Out tomorrow! Who's ready?
On today's excerpt, Nobek Kuran learns he'll work with the man responsible for his brother's death...none other than Admiral Piras.
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Alpha Space Station
After Kuran accompanied Stacy to her office and assured himself she wouldn’t leave for the next hour or two, he took a shuttle to the orbiting space station and hurried to its operations section.
To his relief, he made it to his scheduled meeting in a conference room with minutes to spare. Rear Admiral Hobato and Admiral Tranis were already there. The Dramok fleet officers sat at one end of a long table, speaking in low tones.
They rose as Kuran entered, and he bowed. He was no longer an official member of the Kalquorian fleet, merely a contractor, but it was a thrill to work with members of the highest command.
“Admirals, it’s an honor.”
“The honor is ours, Head of Earth Security. You’ve had your hands full, I’m sure, since the governor’s arrival and the Imperial Clan’s visit. Please, sit.” Hobato, aged and dignified, motioned to the chair to his right, across the table from Tranis.
“It’s been hectic, but the transfer of power has been seamless thus far.”
“It may be another story when the residents arrive in force.” Tranis’ smile flashed in his bearded face. He was the youngest admiral to have achieved his rank, and Kuran wondered if it was the reason he appeared older than his years.
“What of the lieutenant governor and the legislators who hold to more traditional Earther values?” Hobato asked.
The Earthtiques had been Kalquor’s and the Galactic Council’s greatest concern. No one wanted to see a return of the tyrannical regime that had started a horrific war with Kalquor a decade before, ending with the original Earth’s destruction.
“Thus far, the traditionalists have kept their disagreements polite. The lieutenant governor did go out of his way to avoid speaking to the Imperial Clan and other Kalquorians during the official welcome to Governor Nichols.”
“In many cases, loyalty can be problematic, especially when it involves Old Earth’s ideology.”
“Fortunately, Governor Nichols is of better character.” It required effort to keep the warmth from his voice, but Kuran managed.
“You proved your loyalty to Kalquor during the civil conflict,” Tranis observed, switching subjects abruptly.
“I should hope so. Honor and empire.”
“Including when it’s painful? Objectional on a personal level?”
What were they up to? Kuran hadn’t been given any idea what the meeting was about beforehand. “War against one’s own kind isn’t painful enough?”
“There can be worse conflicts. At least we were allowed to charge into battle and face our foes eye to eye.” Tranis glanced at Hobato, then returned his gaze to Kuran. “You know why we brought you in to head Earth’s on-planet security as a contractor.”
“There are those Earthers who resent Kalquor despite the reparations the empire has paid. An official military presence wouldn’t be accepted by the Earthtiques…er, the traditionalists.”
Both admirals quirked slight smiles at his slip. “The planet needs our protection at this time, however,” Hobato said. “Trag is always problematic for worlds lacking adequate security. Though it’s distant and backward enough to be of negligible concern, Asicar has also been showing signs of aggression recently.”
“Asicar? That planet hasn’t come up in conversation since my grandfathers’ time.”
Hobato waved a dismissive hand. “They’re making threats, probably just to remind us they exist. Bi’is kept them under their thumb for decades. Since Bi’is is no longer a danger, Asicar is eager to be taken seriously.”
“As before, they’re doing it the wrong way.” Tranis shook his head. “In any event, there are dangers to Earth. Kalquor is in the best position to ward off those dangers, but a vocal minority of Earthers will scream loudly if we offer overt protection.”
Kuran’s brow rose. “Spyships?”
“They have some fighting capability. They’ll be part of our defense of Earth.” Hobato tapped on the computer before him, and a holoscreen beamed over the table.
Kuran frowned at the unfamiliar ship displayed. It made him think of a cross between a destroyer and the decommissioned raider class, but it had sleeker lines. It reminded him of an incredibly thin arrowhead. “New ships?”
“These will make up our main space-oriented defense of the planet. This is a marauder-class fighter. They can function in the atmosphere as well as space. They’re smaller and possess less firepower than destroyers, but they’re faster than destroyers or the old raiders. They’re outfitted with the latest of phasing technology, as the spyships are.”
Kuran admired the vessel. “How big of a crew?”
“Up to fifty, and they’ll each carry a dozen single-man fighters. If Earth is attacked by a force twice the size of the squadron of twenty-five we’ve assigned to the planet, we should be able to fend it off until the destroyers on Fropan Base arrive.”
