Alien Games (The Human Chronicles Saga Book 17)

by T. R. Harris

  “Please, Adam, we have come to help. You have information on where the Aris took Lila. In exchange for that information, we will help your galaxy against the Nuorean threat.”

  “How can you do that?” Pierre asked.

  “Well first of all, I can get us out of here and safely back into space.”

  “How?” Billy asked.

  The smile returned to the mutant’s face. “I have a plan.”

  Chapter 13

  Two days later a contingent of Nuoreans came into the compound and removed all the Humans. Trimen had remained with them, and so he was taken as well, the aliens having orders to bring all in the shelter to the Grand Arena.

  There was an incredible number of Nuoreans on the streets of the growing settlement, consisting of occupants of the tent-city, along with crewmembers of the fleet not on duty and given leave to attend the inaugural matches beginning this day.

  The transport entered the huge structure and proceeded into a large underground parking area. To the left were a series of wide corridors, filled with aliens of several species being herded away by Nuorean guards. Adam and his crew were directed to a corridor on the right, apparently the VIP holding cells. And that’s what they found—cells, and lot of them. They were segregated by thick iron bars with seating along the edges for the warriors awaiting their turn in the Arena.

  They passed the holding cell for the Juireans. Overlord Safnos was at the bars, watching them pass. “Good luck…my friend,” he said to Adam. It had to be hard for him to call a Human friend, but he had helped Adam plan their ill-fated escape attempt. Tragedy built bonds, even between mortal enemies.

  The Humans were placed in a cell larger than most and very close to the ramp leading to the playing field above. It even had a bank of video monitors on the wall, alive with scenes of the individual playing fields in the complex.

  Daric arrived a few minutes later.

  He studied Trimen for a moment. “The Formilian is with you? I have no match scheduled for his race this day.” He made an alien shrug. “Perhaps I will pair him with a lesser species. Two against one senior Nuorean would be entertaining, and a bonus to the player.”

  He shifted his attention to the Humans—including the two standing at the back named George Washington and Damien Jones.

  His golden eyes bore into Adam. “At one time I had considered facing you as a member of a team. Yet after observing you for several days, I have amended that thought. I will meet you in a single challenge. I have seen you fight as you defended your encampment and fought with my guards during your predictable escape attempt.” He looked at Billy. “I have also witnessed Humans in full combat mode, against a lesser opponent, yet still enough to know your capabilities. I am not concerned. You will be a worthy opponent, yet you will not prevail. Even now I see that your spirit is broken, your will for fighting, gone.”

  He moved to the open door of the cell and looked out at the filtering light from outside. “I should let you know another two thousand Nuorean warships entered your galaxy yesterday, the beginning of a constant stream of players to counter your pointless moves against us. All ships, old and new, are currently linked to the events soon to take place here, and recordings will be sent back to Nuor for the enjoyment of the masses. There will be eighty challenges today across the twenty fields we’ve created inside the Grand Arena—the first of many to be constructed.” He looked at the other Humans. “This will include contests with all your fellow Humans, except the female. I still have not decided what to do with her. She is too old for reliable for procreation—and there will be many others for that chore. Yet I have found in the archives that she is considered an accomplished player in your society, so I may place her against a lower male of my species. I am in constant need of variety to keep the games interesting.”

  Sherri stepped forward. “How about you and I go at it right now? I assure you, that would interesting, as I rip your guts out with my teeth.”

  The smile stretched wider on Daric’s face. “Perhaps I should. I may sanction such a challenge, just to teach you a short-lived lesson. I will find much satisfaction in shoving a ressnel down your obstinate throat.”

  “Bring it on, asshole.”

  Adam stepped between the two. “Relax, Sherri. After I’m done with him, we’ll be short one alien asshole for you to fight.”

