“Does it hurt?” he asked mildly. Betra noticed how his Dramok’s sharp gaze lit on him for a moment.

  “Only a ton, but don’t worry. I won’t cry.”

  “A nice change.” He smirked but remained on his best behavior after a warning gaze from Nekis. His grandmother was aware of the dislike between the pair, a dislike she most adamantly refused to share. She adored Shalia, much to Resan’s consternation since he worshipped his grandmother.

  “You must have stepped in this hole,” the family matriarch said. She crouched and gently probed Shalia’s ankle as Betra had. She earned the same wince and jerk. “Yell for her Imdiko to come here. Cifa can carry her to the shuttle and take her home. He won’t want to remain here when his clanmate is hurt. The rest of us can continue hunting as planned.”

  “Thank you,” Shalia said, her gratitude shining at Nekis as Resan shouted for Cifa. “I can’t stand the thought of wrecking this holiday when you’ve been so kind to host us.”

  “It’s always a delight to have your clan here. I might stay in tomorrow too if you’re unable to hunt. You and I have a lot to catch up on.” Nekis beamed at the thought.

  Cifa burst into view, followed by the rest of Shalia’s clan. Oses and Anrel were a split second behind. Everyone was exclaiming at once, asking what had happened.

  A hand fell on Betra’s shoulder. He glanced up to find Resan smiling at him…a not very nice smile. “Make room for her clan so they can tend their Matara, my Imdiko.”

  “Of course.” Betra stood up and stepped aside as Clan Seot and their children crowded around Shalia. He pretended his legs weren’t shaking.

  * * * *

  Alpha Space Station

  Spy Nobek Selt glanced at his superior officer Nobek Kuran, then to Kuran’s Dramok clanmate Rihep, who wasn’t a spy. The pair stared intently at the footage from the promenade Selt had loaded into the computer vid hovering over the desk of the office they occupied.

  Because Admiral Piras was off on assignment, Kuran was in charge of Earth II’s spy contingent, which Selt and his clanmates worked for. They used their absent leader’s office for the private meeting. Selt’s clanmates Deram and Hadlez were also present, in their capacity as spies and Charity Nath’s on-station guardians.

  “I have an identification on the Gyma who was watching Matara Charity,” Selt reported. “His name is Nydroj, and he’s an aide to his world’s ambassador to the Galactic Council.”

  “I see it.” Rihep’s eyes narrowed as he peered to the side of the Gyma, sharpening his usual peaceful countenance.

  “A Dark?” Kuran pressed. His rugged good looks turned fierce.

  “It’s on his back and shoulders. A couple of the tentacles are wrapped around the Gyma’s neck.” Rihep’s lips pressed tight together.

  The Dramok had once pursued a career as a Temple of Life priest. He continued to meditate regularly, a practice that helped some Kalquorians detect the enemy’s presence. It was why he’d been called in to view the footage despite not being a member of the Kalquorian fleet’s spy division.

  Deram and Hadlez exchanged worried glances.

  “Do we know the current whereabouts of this Nydroj?” Kuran’s attention went to Selt.

  “I tracked him as soon as Matara Charity reported him watching her. He left almost immediately after she spotted him. His heading would take him to Galactic Council space.”

  “What was he doing on the station? I thought GC personnel had been banned since the trouble started,” Deram said.

  “They were,” Kuran said, scowling at the footage as it played on a loop. “Nydroj was on Earth when the whole mess started. He’d been operating as a liaison between Earth and the Galactic Council. He disappeared until Matara Charity spotted him last night.”

  “His spacecraft had remained on Earth all this time. Chief Adams had it under guard at our request. Before daybreak, it took off without clearance, then disappeared before patrols could track it.” Selt scowled.

  “Someone was bribed to let it go,” Hadlez guessed.

  Perhaps, but how the Gyma’s vessel had eluded the phased marauders was a mystery. “It knew our security force’s routes and managed to avoid them.”

  Kuran glared at the footage. “The admiral had changed them before he left. Even I’m unaware of the routes.”

