The Legend of Earth

thousand light years by now.”

“Screw it,” Adam said. “We won’t get anywhere just sitting around debating. Kaylor, get us over there as fast as you can. We’ll just go in and see for ourselves.”

Kaylor looked at Riyad. “Systems on this side of the galaxy are not as experienced with pirate activity as they are in the Fringe. I don’t think they’ve had any such activity in thousands of years.”

Riyad smiled. “Good. Then they won’t be expecting anything.”

“What I mean is the authorities will likely pursue much harder.”

“Let them pursue us all the way to back to Earth,” Adam said. “I don’t care much about following the law. Just get us there Kaylor; we’ll do the rest.”

“Yes, Adam. And that also brings up a subject Jym and I have been discussing.”

Adam frowned at the tall alien. “Go on.”

“Jym and I will not be accompanying you to Earth. We cannot; it is such a long journey there and back. And with the galaxy in such disarray, we have decided to return to our home worlds to see if we can be of any assistance.”

Adam could find no argument to counter Kaylor’s heart-felt confession. The Humans aboard the small ship were themselves in a frantic quest to return to their home — what there was left of it. He should expect nothing less from Kaylor and Jym.

“I understand, Kaylor. All I ask is that you help us locate another ship, and then you can take this one back to your planets.” He smiled as he placed a reassuring hand on Kaylor’s shoulder. “We may also need a quick lesson or two on how to run the new ship. I’m sure it’s different from the Juirean battlecruiser we took back to Earth the last time.”

“This one will more likely be a freighter. I believe there are very few warships left in this part of the Expansion.”

“That’s fine. Let’s just hope all the ships haven’t bolted. Set the course, Kaylor.”

“A freighter, you say?” Riyad said. “That should make for an easier acquisition.”

Chapter 42

Kaddof was outside the headquarters spaceship enjoying a few moments of natural air and starshine when his personal communicator sounded. There was an urgent message coming in from Eilsion that required his immediate attention. He rushed back into the large disk and proceeded to the S/W comm room.

The monitor blipped once and then Daninf’s head appeared. In the past three days Kaddof had not had any further communications with the Langril. Instead, he had redeployed his forces and only hours ago had received word that over five thousand more Juireans had been killed across the planet just from their initial strikes. It was going to be a good day on Juir.

“Kaddof!” Daninf Kicon called out. “The Humans have turned back toward Juir!”

Kaddof felt himself go weak. “This cannot be, my Ludif. Are you sure?”

“Of course. And not only have they turned, but approximately six hundred of their fastest units have broken off from the main fleet and are proceeding towards Juir at maximum well.”

“When will they arrive?”

“In just over thirty days, which is nearly a month sooner than originally expected.”

Kaddof’s mind was racing. Six-hundred Human ships….

“Only six hundred, my Ludif, our forces may be able to defeat them. I can muster over four hundred — and we are Kracori!”

“And even if you could defeat them, after a pitched battle with the Humans, what forces would you have to stand against their other nine-hundred ships when they arrive a month later?” Daninf asked, shaking his head. “I am disappointed in you, Kaddof. I would have thought the Academy would have trained our officers better.”

“But Daninf,” Kaddof began, forgetting the formal greeting for the head of the Ludif Council, “that would mean we must again prepare to evacuate.”

“Precisely, and not only prepare, but to execute.”

“We still have time to inflict great suffering on the Juireans here on the planet. I will double our efforts and still have time to pull the forces-”

“No!” Daninf said. “Begin the withdrawal immediately. All forces must be clear of the area well before the Humans arrive. We cannot leave any trace gravity waves that can lead them to us. Survival of our planet is more important than kill a few more Juireans. Pull your troops now, Kaddof.”

Kaddof sat staring at Daninf’s stoic face on the monitor. He knew there was no use in arguing; the Council had decided and now he must obey. He nodded slightly to Daninf.

Impatient, Daninf himself nodded and then cut the transmission.

Kaddof lifted himself from the seat slowly and made his way to the exit. Mininof, Jonnif’s aide — and now his — was waiting in the corridor. “The Humans are coming this way,” Kaddof mumbled. “Resume all evacuation procedures.”

“Why are they playing such games with us, these Humans?”

“I do not know, Mininof, but now the Kracori will lose our legend. It will be tragic.”

“Yes, my Ludif. I will send out your orders.”

Kaddof left the spaceship and returned to the edge of the cliff, very near where Jonnif had thrown himself off into the abyss. The remains of Juir City still smoldered far below, yet now he could see large concentrations of his ground troops clustered off to the left of the ruins. Soon the shuttles would start ferrying them back to their troop carriers for the long journey back home. They had only been on-planet for six days; they would not welcome being stuffed back into the giant spaceships, especially after not having accomplished their mission — or feasted much upon the flesh of Juireans.

In frustration Kaddof bent down and lifted a large rock from the ground. He held it in his hand, marveling at how light it felt for its size. With the gravity of Juir about one-quarter less than that of Eilsion, Kaddof felt an exhilarating physical strength on this planet of the Juireans. He would have welcomed the chance to kill a native with his bare hands, just to feel his superiority over the Juirean. His orders were to begin the evacuation immediately, but he was sure he still had time for one of the ground units to bring him a captive Juirean to kill. He would welcome that — and it would also make for an appropriate departing meal for him and his fellow officers.

As he peered over the edge of the cliff, Kaddof also thought of Jonnif and what joy he would have received from engaging in the same act. Jonnif Vinn had been Kaddof’s mentor, and more like a father to him than simply a commander.

Jonnif was of the Kiconnif clan and had been raised with all the political privileges that came with his birthright. And even though he had been born with the strongest of legends, Jonnif Vinn was also a very good commander, having proven himself in many a contest and through extensive advanced training. In addition, he was also related to the Langril, so when the time came to lead the finally assault upon the Juireans and the Expansion, it was Jonnif who was naturally chosen to command.

Kaddof, on the other hand, was from the Hilfoif Tribe, and as such had not shared the same path to his present rank as had Jonnif. Jonnif had met Kaddof seventeen years before and had immediately spotted an exceptional fire burning within the younger Kracori officer. It was also no secret that Jonnif enjoyed Kaddof’s almost Ludif-like worship of his commander. He had contacts and influence and he had traveled extensively off- planet. Kaddof had been more than happy to serve as Jonnif’s understudy.

But now the broken and mutilated body of Jonnif Vinn lay in a freezer aboard the headquarters ship, awaiting return to Eilsion where it would be undoubtedly cast into an unmarked grave without fanfare or regard for legend. The line of Jonnif Vinn would end with him and it would end with shame.