Human Chronicles Part 2 Book 2: The Apex Predator Read Free

than he, and therefore, not to be trifled with. That was a shame, because out here in the galaxy Humans were the supermen – stronger, faster and tougher than just about every race they encountered. In the early years of Riyad’s galactic tenure, he had taken full advantage of these special traits, enjoying the literal physical domination he had over others. That changed when more Humans showed up on the scene.
    And now Riyad was operating solo once again, freeing him to be as ruthless as the mission required – and with no one looking over his shoulder questioning his methods.
    The corners of Riyad’s mouth curled up as he looked over at the alien-on-the-bed. The creature had just admitted he’d never before met a Human, so all his knowledge was based on rumor and myth. Now the alien was about to get a first-hand introduction into what made Humans the terror of the galaxy. It would be knowledge the alien-on-the-bed would carry to his grave … if he wasn’t careful.
     

 
    Chapter 3
     
    R iyad took out a knife and cut a pant leg of the alien’s tunic up past the knee. The creature began kicking and twisting against the restraints.
    “Stop moving or I’ll cut you by mistake,” Riyad said.
    “What are you doing to me?”
    Riyad moved to the end of the bed. “I asked you nicely to authorize my trade status and all you’ve done is resist. Now the time for being nice has passed.” Riyad’s smile vanished.
    The Tel’oran froze on the bed and stopped struggling. His eyes grew even wider. “Why are you acting this way?”
    “I told you, I am a trader and all I seek is commerce. But now you accuse me of being a savage Human beast. I am truly offended by this, and where I come from, I would be justified in ending your life here and now.” Riyad beamed inside; believing his performance worthy of an Oscar.
      “I am but a servant in the Guild; I am just doing my job.”
    Riyad shook his head. “You haven’t up till now. I need you to sit down at that computer and make me part of the next trade convoy heading into the nebula.”
    “And if I refuse?”
    For an answer, Riyad reached down with his knife and deftly sliced a one-inch section of scaly, light-green skin from the alien’s leg. The Tel’oran gasped from the nearly unbearable pain, his breath drawn so short that he didn’t even have the means to scream out. Blood began to spill onto the bedding.
    “I will gladly slice off every inch of your skin unless you cooperate. The pain will be excruciating, yet you will not die – I will see to that. Instead I will make you suffer as no Tel’oran has ever before.” Riyad reached down with his blade again. “Shall I begin?”
    “No, please do not!” the alien cried out. “I will do anything you wish … anything!”
    “Why didn’t you say that in the first place? Now with all the blood on the bed, I probably won’t get back my cleaning deposit.”
    “What … I do not understand?”
    Riyad cut the bindings with his knife, freeing the now-trembling and sweating creature. “Never mind; just get on the computer and don’t give me any bullshit about not being able to log onto your system, I know you can.”
      The Tel’oran used the sheet to wrap his bloody wound before moving to the table with the computer.
      “Bull-shit? Please don’t cut me again, I am endeavoring to cooperate, yet I do not fully understand all you ask!”
    “Just get on the computer.” The alien sat unsteadily at the desk, and as he leaned forward to the attached keyboard, Riyad placed the knife against the greenish skin of his neck. “And don’t do anything to alert your people. I’ll know if you do.”
    The alien inhaled sharply and nearly fainted. When Riyad withdrew the blade the Tel’oran relaxed visibly. “What kind of trader are you?”
    Riyad smiled. “A good one – my customers never tell me no .”
    “I can understand why.” Juous began to type feverishly, referring frequently to the datapad Riyad had