The Copernicus Deception (The Human Chronicles Saga Book 15) by T.R. Harris Page A

His desk was located near the west side of the completely glassed-in room. An oddly-shaped conference table was placed at the center. The layout was a duplicate of the Elder’s Chambers dating back over two thousand years. Synnoc strove to maintain the ancient traditions wherever possible. It was important for the Juireans to regain the pride they once had, before the Kracori ravaged their home planet and the Humans racked up military victory after military victory on their way to defeating both the Juireans and Kracori in the battle of the Dysion Void.
    That was years ago, when the tiny pink creatures had just made their appearance in galactic affairs. Since then, the Humans had gained even more respect with their efforts against the Sol-Kor. Synnoc’s predecessors had underestimated the Earthlings in the past. This time it would be different.
    “Take possession of the ship, Overlord,” Synnoc ordered. “Conduct your own search. If nothing is found, then place a tracking device aboard the vessel.”
    “I do not understand, my Lord. Cain and Tarazi are in custody. The ship is not going anywhere.”
    “You must refresh your research regarding these two particular Humans,” Synnoc said. “I doubt highly if the Visidorans will be able to keep them restrained for long.”
    “Then…should we not assist?” Daven asked.
    Synnoc grinned. “No. Let the Visidorans learn on their own what it means to interact with the Humans. I understand they have had very little contact with them in the past.”
    “You wish them to escape—and with the Gradis vessel?’
    “It is not my wish, just my belief, that it will come to pass on its own. With the tracker aboard, we may eventually learn what importance the ship holds for the Humans, information I am sure they would not be willing to divulge if asked directly.”
    “We could—”
    “ You could follow my orders, Overlord.”
    “Yes…of course, my Elder!”
    “That is better. Monitor the situation at the prison, yet do not interfere.”
    “As you command.”

 
    Chapter 10
     
    With the collar restraints around their necks, the Visidorans felt confident enough in the security device’s deterrent abilities to leave the Human’s hands and feet unbound. When the rear door to the transport vehicle swung open, the trio climbed out without too much effort, except for the after-effects of the beating they’d taken, which seemed to have intensified the longer they sat immobile in the back of the truck.
    It was nearing dusk, yet with enough remaining light for Adam to get a good look at the layout of the prison compound. Like the city of Swiv, the prison was surrounded by a series of tall towers with silver globes resting on top, electric deterrents against invading creatures from the jungle, if not the growth. However, the encroachment of the jungle vegetation—unlike in the city—was managed by physical labor in the form of prisoner work crews, made up mostly of natives with a few aliens thrown. They were waging a never-ending war with the aggressive growth, as guards sat in dual-tracked crawlers watching their sweating charges use hand-held trimmers to attack the stubborn foliage. But no sooner had a section of jungle been beat back, then a recently cleared area was once again overrun. The workers would then shift back to the first section and began the process over again. Adam reasoned that the jungle didn’t stop growing at night, so the process had to be a twenty-four/seven affair.
    A squad of short guards began herding Adam, Riyad and Copernicus toward one of the many identical buildings located at the center of the clearing. There were no walls enclosing the compound, just a wide buffer of cleared mud between the structures and the jungle.
    A loud growl blasted out from the jungle shadows. Everyone stopped in their tracks, including the guards. Without warning, the huge, fanged head of a savage-looking beast appeared from the fronds. The head was easily twenty feet long