The Human Chronicles Saga Box Set 5

by T. R. Harris

  “Of course. We go way back. I even paid him a visit at his headquarters in Vansis about a year ago. How’s the skinny runt doing?”

  The thick and powerful-looking alien struggled with the translation before finally settling on: “He, he is well,” for a response. The dark eyes of the alien were clouded with confusion.

  “He is…at least for now,” Adam said. “But wait until Panur and Lila show up. He won’t be then. And neither will you.”

  “I do not understand your threat. I was tasked only with apprehending you and the Formilian. Beyond that, I have no responsibility.”

  “And the rest of my team, do you have them as well?”

  “I do, although their capture was a more difficult affair. Apparently they reacted to our arrival in a swifter and more effective manner.”

  Adam tensed. “Casualties?”

  “Only among my forces. You are fortunate. As per instructions, none of your people were injured to any serious degree. Those who were will recover rapidly.”

  Adam sighed. Riyad had received his warning, at least what there was of it. For his part, Adam felt foolish at being taken so easily. Being captured at the cost of only one dead alien was well below his quota. The body count was usually much higher. Or was it? Lo’ol had a pretty easy go of it, at least until Tidus and his people showed up. Perhaps Adam was losing his edge. Did this come from advancing age, or just his nonchalant attitude these days, an overconfidence in his abilities? He would have to be more diligent from now on.

  “So, what now, my friend?” he asked the still confused Cartel capo.

  “You and the others are to be secured in a special facility until further notice.”

  “On Navior? I’m sure Frandon would want to keep us close.”

  “No,” Wonnel said, before quickly regretting the response. Frowning, he continued. “No, it is another location, a secret location. I will say nothing more.”

  “That’s okay. You’ve told me enough already. Now I will take action.”

  “What action? I must warn you—”

  “I thought you said you’d say nothing more?”

  “You…you know what I meant.”

  “I’m afraid not. Would you care to elaborate?”

  He didn’t. Instead, Wonnel slammed the lid shut on the box and secured the latches.

  In the thick darkness, Adam Cain smiled—again.

  92

  Adam and Arieel were transported to their secret prison in a starship separate from the rest of the team, still locked in the coffin-like containers. During the journey, the pair carried on a telepathic conversation through their ATD’s, with Adam doing his best to assure Arieel that everything would work out fine. The fiery Formilian wasn’t so much worried as she was mad. She had a temper, and it was reflected in the intensity of her thoughts and profanity in her comments. Granted, the profanity was expressed in Formilian terms, but Adam got the message.

  Belying Wonnel Mandor’s previous declaration, Adam was allowed out of his metal box to relieve himself and for meals. But the shackles remained, along with a squad of watchful guards, even in the grooming station.

  The trip from Worak-nin took six days, estimated from the number of meals he was given. This would place the prison world in the same vicinity as Navior, the planet where the Gradis Cartel maintained their headquarters and most-influential presence in the Kidis Frontier. Adam believed the Cartel lieutenant when he said they wouldn’t be held on Navior. But it could easily be on another planet in the system or that of a neighboring star.

  Eventually, the ship shuttered to a landing on a light-gravity world and Adam’s coffin was transferred to a cart for transport into the prison.

  Have you accessed the security cameras? Arieel asked through her ATD.

  I have; I assume you have as well? Their brain-interface devices could not only override electronic control modules, but also tap into the computers for the facility, if one had the expertise to do so.

  Yes. We are being moved into an underground chamber, a complex of tunnels. The atmosphere outside appears to be hostile.

  This could be a moon or outer planet in the Naviorean system.

  Adam kept switching his mental view to the next security camera along the route. Since this was to be a prison for Adam and his team, there was no shortage of surveillance, which gave him a running overview of the layout, including security checkpoints, guard barracks and more.

  Eventually they arrived at their destination. It was a large room cut directly into the granite walls of the cavern. There was a single thick window/wall set across the front. Both Adam and Arieel’s containers were wheeled inside and then opened. They were allowed to climb out.

