A Clash of Aliens (The Human Chronicles Book 13) (9 page)

“Yes.”

“At a spaceport?”

“Also yes.”

“Then let’s hold off doing anything until we get there. Then we’ll stash it aboard some other ship and let the Juireans follow them. A brilliant plan, if I say so myself.”

“They will know we’ve gone to Lasiter.”

“So what? They don’t know we’re looking for Syrus Jacs.”

Sherri and Arieel looked at each other and nodded. “Okay,” Sherri said. “Sounds like a plan. How much longer until we get to Lasiter? Just knowing that thing’s aboard gives me the creeps.”

“Fourteen hours in your magnificent starship,” Benefis reported.

“How soon before you’ll start making attempts to reach Syrus?”

“I will wait until we arrive. We may find luck and he will be on the planet. If that’s the case, I would not want to forewarn him. And if not, then we will appear at his headquarters and begin our inquiry.”

“And if they won’t talk?” Sherri asked.

“Then I will leave it up to you to make them change their minds.”

Sherri made an exaggerated show of licking her lips, if only to reinforce the Juirean’s impression of her as a cold-blooded killer. “Can’t wait. This could be fun.”

Benefis shook his head, then turned and left the engine room in disgust.

********

Overlord Ranor and his four accompanying vessels entered the Wokan star system, where they met up with another nine Juirean ships that were part of the tracking operation. There were another fourteen ships scattered throughout the Frontier, and each of them had the codes necessary to track the Human spacecraft.

“Where are they now?” Ranor demanded from his Second.

“They are just now arriving on a planet called Lasiter.”

“Do we know why they have gone there?”

“Our forces have retraced the steps they took while on Wokan…” He hesitated before continuing.

“Proceed, Wynn.”

“The natives did not welcome our inquires. There were casualties.”

“Juirean casualties!” Ranor bolted out of his chair and approached the comm station in a huff.

“Only one, my Lord. Yet we were required to subdue a mob, resulting in over three hundred dead from the various security forces in service within the city.”

Ranor calmed down. Only one Juirean casualty. That was regrettable, yet the natives paid a steep price for their lack of respect.

“Perhaps it is time Juir imposes more authority in this region, and if not throughout it all, then certainly on Wokan. Once our current mission is concluded, see to it that a squadron of ten vessels is stationed here. Let us remind these creature who holds the most power in the galaxy.”

“We were able to recover some information after the riot and its aftermath.”

“What information?”

“The Humans have gone to Lasiter seeking an independent energy broker named Syrus Jacs. His operations base is on the planet.”

“Good, we are getting closer.”

“Yes, apparently they are tracking the mutant through the fuel requirements for his starship. This Syrus Jacs could know Panur’s location.”

“Set a course for Lasiter, Wynn. Best speed. And have the nearby tracking units close in a little tighter. We must be in position to act once the mutant is found.”

“Yes, my Lord.”

Chapter
8

The gravity of Lasiter was so light, and the atmosphere so thin, that all four of the occupants of the
Najmah Fayd
were required to wear breathing masks. Even then, the Humans could only spend an hour or so out in the open because of the low pressure. Arieel and the Juirean had no such problem, only with the thin air.

Fortunately for them, Benefis had departed Wokan with a wad of acceptable currency in his pockets, and he used some to hire a transport to take them to Jacs’ headquarters.

“So he operates right out in the open?” Sherri asked.

“We are merchants, Sherri Valentine. Granted, much of what we trade in is contraband—at least in other parts of the galaxy—but we still need to maintain a way for our customers to contact us.”

The Juirean guided them to a rather prosperous-looking section of a surprisingly clean and organized city, nearly the mirror opposite of Essen on Wokan. It was quite a bit smaller than Essen, surrounded by wide rolling hills covered in vibrant green grass and dotted with groves of leafy trees. Except for the thin atmosphere, the planet was quite appealing.

Syrus Jacs owned a four-story building with a large sign on it that spelled out something in an alien alphabet. Benefis translated: Kidis Storage and Shipping.

The foursome entered the building through double glass doors and were immediately spotted by a male receptionist, along with a pair of brawny security guards, who seemed to be focusing most of their attention on the tall Juirean with the white hair.

Sherri leaned over to Riyad and whispered: “Just in case, I cancelled their membership in the NRA.”

