Dark Empire Book One: Shadows Approach Chapter One Scene Three

 

This is the final section of Chapter One. It's time to meet Governor Stacy Nichols of Earth II, and her head of on-planet security, Nobek Kuran of Clan Rihep. You'll see a lot more of these two and Kuran's clanmates.

Earth II

Stacy Nichols did her best to disembark from her shuttle ina dignified fashion, fighting the urge to bounce down the stairs. Come on,woman, you’re a thirty-eight-year-old governor, tasked with the start of a newplanet. Decorum, please.

Between excitement and a rush of fear, she felt like a giddychild. She faced the unknown and the unbelievable. It took everything she hadto keep from leaping to the floor of the spaceport.

Security Head Kuran awaited her, his half-smile hintingperhaps he recognized her rush of adrenaline. Or maybe it was just the naturallift of his lips, which always made him appear amused. The majority ofKalquor’s warrior breed didn’t look so friendly, in Stacy’s experience. Kuranhad admitted would-be enemies found his pleasant features confusing, especiallywhen he decided the time had come to kick ass.

Stacy wasn’t confused when it came to Nobek Kuran, ahandsome man who sported a seemingly permanent five o’clock shadow on hisrugged features. She was all too aware of a spark of attraction when in hispresence.

He bowed at her approach. “Welcome to Earth Two, GovernorNichols.”

“Thanks, Kuran. I take it this the official welcome, sinceI’ve visited on nearly a dozen occasions already.”

His purple eyes, which seemed locked in a squint, twinkledat her. “This is your welcome home greeting. Arriving to take the reins for anindeterminable time period demands a special reception.”

“I suppose it does.” She let the grin wanting to burst forthdo so. Kuran answered in kind. “Speaking of receptions?”

“Dignitaries await you at Government Hall.” His real smileanswered her.

Her pulse sped up. His wavy hair, as black as hers, fellpast his shoulders in a flood. The gray uniform of a Kalquorian Fleet contractworker hugged his body in a positively sinful manner.

Chill out. This is Earth, not Haven. There are those whowouldn’t be enthralled by your infatuation for a Kalquorian.

To underscore the issue to herself, she lowered the voltageof her joy and asked, “Has Kenneth Bryant arrived?”

“An hour ago.” Kuran’s tone went from warm to careful in aninstant. “The lieutenant governor is waiting for you to arrive before he makeshis appearance before the guests.”

Stacy managed to avoid rolling her eyes. “Excellent. Shallwe join the party?”

He swept an arm to indicate the path through the space portto its exit. “Your shuttle awaits, Governor.”

They strode side by side, Kuran’s usual long steps slowed tokeep him from outdistancing her. He was more than a foot taller than herfive-foot-five height, tall even for a Kalquorian. The swelling muscles madehim a veritable giant.

Despite him accommodating her, she had to maintain a quickpace. Fortunately, Stacy preferred flats to heels, crisp blouses andcomfortable trousers to dresses. Haven, the Earther-Kalquorian colony she’dlived on for the past six years, was, for the most part, a farming community.As lieutenant governor there, she’d regularly visited constituents. One dressedfor plowed fields and cow patties if she were smart.

She beamed at the industry around her. Earth was still inpreparation, aiming to be up and running in a few weeks, but the spaceport hadbeen bustling for nearly two years. At the start, supplies and crews toestablish the infrastructure of shuttle traffic lanes, public transportation,hospitals, and society’s basic needs had been the majority of shipments. Nowbusinesses, services, entertainments, and schools were readying to open.Supplies for an inhabited planet were pouring in. Cargo ships from every knownworld jockeyed for space, their crews and dockmasters shouting directions toeach other.

Earth had been reborn and was on the brink of opening itsproverbial doors. The excitement was electric.

Especially when she looked at Kuran.

* * * *

A new planet. A newenemy. Is the end coming for the Kalquorian Empire?

In the aftermath ofthe Kalquorian civil war and the defeat of the Bi’is invasion fleet, the empirehas enjoyed peace. A new Earth has been born. A Kalquorian leads the GalacticCouncil of Planets. An era of harmony seems assured.

However, new dangersarrive on the horizon. Governor Stacy Nichols finds herself at odds withpowerful opponents who want Earth II to return to the old ways that led to thedemise of their original planet. They’ll do anything to stop her, especiallywhen they discover her newfound romance with Clan Rihep of Kalquor.

After five years and aterrifying encounter with an unknown entity, Clan Piras is finally leavingtheir spy duties in Bi’is space. Now they must face enemies closer to home: thefamilies of those they sacrificed while on a secret mission during theKalquorian civil war.

A new threat to theexistence of Kalquor and the entire Galactic Council of Planets arrives in themidst of these challenges, a dark menace unlike anything faced before. Oneyoung, inexperienced spyship ensign is all that stands between the galaxy andutter destruction. Can he warn the empire in time…or is it already too late?

DarkEmpire 1: Shadows Approach releasesAugust 4. Pre-order now at Amazon, Amazon UK, Nook, Smashwords, Kobo, Apple, and print.