Now On Sale: Dark Empire Book One: Shadows Approach - Read Chapter Five

 

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Excerpts will no longer be posted after Sunday. I hope you've enjoyed this extended sneak peek into the first of the Dark Empire series. In today's entry, Stacy's lieutenant governor has a few choice words about her spending time with Clan Rihep.

"The intricacies of its politics, the secrets hidden within its shadows, and the underlying mysteries kept me engaged throughout the entire story." -Amazon review

* * * *

Earth II, spaceport

Kuran hadn’t fully quelled his anger by the time hisclanmates showed up in Earth’s spaceport, so he didn’t bother to hide it. Etnilwould have noted it in any case. For all his playful tendencies, his Imdiko wasa talented psychologist, and he knew Kuran too damned well.

“Uh oh.” Etnil greeted him with a hug and a half-smile assoon as he stepped out of the hatch. “Did someone spit on one of your knives?”

Kuran attempted to joke. “Worse, if you can believe it.” Hefilled him and Rihep in on the news that Piras and Kila were to arrive in acouple of weeks.

All humor fled from Etnil’s expression. “That’s fucked up,my Nobek. You must be furious.”

“I’m sorry, Kuran.” Rihep squeezed his shoulder. “I wish Icould say something to help you deal with this news.”

Their gentle support bolstered his strength. “Thanks. Ican’t imagine how I’ll look Piras in the face and not shove my fist in it. Eventhough he was right to do it and he kept Kalquor from falling into the Basma’shands—”

“Stop,” Etnil ordered. “You’re allowed to be angry. Stayhonest where your emotions are concerned. I have faith you can cope, especiallyas little as you’ll be required to do so directly, but you don’t have tosugarcoat it.”

“Right.” Kuran drew a deep breath and found he felt better.Just seconds in the presence of his clanmates, his lifelong friends andcompanions, and everything fell into place. “Are you ready for me to introduceyou to a big reason why I’m willing to try?”

“Well, yeah.” Etnil’s lips twisted in a mischievous grin.“You don’t think I left the tin can to merely breathe real air and walk inrolling meadows under the shining sun, do you? Gotta have a beautiful woman todo so with.”

“It’s nightfall.”

“Like I said, a walk in rolling meadows under the glowingmoon with a beautiful woman. Do you need your hearing checked?”

* * **

Earth II, governor’s office

“Dramok Rihep and Dr. Etnil. It’s a pleasure to finally meetyou.” Stacy hurried around the desk to shake their hands. She probably lookedtoo eager to do so, especially when Ken Bryant sat in the chair in front of herdesk.

As if Kuran wasn’t a slab of beefy goodness on his own, hehad the audacity to have equally gorgeous clanmates. Rihep was a dream, hisfeatures heart-stopping thanks to a square jaw and perfect smile. Etnil beamed,and she noted the gleam in his purple gaze. She’d laughed at plenty of Kuran’sstories about his jokester Imdiko.

“It’s a delight, Governor Nichols. We’ve looked forward tomaking your acquaintance.” Rihep bowed after he released her hand, but his gazeremained locked on hers. Stacy felt zapped by electricity.

Hello, instant lust.

“I’d given up on meeting you. Having Kuran as ourrepresentative, there seemed to be no hope to make friends. Thank you forgiving us a chance to say hello despite his many faults. You’re a saint.” Etnilalso bowed while affecting a worshipful expression.

Stacy laughed. “You’re exactly as he described.”

“Charming? Brilliant?”

“Excuse us a moment.” Kuran grabbed Etnil in a headlock andpulled him away yelping as Rihep turned to the lieutenant governor and offeredhis hand. “Mr. Bryant, I recognize you from the news feeds. Congratulations onyour new planet. My sincerest wishes for every success.”

Bryant rose to his feet after an instant’s hesitation. Heshook Rihep’s hand. “Thank you, Dramok Rihep. I offer much appreciation foryour assistance in getting us up and running as head of supplying the planet.”He glanced at Kuran and Etnil, now standing quietly, to include them.

