Let's Get This Party Started

 

Hi all! (But not the All...eek.) Dark Empire Book Two: Infiltration will be heading your way in November...but you know I can't wait that long. As I did with the first of the series, Shadows Approach, you can look forward to a preview until the book's release. 

Today we begin with Galactic Council Secretary-General Mereta receiving a report from the inspection team that has just returned from Bi'is...and a whole lot more. Chapter One, Scenes One and Two follows for your enjoyment:

* * * *

PlanetJedver, Galactic Council of Planets central world

“Theteam we sent to inspect Bi’is has reported in, sir. You’ve been asked to meetwith them right away.”

DramokMereta, secretary-general of the Galactic Council of Planets, regarded hisassistant Tulbayn with mild interest. “So soon? They don’t wish to wait a dayor two?”

Tulbayn,an emerald-furred Joshadan who typically wore a serene smile, appeareddisconcerted. “I asked them, and they insisted it’s important they report theirfindings to you as soon as possible. I told them it wasn’t protocol, butCommander Nezlo said you’d want to hear their news immediately.”

“Mostextraordinary.” Mereta leaned his elbows on his polished desk. His long fingerswove together, but for the indexes, which steepled. He settled his chin on thefingertips, letting the gentle music of a Plasian string quartet enter hissenses. Such beautiful music, a feast for the soul. He directed his attentionto Tulbayn once again. “Nezlo didn’t ask to call together the full council foran emergency session?”

“No,Secretary-General. He said you should listen to what they learned first, as hisreport is of a sensitive nature.”

Meretaconsidered, reaching for the quietest part of his mind as his gaze drifted overan arrangement of pure white flowers on his desk. The Bi’is inspection team hadencountered a situation important enough to bring immediately to him, but notto the entire council. Had such an occasion ever come up in the past? If so, hehadn’t heard of it, and he’d been around a very long time.

Alneusians,the species to which Commander Nezlo belonged, weren’t known for excitability. Meretawasn’t well acquainted with him, but he understood Nezlo was held in highregard. His competence couldn’t be in question, as only the best negotiatorsand diplomats were capable of dealing with the troublesome Bi’isils.Troublesome indeed, despite being kept under the Galactic Council’s thumb sincetheir attempt to destroy Mereta’s home planet of Kalquor five years prior.

“Itake it I have time to see Nezlo, as my last appointment canceled.”

Tulbayn,used to Mereta’s silences and contemplations, treated the lengthy pause afterhe’d last spoken as if it hadn’t happened. “There’s an hour free before you’reto address the Appropriations Committee.”

“Canthe commander come now?”

“He’sin reception already, sir. He and the rest of his team.”

Surprisesought to disturb Mereta. He acknowledged it without a tremor of irritation, merelyinterest in his own reaction. “The entire team?”

“Yes,Secretary-General.”

“Theycame straight from docking their ship?”

“That’smy understanding.”

“My,my, Tulbayn. I wonder what it was they discovered on Bi’is?” He leaned back inhis leather hover chair and contemplated the softly illuminated ceiling.

“Itmust have been notable.”

“Indeed.I suppose I should discover what the excitement’s about. Will you show them to theconference room? I’ll join them in a moment.”

“Yes,Secretary-General.” Tulbayn bowed as a Kalquorian would, despite knowingMereta’s objections to such demonstrations. She hurried out of his officebefore he could rebuke her.

Hesmiled at the door, which had closed behind her. Joshadans were a mostremarkable race. Simple, kind, unassuming. Above all, forgiving. The galaxycould learn from Tulbayn’s people. Civilization would be a more peaceful placeto live if its residents did so.

Meretaclosed his eyes and sank into a meditative state almost immediately. At nearlya hundred and fifty years of age, much of his adult years spent as a Temple ofLife priest, it was more accurate to say he deepened the quietness his consciousnessresided in. Calm flowed through him and blissful silence filled his mind.

WhateverNezlo and his team reported, whatever malicious mischief the Bi’isils were upto after five years of quiet, the universe remained indestructible. Theknowledge ruled Mereta’s outlook on life and kept him calm, even in the face ofcalamity. His unwavering steadiness had made him secretary-general when he’dhave just as soon retired to teach his disciples on Kalquor. Duty and servicewere his mandate, however, so Mereta had allowed the approximately two hundredmember planets of the Galactic Council to set the burden on his shoulders.

Afew minutes later, he left his office. His pace unhurried, Dramok Meretadrifted down a short corridor to the conference room in his professional suite.Its door was open, but he heard no sound of conversation. Odd.

Heentered the room. He’d traveled several steps before he noticed the myriadaliens awaiting him. Or rather, the strange, dark shadows sitting upon theirshoulders, arms or tentacles ringing the inspection team’s necks.

Thedoor shut behind him. Tulbayn’s trill of a voice called from behind him. “Door,lock.”

