by T. R. Harris
“Don’t worry about it, Mr. Cole,” Adam said. “I’ve gotten used to it by now.”
“Well, Mr. Cain, I’m supposed to tell you that the President apologizes for everything he said about you. He knows now that you – and all of you – were set up. He says that when this is all over, he’ll make sure your name is cleared, and that you’ll get the recognition you deserve.”
Adam just nodded back at the Warrant Officer, slightly embarrassed. “That’s what I’ve been told. But frankly, I’d be happy if he can just keep the supplies coming, so I can kill more aliens.” He smiled broadly. “And with you and your men joining the effort, we can now chalk up even higher scores.”
Cole smiled back and nodded. “Oh and one other thing; The Saviors – I mean the 2G’s – have somehow found out about you being out here.”
Adam grew serious. “How did that happen?”
“It’s the coverts, like I said. These guys were born and raised on Earth, and then voluntarily joined the Klin. They’re not so easily noticed, and they’re working exclusively for the Klin and the 2G’s. They’re trying to infiltrate nearly all of our operations.”
“Any luck?” Riyad asked.
“Some. One of them got really close to Admiral Keller, before he and Allen purged his ass off.” He smiled again. “He’s working for us, now.”
“Glad to hear it,” Adam said.
And then Adam Cain looked around the room at all the anxious faces gathered there. Everyone was smiling and talking with each other. There seemed to be a renewed spirit in his little clan, and a common belief that they could actually contribute to the war effort.
Adam would continue to lead them, and yet he was still waiting for the one moment, that one instance, when he felt like he was actually getting the revenge he sought. It may be just a fool’s errand, and an endeavor which has consumed the souls of countless people before him, each seeking their own form of justice, of redemption.
But there was one thing that Adam Cain knew for sure: He wouldn’t stop until justice was done – or he was dead.
Chapter Sixty-Three
Fleet Marshal Relion entered the private chambers of Council Elder Hydon, with a look of concern on this face. Hydon looked up from his work desk and noticed the expression immediately. The Marshal was not prone to physical displays of his emotions. This had to be serious.
“Yes Relion. Please give me your report.” Hydon offered the other Juirean a seat with a wave of his hand. Relion sat down quickly.
“My Lord, we have lost contact with Sector 17.”
“Explain.”
“All relay communications with the Sector and the Juirean headquarters on Melfora Lum have ceased abruptly. There is also a major sentry station near what they call The Barrier that is now offline.”
“How long until links can be reestablished?”
“It could take up to six months, My Lord. But we’re re-routing some through ship’s comm units,” came Relion’s answer, but the look of concern did not leave his face.
“Do you think this is the start of the invasion, Fleet Marshal?”
“If not, then it is a precursor. It also demonstrates that there are Human forces already operating within the Sector.”
“What is the status of our blocking forces in the region?”
“Another 100 ships are in route, arrival time estimated to be one month.”
Hydon was silent for a moment as he weighed the scenarios in his head. “That could be very close. If the invasion has started, we will know in a few days. If not, then I agree, it is very near, and our additional forces may not arrive in time. Monitor all civilian links coming out of the Sector for any indication of hostile activities until a direct link can be reestablished with Melfora Lum.”
“These procedures have already been implemented, My Lord.”
“Good. I would expect nothing less.” Then he hesitated as another thought came to mind. “You believe there are Human forces already present in the Sector?” he began. Relion nodded his agreement. “Then we must establish a counter force of covert agents of our own to address this threat. Undoubtedly, this group of Human saboteurs will continue to move further into Juirean territory as their invasion progresses. We must identify and destroy them before they can have an impact on the field of battle.”
“Very good, My Lord. I will employ many of our existing agents, yet put them under the leadership of a new directorate to be based out of my headquarters. We will fight their strategy with a matching one of our own.”