  “Maybe the Gyma simply got lucky,” Rihep said.

  Selt didn’t believe it for a second. Something alarming was going on.

  He switched his focus to his greatest concern. “What I want to know is why the Dark was interested in Matara Charity. It can’t be a coincidence it was watching the daughter of Borey Nath.”

  “And also the sister of Admiral Piras’ Matara,” Kuran added. “Matara Charity was forcibly married to Browning Copeland, wasn’t she?”

  “Whom the Darks weren’t able to prove beyond a doubt was still alive. Kalquor maintains the Holy Leader perished when his battlecruiser exploded.” Selt’s stomach curdled. “Charity Nath was supposed to have died on his ship as well.”

  Deram snarled in abrupt fury. “The Darks are still trying to convince our allies and enemies we have Copeland. Footage of Charity alive and well and on this station could stir the waters again.”

  Selt’s fist hit the top of the desk. His job keeping the young woman safe had just gotten a lot harder.

  * * * *

  Earth II

  “Ken Bryant told me it looks as if the virus came in via the refugees arriving from Galactic Council space,” Toni reported to her sister from her balcony.

  Earth’s governor sighed. She was stuck on Alpha Space Station as the virus recently nicknamed Dark Death raged on the planet. Earthers had already blamed it on the shadowy enemy, thus they’d dubbed it appropriately.

  On the vid, Stacy appeared to be standing only feet from Toni’s chair. Toni was grateful her sister wasn’t there in danger of catching the illness, which had a staggering twenty-five percent fatality rate…but she also wished she was. Toni could have used a hug.

  “It’s as bad on New Bethlehem. Worse on Mercy since they’re still dealing with riots in the wake of the government’s shenanigans. Lack of infrastructure, food, and shelter…because no one is fully in charge there, the mortality numbers are downright devastating.” Stacy swallowed and turned away for a moment to collect herself.

  “No one is allowing in the few refugees who managed to leave Mercy. They’re flying through space on the vessels that would take them, but there’s nowhere to dock. Even Haven turned them down.” Toni told her what Stacy already knew to give her a few seconds to cope with the emotional tide. Her big sister was a tough cookie when it came to facing off against opponents, but the suffering of others undid her in private.

  Stacy was composed when she faced Toni once more. “Haven is right to do so. They have medical protocols allowing ships to land should everyone on board prove uninfected. Unfortunately for the innocent, concern those who took part in Mercy’s conspiracy might be hiding among the refugees is slowing the process. No one knows all the players in what reduced Mercy to the mess it is yet, so getting the refugees to a port has become nearly impossible.”

  “I heard you were working on the Mercy refugees’ behalf, nonetheless.” Pride warmed Toni.

  “How can I not? There are children and elderly on those ships. Joshada is considering letting them land on an isolated island until their situation is better resolved. Kuran and Ken have also spoken to Kalquorian officials about the possibility of using outposts confiscated from the Bi’isils after the war. Those places are just sitting there unused.”

  “It’s a start but outfitting them for a long stay for thousands would be costly.”

  “I’m meeting the legislature by remote vid this afternoon to discuss if we can allocate funding. However, because our citizens are fighting the virus and having to divert a large amount of funds to research to get a handle on it…” Stacy shook her head. “We’ve lost the financial support we had from the Galactic Council, thanks to this Dark invasion. Kalquor is helping, but they have their share of problems.”

  “And a suspicious illness of their own to fight.” Toni told Stacy of her conversation with Clan Imon and the concern both viruses had originated in Bi’isil secret labs. “When the Darks destroyed the Bi’isils, they could have easily gained the knowledge and means to set biological warfare loose on us.”

  Stacy’s expression lit in sudden excitement. “I’ve heard the same from Kuran…he told me something else. We don’t know what exactly the Bi’isils had concocted in those hidden labs. The Darks wiped all records clean when they left. But much of what Bi’is had in its arsenal was based on earlier pathogens they’d developed, such as the virus that nearly brought the Kalquorian Empire to extinction.”

  “Okay.” Toni thought she had a glimmer of what made Stacy look so hopeful, but she couldn’t quite catch hold of it.

