion and Tolrek to stop the corrupt leaders. To determine the best strategies for this complex assignment, Darion has to look into his turbulent past. Before he can successfully complete his objective, he must navigate the grim trauma that surfaces.

 

While Tolrek does all he can to support Darion, he knows only Darion can break through the internal obstacles. As he and Darion juggle competing international interests, they risk catastrophic and far-reaching failure.

 

Darion and Tolrek aspire to prove themselves valuable to the Tildari Empire, giving them a pivotal role in its future. What are they willing to do and what will it cost them?

• Language: English
• Publisher: GeistPrime Publications
• Release date: Nov 22, 2022
• ISBN: 9781734511246

Octavia Atlas

Octavia Atlas is pretty mellow, on any given day. She writes contemporary, fantasy, and sci-fi romance. When she’s not writing, she also enjoys playing video games, reading, traveling, or watching TV/movies. She’d love to hear from you. Connect with her on Twitter, @OctaviaAtlas, or through her website, https://www.octaviaatlas.com.

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Chapter 1

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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 our 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.

Darion glanced at his best friend. A year younger than him, Rijlan lay slumped in a corner, his dark-brown skin clammy with sweat. Blood ran out of his nose and the sight of it made Darion even angrier. Rijlan had bolted out of the newly developed machine that scanned for changes in the body, due to the Meridian Gene. Disoriented, he’d crawled to a corner, passed out, and hit his head on the wall.

Darion held out a hand to warn the techs. Don’t touch him.

If you don’t let us help him, he could die.

Darion raised a hand toward Rijlan and put a shield around him. The action made Calren and the techs gasp. There were frantic statements of He can do that now? and When did he learn how? For a moment, Darion worried what he’d shown them would lead to even more painful tests. But Rijlan stirred and slowly sat up, pulling Darion’s attention. Any concerns about experiments and punishments disappeared because his friend was alert again.

Darion telepathically reached out to the other boy. Are you all right, Rij?

Rijlan touched the lump on his forehead. Yes, but we’ll regret this.

Probably.

Another voice pushed into Darion’s mind. He recognized it as Marisa, a close friend in the program. Behave. You two will get in serious trouble.

Darion let his shield down and released the one around Rijlan. The power of a stronger specialized EMP rumbled through his body. The explosive devices in his brain and his heart pulsed, sending painful tremors through him that made his ears ring and caused his nose to bleed. One way or another, he’d convince them to get rid of those devices.

After two years in the program, he was learning more about what he could do and that included better ways to hide his powers. The staff of the Meridian Program would never break him. He grinned, even as Calren stalked toward him. Calren grabbed him by his shirt collar, twisting him around and dragging him all the way back to his room. Calren roughly deposited him on his bed. The furious director pressed the EMP device again and Darion cried out in pain. His consciousness started to fade. Even as he lost awareness, a sly smile was on his face. Calren and the staff hadn’t figured out he and Rijlan could communicate telepathically. And Marisa, an even more powerful telepath, was in room 10.

As Darion crawled out of the nightmare, he thought he could still feel the excruciating pain caused by Calren’s device. His first instinct was to turn to Tolrek for comfort. His hand fell to the empty space by him and his heart clenched in sadness. Tolrek was so far away.

Still shuddering from his dream, Darion sat up and scrubbed a hand over his face. It seemed his day would start like all the others, since he’d begun looking into the Meridian Program. And now that kind of information was easily accessible from the comfort of his home. Darion would use his new hub to the Tildari Restricted Archives, unofficially called The Void. As a Sentinel, a special investigative and judicial position granted by the empire’s leader, Darion accessed highly restricted files from the hub installed the previous day. Being away from the office helped him focus even more. His title of Sentinel hadn’t been officially announced, but rumors were rippling through the Military Security Complex. His assignment was too important to be distracted by office politics. He appreciated that his position allowed him to have a hub at home.

Darion’s routine consisted of spending the morning in The Void and sparring with his tactical team in the afternoon. Now, more than ever, he needed those sparring sessions to give him a break from the harrowing images in his mind.

He slipped from his bed to prepare for his day. After showering and eating, he headed to his study. He sat in a comfortable leather chair and called out to the AI for The Void. His entire home had been wired with the same protective network the highest ranking Tildari officials had. There was no visible evidence he had access to the vast top secret network.

Good morning, Chiasa.

Welcome, Sentinel Darion Navarr, Chiasa, the archive’s AI, greeted him in a pleasant voice.

The AI, named for the Tildari goddess of knowledge, had changed how Darion thought of the empire. He’d spent most of the past six months researching secret files on the Meridian Program and its connection to a genetic engineering program in Eastern Ledano. During his review, he’d learned there had been multiple Meridian versions. As one of the members of Version 5, he’d been stunned at what the program’s managers had been allowed to do. Of the 64 children in Version 5, only a few had been happy about being there. He hadn’t been one of them.

He took a deep breath and focused on his main goal for that day. Chiasa, we’ve accounted for most of Version 5’s subjects. What about the remaining nine?

Agents have confirmed that seven of those nine are in Tildar. There are significant rumors that the other two subjects, Hesiun and Nabil Ishon, went to Eastern Ledano. I’m continuing to monitor intel regarding them.

Darion considered what he knew of the Ishon brothers, who were identical twins. They were from a prominent but less powerful family than Darion’s. The two had entered the Meridian Program a year after him. He remembered Nabil as kind and shy, but Hesiun was outgoing, eager to please, and enjoyed a brutal fight.

While Darion, Marisa, and Rijlan had become the program’s priority, the leadership had also been strongly interested in Hesiun and Nabil. Calren’s goal had been to determine how identical twins with the Meridian Gene would develop. Once the twins had happily admitted they were telepathic, Calren and the staff had been even more eager to shape their lives.

