The Legend of Earth (The Human Chronicles Saga -- Book 5) (32 page)

“What I mean is the authorities will likely pursue much harder.”

“Let them pursue us all the way to back to Earth,” Adam said. “I don’t care much about following the law. Just get us there Kaylor; we’ll do the rest.”

“Yes, Adam. And that also brings up a subject Jym and I have been discussing.”

Adam frowned at the tall alien. “Go on.”

“Jym and I will not be accompanying you to Earth. We cannot; it is such a long journey there and back. And with the galaxy in such disarray, we have decided to return to our home worlds to see if we can be of any assistance.”

Adam could find no argument to counter Kaylor’s heart-felt confession. The Humans aboard the small ship were themselves in a frantic quest to return to their home – what there was left of it. He should expect nothing less from Kaylor and Jym.

“I understand, Kaylor. All I ask is that you help us locate another ship, and then you can take this one back to your planets.” He smiled as he placed a reassuring hand on Kaylor’s shoulder. “We may also need a quick lesson or two on how to run the new ship. I’m sure it’s different from the Juirean battlecruiser we took back to Earth the last time.”

“This one will more likely be a freighter. I believe there are very few warships left in this part of the Expansion.”

“That’s fine. Let’s just hope all the ships haven’t bolted. Set the course, Kaylor.”

“A freighter, you say?” Riyad said. “That should make for an easier acquisition.”

Chapter 42

Kaddof was outside the headquarters spaceship enjoying a few moments of natural air and starshine when his personal communicator sounded. There was an urgent message coming in from Eilsion that required his immediate attention. He rushed back into the large disk and proceeded to the S/W comm room.

The monitor blipped once and then Daninf’s head appeared. In the past three days Kaddof had not had any further communications with the Langril. Instead, he had redeployed his forces and only hours ago had received word that over five thousand more Juireans had been killed across the planet just from their initial strikes. It was going to be a good day on Juir.

“Kaddof!” Daninf Kicon called out. “
The Humans have turned back toward Juir!”

Kaddof felt himself go weak. “This cannot be, my Ludif. Are you sure?”

“Of course. And not only have they turned, but approximately six hundred of their fastest units have broken off from the main fleet and are proceeding towards Juir at maximum well.”

“When will they arrive?”

“In just over thirty days, which is nearly a month sooner than originally expected.”

Kaddof’s mind was racing. Six-hundred Human ships….

“Only six hundred, my Ludif, our forces may be able to defeat them. I can muster over four hundred –
and we are Kracori!”

“And even if you could defeat them, after a pitched battle with the Humans, what forces would you have to stand against their
other nine-hundred
ships when they arrive a month later?” Daninf asked, shaking his head. “I am disappointed in you, Kaddof. I would have thought the Academy would have trained our officers better.”

“But Daninf,” Kaddof began, forgetting the formal greeting for the head of the Ludif Council, “that would mean we must again prepare to evacuate.”

“Precisely, and not only prepare, but to execute.”

“We still have time to inflict great suffering on the Juireans here on the planet. I will double our efforts and still have time to pull the forces—”

“No!” Daninf said. “Begin the withdrawal immediately. All forces must be clear of the area well before the Humans arrive. We cannot leave any trace gravity waves that can lead them to us. Survival of our planet is more important than kill a few more Juireans. Pull your troops now, Kaddof.”

Kaddof sat staring at Daninf’s stoic face on the monitor. He knew there was no use in arguing; the Council had decided and now he must obey. He nodded slightly to Daninf.

Impatient, Daninf himself nodded and then cut the transmission.

Kaddof lifted himself from the seat slowly and made his way to the exit. Mininof, Jonnif’s aide – and now his – was waiting in the corridor. “The Humans are coming this way,” Kaddof mumbled. “Resume all evacuation procedures.”

“Why are they playing such games with us, these Humans?”

“I do not know, Mininof, but now the Kracori
will
lose our legend. It will be tragic.”

“Yes, my Ludif. I will send out your orders.”

Kaddof left the spaceship and returned to the edge of the cliff, very near where Jonnif had thrown himself off into the abyss. The remains of Juir City still smoldered far below, yet now he could see large concentrations of his ground troops clustered off to the left of the ruins. Soon the shuttles would start ferrying them back to their troop carriers for the long journey back home. They had only been on-planet for six days; they would not welcome being stuffed back into the giant spaceships, especially after not having accomplished their mission – or feasted much upon the flesh of Juireans.

