Dark Empire Book Five: Desperate Measures - Chapter One, Scene Two

 

Imdiko Betra has hopes of reconnecting with an old flame

* * * *

Yentwa Space Station, Galactic Council Space

Captain Wotref’s Kalquorian transport had just docked on aspace station orbiting the planet Jedver. The massive vessel had started lifeshuttling Kalquor’s ground troops from battlefield to battlefield, but it hadlately been ordered to evacuate Kalquorians and empire-sympathetic Earthersfrom Galactic Council space. The crew, which had more than its usual complementof Nobeks, was on edge. Theirs was the last Kalquorian transport allowed inGalactic Council space to carry out such evacuations. The border would slamshut behind them once they’d left.

Over a decade prior, the transport had taken Earther womenfrom their dying planet to Kalquor to join clans eager for female lifebringers.One of those women had hilariously dubbed MT-118, the ship’s officialdesignation, the Pussy ‘Porter. Some of its crew from those days stillreferred to it as such, chuckling at fond memories of the long-ago journey.

One of the liaisons responsible for the care of the latestEarther passengers was on edge too, but his was of an anticipatory nature.Imdiko Betra had just learned there’d be a layover of a couple weeks onKalquor. He’d visit his family, always a plus.

He’d also be able to see the woman he loved.

He checked the time. The three people who’d been grantedlate clearance to join the trip weren’t due to board for half an hour. It wouldtake that long for them to jump through the hoops of the suddenly hostileGalactic Council’s departing protocols. He eyed his Dramok clanmate Resan, whomhe was helping to clean equipment in the transport’s gym. Head trainer for thefleet troops assigned to the transport, Resan was as exacting of himself asthose he pushed to sweating exhaustion. Metal parts gleaming a mirror finishshowed the man’s determined scowl as he wiped them down. The expression failedto mask the man’s striking looks, framed by shoulder-length black hair.

Betra had nowhere to be until the evacuating Earthersarrived, and Resan knew it. Hence, the request he’d made for the Imdiko toassist him. Betra fought to keep his excitement over the upcoming shore leaveto himself. If Resan were given any clue of Betra’s hopes to visit a certainEarther female for an extended period, a female the Dramok had no liking for,he’d hit the roof.

Their Nobek clanmate Oses, the transport’s weaponscommander, chose that moment to join them in the gym. “I was sent to tell youDr. Tep would like a word, my Dramok.”

Resan slowly swiveled to face him. His brow was raised, andhis gaze was cool, but a smirk played on his lips. “Since when are youMedical’s messenger boy, Oses?”

The Nobek’s craggy but attractive features were stone-like.It was at such times Betra was grateful Oses was so much older than hisclanmates. He had the stoic reserves to draw on a younger Nobek wouldn’tpossess. Resan’s occasional barely veiled insult, a knee-jerk reaction when hewas upset or anxious, failed to elicit the warrior’s temper.

His tone even, Oses said, “I was on my way here and passedthe department. Tep saw me and requested I tell you to ‘get your ass toMedical’ to meet him right away.”

“Because of Lieutenant Yulg, no doubt.” Resan’s eyes rolled.

“I didn’t ask. Tep seemed rather irate and apparentlydecided against comming you for fear of what he might say. Was Yulg’s injuryworsened by his physical therapy? It would be his second setback.”

“He was, and it was his own damned fault both times. If Tepwants a shouting match because the asshole won’t do his exercises properly, I’mmore than happy to give it to him.” Resan flung his cleaning cloth aside andstarted for the door.

“Actually, his anger appeared not to be for you. Perhaps hebelieves both of you shouting at Yulg at once will set the lieutenant on theproper path to full recovery.” Oses’ expression remained stoic, but Betra wascertain there was amusement dancing in his purple eyes.

Resan stopped and huffed, planting his hands on his hips.“I’m doing it again, aren’t I? Assuming the worst of a situation before I learnwhat it is.”

“You could always discuss the matter with Dr. Feru,” Betrasaid in his most helpful tone. When Resan turned on him, his face darkening inanger at the intimation he required emotional therapy, the Imdiko smiled. “Justjoking.”

