The countdown is on! Revelations releases next Friday.
Today, a challenge to Ospar's honor as Oiteil alleges Fleet Command is under attack.
* * * *
“Ospar, we must meet as soon as possible.”
Ospar frowned at his com, as if Royal Councilman Oiteil could see him despite them speaking via audio connection only. “Right now?”
He was alone at home, working from his office there. It had been another dull day of researching potential new businesses and non-profits to invest in. His projects were good for the empire and a way for him to kill the endless hours until his family returned home from their various activities, but infernally boring.
He wondered at his reaction to Oiteil’s summons. He should have been delighted at the opportunity to strategize his return to politics. Surely that was why Oiteil had contacted him. Maybe he’d finally gathered the votes to overturn Ospar’s sentence and keep the Imperial Clan from denying it.
Something in Ospar’s gut had reacted negatively to the sound of Oiteil’s voice, however. He dismissed it as a vagary of his depressing day.
His excitement to be the subject of Oiteil’s campaign of redemption asserted itself as the councilman spoke. “Not yet, though time is of the essence. I’ve uncovered a conspiracy in Fleet Command’s highest offices.”
“Fleet Command?”
“Admiral Hobato has apparently suffered a medical emergency. Admirals Tranis and Piras, with the assistance of their clanmates, have seized control of the fleet.”
Ospar’s jaw dropped. “Admiral Piras! But he’s…isn’t he exiled? You said he left Bi’is, but he’s supposed to be orbiting Earth now—”
“He and his clanmates, Captain Kila and Chief Engineer Lokmi, are here on Kalquor. As is their Matara Hope Nath, who happens to be the daughter of General Borey Nath.”
“Borey Nath.” Ospar’s mind reeled. He’d been the Holy Leader’s last general, a military man of unsurpassed excellence.
“Fascinating coincidence, wouldn’t you say? The situation at Fleet Headquarters smells of a conspiracy to undermine the empire.”
“Have you spoken to the Imperial Clan? They should be informed immediately.”
A hesitation before Oiteil spoke again. “They may have a hand in it. Or at least, a member of the Imperial Clan could be involved. I’m unsure. All I know is Fleet Command has had a major shakeup, the ground troops may be next, and we can’t get a straight answer on what’s happening.”
The ground troops? They fell under Emperor Bevau’s direct supervision as Imperial Commander, but he had a large number of trusted high commanders who were cleared to operate independently.
Oiteil had said a member of the Imperial Clan could be involved. Surely not Bevau, the man tasked with the safety and security of Kalquor.
Ospar cursed. In the old days, he’d have gotten answers in the space of an hour. Now, no one would answer his coms if he’d dared to make them. Oiteil was his only connection to the empire’s political landscape.
“Listen to me, Ospar. I’ll soon be able to force the vote to bring you back, at least in an advisory capacity until the next election cycle puts you on the Royal Council, where you belong. Meanwhile, I’ll keep you up to date as I learn the latest so you’ll be ready to assist me.”
“I’m ready as soon as you say.” Ospar fought the urge to bolt straight to Empress Jessica, the royal he’d enjoyed the greatest camaraderie with.
She needed him if the fleet and ground troops were compromised. His empire needed him.
“Tell no one of what I’ve shared. Including your clan. I hope we aren’t veering into trouble, but if we are, we must maintain silence until we learn exactly who our enemies are.”
It was on the tip of Ospar’s tongue to remind Oiteil of how helpful Jol was when it came to ferreting fact from fiction. Ospar’s Nobek had connections and experience at the level of the empire’s best official operatives. If anyone could discover if members of the fleet’s high command had gone rogue, Ospar would have put his money on Jol.
Before he could utter a word, the odd reluctance he’d experienced at the beginning of the exchange stilled his protest. Something in him shouted to leave Jol’s name out of the conversation. Because he’d learned to automatically bow to certain instincts…a trait that had saved his life in the past…he said, “If you think it’s best.”
“It’s imperative. Be ready to meet when I call upon you to do so. I don’t know if I’m being watched or monitored so…yes, meeting in person will be preferred.”
He cut off their connection without further comment. Ospar stared at his com, anxious and confused.
He shouldn’t have agreed to keep the conversation from his clanmates. They were his confidantes. They were his conscience, if he were to be honest. He’d kept them informed of Oiteil’s campaign to have him reinstated. They hadn’t been entirely supportive of the idea, but they were content to watch how the situation played out before rendering final judgment. They’d offered their concerns, and he’d listened. He’d proceeded cautiously at their request by refusing to meet Oiteil in public thus far. He’d gone as far as to turn and walk in the opposite direction on the occasions he’d discovered the councilman, by accident or design, in his vicinity.
“It’s just for a few days,” he assured himself. “As soon as Oiteil has concrete evidence something’s going on, I’ll bring Jol in on it.”
It seemed wise. To tell his Nobek untoward events might
be happening at the highest reaches of the fleet would be jumping at shadows.
It was better to wait, no matter how his gut churned to keep secrets from those
few with whom he preferred a policy of absolute honesty.
* * *
*
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:
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