WIP Wednesday: Alien Quest 1

Hello all! 

I’m hard at work on the first draft of the still untitled AlienQuest 1, which showcases the travels of the Coydidak’s Clan Rorix and LaughterLorenz, whom we met in the last Dark Empire book, Advance and Retreat.

This book looks like it’ll be a big one. I’m aboutthree-quarters to what would be the end of the majority of Kalquor Universebooks. According to the outline, I haven’t written half of it. I have a longway to go yet.

It’s a slow burn. This week, I began writing the firstintimate scene. Not really a surprise it’s taking so long, given Laughter andClan Rorix aren’t starting off as the best of friends. Nobek Signis isanti-Earther thanks to having been set up for an ambush in the past, Rorix isn’tterribly fond of them either, and Imdiko Negal…well, the lusty guy merely wantsto add a notch to his belt. Laughter would just as soon send them all out anairlock into open space.

Enemies to lovers means patiently waiting for this stubbornbunch to see the terrific opportunity for love in front of them. Are the oddsever against the sweeter emotions, as you can see from the following excerpt. (Remember,this is a first draft, so it won’t be terribly polished.)

 

She swung toward the podium she was slated to man, on theuppermost section. The ship’s weapons commander, Nobek Signis, was there, nottwo steps away. Laughter gasped. She hadn’t even seen him move from hiscomputer station, yet he loomed over her, a couple inches taller than six and ahalf feet. His sleeveless red tunic top not only showed carved biceps andshoulders, but an immense swath of chiseled chest. Even glowering, he wasinfuriatingly handsome, his black hair, typical of the Kalquorian race, framinghis strong features. 

“What are you doing here?” he barked at her.

“LDS Officer Lorenz, your presence on the bridge isn’trequired yet.” Captain Rorix’s voice was quieter, calmer, but still loud enoughfor the rest of the crew to hear. He strolled toward her with a purpose. Nodoubt that purpose was to throw her off the bridge.

Another handsome man, though more classically so and lessferal than his clanmate Signis. If not for the monumental scowling weaponscommander, Dramok Rorix would have been among the most physically imposing menshe’d encountered in her thirty years.

Despite his greater height and musculature, however, Signisfailed to overwhelm Rorix’s presence. Members of the Dramok breed were thenatural leaders of Kalquor. Rorix certainly exuded the commanding aura hiscategory was known for. Strong-willed Laughter actually hesitated for a beatbefore drawing herself up and staring the stern Rorix in the eye.

“I’m an officer of the bridge crew. Where else would I befor the launch but at my duty station, Captain?” She gave herself points forkeeping her tone respectful.

“Anywhere we don’t have to look at you,” Signis muttered.

Laughter ignored him, though he outranked her. She continuedto look at Rorix.

A muscle in his jaw twitched. “The first of thelong-distance com relays are weeks from being deployed. Until such time, youhave no duties to tend to except to maintain the station’s readiness for use.”He started to turn. Smirking, Signis did the same.

Inwardly seething at the insulting dismissal, Laughterswitched to the same clipped, cold tone he’d used. “With all due respect,Captain Rorix, I’m here to train as Short Distance Com Officer Veko’s backup.It seemed appropriate, given the similarities of our work.”

Rorix and Signis swiveled back to face her, exchanging alook between them as they did so.

Laughter gave Rorix no time to question her, nor Signis roomfor any verbal abuse he was no doubt eager to unload. “SDC Veko will be mysecond on the LLDS array as well, so I need to be on hand to train him. Wediscussed the matter and saw no reason to delay such necessary instruction.”

Rorix’s attention went to the man standing at the stationnext to the one assigned to Laughter. Or rather, the impressively long mop ofKalquorian blue-black hair bowed over the onboard and short-distance comcomputer podium. Veko’s face was obscured by the thick, heavy fall of hair,from under which a chiseled but streamlined body in a red-trimmed fleet uniformemerged.

A heavy, almost resigned voice issued from the hair.“Standard operating procedure, Captain Rorix. All bridge officers arecross-trained on each other’s duties in case of emergency.”

“We’re Coydidak, not fleet,” Signis snapped.

 

Feeling the tension yet? Such a nice start to a lifelonginterstellar voyage. 

Side note, I love having Veko on board the expedition. Ifyou don’t remember him and his massive curtain of hair from which he rarelyemerges, he was formerly the com officer on Kila’s spyship (of Clan Piras).  Laughter, who calls Veko "Gloom and Doom" forhis pessimistic attitude, couldn’t find a better friend in the face of Rorix’sand Signis’ initial hostility. Their rapport (and Veko's 'grocery list') will serve up some humor too. 

That’s it for now! Take care of yourselves. 

Tracy