Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Dark Empire Four: Revelations - Chapter Three, Scene One

 

 

When the enemy can be anywhere or anyone, whom do you trust?

* * * * 

After they left Hobato in his hospital room, Tranis, Piras, and Emperor Bevau went to Fleet Headquarters and locked themselves in Tranis’ office. He switched on his sound blocking device and nodded to indicate they could speak without fear of being heard by potential spies.

“Here’s what we know,” Bevau started after politely refusing the chair Tranis offered. Action-oriented Nobeks, even of the royal bent, weren’t much for sitting. “A few of us can detect these Darks in our peripheral vision.”

“I’ve already begun testing personnel for the supposed brain configurations allowing those who possess it to catch sight of the enemy.” Tranis had done so days before despite Hobato, under the control of the Dark rider, countermanding his order to test the entirety of the fleet.

“What were the estimates on how many could see them?”

“One to five percent of our population. The same percentage of Earthers may have the ability as well.”

“Our other means of exposing them come from Earther women. They hear a strange voice-doubling when a Dark-ridden person speaks,” Piras added. “We’ve checked a sampling of fifty female and twenty-five male Earthers using audio files of Admiral Hobato while he was under the All’s influence. We cross-tested the speech of volunteers who weren’t contaminated. Every one of the women identified Hobato’s…and only Hobato’s…voice as having the doubling effect. The human men heard nothing strange.”

“It’s a start,” Bevau said. “What of infrared or thermal vision devices?”

“They pick up nothing,” Piras said.

“Admiral Hobato was certain more Darks are on Kalquor itself, possibly in positions of power.” Tranis kept his gaze steady on Bevau.

The Nobek smirked. “Go ahead and call in an Earther woman to rate my speech. Though I’m certain my empress would have raised an alarm if I were ridden already.”

“Unless your entire clan has been compromised.” Tranis went on before Bevau could respond. “I have no fear that’s the case, my emperor. The Darks can apparently access our memories and information well enough to pass as normal to the distant observer, but to those who know the victims best, it’s obvious something’s off. The Imperial Clan has too many aides, Royal Guards, and legislators they interact with on a regular basis for the Darks to subvert them unnoticed.”

“Hobato has no clan, but he has regular staff meetings,” Bevau said.

“He’s always been entirely professional in our company,” Piras said. “He’s kept the sort of distance required by a commanding officer.”

“He must have friends outside the fleet.”

“He may have begged off visiting them since the Dark grabbed him,” Tranis guessed. “In his position, it would be easy to claim his work doesn’t allow him to break away.”

“Dramok Mereta is also unclanned.” Piras tapped his fingers against his thigh. A nervous gesture, but at least he wasn’t grinding his teeth yet. “Depending on who might be under the All’s control at the GC, it may have gone unremarked.”

“We have to set aside our concerns regarding the Galactic Council for the present,” Bevau said. “Send a spy contingent to check on its status, but keep in mind Hobato said the All was specifically targeting Kalquor. We need to shore up our defenses and keep our leaders from being compromised, as hard as the Darks may find it to do so.”

“They’re aware of our defensive capabilities, thanks to Hobato’s knowledge. Those in the GC will spot our phased operatives too, judging from what happened when we confronted Hobato’s rider. This will take careful planning.” The idea set Tranis’ stomach churning. How could the spy division watch what would easily spot them?

“I’m imperial commander of the ground forces, but the high commanders under me must be tested for influence,” Bevau said. “They could easily go rogue under the circumstances.”

Heavy thudding startled the trio. Tranis stared at his door, where it sounded as if someone was trying to beat his way through. “Identify,” he barked at the door’s announce sensor.

“It’s me, Tranis. Let me in. It’s an emergency!”

“My Imdiko,” Tranis told Bevau. “He wouldn’t demand entry unless the world is coming to an end.” Or something terrible had happened to Cassidy, their pregnant Matara. Please, no. “Door, open.”

Degorsk burst in, his eyes wild. He didn’t realize a member of the Imperial Clan was present, or in his extremity, he didn’t care. Either way, he failed to acknowledge Emperor Bevau’s presence.

He ran straight to Tranis. “You need to talk to Dramok Ilid immediately. Members of the Royal Council have been taken over by the Darks.”

 * * * *

Blythe Nelson is certain Clan Deram is keeping something from her. The clan of spies finds it difficult to stay a step ahead of the wily reporter who’s winning their hearts. What they don’t know is Blythe has a secret of her own. New love can’t survive without trust, and neither side is ready when the truth comes out.

Dramok Ospar, determined to return to the political stage, strikes up a deal with Royal Councilman Oiteil. Unaware he’s dealing with a Dark entity controlling Oiteil, he finds himself fighting for his honor, his relationship with his clan…and his life.