I’m worried about Hesiun and Nabil, Darion said. If Hesiun hasn’t changed, then he’s still dangerous and he’ll drag Nabil into trouble. He drew in a heavy breath, letting it out as he thought of the stark differences between the twins. He didn’t want Nabil to be sacrificed to his brother’s ambitions, but that scenario was a likely one. You said they went to Eastern Ledano, but are they involved in the genetic engineering?

That’s one of the matters under investigation by Section 10, with support from teams in Sections 3, 6, and 7.

Darion rolled his eyes, thinking about the years of tension between the sections. He hoped that wouldn’t prevent the truth from coming out. When did the investigation start and when will it end?

It began eighteen months ago. The end date is unclear, as information from some sources in and around Eastern Ledano has been unreliable. Sentinel Sidika Osora leads the investigation and will soon file her final report. Her recommendations will be folded into the Behadan’s strategy.

Kyniska Eltana, in her position as Behadan, had led the Tildari Empire for almost two decades. She’d tasked Darion with helping to end the program in Eastern Ledano. For him to be successful, he needed to understand what Sentinel Osora had already accomplished.

Any recent status updates, since we last discussed Osora’s assignment? Darion asked.

Yes. The investigative team has contacts within the four ruling Eastern Ledano families, the Amehdor, Diadein, Ghinara, and Sarimi. The Diadein have the most amount of ‘participants’ in the program. They’re also receptive to Tildar’s outreach.

Outreach in what form?

"Resources. The civil war from thirty years ago significantly depleted Eastern Ledano’s resources. The current tension between the families is barely held in check. The Amehdor have been encroaching on a Diadein territory, which is also near a Ruiskatani boundary. The Amehdor seek a versatile metal, known as mulcrine, to build their military arsenal. Mulcrine is the strongest metal on Planet Vedros, but it lacks the tensile strength of navarrium."

Give me a synopsis on each family.

A series of holographic tiles appeared in front of Darion, labeled with each family’s name. He read over the files, drawing connections based on his experience as a negotiator. The situation with the families looked familiar. Like Vaironia and Ersha they’d repeatedly used their forces to battle. Unlike those other two countries, the Eastern Ledano families had used their resources at a much faster rate. They’d taken the vast wealth of the assassinated royal family members, to fund their forces during a civil war and then created an expensive genetic engineering program.

Darion swiped a hand and the holographic files disappeared. I’ll likely meet with the Behadan, soon after Sentinel Osora files her report. Please keep me updated on the situation.

As you wish, Sentinel Navarr.

Darion stood and paced, thinking about something else looming over him. It was directly related to his time in the Meridian Program.

Chiasa, let’s move on to another topic. Darion planted his feet firmly, before adding, Show me the Code Red Files on Rijlan Arkaius, Marisa Liardi, and myself.

Darion could no longer hide from the truth in those files. He’d learned of the Code Red documents about him and the other two a few months ago. Unwilling to dig deeper at the time, he’d put the files aside. But now his review of the Meridian Program was nearing an end and he had to face the toughest truth about Rijlan, Marisa, and himself.

He listened carefully, as Chiasa read the requested information. Most of the program’s subjects were to have been kept for further genetic studies. Another option was having their memories wiped and training them for private security services. The plans for Darion, Rijlan, Marisa, and four others were significantly different. They had been part of a group labeled as special interest. Upon the Meridian Program being ordered to shut down, the recommendation was to kill that group. Those recommended for termination were deemed to have the most dangerous and unpredictable abilities, along with unusually strong personalities. In particular to Darion, the program’s leadership had believed his abilities at their peak would pose the most risks.

Everyone in the program had been fortunate, as the Behadan of that time had opted for much kinder measures. All the children had been released from the program with their memories in tact. As an alternative to killing the seven children considered the most dangerous—and to leave a window open for future study—their powers were dampened, via chemical alterations. Additional precautions included explosive devices implanted in their brains and hearts.

Darion clenched his jaw, thinking of what he’d lost. His developing telekinesis and telepathy had been shut down. Memories of what he’d been able to do had faded over time, until those abilities seemed to be the stuff of dreams. The details from The Void explained why he’d never quite felt right. He’d joined Section 10, which handled the most perilous missions, spending almost a decade in dreadful circumstances. That had given him even less time and energy to process the viciousness of what had been done to him and the others.

The circumstances hadn’t been any better for Marisa or Rijlan. Marisa struggled with trauma, waking and sitting up screaming at random intervals. She’d asked to be placed in special housing monitored by Section 3, though her work remained valuable to it. That portion of Mil-Sec focused on developing the empire’s most advanced technology for gathering intelligence. The section also analyzed critical information. Marisa had become one of the top Section 3 Special Agents.

Rijlan had also been erratic, driven to find out more about the Meridian Program but without proper avenues to do so. Rijlan’s frustration had boiled over and he’d become a detriment to the tactical team Darion led. Darion now believed he had enough evidence to understand Rijlan, who’d transferred from Section 10 to Section 7, which managed security to the High Councilors. Rijlan likely had hoped being on those types of assignments would provide him with vital information about the Meridian Program. But that level of access apparently hadn’t been enough because Rijlan had gone rogue.

Darion paced again as he thought about the main official who’d run Version 5 of the program. Had Calren Gage really changed his ways or had he found another method to get what he wanted? If Calren hadn’t become involved in the Eastern Ledano program, what about other officials who shared his views?

He massaged his temples, feeling a headache forming. The Behadan had given him the means to get answers he needed, but he doubted finding the truth would be easy.

Chapter 2

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Wind swept