Tracy St. John's Blog, page 3

Dark Empire Book Six: Advance and Retreat - Excerpt Three

 

Cassidy and twoEgilkas?

Cassidyopted to tap her notes from her latest efforts into her computer rather thandictate. She paused occasionally to rub where the baby kicked. Her touch seemedto soothe the squirming that more often than not led to a little foot shovingpainfully against her lower ribs.

She wasunsure how long she’d been working when she grew aware of someone standingbehind her. Uttering a gasp, she looked over her shoulder.

Egilkastood there. His gaze riveted on her floating holo screen, which displayed hernotes.

“Youstartled me.” She tried to heave in a breath, the depth of which was thwartedby the tiny body constricting her lungs. “I didn’t hear you return.”

“Yourresearch is interesting,” he said. “This attempt to destroy the All byinfecting its offshoots…fascinating. Tell me, is it your usual response toeradicate those you disagree with?”

She’dfound Egilka could exhibit a quirky sense of humor. Even so, Cassidy eyed himuncertainly at the odd question before turning back to her notes. She wonderedwhat she’d written to bring on the offbeat observation. “You of all peopleshould know the answer to human interactions when it comes to other species.”

From the corner of her eye, she noted someoneentering the lab. It was Egilka, returning to his seat and his lab specimen. Hewas speaking to his com. “Listen, Clajak, we can pick this up later. I have toget back to work so you don’t have a reason to strip the empire of itsscientists.”

Hedidn’t notice Cassidy gaping at him from across the room. He tucked his comunit in its pouch on his belt. He muttered irritably to himself as he resumedthe studies the call had interrupted.

Cassidystared where she’d seen the emperor standing seconds prior, where he couldn’thave possibly been. No one stood at her shoulder.

Thebaby kicked, and she winced. It must have been a symptom of baby brain, apartner to the forgetfulness she’d had the occasional taste of. She’d neverheard of it producing hallucinations, though. She’d have to research it.

Notnow. I have an All to eradicate. She went back to typing her notes and soon forgot thebizarre episode.

* * * * 

Pre-order Now! Ebook releases August 8 

Amazon, AmazonUK, Nook, Smashwords, Apple, Kobo

Print version and link will be available August 1  

 

Victories againstinvasion have been won, but the galaxy may be lost in the end. 

 

There may be no escape from the All’sextermination plans for the dimension. Emperor Clajak has one last card up hissleeve, however: a band of misfit renegade Kalquorians called the Coydidak.Only with their help and an impossible mission to beyond the known reaches ofthe universe can Kalquor hope to preserve life. 

A determined engineer is at the top of thelist of Coydidak leader Dramok Rorix’s least favorite humans. She’ll stop atnothing to board his ship for a one-way voyage that’s to last a lifetime. Isultimate freedom from the empire worth dealing with the beautiful but unrelentingLaughter Lorenz? 

As the clock ticks to the end of Dr. CassidyHamilton’s pregnancy and potentially life in the dimension, she worksfeverishly to find a way to destroy the All. A visit from an undiscoveredentity brings to light her greatest hope and worst fear. Only time will tell ifthis new being is friend or foe…but Cassidy’s time and that of hersoon-to-be-born child is almost up. 

Adventure. Danger. Intrigue. Romance thatoutburns the sun in any galaxy. It’s all here in the sixth installment of theDark Empire series.

Pre-order Now! Ebook releases August 8 

Amazon, AmazonUK, Nook, Smashwords, Apple, Kobo

Print version and link will be available August 1

Dark Empire Book Six: Advance and Retreat - Excerpt Two

 Last week, you met clanmates Dramok Rorix and Nobek Signis, members of the Coydidak tribe. They aren’t exactly big fans of Earthers, including their women. They’ll needto learn to get past their issues to win their freedom from the empire.

 

Rorixhad thought his people were beneath Clajak’s notice. The Coydidak weresomething of an embarrassment to most Kalquorians, a subject best not spokenof. “You speak of future generations. You’re unaware the women among us aremostly elders themselves, unable to bear children at this part of their lives?”

“I’maware. Which is where the big catch lies.”

Understandingbroke over Rorix. His heart stuttered in his chest. “Earther women?”

“Howelse to continue our culture, but through crossbreeding? How can we guaranteethe Earther species’ survival unless we add their men and women to yourcollection of travelers?” Clajak met his gaze squarely. “You’re our one truehope for two peoples if the All can’t be stopped. You’re our only real prospectof continued existence.”

Rorixlooked at Signis, knowing the expression he’d see. As he’d expected, his Nobekappeared incensed. Rorix nudged him, getting his attention. His demeanor didn’tchange as his clanmate met his regard, but Signis brought his own featuresunder control.

TheDramok brought his focus to the emperor again. “I can’t say I’m enthusiasticabout adding new people unused to constant travel or our way of life. I’mespecially reluctant about Earthers. My few interactions involving them haven’tbeen…productive.”

He keptit at that. Clajak’s Matara, Empress Jessica, was human. Although she was animpressive woman, he feared she was in the minority of the seemingly soft,spoiled creatures so different from his own kind.

“They’reweak,” Signis snapped, powerless to contain himself. “They think technology canfix their shortcomings. They’re closeminded extremists afraid of anythingremotely different from themselves.”

“Iwasn’t aware you’d had so many dealings with our ancestral cousins,” wasClajak’s mild rebuke.

“Enoughto form opinions,” Rorix put in, his tone equally as calm after shooting Signisa pointed glare. “Why just Earthers? Why not any of our other allies?”

“It’sup to you and what you think the support we give you will allow,” Clajakshrugged. “Depending on your route, you could recruit Joshadans, Plasians,Beonids…it’s your show, Captain. But to gain the empire’s support, which youmust have to make this journey possible, you’ll have to agree to enlistEarthers.”

“A fewships and supplies are hardly worth having to take care of such lesser beings,”Signis muttered.

“Hardlya few.” Clajak’s gaze and tone spoke a clear warning to the Nobek to shut up.For a wonder, Signis did.

Theemperor’s regard swung to Rorix again. “You’re welcome to petition whoeverguarantees your journey’s success, as will I. You’ll need top medical andscientific personnel. Engineers. Trained crew to man the marauders and smallfighters. Horticulturists and nutritionists. Experts in every field. Except fora very few key people we need to keep us in the fight against the All, you canhave your pick of Kalquorian and Earther personnel willing to face such amomentous journey.”

Hisoffer was more than Rorix had dared to hope for. Autonomy. The means to keephis people healthy and strong. And happy, since they wouldn’t have to bow toanyone but themselves once they left known space. Absolute freedom, theCoydidak dream for hundreds of years.

Howcould he possibly refuse?

 

Pre-order Now! Ebook releases August 8 

Amazon, AmazonUK, Nook, Smashwords, Apple, Kobo

Print version and link will be available August 1  

 

Victories againstinvasion have been won, but the galaxy may be lost in the end. 

 

There may be no escape from the All’sextermination plans for the dimension. Emperor Clajak has one last card up hissleeve, however: a band of misfit renegade Kalquorians called the Coydidak.Only with their help and an impossible mission to beyond the known reaches ofthe universe can Kalquor hope to preserve life. 

A determined engineer is at the top of thelist of Coydidak leader Dramok Rorix’s least favorite humans. She’ll stop atnothing to board his ship for a one-way voyage that’s to last a lifetime. Isultimate freedom from the empire worth dealing with the beautiful but unrelentingLaughter Lorenz? 

As the clock ticks to the end of Dr. CassidyHamilton’s pregnancy and potentially life in the dimension, she worksfeverishly to find a way to destroy the All. A visit from an undiscoveredentity brings to light her greatest hope and worst fear. Only time will tell ifthis new being is friend or foe…but Cassidy’s time and that of hersoon-to-be-born child is almost up. 

Adventure. Danger. Intrigue. Romance thatoutburns the sun in any galaxy. It’s all here in the sixth installment of theDark Empire series.

Pre-order Now! Ebook releases August 8 

Amazon, AmazonUK, Nook, Smashwords, Apple, Kobo

Print version and link will be available August 1

 

Kalquor is Back! First Sneak Peek at Dark Empire Book Six: Advance and Retreat

 

 

Hello again! Remember me? It's been a while.  

