Free The Legend of Earth (The Human Chronicles Saga -- Book 5) by T.R. Harris

Klin-built ships, the same as all the others flitting around the planet at the time. The plan would have a high probability of success, after which the Humans would have no choice but to withdraw their fleet in order to assist in the defense and recovery efforts.
    As far as the first part of the plan went, Jonnif was confident in its execution and success. The Juireans would be expecting the Human fleet to arrive in the Cluster in four months-standard, and would be making plans based on that timetable.
    Yet with a two month head start – and by utilizing the secret path through the galactic core – the Kracori were already there….

 
    Chapter 9
     
    Two days later Council Elder Hydon entered the darkened confines of the Juirean Strategic Command Center for a meeting with Fleet Marshal Relion. The Juirean military higher commander had sent out every scout and called on every sensor available to try and locate any mass-gravity signatures approaching ahead of the invading Human fleet.
    “We’ve been unable to detect anything out of the ordinary, my Lord,” Relion said, frustration thick in his voice. “There does seem to be a major exodus from the gravity lanes by just the normal traffic, all trying to avoid the Humans, yet nothing that would indicate a concentrated force of three hundred ships or more.”
    “You’ve scanned all along the lanes, even the most obscure?”
    “Yes, my Lord. The gravity routes to Juir are the most-traveled and monitored in the galaxy, even coming from that side of the Core. If there was a fleet in deep-well transit it would have been detected.”
    “Then the Human has lied to us,” Hydon stated, pursing his thin lips together in anger.
    “It appears so – but to what end? He had to surely know we would attempt to verify his claims, and if no traces were found, then our evacuation efforts would have been delayed only temporarily. Are the Humans so anxious to kill Juireans that even a few days’ delay in evacuating the population would mean a few more of us left behind to kill?”
    “They are a deceptive and diabolical race. They appear to thrive on subterfuge and underhandedness, so their motives are always in question. I will be in my personal office in an hour. Have Adam Cain delivered to me at that time.”
    “Yes, my Lord. And what of the evacuation?”
    “Hold off until I have another chance to speak with the Human. He may reveal more in this second meeting.”
     

    Hydon’s personal office was located three stories below the Pinnacle conference room. It was a large room, yet not as large as Adam would have expected for the leader of the galaxy. It was dimly lit, except for the area around the large wooden desk where Hydon sat. There were the ubiquitous computer monitors placed to his right and behind him on a matching wooden credenza, and on a secondary table set off to the left was a pile of datapads all stacked helter-skelter on its top. The entire scene reminded Adam of what an aged college professor’s office might look like, albeit without any disheveled library lining a wall-length bookcase.
    The overall impression of the office was eventually brought full circle when Adam was directed to take a seat opposite the Elder, and noticed that Hydon was even wearing what appeared to be a thin pair of eyeglasses. Adam had to suppress a chuckle as he took the seat. Aliens wearing glasses – what next?
    Hydon looked at Adam over the thin glasses. “I have security measures in place, but I’m hoping we will not have to deal with any such nonsense, Mister Cain – I believe that is the traditional prefix for a male of your race?
    “That’s correct, Lord Hydon; I was told that is your preferred title. And you won’t have to worry about me doing something stupid. I don’t have a death wish.”
    Hydon simply snorted. “That is precisely the reason for this meeting.” Hydon slipped off the glasses and set them on the desk. He continued to stare at Adam with an intense look