Read Crossroads of Fate (Cadicle #5): An Epic Space Opera Series for Free Online

this means we can finally crack into the stash of pomoliqueur left over from the wedding.” Hardly consolation, but I’ll take it.
    “Finally!” Saera smiled, but Wil could feel her worry.
    She’ll put on a brave face for me, but I wonder how long she’ll be able to keep up the façade once we’re in the thick of battle. “I need to go break the news to my men.”
    “Do you want me to go with you?”
    “No, it’s all right. Besides, their share of the pomoliqueur should make the news more palatable.”
    Saera nodded. “That should do the trick. Well, I’ll figure out whatever food goes with pomoliqueur and get us some dinner. Maybe I’ll even procure a real wax candle for some proper mood lighting.”
    “That would be lovely.” Wil kissed her—just a peck at first, then long and deep. “I’ll see you soon.”
    It was nearing dinnertime, but Wil anticipated his men were still in their quarters winding down after the afternoon practice session.
    Wil hit the buzzer on the entry door, and Ian answered. “Hey,” Wil greeted him with a somewhat forced smile. “Is everyone around? I need to talk to you.”
    Ian nodded. “Yeah. A few people are still in the showers, but we’re all here. What’s up?”
    “It can wait a few minutes. May I come in?”
    “Of course.” Ian stepped aside.
    Two rows of sectional couches faced the broad viewscreen on one wall and a few lounge chairs were scattered around the perimeter of the spacious common room. At the back center of the space was a round table surrounded by twenty-one chairs; the touch-surface and integrated holographic projector made it perfect for the group’s strategy discussions. The entire quarters felt lived in after housing the same group for nearly five years, made more personal by several scrappy collages documenting team activities plastered on some of the otherwise blank walls.
    A few men rose from their seats around the common room as Wil entered, and several more emerged from the bedrooms. Wil closed the door but stayed in the entryway, attempting to avoid direct eye contact with anyone. How are they going to take it?
    After an awkward minute, Michael and a handful of other men walked out from the bathroom. They were dressed in their dark blue loungewear, but their hair was still wet. “What did you want to see us about?” Michael questioned.
    “Make yourselves comfortable,” Wil said as he gestured toward the round table at the back of the room.
    The men took seats around the table in their specialist groups. Wil sat down in his usual seat between Ian and Michael. All eyes were on Wil, anxiety evident on every face.
    “We’re shipping out in two days.” Wil gave them a moment for the statement to sink in.
    The men looked at each other, particularly to their Captain. The anxiety turned to stoicism for some and outright worry for others.
    “I know you haven’t finished the formal training program,” Wil went on, “but we decided that it’s time you get some hands-on experience.”
    “What does that mean, exactly?” asked Michael on behalf of the group.
    “We’re going to H2. While I get acquainted with the command systems, you’ll continue to practice using their training center. Supposedly, they have a more advanced setup than we have here.”
    “For how long?” Ian asked.
    “However long they’ll give us.”
    Most men let out a shaky breath and leaned back in their chairs, staring at the blank tabletop.
    Ethan broke the silence. “Then we go to battle?” The flush on his face stood out against his blonde hair.
    “Yes. We’ve trained for this. We’re ready.” The group seemed unsure. Wil looked to his Captains for support, but they avoided his gaze.
    I need to have everyone with me. We can’t be fragmented. “This isn’t a time for second-guessing and doubt. We have a job to do.”
    “You just dropped some pretty heavy news on us. Give us a break,” Curtis replied.
    “This was coming for a long time.”
    “It just