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And even though the Humans will occupy the Cluster for the time being, we do have ample reserves to repel them at a future date. It is more important at this time to save our heritage, if not our homeworld.”
    “But there are over a billion Juireans on the planet. There certainly cannot be enough ships available to save them all.”
    Adam could tell the Elder was growing impatient with his subordinate’s questioning. This latest revelation also explained why Hydon seemed to be so distracted.
    “We will be able to save over half, according to our estimates. There are still four months before the Humans arrive.”
    “Payback’s a bitch, isn’t it?” Sherri said, the first of the Humans to speak.
    Hydon looked at her for several seconds, his eyes scanning her up and down. “You are the female. Although it has been millennia since Juireans practiced the traditional mating bonds, the vast majority of our Member races still do. In fact, in some societies females play the dominant role. I respect that. I will address you as an equal with your male counterparts.”
    Sherri pulled her chin down into her neck as her eyes grew wide. Adam could almost hear her thinking, “Oh no, you didn’t just say that!”
    “You are the one known as Sherri Valentine. You have accompanied the males during their terrorism activities, so you will share their fate.” Hydon then turned his attention to Adam. “You must be Adam Cain,” he said quickly. “The three of you are the first Humans I have met in person. It is good to actually see the enemy in the flesh. There have been so many rumors circulating regarding Humans, many I am sure initiated by you and your kind. Although all of you in this room will die quickly and soon, the others you came with will not be so lucky. They will be tested and their bodies analyzed to reveal your secrets. Once Fleet Marshal Relion and his technicians are done with them, we will know what it takes to efficiently kill the Humans.” Hydon nodded to the Juirean seated at his right.
    “Now, before I kill you, I want to know the answer to a question I have not been able to fathom: Why? Why has your race elected to wage war against the Juirean Expansion? Besides the sheer audacity of the act, you must know you cannot prevail, not against the entire Expansion.”
    “We didn’t start this – you did!” Sherri took a step closer to the Juirean; Adam and Riyad grabbed her arms and pulled her back.
    “As to your point of us starting this conflict, you are gravely mistaken. The Juirean Expansion had no knowledge of your race until you began hostile activities against us. And the attack upon your homeworld was simply a defensive move to counter your aggressiveness.” He looked directly at Adam. “And as we have learned, it was you who played an integral role in leading our forces into the trap. And now, in our most recent encounter, your race has once again displayed an almost pathological obsession with deception. You cannot be trusted. You are a race of savages and criminals.” With the last statement, Hydon looked at Riyad. “ Pirates and barbarians, feeding off the misfortunes of others. Yes, Riyad Tarazi, I am also aware of your contributions to this entire affair.”
    He looked again at Adam, “So answer me: Why have you embarked down this fruitless path?”
    Adam took a deep breath. He eyed the sword resting on the table, knowing that he would have only one chance to save their lives, and, unlike the evil villains in a James Bond movie, the Juirean leader appeared to be in a hurry. He wasn’t going to take the time to gloat.
    But still, his comment about an evacuation gave Adam the opening he was looking for.
    “Sherri’s right: we didn’t start this, and as it turns out, neither did you,” Adam said. “Everything that has happened up until now has been the result of the Klin screwing with both of us.”
    Hydon looked confused, either from Adam’s use of the word screwing or from his comment