First off,semi-retirement is anything but relaxing. I’ve been crazy busy with my son’svarious programs as he embarks on adulthood as a special needs individual. Mom’sTaxi Service (along with many other hats I must wear) is a very real thing. I’mnot complaining though. Being Kiddo’s mother is the most fulfilling role I’veever had. 

In the midst ofit all, I have managed to get some writing done…a whole book’s worth, in fact. Who’s ready for a new Kalquor Dark Empire adventure? The sixth installment of Dark Empire is titled Advance and Retreat. Theebook will be out August 8 and is up for pre-order now (links below). The printbook, which doesn’t have a pre-order option, will be out August 1 for those ofyou who like to get your mitts on Kalquor early.

So withoutfurther ado, let’s enjoy a preview. First up, Emperor Clajak makes a proposalto the least likely of heroes: 

 

Kalquor

DramokRorix fought not to gape at Emperor Clajak. “A Coydidak fleet, myemperor?”

“Of asort.” The muscled Kalquorian royal, his shoulder-length, steel-sheened hairtucked behind his ears, offered a grim smile. “Fifty ships of varying design. Anew explorer-class flagship for you to captain, fifteen marauders, a hospitalship, several raiders, and various other decommissioned vessels we pulled fromstockyards. None except the flagship and marauders are new, but the oldervessels are being modified and updated for your use for deep space exploration.You’ve been lobbying the Imperial Clan and the Royal Council to allow yourgroup to do so for years.”

Rorix,for once in his life, found himself at a loss for words. He glanced at hiscompanion sitting next to him at the low table across from the Dramok emperor.

HisNobek clanmate of almost twenty years looked dumbfounded. It was an expressionRorix couldn’t remember seeing on Signis’ handsome but typically stoicfeatures. Signis’ gaze met his, his almond-shaped eyes damned near round inshock.

Rorixhad indeed campaigned for the Coydidak, a band of Kalquorian space wanderers,to be given the means to explore the outer reaches of the known galaxy. For thelast four years since being voted by the Council of Elders as the Coydidakleader, he’d made intermittent speeches to the three emperors and theirempress. He’d also appealed to the Kalquor’s Committee of Exploration,expounding how the empire had a ready means at their disposal…namely theCoydidak…eager to find new planets and precious resources for Kalquor tocapitalize on.

TheCoydidak, a name which loosely translated to “blown about,” were a faction ofmostly men who had no interest in putting down roots on Kalquor or any of itsmoons, stations, or colonies. For various reasons, they preferred to live on amotley ensemble of ships, visiting inhabited areas where there might be moneyto be made.

Merchants,entertainers…and opportunists, according to their detractors…the Coydidak werethe nomads of the Kalquorian Empire. Their members were incapable or unwillingto stay in one place for any amount of time. They lived by their own rules forthe most part and eschewed what they saw as the typical Kalquorian lust forrank and promotion.

Rorixhad been born among them. His mother’s parent clan had essentially stolen himas a toddler from her and the Coydidak to raise him as a “decent” Kalquorian.Unable to shake an inbred wanderlust and hatred for regular society’s rules,he’d emancipated himself and returned to the wanderers and his parent clan atthe age of fourteen.

He nowsat before one of the four Kalquorian rulers in Clajak’s official office,having been summoned as soon as his ragtag caravan of spacecraft had enteredorbit. They’d shown up on Kalquor in hopes of scoring supplies for the next legof their wanderings. Clajak had invited him to visit. It was a welcome changefrom Rorix begging for an audience to renew his plea for the imperialassignment that would grant his people sustained funding to live free as theywished.

He wasaware of the figure he cut before the formally purple-robed emperor, Clajak’slongtime aide Dramok Korkla in his impeccable blue uniform, and the red-armoredRoyal Guardsmen. The grim-faced Nobek guards surrounded the fine table wherethe visiting Coydidak pair sat on floor cushions. Rorix thought the cushionsalone probably cost more money than the Coydidak had seen in six months.

Rorix’sloose sapphire blue shirt, open at the chest, and his snug black pants werehardly business attire. Signis was less appropriate in a screaming scarletsleeveless tank top, which showed scarred and muscled arms. He was easily aphysical match for any of the royal bodyguards watching them with murder intheir eyes.

TheCoydidak pair were out of place amid finely carved furnishings, rich fabrics,state-of-the-art technology, and no doubt priceless artwork. As casual as theemperor’s corner seating arrangement attempted to be, it was still an opulentsetting.

“Whynow?” Rorix managed, suspicion lending him the strength to recover from hisshock. “After four years of me telling the empire how perfect the Coydidak areto search out resources and new worlds, why are you suddenly dumping ships andsupplies on us and telling us ‘Do it’?”

Clajakgrinned. Rorix was reminded of the stories of the emperor’s youth, when he’dbeen a prince running about the galaxy, getting into life-threatening scrapes.The Coydidak elders loved to tell of Crown Prince Clajak’s escapades, becausehe’d seemed so much like their people. He’d been a true adventurer, unable tosit still even for duty, honor, and empire.

Theemperor wore the smirk of such a man, his purple eyes glinting pure mischief.“I won’t pretend I don’t have an ulterior motive, Captain Rorix. Thanks to theDarks, the Coydidak are in the best position to become the empire’s insurancepolicy.”

“Youwant us to fight the aliens who took over the Galactic Council?” Signis didn’thide his disbelief or disdain. His tone was downright rude.

Clajakappeared to take no offense. “Hell, no. If you knew the odds we’re up againstand how unlikely it is our military fleet, the best in the GC’s membership, canpull us out of this mess…”

Theboyish smirk disappeared and Rorix was shocked to see how old Clajak suddenlyappeared. The emperor was only fifty-one years old, nowhere near Kalquorianmiddle age. His steel-colored hair was from a mutation, not the onset of years.

“Thisis why I called you,” he told the visitors. “The All, the entity dispatchingpieces of itself, which we refer to as the Darks, appears to be bigger than twoplanets. Because it exists between two dimensions, there’s no weapon wecurrently possess that can fight it off. It has the Galactic Council of Planetsunder its control. From all indications, it’s coming for the entirety of themembership. Even beyond, to the worlds unaffiliated with the GC. Not to defeator enslave, but to eradicate.”

* * * * 

Pre-order Now! Ebook releases August 8 

Amazon, AmazonUK, Nook, Smashwords, Apple, Kobo

Print version and link will be available August 1

  

Victories againstinvasion have been won, but the galaxy may be lost in the end. 

 

There may be no escape from the All’sextermination plans for the dimension. Emperor Clajak has one last card up hissleeve, however: a band of misfit renegade Kalquorians called the Coydidak.Only with their help and an impossible mission to beyond the known reaches ofthe universe can Kalquor hope to preserve life. 

A determined engineer is at the top of thelist of Coydidak leader Dramok Rorix’s least favorite humans. She’ll stop atnothing to board his ship for a one-way voyage that’s to last a lifetime. Isultimate freedom from the empire worth dealing with the beautiful but unrelentingLaughter Lorenz? 

As the clock ticks to the end of Dr. CassidyHamilton’s pregnancy and potentially life in the dimension, she worksfeverishly to find a way to destroy the All. A visit from an undiscoveredentity brings to light her greatest hope and worst fear. Only time will tell ifthis new being is friend or foe…but Cassidy’s time and that of hersoon-to-be-born child is almost up. 

Adventure. Danger. Intrigue. Romance thatoutburns the sun in any galaxy. It’s all here in the sixth installment of theDark Empire series.

Pre-order Now! Ebook releases August 8 

Amazon, AmazonUK, Nook, Smashwords, Apple, Kobo

Print version and link will be available August 1

 

Kalquor is Back! First Sneak Peek at Dark Empire Bood Six: Advance and Retreat

 

 

Hello again! Remember me? It's been a while.  

First off,semi-retirement is anything but relaxing. I’ve been crazy busy with my son’svarious programs as he embarks on adulthood as a special needs individual. Mom’sTaxi Service (along with many other hats I must wear) is a very real thing. I’mnot complaining though. Being Kiddo’s mother is the most fulfilling role I’veever had. 

In the midst ofit all, I have managed to get some writing done…a whole book’s worth, in fact. Who’s ready for a new Kalquor Dark Empire adventure? The sixth installment of Dark Empire is titled Advance and Retreat. Theebook will be out August 8 and is up for pre-order now (links below). The printbook, which doesn’t have a pre-order option, will be out August 1 for those ofyou who like to get your mitts on Kalquor early.