Meretaswiveled, his official white robes whispering on the soft carpet. Tulbayn’seyes, emerald to match her fur, gazed at him from a few feet away. Her kindlyfeatures wore cold dislike, almost making her unrecognizable.

Adark blob of shadow clung to her.

“Tulbayn,you aren’t yourself,” Mereta said. His gaze swept the rest of the group, theinspection team. “None of you are. Is this Bi’is’ doing?”

“Yousee.” Commander Nezlo, stood, encased in their protective exosuit. It sealed theAlneusian aquatic resident in seawater. A shadow was inside and outside,somehow present in both places.

“Ido.” His peripheral vision seemed more detailed than when he peered directly atthe strange dark shapes clinging to his visitors. He had an impression ofscaled skin, studded by many eyes. “Do I address sentient creatures orcontrolled parasites?”

“Parasites!”a Beonid shouted as expressions of rage filled their myriad faces.

“Abetter word failed to come to mind. Obviously, you are intelligent entities.What is your reason for coming here? For summoning me?”

“Hesees us. He isn’t phased, but he sees us.” Nezlo’s bulbous eyes, murky in thewater he peered from, riveted on him. “It is not good.”

Meretawas suddenly aware of movement at his feet. He glanced down to spy a bulbousshadow sporting multiple tentacles dashing up his robe. A dart of instinctiveshock jolted his chest, and he attempted to brush the creature off. His handpassed through it without any sensation of contact. Nor did he feel it tuggingon his robes.

“Itake this as an act of hostility,” he advised them as he continued to try topush the climbing creature away, as it continued to climb to his abdomen, thenhis chest. “I shall resist—”

Itscurried up and over his shoulder. Then darkness rose, deleting Mereta’s sightand hearing.

Butnot his consciousness. He was in that place he knew so well, an inner spacewhere peaceful bliss reigned.

Itwould seem I’ve been overtaken physically. He detected a note of fearthreading the darkness and contemplated it until it faded.

Deathcomes to us all, sooner or later. The creature has my body. A portion of my brainas well, as they used the others to communicate. Ah, poor Tulbayn, they didthis to you too. I shall consider this unforeseen situation and determine ifthere’s anything I can do about it.

 

Iam one with All.

TheAll hear you.A distant call. The collected atoms of the All’s greatness in the conferenceroom felt the separation keenly. They strengthened their bonds with each other,and the call was louder. You have control over this Mereta.

Ido.A hesitation. I…there is a portion of its mind closed to this piece of All.

Ashudder ran through the assembled. Separation was an abomination.

Itsees us yet doesn’t enter between dimensions.

Anotherof the atoms asked, shall we perform tests to discover the source of theinterloper’s ability?

Therewas a lengthy pause. The Mereta is of too much importance as our emissary. Youcan control it? It is in a position of great power, beyond the reach of its ownsource. The All requires it do as we command.

Ihave possession. Only the small section eludes me…but it doesn’t prohibit mefrom the knowledge this unit (another shudder) contains.

Itis good. By controlling this unit, we have access to the many species of thisdimension. We will learn of them. We will stop them. They’ll pay for theirdesecration of our home.

Itis good. I’ll first learn of those leaders we must control in this collectionof units. Then we may destroy them.

Afterwe have them destroy Kalquor, the poison source infecting our realm. Then therest, so our home remains pure.

Deathto the invaders and those who’d invade after them. Death to those in thisdimension.

Theirwill was strong. The All was coming, and it would erase the Separate beingswhen it arrived, after they’d ensured the Separates posed no threat. Theknowledge bolstered those who’d come before the All despite their aloneness, toready for the erasure of the lesser species.

* * * *

The alien force dubbed the Darks has grabbed control of keypositions on Kalquor and the Galactic Council of Planets. Other leaders arestill unaware of the threat among them. The galaxy is wide open for destruction by an unfathomable enemy.

Former emperor Nobek Yuder has suspicions, but due torestrictions placed on him after his prison sentence, he can only stand by andwatch helplessly. A renegade Royal Councilman has designs to bring him back tothe political arena, but doing so could destabilize the Kalquorian Empire,leaving it vulnerable to invasion.

Meanwhile, one man on the brink of death, the only man whocan detect the nearly invisible Darks, is pulled from a lifeless shuttle byCaptains Kila and Nako. His incredible story tells them they’re in a raceagainst time to save not only the empire but the whole galaxy…but are theyalready too late?

On Earth II, Governor Stacy Nichol’s relationship with ClanRihep continues to grow. So does the danger, as opponents make deadly movesagainst her and the orbiting Kalquorian station where the clan lives. NobekKuran is determined to keep his clanmates and would-be lifemate safe, but howcan he stop a faceless enemy?

Relationships, old and new, are strained to the breakingpoint at a time when Earthers and Kalquorians need each other more than ever.The Darks are closing in, and no one is ready to oppose them.

Pre-order coming soon!