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that marked the stairway in and out. The table flowed like a stylized ‘S,’ with large padded chairs placed at intervals around its circumference. Numerous low-profile monitors were built into the surface of the table.
    Adam looked around and gasped when he gazed out at the view the room provided. It was a 360-degree panorama, with the shimmering sea to the right, and to his left majestic, snow-capped mountains off in the distance.
    Adam looked at his companions; they returned his gaze, raising eyebrows and nodding. Looking at the Overlord, Adam could see he, too, was equally impressed.
    The lead Guard motioned for Adam and the Humans to stand next to the far end of the conference table, just as another Juirean rose up from the stairway in the floor, followed by two others.
    The first Juirean walked purposefully to the opposite end of the conference table, flowing a long purple cape behind him. He carried the white hair of an Elite, the highest in the Juirean caste system, and just from the air of confidence and power he exuded, Adam was sure this was the so-called Council Elder, the leader of the known universe.
    As he sat – flanked now by the other two Juireans, one with white hair, the other green – he dropped an ornate short-sword onto the hard surface of the conference table. The blade was highly polished with a slight curvature, the hilt made of wrapped leather of various colors. In light of the high technology the Juireans commanded, the weapon appeared to be very basic and primitive.
    “I am Council Elder Hydon Ra Elys,” the Juirean said abruptly, barely acknowledging the presence of the Humans. “Since we have heard stories concerning the tenacity of your kind as far as physical strength and resistance to flash weapons, the collars you now wear have been fitted with molecular blades of titanium which we assume will sever the nerves running through your spines.” He finally looked up at the Humans and took notice. “And from the thickness of your necks, there is a good chance the blades would separate your heads from your bodies with minimal effort.”
    He looked down at the datapad he’d carried into the room, and then without looking up, he continued, “If you approach me closer than half the width of this table, the blades will be activated. In addition, the room is being constantly monitored. Any attempt to attack me or any of the guards will result in activation of the collars. My time is limited, so after a brief discussion, I will use this ceremonial blade from the time before Contact to end your lives. You are fortunate that I do not have more time, otherwise I would make you suffer more.”
    The Elder finally finished scanning the information on the datapad and set it down on the tabletop. He leaned back in his chair and looked up at Overlord Anawar standing about three meters to Adam’s right.
    “Lord Anawar, I am very grateful that you have brought these outlaws to me personally. Your file will be noted. And the prize of the Klin spacecraft is even now being loaded aboard another ship for transport so it can be properly analyzed out of the area. As well, the ten ships you have delivered will serve an important function during the evacuation.”
    “Evacuation? My Lord, I do not understand. What of the defense?”
    “Of course you are not aware; the decision has only recently been made. Juir, as well as several other important facilities throughout the Cluster, are to be evacuated to safer territory as a result of the impending attack by the Human forces. It has been determined that any defense we may mount in the time available will be inadequate, therefore we are evacuating so as to preserve Juirean artifacts and records, along with as many lives as possible.”
    “Forgive me, my Lord, but Juir is to be abandoned … to the barbarians?”
    “Overlord Anawar, this is not a decision we have come to lightly. Unfortunately, at this time it is the only one that will preserve Juirean culture.