Dark Empire Book Four: Revelations - Chapter Four, Scene Two

 

The countdown is on! Revelations releases next Friday. 

Today, a challenge to Ospar's honor as Oiteil alleges Fleet Command is under attack.

* * * *

“Ospar, we must meet as soon as possible.”

Ospar frowned at his com, as if Royal Councilman Oiteilcould see him despite them speaking via audio connection only. “Right now?”

He was alone at home, working from his office there. It hadbeen another dull day of researching potential new businesses and non-profitsto invest in. His projects were good for the empire and a way for him to killthe endless hours until his family returned home from their various activities,but infernally boring.

He wondered at his reaction to Oiteil’s summons. He shouldhave been delighted at the opportunity to strategize his return to politics.Surely that was why Oiteil had contacted him. Maybe he’d finally gathered thevotes to overturn Ospar’s sentence and keep the Imperial Clan from denying it.

Something in Ospar’s gut had reacted negatively to the soundof Oiteil’s voice, however. He dismissed it as a vagary of his depressing day.

His excitement to be the subject of Oiteil’s campaign ofredemption asserted itself as the councilman spoke. “Not yet, though time is ofthe essence. I’ve uncovered a conspiracy in Fleet Command’s highest offices.”

“Fleet Command?”

“Admiral Hobato has apparently suffered a medical emergency.Admirals Tranis and Piras, with the assistance of their clanmates, have seizedcontrol of the fleet.”

Ospar’s jaw dropped. “Admiral Piras! But he’s…isn’t heexiled? You said he left Bi’is, but he’s supposed to be orbiting Earth now—”

“He and his clanmates, Captain Kila and Chief EngineerLokmi, are here on Kalquor. As is their Matara Hope Nath, who happens to be thedaughter of General Borey Nath.”

“Borey Nath.” Ospar’s mind reeled. He’d been the HolyLeader’s last general, a military man of unsurpassed excellence.

“Fascinating coincidence, wouldn’t you say? The situation atFleet Headquarters smells of a conspiracy to undermine the empire.”

“Have you spoken to the Imperial Clan? They should beinformed immediately.”

A hesitation before Oiteil spoke again. “They may have ahand in it. Or at least, a member of the Imperial Clan could be involved. I’munsure. All I know is Fleet Command has had a major shakeup, the ground troopsmay be next, and we can’t get a straight answer on what’s happening.”

The ground troops? They fell under Emperor Bevau’s directsupervision as Imperial Commander, but he had a large number of trusted highcommanders who were cleared to operate independently.

Oiteil had said a member of the Imperial Clan could beinvolved. Surely not Bevau, the man tasked with the safety and security ofKalquor.

Ospar cursed. In the old days, he’d have gotten answers inthe space of an hour. Now, no one would answer his coms if he’d dared to makethem. Oiteil was his only connection to the empire’s political landscape.

“Listen to me, Ospar. I’ll soon be able to force the vote tobring you back, at least in an advisory capacity until the next election cycleputs you on the Royal Council, where you belong. Meanwhile, I’ll keep you up todate as I learn the latest so you’ll be ready to assist me.”

“I’m ready as soon as you say.” Ospar fought the urge tobolt straight to Empress Jessica, the royal he’d enjoyed the greatestcamaraderie with.

She needed him if the fleet and ground troops werecompromised. His empire needed him.

“Tell no one of what I’ve shared. Including your clan. Ihope we aren’t veering into trouble, but if we are, we must maintain silenceuntil we learn exactly who our enemies are.”

It was on the tip of Ospar’s tongue to remind Oiteil of howhelpful Jol was when it came to ferreting fact from fiction. Ospar’s Nobek hadconnections and experience at the level of the empire’s best officialoperatives. If anyone could discover if members of the fleet’s high command hadgone rogue, Ospar would have put his money on Jol.

Before he could utter a word, the odd reluctance he’dexperienced at the beginning of the exchange stilled his protest. Something inhim shouted to leave Jol’s name out of the conversation. Because he’d learnedto automatically bow to certain instincts…a trait that had saved his life inthe past…he said, “If you think it’s best.”

“It’s imperative. Be ready to meet when I call upon you todo so. I don’t know if I’m being watched or monitored so…yes, meeting in personwill be preferred.”

He cut off their connection without further comment. Osparstared at his com, anxious and confused.

He shouldn’t have agreed to keep the conversation from hisclanmates. They were his confidantes. They were his conscience, if he were tobe honest. He’d kept them informed of Oiteil’s campaign to have him reinstated.They hadn’t been entirely supportive of the idea, but they were content towatch how the situation played out before rendering final judgment. They’doffered their concerns, and he’d listened. He’d proceeded cautiously at theirrequest by refusing to meet Oiteil in public thus far. He’d gone as far as toturn and walk in the opposite direction on the occasions he’d discovered thecouncilman, by accident or design, in his vicinity.

“It’s just for a few days,” he assured himself. “As soon asOiteil has concrete evidence something’s going on, I’ll bring Jol in on it.”

It seemed wise. To tell his Nobek untoward events mightbe happening at the highest reaches of the fleet would be jumping at shadows.It was better to wait, no matter how his gut churned to keep secrets from thosefew with whom he preferred a policy of absolute honesty.

* * **

Blythe Nelson is certain Clan Deram is keepingsomething from her. The clan of spies finds it difficult to stay a step aheadof the wily reporter who’s winning their hearts. What they don’t know is Blythehas a secret of her own. New love can’t survive without trust, and neither sideis ready when the truth comes out.

Dramok Ospar, determined to return to the politicalstage, strikes up a deal with Royal Councilman Oiteil. Unaware he’s dealingwith a Dark entity controlling Oiteil, he finds himself fighting for his honor,his relationship with his clan…and his life.

The Kalquorian Empire, already struggling against theDarks infiltrating its highest offices, suffers a new blow when it’s revealedit’s keeping a prisoner from the war against the first Earth: Holy LeaderBrowning Copeland. The schism between Kalquor and its allies grows deeper,setting the empire against the rest of the galaxy.

As chaos descends on rioting Earther colonies, theGalactic Council of Planets, and Kalquor, a desperate group of humans andKalquorians race to stop the force behind the turmoil: the Darks. Can theyloosen the grip on their worlds the enemy seeks to tighten, or is all lost?

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