Human Chronicles Part 2 Book 2: The Apex Predator (9 page)

“
Impacted
is the right word,” Adam said dryly. “Think dinosaur-killing
impacted
. It could be a real mess. Any information about their technology; will they be able to help … if
they’re
not already extinct?”

“They’re in the Library,” Sherri replied, “but not a lot of information. They do appear to have industrial capacity – or at least they did before all this.”

“Send me the coordinates; let’s go take a look. In the meantime, let’s check these hull breaches. The sealing foam can only do so much and it’s not a permanent fix.”

“Aye aye, Captain,” Sherri said with a smile. Adam mirrored her countenance, amazed at how quickly Sherri’s demeanor could change on a dime. She had always been a tough one, although lately she’d been letting her emotions get the best of her. However, in the face of danger Adam knew he could always count on Sherri Valentine when it counted.

********

Adam rotated the ship around once again and fired up the chemical drive. He had to be careful not to go too fast, or else they could still end up getting pelted by the slower-moving debris. And now they also had to cut
across
the flow of the debris field by about ten degrees in order to rendezvous with the planet, and as soon as Adam changed course, the pinging sounds on the hull returned, yet not nearly as intense or with the same results. However, during the nineteen-hour transit to Arcton, eight more hull breaches occurred, including the loss of two focusing rings.

Even though most ships only employed a maximum of four rings, because of the particular design of the
Pegasus
-drive, missing out on only two rings – out of a total concentrated-array of eight – meant they would operate at a level below even long-haul trawlers, lumbering through space at speeds scarcely higher than on chemical drive.

Before encountering the debris field, their trip to Earth had only two weeks remaining. Now it would take months, if not more. In fact, until Adam had a chance to land the ship and check the full extent of the damage, he wasn’t sure if his ship would
ever
reach Earth.

Chapter 13

Riyad on Lucon-Por…

A
ll three hundred of the medical monitors were loaded onto an oversize electric cart and Canos drove Riyad into the sprawling and confused mass of the trade union clearinghouse grounds. Riyad had been around a lot of aliens in his day, yet this incredible press of exotic lifeforms staggered even him. The sounds were deafening and the smell overwhelming. He did his best to fight back the urge to vomit, afraid that if he did, one of these disgusting creatures would rush in to quickly lap it up. That thought by itself nearly pushed him over the edge.

Much to his relief, they finally reached their destination. The market for medical devices was a much cleaner and calmer area of the clearinghouse, and he was finally able to determine what a native Lucon looked like. They were very smooth-featured and well-proportioned. They resembled the Tel’or to a degree, with elf-like ears and light greenish skin color, yet not so bumpy. Honestly, these creatures didn’t offend. They were well-groomed and even had a pleasant fragrance to their skin. Riyad stepped off the cart and followed Canos as he approached a waiting Lucon male.

The native looked past the pair and to the near-empty cart. “Have you already sold most of your merchandise?” he asked Canos.

The Tel’oran turned to Riyad. “This is the seller … he is Riyad of Klingon.”

“Then I will ask
you
, is this all you have to offer? I know not what you carry at this time, but they must be extremely small to take up so little space.”

Riyad carried one of the Formilian devices with him. It resembled a small notebook computer and measured about eight inches by ten inches. “This is an advanced medical monitoring device, capable of thirty-four diagnostics simultaneously. It is of Formilian design, so you know it carries within it the best electronics available.”

The Lucon took the device and looked it over briefly before returning his attention to the cart. “How many of these devices have you brought?”

“I have three hundred.”

The native looked at Canos with a frown. “You are Tel’oran; have you not informed this being that we deal in lots of twenty-thousand or more when it comes to medical devices?”

“I have informed him, yet this is all he carries.”

“I have more available … if you find them acceptable.”

The Lucon shook his head. “I will not even bother. Please take them down the line.”

“But they are the most-advanced model available.”

“Go; I have others to tend to.”

Canos took Riyad by the arm and pulled him away. Riyad was about to lose his temper, now caught up in his cover role as a merchant. Through his Arab heritage he prided himself on being an excellent practitioner of barter transactions. Now this was going to get personal.

“These are really good units!” he said to Canos as they moved to the next booth. He didn’t really know if they were or not, just what he’d been told. But Riyad Tarazi didn’t like to be rejected, especially by aliens.

This same humiliating scene was repeated four more times as he and Canos went
down the line
. Finally they met a native who did show some interest. He directed them to join him for a private discussion in a small, enclosed cubicle behind his trading booth.

“Your units are very interesting and very advanced. The alien smiled tightly and looked directly into Riyad’s eyes. “Yet I am more curious what else you might have for sale …
Human
?”

Canos jerked his head in Riyad’s direction. “
Human!
You’re a Human? I thought you said you were a Klingon?”

Riyad grew deadly serious and moved to block the exit to the small meeting room. “I’m afraid you’re mistaken,” he said to the buyer, his eyes locked on his every movement. “Our races are very similar in appearance, but I am not a Human.”

The Lucon continued to grin. “I have been further into the space beyond the Nebula than most, and I have seen and interacted with Humans personally. You
are
a Human.”

Riyad looked at Canos, pleading with his eyes for the alien not to do anything stupid. The Tel’oran appeared to be frozen in fear.
Good, stay that way.

He turned to the Lucon. “So now what; are you going to sound the alarm?”