The Kalquorian Empire, already struggling against the Darks infiltrating its highest offices, suffers a new blow when it’s revealed it’s keeping a prisoner from the war against the first Earth: Holy Leader Browning Copeland. The schism between Kalquor and its allies grows deeper, setting the empire against the rest of the galaxy.

As chaos descends on rioting Earther colonies, the Galactic Council of Planets, and Kalquor, a desperate group of humans and Kalquorians race to stop the force behind the turmoil: the Darks. Can they loosen the grip on their worlds the enemy seeks to tighten, or is all lost?

Releasing March 29. Pre-order ebook or buy print now:

Amazon, Amazon UK, Nook, Smashwords, Apple, Kobo, print

 

Wednesday, March 6, 2024

Dark Empire Book Four: Revelations - Chapter Two, Scene Two

 


Fleet Commander Admiral Hobato is free of Dark influence...but the news is far from good.

* * * *

Kalquor

Dramok Tranis’ heart ached to see Rear Admiral Hobato looking as he did. The dark circles under his eyes were nearly black. Those eyes wore a haunted look. Tranis was positive the soft gray sheen of Hobato’s long hair had grown closer to white overnight.

The worst part was seeing the desperation and helplessness filling his commanding officer’s expression. Hobato had risen to the pinnacle of the Kalquorian Empire’s space fleet because he embodied confidence and strength. Both qualities appeared markedly diminished.

Tranis had considered his superior a mentor. Hobato was that alone, not a friend or a father figure. Nonetheless, he felt the sort of grief he’d have experienced should such a person be laid as low as Hobato had been. As a leader, he was everything Tranis aspired to.

He was temporarily choked up and grateful when Admiral Piras spoke, giving him a moment to recover. “Sir, you’re sure multiple Darks have taken key positions in the Galactic Council’s governing board?”

“I recall only snatches of mind-to-mind communications between them, but yes. What little I heard tells me the ranking members have been overcome.” It was obvious to Tranis the monumental effort it took for Hobato to speak with his usual assurance.

Kalquor’s Nobek emperor Bevau, his handsome face grim, watched Hobato intently. “Secretary-General Mereta?”

Hobato shook his head, guilt flooding his strained features. “I can’t be certain he’s among the ridden. If it were up to me, I’d assume the worst, though.”

If it were up to you?” Piras’ face, elegant but for a strong jaw, tensed.

“I don’t kid myself. I’m in no shape to lead Fleet Command at this time. Piras, I know you have seniority over Tranis—”

“But I’m assigned to Earth’s protection. You need an officer here on Kalquor to assume the reins while you recover.”

The three men turned their gazes to Tranis. His jaw dropped in shock. “There are other admirals senior to me in years of service.”

“You’ve been at the forefront of exposing these Darks. Or the All, as Admiral Hobato says they refer to themselves.” Bevau accorded a respectful nod.

A frown pulled at Hobato’s mouth. “A single entity dividing itself as needed. The smaller divisions continue to consider themselves one with it.”

“Sir—” Tranis began.

“This All is a grave threat to the empire. To the galaxy. Except for the past threat of our extinction, it may be the greatest danger we’ve faced in our history. You recognized this to be true and worked to expose it despite the dangers it posed to your career. You chanced court martial. Until I’ve recovered some semblance of myself, I’m appointing you as interim commander of the fleet, Admiral Tranis.” Hobato managed a weary smile to take the sting from his abrupt tone.

Tranis swallowed. His mind boggled at the responsibility he faced until Hobato was deemed fit to return to his post. “Yes sir.”

“It’s clear I don’t have to impress on you the gravity of the situation. The All is on its way, and it plans to destroy us as it did the entire race of the Bi’isils.”

 * * * *

Blythe Nelson is certain Clan Deram is keeping something from her. The clan of spies finds it difficult to stay a step ahead of the wily reporter who’s winning their hearts. What they don’t know is Blythe has a secret of her own. New love can’t survive without trust, and neither side is ready when the truth comes out.

Dramok Ospar, determined to return to the political stage, strikes up a deal with Royal Councilman Oiteil. Unaware he’s dealing with a Dark entity controlling Oiteil, he finds himself fighting for his honor, his relationship with his clan…and his life.

The Kalquorian Empire, already struggling against the Darks infiltrating its highest offices, suffers a new blow when it’s revealed it’s keeping a prisoner from the war against the first Earth: Holy Leader Browning Copeland. The schism between Kalquor and its allies grows deeper, setting the empire against the rest of the galaxy.

As chaos descends on rioting Earther colonies, the Galactic Council of Planets, and Kalquor, a desperate group of humans and Kalquorians race to stop the force behind the turmoil: the Darks. Can they loosen the grip on their worlds the enemy seeks to tighten, or is all lost?

Releasing March 29. Pre-order ebook or buy print now:

Amazon, Amazon UK, Nook, Smashwords, Apple, Kobo, print