  Wonnel was there, along with an abundance of well-armed guards. The weapons would be set to stun, since the Cartel needed them alive for their plan to work. The bulk of the guards stepped back while a single alien unfastened the shackles and took them from the room. Then the others left, including Wonnel. He stood outside the cell, grinning at them through the transparent wall as Adam and Arieel took a quick inventory of their surroundings. They’d already done this utilizing the myriad of cameras covering the chamber. But they had to keep up appearances.

  “You must accept your situation,” Wonnel began solemnly. “Within the ceiling are various canisters of both incapacitating gas, as well as a freezing agent. I do not wish to kill you, yet I will send you into unconsciousness if you cause any disruption. The freezing agent is for the time when the mutants arrive, if they attempt a rescue. The chemical will assuredly be fatal for the two of you, yet we understand it will immobilize the immortals. That is a tradeoff we are willing to accept.”

  “And the others?”

  “They are being held in separate quarters, yet not as elaborate,” Wonnel answered. “You must understand they are expendable in the long-term. It is the two of you we must maintain, now and throughout the operation.”

  “And afterwards?”

  “I do not have that information. Frandon G’Bur will be arriving soon. You can ask him.” Wonnel scanned the clear barrier between him and the prisoners. “Now settle in. I am told we have no timetable for the arrival of the mutants; therefore, the wait may be long. Enjoy your new home, Adam Cain and Arieel Bol. You may be here for quite some time.”

  When he was gone, the glass wall suddenly turned opaque, blocking their view of the outside. Adam had seen glass like this before. It was designed to keep the pair from seeing what was happening outside. And it might have worked, if it wasn’t for their ATDs.

  There are audio monitors as well, Arieel thought. I have detected six, in addition to the four cameras watching.

  There were a pair of comfortable-looking beds in the room, along with two short couches, a table and two chairs. A basic grooming station was set to the rear with a privacy curtain. That was considerate of their captors, and very un-alien-like. Normally they wouldn’t have bothered with such amenities. A panel was cut in the solid rock of the side wall with a small ledge supported by brackets. This would be where the food and drink would be dispensed by the guards. There was no computer monitor for watching TV to pass the time. It was just he and the incredibly sexy Arieel Bol locked in the room. Adam could think of a way they could pass the time….

  Your emotions betray you, Adam Cain, even as you try to hide your thoughts from me.

  Adam didn’t protest. Instead he gave her a lecherous grin.

  Even with Adam’s slightly enhanced mental capabilities, Arieel was still infinitely more proficient with her ATD than he was, able to do things with it Adam could only dream of. She’d had the device since she was five. She didn’t remember the operation which placed the device under her skin; it had been more of a ceremony than a strict surgical procedure. And then she’d been trained in its use since then, its true functioning hidden within the mysticism of the Formilian religion. She was to be the next Speaker of the Formilian People, the Speaker with the Gods. Her supernatural abilities gave her access to
the deities as only those of her lineage could claim. She couldn’t remember a time when the Gift from the Gods was not a part of her body, of her very existence. Its use was second nature to her by now.

  We still have to carry on some normal conversation, Adam thought. Otherwise they may get suspicious.

  Agreed.

  Adam? A voice called out in his head.

  Yeah, Sherri. Where are you?

  Same place as you are, underground and locked away.

  Is everyone okay?

  We’re fine. They put me in a cell by myself. The same with Tidus. Riyad and Coop are bunking together.

  Did you check out the layout on the way in? Can you give me your location?

  Sorry, we’re not quite that good with the ATDs. We can locate locking mechanisms and such. But following power lines into computer terminals and then accessing security files, that’s a little above our paygrade.

  Understood. Arieel and I will see if we can find you within the complex.

  So, what happens now?

  I’m told Frandon will be here soon. I’ll know more then. Otherwise, we just sit around and wait for Panur and Lila to show up.

