T. Harris - The Legend of Earth

“I will now conclude with this one final item and word of warning. Although we are leaving, we are not running away, and if any of you seek to challenge us in the future, it will not be pleasant — for you. So from me and my race, we have this very simple message: Don’t mess with the Humans.”

It had been over four years since Nigel McCarthy had had any contact with the Kracori Ludif Council, so when he got the message earlier in the day that they were requesting his counsel, he was very curious as to what was up.

He dressed in the best of the tattered clothing they had given him over seven years ago before and attempted to pat down the wild ginger-colored hair that had grown much too long on the sides of his now nearly-bald scalp. He had given up keeping his hair cropped to nearly non-existence several years ago, when he realized that no one gave a damn what he looked like. In a world of gray, leather-skinned beings, no matter what he did he would always look alien to them.

Since arriving on the planet Eilsion with the Juirean Elder Hydon, he had experienced a love-hate relationship with the Kracori. At first, they loved him, treating him and his men as celebrities at court. They were given lavish quarters just outside the sprawling planetary governing complex in the city of Goruis, along with nearly anything they else desired. And early on, he had consulted almost continuously with the Kracori, revealing all he could about his fellow Humans, their industrial capacity and their tactics of war.

McCarthy had been more than happy to offer this information, something the Klin never seemed that curious about. The Klin had studied Humans for a hundred years and believed they knew all they needed to know about the Humans, at least enough for the role they were to play in coming events. Nigel had done his part by coordinating the acquisition of Humans for the Klin’s breeding farms and spaceships. Beyond that, they never had much use for the former British SAS officer. It was this superficial regard for Human nature that may have allowed the Klin to underestimate mankind. If only they’d listened to him more….

Unfortunately, the Kracori had also run out of uses for McCarthy and his men. After draining them of all useful information, the Humans were eventually relocated to a more rundown section of the city and promptly forgotten. They were provided with a bare minimum of food and drink and other provisions, all free of charge, but never did Nigel see a dime of the planetary fortune he’d been promised. Many a restless night, Nigel McCarthy would lay awake and wonder if he’d done better taking his chances with Adam Cain and the other Humans? At least then he would have been under more control of his destiny….

But now the Kracori had summoned him. Maybe now he might be of renewed value to them. And maybe now he could escape from the paralyzing boredom that was his constant companion on the planet Eilsion.

But just in case it was something else, he did take along a few accessories….

Nigel McCarthy was escorted to a non-descript conference room within the governing complex, but not one of the fancy chambers reserved for VIP’s. Instantly, alarm bells went off in his head. The SAS field operative was now on full alert.

He sat at the end of a long, gray metal table where four Kracori were already seated. He was glad to see Daninf Kicon sitting at the other end. At least this meeting was important enough to warrant the presence of the Kracori Langril himself.

“Mr. McCarthy,” Daninf began. He had long ago learned the proper form of greeting for Humans. McCarthy could also see the leader of the Kracori people had grown considerably older-looking in the four years since he’d seen him last. It must be tough for the Kracori, to be stuck here in their own nebulae, afraid to poke their heads outside their protective cocoon. “There had been a major development within the Expansion which we need your insights.”

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: