Infiltration: Chapter Five Scene One

 

 Uh oh. Someone's leaking Stacy's relationship with Clan Rihep to the press. Blythe Nelson has the scoop.

* * * *

Earth II

“…the governor steadfastly refuses to discuss her relationship to Clan Rihep, of which Nobek Kuran, in charge of Earth’s security division, is a member. However, my sources tell me Governor Nichols isn’t merely spending time in the company of these men, but the majority of nights on board Alpha Space Station, where they live. One has to wonder why the legislature has yet to censure her activities…”

“Bitch,” the woman next to Nobek Kuran muttered.

Kuran brushed his fingers against Governor Stacy Nichols’ after glancing around her office. The door was closed, drapes were drawn over the windows, and no one knew he was there. Nonetheless, he couldn’t help his need to be overwhelmingly cautious. She was taking plenty of shit because of him as it was.

The reporter on the news vid transmission, pretty but swiftly becoming a major pain in the ass to Earth II’s chief executive, rattled on. Footage of Stacy hurrying from her shuttle early that morning after landing swapped places with Blythe Nelson’s eager, impish visage. The blonde continued to list Stacy’s supposed transgressions, her attitude soaked in the savor of scandal.

Stacy switched it off and faced Kuran. “Do you think she’d be so determined to perform a hatchet job on me if I hadn’t refused to give her an interview?”

“Who knows?” He had an urge to kiss the frown line between her brows, then her plump lips. Then the rest of her toned but curvaceous body.

Nelson might have been ten years younger than Stacy, but she didn’t hold a candle to his clan’s lover. Stacy Nichols was all woman. Having made love to her only an hour prior, he shouldn’t have been as amorous as he was. The relationship was still new, however, and he couldn’t get enough of her.

“After she ambushed us on the space station a few weeks ago, I wouldn’t give her the time of day,” Stacy snarled, her sensible but stylish shoes thudding her temper to the thick carpet as she crossed to her polished maple desk. “How she could think I’d agree to any dialogue is beyond me.”

“It almost got her banned from the station itself and banned on pain of a prison sentence from certain levels.” Kuran tried to soothe her temper, recognizing it was part of what was giving him lustful thoughts. A fired-up Stacy was a sexy Stacy in his book.

“Yes, she can’t bother us there. That’s something.” Stacy gazed at her computer, yet to be powered up for the day’s tasks.

Kuran stood on the opposite side of her desk. He drummed his fingers on its surface, and she glanced at him.

“What is it?”

“I was there when you informed the lieutenant governor and your cabinet of our relationship.” His presence had been clandestine. He’d been phased and invisible. “Do you remember what you said about openly dating my clan when the moment was right?”

“I’d hoped to have the search for an Earther replacement for your head of planet security position well underway before I announced it.” She huffed. “Nelson just shot my plan in the ass.”

“You also said the women of Earth needed to understand they were free to love whomever they wished, and there’d be no government involvement in their personal affairs. You were planning to make it a major point in the upcoming election.”

Stacy blinked. “It’s an excellent point to campaign on, but the Earthtiques will hate it. I insist women be reassured there’ll be no return to the horror show of what we had under the old regime.”

“As far as I’m aware, you haven’t told anyone beyond cabinet members, leaders of the legislature, and Lieutenant Governor Bryant. As you said, you wanted to move further into the process of replacing my official position to show you aren’t unduly influenced by Kalquorian interests.”

“Correct.” Stacy had figured out where Kuran was heading. “In her report, Nelson quoted what I’d told them damned near word for word. Someone talked.”

“Someone talked,” Kuran repeated.

“Ken Bryant.”

“He does have conservative leanings, verging toward Earthtique despite presenting himself as moderate. He may run against you for governorship. He’s the most likely of those you informed to object to your having Kalquorian lovers. It’s against his beliefs and could give him a boost where his political aspirations are concerned.”

Stacy scowled. “He’s the most irritating person I have to deal with.”

“Not Councilmen Mitchell and Spence?”

“I know where I stand. They despise me openly. Ken, though…”

“When you two get along, you get along very well. When you’re at cross-purposes, however, he can be…problematic. Especially where my people are concerned.”

Bryant had made no bones of how little he liked Kalquorians, despite them being at the forefront of giving Earthers a new home planet. He’d been openly rude to Kalquor’s Imperial Clan and other dignitaries in the past. He often treated Kuran as if he weren’t present, even when Kuran wasn’t phased and he couldn’t possibly miss seeing the six-and-a-half foot Kalquorian.

“I asked him to keep it quiet. I guess I should have saved my breath,” Stacy groused.

“I’m not entirely sure it was him,” Kuran said.

Her gaze was surprised. “Ken has a lot to gain by exposing my activities to the public…and my opponents in the legislature.”

“Which is why I have doubts he gave Nelson the information. He’d realize you’d consider him suspect, unless he’s playing some angle we aren’t aware of.”

“In other words, I shouldn’t call his ass on the carpet.” Stacy leaned back on her leather hover chair, her dark eyes seeking answers on the ceiling. “Remind me why I got into politics?”

“Because you want your people to be safe and happy.” Kuran smiled, then turned to business. “Go ahead and ask Bryant if he spoke to Nelson. If he denies it, leave him to me. I’ll find out what’s going on.”

“I have mixed feelings about you spying on members of my government, even if it is on my behalf and for the good of Earth.” Her regard returned to him, her expression troubled.

“Your enemies have made attempts against you already. Maybe not to harm, but harassment can easily turn to darker purposes.” He hated how easy it was to lie by omission. She had no idea Kalquor had ordered him to spy on their behalf as well, concerned Earth might return to the sort of fanaticism that could threaten the galaxy’s stability.

He hated her accepting his answer just as much. “If Ken played any part in the sabotage to my vessel or those protestors who showed up when we welcomed the first colonists home…we should know.”

“I’ll tell you whatever I learn.”

* * * *

The alien force dubbed the Darks has grabbed control of key positions on Kalquor and the Galactic Council of Planets. Other leaders are still unaware of the threat among them. The galaxy is wide open for destruction by an unfathomable enemy.

Former emperor Nobek Yuder has suspicions, but due to restrictions placed on him after his prison sentence, he can only stand by and watch helplessly. A renegade Royal Councilman has designs to bring him back to the political arena, but doing so could destabilize the Kalquorian Empire, leaving it vulnerable to invasion.

Meanwhile, one man on the brink of death, the only man who can detect the nearly invisible Darks, is pulled from a lifeless shuttle by Captains Kila and Nako. His incredible story tells them they’re in a race against time to save not only the empire but the whole galaxy…but are they already too late?

On Earth II, Governor Stacy Nichol’s relationship with Clan Rihep continues to grow. So does the danger, as opponents make deadly moves against her and the orbiting Kalquorian station where the clan lives. Nobek Kuran is determined to keep his clanmates and would-be lifemate safe, but how can he stop a faceless enemy?

Relationships, old and new, are strained to the breaking point at a time when Earthers and Kalquorians need each other more than ever. The Darks are closing in, and no one is ready to oppose them.

Releasing November 3. Pre-order now at Amazon, Amazon UK, Nook, Smashwords, Kobo, Apple, and print.