Legend Beyond The Stars Read Free Page B

centre of the room, his two subordinates kept pace. Without communicating with his men, he knew by the level of tension flooding the room, they also had detected the tantalising scent.
    A Jurian male in an out-moded jumpsuit lingered close-by, flapping his hands. Three fellow Jurians waited in a huddle near the far wall. All the females were clothed in an odd assortment of garments. Different skin tones and facial features revealed they were of different races, bound together by their mutual fear of the enemy.
    One of the females caught his attention. She stood straight as any warrior a pace or two in front of the others and with her square chin tilted starward, her posture radiated a proud defiance. He stared, his gaze sweeping over a slim body with soft curves easily discernable beneath the flight suit, to linger on her face, drinking in the clear blue-green of her eyes and the paleness of her skin. This one with her air of command and direct gaze baffled him. A strange pull urged him to step closer and he shook his shoulders as if to rid himself of an uncomfortable itch.
    He forced himself to remain cautious. It would be foolish to assume success—for the traders were as slippery as coda worms.
    This could be an elaborate ruse to throw them off guard.
    And the swift recollection of the Elite battle cruiser heading with lethal intent towards their co-ordinates cooled Tarak’s heated blood.

Chapter Two
    Predators! Alana stared horrified at her first glimpse of this new threat. The women at her side cringed. She spared them a quick, encompassing glance.
    Jessamine stood goggled eyed. “Oh, moma. They are huge. Are you sure we can do this, Alana?”
    Faint perspiration dotted Elise’s forehead. “I think I’m going to be sick,” she wailed.
    “There’s no time for hysterics Elise. Now everyone just remain calm. Let me do the talking. I’m sure these aliens will listen to reason.” Alana spoke with a feigned brisk reassurance. It wouldn’t do to show the mounting apprehension which clawed at her gut.
    She didn’t blame the women for their fear. It had been all she could do to control a yelp when the aliens had trooped into the room. They exuded an aura of danger and death.
    And she was used to the sight of battle hardened soldiers. Behind her she could hear the gulping snivels of some of the women.
    Weeping and wailing would not help them now.
    Alana wiped her damp palms against her thighs, irritated when her knees quivered as insubstantial as dandelion fluff. She squared her shoulders. I can do this! I have to . She stepped forward a few paces.
    And waited.
    The alien she assumed to be their leader came to a halt a mere arm’s length from her.
    And waited.
    The two other aliens had also stopped, one on either side of their leader. Alana swallowed over the dryness parching her throat. Directly in front of her was a massive chest. Her gaze traced a slow path upwards, marvelling at the intricate black armour which covered the alien. It moved with smooth coordination towards her. Amazing how the technology allowed such freedom of movement and yet obviously offered effective shielding.
    She positively itched to try the suit herself.
    The creature’s outward appearance showed a reassuring humanoid composition. Alana gaped upwards. Never had she seen anything or anyone so huge. It towered over her, and she was a tall woman. Alarm bells clanged inside her head.
    With shoulders so wide she could not see past and that non-reflective black armour stuff covering thick forearms, a massive chest and sturdy legs, the alien exuded an aura of power and danger. Her curiosity pricked at the sight of what appeared to be control panels inlaid into the armour above the wrist and along the full length of the arm. It had big hands, gloved and lying in a casual flex position by its side.
    Her gaze travelled downwards. Various items which she took to be weapons hung from a belt at its waist, slim hips and massive thighs, again all