On sale now: Amazon, Amazon UK, Nook, Smashwords, Kobo, Apple, and print.
An unforeseen and unwanted assignment.
* * * *
“I understand your concerns, Captain Nako. I’ve just received a report from Captain Kila on the matter, and I’ve issued clearance for you and your command staff to be informed of what’s going on.”
It demanded every ounce of Nako’s self-control to keep from telling Admiral Tranis what he could do with his clearance. Terig had been forced to physically restrain Zo when Kila’s medical staff had arrived to take Ilid to the spyship. Nako hadn’t been able to do anything to stop it because they’d had an executive order countersigned by the bearded admiral who appeared to be sitting on the other side of Nako’s desk. Kila hadn’t left anything to chance in his bid to grab the senseless ensign from Zo’s protective custody.
Powerless on his own ship. Nako thought back to the days when he’d gone rogue on his old raider, free of the fleet and its fucking chain of command. He’d been pardoned and decorated as a reward for his part in ending Kalquor’s civil war and saving the empire from certain doom from Bi’is. Commanding a marauder had been the icing on the cake.
It wasn’t feeling much like a reward at the moment.
He unclenched his teeth. “I look forward to hearing the full story, sir.”
“I’m sure you do. Kila should be sending you the file on the dark ship his vessel encountered at Bi’is and what followed. He may wait until after he consults his command staff on Ensign Ilid’s account of what happened to his ship.”
Suspicion reared its head, and Nako inwardly cursed himself for not seeing what was happening. Admiral Tranis wouldn’t be sharing spy information unless…
“You’re redirecting my ship to join Captain Kila’s.”
“Affirmative. He’s in charge of the mission. It’ll delay your assignment to safeguard the moon your Imdiko was tasked to assist terraforming.”
Fuck. Ulof would lose his shit to hear his joining the team would be postponed. It would be a blow after Nako’s and Terig’s insistence his career would take center stage after years of him sitting in the wings.
“Admiral—”
“You’re the only vessel in the vicinity available to help Kila in this matter. You’ll be going to the site of the spyship’s destruction, then on to Bi’is to investigate. If it’s true the ensign’s superiors were controlled by an unknown and hostile species, if those entities have taken control of Bi’is, if they’ve managed to reach the Galactic Council…”
The Galactic Council? Tranis’ horror transmitted to Nako. “Mother of All.”
* * * *
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.
Now on sale!Amazon, Amazon UK, Nook, Smashwords, Kobo, Apple, and print.
No comments:
Post a Comment