Dark Empire Book One: Shadows Approach Chapter Two Scene Two

 

We're one week away from release! Earth II's Governor Stacy is welcomed by the Galactic Council's leader, Kalquor's Imperial Clan (who might not enjoy their empress' attempt at a joke)...and maybe not so welcomed by her lieutenant governor:

Stacy flushed as her entrance to the reception was greetedby a crash of applause. Those aliens who didn’t possess hands to clap madetheir acclamations in other ways. Everyone was on their feet or hovering in theair to welcome Earth’s new leader.

When the hubbub died down, she accepted the speaker boxKuran handed to her. “Thank you so much, but the accolades rightly belong toyou. If not for the Galactic Council of Planets and its membership, therewouldn’t be an Earth for me to preside over. I’m especially grateful to thehuge contributions of the Kalquorian Empire, the planets Joshada and Plasius,and the Alneusian Confederation.”

After a few additional remarks about how she hoped herpeople’s new beginning pointed to success in the Galactic Council community,she wrapped up. Stacy wasn’t big on speeches, preferring action to words. Thereception was soon in full swing, and representatives of the many worldsconverged upon her.

“Congratulations again on a well-deserved election, DramokMereta,” Stacy said when the secretary-general of the Galactic Council greetedher. “I understand you’re the first Kalquorian to lead the Galactic Council infour hundred years.”

“Thank you, Governor.” The gentle face framed by grayinghair was serene. “The honor is in being chosen to serve the council’s members.I hope I am up to the task.”

From anyone else, his statement would have resounded infalse modesty. However, Mereta was the real deal. He’d been a priest ofKalquor’s Temple of Life, then founder of his own sect of the ancientphilosophy. He’d brought his serene clarity to the empire’s Royal Council, thento the Galactic Council. Though he had millions of devotees, he wasn’t known toimpose his spiritual beliefs. Indeed, he never spoke of them unless he wasasked.

The first time she’d met him as secretary-general-elect,when her name had been put forth as a potential interim governor for Earth, Stacyhad been ready to fend off the foolishness of a zealot. After all, she’d grownup under the governance of the original Earth’s Holy Leader. Browning Copelandhad been a man who spoke of God’s love but forced the majority of Earthers tolive in a cultish hell. Stacy was leery of those who fashioned themselves asarbiters of any holy path.

At their initial meeting and the subsequent half dozen thatfollowed, Mereta hadn’t mentioned salvation or sin. He’d kept theirconversations to what Stacy brought to the table when it came to the success ofrestarting Earther civilization, her objectives for her people’s new homeplanet, and the obstacles she saw ahead. He listened more than he spoke, andhis inquiries were never judgmental. Though she knew the barest details ofMereta’s faith, she found herself understanding why he was a sought-for leader.His nomination to the secretary-general post had met little resistance from themember planets.

“I believe we’ve put Earth’s future in capable hands,” hesaid now, his smile warm.

“Thank you. Like you, I’ll do all I can to serve my peopleand give us a good start.”

“I have no doubt of it. If you ever require aid, you haveonly to ask the Galactic Council.”

“Thank you, Secretary-General.”

He bowed and made room for the next well-wishers. As theemperors and empress of Kalquor bowed, Stacy returned the greeting.

“I can’t begin to tell you how thrilled I am to see this dayarrive. Only the landing of the first colonists will supersede such a momentousoccasion,” Dramok Emperor Clajak told her. His steel-colored hair, a mutationof the usual black most Kalquorians possessed, framed a handsome face.

“I bet I’m more excited.” Empress Jessica, an elfin womanwhose short stature belied her fiery temper, grinned at Stacy. “Our new homeworld has exceeded expectations, in my opinion.”

“Mine as well,” Stacy agreed. “Run by a differentgovernment, I hope our success will be far greater.”

Jessica crossed her fingers. “Don’t plant any bombs underthe cities, okay?”

Clajak and the other two emperors, Egilka and Bevau, reactedin shock. “Are you making light of that horror?” Imdiko Egilka muttered in anundertone.

“The truth is the truth,” Stacy interjected with smoothdiplomacy. “Our leaders were insane to have rigged the cities to blow up shoulda hostile entity breach Earth’s atmosphere. They knew they were dooming theentire planet and the majority of its people when they did so.”

“But to joke about it?” The lean-featured emperor blinked atthe two women.

“If you don’t laugh, you might scream,” Jessica explained.“Seeing a new Earth and a fresh start for humans brings me delight beyondmeasure, but…”

“But it reminds us of what we lost as well,” Stacy finishedfor her. “It’s dark humor masking a message, Emperor Egilka. It’s right to remindthe head of a planet of our past mistakes and what led to them.”

“I suppose,” he said after a moment’s pause. “The GalacticCouncil wouldn’t have chosen you if there were a possibility of you makingthose sorts of decisions, though.”

Nobek Emperor Bevau, too handsome to be believed in Stacy’sopinion, smirked and asked in a low voice, “I’m not so sure about their choiceof a lieutenant governor.”

Again, Stacy drew on diplomacy because she happened toagree. Kalquor had gone to great lengths to assist Earth’s existence, but oncethey and the Galactic Council agreed all criteria had been met by Earth’sappointed leaders, they’d have no role in its governance. “All viewpointsshould be considered and debated, no matter how distasteful various factions mightfind others. Fortunately, the traditionalists who lean toward absolutism are inthe minority. While Mr. Bryant supports certain values, he isn’t among theextreme element.”