  Daric literally danced away, clapping his hands in a very Human-like show of emotion. “I am thoroughly impressed with Human’s sense of importance and invulnerability. In the past, species such as yours have fallen the hardest, when they realized just how weak and ineffectual they were against the Nuor. And your downward spiral towards enlightenment begins soon. I must leave now. I have to dress for the occasion. Traditionally, the most challenging matches are scheduled last. Yet since this is the inaugural day for the first Grand Arena in the Kac, Adam Cain and I will lead off the festivities.”

  He stepped up to Adam, the smile gone from his face. He whispered: “And I assure you this event has been staged as well as all the others. The outcome is not in doubt, only the spectacle we will put on for my Nuorean brothers.”

  ********

  Daric and his entourage left, leaving the Humans and Trimen to their silent contemplations.

  New clothing was brought for them all consisting of thick pants and armless shirts colored black. The color would provide contrast against the light brown soil of the arena floor, giving spectators—here and on Nuor—a better viewing experience. All the outfits were the same.

  Adam turned to George Washington. “Okay, you’re on.”

  Within seconds, the nondescript Human male had transformed again, this time into an exact duplicate of Adam Cain. He stepped forward, the mirror images facing each other.

  “I will keep them entertained as J’nae helps the rest of you escape to the landing field.” He smiled. “Be sure to wait for me, if you please.”

  “Don’t take too long. This is going to cause quite the scene.”

  “I will be along.”

  Adam—the real Adam—moved to the rear of the cell and sat down, shielded by the others standing in front of him.

  Adam/Panur waited at the front of the cell, ready to step out the moment he was summoned. Sherri moved next to him as guards opened the door.

  “Thanks,” she said softly.

  Panur turned to her and smiled, a moment before taking her in his arms and delivering a passionate kiss on the lips. The thought of Panur kissing her would haunt her for years to come, but for now, all she could do was flutter her eyes and catch her breath. Like everything else, the mutant sure knew how to kiss.

  But now he was gone and the door locked once again. The aliens in the corridor outside moved away with their prisoner and into the light from the arena above. Sherri turned to Damien Jones.

  “Now it’s your turn.”

  ********

  Adam stumbled out into the vast arena, temporarily blinded by the harsh light of mid-morning on the planet Ankaa. When able, he scanned the scene around him. He was at the base of a huge stadium, where thousands of seats climbed a hundred high in all four directions of the rectangular field. The seats were packed with roaring hordes of aliens, with thousands of others standing in aisles and along wide concourses at the top of the viewing sections. The sound was deafening as the crowd reacted to his entry.

  Next he surveyed the playing field. It wasn’t open and empty like the small arena in the holding compound. Instead, there were blocks the size of buses, along with low walls and undulating ground with low hills. All the structures appeared embedded in the ground, which consisted of fine tan-colored dirt devoid of any rocks—which could be used as additional weapons. All he would have would be what the aliens provided him.

  And for that, an attendant approached. He handed Adam a ressnel sword and a light-weight circular shield. No vanish net was provided, not for this contest.

  Then the attendant left, leaving Adam alone in the sunlight, appearing tiny and inconspicuou
s before the cheering crowd, in addition to the millions of others watching on video monitors on the planet and in space above.

  Now the crowd went absolutely crazy. The sound was unbelievable as Daric entered the arena. He was dressed in a golden outfit, with various plates of armor attached to his limbs and already carrying his sword and shield. It seemed out of place that the Nuorean would be afforded armor, yet Adam wasn’t. That hardly seemed fair.

  But Adam didn’t protest. It wouldn’t matter.

  Daric stepped next to his opponent. “Is this not wondrous, Adam Cain? Take in the energy of the crowd, feel their excitement and anticipation. Most challenges do not carry such an atmosphere. We have staged this one thusly as a reminder to the Nuor of days long past, when there were real immunity challenges against worthy opponents. The Kac has resurrected such feelings within my species. Bask in the moment, Adam Cain. With your death you will live forever in the history of the Nuor.”

  “That’s an oxymoron—just like you, dickhead,” Adam screamed to be heard over the din.

  Daric laughed. “I so hope all the Humans from Earth are like you. I may have Humans wired so the crowd may listen in on your amusing quips. Yes, I will do that for future challenges.”