  “The Bi’isils used human slaves to test other means of biological warfare.”

  “As they did to every species they could lay their nasty hands on. Those little gray bastards never missed a chance to develop bioweapons against anyone and everyone who could possibly challenge their supremacy.” Toni had acknowledged the horror of the Darks eliminating the entire Bi’isil population, but she hadn’t shed a tear for them. They’d been utter assholes.

  “My understanding is, Kalquor recovered and handed the Galactic Council the research done on Earthers prior to the secret labs. The GC locked up those notes and findings to keep them from being unleashed against us by other species. Since Bi’is never found it necessary to attack Earth or its colonies, the research never came out publicly. Including to us.”

  “Right.” Toni began to grasp where Stacy was going. “If Dark Death is a virus Bi’is never unleashed—”

  “Or even if it’s based on those previous findings, our scientists could use the information to find a vaccine. Maybe even a cure.” Stacy grinned. “That’s how the Kalquorians are fighting RCN-16…by working from the previous viruses Bi’is used against them.”

  Toni hated to bring her down, but she had to mention the major hurdle before them. “You said Kalquor gave the Galactic Council the Bi’isil records. The Darks have the GC and are probably behind the epidemic. I don’t see them handing the research to us.”

  “Sis, we’re talking about the Kalquorian Empire, which has a vested interest in keeping Earthers alive and well. Do you really think they didn’t keep copies of what they found?”

  Toni had to laugh. “They have pretty decent moral standards, except when it comes to keeping some vestige of their existence alive. I bet they’ll even put a few of their researchers on the case.”

  “Which will make them look pretty damn good to Earthers if they ride to the rescue and yank us out of this mess.”

  “I guess you have coms to make.”

  “Right away. Thanks for being my sounding board. Thinking out loud has made a big difference.”

  “Good luck, Gov.”

  “Love you, Toni. Stay healthy in the meantime.” Stacy signed off.

  * * * *

  Open Arms Orphanage

  Kila made certain his usual grin, which possessed a naturally predatory air, gave off a gentler confidence as he spoke to Matara Cheryl and Nobek Besral in the head administrator’s office. “There’s a terrible epidemic loose on Earth and the colonies Mercy and New Bethlehem. For this reason, the inhabitants of the orphanage will be evacuated to Haven instead, which has remained free of the virus.”

  “Haven wisely quarantined as soon as it became obvious a similar but different virus was present on the Kalquorian home world and its colonies and stations,” Piras added. “Because it’s a blended population of our peoples, they had strict guidelines in place when what’s been dubbed Dark Death rose on Earth, Mercy, and New Bethlehem. Once you pass medical protocols at Haven’s off-world medical station, you’ll be allowed lodgings on the planet until Earth can offer a permanent solution.”

  “Two viruses at once?” Besral’s expression was openly suspicious.

  Kila nodded. “We’re concerned the Darks gained access to clandestine Bi’is labs, where we think bioweapons were being developed.”

  “Which is why you insisted on your medical personnel testing us after our face-to-face contact with Ydur’s group. In case they’d somehow contaminated us.” Cheryl allowed only a hint of horror to peek from her otherwise composed features.

  “I hope you can forgive our not telling you upfront. We hated to frighten you and the children without cause. Thankfully, there’s no sign of either you or your Kalquorian staff being infected.”

  “That’s good news.” Cheryl’s gaze moved between Kila and Piras. “Earthers and Kalquorians seem to be the Darks’ main focus. Do I understand the situation?”

  Both men nodded.

  “Then I’m concerned about us being relocated to Haven. It appears safe for now, but since both our species call it home, it could become a target in the future. Perhaps we should look outside your empire and Earther settlements as far as a temporary solution.”

  When she put it in those terms, Kila agreed. Silently, because it was up to Piras to broach such considerations to Fleet Command…though he’d make his opinion known to his clanmate in private.

  “It’s a valid point, and I’m glad you brought it up,” the admiral said. “I’ll inform my superiors of your proposal and see what we can come up with.”

