Last week, you met clanmates Dramok Rorix and Nobek Signis, members of the Coydidak tribe. They aren’t exactly big fans of Earthers, including their women. They’ll need to learn to get past their issues to win their freedom from the empire.
Rorix had thought his people were beneath Clajak’s notice. The Coydidak were something of an embarrassment to most Kalquorians, a subject best not spoken of. “You speak of future generations. You’re unaware the women among us are mostly elders themselves, unable to bear children at this part of their lives?”
“I’m aware. Which is where the big catch lies.”
Understanding broke over Rorix. His heart stuttered in his chest. “Earther women?”
“How else to continue our culture, but through crossbreeding? How can we guarantee the Earther species’ survival unless we add their men and women to your collection of travelers?” Clajak met his gaze squarely. “You’re our one true hope for two peoples if the All can’t be stopped. You’re our only real prospect of continued existence.”
Rorix looked at Signis, knowing the expression he’d see. As he’d expected, his Nobek appeared incensed. Rorix nudged him, getting his attention. His demeanor didn’t change as his clanmate met his regard, but Signis brought his own features under control.
The Dramok brought his focus to the emperor again. “I can’t say I’m enthusiastic about adding new people unused to constant travel or our way of life. I’m especially reluctant about Earthers. My few interactions involving them haven’t been…productive.”
He kept it at that. Clajak’s Matara, Empress Jessica, was human. Although she was an impressive woman, he feared she was in the minority of the seemingly soft, spoiled creatures so different from his own kind.
“They’re weak,” Signis snapped, powerless to contain himself. “They think technology can fix their shortcomings. They’re closeminded extremists afraid of anything remotely different from themselves.”
“I wasn’t aware you’d had so many dealings with our ancestral cousins,” was Clajak’s mild rebuke.
“Enough to form opinions,” Rorix put in, his tone equally as calm after shooting Signis a pointed glare. “Why just Earthers? Why not any of our other allies?”
“It’s up to you and what you think the support we give you will allow,” Clajak shrugged. “Depending on your route, you could recruit Joshadans, Plasians, Beonids…it’s your show, Captain. But to gain the empire’s support, which you must have to make this journey possible, you’ll have to agree to enlist Earthers.”
“A few ships and supplies are hardly worth having to take care of such lesser beings,” Signis muttered.
“Hardly a few.” Clajak’s gaze and tone spoke a clear warning to the Nobek to shut up. For a wonder, Signis did.
The emperor’s regard swung to Rorix again. “You’re welcome to petition whoever guarantees your journey’s success, as will I. You’ll need top medical and scientific personnel. Engineers. Trained crew to man the marauders and small fighters. Horticulturists and nutritionists. Experts in every field. Except for a very few key people we need to keep us in the fight against the All, you can have your pick of Kalquorian and Earther personnel willing to face such a momentous journey.”
His offer was more than Rorix had dared to hope for. Autonomy. The means to keep his people healthy and strong. And happy, since they wouldn’t have to bow to anyone but themselves once they left known space. Absolute freedom, the Coydidak dream for hundreds of years.
How could he possibly refuse?
Pre-order Now! Ebook releases August 8
Amazon, Amazon UK, Nook, Smashwords, Apple, Kobo
Print version and link will be available August 1
Victories against invasion have been won, but the galaxy may be lost in the end.
There may be no escape from the All’s extermination plans for the dimension. Emperor Clajak has one last card up his sleeve, however: a band of misfit renegade Kalquorians called the Coydidak. Only with their help and an impossible mission to beyond the known reaches of the universe can Kalquor hope to preserve life.
A determined engineer is at the top of the list of Coydidak leader Dramok Rorix’s least favorite humans. She’ll stop at nothing to board his ship for a one-way voyage that’s to last a lifetime. Is ultimate freedom from the empire worth dealing with the beautiful but unrelenting Laughter Lorenz?
As the clock ticks to the end of Dr. Cassidy Hamilton’s pregnancy and potentially life in the dimension, she works feverishly to find a way to destroy the All. A visit from an undiscovered entity brings to light her greatest hope and worst fear. Only time will tell if this new being is friend or foe…but Cassidy’s time and that of her soon-to-be-born child is almost up.
Adventure. Danger. Intrigue. Romance that outburns the sun in any galaxy. It’s all here in the sixth installment of the Dark Empire series.
Pre-order Now! Ebook releases August 8
Amazon, Amazon UK, Nook, Smashwords, Apple, Kobo
Print version and link will be available August 1
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