  “You better place the order before we begin. You won’t have the opportunity afterwards.”

  “Enough!” Daric stepped away and raised his sword. “Let us get this over with; the crowd is ready.”

  A voice boomed through speakers and the crowd quieted to a hush almost immediately. “The Games of the Kac are about to begin,” said the announcer. “In this magnificent Grand Arena we begin a new era in the lifecycle of the Nuor, in a new galaxy, with new challenges and new victories.

  “As we start of this series of level-one immunity challenges, we are witness to a once-in-a-lifetime event. Game-Master Daric (611) Kallen-Noc will meet the alien Adam Cain, the premier player in all the Kac, in an immunity challenge of historic proportions. Never before has a single being rated at the top of an entire galaxy. Yes, each species has their champion, but never a galaxy. So it is appropriate that our leader face his greatest challenge in the first official immunity contest held in the Kac. It will not be easy for Game-Master Daric; he will be meeting the best the Kac can offer. Yet he is a Nuorean!” The crowd went wild. “Now the best of the Kac will face one of our greatest players. Let the players take their places.”

  A Nuorean referee now stood between the two players. He held his arms out to his side, pointing at Daric and Adam. He dropped his arms.

  “Begin!”

  ********

  The prisoners watched the grandiose introduction on the video monitor in the cell. When the referee dropped his arms, they knew every eye would be glued the contest taking place in the center of the building.

  J’nae reverted back to her true form, taking a deep breath of relief as she did, before stepping to the door of the cell. To the amazement of Pierre, Manny and Billy, she grasped the bars and pulled, breaking the locking mechanism with ridiculous ease. Without hesitation, the prisoners exited the cell and went left, away from the ramp leading to the playing field.

  They rushed past cells with terrified aliens pleading: “Help us…please!”

  “We are, in a way,” J’nae replied. But still she ran.

  “Adam Cain!”

  Adam stopped at the cell where his name had been called. It was the Juirean cell.

  “Wait,” he called after the rest. He placed his hands on the bars.

  “I see you on the monitor—yet here you stand. I do not understand,” said the Overlord Safnos.

  “It would take too long to explain.”

  “Take us with you, it will mean much to my people. And at this important juncture in your escape effort, you could use all the help you can get.”

  J’nae was at his side, staring down at the much-shorter Human with intense, yellow eyes. “We do not have time for this, Cain.”

  “He’s right. The Juireans can fight—”

  “It is not our intent to fight, only escape.”

  “You said you want to help us against the Nuor. Freeing the Juireans is part of that effort.”

  The tall mutant pursed her lips, then she gripped the bars on the door to the cell and pulled. Pieces of the broken lock clattered to the floor. She glared at the Juirean. “Come then, but do not interfere with the plan—more than you already have.”

  Four Juireans ran from the cell and took up the rear guard behind the six Humans, Trimen and J’nae. After a few more yards, they discovered not all the Nuoreans were distracted by the battle taking place outside. Three green-uniformed aliens appeared from a side corridor, energy weapons already aimed at the lead escapee.

  Adam saw J’nae hesitate for a moment, turning to face the alien squad with a thin smile. A plasma bolt struck her on the chest and spread out, moments before being absorbed into her skin. There was a flash of radiance from her body and an intake of air into her lungs.

  “Thank you,” she said to the stunned Nuoreans. “I needed that.”

  But then she was among them in the blink of an eye, tearing the hapless aliens apart with her bare hands, spraying blood on the surrounding walls and puddling at J’nae’s feet. Sherri and Riyad were the first to react. They rushed into bloody mess and recovered the weapons from the three dismembered Nuoreans.

  “Now look who’s holding us up?” Adam said. “Are you done playing around?”

  “Maintaining the transformation takes energy. I needed the boost.”

  “Good…now let’s go!”

  Adam took the extra flash weapon even as J’nae admonished them against using them. She would neutralize any future hostiles without the need for the attention-grabbing energy weapons.

