Here's your final look at this extended sneak peek of Infiltration! Keep an eye out for news on the next book in the Dark Empire series, Secret War.
For now, Clan Nako deals with postponed and immediate gratification.
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* * *
“Postponed for how long? And why?” Ulof stared at his clan leader.
Nako glanced at Terig, who lurked behind Ulof in the main room of their quarters. No doubt Terig was ready to take him down if he gave in to his quick temper. They’d shooed Piper back so she stood behind Nako.
As if he’d hurt her. Ulof had punched Nako in the past. He respected and cared for his Dramok, but sometimes Nako had it coming. Terig too. All three, half or full Nobeks, could be absolute bastards to each other when the notion took them.
Never to Piper. Ulof wouldn’t touch his Matara, even if she came at him holding a knife and a blaster.
She knew. It was in the glare she leveled at Nako for being overly protective. Her belief in him made Ulof feel a little better.
“I wish I could tell you the reason for the delay, my Imdiko. The truth is, I barely know the mission the spy division of the fleet has forced on me. They’re pretty much in the dark on what’s going on themselves.” Nako’s own temper hovered, leaving him glowering.
“Spies.” It explained a lot, including his Dramok’s obvious frustration. “Does this detour have something to do with the deep-fried shuttle you picked up?”
“It has everything to do with it.” There was a hint of relaxation from Nako at Ulof’s reasonable tone. “We picked up a survivor. He started babbling weird shit, then Captain Kila sent me a report detailing even weirder shit…fuck, I can’t tell you since you aren’t a member of this crew any longer.”
“You wouldn’t be able to if I were. I was just a cook when I was part of the fleet, not command staff,” Ulof pointed out. “I’d be in the dark no matter what.”
“True.” Guilt filled Nako’s expression. Ulof realized it wasn’t merely the mysterious situation upsetting his clanmate. He hated keeping Ulof from his hard-won dream of terraforming work. “I swear, the instant they cut us loose, I’ll get you to your assignment. That’s a promise.”
“Don’t worry about it. This isn’t your fault.” Ulof refused to tell them his disappointment was tempered by a wash of relief. He’d begun losing sleep due to fears he wouldn’t be able to do well at the moon.
He was full of ideas when it came to bringing a dead rock of a planet or moon to life. Good ideas, if he were to believe his supervisor’s praise. It was in their execution Ulof fell short, due to a significant learning disability. He’d managed to contribute to the birth of Earth II, but his role had been extremely limited. If his clanmates hadn’t been acknowledged heroes, he’d probably have never gotten a toe in the terraforming team. He damned sure wouldn’t have been invited to work the next assignment.
“Thanks for being patient. I…I appreciate your understanding.” Nako did his best to cover his surprise, no doubt to keep from insulting him.
Ulof smiled wryly. His short fuse was legendary. It had put him in prison at one point. Frustration at always coming up short and assholes who teased him for his difficulties had led to a lot of trouble throughout his life.
Then Nako and Terig had come along. They’d seen beneath his infuriating limitations and accepted him for who he was. Piper had gone beyond acceptance; she’d encouraged him to reach past where he’d believed his weaknesses were.
He’d managed some success, he admitted. Given another five lifetimes or so, he might make it as a terraformer.
He’d been given something more precious than the ambition to work in his dream field in recent weeks, however. A hope that had committed him to reining in his urges to break objects or punch his male clanmates, more than anyone or any fantasy had.
The new beautiful desire brought him to his greatest concern. “Is it dangerous? Will it endanger Piper? Will we have to put off having a baby?”
They glanced at their golden-haired Matara. Five years after clanning her, she’d made the decision she was ready to become the mother to their children. The nature of Ulof’s work and the safe environment it offered had sealed the deal. Nako and Terig were members of the fleet, which wasn’t always conducive to maintaining a clan in the same place. They’d set aside perilous assignments to allow Ulof to chase his goals, which in turn allowed them to remain together and offer a stable household for a family.
Piper blushed under their regard. Nako slipped his arm around her, and she molded to his side.
The Dramok pressed a kiss to her forehead and smiled at Ulof. “I think we can continue to try for our child. We’re only in this because we found the missing spyship’s shuttle and recovered its crewman. No other spyships are in the vicinity, but the fleet will be sending one or two soon. I wouldn’t be surprised if we’re on our way again in less than two weeks. Three at the most.”
Ulof liked the sound of that. In three weeks, the initial phases of the terraforming, the tasks of which he was worse than useless at performing, would be well under way. He’d have little pressure except to attend meetings where he’d keep his mouth shut. Afterward would come designing the moon’s new landscape, the part he enjoyed the most and was actually good at.
He’d have three weeks with no other demand than making a baby. He looked over Piper’s slight but deliciously curved figure. “I suppose Nako and Terig have work to do, thanks to this whole spy nonsense. Meanwhile, I’m ready to do my duty where my Matara’s concerned.” He gestured to the large lounger, which dominated the sitting room’s space. “Shall I report for the task here or in the sleeping room? Your choice, my love.”
“Hey, barring an emergency, we’re off duty for a few hours. Don’t think you’re getting her to yourself tonight.” Nako pulled Piper out of Ulof’s easy reach. “No wonder you’re agreeable to delay our arrival at your post. You’re hoping to keep her in bed the whole damned time.”
“As if you’d do any different in my place.” Ulof made a grab for their giggling Matara.
Nako retreated, taking Piper along and grabbing her breast with a proprietary air. “I wouldn’t.” Grinning, he nuzzled her ear. “What do you think about being kept in bed day and night, fucked for hours on end?”
“Exactly my plan.” Ulof gave chase, and Nako picked up the laughing Piper and tried to head for their sleeping room.
“Um, there’s another man who needs his share of sweetness.” Terig pursued the rest.
* * * *
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.
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