Infiltration: Chapter Five Scene Two

 

 This week, Yuder receives an offer that's hard to refuse. Temptation is goading him in a direction that could end with him in prison again.

* * * *

Kalquor

Yuder left Tara’s ashram on a warm, sunny afternoon. He stood beyond the rocky outcropping serving as its exterior and waited for his eyes to adjust as waves whispered hello to the pink sand shore.

Aside from a few distant figures walking the beach, he had the strand of coastline overlooking the infinite green sea to himself. Royal Guards had been informed he was leaving and were stationed along his route, though their presence was far enough away to give him privacy.

He breathed deep the familiar salt tang but found no solace in it. He’d spent as long as he could manage in meditation in the quiet of the ashram. Tara taught using contemplation for escape from life’s troubles was incompatible with true peace, and she was probably right, but escape was all he ached for. He could sit in introspection for a couple hours, but the natural Nobek inclination for action allowed for no more.

After a week home, he faced the truth he’d feared but suspected…he was useless. To Tara, to himself, to the empire. There was no place for him.

He’d been born in an era of struggle, raised for the throne when trouble was at its height. Kalquor had cycled between wars against Trag and Bi’is. Extinction had threatened their world. His work as part of Kalquor’s Global Security before taking on his duties as the empire’s monarch had meant encountering determined criminals and fighting glorious battles to enforce the planet’s laws. Then, as the warrior-protector of the Imperial Clan, he’d been tasked the security of the empire in an increasingly hostile galaxy.

Once upon a time, Nobek Yuder had stood between his people’s annihilation and safety. Once upon a time, he had mattered.

Now, Kalquor was at peace. Bi’is’ threat had been destroyed, as had the domestic revolt led by the treasonous Dramok Maf. Despite a few dissidents, Earth II was an ally, its populace healed and invigorated on their new planet. They had also immigrated to Kalquor, blending their undamaged genes with the native population and salvaging its culture. In a couple of centuries, Kalquorians would be exclusively of mixed ancestry, a new species altogether. Though Yuder had reluctantly broken the Galactic Council’s laws to make that happen, he felt guilty pride in having helped assure his empire’s future.

He'd found ironic comfort in serving a prison sentence for his part in bringing Earthers, some unwillingly, to Kalquor a decade before. His incarceration had brought justice to those abducted. Service to others had been Yuder’s mandate throughout his life. The notion had gotten him through the quiet isolation filling his hours in the Galactic Council’s penal colony.

Now he was home, but he had no one to serve. Even Tara needed little of his presence, though her preference for it was a gift he refused to take for granted. She was self-sufficient, however. She had unending projects, between leading her followers and managing Dramok Mereta’s compound while he served as secretary-general of the Galactic Council of Planets. She was hard pressed these days to spend the time she wished to with her grandchildren, especially the eldest, Wayne, who lived at Nobek training camp.

Tara had her own way of doing things, which Yuder could appreciate. It meant his offers of assistance were often gently, lovingly declined. Not because he couldn’t learn her procedures, but because she simply couldn’t spare an hour to teach him how she wanted tasks done.

He didn’t really prefer to help run spiritual centers, if he were honest about it, but he was banned from the responsibilities he was most suited for. It was out of the question for him to stick his nose in Imperial business. The life he’d once lived and breathed, running an empire, was off limits.

When Yuder and his clanmates Zarl and Tidro had conceded the throne to Clan Clajak, he’d been consulted for advice on the problems the empire faced. Now, he couldn’t even ask his son for his opinion of any legislation currently being publicly debated in the Royal Council.

There was nothing for Yuder, and he was quickly becoming certain he was nothing himself. Old and out of his element in this well-earned peaceful phase of the Kalquorian Empire, he was adrift. He had no direction to go.

Why am I still here?

The thought startled him, and he realized he’d been staring at the sea. He had no idea how long he’d done so. Abruptly grouchy at his morose turn of mood, he turned on his bare heel and set off for the cliff housing the Royal Home.

He was aware of the pair of red-armored Royal Guards silently following him. How ridiculous did he appear to his protective escorts, this relic of a Nobek in his loose white trousers and thigh-length tunic? Once he’d have been in armor of his own, black with red trim, as tough as those assigned to protect him. He was tempted to look at his fellow Nobeks, to see if disdain filled their fierce faces. But no, Royal Guards wore no expressions while on duty but that of deadly threat. Whatever scorn they might feel for their charge would be hidden.

A figure several yards away in the direction he headed waved. Yuder squinted as one of his guards quickened his pace to precede him. After a moment, he recognized the Dramok hurrying forward.

“It’s Councilman Oiteil. He’s an old associate,” Yuder called to the guard.

“Councilman?” The guard eyed Yuder. His expression was impassive.

“A friend.” Untrue. Oiteil was no more than an acquaintance, but Yuder was eager to speak to him.

He had no idea if the Royal Guards had been warned by Clajak to keep political figures from him. Discussing empire business with a sitting councilman would be in breach of Yuder’s parole. Apparently his son hadn’t issued such orders, because his bodyguards said nothing to warn Oiteil off. They allowed Yuder to pull slightly ahead to greet the smiling councilman.

“Imperial Father,” Oiteil called as he neared them. He spared no glance for the guards. For someone who’d been on the council as long as he had, Royal Guards were merely part of the furniture. “I’m glad to see you in public.”

“I was supposed to com you,” Yuder remembered. “My apologies for not having done so.”

