Human Chronicles Part 2 Book 3: A Galaxy to Conquer by T. R. Harris Read Free Book Online

all? Thanks to your Riyad Tarazi, you do not have enough ruiens available to make me even consider such an undertaking. I will draw you charts and provide other insights, yet I will not be accompanying you on your journey. Is that understood?”
    Jym snorted loudly. Kaylor and Ruszel watched for a moment as the tiny bear began to pace the room. When he said nothing, they turned back to one another.
    “You owe everything you now have to Riyad Tarazi, even your life. How can you let him suffer in a Kracori prison when you have the opportunity to join a team that can save him?”
    “As I have stated, I am saddened by his circumstance, yet even if I had the willingness to join your quest, I have grave doubts as to its possibility of success.”
    “You mentioned that the Kracori are now in the process of soliciting allies in their war with the Humans,” Kaylor said. “Is Tel’or among the supporters?”
    Kaylor noticed the pilot hesitate before answering. “It has not been decided, yet the possibility is growing stronger with each passing day. I do not know how much experience you have had dealing with the Humans, but from my brief experience with Riyad, I can say they are a savage and dangerous race who will stop at nothing to achieve their goals. I truly believe that the entire Nebula is now at risk, as do many of my fellow Tel’orans. Yet either way, I will be unaffected. I will simply leave the Nebula until the conflict is concluded.”
    Kaylor attempted a smile. “Yes, Ruszel, I too, have had experience with the Humans, and far more than you. They are often misunderstood and frequently underestimated. Yet I have found that they often do the things they do because they have been forced to, not because they want to.”
    “In the end, that does not matter—”
    “We are wasting time, Kaylor!” Jym suddenly shouted, while lifting a heavy metal lamp and holding it threateningly in Ruszel’s direction. “Let us just take him!”
    Stunned only momentarily, Ruszel stretched out a wide grin. “Put that down,” he ordered. “You are now threatening me within my own residence.” His expression turned more serious as he looked back to Kaylor and withdrew the MK-17 flash weapon from its holster around his waist. “In light of your companion’s rude behavior, I believe I will rescind my offer of charts and other assistance and insist that you both leave immediately. I will have my guards escort you off my property.”
    Kaylor remained seated, with a calm unconcerned expression on his face. He slowly nodded. “I agree,” he said, rising to his feet. Ruszel stood as well, a smug look on his face with the weapon still aimed squarely at Kaylor’s chest. “I agree,” he repeated. “We must take him now; we have no more time to waste.”
    The comment caught Ruszel off guard. “The two of you are crazy; I will call my guards and be within my rights to shoot you down where you stand.”
    “Take your weapon, Jym, and stand by the door. I’ll release the lock when you are ready.”
    Ruszel’s mouth fell open as his eyes grew wide. He watched in horror as Kaylor turned his back on him and went to stand at the end of the long sofa where Ruszel had been sitting. “Call your guards now.” Kaylor commanded.
    “Did you not hear me? I said I could kill you myself … and I would be within my rights.”
    Kaylor turned and took a step closer to the pilot. Ruszel raised the flash weapon, pointing it directly at Kaylor’s face. “Go ahead then, kill me,” Kaylor said calmly.
    Anger flared up in Ruszel. He squeezed the grip of the handgun even tighter, yet he did not pull the trigger.
    “Do it!” Kaylor yelled, taking another step closer.
    Finally, Ruszel fingered the trigger, and as Kaylor was expecting, nothing happened.
    A look of utter shock crossed Ruszel’s face. He began to finger the trigger even more until he pulled the weapon back and checked the battery level. It was full.
    Kaylor had had enough. He stepped