Free The War of Pawns (The Human Chronicles -- Book Three) by T.R. Harris Page A

seemed like a good idea at the time.”
    Riyad had turned to the tac screen and was studying the graphics. “It looks like it’s just us and one of the Juireans left; the ship that was knocked out of the fight. Their energy readouts are almost non-existent. They probably took the full brunt of the radiation.”
    “Chris, can you take Sherri to check on the other men. Even though we survived the blast, some of them may have been hurt when they fell to the deck.”
    Jym and Kaylor were struggling to their feet, and were soon back in their seats, still looking dazed and stiff. Adam rose to stand next to Kaylor.
    “Can you check the radiation level inside the ship, and run a systems check? Are we still able to operate?”
    Kaylor busied himself at his computer. “Radiation levels are high, but within tolerances. Most systems are still functioning, but the EMP did damage some of them. These ships are usually hardened against such things. They have automated systems designed to repair the damage. It could still take a couple of days before we’re fully functional again.”
    Adam looked up at the tac screen. “How far is the Juirean ship?”
    “Just a couple hundred kilometers,” Riyad answered. “Why?”
    “I want to go aboard. I need to see if there’s anyone left alive who can either provide us with intel, or who might report back to their forces.”
    “I’ll come with you.”
    Adam turned to Kaylor. “Are you up to flying us over there in the landing craft?”
    “Sure – if I can set the internal gravity on the shuttle.”
    Adam smiled. “Of course, and the lighter the better. I ache all over, too.”
     

    Ten minutes later, an entourage led by Kaylor, was approaching the rear cargo hold, and beyond that, the main landing bay. Billy Piscopo and Chris Mullis had joined them, and they were all armed with MK-17’s. Kaylor had advised them all to wear full environmental suits aboard the Juirean ship to protect against the radiation. The suits were in the landing bay.
    As they neared the cargo bay, a strong arm suddenly reached out of a doorway and grabbed Kaylor around the neck. One of the 2G’s appeared – the one Adam had shot in the chest – shielded by the surprised alien, and holding the sharp end of an auto-screwdriver pressed against Kaylor’s neck. The man stared emotionless at Adam and Riyad, who both drew their weapons.
    “Don’t, or I will slash his throat!” the man said. And then Adam could see all the 2G’s from the holding cells standing in the room beyond them.
    Thinking quickly, Adam reasoned that when the ship briefly lost internal power the electronic locks on the doors must have been deactivated and never reset. The 2G’s were now free, and holding the ship’s main pilot as hostage.
    “Just relax,” Adam said, placing his weapon back in its holster. “Just let him go and we’ll all talk this out.”
    “No, we are taking him with us. He will pilot the shuttle off this ship.”
    “Have you thought this through? We’re in the middle of the Far Arm. Where will you go?”
    “There are Klin bases throughout the Arm. We’ll find one.”
    Damn! So he had thought it through.
    “Listen, if you keep this up, it’s not going to end well.”
    “Just drop your weapons and kick them over here, and then back away.”
    Adam pursed his lips and shook his head. “You might as well go ahead and kill him. We’re not giving up our weapons.”
    “I will kill him!”
    “And then we’ll kill you,” Riyad said, pointing his weapon straight at the man, who hide further behind the scared and wide-eyed alien.
    Just then, Adam saw an air vent in the room with the 2G’s begin to move and separate from the ceiling. Slowly, the barrel of a bolt launcher appeared.
    “One more chance,” Adam said, returning his attention to the man. “Release him, or we’ll have to do something about this.”
    “No. Move away. We’re going to the landing bay now.”
    Just as the man began to move to his right,