So withoutfurther ado, let’s enjoy a preview. First up, Emperor Clajak makes a proposalto the least likely of heroes: 

 

Kalquor

DramokRorix fought not to gape at Emperor Clajak. “A Coydidak fleet, myemperor?”

“Of asort.” The muscled Kalquorian royal, his shoulder-length, steel-sheened hairtucked behind his ears, offered a grim smile. “Fifty ships of varying design. Anew explorer-class flagship for you to captain, fifteen marauders, a hospitalship, several raiders, and various other decommissioned vessels we pulled fromstockyards. None except the flagship and marauders are new, but the oldervessels are being modified and updated for your use for deep space exploration.You’ve been lobbying the Imperial Clan and the Royal Council to allow yourgroup to do so for years.”

Rorix,for once in his life, found himself at a loss for words. He glanced at hiscompanion sitting next to him at the low table across from the Dramok emperor.

HisNobek clanmate of almost twenty years looked dumbfounded. It was an expressionRorix couldn’t remember seeing on Signis’ handsome but typically stoicfeatures. Signis’ gaze met his, his almond-shaped eyes damned near round inshock.

Rorixhad indeed campaigned for the Coydidak, a band of Kalquorian space wanderers,to be given the means to explore the outer reaches of the known galaxy. For thelast four years since being voted by the Council of Elders as the Coydidakleader, he’d made intermittent speeches to the three emperors and theirempress. He’d also appealed to the Kalquor’s Committee of Exploration,expounding how the empire had a ready means at their disposal…namely theCoydidak…eager to find new planets and precious resources for Kalquor tocapitalize on.

TheCoydidak, a name which loosely translated to “blown about,” were a faction ofmostly men who had no interest in putting down roots on Kalquor or any of itsmoons, stations, or colonies. For various reasons, they preferred to live on amotley ensemble of ships, visiting inhabited areas where there might be moneyto be made.

Merchants,entertainers…and opportunists, according to their detractors…the Coydidak werethe nomads of the Kalquorian Empire. Their members were incapable or unwillingto stay in one place for any amount of time. They lived by their own rules forthe most part and eschewed what they saw as the typical Kalquorian lust forrank and promotion.

Rorixhad been born among them. His mother’s parent clan had essentially stolen himas a toddler from her and the Coydidak to raise him as a “decent” Kalquorian.Unable to shake an inbred wanderlust and hatred for regular society’s rules,he’d emancipated himself and returned to the wanderers and his parent clan atthe age of fourteen.

He nowsat before one of the four Kalquorian rulers in Clajak’s official office,having been summoned as soon as his ragtag caravan of spacecraft had enteredorbit. They’d shown up on Kalquor in hopes of scoring supplies for the next legof their wanderings. Clajak had invited him to visit. It was a welcome changefrom Rorix begging for an audience to renew his plea for the imperialassignment that would grant his people sustained funding to live free as theywished.

He wasaware of the figure he cut before the formally purple-robed emperor, Clajak’slongtime aide Dramok Korkla in his impeccable blue uniform, and the red-armoredRoyal Guardsmen. The grim-faced Nobek guards surrounded the fine table wherethe visiting Coydidak pair sat on floor cushions. Rorix thought the cushionsalone probably cost more money than the Coydidak had seen in six months.

Rorix’sloose sapphire blue shirt, open at the chest, and his snug black pants werehardly business attire. Signis was less appropriate in a screaming scarletsleeveless tank top, which showed scarred and muscled arms. He was easily aphysical match for any of the royal bodyguards watching them with murder intheir eyes.

TheCoydidak pair were out of place amid finely carved furnishings, rich fabrics,state-of-the-art technology, and no doubt priceless artwork. As casual as theemperor’s corner seating arrangement attempted to be, it was still an opulentsetting.

“Whynow?” Rorix managed, suspicion lending him the strength to recover from hisshock. “After four years of me telling the empire how perfect the Coydidak areto search out resources and new worlds, why are you suddenly dumping ships andsupplies on us and telling us ‘Do it’?”

Clajakgrinned. Rorix was reminded of the stories of the emperor’s youth, when he’dbeen a prince running about the galaxy, getting into life-threatening scrapes.The Coydidak elders loved to tell of Crown Prince Clajak’s escapades, becausehe’d seemed so much like their people. He’d been a true adventurer, unable tosit still even for duty, honor, and empire.

Theemperor wore the smirk of such a man, his purple eyes glinting pure mischief.“I won’t pretend I don’t have an ulterior motive, Captain Rorix. Thanks to theDarks, the Coydidak are in the best position to become the empire’s insurancepolicy.”

“Youwant us to fight the aliens who took over the Galactic Council?” Signis didn’thide his disbelief or disdain. His tone was downright rude.

Clajakappeared to take no offense. “Hell, no. If you knew the odds we’re up againstand how unlikely it is our military fleet, the best in the GC’s membership, canpull us out of this mess…”

Theboyish smirk disappeared and Rorix was shocked to see how old Clajak suddenlyappeared. The emperor was only fifty-one years old, nowhere near Kalquorianmiddle age. His steel-colored hair was from a mutation, not the onset of years.

“Thisis why I called you,” he told the visitors. “The All, the entity dispatchingpieces of itself, which we refer to as the Darks, appears to be bigger than twoplanets. Because it exists between two dimensions, there’s no weapon wecurrently possess that can fight it off. It has the Galactic Council of Planetsunder its control. From all indications, it’s coming for the entirety of themembership. Even beyond, to the worlds unaffiliated with the GC. Not to defeator enslave, but to eradicate.”

* * * * 

Pre-order Now! Ebook releases August 8 

Amazon, AmazonUK, Nook, Smashwords, Apple, Kobo

Print version and link will be available August 1

  

Victories againstinvasion have been won, but the galaxy may be lost in the end. 

 

There may be no escape from the All’sextermination plans for the dimension. Emperor Clajak has one last card up hissleeve, however: a band of misfit renegade Kalquorians called the Coydidak.Only with their help and an impossible mission to beyond the known reaches ofthe universe can Kalquor hope to preserve life. 

A determined engineer is at the top of thelist of Coydidak leader Dramok Rorix’s least favorite humans. She’ll stop atnothing to board his ship for a one-way voyage that’s to last a lifetime. Isultimate freedom from the empire worth dealing with the beautiful but unrelentingLaughter Lorenz? 

As the clock ticks to the end of Dr. CassidyHamilton’s pregnancy and potentially life in the dimension, she worksfeverishly to find a way to destroy the All. A visit from an undiscoveredentity brings to light her greatest hope and worst fear. Only time will tell ifthis new being is friend or foe…but Cassidy’s time and that of hersoon-to-be-born child is almost up. 

Adventure. Danger. Intrigue. Romance thatoutburns the sun in any galaxy. It’s all here in the sixth installment of theDark Empire series.

Pre-order Now! Ebook releases August 8 

Amazon, AmazonUK, Nook, Smashwords, Apple, Kobo

Print version and link will be available August 1

 

Clans of Kalquor 13: Alien Haven - Chapter Three Scenes Three and Four

 

 

On sale at Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, Kindle, Apple, Kobo, and print.

This will be the last of the preview excerpts. Thanks so much for reading and putting Alien Haven on the bestseller list despite the many snafus of its release. I love you guys!

Today's entry: Charity meets the strong, silent Nobek type. Say hello to Tex...or rather, Detodev.

* * * *

“I’m concerned the sudden appearance of a young Earther woman on Haven at the exact same time Charity Nath vanished from Alpha Space Station might raise suspicions.”

Charity paused nibbling her toast smothered in homemade blueberry jam to consider Sara’s worried comment. She nodded her agreement. “Never underestimate the fanaticism of Earthtiques. Even before coffee. Especially before coffee.” 

It was her and the lady of the manor, the kids having gone to school and the men to work. Charity had been allowed to sleep in after the excitement of arrival. She’d missed the breakfast rush, during which Clan Amgar’s dozen hired workers had also been fed.

Meals cooked by the incredible Utber and a paycheck. It sounded like a pretty great deal for the farmhands, Charity thought.

Sara chuckled, overtly banishing her concerns. “You’re probably not being watched so soon. Still, it wouldn’t hurt for you to be seen doing a few chores on the farm right away. We should establish your presence as a worker now, same as the rest of our ‘projects’ we’ve taken in.”

“Remember to explain in very small words how I can avoid killing your crops. Remember, I don’t know a weed from a carrot.”

