Dark Empire Book One: Shadows Approach Chapter Two Scene Four

 

The release of Shadows Approach is nearly upon us. Today's excerpt is the changing of the guard. Clan Piras is finally leaving Bi'is, and Kila fears his troubles are only beginning:

Kila’s spyship

“S-S-nine-two-eight reporting in.”

Captain Kila nodded to Veko to open the com link.“S-S-one-zero-three-eight responding. Welcome to Bi’is.”

He gazed at the other phased spyship, his emotions a mixtureof gratification and remorse. Keeping tabs on the Bi’isils was often a boringjob, but he was convinced there was a secret lab operating on the planet, whichhad escaped the Galactic Council inspectors’ notice. It damned near physicallyhurt to let another ship’s crew find it instead of his.

Leaving it behind was his chance to begin the rehabilitationof his clan’s reputation. They weren’t returning to empire space, but they’d bein contact with plenty of Kalquorians as they took up secret guard duty ofEarth II.

During the Kalquorian civil war, Kila and Admiral Piras hadbeen tasked to accomplish the impossible: get close to the leader of thetraitors against the empire, Dramok Maf. Achieving the impossible had meantdoing the unthinkable. They’d had to hand over a key space station to Maf,which had meant sacrificing hundreds of loyal Kalquorian soldiers’ lives.

The war had ended five years prior, and the reason for theirsupposedly treasonous actions had been revealed to the public at large.Nonetheless, many of the dead had grieving families unwilling to forgive them.There were those who’d kill Piras and Kila if given the opportunity. Kilacouldn’t blame them. The majority of the dead had been Nobeks, who’d haveconsidered it an honor to perish so the empire would survive. Their familiesweren’t so forgiving.

Had it been his clanmate, brother, son, or father given tothe cause, Kila would want vengeance too. He admitted he had little forgivenessin his soul when it came to those who’d harm his clan and family.

He wanted his clan to lead a normal life, however. Identitychanges were a possibility, but not while they served the Kalquorian fleet.None of them, including Hope, who’d come along at the end of the war and servedin a contractor capacity so she could remain with her clan, could imagine doinganything else.

Piras and Kila were the two most hated men in the empire,Piras in particular. Lokmi had been part of the plan too, so he was also indanger if discovered.

There had been clandestine visits to family on Kalquor inthe intervening years. Piras had managed to be at his mother’s side when shepassed away, heartbroken her son was so hated and unable to remain close. Ithad been a particularly demoralizing trip, but all visits had been difficultdespite the joy of brief family reunions. Knowing discovery would possibly endin bloodshed, they’d had to be careful.

The crew of the ship off their bow had no idea whom theywere relieving of Bi’is surveillance. All communication was audio only, andvocal masking was used to render Kila’s voice unrecognizable.

“We’re ready for the changing of the guard.” The othercaptain had been told to avoid revealing his own identity for security’s sakeand to use masking as well…a ruse to guard Kila from having to identifyhimself. He sounded jovial. Kila wondered who he was and if they’d been friendsbefore the war.

“You have the information on the shadow entities weobserved?”

“Yes, Captain, and the likely location of the secret lab youbelieve is present on the planet. We’ll search for evidence of both.” Hesounded gleeful at the opportunity. He must have had some experience in howmonotonous it was to watch over an enemy. “Is the Galactic Council inspectioncontingent still enroute for their routine check?”

“Affirmative, Captain. I’ll send you our observations fromthe last week, then we’ll be off if there’s nothing else you require.”

“I believe we’re set to take over. Enjoy your return tocivilization.”

“Thank you. The detail is yours.”

“Accepted.”

The single word ended Kila’s five-year surveillance ofBi’is, broken only by the occasional shore leave. Their long exile was over.

“Helm, fly us to Earth. Let’s get a look at our new home.”

 * * * * 

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.