Nigel raised his bushy eyebrows. Major developments, this could be interesting. “Sure, what’s happened?”
“It seems that your Human race have decided to relinquish control of the Expansion, and to return to their part of the galaxy.”
Nigel was stunned by the news. His eyes grew wide and his jaw fell open. “Well bugger me,” he said out loud. “Why would they do that?”
“That is what we have brought you in to answer.”
“Surely they had to give a reason?”
“There was a speech made by their representative — someone I believe you know: Adam Cain.”
Cain! So that bloody SEAL is still hanging around. I thought I’d heard the last of his name. “Go on. What did he say?”
“He said they have concluded that the galaxy is too big for them to govern, and that they have elected to claim the Far Arm as Human Territory. There was also something about not wanting to become like the Juireans.”
“So what’s your issue? It seems like they’ve handed the galaxy back to you blokes.”
Daninf looked frustrated with McCarthy’s casual concern over the information revealed. “If by blokes you refer to the Kracori, then you are mistaken. The Humans have also declared that both the Kracori and Klin are to be outlaw races, and they have sworn to continue their search for us.”
“I thought you said they were leaving?”
“They are, yet they will still be involved in trade and travel with the Expansion, and if any trace of either the Kracori or the Klin is found, they will undoubtedly send military units against us.”
McCarthy laughed. “That sounds like something they’d do.”
“That is precisely the input we require from you, Mr. McCarthy, of course without the cavalier attitude,” Daninf said between tight lips. “Are the Humans serious about their intent to leave and will they continue to pursue the Kracori?”
McCarthy leaned back in his chair and clasped his hands behind his head. He looked up at the ceiling as if in thought. When he looked back at Daninf, his eyes sparkled with an inner glow. “Oh yeah, they’re serious. They never wanted to be in charge of the galaxy anyway, so for them to pull back makes perfect sense. And claiming a smaller part of the galaxy as their own — that’s ace. Now they can play gods in their own backyard. And as far as continuing to hold you and the Klin responsible for all that’s happened to them, you can bet your bottom tanner that they’re serious.”
“Please, Mr. McCarthy, speak more clearly.”
“Yeah, Daninf, they’ll continue to come after you, until the last star in the galaxy burns out. Is that clear enough for you?” He leaned forward in the chair and placed his hands on the table’s edge, sending a wicked smile Daninf’s way. The Kracori did not fully support the smile-as-a-challenge gesture, like the majority of races throughout the galaxy, but they did understand the concept.
Daninf glared at him for several seconds, obviously upset by McCarthy’s disrespectful behavior. After a moment, however, he regained his composure and attempted to return a pleasant smile to the Human.
“Thank you, Mr. McCarthy. That will be all. If we need your consultation in the future we will call upon you. Oh, and as an afterthought, I hope you are finding your accommodations here on Eilsion satisfactory? We are glad to have you and your fellow Humans as guests of the Kracori race.”
As he went to rise, McCarthy placed a small, button-size object under the lip of the table. “They’re just fine, Ludif Daninf. No complaints.”
“Good. I would hate to hear that you are dissatisfied with Kracori hospitality.”
As Nigel left the conference room, he reached up to scratch his ear, and placed the tiny receiver deep inside it and out of sight. The pickup he’d placed under the table was working perfectly; Daninf was speaking:
“This situation does not change our status to any great degree. The Humans may be leaving, but it is still not safe for us to venture beyond the nebulae.”
“But Daninf, soon the Humans will be ensconced in their own territory and may not wish to embark on another long-distance military campaign. We may still be able to emerge,” said another of the Kracori in the room.
“That may be so,” Daninf agreed. “But for the time being, we are still foremost on their mind. With time, what you say may be true, but not in the short-term. Until that time we must assure that we remain secluded — which brings up the subject of our Human guests.”
“No Kracori will reveal the location of Eilsion, and all the Klin have been eradicated. You are correct, Daninf: only the Humans are a variable,” said the other Kracori.
“I see no reason to continue with this accommodation, Linof,” Daninf said. “And with this new emphasis on casting the Kracori as outlaws, McCarthy and his fellow Humans may seek to trade their own forgiveness for our location. The Humans on Eilsion are few, but they are shifty and resourceful. We cannot risk keeping them around. Do what you must to remedy this situation, Linof.”
“Yes, my Ludif. I will begin to make the arrangements.”
Nigel had just stepped outside the tall, gray building when the conversation in the conference room concluded. He climbed into the back of the transport for the trip back to his apartment with a small grin on his face, an expression that went unnoticed by his driver.
So, they intend to snuff us out, the bloody bastards, Nigel thought. How predictable. He pressed the button on a small communication device he carried in his pocket, sending out an alert to the rest of his team. After all these years, his men would be ready for some action.
Just as Nigel McCarthy had done back on the Klin world of Marishal, he had long planned for all contingencies. Years back, while still in favor with the Kracori leadership, he had secretly secured an old, yet reliable flying saucer and stowed it away where it could not be found by the Kracori. In addition, he and his men maintained go-bags, packed constantly, just waiting for the word.
Nigel McCarthy had just sent the word.
While he enjoyed the rest of the ride back to his flat, he began to reflect on what the future may hold for him. With the Humans pulling back, there would be chaos and confusion, and Humans would be few and far between throughout the galaxy, except in the distant Far Arm. This could offer Nigel and his men an opportunity. With their skills and superior physical abilities — and no one around to challenge them — Nigel and his team could have their run of the place, something that had always been denied them.
Yes, there was opportunity in chaos, and Nigel McCarthy was ready to be set free within the galaxy like he had never been before. In the past, he had either been a puppet of the Klin or the Kracori. Now he was going to be his own boss and the master of his own destiny. He also knew there was not a single race of bloody aliens in the entire galaxy who could stop him.
Chapter 49
Adam Cain was feeling melancholy. He had kept busy for the past five months preparing for the departure of the Humans from the Expansion, which had helped to distract him from his demons. But now that he was scheduled to depart for Earth in three weeks, it was getting harder to keep them at bay.
The trip to Earth would indeed be painful and agonizing beyond belief. Even though he had been on many a Navy deployment in his career, with his particular rating, he had never spent that much time confined aboard a ship. For him it had always been about the action. So, even though the year-long trip back to Earth was contributing to his mood, it was not all that was bothering him.
It was also the uncertainty. He did not know where his future would take him. He had mustered out of the Navy years, as his fame and adoration would not allow him to simply do his job anymore.