The Legend of Earth (The Human Chronicles Saga -- Book 5) (39 page)

But now the Kracori had summoned him. Maybe now he might be of renewed value to them. And maybe now he could escape from the paralyzing boredom that was his constant companion on the planet Eilsion.

But just in case it was something else, he did take along a few accessories….

Nigel McCarthy was escorted to a non-descript conference room within the governing complex, but not one of the fancy chambers reserved for VIP’s. Instantly, alarm bells went off in his head. The SAS field operative was now on full alert.

He sat at the end of a long, gray metal table where four Kracori were already seated. He was glad to see Daninf Kicon sitting at the other end. At least this meeting was important enough to warrant the presence of the Kracori
Langril
himself.

“Mr. McCarthy,” Daninf began. He had long ago learned the proper form of greeting for Humans. McCarthy could also see the leader of the Kracori people had grown considerably older-looking in the four years since he’d seen him last.
It must be tough for the Kracori, to be stuck here in their own nebulae, afraid to poke their heads outside their protective cocoon.
“There had been a major development within the Expansion which we need your insights.”

Nigel raised his bushy eyebrows. Major developments, this could be interesting. “Sure, what’s happened?”

“It seems that your Human race have decided to relinquish control of the Expansion, and to return to their part of the galaxy.”

Nigel was stunned by the news. His eyes grew wide and his jaw fell open. “Well bugger me,” he said out loud. “Why would they do that?”

“That is what we have brought you in to answer.”

“Surely they had to give a reason?”

“There was a speech made by their representative – someone I believe you know: Adam Cain.”

Cain! So that bloody SEAL is still hanging around. I thought I’d heard the last of his name
. “Go on. What did he say?”

“He said they have concluded that the galaxy is too big for them to govern, and that they have elected to claim the Far Arm as Human Territory. There was also something about not wanting to become like the Juireans.”

“So what’s your issue? It seems like they’ve handed the galaxy back to you blokes.”

Daninf looked frustrated with McCarthy’s casual concern over the information revealed. “If by
blokes
you refer to the Kracori, then you are mistaken. The Humans have also declared that both the Kracori and Klin are to be outlaw races, and they have sworn to continue their search for us.”

“I thought you said they were leaving?”

“They are, yet they will still be involved in trade and travel with the Expansion, and if any trace of either the Kracori or the Klin is found, they will undoubtedly send military units against us.”

McCarthy laughed. “That sounds like something they’d do.”

“That is precisely the input we require from you, Mr. McCarthy, of course without the cavalier attitude,” Daninf said between tight lips. “Are the Humans serious about their intent to leave and will they continue to pursue the Kracori?”

McCarthy leaned back in his chair and clasped his hands behind his head. He looked up at the ceiling as if in thought. When he looked back at Daninf, his eyes sparkled with an inner glow. “Oh yeah, they’re serious. They never wanted to be in charge of the galaxy anyway, so for them to pull back makes perfect sense. And claiming a smaller part of the galaxy as their own – that’s ace. Now they can play gods in their own backyard. And as far as continuing to hold you and the Klin responsible for all that’s happened to them, you can bet your bottom tanner that they’re serious.”

“Please, Mr. McCarthy, speak more clearly.”

“Yeah, Daninf, they’ll continue to come after you, until the last star in the galaxy burns out. Is that clear enough for you?” He leaned forward in the chair and placed his hands on the table’s edge, sending a wicked smile Daninf’s way. The Kracori did not fully support the smile-as-a-challenge gesture, like the majority of races throughout the galaxy, but they did understand the concept.

Daninf glared at him for several seconds, obviously upset by McCarthy’s disrespectful behavior. After a moment, however, he regained his composure and attempted to return a pleasant smile to the Human.

“Thank you, Mr. McCarthy. That will be all. If we need your consultation in the future we will call upon you. Oh, and as an afterthought, I hope you are finding your accommodations here on Eilsion satisfactory? We are glad to have you and your fellow Humans as guests of the Kracori race.”

As he went to rise, McCarthy placed a small, button-size object under the lip of the table. “They’re just fine,
Ludif
Daninf. No complaints.”

“Good. I would hate to hear that you are dissatisfied with Kracori hospitality.”

As Nigel left the conference room, he reached up to scratch his ear, and placed the tiny receiver deep inside it and out of sight. The pickup he’d placed under the table was working perfectly; Daninf was speaking:

“This situation does not change our status to any great degree. The Humans may be leaving, but it is still not safe for us to venture beyond the nebulae.”

“But Daninf, soon the Humans will be ensconced in their own territory and may not wish to embark on another long-distance military campaign. We may still be able to emerge,” said another of the Kracori in the room.

