Human Chronicles Part 2 Book 2: The Apex Predator (16 page)

Chapter 23

Adam Cain…

A
s the two Humans entered the spaceport, Adam began to detect the distinctive signatures of flash weapons aboard the
Pegasus
. He had been half-expecting this, knowing that the O’mly named Limous seemed anxious to take possession of Adam’s ship. A cycle on Aslon could be a day or an hour. Either way, Adam could sense a conflict coming. He told Sherri of his findings.

“I’ll be ready,” she said. “Just be careful. Those fingernails of his look deadly.”

They approached the open hatch to the
Pegasus
where two O’mly stood guard, stern and serious looks on their faces. They said nothing as Adam and Sherri entered the ship. Limous was found in the pilothouse, seated as best he could manage in the smallish – for an O’mly – pilot’s seat.

“I have the korlons you need,” Adam said without waiting to be asked.

Limous nodded. “That is very good. You Jusepi are very resourceful.” He turned his attention back to the pilot’s console. “You have a remarkable ship here, quite advanced. I do not believe you told me your name?”

“Names are familiar, and your guide specifically warned against becoming too familiar with the O’mly. If it matters, I am Kaylor Linn Todd.” Kaylor was actually the name of Adam’s most-trusted alien friend. A Belsonian, it had been Kaylor and his co-pilot Jym who had saved his life – for the first time – many years ago.

“Well, Arolus Linn Todd, as I mentioned, this is a remarkable ship, one I believe is well-beyond the technical capabilities of your race. Yes, I have done some research since last we met. I do know that your race is at war with the parasitic Human race, an event that only just began within the past two
forgon
-cycles. If your people indeed possess this level of technology, then I believe the war will be short-lived and with your people as the victors.”

“One can only hope that will be the outcome,” Adam said. “Now, may I pay the docking fees and depart. We will tolerate the viewscreen situation until we return to Duelux, our homeworld.”

“Are you not going to accompany your allies the Kracori on their mission to Earth? It appears that with the firepower of the Kracori and the advanced technology of the Jusepi, the evil Humans will not stand a chance against your combined assault.”

“We have served our function for the fleet. It is now time to return home.” Adam detected the arrival of three more beings, each carrying flash weapons of a more refined design, as well as sophisticated comm devices. These creatures would be different than the O’mly. He turned his gaze toward Sherri, his grave expression communicating his concern. Her mouth fell open slightly, wishing she could come out and ask the question. It wasn’t necessary, because just then three tall, gray, leather-skinned aliens entered the already crowded pilothouse. They were Kracori.

With Adam and Sherri outnumbered three to one, these new aliens did not fear the Humans, so their weapons remained holstered as they entered. The Kracori with a red sash crossing his chest walked up to Adam and Sherri, towering over them by over a foot. The Kracori raised an eyebrow attached to one of the many boney plates that made up his forehead. “This is an unexpected circumstance, Limous,” he said while staring down at Adam. “It seems you have
not
discovered a cache of Jusepi within your midst … but rather a couple of
Humans
.”

The O’mly dockmaster jumped up out of the seat, his eyes wide as he drew his weapon. “Am I contaminated? I do not believe I have had physical contact with them, but their ship – I have touched the controls!” His voice was a high-pitched squeal.

The Kracori smiled and waved his hand. “No, you are safe, Limous. Not all Humans spread the diseases we have warned you of. These two appear to be non-carriers. Now leave us, and secure the door behind you.”

The Kracori continued to stare at Adam with an amused look on this rough-hewn face while all the O’mly in the pilothouse exited as quickly as possible and the door was closed. When they were alone, the Kracori leader shoved his way past Adam and sat in the coveted pilot’s seat. He scanned the console.

“You are the ones who have been following us.” It was a statement not a question. “We, too, have advanced tracking technology; you were detected over a thousand light-years ago by trailing drones.” He activated the pilot’s console and watched as the systems flashed online. “By the rate of pursuit and the size of your ship’s signature, we debated whether or not you were Human. I have to admit, most did not believe it to be so.” He spun the chair around and looked up at Adam. “And yet here you are. We knew there was a possibility our passage might be detected by your kind; we were actually surprised when we were not. So your presence here is not that unexpected. Yet it is this ship that has me the most intrigued. It does raise all manner of questions and concerns.”

The Kracori commander keyed his comm link. “Ludif Oninn, I will be taking this ship to the fleet for examination. Accompany us in defense. We will depart in fifteen minutes.”

“Yes, my Lord. We are prepared.”

The Kracori addressed one of the other two aliens in the room. “Get all the O’mly off the ship and have Limous clear us for departure.”

“What about the docking fees?” Adam said with a grin. “Aren’t you going to pay him for services rendered?”

The Kracori returned the smile. “The O’mly are mere bugs as they relate to galactic affairs; Limous will not stand in the way of our departure. Now, I trust you will not cause any trouble as you pilot your ship to the fleet. I’m sure this has been your goal all along – to learn of our strength and intent. For what good it will do you, all is about to be revealed.”

********

Two hours later, the
Pegasus
was closing in on a massive Class-5 battlecruiser of familiar circular design. Even though Adam was sure there were dozens, if not hundreds, of other ships in the vicinity, he could only see eight on his monitors. They were all Class-5’s.

