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

 

Charity Nath isn't a happy traveler as she evacuates from Galactic Council space, and she lets Betra know it.

* * **

“There’s nobody on board to talk to. To hang out with. Am Ireally supposed to keep to myself all the way to Alpha Space Station?”

Charity Nath heard her voice rising, but she couldn’t seemto rein it in. First, she’d been forced to take leave from her universityclasses on Jedver. Now she was being compelled to run from the planet she’dcalled home for the last six years. She wasn’t even allowed to go to Earth II.

Heaven forbid she be allowed to enjoy the world terraformedspecifically for her fellow humans in the wake of the original Earth’s demise.Instead, she was to be shoved onto the cold, dark space station orbiting it.

She was twenty, but she had the urge to throw atoddler-worthy tantrum. Her whole life was being upended because she bore thelast name Nath. It wasn’t fair. No one knew her actual name, so why should shehave to worry about her identity being discovered?

She had nobody she could truly blame either. It wasn’t herfather’s fault, despite there being those among the Earthers who’d branded hima traitor. It wasn’t her sister Hope’s fault, though she’d clanned Kalquoriansequally despised on their home world.

It most certainly wasn’t the handsome Kalquorian liaison’sfault. He’d delivered the bad news she and Aunt Ruth and Uncle George would bekept secluded from fellow Earthers running from the Galactic Council while itand the Kalquorian Empire had their spat. Liaison Betra was a reallygood-looking guy, worth a serious flirtation if Charity hadn’t felt soput-upon. If he hadn’t been the person to tell her she was to be isolated fromeveryone else.

“It’s a necessary precaution,” Betra soothed. “We’re underorders to keep you safe, since your fellow Earthers might be upset over theallegations my people and your father are supposedly holding the former leaderof old Earth as a prisoner.”

“About that. Why didn’t you execute the old tyrant? Or lethis former wives do so?” Or his would-be wife. It had been a fateCharity had nearly been damned to at the age of fifteen.

“Copeland died in the battle at Haven, despite the GalacticCouncil’s allegations,” Betra said. “The vid footage was faked.”

He’d think so. Betra hadn’t been on the battlecruiserrunning for his life during its final seconds, alongside Charity and the resthauling Copeland to a Kalquorian spyship so the bastard could face realjustice.

Justice that hadn’t come to pass, as far as Charity wasconcerned.

“Of course he died,” Uncle George said, his wide grinbeaming in his trademark friendly fashion at Betra. “We drink a toast to it onthe anniversary each year.”

“Sweetie, this is for the best.” Aunt Ruth was pleasant, butthere was a warning in her soft brown eyes for Charity.

“We don’t want any Earthtiques who might be on boardrecognizing you. Borey Nath’s youngest needs to keep her presence quiet.”George was equally kind and just as insistent.

“No one knows I’m a Nath,” she protested. She’d used heraunt and uncle’s surname after moving in with them.

“I’m sorry, Matara.” Betra’s tone was unfailingly kind, butthere was a steel beneath it that said he wouldn’t be swayed. “I have myorders. You can’t mix among the rest of the Earthers on this transport. Perhapsthe matter will be different on Alpha Space Station.”

He took his leave soon afterward, having given them the tourof their quarters on board the transport…which were admittedly nice consideringit had once been used to ferry troops who weren’t afforded many luxuries.

Charity flounced on the lounger in the sitting room. “All Ican say is Hope better not think I’m staying isolated on the space station forany length of time. It’s bad enough to have to pull a disappearing act.”

“The station is Kalquorian. Few Earthers visit, I’m told.I’m sure you’ll be allowed to move about it freely,” her aunt said gently asshe inspected the kitchenette. She brushed her dark hair, showing its firststrands of gray, from her eyes as she examined the automatic cooker.

“Why shouldn’t you? After all, Clan Piras lives there, andthey’re unpopular with their own people. We haven’t been called to a funeralyet, so it must be okay.” Uncle George grinned as he ogled the entertainmentsystem a few feet away.

Charity hoped he was right. She was a firm believer inliving for today. She’d learned the hard way tomorrow wasn’t guaranteed.

* * **

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.

Releasing July 26.

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