Infiltration: Chapter Three Scene One

 

 

This week, an extremely troubled Tranis discusses a missing spyship and a strange message sent from it by Ensign Ilid with Piras. 

* * * *

Kalquor, Fleet Headquarters

Following his report, Admiral Tranis was silent. Despite being on Alpha Space Station, which orbited Earth II, Admiral Piras stared at him across the desk in Tranis’ office. The other Dramok blinked slowly as he absorbed the news.

“The spyship orbiting Bi’is…the vessel that replaced mine…I mean, Captain Kila’s…hasn’t resumed communications?”

“As of a week ago, nothing. Shortly before, the father of an ensign on board received a strange message from his son.” Tranis sent it straight to Piras’ computer through a secure channel. He waited as the other Dramok, seemingly right there in front of him thanks to the clarity of their vid connection, read what Tranis already knew by heart.

Hello, my father,

I was sorry to hear you were unwell when Mother messaged me last. No doubt you’ve shaken off the shadow of illness by now. If there were danger, she’d have told me, so I hope I won’t offend you with this com. It’s just I’m worried, isolated as I am. Everyone is so busy, it’s as if I’m among strangers, and I have no one to talk to. I know, a Dramok must cast aside his feelings and attend to his duties, and I’m trying my best to do so. I suppose I regard it as my duty to contact you and let you and whomever else should know when I sense matters aren’t what they should be. On the surface, all is well; but deep down, I’m concerned. You did raise me to act on my concerns, thus this message.

I hope with every cell of my being to see you healthy and strong. My love is forever with my parents.

Ilid

Tranis watched Piras’ eyes move as he read the communication, then read it again. His counterpart’s lips tightened and brows drew downward. Despite the tense expression, Piras was handsome in his way, most of his somewhat delicate features offset by a strong jaw. Sleek black hair framed his features as they tightened. Piras had a bad habit of grinding his teeth.

Tranis noticed his own jaw clenching and forced it to relax. The two Dramoks hadn’t been on what could be called friendly terms for a large portion of their acquaintance, but they worked well together. Duty to the empire had always been their reluctant bond, in addition to others.

Piras directed his attention to Tranis. “It appears to be a warning of some sort. If anyone possessing half a brain had read it before it was sent, they’d have noticed. It must have gotten through the ship’s flagging system. It’s written in terms that wouldn’t have set it off.”

“We thought so too. Incidentally, the young man’s father hadn’t been ill. Ensign Ilid and his mother had no such conversation.”

“Is there more to this?”

“Normally, the young man sends coms intended for his parent clan to his mother. His Nobek father Gruthep is an intelligence officer in territorial enforcement and a former commander with the ground forces. It can’t be an accident Ensign Ilid contacted him instead.”

“A man of such experience would certainly detect the strangeness of the note. The words danger, isolated, strangers…and the phrases I have no one to talk to and matters aren’t what they should be…it suggests he didn’t feel he could trust his commanding officers.”

“Which is what struck Gruthep. Most of us in Fleet Command who are aware of the com agree. It makes our inability to reach the spyship extra troubling.”

“Who was in command of Captain Kila’s replacement?”

Since the transfer had taken place and Piras was back in Fleet Command’s fold, Tranis could tell him. “Captain Abgi. Are you acquainted?”

“I am, and he’s a fine spyship captain. He’s been a part of the department for decades, decorated for multiple heroics. I can’t imagine him doing anything to set off a warning of this nature.”

“Nor can I, but his ship is missing. It demands an investigation.”

Piras’ brows shot up. “You aren’t thinking of sending—”

“After five years watching Bi’is, Captain Kila and his crew know the situation better than anyone. It makes the most sense to send them.” Piras was famous for his temper, but heat crept in Tranis’ tone. “I’d prefer not to, but who else is there?”

They glared at each other across a desktop separating them by a three-day journey.

Piras spoke first. “You’re leaving something out.”

“Nothing as far as this mission is concerned.” It wasn’t entirely true, but how could he complain to Piras about a mere sense of unease?

