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

placed next to the computer containing all the elements of his cover story. Ten minutes later, the alien leaned back in the chair.
    “It is done. Now when you check-in at the departure station, your authorization will be available for verification.”
    Riyad placed a hand gently on the shoulder of the Tel’oran, his smile returning. “Good. Now one last thing: Do you have anything in your society like a vacation or leave of absence?”
    “I understand the translation. Yes, we have both.”
    “Good! Now let your supervisors know that you are going away for a couple of weeks – a vacation or a leave of absence – whatever you would like to call it.”
    “I do not have an accumulated two weeks of vacation available, yet a leave of absence will be approved; it is without compensation.”
    “Wonderful!” Riyad said, genuinely pleased. “You would be surprised how similar both our societies really are.”
    Juous went back to typing. A few moments later he finished.
    “Are you done? Are you now on a leave-of-absence?”
    The alien turned back to the computer and clicked through a few screens. “Yes … the request was approved by automation. It is done. What happens next?”
    Riyad had moved behind the green alien. “You don’t want to know.” Riyad quickly locked his right arm around the neck of the Tel’oran and with his left hand, began to squeeze. Just before the alien lost consciousness, Riyad released him.
    “I could have killed you just then. Do you agree with that statement, Juous Minn?”
    The Tel’oran just nodded rapidly while rubbing his bruised neck.
    “Good, I don’t want to kill you, but I will if I must. Now I strongly suggest that you do disappear for a couple of weeks and speak nothing of this. We Klingons are very vengeful, and if I learn you have reported me, I will come after you and your bloodline. I ask again, do you believe me Juous Minn?”
     
    ********
     
    Ten minutes later, Riyad had grown tired of the Tel’orans constant babbling about how he wouldn’t tell the gods themselves about the encounter. Even though he knew he was taking a big chance by not simply killing the alien outright, Riyad didn’t feel a simple bureaucrat – no matter how obnoxious – should be killed indiscriminately. Yet as Juous rushed from the room, Riyad dropped his jaw, shook his head and spoke to the empty room. “Damn you, Adam Cain! You’ve turned me into a darker-skinned version of yourself”
     

 
    Chapter 4
     
    T he Guild Transit Station was located at the main spaceport, about two miles from where Riyad had left his ship – a vessel that was a smaller version of the Pegasus. It was a concentrated-array starship similar to the others and capable of speeds unheard of within stellar systems. He named it Ifrit , after the Arabian mythological winged-creature of fire, figuring that if the Americans could name their ships after mythical winged beasts, then so could he. Yet his was one more indicative of his cultural heritage, and not that of the Americans.
    He entered the administration building as if he belonged there and was directed to the Convoy Assignment department. After providing his name and other basic information, he waited patiently for the clerk to pull up his data; a small laser-beam weapon was hidden in the waistband of his pants just in case the alien-on-the-bed had deceived him.
    It wasn’t needed.
    The clerk looked up and began to ask questions. “I do not notice any information regarding past convoy transits. Is this your first?”
    “Yes … is that a problem?”
    “No problem, yet are you aware that a pilot and assistant are required to make the transit to Lucon-Por?”
    “Why is that? My ship has advanced navigation capabilities.”
    The clerk regarded him for a moment, suspicion growing in her expression. “Navigation data is never given to Outers for a variety of reasons. First it is too dangerous to attempt the transit without guidance, and secondly, this is