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

 

Resan isn't fooled when it comes to Betra's hopes.

* * * * 

Transport MT-118

“A word, my Dramok?” Betra ventured after the transport’sgym emptied for the day.

“That was four words.” Resan’s tone was gruff, but his eyestwinkled as he regarded his clanmate. “Of course, Betra. What’s on your mind?”

“Our itinerary for our leave on Kalquor. My mother isplanning the usual—”

“A big party to celebrate yet another safe return of herdarling son to her embrace, brief as it’ll be. Matara Elwa throws a terrificparty. Will Oses’ parent clan be there?” Resan tossed him a cloth in unspokenexpectation of Betra helping to wipe down the equipment, as he usually did whenhis duties permitted time to do so.

“I believe they will. Naturally, Mother’s invited yourparents and grandmother.”

“And naturally, my mother and fathers are too busy to breakoff from work.” Resan made a face. His parent clan often put their careersahead of all else, including family. His more family-oriented grandmother couldno longer see well enough to pilot a shuttle herself, so she wouldn’t be ableto attend the party either.

“It’s never a problem for us to visit them.” Betra pausedand plunged in. “In fact, I’m looking forward to it. I’m in the mood for ahunt.”

Resan grinned, his good humor restored at the idea. “Soundsright. Grandmother commed to tell me the senilows are due for a culling again.The timing couldn’t be more perfect.”

“Can we bring guests?” Betra concentrated on the paddedbench he cleaned, his demeanor as offhand as he could manage.

He sensed his Dramok’s attention intensifying. “Who?”

“Nieces and nephews. Clan Seot’s children. We haven’t seenthem in about a year.” He was careful not to mention Shalia herself.

There was a chill in Resan’s voice, nevertheless. “They’llprobably be at your mother’s gathering.”

“Yes, but I’ll be catching up with my parents, adultfriends, and so on. I’d like some one-on-one fun with the kids.”

“Betra.”

A Dramok’s commanding tone was nearly impossible to ignore.Betra had never been able to successfully fight off responding to Resan’s. Hestraightened and faced his clan leader.

“Yes?”

“Tell me this isn’t about her.” Resan’s expressiondripped acid.

* * **

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 Friday, July 26

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