The War of Pawns (The Human Chronicles -- Book Three) (40 page)

“Correct. But you can also consider the fifty-million as an initial investment in our new partnership.”

“What partnership?”

Riyad took time to look around at Adam and at the other SEALs surrounding them. He made sure that Kroekus did so as well. “You are a very well-connected and powerful being in The Fringe. As such, you are probably already aware of the attack on my homeworld of Earth by the Juirean fleet.”

“Yes, I am aware. The Juireans appear to be in a panic in this part of The Expansion.”

“What I’m offering you, Kroekus, is an opportunity to join the winning side in the coming conflict between the Juireans and the Humans. As you can see from our encounter tonight, plus the annihilation of the Juirean fleet, it will be the Humans who come out on top.”

“I don’t understand what you mean.”

“I know that you will be making a hefty profit from the coming war. Most creatures like you usually do, and usually from both sides. But I want you to work for us. Go ahead and make your profit off the Juireans – as I know you will. But we need you to relay any and all information regarding the Juireans and their allies to us.”

Kroekus blinked several times. “You just want me to send you information – to spy for you – that’s all?”

“That’s all. And for that, I will pay
you
twenty-five million credits.”

“Out of the credits that you say I owe you?”

“Now you’re catching on.”

Kroekus managed a thin grin of his own. He had now reached a point where he knew he would survive the evening. “Is there anything
else
you need to negotiate for tonight, with the credits
I
owe you?”

“No, that will do it for now. I just need you to release the ownership of the three starships to General Angar’s pilots, and to make arrangements for the delivery of twenty-five million credits to one of the ships.”

“And I suppose you want me to do this now, before we part ways tonight?”

“Of course.”

Riyad led Kroekus to his transport, where the bloated alien squeezed into the backseat. He took a communicator, and after a few moments of conversation – with Riyad and Adam listening to every word – the transaction was complete.

“It will take about half an hour for the credits to arrive at the ships.” Kroekus had returned to his old, cocky self. He looked at Adam.

“I once remarked that there was a whole world of your kind out there somewhere, while thinking what a formidable force that would be. It seems my instincts were correct.”

Adam nodded. “One thing you will learn about my kind, Kroekus, is that we may not go out looking for a fight, but we certainly will finish it once it starts. Humans are made for fighting, and this conflict that’s coming will be like nothing the galaxy has ever seen before.”

“That I am sure, Adam Cain.”

Adam leaned in closer to the alien. “Then keep that in mind when the time comes to betray us. No matter how long it takes, we will get our revenge.”

Adam could see the mighty crime boss swallow hard, as a look of fear flashed in his eyes. Hopefully, Adam thought, Kroekus got the message.

Riyad stepped up to the open door of the transport. “Just confirmed delivery of the money, and the ships are lifting off. Angar, I’ll have your credits at the rendezvous point.”

He then leaned into the doorway and smiled at Kroekus. “So long, and thanks for all the ships!”

Chapter Fifty-Four

Adam and his crew were to rendezvous with Angar’s pirates at their burned out base on Dimloe. Angar hadn’t been too happy about that, not with the surface gravity on that planet being so damned oppressive for his kind. But a payday of 10-million credits was worth a little discomfort.

The Exitor-class spaceships were some of the largest ships that could comfortably land upon a planetary surface, and when Adam and his men got a good look at them from ground level, they were truly impressed. Long and sleek, the ships measured approximately 100 meters in length with a beam covering 35 meters. There was a wide forward view port where the bridge was located, and the Humans could see no fewer than four forward bolt turrets, two on each side of the bridge. There was a long, low dorsal-like fin running almost the entire length of the vessel, which housed the electronics and scanning arrays. A full one-third of the rear section of the ship was comprised of the gravity generators, separated by the landing bay right at the rear of the ship.

These ships were fresh off the line, and their surface hulls shimmered with the sparkle of pristine silver paint. Adam’s SEALs were so new to the reality of space travel that they walked around the mean-looking ships with expressions of awe and wonder. Even the concept artists at some Hollywood special effects company could not have designed more impressive spaceships.

And now they belonged to Adam and his raiders.