Kuran whistled. Fropan Base, a fleet military space station, was an hour away at a destroyer’s top speed. That the marauders would be able to hold out against fifty Tragoom ships was impressive.
He grinned at Tranis. “I’m guessing you’ll be in command of these beauties?”
“As tempting as the idea is, no. This may be where you find loyalty to honor and empire painful, Kuran.”
“Sir?”
“The man in charge will be Admiral Piras.”
Kuran went still, the name ringing shrill in his skull. His fangs began to descend. He fought off the instinct with reluctant determination.
“I see.”
“Indeed.” Hobato regarded him, displaying no emotion. “He and Captain Kila will oversee Earth’s defense from hostiles off the planet. Their squadron will be phased at all times, and you won’t have to speak to them too often. A check in once a month is all we require, if everything remains peaceful.”
“The Laro Station ruse remains a sore spot for many Kalquorians.” Tranis spoke quietly.
Ruse? Kuran’s hands tried to curl in fists, and he forced his fingers straight.
Laro Station had been a butchery. One of Kuran’s younger brothers had been on it when the Basma’s forces had overrun it and killed everyone on board. Piras had given them the means to do so. He’d killed Jeridy as sure as if he’d cut his throat.
Hobato and Tranis were watching him, waiting to learn his reaction. It occurred to Kuran that if he refused to work with Piras, he’d be dismissed from Earth. He’d have to leave Stacy.
His voice was rough. “Laro allowed Piras and Kila to get close to the Basma. It was the station or a civilian target, was my understanding.”
Tranis dipped a nod. “Only a high-value site would have brought Piras into the traitors’ fold. It was a hard decision for him.”
Kuran imagined it was. Jeridy would have volunteered to be sacrificed if he’d known. It had meant an honorable death, the greatest wish of a warrior Nobek.
It didn’t help Kuran feel better about losing him. Nor did the argument that Piras’ and Kila’s actions had directly resulted in saving Haven Colony from the Basma, where his other brother Mejir had been stationed as part of its frontline defenses. Mejir lived, thanks to the man who’d brought Jeridy’s death.
He drew a deep breath and put as many of his emotions aside as he could manage. “I doubt you could have found a more suitable person to do whatever must be done to maintain Earth’s safety.”
Tranis’ brow lifted in subdued amusement. “Piras is nothing if effective and loyal to the empire, over all other considerations. Can you maintain a professional relationship with him?”
Could he? Kuran considered it. If he kept Stacy and Mejir front and center in his mind, those whom he could lose and had nearly lost…maybe. If he could fend off Jeridy’s young face in his imagination despite the loss still echoing in his heart.
“I can work with Admiral Piras and Captain Kila to keep Earth safe.”
“Very well.” Hobato appeared pleased. “We’ve long hoped to restore Clan Piras’ reputation in the empire. I thank you for helping us take this first step.”
Kuran managed to refrain from telling Hobato he wanted nothing to do with resurrecting Piras’ standing on Kalquor. It was damned hard to hold a snarl at bay.
* * * *
A new planet. A new enemy. Is the end coming for the Kalquorian Empire?
In the aftermath of the Kalquorian civil war and the defeat of the Bi’is invasion fleet, the empire has enjoyed peace. A new Earth has been born. A Kalquorian leads the Galactic Council of Planets. An era of harmony seems assured.
However, new dangers arrive on the horizon. Governor Stacy Nichols finds herself at odds with powerful opponents who want Earth II to return to the old ways that led to the demise of their original planet. They’ll do anything to stop her, especially when they discover her newfound romance with Clan Rihep of Kalquor.
After five years and a terrifying encounter with an unknown entity, Clan Piras is finally leaving their spy duties in Bi’is space. Now they must face enemies closer to home: the families of those they sacrificed while on a secret mission during the Kalquorian civil war.
A new threat to the
existence of Kalquor and the entire Galactic Council of Planets arrives in the
midst of these challenges, a dark menace unlike anything faced before. One
young, inexperienced spyship ensign is all that stands between the galaxy and
utter destruction. Can he warn the empire in time…or is it already too late?
Dark Empire 1: Shadows Approach releases Friday! Pre-order now at Amazon, Amazon UK, Nook, Smashwords, Kobo, Apple, and print.
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