  What if they don’t? Sherri’s thoughts conveyed her worry.

  Then we’ll have to take matters into our own hands. We can manipulate the control modules, so it shouldn’t be too hard to get out of the cells. It’s just that we seem to be on a moon or planet with a nasty atmosphere, if any at all. We’ll need a way off this rock before we make a move. We’ll give it a little while before deciding on a plan. In the meantime, we’ll be collecting more intel and passing it along to you. Until then, kick back and enjoy your vacation.

  Yeah, right. I told you this mission was a mistake. Need I say it?

  Adam could hear the words form in Sherri’s mind: “Here’s another fine mess you’ve got me into,” although she didn’t consciously send the message. That was a problem with ATD communication. One had to be careful what one thought and felt. There weren’t too many secrets between mentally connected participants.

  Two meals later, the opaque nature of the outer wall suddenly disappeared, revealing a small throng of aliens standing outside. Adam and Arieel had watched the entourage make their way to the chamber through the security cameras. Still they acted surprised.

  Frandon G’Bur, the red-lipped leader of the Gradis Cartel was looking at them, an amused grin on his face. He was tall and slender, yet hardly the imposing figure one would expect from the leader of the largest criminal organization in the galaxy. Although Adam had professed to know Frandon personally, he’d never actually met him. But he had heard a lot about him throughout the years from various sources, including Copernicus Smith, who had a long history with the alien crime boss. Frandon made his ascension to the highest levels of the organization through his skill at playing politics, rather than through brute strength and intimidation. He was a master strategist, and during his tenure, the Gradis was transforming into more of a mainstream business, diversifying into a variety of legitimate enterprises to supplement their illegal activities. But they were still a vast horde of gangsters, comprised of hundreds of alien species, as evidenced by the menagerie of creatures on the other side of the glass wall.

  “Adam Cain…at last we meet.”

  The greeting was warm and welcoming, although the last time they had been this close, Adam was tearing into his headquarters on Navior in an attempt to rescue Sherri and Coop from his clutches. Adam smiled. If he had to count the number of pissed off aliens he’d left in his wake over the past twenty years…well, it would be a very big number. Frandon was just one of them.

  The crime boss eyed the vivacious Arieel Bol.

  “It is an honor to meet you in person, Speaker Bol,” he said, bowing slightly. “Your reputation precedes you, and as I can now see, is richly deserved. I apologize for the harshness of your detainment, but it was necessary.”

  “Speaking of that,” Adam said. “How did you get involved in this whole affair in the first place? I thought it had been an exclusive contract with Lo’ol?”

  “Nothing is ever exclusive, at least not from the Cartel’s point of view. Such a lucrative opportunity could not be kept secret for long.”

  “Do you really expect Panur and Lila to help you? All you’ll do is piss them off.”

  “I agree. The mutants are not creatures to be trifled with. I am taking an incredible risk, yet the potential reward appears to be worth it, as least on the surface.”

  Adam shook his head. “It seems you’re risking a lot on a gamble. I didn’t think that was how you operated. Maybe your predecessors, but not you.”

  “If that is a form of compliment, I thank you.”

  “It would be, if you weren’t acting so incredibly stupid right now,” Adam said, shaking his head again. There was no humor in his tone. He was serious.

  Frandon stretched his red lips into a wide grin. “Please, Mr. Cain, give me the credit I deserve. The new Gradis Cartel does not do much these days without careful consideration and planning. I realize the danger the mutants pose, as well as the logistics involved. I not only need to attract them, but I have to convince them that their cooperation is beyond question, not only in the short-term, but until fruition. I must therefore keep you and Speaker Bol under constant threat until the mutants have done what is expected of them.”

  “And then what?” Arieel asked. She stood close to the wall, a savage stare burning into Frandon. “You may get them to do your bidding, but whether you kill us or set us free, you will forever have them to contend with. Your gain may be short-lived in that case.”

