SFR Brigade presents Mirror Reformed

Here we are for December's Sci-fi Romance Brigade showcase. As usual, after you check me out, click the banner for other offerings this month.

On January 16th, Mirror Reformed, the final book in my Mirror trilogy, will launch. Today, not only do I have a new excerpt to show, but I get to reveal the cover!

Blurb:

The ISC's most dangerous foe, the Synth, is threatening Earth. Mack, Maddie, and their team scramble to come up with a plan to defeat them one and for all. As the planet's safety is in jeopardy, the team will have to put it all on the line, or give their lives in the process.

Excerpt:

Jackson and Mack climbed into a flyer toward the alpha site to meet with the contingent of representatives in the ISC organization. Races from across the galaxy joined to meet with them. There were dozens that couldn’t meet due to the distance in the short amount of time Jackson gave them, so they were being represented by a hologram.

“This looks like the Jedi Council,” Mack murmured. Jackson nodded.

Over sixty representatives sat on red cushioned, rounded chairs in a circle. Mack and Jackson stood at the center with a universal translator droid. They took a moment for everyone to get settled before speaking.

“My friends, thank you for meeting with us on such short notice,” Jackson began.
“What is this about?” A tiny voice squeaked.
Mack looked over at the hologram image of Rachel from the Agonahan home world. “Earth is being threatened.”
A garbled voice from a yellow-skinned Senub race grabbed their attention. It took a moment before the universal language droid translated. “By whom?”
“A race known as the Synth,” Jackson explained.

The gathered crowd began to speak all at once at the mere mention of the name. It took several minutes to calm everyone down.

“Surely, you must be mistaken,” a representative from Bespe spoke up.
“If only we were,” Mack said.
“The Synth died out thousands of years ago,” the Bespian argued.
“Always been a mystery, the Synth are,” said a Solarian. “Much we don’t know.”
“If they have resurfaced, this could only spell doom for the galaxy,” Rachel chimed in.
“Bedtime stories,” a Zomhun said gruffly. “The Synth aren’t real.”
“No, they are very real,” Jackson replied. “If you don’t believe me, check your own sensors in quadrant seven. You’ll see their ship.”

Several of the contingents muttered, pulling out their comms to speak with their ship. Mack and Jackson waited with bated breath as the responses began to filter in. Each ship reported just as Jackson had said.

“Seems the human speaks the truth,” the Bespian reluctantly admitted.
“Hu-man need help from Argafforn?” the cousin of the Fabrega asked.
“We’re asking for anyone’s help who can give it,” Jackson said.
A Syareblayn named Murokk snorted. “Help? To evacuate your planet?”
“To fight them,” Mack replied.
“You can’t fight them. You can’t reason with them.”
“So what do you suggest then, Murokk?” Mack asked. “For us to give up?”
“Surrender will save millions of your kind.”
“No.” Jackson shook his head.

A long and loud shriek from a Boshol made everyone cover their ears. After a moment, the droid translated.

“Your people will perish. Do not ask for mine to do the same.”
“Arrogant,” an Eaygrn huffed. “You Terrans are too arrogant for your kind.”
“We should help,” a Qeete named Murrsee stated.
“I agree,” a Setol said. “The Synth will not stop with the Terrans.”
“Do you at least have a plan other than asking us to risk our lives?” Murokk asked.
“We have a few,” Mack stated.
“We understand this is our fight,” Jackson said. “We do have strategies in place for this upcoming battle. We’re not asking for you to do anything we wouldn’t do for you in this situation.”

The room fell silent. The droid translated for several of the alien races. A murmur began in the crowd, growing among the gathered representatives.

“The Intergalactic Security Commission was created for this purpose,” Murrsee spoke up. “What kind of allies are we if we expect you to come to us, but we turn you away in your time of need?”
Mack let out a sigh of relief. “Thank you.”

Several more volunteered their help. By the end of the meeting, more than half of the group offered fighters. Those who couldn’t or wouldn’t assist, Jackson assured them it wouldn’t hurt their position in the ISC.

The hologram attendees disconnected from the meeting. Those willing to fight stayed to go over strategies with Jackson. Mack flew back to Earth.

And now....for the cover!

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