Infiltration: Chapter Two Scene One

 

 It's a short scene today. Yuder's welcome home party could be a little more welcoming...and Royal Councilman Oiteil (remember him from Alien Indiscretions?) a little less scandalous.

* * * *

Yuderswallowed a feeling of dread he’d managed to block in the last few weeks’excitement of returning to Kalquor. What would life be if he couldn’t serve hisempire?

“Seeingyou makes me wish not for the old days, but the missed opportunity to have seenClan Zarl and Clan Clajak on the governing dais at once,” Oiteil sighed, loudenough to include the rest of them. “Imagine the fiery debates that would havetaken place if Emperor Yuder, Crown Prince Clajak, and Princess Jessica facedoff against the likes of Ospar and Rajhir.”

Eyeswidened to hear the names of the two former councilmen who’d been indictedalongside Yuder. Thanks to the former emperor taking sole responsibility forthe crime they’d been accused of, Ospar and Rajhir had served no prisonsentences, but they’d still been banned from public service for life.

“It’sno use wondering what might have been.” Clajak’s tone was gentle but firm. “Wedo better to look to the future, which I’m thankful to know you’ll be a partof, Councilman.”

Oiteilbowed. “You’re too kind, my emperor. Speaking of debates, if you’ll excuse me,I must return to my chambers. We’re still ironing out the details of nextyear’s military budget.”

“Iknow you feel work is helping you at such a difficult time, but if you need abreak—” Jessica began.

“I’mfine, my empress, thank you. Welcome home, Imperial Father. I hope to hear fromyou soon.”

Oiteilleft. Clajak scowled, a ghost of his temper, as infamous as Jessica’s, showingitself. “Imagine bringing up Ospar and Rajhir. What was he thinking?”

“Iwonder what’s happened to his voice. He hardly sounds like himself,” Jessicasaid.

Yuderhadn’t noticed anything odd about Oiteil’s tone, but he hadn’t spoken to him inyears. He’d probably miss many nuances in the coming days.

Tarasaid, “Don’t forget, he’s grieving the loss of his clanmates. They weretogether for more than a hundred years. If he isn’t sobbing his heart outbehind closed doors, I’d be amazed. He’s a Dramok, after all, not a Nobek.” Shesqueezed Yuder’s arm. He also had enjoyed over a hundred years of clanship withZarl, his Dramok, and their Imdiko Tidro.

Histhroat closed at the losses he’d endured. First Clajak’s mother Irdis, who’dbeen so young when she’d died. Zarl and Tidro had lived long lives, but bythen, the shadows of illness and scandal had touched them.

“Thisis no place to hold a homecoming,” Tara abruptly chuckled. “Shall we go in fora proper party?”

“Let’s.”Clajak’s tone was adamant. “My father is home…and no doubt his grandchildrenare growing impatient waiting for him.”

“Yes.”Yuder was grateful to switch to such a delightful subject as they headed forthe lift that would take them to the living areas of the Imperial Home, wherehis and Tara’s apartment was also located. “Tell me how tall Wayne and Noellehave grown so I won’t be too shocked when I see them.”

* * * *

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.