1 - Prologue

In the deep astral

A being older than time opened an eye larger than galaxies. The silver pupil reflected the myriad universes, even as the beings white lustre stood out against the black void.

A smaller humanoid appeared next to the eye and bowed in respect. Small being relative as the being was still larger than galaxies.

“It’s time” said the first being, the voice feminine, mellow, but with a core of steel.

“Yes, the system wars are reaching a peak, the next integration approaches swiftly.” answered the second, the voice androgynous. 

“Report on the progress of the project” asked the first being.

“We have identified a world that will be severely impacted, but if nudged may change the course of not only their world, but the course of the war itself.” answered the second being.

“What method are we using to provide the nudge?” asked the first being.

“We will deploy a system of our own, hidden in our agent’s soul. It will guide our agent,and allow us to see their character as well.” answered the second being.

“Very well, proceed. I want regular updates.” said the first being.

As the eye closed again, the second vanished as if they never existed.

In a small flat somewhere in London

Tasha lay on the sofa wondering where her life was going. As she approached her 40th birthday, she thought back to how her life had landed her on her best friend’s couch.

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Her life had started off well enough, a loving family in her native Norway. A normal if boisterous childhood, and a tomboy phase that she never really grew out of. Her friends had always been athletic and adventurous, this led to them all joining the military together, not just the mandatory conscription, but to serve. She ended up being selected for special forces training in the Hunter Troop. Excelling in her time in the Hunter Troop, she was selected for intelligence service. She was trained in PsyOps and the military paid for her to graduate as a data scientist.

After a decade of meritorious service, she had completed her service, found a husband and settled in London. Her intelligence consulting firm was growing well, and she had 2 children. Everything was brilliant. The picturesque life, the little fights with the children over dinner, the family holidays, the scramble for good schools, getting involved in the PTA.

Then came the incident. Tasha had planned a long family holiday, a trip to the far east. Taking her parents, her husband's parents as well as her family so they could celebrate their 10th anniversary together. Half way through the trip, she had to fly back to London for an urgent work related issue, promising to join her family back in a few days. That was the last time she saw them.

She was awoken in the middle of the night to a call from the embassy, telling her there had been an “accident” and everyone had died. She thought it was a crank call or a mistake, it took her time to understand in just one moment her family was gone and she was alone. She had flown out immediately, but when she reached there was nothing to be known, it seemed like an accident, but her time in intelligence led her to believe there was more going on under the surface. 

Since then she had spent everything she had, used all the favours, scoured every contact. The more she pushed the less information she got back. It was like everything regarding the accident had been scrubbed. There was no video, no audio, no passerby footage, no after accident images. It was like they were alive one minute and gone the next. Like they never existed. In her single minded search, her clients had abandoned her, her bank accounts were empty, her investments cashed in, her properties sold off. She had nothing left but the good will of her childhood friend.

In a few hours she would be 40. She didn't know where to go from here. A feeling of helplessness pervaded her entire being. She knew she couldn't rely on her friend forever and she would need to do something, anything to change her situation. She just couldn't bring herself to act. She would try again tomorrow. She would have to find a way to drive herself forward. She fell into a restless sleep..

DING