  “Thank you.”

  Piras glanced at Kila. “What are the Galactic Council forces up to?”

  “Their larger squad continues to approach. Our backup has gone com silent, as we fear the GC will pick up any attempts to communicate.” Kila grimaced. “Unfortunately, it means we have no idea where our marauders are or if they’ll get here in time to defend the orphanage from the enemy.”

  Piras ground his teeth, his strong jaw working. He let up when Kila’s foot nudged his leg under the table.

  He glanced around the table. “We must assume we’re on our own when it comes to defending the children. We need a plan. Share any ideas you have, no matter how outrageous.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Kalquor

  As the hunting group consisting of Resan, his parent clan, Oses, Clan Seot, and the children thundered in the rear of the home in a flurry to ready for the coming day, Betra smiled brightly at Shalia in the common room. He’d been up early and was ready. “What do you need? Blanket, water, snacks? An adult beverage?”

  Shalia laughed from her perch on the lounger. Her sprained ankle was elevated on the pillows Cifa had arranged beneath the wrapped limb. Because it was a minor injury, Shalia hadn’t been treated by a licensed medic. She’d been diagnosed remotely by the head doctor of the local clinic after a medical scanner app had been installed on Cifa’s handheld. Though the district remained virus-free, isolation protocols were maintained except in actual emergencies. She was forced to recuperate naturally.

  “I just finished breakfast.” Her grin, for Betra alone, sent his heart beating faster. “The only time I indulge in day drinking is a single celebratory mimosa on Christmas morning.”

  “You continue to celebrate the Earther custom?” He hadn’t been aware.

  “Many of us on Kalquor do. Earthers gather on Christmas Eve in various regions to have a special dinner. Some celebrate older Earth faiths and get together for those.”

  “Do your clanmates participate?” A sense of loneliness stabbed him. The Christmas Shalia had spent on his transport had been marked by a fun celebration for the Earther refugees on board. He’d enjoyed sharing in the tradition. There hadn’t been another Christmas for Betra since.

  “Absolutely. My clan decorates the home a week before, then we exchange presents Christmas morning. The kids love it, of course. It’s become the highlight of the year for them.”

  “I’m sure it is.” Betra sank on the lounger next to her, hungry for some sense of belonging to a portion of her existence.

  “Larten applies for permission from the local government to find and cut down a small tree for the festivities. The children go with him and take turns choosing the tree. Jordan was in charge last year. When they returned, she brought me a branch smaller than her instead.”

  “A branch?”

  “She’d gotten upset about killing a tree, so Larten cut the limb she chose. We had to warn Anrel and Nayun to stop telling her she’d ruined Christmas because we didn’t have a proper tree. So much drama.” Shalia laughed as she rolled her eyes.

  “I wish I could have seen it.” I wish I could have been part of it. Betra’s heart ached in longing for all he’d lost: special celebrations, children to share them…and of course, Shalia herself. He took her hands in his. “What a wonderful life you have.”

  “I do. I wish I wasn’t stuck on this lounger for the rest of the trip. I live to add to the memories.” She pouted.

  “I could stay here instead of hunting. Keep you company, bring you mimosas,” he offered.

  “It isn’t necessary. Nekis is staying with me today, so your vacation doesn’t have to be interrupted.”

  “Nekis loves the children and enjoys taking them to hunt. I hate for her to miss out.”

  Shalia bit her lip uncertainly. “Well, I suppose you could offer, but—”

  “We’re ready to go, Betra.”

  He jumped at Oses’ bark behind him. He released Shalia’s hands and stood as his Nobek came in the room. “Oh, well, I was thinking perhaps if Matara Nekis preferred to hunt, I could keep an eye on our invalid here.”

  Nekis herself glided into the room as he was speaking. “Don’t be silly, Betra. Shalia and I haven’t had a chance to catch up since she arrived. I’ve been looking forward to doing so for weeks.” She sat at the end of the lounger and got comfortable as she beamed at Shalia. “In fact, just before Resan commed to say you were coming, I was ready to ask if your clan wished to visit us.”