The release of Shadows Approach is nearly upon us. Today's excerpt is the changing of the guard. Clan Piras is finally leaving Bi'is, and Kila fears his troubles are only beginning:
Kila’s spyship
“S-S-nine-two-eight reporting in.”
Captain Kila nodded to Veko to open the com link. “S-S-one-zero-three-eight responding. Welcome to Bi’is.”
He gazed at the other phased spyship, his emotions a mixture of gratification and remorse. Keeping tabs on the Bi’isils was often a boring job, but he was convinced there was a secret lab operating on the planet, which had escaped the Galactic Council inspectors’ notice. It damned near physically hurt to let another ship’s crew find it instead of his.
Leaving it behind was his chance to begin the rehabilitation of his clan’s reputation. They weren’t returning to empire space, but they’d be in contact with plenty of Kalquorians as they took up secret guard duty of Earth II.
During the Kalquorian civil war, Kila and Admiral Piras had been tasked to accomplish the impossible: get close to the leader of the traitors against the empire, Dramok Maf. Achieving the impossible had meant doing the unthinkable. They’d had to hand over a key space station to Maf, which had meant sacrificing hundreds of loyal Kalquorian soldiers’ lives.
The war had ended five years prior, and the reason for their supposedly treasonous actions had been revealed to the public at large. Nonetheless, many of the dead had grieving families unwilling to forgive them. There were those who’d kill Piras and Kila if given the opportunity. Kila couldn’t blame them. The majority of the dead had been Nobeks, who’d have considered it an honor to perish so the empire would survive. Their families weren’t so forgiving.
Had it been his clanmate, brother, son, or father given to the cause, Kila would want vengeance too. He admitted he had little forgiveness in his soul when it came to those who’d harm his clan and family.
He wanted his clan to lead a normal life, however. Identity changes were a possibility, but not while they served the Kalquorian fleet. None of them, including Hope, who’d come along at the end of the war and served in a contractor capacity so she could remain with her clan, could imagine doing anything else.
Piras and Kila were the two most hated men in the empire, Piras in particular. Lokmi had been part of the plan too, so he was also in danger if discovered.
There had been clandestine visits to family on Kalquor in the intervening years. Piras had managed to be at his mother’s side when she passed away, heartbroken her son was so hated and unable to remain close. It had been a particularly demoralizing trip, but all visits had been difficult despite the joy of brief family reunions. Knowing discovery would possibly end in bloodshed, they’d had to be careful.
The crew of the ship off their bow had no idea whom they were relieving of Bi’is surveillance. All communication was audio only, and vocal masking was used to render Kila’s voice unrecognizable.
“We’re ready for the changing of the guard.” The other captain had been told to avoid revealing his own identity for security’s sake and to use masking as well…a ruse to guard Kila from having to identify himself. He sounded jovial. Kila wondered who he was and if they’d been friends before the war.
“You have the information on the shadow entities we observed?”
“Yes, Captain, and the likely location of the secret lab you believe is present on the planet. We’ll search for evidence of both.” He sounded gleeful at the opportunity. He must have had some experience in how monotonous it was to watch over an enemy. “Is the Galactic Council inspection contingent still enroute for their routine check?”
“Affirmative, Captain. I’ll send you our observations from the last week, then we’ll be off if there’s nothing else you require.”
“I believe we’re set to take over. Enjoy your return to civilization.”
“Thank you. The detail is yours.”
“Accepted.”
The single word ended Kila’s five-year surveillance of Bi’is, broken only by the occasional shore leave. Their long exile was over.
“Helm, fly us to Earth. Let’s get a look at our new home.”
* * * *
A new planet. A new enemy. Is the end coming for the Kalquorian Empire?
In the aftermath of the Kalquorian civil war and the defeat of the Bi’is invasion fleet, the empire has enjoyed peace. A new Earth has been born. A Kalquorian leads the Galactic Council of Planets. An era of harmony seems assured.
However, new dangers arrive on the horizon. Governor Stacy Nichols finds herself at odds with powerful opponents who want Earth II to return to the old ways that led to the demise of their original planet. They’ll do anything to stop her, especially when they discover her newfound romance with Clan Rihep of Kalquor.
After five years and a terrifying encounter with an unknown entity, Clan Piras is finally leaving their spy duties in Bi’is space. Now they must face enemies closer to home: the families of those they sacrificed while on a secret mission during the Kalquorian civil war.
A new threat to the
existence of Kalquor and the entire Galactic Council of Planets arrives in the
midst of these challenges, a dark menace unlike anything faced before. One
young, inexperienced spyship ensign is all that stands between the galaxy and
utter destruction. Can he warn the empire in time…or is it already too late?
Dark Empire 1: Shadows Approach releases August 4! Pre-order now at Amazon, Amazon UK, Nook, Smashwords, Kobo, Apple, and print.
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