On Sale Now - Dark Empire: Infiltration - Chapter Seven Scene Two

 

Here's your final look at this extended sneak peek of Infiltration! Keep an eye out for news on the next book in the Dark Empire series, Secret War.

For now, Clan Nako deals with postponed and immediate gratification.

** * *

“Postponedfor how long? And why?” Ulof stared at his clan leader.

Nakoglanced at Terig, who lurked behind Ulof in the main room of their quarters. Nodoubt Terig was ready to take him down if he gave in to his quick temper. They’dshooed Piper back so she stood behind Nako.

Asif he’d hurt her. Ulof had punched Nako in the past. He respected and cared forhis Dramok, but sometimes Nako had it coming. Terig too. All three, half orfull Nobeks, could be absolute bastards to each other when the notion took them.

Neverto Piper. Ulof wouldn’t touch his Matara, even if she came at him holding aknife and a blaster.

Sheknew. It was in the glare she leveled at Nako for being overly protective. Herbelief in him made Ulof feel a little better.

“Iwish I could tell you the reason for the delay, my Imdiko. The truth is, Ibarely know the mission the spy division of the fleet has forced on me. They’repretty much in the dark on what’s going on themselves.” Nako’s own temperhovered, leaving him glowering.

“Spies.”It explained a lot, including his Dramok’s obvious frustration. “Does thisdetour have something to do with the deep-fried shuttle you picked up?”

“Ithas everything to do with it.” There was a hint of relaxation from Nako atUlof’s reasonable tone. “We picked up a survivor. He started babbling weirdshit, then Captain Kila sent me a report detailing even weirder shit…fuck, Ican’t tell you since you aren’t a member of this crew any longer.”

“Youwouldn’t be able to if I were. I was just a cook when I was part of the fleet,not command staff,” Ulof pointed out. “I’d be in the dark no matter what.”

“True.”Guilt filled Nako’s expression. Ulof realized it wasn’t merely the mysterioussituation upsetting his clanmate. He hated keeping Ulof from his hard-won dreamof terraforming work. “I swear, the instant they cut us loose, I’ll get you toyour assignment. That’s a promise.”

“Don’tworry about it. This isn’t your fault.” Ulof refused to tell them hisdisappointment was tempered by a wash of relief. He’d begun losing sleep due tofears he wouldn’t be able to do well at the moon.

Hewas full of ideas when it came to bringing a dead rock of a planet or moon tolife. Good ideas, if he were to believe his supervisor’s praise. It was intheir execution Ulof fell short, due to a significant learning disability. He’dmanaged to contribute to the birth of Earth II, but his role had been extremelylimited. If his clanmates hadn’t been acknowledged heroes, he’d probably have nevergotten a toe in the terraforming team. He damned sure wouldn’t have beeninvited to work the next assignment.

“Thanksfor being patient. I…I appreciate your understanding.” Nako did his best tocover his surprise, no doubt to keep from insulting him.

Ulofsmiled wryly. His short fuse was legendary. It had put him in prison at onepoint. Frustration at always coming up short and assholes who teased him forhis difficulties had led to a lot of trouble throughout his life.

ThenNako and Terig had come along. They’d seen beneath his infuriating limitationsand accepted him for who he was. Piper had gone beyond acceptance; she’dencouraged him to reach past where he’d believed his weaknesses were.

He’dmanaged some success, he admitted. Given another five lifetimes or so, he mightmake it as a terraformer.

He’dbeen given something more precious than the ambition to work in his dream fieldin recent weeks, however. A hope that had committed him to reining in his urgesto break objects or punch his male clanmates, more than anyone or any fantasyhad.

Thenew beautiful desire brought him to his greatest concern. “Is it dangerous?Will it endanger Piper? Will we have to put off having a baby?”

Theyglanced at their golden-haired Matara. Five years after clanning her, she’dmade the decision she was ready to become the mother to their children. Thenature of Ulof’s work and the safe environment it offered had sealed the deal.Nako and Terig were members of the fleet, which wasn’t always conducive to maintaininga clan in the same place. They’d set aside perilous assignments to allow Ulofto chase his goals, which in turn allowed them to remain together and offer astable household for a family.

Piperblushed under their regard. Nako slipped his arm around her, and she molded tohis side.

TheDramok pressed a kiss to her forehead and smiled at Ulof. “I think we cancontinue to try for our child. We’re only in this because we found the missingspyship’s shuttle and recovered its crewman. No other spyships are in thevicinity, but the fleet will be sending one or two soon. I wouldn’t besurprised if we’re on our way again in less than two weeks. Three at the most.”

Ulofliked the sound of that. In three weeks, the initial phases of theterraforming, the tasks of which he was worse than useless at performing, wouldbe well under way. He’d have little pressure except to attend meetings wherehe’d keep his mouth shut. Afterward would come designing the moon’s newlandscape, the part he enjoyed the most and was actually good at.

He’dhave three weeks with no other demand than making a baby. He looked overPiper’s slight but deliciously curved figure. “I suppose Nako and Terig havework to do, thanks to this whole spy nonsense. Meanwhile, I’m ready to do myduty where my Matara’s concerned.” He gestured to the large lounger, whichdominated the sitting room’s space. “Shall I report for the task here or in thesleeping room? Your choice, my love.”

“Hey,barring an emergency, we’re off duty for a few hours. Don’t think you’regetting her to yourself tonight.” Nako pulled Piper out of Ulof’s easy reach.“No wonder you’re agreeable to delay our arrival at your post. You’re hoping tokeep her in bed the whole damned time.”

“Asif you’d do any different in my place.” Ulof made a grab for their gigglingMatara.

Nakoretreated, taking Piper along and grabbing her breast with a proprietary air.“I wouldn’t.” Grinning, he nuzzled her ear. “What do you think about being keptin bed day and night, fucked for hours on end?”

“Exactlymy plan.” Ulof gave chase, and Nako picked up the laughing Piper and tried tohead for their sleeping room.

“Um,there’s another man who needs his share of sweetness.” Terig pursued the rest.

* * * *

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.

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