Clan and Command (Clan Beginnings)

Prologue

The Kalquorian Empire is a civilization of great importance to the Galactic Council of Planets.

The fierce but intelligent species has been at the forefront of technological, medical, and scientific breakthroughs for millennia.

Their military might has never been in question.

Even their ancient enemy, the opportunistic race of Tragooms, hesitates to attack a Kalquorian force half its size.

However, Kalquor’s survival is in jeopardy.

The force that has threatened this mighty race is not one that wields weaponry.

It cannot even be seen with the naked eye.

It is a virus.

Centuries ago, this virus struck the home world of Kalquor.

It wiped out a substantial number of its people, particularly the females.

Symptoms included massive bleeding of the body’s major organs, along with those of the female reproductive tract.

Damaging the X-chromosomes of the Kalquorians, the virus’ effects went beyond death.

The majority of women not killed outright were rendered infertile.

Daughters born to those who could bear children were not guaranteed the ability to do the same. The virus altered the very DNA of the entire race.

In an effort to keep their species from going extinct and prevent fighting amongst the men, family groups called clans were formed.

Each clan was made up of one female known as the Matara (childbearer) and representatives of each of the three breeds of male: the Dramok (leader), Imdiko (caregiver), and Nobek (protector).

Clanning could not prevent the race from continuing to decline.

In desperation, the Kalquorian Empire turned to another race, one biologically compatible to their own species: Earthers.

Too much enmity existed between the two cultures, however, and a brutal war ensued.

Hostilities decimated the Earther population and brought Kalquor closer than ever to devastation.

After the war ended, however, peace brought a new beginning for everyone.

The tide at last began to turn against the imminent extinction of the Empire’s culture.

Yet there are Kalquorians committed to seeing their race die off pure, without the ‘contamination’ of Earther genes.

After a violent revolt led by ‘the Basma’ Dramok Maf, the traitors’ rejection of Earthers and their hybrid children has turned into civil war.

The Kalquorian Empire is being torn apart from within, with innocents dying every day.

Now a new threat has arrived.

Old enemies join forces, determined to finish the Kalquorian Empire once and for all.

With defeat looming ever nearer each day, the highest-ranking officers of Kalquor’s Fleet Command have come up with a desperate ploy to defeat the Basma.

All they need now are the right men to carry out what is almost certain to be a suicide mission; men willing to sacrifice not only themselves, but those unfortunate enough to be caught in the crossfire.

Men for whom “honor and Empire”

is not just a battle cry, but the only way they know how to live.