Former nun Cheryl Taupin and her husband Nobek Besral have to evacuate the orphans of Armageddon from the Galactic Council before the Darks discover them.
* * * *
Mymah, moon in Galactic Council Space
Former nun Cheryl Taupin began the meeting she’d called. “The orphanage continues to be beneath the notice of the Galactic Council, thank God. Unfortunately, we can’t continue to count on it.”
Her husband Nobek Besral glanced around the conference table at the four others who’d joined them: two human women and two fellow Nobeks. He concentrated on Ocri and Norev, next in line in the security hierarchy of the small defense force employed by Open Arms Orphanage. “No doubt the GC would leave this moon alone if it weren’t for our presence. But we’re needed here more than ever, especially now when it seems the ruling council has lost its collective senses.”
“They said they’d arrest any Kalquorians unaffiliated with the council who remain in GC space,” Cheryl needlessly reminded them.
“I don’t plan to budge unless the children leave too,” Ocri snarled. “They’ve been my responsibility for ten years. I’ve watched thousands grow and embark on successful lives thanks to our care. I refuse to walk away.”
“As do we all.” Besral offered a grim smile.
The Kalquorian men were impressive muscled beasts despite their heads full of gray hair and advanced years. Discounting Besral, none of the dozen remaining to guard the orphanage was a day under the age of one hundred ninety. Besral was one hundred sixty himself. He wasn’t old, but he was well into middle age for a Kalquorian.
Their official function was to guard the orphans of Armageddon, as the parentless children who’d survived in the wake of the Earth-Kalquorian War were often referred to. The Nobeks would have long retired if they’d remained in the empire’s fleet or ground troops.
They typically had little to do as far as actually protecting the mere five hundred children left from the original thousands who’d sought refuge after losing their families and world. The space belonging to the Galactic Council of Planets had historically been as safe a haven as could be found in the galaxy. Besral’s men were more apt to teach math, science, meditation, or physical exercise classes than challenge unknown crafts veering too close to the moon facility.
Still, their mandate was to keep the children safe above all else. They’d become de facto father figures for those who hadn’t been adopted or attained adulthood yet. When the Galactic Council had ordered all Kalquorians out of its space subsequent to dubious revelations of wrongdoing, those who’d made the orphanage their lives had been besieged by demands from their charges to stay. When days, then weeks slipped by and no one enforced the eviction, the atmosphere of grief and fear had lessened.
The orphanage’s first headmistress had tearfully left when her clan had been assigned elsewhere by their military supervisors. Cheryl had successfully headed the orphanage for the past three years. When trouble erupted between the Galactic Council and the Kalquorian Empire but no one demanded the Kalquorians at Open Arms leave, she’d agreed with Besral their being overlooked would be brief. Sooner or later, the GC would remember its small orphanage colony and those who staffed it.
“There are reports some planets, stations, and moons in the GC’s system have come under martial law following protests against recent rulings,” she told the two young women on her staff.
“I heard there’ve been riots.” Marci Soames, the younger of the pair, held Cheryl’s gaze. She exuded a forthright directness, challenging her supervisor to not sugarcoat the situation. Bold and mature beyond her twenty years, she could be trusted to speak her mind.
Her sister Darci looked like her twin rather than an elder sibling. Only two years separated the Soames. Neither wore makeup, nor did they need it. Theirs were lovely, proud features, left bare thanks to their black curls cut close to their heads “Homes are being searched on Shiwin and Taheg, according to a couple of news reports on the secret channels,” she added. “Neither were known to have Kalquorian residents, so no one is sure what the reason is.”
“No one’s suggesting the secretary-general be booted, and he’s Kalquorian.”
“He’s been seen less and less in these past weeks,” Besral mused. “It makes me wonder.”
“He probably knows you guys might show up to kick his butt. Didn’t he ask for leniency toward the Tragooms a few weeks ago?” Marci’s tone was sharp. Most sentients were no fans of the aggressive race from Trag. She in particular loathed them utterly after they’d attacked their old orphanage on Europa when she was ten.
Cheryl often mourned the Soames sisters had elected to remain at the orphanage rather than pursue the successful careers she knew they’d have elsewhere. Dedicated to their fellow refugees, they’d vowed to remain until the last orphan of Armageddon left. The youngest of the residents were ten, having been infants when the original Earth had been rendered unlivable. Darci would be thirty and still part of the orphanage if those didn’t find homes prior to reaching legal adulthood.
However, the sense of an emergency descending upon them made Cheryl grateful to have her most dedicated assistants at her side. She appreciated them almost as much as she did Besral.
“Neither Secretary-General Dramok Mereta nor the Tragooms are the issue where we’re concerned,” she said to re-direct the discussion to where it needed to be. “I believe we’re in imminent danger, and we should evacuate before the GC remembers our tiny population here.”
The rest murmured their agreement with her assessment. Having established they were likeminded on the issue, Besral spoke up in his gruff voice. “I can send a message through secret channels to Kalquor’s Fleet Command. They may not be able to send help, but perhaps our allies can do so.”
“Why not alert Earth? They’re most likely to have a place for us to set up a new facility,” Darci said.
“Except for a few thousand independent operators, Earth has no military ships. They haven’t yet established the infrastructure to support a fleet. Kalquor is in charge of keeping your new home planet safe.”
“Funny to call it a home planet when I’ve never been there. You’re right; we need the empire to figure this out,” Marci said. She grinned at Besral in obvious appreciation. “As they’ve done for us time and time again.”
“We’ll continue to shore up defenses ourselves,” Besrel told Ocri and Norev. “I have some ideas on how we might conceal our presence here in case the GC decides to remember we exist.”
“Let’s get to work.” Norev grinned, as if they planned a fun
outing rather than courting death.
* * * *
All-out war has begun, with innocents caught in the
crossfire.
Former nun Cheryl Taupin and her husband Nobek Besral, in charge of the remaining orphans of Earth’s Armageddon, watch the terrible events unfolding in the Dark-overrun Galactic Council of Planets. Kalquorians in Galactic Council space are being rounded up to suffer an unknown fate and martial law is declared on many of the system’s worlds. A desperate plea to the Kalquorian Empire sends Admiral Piras and Captain Kila to the orphanage…but how can a lone spyship protect hundreds of children against the full might of the Galactic Council’s warships bent on destruction?
Charity Nath has been brought to Alpha Space Station to hide from those determined to exact vengeance against her father. Young and irrepressible, she’s determined to claim a measure of freedom from stifling restrictions placed on her. When her identity and location are revealed, her Kalquorian protectors must thwart those who’d harm her while contending with her stubborn refusal to be kept in check.
Imdiko Betra has done his best to put the past behind him. He knows letting go of the only woman he could ever love was the best course of action. But when he encounters Shalia Monroe again, his heart speaks louder than his conscience. Will unquenchable desire destroy the life she’s built, or will Betra’s clanmates Oses and Resan stop him from doing the unthinkable?
Against the backdrop of pandemic and plague, Kalquor and Earth II fight for their very survival against an enemy they’re only beginning to learn the strength of. As the All tightens its fearsome grip on the galaxy, humans and Kalquorians alike tremble on the verge of annihilation.
Releasing July 26
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