Dark Empire Book One: Shadows Approach Chapter Two Scene Three

 

Counting down to next Friday! It's time to meet Nobek Kuran's clanmates, Dramok Rihep and Imdiko Etnil. Anyone for pizza?

Alpha Space Station, Clan Rihep’s quarters

Kuran entered his quarters aboard the “tin can,” as Stacycalled the space station orbiting Earth II. He inhaled deeply, appreciating thescent of dinner from the tiny greeting room, which boasted a total of threeseating cushions, a table, and what his Imdiko referred to as “a bar fit fordrinking alone.”

It hardly mattered. Theirs was a gregarious clan, more aptto meet friends for drinks than to entertain.

Kuran entered the slightly larger dining room, where Etnilwas just putting a pizza on the table. “Well, aren’t you your typical self?”the Imdiko groused. He didn’t lift his gaze to Kuran. “The shower head isleaking. No Kuran to fix it. I com to ask a clanmate, who happens to pass thegrocery supply department on his way home, to pick up some flour. Does Kurananswer? No. But dinner’s ready, and who bolts through the dining room door,drooling like a starved snarku? Kuran, of course.”

The Nobek chuckled as he pulled his com from its belt pouchand checked for messages. Sure enough, Etnil had called. “I’m sorry, my Imdiko.I forgot I had it on silent for the governor’s welcome. It looks as if youpulled off dinner without my assistance. Grul pizza?”

His clanmate’s handsome, slender face, framed by sleek blackhair that fell to his mid-back, finally rose to look up at him. A slight smirkhovered over his lips. “I added hot sauce and blue cheese. No one will darekiss you for the rest of your life after you eat this. Or follow you to thetoilet.” He made an explosive sound, his cheeks puffing and deflating.

“It has to be better than the bywes and pickled beet pizzahe inflicted on us last week.” Rihep came in carrying a bottle of bohut andglasses. Though he was nearly ten years Etnil’s senior, he looked younger. Etnilclaimed it was because Rihep, though a Dramok, had many Imdiko traits,meditated like a priest, and gave very few fucks about anything.

Etnil grabbed the bottle from him, opened it, and tried todrink straight from it. Kuran snatched it from him, which earned him a pout.The Imdiko recovered almost immediately to advise them, “You were my testsubjects for a post-traumatic stress disorder study I’m doing. Have yousuffered nightmares since the beet pizza? Urges to end your lives?Uncontrollable desires to pickle other Earth-based vegetables or certaingorgeous Imdiko clanmates?”

“Get the plates, Etnil.” Rihep grinned, but there was nodoubt he expected to be obeyed. He offered the glasses one at a time for Kuranto fill. “How was the party, my Nobek?”

“Boring. Stuffy. I think Stacy made an excellentimpression.”

“Oh, it’s just Stacy now, instead of Governor Stacy,who started as Governor Nichols.” Etnil was back, bearing plates and utensils.“Was the excellent impression just on a certain adoring Nobek, or did anyoneelse find her agreeable?”

“One tap,” Kuran said to Rihep, brandishing the half-emptybottle in Etnil’s direction.

“Don’t waste good bohut when your fist will do.”

Etnil laughed at the idea Kuran would punch him and slicedthe pizza. They sat down to sample his latest effort.

The Imdiko was forever trying food combinations on top ofpizza dough after having discovered the popular Earther food. He was alsoenamored with subs and sandwiches, and often stuffed a number of ingredientsbetween cuts of bread. He’d declared the height of civilization was thedevelopment of portable food.

Kuran had to admit grul pizza was among Etnil’s successes.The fiery hot chunks melded deliciously with blue cheese, and the addition of asmoky hot sauce was a painfully delightful enjoyment.

After a couple of slices and refilling his glass, Rihep toldEtnil to keep his mouth shut and invited Kuran to tell them about thegathering.

“The Imperial Clan was there, and so was the GC’s newsecretary-general. You would have enjoyed speaking to Dramok Mereta. He has asupremely calm presence.”

“I’ve read his take on the Temple of Life’s philosophy. Ifind it fascinating he arrived where he did after years as a priest.” Rihephimself had briefly studied for the Temple of Life’s priesthood before optingfor the route of a wholesale supplier to various businesses. When Kuran hadbeen tapped to head on-planet security for the new world, Rihep had been ashoe-in to take charge of Earth’s supply needs.

“I appreciate the fact he doesn’t feel the need to convertanyone. He kept his conversation with Governor Nichols brief and on thebusiness of the planet.” Kuran didn’t miss Etnil’s smirk when he used Stacy’stitle and last name.

“And the Imperial Clan?”

“They’re quite supportive, and she appreciates it, unlikeher lieutenant governor. If Bryant greeted a single Kalquorian at thegathering, I didn’t see it.” Kuran dared to tell Etnil, “The empress asked thegovernor not to plant bombs under the cities. I thought the emperors would fallthrough the floor in horror.”

Etnil laughed, covering his mouth to avoid spraying thetable with food. “What did Stacy say?”

“She voiced appreciation for the joke and empatheticdiplomacy for the emperors’ reactions. I can’t wait for you two to meet her.”He paused. “Let me rephrase. I can’t wait for Rihep to meet her. I might chainyou to the wall, Etnil.”

“Will you be using the fluffy cuffs, the leather cuffs, orthe scary metal ones?” The irrepressible Imdiko made kissing noises.

“The final push to be ready for the colonists is coming. Thegovernor is bound to be working nonstop to prepare for their arrival,” Riheppointed out.

“Which is why she plans to invite the supervisor of supplyand acquisitions down to the planet soon. Though I advised against it, shewishes to meet our station’s lead psychologist as well.”

Etnil beamed. “That’s me! Oh boy, that’s me!”

“Mother of All, help her,” Rihep chuckled.

 * * * * 

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 August 4! Pre-order now at Amazon, Amazon UK, Nook, Smashwords, Kobo, Apple, and print.