“Of course not,” said the almost-jolly alien. “Like I said, I would like to know what exotic Human paraphernalia you may have for purchase. Human merchandise is extremely valuable on the sub-market.”

“I have very little, and nothing really of Human origin. I have been away from Earth for a very long time.”

“What of your projectile weapons? I understand your kind do not travel without them. I’m willing to pay.”

Riyad had intentionally left his assault weapons and handguns on Pyrum-3, just in case his ship was searched. Humans were one of only a handful of races in the galaxy who used projectile weapons. To find them on his ship would have instantly blown his cover.

“I’m afraid I don’t have any aboard my ship.” Then he pulled back his waistcoat. “And you see I am unarmed.”

The Lucon narrowed his eyes. “And the medical monitors, they are not of Human origin?”

“No, Formilian.”

The alien shook his head as his smile vanished. “I have Formilian monitors, although not of this superior model. You appear not to have many.”

“I can get more if you’ll just give me a number.” Riyad was getting tired of playing games with this creature. Either they were going to make a deal so he could get back the
Ifrit
, or else he was going to keep moving down the line.

Just then two other Lucons squeezed into the small room, pressing up against Riyad and staring at him with hard, angry looks.

Riyad looked at the Lucon buyer again. “Have I offended you in some way?”

“No, my Human friend, you have not. It is just that what you have brought to bargain with is such an insignificant amount that I almost feel embarrassed even making you an offer.”

“You would be surprised how little I’d take for the monitors,” Riyad said.

“How about nothing? I take them for no charge.”

“And why would I do that? I could move down the line and eventually I’d sell them.”

“Not if everyone in the clearinghouse realizes you are a Human.”

Riyad bit his bottom lip. “And how would they find that out?”

The Lucon grunted while the wicked grin returned. “I believe you know how this negotiation will progress. I get the monitors for no cost … and I do not alert the authorities that you are a Human, a vile beast who has infiltrated the Nebula. I believe that is a fair trade.”

“And if I refuse?”

The Lucon waved a hand toward the other two natives in the room. “Then I will report you to the authorities, but not before my two
symbanors
here make sport of you.”

Riyad looked at the two much-taller aliens. He had no idea what
symbanors
were, but he also knew he couldn’t risk having this alien report his true identity, whether they came to an agreement or not. And then what would prevent him from calling the alien police once they left the planet?

He took a deep breath, seeing the decision had been made for him the moment the Lucon recognized him as a Human. This would not be pretty, not in these tight quarters. And then there was Canos to consider. He hoped the innocent alien would stay out of the way. He was beginning to like the young Tel’oran.

Riyad tighten his right fist, and in a lightning-quick move, buried it hard into the face of the Lucon to his left. Immediately, he felt the other
symbanor
grab him from behind. The creature squeezed with all his strength … which only made Riyad laugh.
Quick reactions, but another light-gravity weakling.
A strategically-placed elbow to the Lucon’s midsection caused him to release Riyad, who then spun around catching the alien’s head under his right arm. He squeezed hard and then jerked upwards, snapping the creature’s neck.

The Lucon buyer had been momentarily stunned by the sudden turn of events; now he recovered and began to move toward a hidden back door to the small cubicle; two quick steps and Riyad grabbed the back of alien’s shirt and pulled. The alien fell back, as his entire shirt ripped from his body. Riyad lifted the hairless Lucon by the arm and threw him on top of the small table; the fingers of his right hand digging into the cushy skin of the alien’s neck.

“I will not tell, I promise!” The Lucon’s large brown eyes were now moist with tears.

Riyad squeezed harder. Even though this being smelled of lilacs … and was handsome in an alien sort of way, he still had to die. “I regret this,” Riyad said, “but if you’ve had experience with Humans before then you should have known better than to provoke me.”

The Lucon made some gurgling sound.

“What was that?” Riyad asked, cocking his head. “You really do need to enunciate your words better.” A little tighter and the trachea collapsed; a moment later the alien grew still, his eyes open and frozen in the moment of death.

Panic leapt up in Riyad’s chest; he turned, and was relieved to see Canos still in the room. He released the dead Lucon and approached the Tel’oran. Canos recoiled in fear.

“Relax, Canos,” Riyad said with a smile. “I like you … you have nothing to fear from me.”

“But you are a
Human
.”

“Don’t believe everything you’ve heard about us.”

“After what I just saw, I cannot help but believe.”

Riyad shrugged. “You have a point there. But for now, help me seal up this room. I wouldn’t want you to be associated with the death of these three. After all, we are partners now, my young Tel’oran friend.”

Canos didn’t seem too pleased with the comment. In fact, Riyad thought he was about to faint….

********

Alien and Human left the small cubicle a few minutes later, having done their best to make it appear vacant and the booth unused. They skipped the next five booths so none of the buyers there would remember them if asked. At the sixth, Riyad walked hurriedly up to the buyer and placed one of the monitors in his hand.

“I have three hundred more just like this. They’re yours as a gift. If you like them, then I will be back in six months with a shipment of one-hundred thousand more, which I will sell to you exclusively.”

Canos and Riyad quickly unloaded the boxes of monitors in front of the still-speechless alien. Riyad then grabbed Canos by the arm and literally planted him in the passenger seat of the cart. They drove away before the open-mouthed Lucon could say a word.