Read The Unreachable Stars: Book #11 of The Human Chronicles Saga for Free Online Page B

need to make an informed decision.’ ”
    “What does that mean?”
    “I don’t know, Mr. President. That was moments before the ship accelerated out of the system.”
    “Where would they be going?” asked a white-maned Juirean Overlord. “Did you not order your subordinate to return to the planet?”
    “Yes I did, Overlord Palon, yet Adam Cain is no longer under my command.”
    “And yet he must have been aware of your serious desire to acquire this creature Panur?”
    Andy looked first at the Juirean and then the Klin. “You have also been offered immunity,” he stated when the reality struck him. “That’s why the Klin attacked Adam’s house.”
    “Yes, both the Klin and the Juireans have also been offered immunity for returning Panur,” said President Osbourne quickly. “As have the Sileans, the Hybens, the Formilians, and about a hundred other species. That’s old news, Admiral. Let’s move on.”
    “So it’s a race to see who can find him first? What about the rest of us then, the ones left out when Panur is found and returned?”
    “That’s the purpose of this meeting, Admiral,” said Osbourne. “It’s obvious now what the Sol-Kor are doing, so it’s important we present a unified front. There won’t be immunity for just one of us, but for everyone in the galaxy. At least that’s the offer we’re going to make once we get possession of Panur.”
    “And what if they say no?”
    “Let’s just find Cain first, Admiral.”
    “That won’t be easy.”
    “He is one of your kind,” said the Juirean. “Surely you must understand his ways.”
    Andy turned to the mouthy alien. “Yes, he’s one of our kind, but Adam Cain knows this galaxy better than any Human alive. He’s been to every corner and has contacts from here to the other Arm. If he wishes to remain hidden, he’ll remain hidden.”
    “Even if it means his entire species will be consumed by the Sol-Kor?”
    “If he chooses not to return Panur, then he must have a very good reason.”
    “Communications?” asked the president. “Surely we can still reach him through continuous-wormhole links.”
    “CW channels are open and broadcasts are being made. He’ll contact us when he’s ready, but probably not until he’s found a safe place to go to ground.”
    “Even so, I want all his prior associates contacted and watched. And send out a galaxy-wide announcement to be on the lookout for him. Offer a sizeable reward. We have to find Cain and Panur as soon as possible. With the Sol-Kor continuing their attacks, the future of the Milky Way galaxy could depend on it. You know him best, Admiral, so where’s he going and what’s his next move?”
    Tobias shook his head. “He could go anywhere, Mr. President. Rest assured, by now Captain Cain has already formulated a plan of action designed to keep him from being found. He’ll have every detail nailed down, contingencies for each phase of the op. There’ll be no flying by the seat of his pants, every move will have a purpose. It’s what he’s been trained to do. I’ll send out your announcements, Mr. President, but Adam Cain will only be found when he wants to be found.”
     

 
     

     
    Chapter 4
     
     “So what am I supposed to do now?” Adam blurted, finally reaching the breaking point after Panur’s insatiable line of questioning. “You’ve parked the Pegasus somewhere outside the plane of the galaxy, and five hundred light-years from the nearest civilized planet. We have the whole galaxy out looking for us—and you know I can’t hide you forever. What would be the point? I’m keeping you away from the Sol-Kor just so you won’t build them any more super death-rays, but even if I could hide you forever, the Colony will just keep absorbing planets until there’s no one left—which they’ll do even if you are returned…according to what you say. So what do you have in mind? You’re the genius around here, not me.”
    “You are quite right on all accounts,