“Exactly. We cannot allow the Human agents to operate with impunity within our territory. They must be ferreted out and eliminated. These Humans are proving to be a diabolical and shifty opponent, and it appears they are very well-versed at the ways of war. It may be wise for us to learn from their actions, so we may become better warriors ourselves. It has been such a long time since we have faced such a major foe. The Juirean people may be strong, but the Humans are proving to be ruthless and cunning. All the more reason why they must be destroyed at all costs.”
Epilogue
Nigel McCarthy and Carter Thomas approached Limmore through the meditation gate of his estate, and walked up to the Senior Fellow without invite. This action annoyed Limmore to no end, but he chose not to display his emotions to the approaching Humans. Instead, he remained seated on the hard wooden bench, and waited for his uninvited guests to begin the conversation. He didn’t have to wait long, as the brutish McCarthy began speaking right away.
“Cain and his raiders have destroyed the relay station on Melfora Lum, and cut off all communications between Juir and their forces in The Fringe. The fleet is not yet to the Barrier. These fuckers are telegraphing our invasion to the Juireans!”
Internally, Limmore smiled. He knew that McCarthy and his associates believed him to be a major decision maker in the Klin hierarchy, and they often came to him with their concerns, looking for guidance or authority to act.
However, little did they know that Limmore was closer to what the Humans would call a psychologist, rather than a strategist, assigned to study the Humans and to manipulate their various actions to fit the needs of the Klin. He, and other members of his fraternity, had been at their task for nearly a thousand years, beginning right after the primitive and barbaric race had first been discovered. The Human race had immediately shown great promise as a potential surrogate in the Klin plans against the Juireans, and to date, they had not disappointed.
But lately they had begun to prove themselves to be slightly unpredictable. This renegade force operating in The Fringe was a perfect example.
But not so Nigel McCarthy; he was as predictable as the change from day to night.
“The Juirean elements in The Fringe are still inadequate to resist your forces, Mr. McCarthy, and the actions of Mister’s Cain and Tarazi are of minor significance. The Juireans will soon reestablish communications, and the invasion will proceed as planned.”
“Can’t your people in The Fringe do anything to stop them? And they appear to be getting help from people back on Earth.”
Now this news Limmore did find interesting. “Do they know the person they are assisting?”
“Yes they do! That’s what’s so unbelievable. Even after blaming Cain for the Juirean attack, they’re still helping him.”
Limmore thought for a moment. If there were elements on Earth who were helping the traitor Adam Cain, then they must not believe him to be responsible for the Juirean attack in the first place. That would mean others believe the Klin to be responsible, and this could cause a loss of control over a segment of the Human population—
“Well? What are you going to do about this?” McCarthy demanded, after Limmore took longer than the Human felt he needed for comment.
Limmore intentionally took another moment or so before answering. The arrogant and bombastic Nigel McCarthy was such a chore to deal with; it took incredible patience on Limmore’s part every time they interacted.
“We will look into the situation.
It’s obvious that some of the Humans on Earth do not believe Cain to be the traitor we portrayed him to be. But even then, the Humans have no choice but to continue working with the 2G’s. Without our help, they are no match for the Juireans.”
McCarthy grinned. “That remains to be seen. We made pretty easy work of them when they attacked the Earth. It seems like you Klin need us, as much as we need you.”
Limmore displayed a full-tooth smile at the Human, knowing full well that the naïve creature would see this action as a sign of friendship and agreement. However, Limmore knew it to be a challenge. The stupid Humans were so arrogant as to believe that they were the only race the Klin had recruited in their struggle against the Juireans. Limmore also knew the Klin’s own time of Reckoning, in regards to the Juireans, was close at hand. Yet he truly doubted that it would come at the hands of these obnoxious and disgusting creatures.
However, for the time being, these fools would serve their purpose, if only as fodder in the coming war with the Juireans.
The End
of
The War of Pawns
Book Three of
The Human Chronicles Saga
Coming This Fall:
Book Four of
The Human Chronicles Saga
The Tactics of Revenge
Please check out The Human Chronicles website at:
TheHumanChronicles.com
You can contact T.R. Harris by email at:
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