Her assessment was true, but he was already proving to be athorn in Stacy’s side. He’d questioned nearly every proposal she’d advanced,whether it was her own or on behalf of those members of the legislature sheagreed with.

She glanced toward her fellow Earther, who’d finally put inan appearance and was speaking to the representatives from Joshada. Bryant wasslightly shorter than average but in good shape, his light brown hair justbeginning to gray. He was attractive, particularly when he smiled. Behindclosed doors, his tongue could turn sharp in rebuttal, but in public, his charmwon a multitude of supporters.

Jessica’s gaze followed Stacy’s. “He held offices on OldEarth. He strikes me as an Earthtique in his views.”

Earthtique was a combination of Earth and antique.It had become the common slang for those who preferred the lives they’d livedon the original Earth, where the state religion had often brutally ruled itspeople. Under the Holy Leader’s regime, women had possessed few rights, gaysand lesbians had been hunted and killed, and non-English-speaking minoritiesoften kept in poverty.

Men like Bryant, who’d been born to the right circumstances,had enjoyed many advantages on Old Earth. He’d made little secret he believedhe should have been appointed the governor of Earth II, and being second toStacy Nichols was a situation he found oppressive.

Stacy allowed herself the slightest of smirks. “Answering tome and a legislature only fifteen percent white and male will be an excellenteducation for him. With his gift as a public speaker, I can’t think of a bettermessenger to those who have yet to advance their thinking.”

The Imperial Clan grinned at her. Jessica and Clajak laughedout loud.

“You are the right woman for the job,” Egilka chuckled.

“I’m glad you think so. On that note, do you know whenexactly the Galactic Council will hand off full control to my administration? Ishould have asked the secretary-general, but in the excitement, I forgot.” Shelooked around for Mereta, but didn’t see him. “Mr. Bryant has been most eagerfor us to seize the reins. As am I,” she amended, because the agreementsbetween the Earther factions and those eager to see them living as anindependent society had been met. She was impatient for her people to charttheir own course into the future.

“I believe Secretary-General Mereta said all that was leftwas the signing of the declaration by the Galactic Council. The formalannouncement should happen before the week is out,” Clajak said.

“Ready or not, you’re in charge.” Jessica grinned. “Should Ioffer my sympathy as well as congratulations?”

“A bottle of leshella would accomplish both,” Stacy teased.

Jessica laughed. “You already know what’s required. You’re ready,Madam Governor.”

The Imperial Clan moved on, and Stacy spent the next hourgreeting the rest of the dignitaries and well-wishers. At her firstopportunity, she checked in with Kuran.

“Anything interesting happen while I was making friends andcharming my enemies?” she whispered, glancing at the many species of nearly twohundred worlds milling the room, enjoying the tables laden with food and drink.

“Other than Bryant making no attempt to say hello oracknowledge your existence?” Kuran’s squint was fiercer than usual as he eyedthe lieutenant governor, who was chatting up the Adraf and Alneusianambassadors.

“Play nice, Kuran. Don’t give him any grief. That’s my job.”

“I’m head of on-planet security. Since you’re Earth’sleader, you’re my main concern. I’m allowed to give everyone hell when it comesto you.”

Her heart fluttered at the hint of attraction she hoped hefelt for her. Since she wanted to keep him around to discover if there wasanything behind it, she cautioned, “Be as nice as he allows you to be, okay?There are already members of his contingent who want to jettison Kalquoriansupport sooner rather than later. As the most visible example of such support,I need you to tread lightly.”

“This won’t turn into early Haven Colony all over again, willit?” To his credit, Kuran eased off the squint threatening to become a scowl.

“No, because Kalquorians can’t live on Earth, at least underthe current laws.” Not even as spouses or immigrants. Visas of no more than ayear were available to alien species who wished to work as the new planet gotup and running. Even those humans who weren’t Earthtiques were eager to have ahome to call theirs and theirs alone. They’d been forced to live on Earth’sold, overpopulated colonies or on the charity of the Galactic Council and itsmember planets for ten years.

Kalquor was the dominant participant of the aliencivilizations providing support to Earth II as its displaced civilizationlearned to stand on its own. Kuran and his clan were among thousands living onthe massive orbiting space station, a deployment that could last several yearsdepending on how quickly Earthers progressed. Current projections claimed itwould be twenty-five years before Earth was completely self-sufficient.

Stacy didn’t tell Kuran she and the legislature had set theaggressive goal of ten years. Earthtiques were clamoring for five.

“Lacking a bunch of Kalquorians underfoot, there’ll be muchless hostility than what Haven suffered in its first years,” she told him.“Since we won’t have to run our decisions by a Kalquorian governor, there’ll befewer opportunities for resentment to build.”

“I guess so.” He drew a deep breath, his gaze still onBryant. His distraction suited Stacy fine. It allowed her to take a long, slowlook at him without being obvious.

Kuran was a delicious eyeful, and she didn’t feel a minute’sguilt for ogling him.

* * * *

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 releases in one week! Pre-order now at Amazon, Amazon UK, Nook, Smashwords, Kobo, Apple, and print.