“That may be so,” Daninf agreed. “But for the time being, we are still foremost on their mind. With time, what you say may be true, but not in the short-term. Until that time we must assure that we remain secluded – which brings up the subject of our Human guests.”

“No Kracori will reveal the location of Eilsion, and all the Klin have been eradicated. You are correct, Daninf: only the Humans are a variable,” said the other Kracori.

“I see no reason to continue with this accommodation, Linof,” Daninf said. “And with this new emphasis on casting the Kracori as outlaws, McCarthy and his fellow Humans may seek to trade their own forgiveness for our location. The Humans on Eilsion are few, but they are shifty and resourceful. We cannot risk keeping them around. Do what you must to remedy this situation, Linof.”

“Yes, my Ludif. I will begin to make the arrangements.”

Nigel had just stepped outside the tall, gray building when the conversation in the conference room concluded. He climbed into the back of the transport for the trip back to his apartment with a small grin on his face, an expression that went unnoticed by his driver.

So, they intend to snuff us out, the bloody bastards,
Nigel thought
. How predictable.
He pressed the button on a small communication device he carried in his pocket, sending out an alert to the rest of his team. After all these years, his men would be ready for some action.

Just as Nigel McCarthy had done back on the Klin world of Marishal, he had long planned for all contingencies. Years back, while still in favor with the Kracori leadership, he had secretly secured an old, yet reliable flying saucer and stowed it away where it could not be found by the Kracori. In addition, he and his men maintained go-bags, packed constantly, just waiting for the word.

Nigel McCarthy had just sent the word.

While he enjoyed the rest of the ride back to his flat, he began to reflect on what the future may hold for him. With the Humans pulling back, there would be chaos and confusion, and Humans would be few and far between throughout the galaxy, except in the distant Far Arm. This could offer Nigel and his men an opportunity. With their skills and superior physical abilities – and no one around to challenge them – Nigel and his team could have their run of the place, something that had always been denied them.

Yes, there was opportunity in chaos, and Nigel McCarthy was ready to be set free within the galaxy like he had never been before. In the past, he had either been a puppet of the Klin or the Kracori. Now he was going to be his own boss and the master of his own destiny. He also knew there was not a single race of bloody aliens in the entire galaxy who could stop him.

Chapter 49

Adam Cain was feeling melancholy. He had kept busy for the past five months preparing for the departure of the Humans from the Expansion, which had helped to distract him from his demons. But now that he was scheduled to depart for Earth in three weeks, it was getting harder to keep them at bay.

The trip to Earth would indeed be painful and agonizing beyond belief. Even though he had been on many a Navy deployment in his career, with his particular rating, he had never spent that much time confined aboard a ship. For him it had always been about the action. So, even though the year-long trip back to Earth
was
contributing to his mood, it was not all that was bothering him.

It was also the uncertainty. He did not know where his future would take him. He had mustered out of the Navy years, as his fame and adoration would not allow him to simply do his job anymore.

And what about his fame? Upon his return to Earth he would now be credited with bringing home the troops, along with saving the Human race from following the same destructive path as the Juireans. He would find no peace. Instead it would be same old dog-and-pony show he was involved in before he’d left, constantly having to flash his fake smile to all the cameras and adoring masses. If they only knew how screwed up their hero really was!

Kroekus had requested that Adam come see him in the Silean’s working office down on the surface of Juir. Adam had just recently returned from a trip to Pymilia, where the Humans had set up their main military base. The base was now a virtual ghost town, but still the few remaining troops he’d encountered had showered him with such embarrassing praise that now he did his best to avoid the rank and file everywhere he went. They were going home – and Adam was getting all the credit.

And it would be no different back on Earth.

He decided that he would truly welcome the diversion with the hefty alien. At least the aliens didn’t treat him as a hero.

“Come, my friend,” Kroekus said in his typical jovial manner. “Have a seat on the couch; you look awful, as far as I can tell for a Human – you
all
look awful to me!”

Adam was in awe of the Silean. Even though he had been drafted into the role of absolute leader of the Expansion, he never seemed to show any stress or concern for the job. He just continued to function on a perfectly even keel, day-in and day-out. Adam didn’t know how he did it.

“I will serve you a strong intoxicant; maybe that will relieve some of the lines on your face which I have not seen there before.”

“Thanks, Kroekus, but I would imagine that by now you’d be ready to call it quits, as well. However, that doesn’t seem to be the case. Doesn’t
anything
bother you?”

“Of course, my Human friend. I have so many concerns jumbling up my mind that I find it hard to sleep for more than two hours per night, which is not normal for my people. But it is the challenge of the job that keeps me going.”