The Legend of Earth

Chapter 41



News that Juir had been sacked had spread rapidly throughout the galaxy as untold trillions of beings fell into a uniform state of shock. Near the Cluster Alliance it was even worse, with thousands of spaceships leaving the area as fast as their drives would carry them.

Whether intentional or not, Adam’s sudden fixation with finding a larger vessel to take them home had galvanized the Humans, taking their minds off the inconceivable event that had just taken place. They hounded Kaylor and Jym over the next fourteen hours to find them a ship – any ship – as long it was a Class-5 or larger.

“Primus-Lur is our best option, as far as I can tell,” Kaylor was saying. “I have never been to this side of the galaxy so I don’t have any first-hand knowledge to contribute, just what is in the Library.”

“Tell me about Primus-Lur,” Adam commanded a little too forcefully.

“From what I can find, it is one of the major commercial centers for this sector. It was in the second wave of consolidation, right after the Alliance Cluster, so it has been a part of the Juirean empire nearly from the start.”

“But do they have ships?” Riyad asked, anxious to contribute his years of pirating experience to the effort.

“It should – it did – before all this turmoil. According to the Library, representatives of all the major shipping companies are located there. How many of their ships remain, I do not know, and a number of them may have been called into action by the Juireans for their evacuation. The ships may be scattered throughout a 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.”