“Don’t worry; as far as anyone knows, you’ll be doing most your penance in and around the house rather than the fields.”

“I’m fine doing whatever you think is best.” Charity gobbled her toast and sucked down her coffee. “Point me where I need to be.”

“I’d appreciate you taking the hovercart to the west field and delivering lunches. It would be a good start to make you known as just another face here.”

* * * *

Even if Charity hadn’t been a talented plotter of the stars and therefore fully capable of finding the west field of the farm, the hovercart had a map app which told her exactly where she was headed. A third of the workers were working there, where a variety of beans, squashes, and corn were growing.

She was impressed by the vastness of the west field’s twenty-acre stretch and its seemingly endless mounds. The trio of edibles had been planted together: the corn supplied the tall stalks for the bean vines to climb, and the broad leaves of the squash varieties kept weeds at bay from both plants. Among them trundled a number of AI machines, which tested the soil, adjusted nutrients and water levels, and basically kept the farm producing well. The four workers assigned to the field kept an eye on the machines and were ready to respond to any maintenance issues or malfunctions. They also checked the plants themselves for anything the machines might somehow miss.

Charity could have ridden on the hovercart…Sara had told her most usually did because of the distances between the workers…but she was thrilled to stretch her legs under the balmy sunshine. Living on Alpha Space Station for a few weeks had reminded her to appreciate the joys of being on a planet. Alpha hadn’t been a small, cramped station, but walking its corridors and promenade didn’t feel as roomy as striding on a terrestrial world. Particularly one given mostly to farming.

“I still don’t want to be on Yeehaw Central,” Charity told the waving cornstalk leaves she passed on her way to the hired hands. “Don’t feel too smug I’m currently enjoying myself, Haven.”

Her first stop was near a human male she guessed to be in his sixties. Though his hair was iron gray, he was hale and greeted her with a strong handshake. “Gus Fremont,” he introduced himself. “I heard we’d see you around. Pleased to meet you, especially since you’re bringing lunch.”

Charity chuckled. “I’m glad someone’s happy to see me. Cranky machine?” She nodded to the yellow and black field monitor lying on the ground instead of floating among the plants. It was about the size of a German shepherd. Its myriad of nearly a dozen arms were flung wide on the rich brown soil, as if it had been killed in a shootout in a saloon.

“Yeah, it’s insisting stuff is ready to harvest. Caught it before it started picking, thank the prophets. Probably a bad sensor. Those go faster than anything else on these beasts.”

A little small talk, and Charity moved on. Gus hadn’t asked her what had brought her to Haven and the Amgar farm. Had Sara informed the fieldhands of her supposed indiscretion, or did he simply mind his own business?

“That’s a rare breed,” she snorted as she moved on.

Her next mouth to feed was a human who told her to call him Bud. A fitting nickname for Planet Farm Hell, but he too seemed nice. A rawboned man in his forties, he was pleasant, though not as smilingly so as Gus. “Found some trouble elsewhere? Don’t worry; we don’t mind young’uns who cut up a bit. You landed in the perfect place, miss.”

“Thanks. I like Clan Amgar.” She managed not to drawl partner after speaking.

“Excellent bunch. None better.” He turned to yet another monitor apparently on the fritz.

Next came a Dramok in his late teens. He looked her over while wearing a shy grin but spoke politely as he worked on the third farm monitor having a bad day. “I want to have the biggest farm on Haven when I claim my plot. I’m learning all aspects of the work from the ground up.”

“Good luck.” He reminded Charity of the slightly younger Adam. Teenage humanoid boys were apparently a lot alike, no matter the species. Certainly their side glances at women and eagerness to impress them were the same.

She found her final lunch recipient doing what was quickly becoming apparent was the main job of fieldhands: working on faulty farm monitors. “Do any of these contraptions work right?”

The Nobek she addressed appeared to be Ilid’s age, early to mid-twenties. The lack of more than a couple scars on his chest, exposed by the loose, long-sleeved shirt he wore, bore out her guess. His expression was remarkably reserved, allowing only a portion of the natural Nobek aura of contained danger to betray his breed…barely so.

He regarded her for a couple of beats before answering as he accepted the proffered covered lunch tray. 

“Field monitors work pretty much nonstop, day and night. Even if they aren’t breaking down, we have to do constant maintenance.”

He didn’t tell her his name. His curt nod had served as the traditional bow of respect she’d grown used to receiving from Kalquorian men. He set the food tray aside and focused his attention on the monitor he was pulling apart. Charity observed he seemed to be cleaning the dirt-encrusted components.

“I’m…Jennifer Seng.”

“Are you sure?” He’d noted her hesitation but refused to glance up. Or maybe he was being extra diligent in his work. His intense stare on the machine had no room for distractions.

She felt a nudge of irritability at his lack of interest and her near-mistake of giving the name “Ashley Holloway,” which had been what she’d gone by at the university on Jedver. At least she hadn’t nearly outed herself as Charity Nath.

“Do you have a name? Or can I make one up for you? How about…Tex? Seeing as how we’re on Planet Farm Hell, it would fit.”

“Ah. You aren’t here by choice.” His lip twitched a notch, as if wanting to smile smugly.

“Exactly. I have a life, which I haven’t given up on yet.” She grinned, though he continued to refuse to look at her.

“You lived too intensely if you’ve come to Haven against your will. You’re the first human I’ve seen remanded to Clan Amgar’s farm, however. The only woman.”

“Well, Tex, it’s like this. I’m a trailblazer. Equal rights fighter. I wanna commit nefarious crimes on behalf of the sisterhood, show you boys how it’s properly done.”

Maybe it was the boys that got him to look at her. Charity flashed him her best irascible grin, daring him to take the bait.

She had a definite crush to pursue where Ilid was concerned, but she was aware of the rules of Kalquorian society. She and Ilid weren’t clanned. Adhering to his traditions, it meant she was free to flirt with any man of any breed she wished. Charity’s personal code meant she wouldn’t play for the attention of another Dramok while seeing Ilid, no matter how casual she felt the bond was. She was too fascinated by her new friend. Besides, it felt rude.

A handsome, unattached Nobek, however…that was a different story. For all she knew, Ilid was searching for male clanmates. They’d both discussed the merits of the shuttle attendants, so she was aware he remained open to leading a full clan despite the changes to Kalquorian laws. 

I bet Ilid would like this guy. He appreciates the overtly strong types when it comes to Nobeks. The lack of smiling and personality might be a deal breaker, though.

Charity, on the other hand, loved a challenge. Drawing out Nobek Strong and Silent had abruptly become a project.

She went to the hovercart, smirking to suppose “Tex” might be feeling a moment of relief to believe she was leaving. Instead, she sat on its edge and got comfortable.

“What about you, Tex? Are you here because you’re a bad boy, or did you decide on slow, painful Death by Boredom to prove your Nobek worth?”

Did she imagine him drawing a deep breath, as if to gain strength? His deep voice was definitely tight when he said, “I was originally one of Clan Amgar’s troubled Nobeks, though I came to Haven willingly when I learned of the place. I decided to stay afterward. I like living on this ‘farm hell,’ as you put it.”

Sensing rising irritability, Charity decided she’d pushed him as hard as she was willing to. There was no trace of teasing when she said, “Then you got lucky, same as me. Clan Amgar is wonderful.”

Bingo. His features softened, lending the stern but attractive features an extra dose of handsomeness. 

“They are. It’s says a lot for you to recognize it.” He paused, then almost reluctantly added, “The name is Detodev, by the way. I don’t think I like being called ‘Tex.’”

“It’s nice to meet you, Detodev.” She didn’t ask him why he’d been sent to Haven. Having finagled him into introducing himself, if half-heartedly, she preferred to keep their present interaction on a positive swing.

She added, “I have a friend who just arrived, an unclanned Dramok about our age. We’re hoping to get together. Where are the fun places to hang when you’re young and foolish but trying to stay out of trouble?”

“Where were you before?” He sounded interested despite his stoic expression.

“Jedver. Galactic Council University of Astronomical Studies.”

“Refugee, huh? Or were you sentenced ahead of the Dark invasion mess?”

“The timing kind of coincided. The calls to consider leaving Galactic Council space had barely begun when I left with a bang. A literal bang.”

Detodev snorted. “City and college girl, no less. I doubt you’ll enjoy our town’s brand of entertainment. It’ll bore you.”

