Free A Clash of Aliens (The Human Chronicles Book 13) by T.R. Harris Page B

reached up to place his hand on the shoulder of the seven-foot-tall Juirean. “Look on the bright side, Benefis. We just saved you all that expense of having to pay the Defenders.”
    Benefis continue to stare at the screen showing the rapidly shrinking globe that was Wokan. “The fee was already deducted from my accounts,” the Juirean stated. And then he sighed. “It has taken me many years to build the organization I had on Wokan. It took you less than an hour to destroy it all.”
    “Maybe you should have left us alone,” Sherri called back from the pilot’s seat. “Just a suggestion.”
    “Without doubt, Sherri Valentine, for what little good that conclusion does now.”
    Riyad patted the alien’s back. “It’s your turn to relax now, my friend. You have just joined the winning team.”
     
    ********
     
    “There has been a confrontation on Wokan,” Ranor’s new Second, Guard First Class Wynn O’ori, reported.
    From his command seat aboard the Juirean Class-Four, Ranor could see that his new appointee was displaying the calm confidence he had hoped he would. The Juirean race was made up of stable and pragmatic creatures; bad news should be reported just as good news would, without prejudice or bias. Only then could reliable command decisions be made.
    “What sort of confrontation?”
    “The Humans were taken captive after leaving O-Pell Energy, and then the building in which they were being held was attacked by mercenaries.”
    “Are they injured?”
    “No. Apparently they escaped and have taken to space again in the advanced starship.”
    “Good, then they are continuing with their mission. We obviously have them under surveillance again.”
    “Yes. Units are keeping their distance and monitoring remotely.”
    “Has a destination been determined?”
    “They are heading further into the Frontier, yet they made such a hasty retreat from the planet that they may simply be gaining distance before charting a new course.”
    “Very astute observation, Wynn. My compliments. Maintain your vigil.”
    Ranor saw no emotion on the face of his new second-in-command, as should be expected. Even though he had complimented his subordinate, no such accolades should be expected for doing one’s job. Still, he knew his comments would circulate throughout the ship and the fleet, showing that he was not simply a sadistic taskmaster who had publicly executed his former Second. He was a Juirean with a mission to accomplish; nothing would get in his way, especially not incompetence or a potentially traitorous under-officer.
    “Time to Kidis?” he asked the bridge.
    “Three days, seven hours, my Lord,” answered a voice from across the room.
    “Maintain course and speed.”
    “As ordered.”

 
     

     
    Chapter 7
     
    “Syrus Jacs, yes I know him. Most of the independents in the Frontier know him, or know of him. That is who you seek?”
    “He has information we need,” Riyad said.
    Benefis shook his head. “Even for Kidis, he is a dangerous and conniving creature. He will not welcome you openly…if at all.”
    “Do you know where he is?” Sherri asked.
    “He could be anywhere. That is the nature of our business.”
    “Who would know?”
    “He maintains a headquarters of sorts on Lasiter.”
    “That’s what we heard. But you don’t think he’d be there?”
    “It is possible, yet we make our profits through the buying and selling of various items. This involves pick-up and delivery, and finding trustworthy assistants is very hard. Most of us prefer to carry the merchandise personally.”
    “Can you get us into his headquarters?”
    “We are not friends—we are competitors. I highly doubt they would grant me an audience.”
    “But they know you. You would have a better chance than we would. Tell them you come with an offer Syrus won’t be able to refuse,” Sherri suggested.
    “You still have not told me of your mission. Why is it important that you speak to Syrus?”
    Sherri and Riyad looked