Tranis’ discomfort was due to the reaction to the Bi’is situation by their commanding officer. Rear Admiral Hobato, the chief executive in charge of Fleet Command, had been dismissive of Ensign Ilid’s message. His agreement to send another spyship to investigate the unresponsive vessel’s lack of communication had appeared halfhearted. It was odd behavior from a man Tranis knew to be meticulous and conscientious.

Piras’ expression suggested he was ready to argue whether or not Tranis was holding back. He surprised him. “All right, Admiral. I agree Captain Kila’s ship is the most logical to send to Bi’is to investigate. I’ll inform him immediately he’s to leave no later than tomorrow, Earth time.”

Tranis relaxed. “Thank you, Admiral. We’ll be awaiting Captain Kila’s report. I’d appreciate it if he sent it directly to me, as well as you.”

“So ordered.” Piras paused and made an effort to appear pleasant. Or maybe it was genuine. In certain respects, the man once known as the Terror of the Fleet had mellowed since Tranis had served as his first officer. “I understand congratulations are in order. I hope your Matara is doing well?”

“Thank you. The pregnancy is in its early stages, but all seems well as far as the mother and child are concerned. We’re very excited, as you might imagine.”

“No doubt some members of your clan show it better than others.” There was a chuckle in his tone. “I wish you the very best with this exciting addition to your family.”

“Again, thank you.”

Piras returned to business. “I’ll confirm when Captain Kila’s ship is on route to Bi’is. Piras out.”

The man disappeared. Tranis clicked his own com unit off, then the sound blocking device, which had made their conversation private.

He stared moodily at the window vid displaying the sea beyond the installation. Fleet Headquarters was based on an island several miles out in the ocean. The vast expanse of green water suggested serenity and peace. Tranis wished his mood would cooperate.

It was difficult. His Nobek clanmate Lidon had recently left his job at Kalquor’s Global Security law enforcement at the fleet’s request. At Tranis’ own personal request. Uniquely qualified to fulfill a necessary task, he’d gone on a special assignment off-planet the day prior. Despite its temporary nature, Tranis hated every second the bold warrior was gone. Talking to Piras, who’d been Lidon’s intended Dramok before Tranis had appeared on the scene, hadn’t helped his funk.

Now Piras would send his own Nobek, Captain Kila, into the heart of a mystery that might prove treacherous. He’d already sacrificed much of his life for Kalquor’s sake. No doubt he wondered when fate would decree he’d sacrificed enough.

Tranis’ gaze went to the missing Ilid’s last com to his father, displayed on a holoscreen hovering over his computer. He wondered what had happened to the spyship the young man served on…what had happened to the ensign himself. Was the lad safe? The last line of his message sounded like a heartbreaking goodbye to his mother and three fathers.

My love is forever with my parents.

Tranis thought of his mate Cassidy, of the child she carried. He tried to imagine being the father to a young man like Ilid and wondering whether his child was in danger. His stomach curdled.

Find the missing ship, Kila. Bring Ilid home to his family.

* * * *

The alien force dubbed the Darks has grabbed control of key positions on Kalquor and the Galactic Council of Planets. Other leaders are still unaware of the threat among them. The galaxy is wide open for destruction by an unfathomable enemy.

Former emperor Nobek Yuder has suspicions, but due to restrictions placed on him after his prison sentence, he can only stand by and watch helplessly. A renegade Royal Councilman has designs to bring him back to the political arena, but doing so could destabilize the Kalquorian Empire, leaving it vulnerable to invasion.

Meanwhile, one man on the brink of death, the only man who can detect the nearly invisible Darks, is pulled from a lifeless shuttle by Captains Kila and Nako. His incredible story tells them they’re in a race against time to save not only the empire but the whole galaxy…but are they already too late?

On Earth II, Governor Stacy Nichol’s relationship with Clan Rihep continues to grow. So does the danger, as opponents make deadly moves against her and the orbiting Kalquorian station where the clan lives. Nobek Kuran is determined to keep his clanmates and would-be lifemate safe, but how can he stop a faceless enemy?

Relationships, old and new, are strained to the breaking point at a time when Earthers and Kalquorians need each other more than ever. The Darks are closing in, and no one is ready to oppose them.

Releasing November 3. Pre-order now at Amazon, Amazon UK, Nook, Smashwords, Kobo, Apple, and print.