The
Pegasus
easily fit into one of the two massive landing bays of the Kracori ship, which Adam assumed was the flagship for the fleet. Once inside, hatches were sealed and atmosphere was pumped into the cavernous chamber. When Adam shut down the
Pegasus
, including the internal gravity wells, both he and Sherri noticed the tiny weight differential between their Earth-normal gravity and that of the Kracori ship. Both races came from worlds with almost identical surface gravity. Here, Adam and Sherri would have no strength or quickness advantage. The Klin had selected the Kracori to be their partners in galactic domination because of their strength, toughness and coordination, the same reasons they had selected the Human race to go up against the Juireans. In many regards, Human and Kracori were brother races, nearly identical in every aspect except appearance. So there would be no superman antics for Sherri and Adam aboard the alien spacecraft. Adam would have to rely on his ATD to save their hides.

It had been years since Adam and Sherri were in the company of so many Kracori – not since the battle for Juir. Unlike the ancient Juireans, the Kracori chose to crew all their ships exclusively with their own kind. For the Juireans, it was unusual to find more than a handful of Juireans aboard their warships, content to use a number of other races to serve as crew and technical support.

As the two Humans left the
Pegasus
, they were passed by a dozen anxious Kracori entering the ship, armed with monitoring and testing equipment, as well as two Kracori carrying recording devices. Adam’s ship was about to get the equivalent of an anal probe by the aliens. He hoped they didn’t tear things apart in their quest for knowledge concerning the ship’s operation. After all, in just a while Adam and Sherri would have to use the
Pegasus
to make their escape.

Yet for the moment, they were content to serve as prisoners aboard the Kracori warship. Every minute that went by provided them with more information they could take back to Earth, as the ATD was cataloguing the data and charting all the electronics aboard the ship. There were dozens of systems that would have to be taken over if Adam was to gain control of the ship. It would be possible, yet it would be a test of his current level of expertise with the ATD. A disruption of the ship’s systems might be all he could really expect, yet something major enough to allow for their escape. But only if the
Pegasus
could survive the examination she was about to undergo….

The Kracori didn’t bother placing restraints on the Humans; they were displaying their over-confidence, a product of the arrogance of the warrior class, and a secure feeling being aboard their powerful starship surrounded by their comrades.

Adam and Sherri were taken to officer-country and led to the fleet admiral’s suite. Adam knew the Kracori didn’t use rank like captains and admirals, yet the hierarchy was the same no matter the nomenclature. The ranking Kracori wore a yellow sash across his chest, and a number of tech-types in green uniforms were also in the room.

“Be seated,” the commander ordered; he was a barrel-chested, older-looking Kracori with exceptionally-wrinkled gray skin. What hair he had atop his head was now white rather than the traditional gray. He was fit and trim, even in his later years; a common trait of senior military no matter the race. “My name is Runor Cresst, senior officer of the Kracori Fleet in this sector,” he stated.
 
“This is a unique opportunity for me and my staff to experience our enemy first-hand … and to look directly into the eyes of our tormentors.”

The Humans sat on a wide sofa, their feet barely reaching the edge of the cushions. They looked like Hobbits in the land of giants. The fleet commander sat in a large chair opposite the two and sent a scathing glare at each of them. “Your race has brought such anguish to my people that I need extreme restraint not to summarily execute the two of you out of pure hatred and relieve you of your
Legends
. Yet I will control my emotions … at least for the moment.

“As we have traveled farther into Human territory, we knew it would harder to keep our presence a secret,” Runor explained. “So we have been on the alert for any ships appearing along our route. When yours appeared, we were quite curious of its origin, plus the uniqueness of its energy signature was a concern. The advanced nature of the ship is giving us pause with our current operation, at least until we assess its pervasiveness throughout your military forces. It has not taken long to determine that your vessel could easily outpace even our fastest warships, as well as transit areas which larger ships cannot normally access.”

As he spoke, the techs in the room were busy at datapad stations, analyzing the data being sent from the
Pegasus
in real time. This information was being fed to the large pad sitting on the lap of the commander. He would glance down at it occasionally and scan the latest findings.

“As you have probably already deduced, this fleet is being assembled for an assault upon your homeworld. My technicians inform me that the CW-array on your ship has been damaged beyond repair and that you do not possess more primitive interstellar comm equipment that was once the standard throughout the Expansion. So I am to believe that you have not warned your world of our presence in the Far Arm. Is this correct?”

“You expect us to answer your question just like that!” Sherri blurted out. “Whether or not the Earth has been warned will have to remain a mystery. Apparently you’ll find out soon enough.”

“What is your name, female?” Runor asked, an annoyed expression now crossing his face.

Sherri hesitated.

“Come now, what is a name among the countless members of your race? What great secret could disclosing your name reveal?”

“Just call me Cinderella, dickhead.”

Just then Runor glanced down at his pad. When he looked up again, his expression had changed to one of almost unbridled excitement. “We Kracori are not some backward race devoid of high technology and advanced data-processing. We have run your images through our system and your true identities have now been exposed. I am near a loss to believe this, but you are the famous Sherri Valentine—” then turning his attention to Adam, “—along with the notorious Adam Cain. How is it that the universe can be so large yet I have in my possession two of the most-infamous Humans to ever exist?”