Infiltration: Chapter Three Scene One

 

 

This week, an extremely troubled Tranis discusses a missing spyship and a strange message sent from it by Ensign Ilid with Piras. 

* * * *

Kalquor,Fleet Headquarters

Followinghis report, Admiral Tranis was silent. Despite being on Alpha Space Station,which orbited Earth II, Admiral Piras stared at him across the desk in Tranis’office. The other Dramok blinked slowly as he absorbed the news.

“Thespyship orbiting Bi’is…the vessel that replaced mine…I mean, Captain Kila’s…hasn’tresumed communications?”

“Asof a week ago, nothing. Shortly before, the father of an ensign on boardreceived a strange message from his son.” Tranis sent it straight to Piras’computer through a secure channel. He waited as the other Dramok, seeminglyright there in front of him thanks to the clarity of their vid connection, readwhat Tranis already knew by heart.

Hello,my father,

Iwas sorry to hear you were unwell when Mother messaged me last. No doubt you’veshaken off the shadow of illness by now. If there were danger, she’d have toldme, so I hope I won’t offend you with this com. It’s just I’m worried, isolatedas I am. Everyone is so busy, it’s as if I’m among strangers, and I have no oneto talk to. I know, a Dramok must cast aside his feelings and attend to hisduties, and I’m trying my best to do so. I suppose I regard it as my duty tocontact you and let you and whomever else should know when I sense mattersaren’t what they should be. On the surface, all is well; but deep down, I’mconcerned. You did raise me to act on my concerns, thus this message.

Ihope with every cell of my being to see you healthy and strong. My love isforever with my parents.

Ilid

Traniswatched Piras’ eyes move as he read the communication, then read it again. Hiscounterpart’s lips tightened and brows drew downward. Despite the tenseexpression, Piras was handsome in his way, most of his somewhat delicatefeatures offset by a strong jaw. Sleek black hair framed his features as theytightened. Piras had a bad habit of grinding his teeth.

Tranisnoticed his own jaw clenching and forced it to relax. The two Dramoks hadn’tbeen on what could be called friendly terms for a large portion of theiracquaintance, but they worked well together. Duty to the empire had always beentheir reluctant bond, in addition to others.

Pirasdirected his attention to Tranis. “It appears to be a warning of some sort. Ifanyone possessing half a brain had read it before it was sent, they’d havenoticed. It must have gotten through the ship’s flagging system. It’s writtenin terms that wouldn’t have set it off.”

“Wethought so too. Incidentally, the young man’s father hadn’t been ill. EnsignIlid and his mother had no such conversation.”

“Isthere more to this?”

“Normally,the young man sends coms intended for his parent clan to his mother. His Nobek fatherGruthep is an intelligence officer in territorial enforcement and a formercommander with the ground forces. It can’t be an accident Ensign Ilid contactedhim instead.”

“Aman of such experience would certainly detect the strangeness of the note. Thewords danger, isolated, strangers…and the phrases Ihave no one to talk to and matters aren’t what they should be…itsuggests he didn’t feel he could trust his commanding officers.”

“Whichis what struck Gruthep. Most of us in Fleet Command who are aware of the comagree. It makes our inability to reach the spyship extra troubling.”

“Whowas in command of Captain Kila’s replacement?”

Sincethe transfer had taken place and Piras was back in Fleet Command’s fold, Traniscould tell him. “Captain Abgi. Are you acquainted?”

“Iam, and he’s a fine spyship captain. He’s been a part of the department fordecades, decorated for multiple heroics. I can’t imagine him doing anything toset off a warning of this nature.”

“Norcan I, but his ship is missing. It demands an investigation.”

Piras’brows shot up. “You aren’t thinking of sending—”

“Afterfive years watching Bi’is, Captain Kila and his crew know the situation betterthan anyone. It makes the most sense to send them.” Piras was famous for histemper, but heat crept in Tranis’ tone. “I’d prefer not to, but who else isthere?”

Theyglared at each other across a desktop separating them by a three-day journey.

Pirasspoke first. “You’re leaving something out.”

“Nothingas far as this mission is concerned.” It wasn’t entirely true, but how could hecomplain to Piras about a mere sense of unease?

Tranis’discomfort was due to the reaction to the Bi’is situation by their commandingofficer. Rear Admiral Hobato, the chief executive in charge of Fleet Command,had been dismissive of Ensign Ilid’s message. His agreement to send anotherspyship to investigate the unresponsive vessel’s lack of communication had appearedhalfhearted. It was odd behavior from a man Tranis knew to be meticulous andconscientious.

Piras’expression suggested he was ready to argue whether or not Tranis was holdingback. He surprised him. “All right, Admiral. I agree Captain Kila’s ship is themost logical to send to Bi’is to investigate. I’ll inform him immediately he’sto leave no later than tomorrow, Earth time.”

Tranisrelaxed. “Thank you, Admiral. We’ll be awaiting Captain Kila’s report. I’dappreciate it if he sent it directly to me, as well as you.”

“Soordered.” Piras paused and made an effort to appear pleasant. Or maybe it wasgenuine. In certain respects, the man once known as the Terror of the Fleet hadmellowed since Tranis had served as his first officer. “I understandcongratulations are in order. I hope your Matara is doing well?”

“Thankyou. The pregnancy is in its early stages, but all seems well as far as themother and child are concerned. We’re very excited, as you might imagine.”

“Nodoubt some members of your clan show it better than others.” There was achuckle in his tone. “I wish you the very best with this exciting addition toyour family.”

“Again,thank you.”

Pirasreturned to business. “I’ll confirm when Captain Kila’s ship is on route toBi’is. Piras out.”

Theman disappeared. Tranis clicked his own com unit off, then the sound blockingdevice, which had made their conversation private.

Hestared moodily at the window vid displaying the sea beyond the installation.Fleet Headquarters was based on an island several miles out in the ocean. Thevast expanse of green water suggested serenity and peace. Tranis wished hismood would cooperate.

Itwas difficult. His Nobek clanmate Lidon had recently left his job at Kalquor’sGlobal Security law enforcement at the fleet’s request. At Tranis’ own personalrequest. Uniquely qualified to fulfill a necessary task, he’d gone on a specialassignment off-planet the day prior. Despite its temporary nature, Tranis hatedevery second the bold warrior was gone. Talking to Piras, who’d been Lidon’sintended Dramok before Tranis had appeared on the scene, hadn’t helped hisfunk.

NowPiras would send his own Nobek, Captain Kila, into the heart of a mystery thatmight prove treacherous. He’d already sacrificed much of his life for Kalquor’ssake. No doubt he wondered when fate would decree he’d sacrificed enough.

Tranis’gaze went to the missing Ilid’s last com to his father, displayed on a holoscreenhovering over his computer. He wondered what had happened to the spyship theyoung man served on…what had happened to the ensign himself. Was the lad safe?The last line of his message sounded like a heartbreaking goodbye to his motherand three fathers.

Mylove is forever with my parents.

Tranisthought of his mate Cassidy, of the child she carried. He tried to imaginebeing the father to a young man like Ilid and wondering whether his child wasin danger. His stomach curdled.

Findthe missing ship, Kila. Bring Ilid home to his family.

* * * *

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.