  They entered the underground parking structure moments later and found it unoccupied. J’nae chose a covered vehicle large enough to carry all twelve of the escapees and pulled open the door. It wasn’t locked, and the force she applied separated the panel from the frame, leaving her holding it in awkward silence.

  They moved to a second vehicle with the same design. This time J’nae simply opened the door using the latch. “You control the transport,” she said to Adam. “I will maintain surveillance.”

  Everyone piled in. Although Adam appreciated the opportunity to drive—it was a guy thing—he had never driven a Nuorean car before. He scanned the controls. There was no steering wheel or control stick, just two peddles on the floor. When the car didn’t immediate surge forward, J’nae looked at him with disgust.

  “Did you not observe on the way from the holding compound? Acceleration slides are on the door panel, along with forward and reverse selectors. The pedals steer the transport.”

  Adam found the speed bar and pressed a nob forward. The car lurched forward. He began to work the pedals, bouncing off several vehicles before he got the feel. After that it was fairly simple—until their path was blocked by a huge armored truck with flash cannon sticking out from three side ports and aimed directly at them.

  Adam slid the speed control forward even more, while pressing hard on the left pedal. The car began to spin in place. A bright flash erupted from the truck, taking out the back right section of their vehicle. Fortunately, no one was hurt.

  As the car spun, the front passenger door flew open and J’nae jumped out, in perfect time to send her racing to the armor truck. She grabbed the handle to the driver’s side door and pulled, this time fully intending to rip it from the hinges. She did, and a heartbeat later was inside the heavy black vehicle.

  Adam pulled back on the speed controls and countered the spin with a press of the right side pedal. The car slowed, but was sent crashing into the left side of the exit portal

  More flashes erupted from the Nuorean truck, but came from inside. A moment later the back door flew open and a lightly glowing J’nae stepped out. Her clothing was smoldering, peeling off mutant skin in small patches of ember that floated away in the light breeze. Soon she was naked, her skin
a radiant white.

  Even from this distance, Adam felt the heat coming off her skin. “Was that the smartest thing to do?” he yelled at her for a safe distance. “Now no one will want to sit next to you on the way to the spaceport.”

  “Get in,” she commanded. “I will meet you there. You do know the way, do you not?”

  Adam smirked. “That I did pay attention to.”

  J’nae ran off, a white blur dodging between parked vehicles, heavy equipment and even a few startled Nuoreans, mouths agape at the ghostly apparition they thought they just saw.

  Adam hustled everyone into the open back of the armored truck. They had to stack dead Nuoreans against one side so they could all fit, not wanting to leave a pile of dead aliens at the entrance to the Grand Arena. Adam slipped into the driver’s seat, Sherri at his side.

  She smiled. “I wonder how Adam’s doing?”

  ********

  The players separated even more when the referee dropped his arms, each in combat stance. Daric wore a silly grin, while Adam looked nervous, unsure.

  The Nuorean struck first, making a swift move to his left, slapping at Adam’s shield. The crowd roared as the clap reached their ears. But Daric wasn’t done. He twirled in place, almost in a blur, and brought the blade in low and intentionally just out of range of Adam’s legs.

  Adam stepped back and caught his heel in the dirt. He stumbled, lost his balance, and fell on his ass. Daric lowered his sword and shield and shook his head.

  “I would expect more from you. Please, gain your composure. I know you to be more coordinated than this.”

  Embarrassed, Adam got to his feet, bushed himself off, and resumed the combat stance. This time when Daric attacked, the alien came in closer, sweeping his blade first left then right. Adam countered each strike with the ringing of metal on metal. The clamor of the crowd was incredible as the aliens got the sense the fight was finally underway.

  Adam circled the Nuorean, his sword held out in front of him for balance and to measure distance. Then the Human attacked, whipping his blade from right to left. Daric didn’t retreat. Instead he deftly blocked the sword with his shield and stabbed with his own. Adam slipped away, managing to avoid the razor-shape edge by inches.