“There’d better be a diversion while I’m sentenced to stay. If I’m bored, I’m a problem. Ask anyone. Especially my last professor. Come on, there has to be something resembling fun here. Anything. Including ronka tipping.”

He sighed and rubbed the back of his hand against his arrow-straight nose, a feature rarely seen on an adult Nobek. He left a smear of dirt on its tip. “There are a couple of bars. Bar, Bowl, and Barrel is your best bet of the two. Less fights, better drinks, and the customers are evenly split between Kalquorians and humans. It has an attached bowling alley plus pool, vid games, the works.”

Bowling and pool. It sounded as hokey as Charity could imagine. “No dance clubs?”

“Dancing’s at the other bar, Steve’s Roadhouse. It’s probably not the kind of dancing you enjoyed on Jedver. I have no idea what they call it, but it looks clumsy as hell.”

“You don’t get out on the floor and show them how it’s done?” she teased.

She earned an unamused glower. “Kalquorian men don’t dance.”

“Except the historical exhibitions. I know, Detodev. I was teasing. You’re a regular laugh factory, my friend.”

He began reassembling the field monitor. “If you go to the Roadhouse, be sure your friend can defend you.”

“It’s bad, huh?”

“Law enforcement patrols the inside of the place.”

“Wow.” She was betting it was where he hung out when he left the farm. Nobeks loved to brawl.

As for her and Ilid, Bar, Bowl, and Barrel was the favored destination. If it was all they could find to enjoy themselves until they found a suitable inn to spend at least a few private hours, it would have to do. She set the hovercart to head back to the farmhouse. “Thanks for the tip, Detodev.”

“Sure.” Hunched over the machine, he’d already put her in the background.

Charity refused to let him have the last disinterested word. “See you around. Try to have fun in the field, happy man. Keep those laughs coming.”

* * * *

Using the alias Jennifer Seng, Charity Nath hides on Haven, a planet settled by Earthers and Kalquorians. She’s less than thrilled to be on the agricultural outpost where the height of culture is a play titled Cow Patties in Paradise. With a bounty on her head and ruthless enemies determined to cash in, she has little choice but to work on Clan Amgar’s farm until the danger is past. At least the view is nice, thanks to three young, handsome Kalquorians…but they have their own secrets they’re unwilling to share.

After his encounter with a merciless entity that performed horrific medical tests on him, Dramok Ilid is eager for a place where he can feel safe again. Haven’s strict security protocols mean the pandemic raging in his home empire has little chance of striking the planet. Better yet, there’s little opportunity for the enemy Darks who traumatized him to show up either. Still, he knows he isn’t the man to lead a clan of his own despite the tempting potential of his new friends who are everything he could hope for. 

Imdiko Mitag is charming, gorgeous, and resolved to draw out the trio who seem perfect for the clan he’s always dreamed of. His eagerness conceals a long-ago tragedy and an unloving childhood he’s determined won’t dictate the rest of his life, if he can convince the others.

It isn’t that Nobek Detodev doesn’t want friends and lovers. As a Nobek who hates who he is, he’s certain no one else could want him. His aloof persona begins to crack when Charity, Ilid, and Mitag refuse to let him remain unapproachable. But surely they’ll run when they discover the truth.

When Charity comes under attack by those who’ll stop at nothing to destroy the uneasy peace between Earth II and Kalquor, the quartet finds secrets are the greatest danger to keeping her safe. Can her life and their growing love survive the truth of their pasts?

After six years, a new novel for the original Clans of Kalquor series…the fiftieth book in the Kalquor Universe…is here. One big adventure in two versions celebrates this milestone. Version One is the traditional Clans of Kalquor heroine-centric story. Version Two is both a Clans of Kalquor and Clan Beginnings same-sex-friendly edition. Both versions are here in one volume. Choose which to read…or read both.

 On sale at Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, Kindle, Apple, Kobo, and print.

Clans of Kalquor 13: Alien Haven - Chapter Three Scene Two

 

 

On sale at Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, Kindle, Apple, and print.

Dreams lost to the Darks

* * * *

A couple hours later, Ilid lay in the large bed in the room designated for him. He gazed at the open window, through which the cool night breeze wafted drapes. An actual window, he marveled. On their home planet, Kalquorians used energy-efficient vids to give the illusion of the outdoors. Some had vents to simulate breezes. 

Somehow the real thing seemed nicer. But then, everything about Haven had pleased him thus far.

Above all, there were no Darks to threaten him. The terrible entities, part of a larger alien force known as the All, had invaded from another dimension and threatened the galaxy. Ilid had been among the first to confront the terrible creatures while orbiting a planet called Bi’is. The Darks had destroyed Bi’is’ entire civilization in a matter of weeks after their arrival. 

Few people could detect the Darks by sight. Ilid was among them. As an ensign on a spyship, he’d been aware of strange, transparent shadow shapes draped on the shoulders and necks of his fellow crewmates, controlling everyone around him. At the beginning, he’d thought he was going insane. The Darks had realized he was on to them and inflicted horrific experiments to learn how he was able to see them. Thanks to a fellow low-ranking crewmember who could also detect the malevolent creatures, Ilid had been set free. In his attempt to expose the Darks to the fleet, his rescuer had accidentally destroyed the spyship. Badly injured, Ilid had barely escaped alive on a shuttle, the sole survivor of his crew.

Other ships had honed in on his distress call, and he’d been able to warn the Kalquorian Empire of the Dark menace determined to wipe them out of existence. After the trauma he’d endured, Ilid had been remanded to a psychiatric hospital. He’d been unable to sleep because of nightmares, plagued by hallucinations of shadows creeping up on him, and terrorized by the knowledge the Darks were coming for Kalquor. The All and its Darks had taken control of the Galactic Council of Planets, the ambassadorial body of many worlds, including Kalquor and Earth II. 

The idea of his parents having to cope with his ongoing overwhelming distress had sent Ilid into a greater blackness. A few weeks earlier, he’d attempted suicide rather than cause them further pain. The quick-acting hospital staff had kept him from succeeding, and his parents’ determination and love had lured him back into wanting to live. The trip to Haven, where safeguards had thus far thwarted the Darks’ infiltration efforts, was the latest effort to restore Ilid to emotional well-being.

It’s an escape though. I’m still not facing my fears.

Then, on board the shuttle taking him to Haven, he’d met Jennifer. She’d somehow made his hurts less in the three days he’d known her. She was a bright spot in an increasingly grim universe. It wasn’t just Diju’s eager matchmaking helping him consider a future with someone special. 

Fertile Kalquorian women had become few, thanks to a deadly and often sterilizing virus. Kalquorian men had banded together in clans for several centuries, made up of three breeds: Dramok, Imdiko, and Nobek. Until recently, such a union had been the legal requirement to clan an increasingly rare female lifegiver, the celebrated and venerated Matara.

Earthers had changed everything. The numerous human women had been found to be compatible for carrying children fathered by Kalquorians, thanks to an ancient ancestor common to the two species.
Nowadays, a single Kalquorian man of any breed could clan, or marry, a human woman. Clanning of all the breeds continued to be a favored tradition among several, however. Prior to his encounter with the Darks, Ilid hadn’t been able to conceive of heading anything but the typical four-person clan, though he was perfectly willing for his future Matara to be Earther.

The Darks had destroyed his hopes. Ilid’s damaged psyche had challenged his view of himself. How could he be a true clan leader…a real Dramok…when nightmares left him screaming? When he’d run from Kalquor to escape the continuing Dark threat hanging over it?

Meeting Jennifer had allowed some of his dream to reassert itself, despite his misgivings. She’d shown him he still wished to have someone to share his life with. 

An Earther might not have the expectations of a Nobek and an Imdiko. Perhaps Ilid was Dramok enough for such a relationship. He wondered if a human woman could accept a less than perfect man if she didn’t know the extent of how badly he’d been broken.
 

* * * *

Using the alias Jennifer Seng, Charity Nath hides on Haven, a planet settled by Earthers and Kalquorians. She’s less than thrilled to be on the agricultural outpost where the height of culture is a play titled Cow Patties in Paradise. With a bounty on her head and ruthless enemies determined to cash in, she has little choice but to work on Clan Amgar’s farm until the danger is past. At least the view is nice, thanks to three young, handsome Kalquorians…but they have their own secrets they’re unwilling to share.