“All credit goes to the indomitable Earther spirit. I’mexcited for this new start for your people.”

Bryant appeared flustered to Stacy. Most Kalquorians he’dmet were aware of his stance concerning their further involvement in theplanet’s affairs and had adopted attitudes of distance. Rihep’s kind sincerityand enthusiasm must have been a shock.

“We’re excited too. Thank you again.” He managed a tightsmile for the group. “If you’ll excuse me? I hope you enjoy your visit, sirs.”

He flashed an intent glance at Stacy, and she suppressed asigh. “Let me see you out, Ken.”

She followed him to the door, then just outside it when hefailed to pause. He turned to her and whispered, “Is this seemly conduct forour governor? I can’t imagine an official reason for you to meet these men.”

“They’re part of what made this world possible.” She gavehim as bland an expression as she could muster. “Perhaps not Kuran’s Imdiko;he’s on the space station purely as mental health support for the Kalquoriansstationed there. But Rihep has coordinated supplying our infrastructure needsand will continue to do so in the near future. The biggest reason they’re hereis because I have to work closely with Kuran. He’s done a great deal to putinto place the planet’s security needs against the extreme factions thatcontinue to exist.” She wondered if she were speaking to a member of such afaction.

“I’m aware of these matters. Dramok Rihep and Nobek Kuranhave done an exemplary job carrying out their duties, for which they’re wellcompensated. A simple thank-you isn’t sufficient?”

“Earth wouldn’t have happened without Kalquor’s assistance,as little as a vocal few would care to admit it. I feel an extra effort toextend our people’s appreciation is fitting.”

“The vocal few, as you call them, will make their opinionsknown if they feel you’re falling under alien influence. Particularly aliens wefought a war against a decade ago.” He spoke through gritted teeth.

“Then it’s a good thing Kuran is around to keep an eye onthem.” Stacy was determined Bryant wouldn’t be the only one issuing veiledthreats.

“For now. Even those who aren’t traditionalists aredetermined this world is Earther only, so they’ll be demanding the fewKalquorians present move on as soon as possible. They won’t accept a governorwho joins a Kalquorian clan or house.”

Stacy stared at him levelly. “I’ve done neither, nor do Iintend to in the foreseeable future. Earth is my primary focus.”

“What’s your personal focus?”

“That’s my business.”

“The people will make it their business.” What she’d takenas hostility abruptly lessened, but Bryant was still intent. “I’m looking outfor your best interests, Stacy. You’ll gain a lot more acceptance as a leader,and a chance to be elected to remain so, if you remember this planet is Earth’srebirth and not Kalquor the Second. You might want to remind your friends inthere of it as well.”

Seething, she replied, “I will, while we have dinner at myresidence tonight.” She turned on her heel and re-entered the office. “Door,close.”

She hoped it did so in his condescending face.

Kuran’s eyes narrowed as he looked at her. Rihep’sexpression remained pleasant, but his gaze was intent.

Etnil cocked his head in boyish inquisitiveness. “Iseverything all right? Does anyone require electro-shock therapy?”

Kuran glanced at him, his brows lowering. “Electro-whattherapy?”

“An ancient Earth technique designed to calm frantic minds.Would you like to try it? I’ll be glad to set up a demonstration for you.”

Stacy’s irritation drained away in the face of his humor.Though she hadn’t intended to ask the clan over, wasn’t even sure if what wasavailable to serve them would be to their liking, she was determined to make apoint. “Hey, what do you say to coming to my place for a spaghetti dinner? I’vehad marinara simmering all day. I won’t vouch for cooking to Kalquorian tastes,but I’m no slouch when it comes to wielding a spatula.”

Rihep brightened, and he glanced at his clanmates, whoappeared as delighted. “Thank you, Governor. We’d be happy to join you.”

“Only if you call me Stacy. I don’t stand on ceremony at mytable.”

“Then yes, Stacy.”

Could they be any more handsome when they smiled? The nightwas looking up.

 * * * * 

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 is now on sale at Amazon, Amazon UK, Nook, Smashwords, Kobo, Apple, and print.