Angar landed a few hours later in his own Exitor-class ship, albeit in less pristine condition. His had been acquired several years before Riyad joined the pirate ranks, during a merchant ambush in the Void. Since then, it had been through numerous raids and battles and was showing the signs of wear. It had been from this ship that the first bolts had been fired that disabled the Klin ship Adam had been on, allowing him to escape and live another day. If Adam had continued to Dimloe aboard the Klin ship, as a prisoner-abductee, there was no telling where he would be today.

Angar approached Riyad and Adam through the blackened and debris strewn landing field of the base, a look of anger still drawn across his hairy face.

“I hope you’re satisfied,” he barked out at Riyad. “I doubt if Kroekus will ever trust me again – for anything!”

Riyad just grinned back at the Nimorian. “Relax, Angar. With 10-million credits, you no longer need to lead the life of a pirate, and can retire to a paradise of your choosing.”

“I don’t want to retire. I like what I do.”

Riyad easily lifted the box that contained the credits and set it in front of his former associate. In his rush to leave the presence of the Humans, Angar reached forward and grasped the box. But it slipped out of his hands and fell back to the floor. The weight of the credits, coupled with the added gravity of Dimloe had made the box heavier than the tiny alien could lift. He looked embarrassingly up at Riyad. “Could you help me out with this?”

“Of course, my friend,” Riyad said, as he effortlessly scooped the box up in his arms, and the two of them began the walk back to Angar’s ship. “But you really should consider joining us. As we go about our mission supporting our side in the coming war, I’m not opposed to us making some extra credits on the side.”

“I’m afraid not,” Angar answered immediately. “The Pirates have never taken sides in any conflict. That is why the Juireans have left us alone, for the most part.”

“As you wish, but the offer stands. But I have to warn you. I don’t think the Humans are going to respect your neutrality once the shooting starts. They will see you as just another force of aliens to be defeated.”

Angar stopped in his tracks. “Why would they do that? We intend them no harm.”

“I guess it would be the idea that ‘if you’re not with us, then you’re against us.’”

Angar plopped down on a set of crates that had survived the attack on the base nearly a year before. He looked defeated. “Maybe I
will
retire.”

Riyad sat down next to him, the box of credits in his lap. “Come on, Angar, join us. It will be fun. I could sure use your ships and your pirates. We made a pretty good team, you have to admit.”

Angar looked over at Riyad and attempted a smile. “Yes we did, for the most part.” Then his face turned serious. “But you often treated me very badly!”

“I’m sorry about that. But I’ve changed. I was very lost and frustrated at the time. Now I have a different set of priorities and a new perspective on life. I will even let you remain the
General
of the pirates…”

Angar was silent for several moments. “I can stay in charge? And I can still make credits?”

“Yes! This is wonderful, my friend. You have made a wise decision.”

“What do you want me to do?”

“Just stay in communication. Once we begin our operations, we will send instructions on how you can help. But in the meantime, anything you hear or see regarding Juirean troop movements, get those to me as soon as possible.” And then he flashed the widest grin he could without displaying his teeth. “But now, go spend some of these credits – and enjoy yourself. You’re a very wealthy Nimorian now!”

Chapter Fifty-Five

“What did he say?” Adam asked as Riyad rejoined him a few minutes later.

“He’s onboard,” Riyad said with a wide, toothy grin. “It looks like our little network of spies and resistance fighters is growing. I’m still not so sure of Kroekus, however.”

“Me neither. But he is a pragmatist, and as such will side with the winning team as soon as possible. We just have to make sure our team
is
the winning side.”

Riyad ran his hand along the smooth, cool surface of the nearest Exitor. “These will certainly help.”

Adam patted Riyad on the back, and then with a wide grin of his own said, “I was quite impressed with your negotiating skills. Remind me to never play poker with you. “

“Yes, it did turn out quite well. And we still have 15-million credits to operate on. But what now, Boss?”

“Let’s get these ships over to Viemon-2, and then go get the rest of the men – and women – from Calamore. The invasion should be only weeks away. We need to start making our presence felt in The Fringe. And I think I know just the place to start.”