After his encounter with a merciless entity that performed horrific medical tests on him, Dramok Ilid is eager for a place where he can feel safe again. Haven’s strict security protocols mean the pandemic raging in his home empire has little chance of striking the planet. Better yet, there’s little opportunity for the enemy Darks who traumatized him to show up either. Still, he knows he isn’t the man to lead a clan of his own despite the tempting potential of his new friends who are everything he could hope for. 

Imdiko Mitag is charming, gorgeous, and resolved to draw out the trio who seem perfect for the clan he’s always dreamed of. His eagerness conceals a long-ago tragedy and an unloving childhood he’s determined won’t dictate the rest of his life, if he can convince the others.

It isn’t that Nobek Detodev doesn’t want friends and lovers. As a Nobek who hates who he is, he’s certain no one else could want him. His aloof persona begins to crack when Charity, Ilid, and Mitag refuse to let him remain unapproachable. But surely they’ll run when they discover the truth.

When Charity comes under attack by those who’ll stop at nothing to destroy the uneasy peace between Earth II and Kalquor, the quartet finds secrets are the greatest danger to keeping her safe. Can her life and their growing love survive the truth of their pasts?

After six years, a new novel for the original Clans of Kalquor series…the fiftieth book in the Kalquor Universe…is here. One big adventure in two versions celebrates this milestone. Version One is the traditional Clans of Kalquor heroine-centric story. Version Two is both a Clans of Kalquor and Clan Beginnings same-sex-friendly edition. Both versions are here in one volume. Choose which to read…or read both.

On sale at Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, Kindle, Apple, and print.

 

 

Clans of Kalquor 13: Alien Haven - Chapter Three Scene One

 

 

On sale at Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, Kindle, Apple, and print.

Ilid's pain, his mother's matchmaking solution, and Miss Behavior's plot

* * * *

Ilid wandered the bucolic setting of the Earther-style home his parents had rented for the month. The property included an option to extend the lease should he deign to remain on Haven longer. 

He was surprised at how taken he was by the wide-open countryside. He could see similar homes dotting the distance; free-standing structures of sprawling porches, fertile gardens of vegetables and flowers, and vast lawns. Close to Sunrise, these were getaways for those seeking quiet and the opportunity to unwind. Haven wasn’t a tremendously popular vacation destination, but for those invested in the sort of solitude that included the option of ready supplies in the nearby town, it was perfect.

Ilid was a city boy who’d temporarily traded the hustle and bustle of a major Kalquorian urban setting for the tight, congested spaces of a fleet spyship. Kalquor had its own wide-open spaces, but he’d eschewed plains and deserts for mountains and wooded areas. 

He thought the wide space surrounding him should have been a void. He’d been prepared to be overwhelmed by the silence and loneliness. Instead, he felt incredible peace. He could see for what appeared to be miles at a stretch. Birds, frogs, and crickets imported from Earth and reptilian drils from Kalquor sang in a chorus as the sun sank into the horizon. Though darkness was beginning to spread, the absence of worrisome shadows made his heart light. For the first time in months, he felt a sense of real safety.

He heard the approach of someone behind him and recognized his mother’s tread. He marveled he had no instinct to whirl and search her for trouble. Less than a day on Haven, and he’d begun to accept he might be able to relax his constant vigilance for Darks.

She drew next to him and threaded her arm in his. “It’s so big out here. The sky goes on forever.”

He inhaled her scent and surmised she’d been baking stya rolls. Soft, airy breads, which practically melted in the mouth, they were among his favorites. He smiled at her.

I can finally breathe again. “I like it. I think Haven’s beautiful.” 

“As is a certain young lady who shared our shuttle ride? Have you commed her to see how she’s settling in?”

“It’s a little soon, isn’t it? Are you in a hurry to clan me off your hands?” he teased.

“My home will always be yours. I simply want you to be happy. Jennifer made you smile more in three days than I’ve seen since you…since you returned from service.”

Since I was a prisoner of the Darks. 

He warded off the sick memory. “She’s a special woman.” Vibrant and enthusiastic, Jennifer had helped him forget for minutes at a time the dangerous galaxy they lived in.

“She has promise. A mother’s instincts are seldom wrong when it comes to those who’d be right for her son.” Diju’s grin was self-assured.

Anguish rose again, determined to have its say. “What of her son’s rightness for potential clanmates? Can you guarantee that?”

Her smile faded. “You’re a wonderful man, Ilid. Caring, intelligent—”

“Damaged. Weak. After what happened, I might not be Dramok enough for anyone.”

“Stop it.” Diju tugged him to face her. “What you faced would have destroyed most men. You survived what no one else on your ship could.”

“And afterward? If it hadn’t been for a watchful security guard in the psych ward, I wouldn’t have lived to see today. I fell apart. There’s no getting around it.”

He regretted reminding her of his suicide attempt as tears brightened her purple eyes. “You’re here now. Yes, you had a bad spell. Who wouldn’t, considering what happened? But you were given a second chance. You faced down the fears and won in the end.”

“It hasn’t ended, my mother. Until the Darks or we are destroyed, it’ll never be finished, not truly.” He drew a breath and smiled for her sake. “But yes, I am feeling healthier. I have no wish to end my life any longer. I just don’t know if I’m the kind of Dramok any woman deserves. Particularly a lady as lovely as Jennifer.”

Diju’s sadness was palpable. When a few seconds ticked past, she visibly drew herself up. “You should let her make such a decision, shouldn’t you? Despite an inclination to have the sort of fun and excitement people your age tend to go for…or at least, her tendencies that I wish you’d try on for size now since rank isn’t your entire focus…and if your drive to succeed isn’t pure Dramok, I don’t know what is…” the slew of half-formed protestations faded as she ran out of breath.

Ilid chuckled.

She waved him quiet. “As I was saying, underneath a slight hint of irresponsibility a twenty-year-old woman is entitled to, Jennifer is an intelligent person. So be the wonderful man you are. Let her good sense tell her what a catch she’s found in you.”

“If she’s half the Matara you are, I could hardly do better.” Ilid hugged Diju, feeling how lucky he was to have lived, if merely to be near her.

“My son, you deserve the best.”

Ilid watched Diju go inside the pleasant home, smiling at her determination to find him someone special. Buoyed by her encouragement, he pulled his com from its belt sheath and scrounged up Jennifer’s frequency. He hesitated a moment as insecurity nibbled his gut.

What the hell, the worst she can do is say get lost. He clicked to connect.

“Ilid!” came the happy audio-only voice despite his having enabled vid on his end. “How was your first day on Haven?”

“Not bad. We’ve barely settled in at the place we rented, so I haven’t done much else but unpack. No vid picture of your gorgeous face? Did I catch you at a bad time?”

Her laugh made him smile. “My newly adopted little sister might come bursting in my room at any moment. There was quite the discussion during dinner when it comes to her dating.”

“Oh?”

“She’s twelve and not seriously thinking of it yet, but her Nobek dad is already having a coronary over the idea. If she comes in and sees me talking to a handsome Dramok, it might start a whole episode I’d rather avoid setting off.”

He chuckled. “It sounds as if Clan Amgar is all right.”

“They’re terrific. Such a sad story, though. Dramok Amgar himself died years ago saving the children from a fire. They’d clanned Sara mere months before. Sweet prophets, it’s a tragedy, starting with her first husband’s death just before her youngest was born. It breaks my heart.”

Ilid didn’t try to keep the reluctance from his tone. “I guess I shouldn’t stop by in a day or two if you’re trying to be a good influence on the younger generation. If you want me to keep my distance—”

“Are you kidding me? You’d better come visit. I refuse to cool my heels here on the ass-end of nowhere the whole duration of my sentence.”

“I hear Miss Behavior howling to break free.” 

“Just because I’m not a nun doesn’t mean I’ll get into trouble. A girl’s gotta have some fun off the farm. But no hot and heavy where we might be caught. Keep an eye out for the inn you promised we could escape to.”

Ilid laughed, delighting as always in her enthusiasm. Also in the memory of the kissing and heavy petting they’d indulged in during the trip to Haven. Jennifer had made it plain she’d been up for more than the little they’d managed, but they’d both been conscious of his parents’ proximity to wherever they managed to be on the small vessel. 

He’d also preferred a romantic setting rather than a quick do-me in the tight, spare shuttle quarters allotted for sleeping. He was too fond of Jennifer to treat her like a one-night stand, even if it was all they ended up enjoying.