“Good, they don’t look too welcoming.”

“Your business?” the receptionist asked.

“His too,” Sherri whispered again.

Benefis stepped up to the counter. “I am Benefis Na from Wokan. I wish to speak with Syrus Jacs.”

“You are Benefis Na?” said the wisp of a creature behind the counter.

“You have heard of me?”

“Of course.”

“You are a Juirean,” said one of the guards as he approached the group, his weapon drawn yet held at his side.

“I am, as I have always been. Why do you look at me like that?”

“Because of Wokan.”

“What about Wokan?”

The two guards exchanged looks. “You are not part of it?”

“Part of what? Speak clearly, I am growing impatient.”

“You have not heard of the massacre your people committed in Essen?”

“No, I have not. We have been in transit and not keeping abreast of local news. What happened?”

“Juireans landed upon the planet and proceeded to slaughter over three hundred innocent Defenders.”

“Why would they do that? They had to have been provoked.”

“They were not provoked. Juireans are killers without remorse.”

The guards were just as tall and bulky as the Juirean, yet Riyad was sure they weren’t built as tough.

“You will use respect when speaking of my people,” said Benefis. “As I said, they had to be provoked. I live in Essen, so I know  Defenders can often look like an army to outsiders. Unfortunately, they sought to challenge the authority of the Juireans.”

“The Juireans have no authority in the Frontier.”

Riyad quickly stepped between Benefis and the two guards. “Let’s all calm down,” he said before his new friend could react any further. “Benefis is not part of the group who killed the Defenders on Wokan. In fact, he is as much a native of the planet as were those who lost their lives. Now, we have come here seeking an audience with your employer. We wish to make him an offer that will bring untold profit, as well as sizable bonuses for all who work for him. Can we let what happened on Wokan pass? We were not a part of it.”

“Syrus is not here,” proclaimed the creature behind the counter.

“Where can he be found?”

“That is privileged information.”

“When will he be returning?”

“That is also privileged information.”

Sherri stepped up to the counter. “Do you know, or are you just stupid and ignorant?”

The alien’s eyes grew wide. “Of course I know! I am just not allowed to give out such information.”

Sherri looked first at Riyad, and then Benefis. Both nodded. Sherri turned back to the receptionist. “I’ll ask you one more time, where is Syrus Jacs?”

“That is all!” announced one of the guards as he lifted his bolt launcher. “You will now leave the premises.”

Sherri ignored him. “Answer me now.”

Both guards took a step back, aiming their weapons, and stood awkwardly waiting for targeting confirmation that never came. When no vibration could be felt indicating a target lock, the guards pulled the triggers anyway. Nothing happened. Then the native at the counter lifted his own MK flash weapon and went through the same panicky motions.

That was when Benefis and Riyad laid out the two guards with lightning-quick blows to their heads. Not to be outdone, Sherri reached across the counter and pulled the wispy receptionist towards her by his shirt collar. She tossed him down on the floor, his back pressed against the base of the counter.

“I asked you a question,” she said. “Are you going to answer me or do I begin ripping your limbs off one at a time?”

The alien was so frightened he could only stare with shock into Sherri’s blue eyes. Finally, she slapped him to get his attention. His head snapped to one side and blood formed at the corner of this mouth.

“Careful,” Riyad cautioned. “We don’t want to kill him.”

“Did you hear that? We don’t want to kill you. Now where is Syrus Jacs?”

“Syrus…Jacs…” The alien was still recovering from the slap.

Sherri lifted her hand again.

“Syrus Jacs! Yes, I know where he is!”

“So tell me!”

“He is at the Lossen Asteroid Field.”

“Why is he there?”

“To make a delivery.”

“When is it scheduled?”

“Tomorrow, Day12.”

Sherri turned her head and looked up at Benefis. “Lossen Asteroid Field?”

“I know where it is. In your ship, only a few hours from here.”

Sherri turned her attention back to the terrified receptionist. “Are you going to report this incident to Syrus?”

“Yes…I mean no! I will say nothing.”

“Unfortunately, I’m going to have to go with your first answer. Sorry.”

She hit the alien with a closed fist this time. His eyes had already turned a cloudy gray before he toppled over onto the floor.

“Dead men tell no tales,” she said to Benefis as she stood. “C’mon, we’ve got a meeting to make.”