“No doubt you’ve been settling in, spending time among family. How is it going?” Oiteil’s smile creased his face pleasantly. The sunlight turned his gray hairs to silver, matching Yuder’s steel-sheened mane.

“It’s…peaceful.”

“The bane of a Nobek,” Oiteil chuckled.

Yuder joined in. Remembering the recent loss of his companion’s clanmates, he asked “What of you? How are you these days?”

“Lonely. Desperately filling my hours with work. I guess I’m lucky that way.” Oiteil glanced at Yuder. “I can’t imagine how difficult it is for you.”

It was beneath Yuder to complain about his lot, but he acknowledged, “Too much free time is as bad as not having enough.” For a Nobek, it was worse.

“I sympathize. I also find it frustrating. I wish you weren’t prohibited from public service. We’re in dire need of your vast knowledge and experience.”

Yuder regarded him in surprise. “We’ve not known such peace and prosperity in my recollection.”

“On the surface, yes. Bi’is is conquered. Even the Tragooms haven’t tried our borders in a couple of years. I have concerns, however. There are tensions simmering beneath our well-earned calm, Imperial Father. Most would prefer to ignore them, but elder statesmen such as you and I have seen far too often how small concerns become major challenges.”

Yuder opened his mouth, then closed it. The conversation was hedging into areas he had no business involving himself in.

The corner of Oiteil’s mouth twitched, as if Yuder had given him a signal. “So many matters of potential disturbance. The majority of our people agree the legal inclusion of Earther men in clans and the other changes to what constitutes lawful unions in the government’s eye are worthwhile. However, there are those most adamantly opposed to nontraditional joinings. A single man to a woman has become any number of men legally committed to any number of women. Pairings, clans, and houses…it’s become quite the labyrinth in legal settings.

“Then you have the new Earth. Already there are rumblings from those called ‘Earthtiques’ who show a devotion to the isolationism which made their society such a nightmare…not only to their own citizens, but to the galaxy at large. I heard the governor’s shuttle was sabotaged, though it’s being kept quiet. What isn’t a secret is protestors showed up at the celebration welcoming the first colonists. Our Imperial Clan was present. Did Emperor Clajak mention it to you? No, don’t answer. As long as you don’t speak, no one can accuse you of involvement.” Oiteil glanced at the Royal Guards. Yuder fancied he saw derision in his companion’s expression.

Clajak hadn’t mentioned the protest. It had been splashed on the news vids, however, which Yuder had had limited access to on the prison colony. The demonstration hadn’t seemed large, and it had been obvious the security detail had experienced little trouble managing it.

As Oiteil had mentioned, however, small disputes occasionally blew up into major explosions. Kalquor’s own civil war had begun when a few Royal Council members had staged a walkout.

“I won’t bore you by relating the other concerns I’ve had, especially since there’s nothing you can do about it…at present.” Oiteil’s voice had lowered, his glance sweeping once more toward the Royal Guards following at a respectful distance.

Yuder turned his head minutely in Oiteil’s direction, his brows lowering. What did the councilman mean by “at present”?

His companion caught the questioning look. “A few of us have been talking. It’s presently a small number, you understand? We’ve spoken at length of how those we once counted on to keep the empire safe are no longer available. The Royal Council hasn’t yet fully recovered from the revolt. Though it’s a blessing the traitorous garbage took itself out, we’ve been gutted of valuable leadership. Losing your expertise, along with Councilman Rajhir and Haven’s governor Ospar, was a crippling blow.”

A twinge of yearning pulled at Yuder, but he knew better than to consider it. “The lifetime ban is absolute on all accounts.”

“Kalquor’s Royal Council cleared you of all charges. The ban makes no sense in the face of its decision.”

“It was a condition of my release from the Galactic Council’s prison colony. As for our Royal Council’s pardon, you personally voted against clearing me, Oiteil.” Rightly so, Yuder believed. He’d been appalled when the council had overturned the High Court’s ruling convicting him.

“I had no choice. We were on the brink of civil war. Upholding your conviction gave us the chance to head it off and cripple the rebellion.” Oiteil sighed. “I regret it. It was a bitter pill to swallow.”

“But correct. It had been our last chance to fend off war.”

“That was then. This is now. A lifetime ban from public service is a flawed outcome.” Oiteil’s voice remained quiet, but it was firm in its conviction. “I think it can be changed.”

“The condition forbidding me from public service in order to shorten my sentence came from the Galactic Council,” Yuder repeated. He kept bitterness from his tone as he added, “The Imperial Clan, Royal Council, and people of Kalquor agreed to the terms.”

“Your redemption and return to a leadership role might also become the will of our people if they recognize the need.” His tone lowered further, so Yuder had to strain to hear him. “Would you refuse if your empire begged you to serve?”

Yuder knew he should stay silent. He should tell the councilman the conversation was over. He’d never be restored to any role allowing him to have a say in Kalquor’s governance. Honor demanded he accept the Galactic Council’s terms.

But the years stretching before him, an endless future of meditation and walks on the beach…of pointless, worthless existence…how could he bear it?

Oiteil wouldn’t find the votes. Yuder was certain his dishonor, his crime, assured it.

Was it so wrong to consider the possibilities? To allow the slender hope someday his people would recognize his good intentions, poorly executed as they had been?

“If…if the people ask it, I’d have no choice but to answer their call.”

Oiteil nodded, his expression satisfied. “They will. I have no doubt of it.”

* * * *

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.