“My parents and I are going to town tomorrow to look at the local bakery for sale. I’ll check to see what fun we can have there.”

“No pig wrestling. Or cattle branding.”

“I have no idea what those are, but I’ll stay clear of them.”

She laughed. “I miss you already, Ilid. Com tomorrow and we’ll make plans for as soon as possible.”

“Consider it done.”

* * * *

Using the alias Jennifer Seng, Charity Nath hides on Haven, a planet settled by Earthers and Kalquorians. She’s less than thrilled to be on the agricultural outpost where the height of culture is a play titled Cow Patties in Paradise. With a bounty on her head and ruthless enemies determined to cash in, she has little choice but to work on Clan Amgar’s farm until the danger is past. At least the view is nice, thanks to three young, handsome Kalquorians…but they have their own secrets they’re unwilling to share.

After his encounter with a merciless entity that performed horrific medical tests on him, Dramok Ilid is eager for a place where he can feel safe again. Haven’s strict security protocols mean the pandemic raging in his home empire has little chance of striking the planet. Better yet, there’s little opportunity for the enemy Darks who traumatized him to show up either. Still, he knows he isn’t the man to lead a clan of his own despite the tempting potential of his new friends who are everything he could hope for. 

Imdiko Mitag is charming, gorgeous, and resolved to draw out the trio who seem perfect for the clan he’s always dreamed of. His eagerness conceals a long-ago tragedy and an unloving childhood he’s determined won’t dictate the rest of his life, if he can convince the others.

It isn’t that Nobek Detodev doesn’t want friends and lovers. As a Nobek who hates who he is, he’s certain no one else could want him. His aloof persona begins to crack when Charity, Ilid, and Mitag refuse to let him remain unapproachable. But surely they’ll run when they discover the truth.

When Charity comes under attack by those who’ll stop at nothing to destroy the uneasy peace between Earth II and Kalquor, the quartet finds secrets are the greatest danger to keeping her safe. Can her life and their growing love survive the truth of their pasts?

After six years, a new novel for the original Clans of Kalquor series…the fiftieth book in the Kalquor Universe…is here. One big adventure in two versions celebrates this milestone. Version One is the traditional Clans of Kalquor heroine-centric story. Version Two is both a Clans of Kalquor and Clan Beginnings same-sex-friendly edition. Both versions are here in one volume. Choose which to read…or read both.

On sale at Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, Kindle, Apple, and print.

 

Clans of Kalquor 13: Alien Haven - Chapter Two Scene Three

 

 

On sale at Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, Kindle, Apple, and print.

A lawman's true colors begin to show...and they aren't looking too pretty.

* * * *

Assistant Chief Martin Wilkes eyed Jennifer Seng’s official identification picture, part of the information Chief Groteg had forwarded. He brought up another I.D. on his computer’s holo screen. He enlarged both so no detail could be missed. He looked at the two women side by side.

Jennifer’s honey-blond hair was shoulder length, a fabulously tousled mass suggesting windswept beaches. Sultry lidded deep blue eyes, which recalled the ocean, bore the slightest hint of an Asian background in their shape. 

In contrast, the young woman so many were hunting for had dark brown hair and less-hooded hazel eyes. Jennifer’s nose and chin were narrower too. The second woman’s cheekbones were more sculpted, giving her a haughtier appearance.

There was a vague resemblance if one searched for it, but they did appear to be two different women. Surgery could have accounted for the variations…but if Jennifer Seng had undergone a cosmetic procedure, it was impossible to detect.

Wilkes considered them, wishing for a telltale scar or some other unmistakably shared detail. If there’d been any, if it were the same woman, the characteristics had been erased. He could only wonder until he had a face-to-face encounter with Groteg’s newest ward.

If Jennifer Seng was the recently vanished Charity Nath, Wilkes’ work was cut out for him to prove it…but prove it, he would.
 

* * * *

Using the alias Jennifer Seng, Charity Nath hides on Haven, a planet settled by Earthers and Kalquorians. She’s less than thrilled to be on the agricultural outpost where the height of culture is a play titled Cow Patties in Paradise. With a bounty on her head and ruthless enemies determined to cash in, she has little choice but to work on Clan Amgar’s farm until the danger is past. At least the view is nice, thanks to three young, handsome Kalquorians…but they have their own secrets they’re unwilling to share.

After his encounter with a merciless entity that performed horrific medical tests on him, Dramok Ilid is eager for a place where he can feel safe again. Haven’s strict security protocols mean the pandemic raging in his home empire has little chance of striking the planet. Better yet, there’s little opportunity for the enemy Darks who traumatized him to show up either. Still, he knows he isn’t the man to lead a clan of his own despite the tempting potential of his new friends who are everything he could hope for. 

Imdiko Mitag is charming, gorgeous, and resolved to draw out the trio who seem perfect for the clan he’s always dreamed of. His eagerness conceals a long-ago tragedy and an unloving childhood he’s determined won’t dictate the rest of his life, if he can convince the others.

It isn’t that Nobek Detodev doesn’t want friends and lovers. As a Nobek who hates who he is, he’s certain no one else could want him. His aloof persona begins to crack when Charity, Ilid, and Mitag refuse to let him remain unapproachable. But surely they’ll run when they discover the truth.

When Charity comes under attack by those who’ll stop at nothing to destroy the uneasy peace between Earth II and Kalquor, the quartet finds secrets are the greatest danger to keeping her safe. Can her life and their growing love survive the truth of their pasts?

After six years, a new novel for the original Clans of Kalquor series…the fiftieth book in the Kalquor Universe…is here. One big adventure in two versions celebrates this milestone. Version One is the traditional Clans of Kalquor heroine-centric story. Version Two is both a Clans of Kalquor and Clan Beginnings same-sex-friendly edition. Both versions are here in one volume. Choose which to read…or read both.

On sale at Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, Kindle, Apple, and print.

 

Clans of Kalquor 13: Alien Haven - Chapter Two Scene Two

 

 

On sale at Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, Kindle, Apple, and print.

Charity finds herself on the outside looking in.

* * * *

“This is the best mac and cheese I’ve ever had,” Charity declared after a single bite.

Imdiko Utber chuckled. “I had a lot of practice, thanks to the kids. Chicken tenders, mac and cheese, and pizza. You’d swear there were no other foods worth eating.”

“Tacos,” Tori declared. “Tacos are always to be on the week’s menu.”

“Grease and lactose, the fuel of the younger generation.” Charity had another forkful of mac and cheese and had to fend off a moan of sheer lust. Utber’s recipe was utterly decadent.

“It is a challenge to make sure it’s healthy,” the Imdiko chuckled.

“Such language. How dare you assault our ears with words like ‘healthy.’” Tori grinned at Charity, whom she sat beside.

The girl had wandered in Charity’s room as she was unpacking earlier. Her nonchalant façade had faded as they got to know each other. It had taken only half an hour before she was gabbing in the breathless way adolescent girls had when they’d found a confidante. Charity was amused, touched, and a little saddened…when had she left similar eagerness behind? Had she ever experienced it? She thought she might have been denied, having spent a portion of her own formative years under the yoke of hardline followers of Holy Leader Browning Copeland. There’d been Copeland himself, making it clear Charity was to become his latest wife when she was only fifteen…

She felt a rush of gladness Tori hadn’t grown up under the shadow of fear. Her angst was of the pure preteen kind, the testing indulged in by someone flexing independence from parents and teachers. Charity’s had been more of a defense mechanism to keep growing terror at bay.

She glanced at those around her, this fascinating family formed from a series of tragedies. Adam continued to sneak worshipful glances at her when he wasn’t telling Groteg of the new coach for the football team he played running back for. Sara and Utber gently coaxed James to eat his buttered wedi stalks, which they’d caught him trying to hide under his napkin. Tori pumped Charity for information regarding college and the men she’d met. The girl beamed at Groteg when he turned an anxious eye toward her and said, “Why are you asking about boys?”

“I’m just curious how those in GC space are different from these around here.”

“Well, don’t be, Lady Sunshine. There’ll be plenty of time for boys later. Much, much later.”

“Oh, Dad. You’re cute when you’re freaking out about me dating.”

“You’re dating?” He turned his horrified gaze to Sara. “She’s dating?”

She waved him off. “Of course she isn’t. She’s talking of the future when she’s sixteen.”

“Eighteen,” Groteg countered in a growl.

“Dad!”