  Frandon considered Arieel for a moment. She had her hands on her hips and her chest thrown out in defiance. Adam was sure the cell had a self-contained atmosphere, so there should be no way Arieel’s potent pheromones should be able to affect the crime lord. But he still appeared to be enamored with her.

  “I will deal with that reality at the time,” he said after a moment. “Yet in the present, I can assure you I have thought of every eventuality. We have extensive data on the mutants, including a complete—and confidential—dossier on their weaknesses. Many before us have found ways to subdue them, if only temporarily. I seek a more permanent outcome and have planned for it. I do not care to go into details. That would not be prudent.” He turned his attention back to Adam. “But I have confidence in the precautions we have taken. I will get them to open the portal to the lost universe, and I will claim the prize. And where you may have been seeking only a share in the wealth, the Cartel does not share. We will take it all, and when we do, we will become the greatest power in the galaxy, far beyond even that of the Expansion. So, as you see, there is much at stake. I will spare no expense to bring the plan to fruition.”

  “Just another stinking alien with delusions of grandeur,” Adam said. “If you only knew how many times I’ve heard that same speech.”

  Frandon laughed. “A standard year ago you stole from me the opportunity to gain the greatest weapon in the galaxy. And here we are again. But unlike you, I learn from my mistakes. I study my adversary. And I plan ahead. Play your games with me if you wish, Adam Cain, but I will succeed…and I will survive to enjoy my spoils. I have not underestimated you, and I will not underestimate the mutants. They will come, they will do my bidding, and then I will lead the Gradis Cartel to the pinnacles of power in the galaxy. It is a foregone conclusion.”

  Adam smiled. “And once again, you prove my point.”

  Frandon didn’t flinch. Instead he grinned at Adam, nodded at Arieel, and then led his entourage away. The wall turned opaque a moment later.

  Adam’s smile vanished. This was not good. Frandon was right; the mutants did have weaknesses; everyone did. Adam knew some of them, and he was now sure Frandon did as well. The Cartel boss was confident in his plan. What made Adam less confident in his: Frandon’s could actually succeed.

  93

  Copernicus! Adam thought.

  A moment later the lin
k was formed with Coop’s mind.

  Damn, man! Why so intense?

  How well do you know Frandon?

  Good enough to worry.

  That’s what I was afraid of. The rest of you, listen up. Adam made the mental effort to connect with his team telepathically. There’s a possibility Frandon’s plan can work. Whether true or not, we can’t take the risk. We need to get out of here on our own.

  Arieel came and sat on the bed next to him. To an outside observer it would appear to be affection on her part. I have scanned beyond the bounds of the complex, she told the team mentally. Our ships have been moved here, including the Juirean’s.

  Adam reached out with his awareness. He confirmed her thoughts. The two starships were in power-down mode, cold and without atmosphere. Each of them could activate the systems remotely, so that wasn’t a problem. What it did confirm is that they would have a way off the planet if they could escape.

  Can you trace the door circuits to your cells? he asked the others. Tidus’s as well.

  You want us to free him, too? Sherri asked

  He’s the only one with a line to Lo’ol’s sponsors.

  We already have the circuits ID’d. It won’t be a problem getting out.

  Good. There’s a main tunnel running to a pressure chamber. He’d already located where the other members of his team were being held. They were about a hundred yards from his cell. Just as we make our move, Arieel will disable the security cameras. That will still set off the alarms. We’ll do our best to isolate the bulk of the guards behind locked doors and keep them from following. You’ll get to the airlock first. Don’t wait for us. Head to the ships and get them ready. We’ll be right behind. Remember, Frandon doesn’t want us killed, but that doesn’t mean his troops have gotten the message loud and clear. Anything could happen in the heat of battle. Disarm every flash weapon you detect.

  Roger that, thought Riyad through the mental link. When do we go?

  Give it a minute. Arieel just went in the bathroom. I’ll let you know when she’s ready.