Read Human Chronicles Part 2 Book 3: A Galaxy to Conquer for Free Online

relative comfort, even though most of the trip was spent with the windows down to relieve the cockpit of the rank odor of Kankus’ intoxicant-laced breath.
    As it was with most societies of advanced beings, wealth had its privileges, and The Lakes was everything you would expect from a conclave of the planet’s elites. The roads throughout the sprawling complex were extremely wide, bordered by manicured landscaping of lush green grass and tailored trees, now ablaze with the vibrant colors of springtime on Tel’or. All the homes were separated by several acres, many with tall security walls and iron gates through which were revealed extremely long driveways leading to massive, low-slung domiciles. Tel’oran homes were constructed with outwardly sloping exterior walls, providing a sheltered area around the perimeter under expansive rooflines that soared high to a zenith above the central point of the home. Inside would be a voluminous great room with a ceiling easily a hundred feet high.
    The pilot Kankus directed the trio to a gate leading to Ruszel’s current residence—one of the largest, if not the largest, residence in the entire subdivision. A camera attached to a long support extended out from the security wall next to the gate and scanned the transport from both the driver and passenger sides.
    “Kankus, is that you?” came a disembodied voice from hidden, stereoscopic speakers.
    “Yes, my friend. I have come to pay you a visit.”
    “And who is that with you?”
    “Fellow travelers who are intrigued by your tales of adventure; they may even wish to profile you in the Library.”
    Kaylor wasn’t surprised by the effortlessness of the Tel’oran’s lie. Merchant traders and pilots were often quick with their tales, a necessary talent when negotiating entry—or exit—from difficult situations.
    “Please enter, Kankus. I will welcome the diversion.”
    The gate silently slipped to one side and Kaylor drove the transport up to the front portico of a fabulously ornate building. With such a variety of different habitats found throughout the galaxy, one being’s mansion could be another’s waste dump, yet even by Kaylor’s Belsonian standards, this structure was massive and impressive. How the Senior Pilot came to afford it was still a mystery to both he and Jym, their only clue being Kankus’ mention of his fortune and spaceship coming as the result of a single fare. That fare had to be Riyad Tarazi, Kaylor reasoned, and if the Human had been carrying a wealth in native currency on his mission—as were they—then the source of Ruszel’s newfound gains became obvious.
    Kaylor had been very slow at learning how to use his ATD effectively, and the fact that he and Jym were on a separate starship from the rest of the team meant that they had to learn their lessons remotely. This hindered Kaylor’s progress even more. And yet the single-most important ability of the telepathy implant proved to be the detection of energy weapons, along with their subsequent disarming. This talent the two aliens—Kaylor included—had mastered, which gave the diminutive Jym his often reckless confidence in confronting overwhelming force.
    Kaylor and Jym looked at each other, communicating the silent acknowledgement that there were multiple flash weapons located throughout the structure and grounds, with most gathered in a hidden circle around them. With Ruszel’s new wealth—and the questionable means in which he acquired it—Kaylor understood why the Tel’oran would be paranoid of visitors. Security was expected, and the former pilot had the means to afford the very best.
    Ruszel greeted them at the wide double entrance to the home. He was a green-skinned creature of average build, with skin displaying knobby welts on his narrow face like other Tel’orans. His three guests exited the transport and walked the short distance up a series of steps to the landing outside the entrance.
    Ruszel grasped the arms of Kankus and