The warmth as they bantered and Groteg panicked reminded Charity how far she was from her own family. She’d left behind her aunt and uncle mere days ago when the bounty had been put on her by the fanatical factions of Mercy and New Bethlehem colonies. It had been months since she’d seen her sister and father in person.

We had no chance of being a family like this when we were together. Not after Armageddon. Not after Mom died.

“Don’t worry.” Sara had caught Charity’s state of mind, though not the reason for it. “We don’t always argue at length.”

“Usually, we’re worse,” Tori said cheerfully.

“Young lady,” Utber warned. 

“Dating,” Groteg groaned, staring at his half-empty plate in despair. “How can she be thinking of dating at her age?”

“I’ve been thinking of dating for years. I’ll be old enough in a few months. Then look out, girls.” Adam grinned until he met Charity’s eyes. He blushed furiously and concentrated on shoveling his dinner in his face.

“They’d better not have to look out. If I hear of you being anything except the perfect gentleman, mister, you’ll be sorry.” Sara shook her fork at her oldest.

Utber looked at Charity and shrugged. “Welcome to the family. This is as good as it gets, I’m afraid.”

If you knew how good you have it. As the bickering eased to laughter, Charity decided they might. Her angst abruptly transformed to a soft, sentimental joy.

She was glad for them and basked to be at the edges of their warmth.

* * * *

Using the alias Jennifer Seng, Charity Nath hides on Haven, a planet settled by Earthers and Kalquorians. She’s less than thrilled to be on the agricultural outpost where the height of culture is a play titled Cow Patties in Paradise. With a bounty on her head and ruthless enemies determined to cash in, she has little choice but to work on Clan Amgar’s farm until the danger is past. At least the view is nice, thanks to three young, handsome Kalquorians…but they have their own secrets they’re unwilling to share.

After his encounter with a merciless entity that performed horrific medical tests on him, Dramok Ilid is eager for a place where he can feel safe again. Haven’s strict security protocols mean the pandemic raging in his home empire has little chance of striking the planet. Better yet, there’s little opportunity for the enemy Darks who traumatized him to show up either. Still, he knows he isn’t the man to lead a clan of his own despite the tempting potential of his new friends who are everything he could hope for. 

Imdiko Mitag is charming, gorgeous, and resolved to draw out the trio who seem perfect for the clan he’s always dreamed of. His eagerness conceals a long-ago tragedy and an unloving childhood he’s determined won’t dictate the rest of his life, if he can convince the others.

It isn’t that Nobek Detodev doesn’t want friends and lovers. As a Nobek who hates who he is, he’s certain no one else could want him. His aloof persona begins to crack when Charity, Ilid, and Mitag refuse to let him remain unapproachable. But surely they’ll run when they discover the truth.

When Charity comes under attack by those who’ll stop at nothing to destroy the uneasy peace between Earth II and Kalquor, the quartet finds secrets are the greatest danger to keeping her safe. Can her life and their growing love survive the truth of their pasts?

After six years, a new novel for the original Clans of Kalquor series…the fiftieth book in the Kalquor Universe…is here. One big adventure in two versions celebrates this milestone. Version One is the traditional Clans of Kalquor heroine-centric story. Version Two is both a Clans of Kalquor and Clan Beginnings same-sex-friendly edition. Both versions are here in one volume. Choose which to read…or read both.

On sale at Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, Kindle, Apple, and print.

 

Clans of Kalquor 13: Alien Haven - Chapter Two Scene Two

 

On sale at Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, Kindle, Apple, and print.

A curious law enforcement officer digs for information and gives advice.

* * * *

“What’s this I hear about you taking in a human girl, Chief? I thought you specialized in troubled Nobeks.”

Groteg chuckled at the man who’d popped in his office. “Sara and Tori are sick of being outnumbered. They insisted we even the odds for a change.”

Martin Wilkes laughed. The assistant chief of security for the Earther side of Haven’s law enforcement force was a friendly guy, personable and easy to talk to. He was also as tall and muscled as a Kalquorian, six-foot-five of pure brawn at forty-two years of age. “I’m sure those ladies can hold their own, even when it comes to Nobeks. You don’t mind me nosing in, seeing as this new ward of yours is Earther?”

“Not at all. I had planned to send you a report detailing the particulars anyway. I waited until her actual arrival due to the Darks taking over the Galactic Council and the pandemics…”

“Yeah. She might have been refused entry.” Martin’s demeanor turned appropriately serious as he was reminded of the multiple areas of trouble befalling the galaxy as of late. “What’s the girl’s name?”

“Jennifer Seng. She was tossed out of college after damned near blowing up her professor…hell, most of the university’s chemistry lab too. It was the last in a series of escalating pranks to impress her peers.”

Martin stared in wide-eyed shock. “Why wasn’t she brought up on charges? Or was she, and this is what they decided on? Is it her first criminal offense?”

“She meant no real harm. Nonetheless, she’d been warned on multiple occasions to rein in her mischief. Her final antic made her family and the authorities decide she should face punishment. She’s never been on a farm before. The isolation is quite a shock.”

“She’s used to an urban setting, huh? Clubs instead of corrals?” Wilkes grinned.

“It’s a wakeup call. She’s in for quite a few surprises.”

“You’re in for it yourself, my friend. I have sisters, and you’ve never heard the intense distress of a teen or twenty-something when they can’t go out and have fun.”

The young woman Groteg was determined to fix in his head as “Jennifer” hadn’t struck him as particularly shallow. She was probably too worried about those eager to find her.

He wished he could bring Wilkes into his confidence as to his ward’s true identity. Unfortunately, the spy contingent of the fleet had warned only he, his clanmates, and the spy liaison present on Haven were to have the information.

“What was she studying in school?” Martin checked the time, indicating he had to stop indulging his curiosity and be somewhere soon.

“Astronomy. Smart girl, but a lot of growing up to do. Similar to the troubled Nobeks we get.” Groteg hit a button on his computer. “There you go. Full report straight to you and Chief Connelly.”

“Thanks. Hate to chat and run, but I have to give a speech at the local school on the advantages of staying on the straight and narrow. Universities don’t have an exclusive on pranksters.”

“Better you than me.” Groteg didn’t mind community outreach, but he hated giving speeches.

“Which is how I feel where your latest miscreant is concerned. Maybe I’ll use her as an example of how not to behave. Enjoy the angst.” Chuckling, Wilkes left the office.

* * * *

Using the alias Jennifer Seng, Charity Nath hides on Haven, a planet settled by Earthers and Kalquorians. She’s less than thrilled to be on the agricultural outpost where the height of culture is a play titled Cow Patties in Paradise. With a bounty on her head and ruthless enemies determined to cash in, she has little choice but to work on Clan Amgar’s farm until the danger is past. At least the view is nice, thanks to three young, handsome Kalquorians…but they have their own secrets they’re unwilling to share.

After his encounter with a merciless entity that performed horrific medical tests on him, Dramok Ilid is eager for a place where he can feel safe again. Haven’s strict security protocols mean the pandemic raging in his home empire has little chance of striking the planet. Better yet, there’s little opportunity for the enemy Darks who traumatized him to show up either. Still, he knows he isn’t the man to lead a clan of his own despite the tempting potential of his new friends who are everything he could hope for. 

Imdiko Mitag is charming, gorgeous, and resolved to draw out the trio who seem perfect for the clan he’s always dreamed of. His eagerness conceals a long-ago tragedy and an unloving childhood he’s determined won’t dictate the rest of his life, if he can convince the others.

It isn’t that Nobek Detodev doesn’t want friends and lovers. As a Nobek who hates who he is, he’s certain no one else could want him. His aloof persona begins to crack when Charity, Ilid, and Mitag refuse to let him remain unapproachable. But surely they’ll run when they discover the truth.

When Charity comes under attack by those who’ll stop at nothing to destroy the uneasy peace between Earth II and Kalquor, the quartet finds secrets are the greatest danger to keeping her safe. Can her life and their growing love survive the truth of their pasts?

After six years, a new novel for the original Clans of Kalquor series…the fiftieth book in the Kalquor Universe…is here. One big adventure in two versions celebrates this milestone. Version One is the traditional Clans of Kalquor heroine-centric story. Version Two is both a Clans of Kalquor and Clan Beginnings same-sex-friendly edition. Both versions are here in one volume. Choose which to read…or read both.

On sale at Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, Kindle, Apple, and print.