by T. R. Harris
And according to the Klin—who had searched the galaxy for thousands of years looking for just this strange type of mutated creature—the Kracori and the Humans were unique, an entirely separate class of being beyond Prime: Super-Prime; or as the Klin called them, Prime-D.
Comparing the Kracori directly to the Humans—as Nomar was now doing—he found the designation to be confusing at best. The Kracori were much more massive, taller and with a toughness to their skin that made them perfect examples of what Prime-D’s should be. But not so the Humans. They appeared smaller and weaker than the bulk of races making up the galaxy. Yet Nomar was wise enough to know that looks are deceiving. These tiny pink creatures had once conquered the galaxy, defeating the combined forces of the Juireans, the Kracori and the Klin. And they did it as newcomers to the galactic community.
No matter what impressions they exuded, the Humans were not to be underestimated nor discounted. They were every bit the equal of the Kracori, even if the pride of most did not let their Legends admit such.
Daninf was the first to approach the alien. He stood from his chair and walked up to the Human, who wore a bloodied green cloth around his bare chest, while displaying a prominent and angry gash on his forehead. Nomar had already received the report of how the Humans had escaped their cell moments before, only to be recaptured with the help of Nigel McCarthy. Indeed, the Humans were a dangerous species, and according to all indications, the one standing in the room with him was one of the most-lethal of them all.
“I am former-Langril Daninf Kicon. I was the Langril at the time of our foray to Juir and the time of the Human-Juirean War.”
“Nice to meet you,” the Human said. “How’s your day going?”
Both of the Kracori blinked their eyes rapidly, at a loss as to the incongruent tone of the alien. “My day is going well, especially with the capture of you and your associates.”
“I imagine it would. You should be congratulated. We are not that easy to catch.”
Daninf looked to Nomar with an expression of confusion. Nomar simply shook his head.
The former Langril turned back to the Human. “Would you care to take a seat? We have had very little interaction with Humans and our curiosity is heightened, yet it is your particular contribution to Kracori-Human relations that is of most concern to us.” Nomar noticed that Daninf’s tone had grown more severe as his sentence progressed, his demeanor now returning to normal.
The Human sat at the end of a long sofa, while Nomar remained seated in his large status-chair with Daninf pacing the floor.
“This sofa is very soft and comfortable. Needless to say, I have had a very rough few hours and this is truly a relief.”
“Stop what you are doing!” Daninf cried out.
“I’m not doing anything, just sitting here. My apologies if I’ve upset you in any way.”
“No, I mean stop being ... pleasant. You are a Human, the enemy. I know that your species does not normally interact such as this. You are trying to confuse us.”
The Human shook his head. “How do you want me to act? I am your prisoner, on your homeworld ... and you are the Kracori. You are not some inferior race like so many others throughout the galaxy. Our two races should be brothers—allies—instead of enemies.”
“We just attacked your homeworld and killed over a billion of your kind!” Nomar said, speaking for the first time.
The Human considered him for a moment before responding. “As I see it, we left you little choice. If we had found Elision before you came to Earth, we would have done the same to you. It’s simply what we do to survive.” The Human grinned. “We haven’t been introduced. I am Adam Cain.”
“I am Langril Nomar Polimic. And I know who you are. I don’t know what you hope to accomplish with this direction you are taking, but it will not work. Your fleet is due to arrive here in a few short months. Humans are the enemy of the Kracori race and no amount of silly conversation will change that.”
“That is correct,” Daninf confirmed. “And it was you, personally, who convinced your fleet to forgo its return to Earth and to continue to Juir. It was you who stole the Kracori Legend as rulers of the Expansion, making us appear weak in the eyes of the galaxy.”
“And it was you, personally, who issued the death-veil upon our race,” Nomar continued, “keeping us from even revealing ourselves to the rest of the galaxy when the time for doing so was at hand. For eight hundred years we had waited for that moment, promised by the Klin that if we waited we would share in their domination of the Expansion. While other races were traveling the galaxy, building empires and alliances, we remained hidden in the Dysion Void, known only to a few members of the Nebula community.”
The alien looked back and forth between the Langril and the former-Langril. “To me, this has all been the fault of the Klin. They’re the ones who devised this entire crazy scenario of replacing the Juireans. They couldn’t do it on their own, so they used both our races for their own purposes. My race had suffered over two billion deaths because of that, and your race is about to possibly meet its end, all because of the Klin.”
Nomar found the opportunity to smile for the first time since the Human entered the room. “I am pleased to see that you are still under the misguided impression that the Kracori are in danger. I assure you we are not.”
“McCarthy said you are aware that the Juireans are fast approaching the Nebula. They will arrive before the Humans.”
“Yes, we know this. As a matter of fact, we have known this even before McCarthy came to us with the news. You see, there are factions within the Expansion who do not wish to see the Juireans return to power—including the current Administrator of the Expansion.”
“Kroekus!” the Human exclaimed, for the first time breaking his aura of confidence.
“Yes, Kroekus. He informed us of the impending Juirean invasion weeks before McCarthy. He has even helped enlist mercenaries to help in our effort to repeal the attack.” Nomar looked to his associate. He knew that Daninf would find more pleasure in revealing the truth to the Human, as a way of diminishing his Legend before his final demise.
