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

is futile .”

 

    Chapter 5

    F ormilian ships were common at the major spaceports on Tel’or, having supplied the Juddle Nebula with advanced electronic devices for over two hundred years. So when the Formilian spaceship dropped down among the myriad of other craft in the spaceport, no one paid it any undue attention. In fact, the spaceport was a beehive of activity, with hundreds of vessels coming and going—mainly going—with looks of concern painted on the faces of the dozens of species frequenting the grounds.
    Adam felt good stepping out onto the surface of a planet after thirty days in space. The gravity of Tel’or was Juirean-standard, placing it at about point seventy-five that of Earth; the air was warm and rich in oxygen, although laced with a strong trace of chemical propellant here in the spaceport. Adam didn’t mind; he took in the wide open sky and sweeping views before being approached by a slender creature with prominent blues veins threading his thin, white skin and two dangling appendages below each ear.
    “Kaylor, my friend, it’s good to see you again,” Adam said, stretching out a grin while keeping his teeth covered with his lips.
    “The same, Adam,” Kaylor said, although his expression displayed more concern than joy.
    Adam picked up on the expression. “Any luck in finding Ruszel?” he asked, expecting the worst.
    “Oh, yes, that has been accomplished. He is with Jym now in the Pegasus .”
    “Then why the gloomy face?”
    “The pilot says that the Kracori have revealed themselves to the Nebula and are now seeking allies against any attacks.”
    “Does he know about the Juireans?”
    “No, he—they—are still expecting the Humans to strike first.”
    Adam looked around at the various aliens beginning to move within his landing zone now that the ship had come to a rest. With a high hood draped over his short crop of blond hair, he wondered how many of them would even recognize a Human if they saw one? None seemed to be paying them any attention. “Kroekus told me the same. Do you know if Tel’or is one of their allies?”
    “Not yet, according to Ruszel, but the trend appears to be in that direction. It is best that we depart Tel’or as quickly as possible.”
    Adam took Kaylor by the arm and pulled him over next to the still warm and creaking hull of the Formilian ship. “Something’s come up, Kaylor, something that will require you and Jym to stay here for the time being.”
    Kaylor’s eyes grew wide. “We are not to accompany you and Ruszel?”
    “Kroekus has arranged for other passage, and with an informant who has been to Elision. He has a ship and access codes to get us to the surface.”
    “So you do not need Ruszel? We did all this for nothing!”
    “Not for nothing; I haven’t met this informant yet nor verified his information. Ruszel—along with you and Jym—will serve as a backup in case anything goes wrong.”
    “So we stay on Tel’or ... and wait?”
    “Only for a few days.”
    “And we keep Ruszel a prisoner for that time?”
    “Prisoner?”
    “Yes, he did not come voluntarily.”
    Adam smiled. So the two passive aliens had come through in a pinch—more-than-likely the result of their ATD’s. “Good work, Kaylor. I would have preferred that he came voluntarily, but under the circumstances, you did great.”
    Kaylor was unaccepting of the compliment. “But we want to contribute to the rescue efforts, and with Tel’or about to align with the Kracori, it may be more dangerous to remain here.”
    Kaylor had a point, Adam thought. The Pegasus was a unique ship, one that would evoke suspicion if the natives began to look for Human sympathizers.
    “Fine. Launch in the Pegasus , but only shadow us. Wait on this side of the Dysion Shield and only come through if we need you.” He placed a hand on the shoulder of the alien he’d known the longest. “Just having you watching my back will give me a lot of comfort. And with the reckless nature of