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

 

Youthful rebellion looking for fun in all the wrong places.

* * * *

After his com to Shalia, Betra went for a walk through thetransport’s crowded promenade. Resan had rolled his eyes at Betra’s mumbled “beback soon,” no doubt discerning his clanmate’s troubled feelings after speakingto Shalia. Oses had merely gazed at him levelly. Betra imagined he had sensedhis Nobek’s understanding mixed with a note of judgment…and an unspoken pleafor Betra to let it go.

The Imdiko knew he should. Hadn’t he told Shalia his careerwas too important to leave the fleet for? Betra couldn’t imagine another lifefor himself. Shalia and her oldest child Anrel, who’d been an infant whenthey’d gone to live on Kalquor, had deserved a real home. A clan who wouldadore them and give them everything they deserved. They’d found exactly that,and he should be thrilled to his marrow it had happened.

I am. I just wish we could have had longer than ninemonths. I wish we could have had a lifetime.

 The intervening yearshadn’t changed his feelings in the slightest. Usually, he could accept fate’sdictate. But as he neared another visit, the old regrets crowded in. He foundhimself flailing in a sea of memories and wanting what he’d let go.

For her sake. For Anrel’s sake. I did the right thing insending them on. Why can’t I—

Betra’s morose thoughts cut off as he caught sight of agorgeous human female, who was winning the attention of the off-duty Kalquoriancrewmembers crowding the promenade and its complement of shops and attractions.Charity Nath, her shining chocolate hair framing an exquisite face, was avision indeed. Her lush, curvaceous figure stunned several men to a standstill.

Betra hurried to her, his gaze sweeping for her fellowEarther refugees, who were cleared to frequent the promenade at the moment. Hesaw none, thank the ancestors. He had to restrain himself from grabbing her armand dragging her from the promenade anyway.

“Matara, this isn’t your scheduled hour for recreation inthis area. Allow me to escort you to your quarters.”

Her smile was sweet and cajoling. “Aw, Imdiko Betra. Thereare numerous friends to make at this time of day. Tons more excitement. Ihardly saw anyone when I came in the middle of the afternoon yesterday.”

“Which was the idea. If anyone recognizes you—”

“Don’t you know Charity Nath is dead? Everyone thinks so.”She was barely paying attention to him, her greedy gaze sweeping the crowds andshopfronts, gauging where the most fun was to be had.

Betra felt a pang of sympathy. Charity was young, at the agewhere she was testing the waters of adulthood, chasing formerly forbiddenattractions. She was due the enjoyments a woman in her early twenties should beindulging in freely.

There was no denying his responsibility as her liaison,however. “Everyone thought Borey and Hope Nath were dead too. They now knowyour sister is a member of Clan Piras and suspect your father didn’t dieeither. Sooner or later, your picture will surface, and you’ll be identified.Please, you must return to your quarters now.”

Her façade of sweet appeal vanished, replaced by animpatient scowl. Betra was suddenly reminded of Shalia when she’d first boardedthe transport nearly ten years prior despite there being no true physicalresemblance between the women. Charity was apparently capable of changing herattitude just as quickly as Shalia had been.

“It’ll be a matter of days before we reach our destination.”Charity spoke in the firm tone Betra had heard from Resan and other Dramoks.“No one is outing me on such a short trip.”

“You’d be surprised how quick circumstances can change,”Betra argued. He realized he probably would have to physically remove her toher section of the ship. Which brought the concern of how those passing andwatching them with interest would react, especially if she struggled or shoutedfor help.

“Nothing of the sort can surprise me, I’ll have you know.Listen, nursemaid, I’ve faced danger you can’t imagine—”

“Is there a problem, Liaison?” Oses’ cool, rough voicesounded behind Betra.

Charity’s eyes widened at the sight of the huge, muscledwarrior. Oses was impressive, more so than a number of his fellow Nobeks, andnot merely for his incredible physique. He had a forceful stare, greater thanany Betra had ever encountered. His glare alone was capable of cowing most.

Charity recovered, or she pretended to. She snorted. “Ishould have figured you’d bring backup.”

Betra fought off a scowl. Why did the majority of Earthersand unclanned Kalquorians equate the Imdiko classification with pushovers? Healmost resented Oses in that instant for commanding the immediate respect Betraoften had to fight for.

“I was escorting Matara Charity to her quarters. There wassome confusion as to when she’s free to leave her safe area to explore thepromenade,” he told his clanmate.

“I see. I’ll help you see her to where she should be.Matara?” The Nobek bowed and gestured in the direction she was to go.

Charity pouted, but she offered no further argument.

Once they’d returned her to her aunt and uncle’spresence…voicing a careful reminder to all as to when the young Matara Nath wascleared to roam the ship’s public areas…Betra and Oses set off for theirquarters.

“Your walk happened at an opportune moment,” the Nobekobserved.

“I have a feeling she’ll try her luck again. Can you assignsomeone to keep an eye on her? I hate to keep her a virtual prisoner whileshe’s aboard our ship—”

“It’s for her own good.” Oses suddenly smiled, his roughfeatures softening.

“Remembering your misguided youth?” Betra guessed andchuckled.

“Unfortunately for my pride, yes. Those were tempestuousyears. At least I didn’t have to fear people hating me simply because of myname.”

“No doubt you gave them plenty of reasons to come for you.”

“Every chance I got.”

The two men laughed and continued to the small quartersthey’d happily called home for so many years.

* * **

 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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