* * *
*
Nobek Kuran tried to keep frustration from his tone as he reported in to Admiral Piras via audio-only com, but he was aware he wasn’t quite successful. “I managed to alter most of the vid Matara Nelson was sent to make it appear fake, but she arrived for work before I could finish the job. She sent it elsewhere for verification.”
Piras growled, but he didn’t go into one of his famous meltdowns. “How much is intact?”
“About thirty percent. All at the end of the footage.”
“That’s significant. Who did she send it to?”
If anything was to set off his superior, it would be Kuran’s lack of intel. “Unknown, sir. She used an earpiece equipped with blocking tech so I couldn’t listen in or record her communication. What’s more, the transmission point was a self-terminating temporary link. Whoever she was talking to, someone she identified as ‘Rob,’ didn’t want to be found out. It could have been on Earth or any number of places.”
“That woman! First she gets hold of the lieutenant governor’s old Earth codes, then she researches on Speaker Mitchell’s behalf—” Piras’ eyes suddenly widened. “She’s working for someone else. The news bureau is a front for whatever she’s up to.”
Kuran blinked at the leap the admiral had taken. “Do you think so?”
“It’s only a hunch, but I’d bet a year’s pay I’m right.” Piras snorted. “She’d make an excellent spy for the department, wouldn’t she? Too bad someone else already hired her. Get an agent on it to see if my suspicions are correct. Who’s assigned to her? Selt?”
Kuran cleared his throat. “His clan has become…attached to her. When Speaker Mitchell’s threat to her was nullified, I removed the surveillance.”
He was certain the stretch of silence meant an explosion would follow. Instead, Piras chuckled.
“Kalquorian men are constantly tripped up by Earther women. They never fail to entrance us. She’s no doubt trying to use Clan Deram for her own goals.”
“If you believe the relationship poses danger to our division—”
“If it were any clan besides Deram’s, I’d peel your hide off for not shipping them elsewhere. I know those men well, however, since they served on Kila’s spyship. I trust them to keep personal pursuits and professional secrecy far apart. Nonetheless, put another operative on Matara Nelson’s case…and don’t inform Clan Deram you’ve done so.”
“Understood.” Kuran switched topics before he could get on the wrong side of Piras’ temper. “How is your assignment going? Is there anything I need to be aware of to do my job here?”
“Tell the governor to listen for people who speak in doubled voices. Earther women can detect the Dark riders on an auditory level. Has Hadlez begun testing our men for the ability to spot them?”
“Yes, sir. He hopes to have results on the brain scans in a day or two.”
“Excellent. I’m sending you footage of Admiral Hobato when he was under the enemy’s influence. Those sensitive to Darks can detect them via vid as well as in person.”
“That’ll simplify things.”
“I certainly hope so.” Piras suddenly sounded worn. “We’re continuing to keep this quiet for now, because we have a situation. Some members of the Royal Council are compromised. We’ll soon be ready to attempt trapping their riders, and we don’t want them to realize we’re on to them. Most especially maintain silence if the Galactic Council contacts Alpha Station or Earth.”
The hairs rose on the back of Kuran’s neck. The creatures had penetrated the GC? He steeled his tone to avoid betraying his alarm. “Good luck, Admiral.”
“I’m afraid we’ll need it.”
* * * *
Blythe Nelson is certain Clan Deram is keeping something from her. The clan of spies finds it difficult to stay a step ahead of the wily reporter who’s winning their hearts. What they don’t know is Blythe has a secret of her own. New love can’t survive without trust, and neither side is ready when the truth comes out.
Dramok Ospar, determined to return to the political stage, strikes up a deal with Royal Councilman Oiteil. Unaware he’s dealing with a Dark entity controlling Oiteil, he finds himself fighting for his honor, his relationship with his clan…and his life.
The Kalquorian Empire, already struggling against the Darks infiltrating its highest offices, suffers a new blow when it’s revealed it’s keeping a prisoner from the war against the first Earth: Holy Leader Browning Copeland. The schism between Kalquor and its allies grows deeper, setting the empire against the rest of the galaxy.
As chaos descends on rioting Earther colonies, the Galactic Council of Planets, and Kalquor, a desperate group of humans and Kalquorians race to stop the force behind the turmoil: the Darks. Can they loosen the grip on their worlds the enemy seeks to tighten, or is all lost?
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