The War of Pawns (The Human Chronicles -- Book Three) (21 page)

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Overlord Yan’wal proceeded into the Human stellar system with extreme caution. The extermination of the Human race was his mission, but first his forces would have to fight their way through whatever defenses the Humans would employ.

In all the history of his people, the Juireans had only exterminated five other races before. The first had been the Klin, while the other four had come after prolonged wars with these races. By the time victory had come, the Juireans knew everything they needed to know about their opponents and their capabilities. Many of these defeated enemies were in such an advance state of ruination that eliminating the last remaining strongholds of alien life was all that was required. But in every instance, the targets of the Juirean vengeance had been known commodities.

Not so the Humans.

Yan’wal had traveled 1,400 light years to arrive at this very moment in his destiny, and yet he still knew next to nothing about the Humans and of their homeworld. The spacecraft that the so-called negotiators had been aboard was of a very advanced design, and the bolts it fired at his hapless battlecruiser had been of an intensity he had never before encountered. And so he approached the planet Earth very carefully, with every sensor in his fleet tuned to detect the smallest gravity signature, something that would warn them of any incoming attack.

Yan’wal’s forces were surrounding the system, with only a few ships approaching the planet through the ecliptic plane. The Human forces could be hiding behind any myriad of planets, moons or asteroids along that path. So the bulk of his force approached the planet from above and below the ecliptic, gaining a clearer approach to the planet with fewer places for defenders to hide.

But as they drew closer to the planet, they found nothing to oppose them. This made Yan’wal very suspicious, and he ordered Canel to maintain an even stronger vigil, something the Strategist was at a loss as to how to implement.

But then the planet was before them, and still no defenders.

“My Lord,” Strategist Canel was saying, “we detect hundreds of satellites, mostly for communications, and all employing the primitive carrier wave technology. Also, we’re currently plotting literally
millions
of population centers across the planet. The Human population is being estimated to be several billion.”

“My Lords!” a tech called out. “We have incoming targets lifting from the planet’s surface.”

Finally
, Yan’wal thought.

He and Canel looked up at the main tactical screen, as a graphic of slowly-lengthening lines appeared on the display leaving the surface. There were hundreds of them.

“Assessment,” Yan’wal called out to the analysts. After a moment, their leader answered.

“My Lord, they appear to be missiles of some sort, probably nuclear according to the readings, and using chemical drives.” The tech’s voice sounded incredulous.

“Calculate the speed of targets,” Canel ordered, after watching the attack lines grow in an almost slow-motion fashion.

“None are approaching at even standard chemical velocity, much lower in fact.”

“Lock onto the approaching targets, and fire when ready,” Canel announced to the fleet from his command station.

A few seconds later, the tac screen now included the track lines of energy bolts emanating from the hundreds of ships encircling the planet, and a few seconds later, all the targets were destroyed.

The creatures on the bridge waited silently, staring at the tac screen, waiting for the next wave of either missiles, or more advanced weapons, to be sent their way. But none came.

Yan’wal moved to Canel’s command station and looked over his shoulder. “What is your next action?” Yan’wal asked.

“Since they do not appear to have any substantial planetary defensives, I suggest we commence the bombardment as soon as possible. Their fleet may be off-station, and in route as we speak. But, My Lord, there are so many targets, it will take dozens of loads just to destroy one average-size settlement.”

Yan’wal was afraid of this. Even though he had 500 warships in his fleet, he had had no idea what it would take to defeat the Humans. Even with 500 ships, bombarding around the clock, it would take several days to saturate all the settlements on the surface below. The problem came from the energy it took to create bolts of bombardment grade, and their rate of fire. Each of his ships could only generate three to four B-grade bolts at a time before having to recharge the batteries for a full hour, if not longer. And all the time they spent in orbit, bombarding the planet below, just gave whatever fleet the Humans may have that much more time to come to the planet’s defense.

Of course, the Juireans could have used nuclear weapons on the planet, yet that would then render it useless for many years. That option had never really been a consideration, not unless it became absolutely necessary. And in light of the literal non-resistance experienced so far, Yan’wal completely dismissed it from his mind.

“Commence bombardment,” Yan’wal ordered, “concentrating on the largest population centers first, as well as any military installations we can detect from orbit.”

“There appear to be thousands of landing strips of various lengths spread across the entire planet, along with an untold number of watercraft along the shores. I have analysts studying the images to determine which are warcraft and which are not. But, My Lord, I do not detect
any
spaceports or concentrations of spacecraft anywhere on the planet.”

