Dark Empire Book Three: Secret War - Chapter Three Scene Four

 

The question of Cassidy.

* * * *

After his sessionwith Ilid, Degorsk flew to the island headquarters of the fleet. He arrived atTranis’ office. After an affectionate greeting, he settled in the seat acrossthe desk from his Dramok.

“Ilid doesn’thallucinate the Darks after the fact, thank the ancestors. If he did, I’d be alot more pessimistic about his recovery. He does jump at shadows though…as wesaw on the recorded footage, the aliens look similar, except for thetentacles.” Degorsk shuddered. Ilid’s description of the Darks scurrying aroundhis spyship creeped him out. “He’s constantly checking his peripheral vision tomake sure no one in his vicinity is being ridden.”

“Poor kid,” Tranissighed. “You can help him, though?”

“As long as thecreatures don’t show up here. He’s terrified for good reason, if what you’vetold me is true.”

“I wish AdmiralHobato would take it as seriously.”

“Have him sit downand talk to Ilid. That’ll convince him, get him over this stubborn streak he’sdeveloped.” Degorsk scowled, irritated at fleet bureaucracy. He liked Hobato ona personal level, but as a representative of the fleet, he was no fan.

“If I decide tobring Cassidy in as a scientific consultant, she should see the recordings ofyour sessions with Ilid,” Tranis said. “Do you think he’d agree to it?”

“If it’ll keep theDarks out of the empire, he’ll probably be fine. I’ll ask.” Degorsk gave hisclanmate a level stare. “I might not be okay when it comes to involving her,however. She doesn’t need the stress.”

“I don’t have toremind a doctor what the studies say about human women and pregnancy. She isn’tas fragile as your fears tell you.” Tranis’ gaze was gentle. “Besides, shewouldn’t find researching alien beings from another dimension upsetting. Shelives for that shit.”

“She’d find Ilid’scondition distressing. I found it nerve-wracking, and I’m trained for traumaticencounters.” Degorsk gave vent to some of the stress. “We’re so fucked if thosethings make it here. Totally fucked.”

“Cassidy could helpus avoid it. You’re a lot of the reason she’s as tough as she is.”

Degorsk waved himoff. “There’s tough, then there’s facing impending doom. Hey, when did youbecome the optimist of this clan?”

Tranis laughed.“When you started freaking out over fatherhood, apparently. You’ve been a wrecksince Cassidy decided to continue the pregnancy.”

Degorsk opened hismouth to deny his assessment, but there was no sense in it. Tranis was right.“Great, now you’re a therapist to boot. I guess I’ll retire and run off to livein a cave.”

“You might as wellstick around. We’d follow you wherever you go.”

“No escape, huh?” Hegrinned, a hint of his happier nature peeking through. “It’s nice to beindispensable.”

“You should havefigured out you are years ago, my Imdiko.”

* * * *

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Timeis running out to halt the Darks’ march to the Kalquorian Empire’sannihilation.

Finallyhome on Kalquor, Dramok Ilid is haunted by his encounter with the Darks, whichhe barely survived. His struggle far from over, Ilid’s sanity and the empire’sexistence hang on a quickly unraveling thread. When he learns the Darks havearrived on Kalquor, even his family’s love may not be able to keep him from anunthinkable end.

OnEarth II, head of planetary security Nobek Kuran’s hands are full: meeting hispotential in-laws, training his replacement, and keeping tabs on a roguelieutenant governor with a secret agenda. His troubles are only beginning whena deadly attack on those he loves drives him to the brink of murder. Meanwhile,spy Nobek Selt finds himself growing far too close to his subject, reporterBlythe Nelson. Does his clan dare to romance a woman devoted to uncovering thetruth, including their secret activities on her world?

Havingwiped out the entire Bi’is civilization, the Darks have seized control of theGalactic Council of Planets and attempt to bring the Kalquorian Empire to itsknees. Clans Tranis and Piras are desperate to stop the enemy from destroyingKalquor and its allies. Can Hope Nath and Chief Engineer Lokmi capture a lethalenemy capable of passing through all known barriers?

Releasing January 26