Hello all!
I’m hard at work on the first draft of the still untitled Alien Quest 1, which showcases the travels of the Coydidak’s Clan Rorix and Laughter Lorenz, whom we met in the last Dark Empire book, Advance and Retreat.
This book looks like it’ll be a big one. I’m about three-quarters to what would be the end of the majority of Kalquor Universe books. According to the outline, I haven’t written half of it. I have a long way to go yet.
It’s a slow burn. This week, I began writing the first intimate scene. Not really a surprise it’s taking so long, given Laughter and Clan Rorix aren’t starting off as the best of friends. Nobek Signis is anti-Earther thanks to having been set up for an ambush in the past, Rorix isn’t terribly fond of them either, and Imdiko Negal…well, the lusty guy merely wants to add a notch to his belt. Laughter would just as soon send them all out an airlock into open space.
Enemies to lovers means patiently waiting for this stubborn bunch to see the terrific opportunity for love in front of them. Are the odds ever against the sweeter emotions, as you can see from the following excerpt. (Remember, this is a first draft, so it won’t be terribly polished.)
She swung toward the podium she was slated to man, on the uppermost section. The ship’s weapons commander, Nobek Signis, was there, not two steps away. Laughter gasped. She hadn’t even seen him move from his computer station, yet he loomed over her, a couple inches taller than six and a half feet. His sleeveless red tunic top not only showed carved biceps and shoulders, but an immense swath of chiseled chest. Even glowering, he was infuriatingly handsome, his black hair, typical of the Kalquorian race, framing his strong features.
“What are you doing here?” he barked at her.
“LDS Officer Lorenz, your presence on the bridge isn’t required yet.” Captain Rorix’s voice was quieter, calmer, but still loud enough for the rest of the crew to hear. He strolled toward her with a purpose. No doubt that purpose was to throw her off the bridge.
Another handsome man, though more classically so and less feral than his clanmate Signis. If not for the monumental scowling weapons commander, Dramok Rorix would have been among the most physically imposing men she’d encountered in her thirty years.
Despite his greater height and musculature, however, Signis failed to overwhelm Rorix’s presence. Members of the Dramok breed were the natural leaders of Kalquor. Rorix certainly exuded the commanding aura his category was known for. Strong-willed Laughter actually hesitated for a beat before drawing herself up and staring the stern Rorix in the eye.
“I’m an officer of the bridge crew. Where else would I be for the launch but at my duty station, Captain?” She gave herself points for keeping her tone respectful.
“Anywhere we don’t have to look at you,” Signis muttered.
Laughter ignored him, though he outranked her. She continued to look at Rorix.
A muscle in his jaw twitched. “The first of the long-distance com relays are weeks from being deployed. Until such time, you have no duties to tend to except to maintain the station’s readiness for use.” He started to turn. Smirking, Signis did the same.
Inwardly seething at the insulting dismissal, Laughter switched to the same clipped, cold tone he’d used. “With all due respect, Captain Rorix, I’m here to train as Short Distance Com Officer Veko’s backup. It seemed appropriate, given the similarities of our work.”
Rorix and Signis swiveled back to face her, exchanging a look between them as they did so.
Laughter gave Rorix no time to question her, nor Signis room for any verbal abuse he was no doubt eager to unload. “SDC Veko will be my second on the LLDS array as well, so I need to be on hand to train him. We discussed the matter and saw no reason to delay such necessary instruction.”
Rorix’s attention went to the man standing at the station next to the one assigned to Laughter. Or rather, the impressively long mop of Kalquorian blue-black hair bowed over the onboard and short-distance com computer podium. Veko’s face was obscured by the thick, heavy fall of hair, from under which a chiseled but streamlined body in a red-trimmed fleet uniform emerged.
A heavy, almost resigned voice issued from the hair. “Standard operating procedure, Captain Rorix. All bridge officers are cross-trained on each other’s duties in case of emergency.”
“We’re Coydidak, not fleet,” Signis snapped.
Feeling the tension yet? Such a nice start to a lifelong interstellar voyage.
Side note, I love having Veko on board the expedition. If you don’t remember him and his massive curtain of hair from which he rarely emerges, he was formerly the com officer on Kila’s spyship (of Clan Piras). Laughter, who calls Veko "Gloom and Doom" for his pessimistic attitude, couldn’t find a better friend in the face of Rorix’s and Signis’ initial hostility. Their rapport (and Veko's 'grocery list') will serve up some humor too.
That’s it for now! Take care of yourselves.
Tracy