Yan’wal was silent for a long moment as he digested the information. “Proceed with the bombardment, Canel, but keep our primary attention focused out-system, watching for any gravity traces at all. Our mission is to eliminate the Human race. If this turns out to be an easier task than anticipated, then that is fully acceptable. Yet the Humans can be deceptive. Maintain your vigil. I will be in my quarters. Inform me of any changes.”

“Yes, My Lord.” Canel watched as his station monitor began to display the trails from the first white-hot balls of energy as they began their descent toward the surface of the planet Earth. He shared the Overlord’s concern for the lack of defenses they had found so far. It was inconceivable that the Humans would not have more advanced methods, especially considering the advanced design of the negotiator’s ship they had just encountered. He knew, as did the Overlord, that the technology for such a ship existed
somewhere
in the region. The fact that the Humans were not employing it at this time only added to his concern.

In the meantime, the Human race was about to suffer incalculable terror, destruction and loss of life. If they
had
the means to defend themselves, one would think they would have employed it by now…

Chapter Thirty

At the meeting in the Pentagon, the Klin ambassador had said the Juireans would be to Earth in six days, so on the morning of that sixth day, Adam was literally climbing the walls of his makeshift prison cell.

Tobias had returned to the building two days before and told them about the negotiating team being sent up to meet with the Juireans, something Adam knew it was just a waste of time. The Klin would never let the Humans and Juireans negotiate a truce. If they did, then the two races would be able to compare notes, and realize that it had been the Klin all along who were playing them both for fools.

So the negotiations were destined to fail. The planet
would
be attacked by the Juireans, of this Adam was sure.

Adam also had no doubt that Hampton Roads would be one of the primary targets. With seven major military installations in the area, the Juireans would be foolish not to lay waste to the area. Even if the Human military apparatus was no threat to them sitting in orbit, the destruction of the main American military force would be a symbolic victory.

Adam looked over at a dozing Riyad Tarazi. He had been strangely quiet for the past few days, seemingly lost in his own thoughts. And Adam had only been able to speak with Sherri through the thin walls separating their two rooms.

The other men in the building – the non-converts – had begun to grow restless. Adam could hear them protesting loudly to the guards regarding phone calls to their relatives. These men had also been abducted, and they too, wanted to let their families know they were alive and well. Adam could hear the bureaucrats explain to them that it would only be a day or so longer before they would be released. After all, the knowledge of alien life in the universe was something that had to be disclosed very carefully to the world public. If they released the men now to tell their stories, either the shock would be too much for the populace to accept, or the men themselves would be consider crackpots and tin-foil-hat lunatics.

They never explained to the men about the impending Juirean attack, or about the negotiations going on in outer space. The men knew the Juireans were coming, but they had no idea they were only hours away.

All Adam could do now was wait. If the negotiations failed – as he knew they would – Adam was confident Lt. Tobias would call Maria. She would be safe, or at least he kept telling himself that. As far as his own welfare, Adam was exhausted to the point of giving up. If the Juireans attacked, he would be labeled a traitor. And if the Klin came to their rescue before the attack, he would still be called a traitor. The narrative fit too well within the Klin game plan.

So either way, Adam Cain was screwed.

Around four o’clock in the afternoon, an E-1 brought in some food for Adam and Riyad. Adam didn’t feel like eating – he was too nervous as the attack deadline approached – but the country fried steak and gravy really did smell inviting. Since arriving back on Earth, Adam had savored every bite of real Human food. Even after a week, he still considered every meal a gourmet treat fit for a king.

“So, the time must be drawing near, my friend,” Riyad said as he cut into a piece of the batter-covered meat.

“I didn’t think you noticed; you’ve been pretty quiet recently.”

“Just making peace with myself and my God.”

“It’s not over yet. They may miss us initially, and then the Klin will act. Don’t give up yet.”

Riyad smiled. “And what if we
are
spared? What prospects do we have for returning to our normal lives?”

“Normal life – you?” Adam smiled back. He had grown fond of Riyad over the months, even if he could never forgive him for his terrorist past. But people change as their situations change, and boy had their situations changed over the past several years! Adam knew he could trust Riyad to have his back, and that was one of the greatest compliments one person could give to another.

“But you’re right,” Adam said. “We would have been better off to stay in space and ride this thing out. Hell, I probably could have contacted Maria some other way by now, even by carrier pigeon if need be. As long as she’s safe, I don’t really care too much about what happens to me.”

“You know that’s not true, Adam. You have a survival instinct that’s stronger than most. And you certainly do not like to lose.”

“You got that right. That’s always been a big complaint of the people I deal with. If there’s a way to win, I’ll usually find it.”