Resan growled and shook a finger, but a grin erupted. “Damnit, why won’t you let me have my grouchy morning? I was in such a fine temper.”

“I’m sure you’ll recover it when you and Tep speak to Yulg.I doubt I can keep you from wallowing in grumpiness for long. You’re too meanto be affected by the likes of an Imdiko made of sunshine.”

Resan laughed, his handsome features enhanced by outrighthumor. “Sunshine! In your dreams, angsty one. Ah, what would I do without youtwo?” Still chuckling, he left.

Oses gave Betra a smile. “I’ll tell Tep he owes you. Whetherhe’s mad at Resan or not, you’ve at least spared him being skinned alive themoment our clan leader walks in Medical.”

“Maybe I should have kept my mouth shut. If Resan unloads onsomeone else, he’ll have less for me.”

“Because? Ah, the shore leave on Kalquor. You’re hoping wecan visit Shalia.”

Betra managed to keep from cringing under his Nobek’s sharpand disapproving gaze. “The kids too. We always take our nieces and nephewssomewhere.”

Oses roused to anger was the fiercest man Betra had everencountered. He was more brutal than Resan in a bad mood, but he could beshockingly gentle when he wished it. “She’s Matara Shalia of Clan Seot. What wehad with her ten years ago was incredible…but it’s over, Betra. We’re lucky tohave any part of her life now.”

“I know.” Irritability akin to his Dramok’s rose to have toface the truth. “Just as I understand I’d never have made her a properclanmate. And Resan…”

“Respects but hates her. As she respects but hates him. Evenif she left her clan, which would be wrong because they’re perfect for her, itwould be impossible for us to claim her. Resan’s the ideal Dramok for us, butthose two together?”

“One would die, and the other would be in prison for themurder before a month was out.” Betra sighed. “Is it so wrong I still care forher? That I can’t wait to be near her?”

“You know I feel the same. But she’s our friend now, Betra.She can’t be more.”

Betra marveled at Oses’ understanding and patience. “I’mstupidly excited to see her every time. Why can’t I let go? Why do I want whatisn’t right for any of us?”

“Because love has no use for good sense. As we’re wellaware.” Oses, who’d loved Betra long before the strictly heterosexual Imdikohad realized he could negotiate a clanship including men, wore a wistful smile.It sat strangely on his strong features. “Who would have thought Resan, you,and I could make a relationship work? Somehow, we do. But you must bow to theimpossible, my Imdiko. Shalia isn’t for us. She never will be.”

“Yeah.” The voice of experience and reason was right, butBetra’s heart stubbornly refused to hear it.

* * **

All-out war has begun, with innocents caught in thecrossfire.

Former nun Cheryl Taupin and her husband Nobek Besral,in charge of the remaining orphans of Earth’s Armageddon, watch the terribleevents unfolding in the Dark-overrun Galactic Council of Planets. Kalquoriansin Galactic Council space are being rounded up to suffer an unknown fate andmartial law is declared on many of the system’s worlds. A desperate plea to theKalquorian Empire sends Admiral Piras and Captain Kila to the orphanage…but howcan a lone spyship protect hundreds of children against the full might of theGalactic Council’s warships bent on destruction?

Charity Nath has been brought to Alpha Space Stationto hide from those determined to exact vengeance against her father. Young andirrepressible, she’s determined to claim a measure of freedom from stiflingrestrictions placed on her. When her identity and location are revealed, herKalquorian protectors must thwart those who’d harm her while contending withher stubborn refusal to be kept in check.

Imdiko Betra has done his best to put the past behindhim. He knows letting go of the only woman he could ever love was the bestcourse of action. But when he encounters Shalia Monroe again, his heart speakslouder than his conscience. Will unquenchable desire destroy the life she’sbuilt, or will Betra’s clanmates Oses and Resan stop him from doing theunthinkable?

Against the backdrop of pandemic and plague, Kalquorand Earth II fight for their very survival against an enemy they’re onlybeginning to learn the strength of. As the All tightens its fearsome grip onthe galaxy, humans and Kalquorians alike tremble on the verge of annihilation.

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