Daninf stopped his pacing in front of the alien. “You may have noticed that Elision is extremely difficult to reach. We are protected by the Dysion Shield as are few places. Ships of war cannot pass through without their gravity wells disrupting the very essence of the Shield. Simply passing through the barrier makes all the prior charts obsolete. That is why Guild navigators are so sought after in our society.
“The only reliable passage is through the Volseen Corridor between the planet Volsee and here, and that passage is located twenty-three light-years within the boundary of the Nebula. The Kracori currently have thirty-one of the forty-two Nebula races contributing defensive forces against the Juireans—and against the Humans. The others are supplying material goods to assist in our effort. In addition, we are enlisting the help of mercenaries from outside the region, many with the blessing of Kroekus, as mentioned before.”
“I can’t believe Kroekus is helping you.”
“I ask what happens to his power base if the Juireans are successful in reestablishing their position within the Expansion? He will lose all he has and will have to return to Silea, if the Juireans do not arrest him for high treason. He may not like Kracori, but he fears the Juireans even more.
“So you see, Adam Cain, Elision is very safe, from both the Juireans and the Human fleet.”
It was now the Human’s turn to look confused. Gone was his relaxed demeanor, replaced by a look of anger. “So when McCarthy revealed the coordinates to Elision it wasn’t such a tragedy after all?”
“We have always been prepared to reveal ourselves—until the time you made that dangerous for us to do so. Yet when the time did come, we welcomed it. We are now allowed to put our defensive strategies into action. And when the Juirean fleet is destroyed—and need I say it, the Humans as well—then the Kracori will finally be free to assert our control over the Expansion
.”
“Was McCarthy part of your plan all along?”
“No, he was not, yet he did play a part in helping to speed up the timetable. However, it is the Kracori who are well-prepared for the defense of our world, unlike the cobbled together elements of the invasion fleets.”
“Are you going to let him go?”
It seemed to Nomar that the Human was more concerned about the welfare of Nigel McCarthy than he was about that of his fleet—or even of himself. “Yes, we are honoring our commitment. It is a small price to pay to have a traitorous Human working for us. But he will leave within a few hours, never to be heard from again.”
“Where’s he going?” The Human’s tone had suddenly turned as cold as ice. Again, Nomar was confused.
“He is leaving to meet with Kroekus. It is my understanding they have a new business venture they are pursuing as partners. Kroekus knows that if the Kracori are victorious, then it will be we who assume control of the Expansion, replacing him. However, in our case we will allow Kroekus to retain much of his wealth, as long as he agrees not interfere with the politics of the galaxy henceforth. He and McCarthy will be gone and nevermore a concern for the Kracori.”
The Human forced a slight grin. “Since we are all being perfectly honest here, why don’t we make a deal. McCarthy is a mortal enemy of mine, more so than even the Kracori. So allow me and my men to go free and we will not interfere with your plans for galactic domination. Instead, we will hunt down and kill Nigel McCarthy.”
The two Kracori leaders looked at each other, stunned by the Human’s bold suggestion. It was Nomar who formulated a response. “Adam Cain, you are a truly fearless creature. Here you sit in the presence of the most supreme beings of your enemy—and we are your enemy—and you wish to make a deal, as you call it. That is to ignore the recent attack on your homeworld just so may kill one of your own kind. McCarthy is of no concern to us, whether he lives or dies. You, however, are a concern. No, Adam Cain, there will be no deal. You will die here on Elision, and very soon. I do appreciate your hatred for Nigel McCarthy, yet that is a hatred you will have to pursue on another plane of existence, if your race believes in such things.”
Daninf now made a gesture as if he wanted to add to the diatribe. “Legend is paramount to the Kracori, both on an individual level and on a larger scale for the entire race. By your prior acts you have diminished our Legend on various levels. Both Nomar and I had bloodlings aboard the strike force that recently attacked your planet. Very few returned. How you were able to overcome the attack is a mystery to us, yet it was you again who was responsible. How one individual can play such a significant role in the affairs of the galaxy for so long is inconceivable to me. And yet in nearly every major event for the past twelve standard years, your name has appeared. How do you explain that?”
“Just lucky, I guess,” the Human replied, this time exposing a full smile with his teeth visible to all. Whether he meant the challenge to intimidate the two leaders, Nomar did not know. The Kracori did not subscribe to such foolish displays of territory and superiority. He had once believed neither did the Humans. This was just one more paradox surrounding this strange, mutant race.
“Our time with you has been interesting, and I must confess, confusing as well,” Nomar said looking to his colleague. “I wonder if we have gained any insight into your race. I cannot see how we have after all the incongruities in your manner. However, our time is finished. We are important beings with important things to do. Wasting it with further useless banter with a walking corpse is not one of them. I regret that you will not be alive to witness the final outcome of this millennia-long struggle for control of the galaxy—”
“I’d be willing to stick around for a while longer, just to see for myself.”
Nomar’s train of thought was broken by the alien’s rude interruption. He gathered his thoughts again and continued. “No, that would not be wise, not considering your propensity for pulling victory out of defeat.”
