Infiltration Now Available for Pre-Order: Chapter 1, Scene 3

 

The pre-order is up! Release date is November 3.

Wait...former emperor Yuder went to prison? Yes, he did. A lot has happened since we last saw the Imperial Father. I'll let you get right to it:

* * * * 

Kalquor,Royal House

AsNobek Yuder readied to disembark the shuttle which had carried him home, theImdiko attendant who’d seen to his comfort during the spaceflight bowed deeply.

“Welcomehome to Kalquor, Imperial Father.”

Yudermanaged a tight smile despite the outward show of respect. Perhaps the youngman meant it. “Thank you, Imdiko Biba.”

Bibapressed a button, and the hatch opened. A ramp descended. A moment later, Yuderdid as well. After three years of living in a Galactic Council prison, his staybroken briefly to attend his Imdiko clanmate’s funeral two years prior, he wasa free man and restored to Kalquor.

Theshuttle bay in the cliff serving as the Imperial family’s home was familiar tohim. He’d known it from infancy, born the blood heir to the empire’s throne.The granite walls were polished as smooth as marble. The floor was flat, but itwas graded for secure footing. Beyond the rock surfaces, the bay was a bastionof advanced technology thanks to its computer panels, glassed-in security area,and the sleek personal shuttles of its residents dotting its open space.

Yuderwasn’t forced to seek the face he’d missed most. His human mate, Tara McInness,rushed forward from the knot of Kalquorians, Earthers, and red-armored guardswaiting to greet him. “Yuder!”

“Mylove,” he whispered in her ear as their arms wrapped around each other. Tarahad visited him regularly at the Kefwis Correctional Colony, at least once amonth, but she looked…she felt…different to him now that he was a freeman. It was as if he’d not seen her since leaving the Galactic Council HighCourt in cuffs.

Hedrew back just enough to look into her lovely face. Her delicate featuresglowed with joy. She was in her sixties, in Earther years no less, but avigilant health routine and serene mind kept her appearance younger.

“Myheart,” he said. “Sometimes I wondered if this day would come.”

“Timeis a slippery beast. Slow when we’re impatient, racing when we’d linger.” Shesmiled, her brown eyes twinkling. “Let’s discover how long we can stretch theminutes from this day forward.”

“Welcomehome, my father.”

Tarachuckled and moved aside for Clajak. “You won’t let me keep him to myself, huh?”

“Sorry,Earth Mom. I’ve been counting the days until his homecoming.” The steel-haired Dramokemperor of Kalquor grinned at her, a sight to warm Yuder. Clajak adored hismother-in-law, and he knew Yuder still kept his deceased mother precious to hiswarrior heart. It hadn’t made it less difficult for Clajak to accept Tara’srole as Yuder’s beloved.

Perhapsthe hurts had healed while Yuder was away. His son certainly seemed pleased athis return and spoke warmly. “How was the journey?”

“Toofar for a man like me on a ship of such small size. I believe the GalacticCouncil’s penal system wishes Nobeks to return to their eager embrace. Why elsewould they stick a member of my breed on such a small vessel, unless theywanted me to commit murder?”

Clajaklaughed and surprised Yuder by hugging him. After a second’s shock, the elder manreturned the embrace, moved by his only child’s greeting. Even before the deathof Clajak’s mother, father and son had butted heads more often than not. Had hebeen any less of a Nobek, tears might have risen to Yuder’s eyes.

Clajakstepped aside. His mate Jessica, who was also Tara’s youngest daughter, shovedpast him for her turn. Slightly taller than her mother, the empress of theKalquorian empire was similar in looks, but miles distant in temperament. If aNobek personality could be proven to exist in a tiny human female, Jessicawould be the prime candidate. As tempestuous as Tara was serene, her hug wasenthusiastic as she beamed at him.

“Welcomehome, my father. It’s wonderful to have you back.”

“It’swonderful to be here with you. How many councilmen have you made cry since welast spoke, my fierce daughter?”

Laughterbroke over them. Jessica blew a raspberry but hugged him harder.

Therest of the Imperial Clan greeted him: Imdiko Emperor Egilka, the steadyintellectual, and Nobek Emperor Bevau, the deadly but compassionate strength ofthe clan. Yuder accepted their smiling reception while thinking of the vastdifferences between them and his late clan, with whom he’d ruled Kalquor formany years.

Whata mess we made of it, at least at the end. Clan Clajak had to shepherd theempire through the war we started and through a civil war too.

Yuderwas awed by his son’s clan and embarrassed at his own shortcomings. Three yearsof his life given to the justice system suddenly seemed a cheap price to payfor all he’d gotten wrong.

Ifanyone else felt the same, they showed no sign of it. His family accepted himwith heartfelt welcome.

Anotherwaited to greet him. Yuder bowed to the sole representative of the RoyalCouncil present. “Councilman Oiteil. It is a delight to see you again, though Iwish I didn’t have to offer my condolences. My deepest sympathies for the lossof your Imdiko and Nobek.”

DramokOiteil returned the bow. “I had no idea you’d received the news. Thank you forthe kindness, Imperial Father. We have a similar tragedy in common, being thelast survivors of our clans.”

“OneI wouldn’t wish on anyone. I’m sure the Imperial Clan has extended everypossible assistance you require.”

BesideYuder, Tara rubbed her eyes and blinked. Her smile at Oiteil was tentative.Jessica’s attention on the councilman was intent.

Oiteilmanaged a shaky smile. “Of course, they have. Unfortunately, there is littlewhich can ease the heart at such a time.”

“You’rekind to interrupt your mourning to welcome me home.”

“Workis my salvation, not that I consider this an onerous task in any way. We haveso much history, you and I.”

“Indeed.”Oiteil, gray sheening his black hair, had begun his career as a RoyalCouncilman when Yuder was an emperor. He’d been a voice of reasoned debate, andYuder had always counted it as a benefit each time he was re-elected.

Thosedays were far behind Yuder now, but Oiteil remained a vital member of Kalquor’slegislative branch of the constitutional monarchy. The Nobek swallowed a pangof jealousy. He was barred from government service, though the Royal Councilhad pardoned him for his crimes.

He’dbeen raised to rule the empire and had also once been a member of the planet’spremiere global law enforcement organization. Both avenues were closed to him,thanks to the Galactic Council’s terms of release and his age.

Howam I to fill my days now?

Perhapsa hint of the desperate fear he’d compartmentalized and hidden so well fromhimself during his incarceration showed. Oiteil leaned close and whispered sothe others couldn’t hear. “You and I need to talk once you’re settled in. Thereis a great deal you can do yet for the empire.”

“Youwill hear from me soon.” Yuder tried to show anticipation for Oiteil’skindness, but he was aware of the restrictions placed on him. He couldn’t evenserve on an agricultural committee. Public service was no longer in his sphere.

* * * *

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.

Releasing November 3. Pre-order now at Amazon, Amazon UK, Nook, Smashwords, Kobo, Apple, and print.