In frustration Kaddof bent down and lifted a large rock from the ground. He held it in his hand, marveling at how light it felt for its size. With the gravity of Juir about one-quarter less than that of Eilsion, Kaddof felt an exhilarating physical strength on this planet of the Juireans. He would have welcomed the chance to kill a native with his bare hands, just to feel his superiority over the Juirean. His orders were to begin the evacuation immediately, but he was sure he still had time for one of the ground units to bring him a captive Juirean to kill. He would welcome that – and it would also make for an appropriate departing meal for him and his fellow officers.

As he peered over the edge of the cliff, Kaddof also thought of Jonnif and what joy he would have received from engaging in the same act. Jonnif Vinn had been Kaddof’s mentor, and more like a father to him than simply a commander.

Jonnif was of the Kiconnif clan and had been raised with all the political privileges that came with his birthright. And even though he had been born with the strongest of legends, Jonnif Vinn was also a very good commander, having proven himself in many a contest and through extensive advanced training. In addition, he was also related to the Langril, so when the time came to lead the finally assault upon the Juireans and the Expansion, it was Jonnif who was naturally chosen to command.

Kaddof, on the other hand, was from the Hilfoif Tribe, and as such had not shared the same path to his present rank as had Jonnif. Jonnif had met Kaddof seventeen years before and had immediately spotted an exceptional fire burning within the younger Kracori officer. It was also no secret that Jonnif enjoyed Kaddof’s almost Ludif-like worship of his commander. He had contacts and influence and he had traveled extensively off-planet. Kaddof had been more than happy to serve as Jonnif’s understudy.

But now the broken and mutilated body of Jonnif Vinn lay in a freezer aboard the headquarters ship, awaiting return to Eilsion where it would be undoubtedly cast into an unmarked grave without fanfare or regard for legend. The line of Jonnif Vinn would end with him and it would end with shame.

Kaddof had to admit that Jonnif’s actions would bring about the destruction of the Kracori Legend, yet he was also sure that Jonnif had not meant that to be the case. But now he would be cast as the destroyer of the Kracori, and all because of a simple mistake. It just wasn’t fair.

And now, in spite of it all, Juireans
still
lived on the planet Juir….

As the anger grew within him, Kaddof reeled back and heaved the large rock into the air, out far beyond the edge of the cliff, further than any Juirean could have thrown. He watched as the stone arched out over empty space and then began the long fall toward the surface below. It landed with a series of echoing pings far down the cliff face, ricocheting and chipping other rocks in the process. Soon a mini-avalanche had formed, but one that quickly subsided.

However, as he watched the journey of the stone, Kaddof suddenly had an idea. His chest welled up, and as his head turned toward the sky, he let out a loud, primal Kracori battle cry, the angry sound echoing off into the distance.

He turned and hurried back to the spaceship. Kaddof had a plan, but he only had so much time to bring it to fruition.

Chapter 43

They entered the Primus-Lur system two days later and immediately picked up a score of gravity signatures heading in the opposite direction.

“Any of these contacts Class-5’s?” Riyad asked.

“I have not detected any yet,” Jym said from his station. “And I have a question for you, Riyad. Since no Class-5 can make landfall, this action will have to take place in space. How do you plan on accomplishing this?”

Tobias and Sherri were on the bridge with the aliens; they looked to Riyad and raised their eyebrows.

For an answer, Riyad tapped the top of Jym’s console. “We use this. We’re in a ship belonging to the race of beings who have just conquered the almighty planet Juir. We just make contact and demand they stop. If they don’t, then we will blast them from space.”

“But that would defeat your purpose. You want the ship intact and undamaged.”

“We would not actually fire upon the ship, my little friend. They just have to believe that we would.”

“But a Class-5 is very fast. They may choose to run.”

“Let’s just hope they don’t.”

“Suppose you did not come off so threatening?” Jym offered. “Then the pilot may not run and risk being fired upon.”

“Great idea, Jym. I will certainly consider that – once we find a candidate.”

Jym always seemed to perk up when complimented by the Humans. He turned to his console and renewed his scanning, but now with almost a whistle in his movements.

He suddenly leaned forward. “I believe I have found such a vessel, possibly two, moving in tandem.”