“Yeah, but you’ve laid out your plans so well, so impressively. It would be a shame to not show them off to someone who can truly appreciate them.”
Daninf waved his hand in front of the Human. “That will not happen. You are to die, and die soon. It would be foolish for the Langril to allow you to live one moment longer than is necessary.”
Nomar cringed slightly at Daninf’s absolute assertion over the authority of his title. After so many years of having the final say in all Kracori affairs, Nomar could forgive his mentor. However, the decision was Nomar’s to make, not Daninf’s.
“I would like nothing more than to see the look on your face when the Kracori are victorious,” Nomar said. Daninf jerked his head in Nomar’s direction, a look of fiery anger in his eyes.
“You cannot be serious, Polimic?”
The use of Nomar’s minor name, especially in front of an alien, was insulting. Nomar locked his jaw and fought to control his heartbeat. “Forgive me, former-Langril Daninf, but I believe the final decision rests with me.”
“This is Adam Cain! You cannot be considering sparing his life?”
“Of course I am not. All I may consider is a reprieve, only until we have secured victory. Wouldn’t you gain more satisfaction seeing him completely destroyed emotionally, rather than this overconfident persona that has been toying with us this entire session?”
“And that is why he is so dangerous, my Ludif,” Daninf said, finally returning to an address of respect. “Every moment he and his colleagues remain alive they are a potential threat to us.”
“Listen to yourself, Daninf. They are only five Humans on an entire planet of Kracori. And they are a threat to us?”
“History is my guide, Nomar. Leaving them alive, even for a few days longer, could prove to be disastrous.”
Nomar couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He knew that Daninf was growing old, yet he was not aware that paranoia now ruled his mind. The old Kracori had once ruled an entire race of superior warriors, the apex predators of the entire galaxy. Now he was cowering in fear of one frail-looking and injured alien, along with his four associates, one of which could barely walk. This was hardly the actions of a sane Kracori. And it was an insult to the Legend of the Kracori that such fear would be exhibited.
“Daninf, my Ludif, you have more experience with the Human species than do I, and yet the time when the Human fleet roamed the galaxy and the Kracori did the bidding of the Klin is over. We now control our destiny, and all that is transpiring within the Nebula of our design now, not others. I feel compelled now to temporarily spare the lives of the Humans—just to prove you wrong. I cannot accept that this small band of aliens could be a threat to us. I hope this does not cause an irreparable divide between us, but I am granting the stay of execution until the time I see fit to rescind that order.”
Nomar could see that Daninf was beyond angry. He shook in his stance, glaring first at Nomar and then at the Human. The Langril feared that Daninf was about to attack the Human bare-handed, within the Langril’s chambers. His mouth dropped open slightly, as he contemplated what he would do if Daninf struck.
And yet the moment passed. Daninf stopped shaking and he firmed his mouth and jaw. “You are the Langril, at least for now,” Daninf said. “I will obey your directives, even as I fail to respect them.”
“Daninf, your comments are treasonous! How can you say these things to me?”
“I am old, my Ludif. I have witnessed things and had to live with such a tragic loss of Legend as you cannot imagine. And it has all been because of this creature sitting here. I will withdraw my comments and support your decision ... if when the time comes it will be by my hand that Adam Cain dies. Otherwise, I will oppose you with all my power and in all decisions you make.”
“I do not take lightly to threats, Daninf.”
“We have been Ludif-mates for many years, Nomar. You know I do not act unreasonably very often. However, this creature brings out the savage in me. For our legacy, please gra
nt me this one request.”
“Of course, Daninf, you may kill the Humans, yet only when I allow it. Is that understood?”
“Perfectly, my Langril. And after the battle is concluded, and the Humans are dead, I will submit myself to you for whatever punishment you decide is appropriate.”
Nomar stepped up to the old Kracori. “You have let your emotions rule you today. That can be forgiven, at least here and in private. I will not seek retribution. However, I will be on guard to detect any disrespect of my authority and position while in public, and also for any subterfuge should you decide to pursue an undermining of my office.”
“I have held your position myself, Nomar I will not do anything to affect your office. As long as I can put an end to the life of Adam Cain, I will be satisfied.”
Nomar turned to Adam Cain, who had been sitting on the sofa with his legs crossed and an arm propped along the backrest, listening to the argument with an amused grin and a sparkle in his eye. “I am paying a terrible price for allowing you to live for a few days more, yet your continued survival is not a necessity. If I detect even a minor infraction of your imprisonment, I will hand the blade to Daninf myself and delight in his evisceration of your innards. Do I make myself clear?”
“Crystal,” Adam Cain answered.
Nomar and Daninf looked at each other again, embarrassed to ask the alien to explain himself further. Rather, Nomar barked out a call to the guards outside the room and the obstinate Human was quickly hauled away. And then with Daninf also out of the room, Nomar collapsed in his chair and took a deep breath. That did not go as I had planned. Not nearly so.
And as he turned to stare out the large glass window in his chambers at the brightening morning sky, he hazarded a passing thought: What other plans of mine will not go as expected?
