When Earth Reigned Supreme (The Human Chronicles Saga Book 12) by T.R. Harris Page B

not.” He glanced at the other aliens next to him. “Why have you bound the Salifens? They are of no threat.”
    “Yeah, I kinda noticed that. Nice guys, though, just like Milok. You, on the other hand, I don’t like much.”
    “I do not care what you like or do not like…”
    Adam motioned to Ace Harbison. “Take this one behind the truck. Make sure he doesn’t interfere as I have a talk with my new friend, Milok.”
    “Aye, sir.”
    A wild look of concern came over the alien’s face. “Milok, do not tell them anything!” It was the last sentence he spoke before the strap from a utility belt wrapped around his head and across his mouth. The smaller Human lifted the seven-foot-tall Sol-Kor from the bench with ease and carried him behind the truck and out of sight of the other native. With a dull thud, Ace sent the creature into a deep, involuntary sleep.
    “That’s better,” Adam said. “Now it’s just the two of us.”
    Milok looked around the room at all the alien faces staring at him. “Yes, plus all the others.” He then looked at his oddly-hanging right arm. “I believe it is broken,” he said. “A replacement technician must now be sent, as I cannot fulfill my duties. If the injury is severe enough, I will be of no use to the Colony and I will be recycled. However, I find it odd that I have no sensation in the injured appendage.”
    “It’s a miracle, Milok. Now, will you answer a few questions I have?”
    “I will, even though I do not know why.”
    “That doesn’t matter. Now, first thing, is the Queen in the tallest structure on the ridge?”
    “My Queen? In all her reverence, my mother, the creator of all?”
    “Yes, one and the same. Is she there?”
    “Of course.”
    “Where in the structure?”
    “In her chambers.”
    “I realize that. But where is that within the structure?”
    “Please do not be disappointed, but I do not know. She is in her chambers. She is always in her chambers, yet I have never been there.”
    “You haven’t heard anyone talk of such things?”
    “No, why would we speak of such things to each other?”
    Adam shook his head, trying to clear it of the absurdity of the alien’s attitude. “How about tunnels to the mountain? Where is the nearest tunnel from here leading to the central pyramid?”
    “K-R42.”
    “Where is K-R42?”
    “Where it has always been.”
    “Which is where?” Adam clenched his teeth, straining to keep his frustration from showing in his voice.
    “Baseline, third left from here.”
    Where is Baseline Street?”
    “Where is baseline…oh, I understand. It is the course outside this structure.”
    The team had done a quick job of rounding up the bodies of the dead Sol-Kor from their entry through the portal, and now Milok’s gaze focused on the pile. “Are you going to kill me, too?” Even though the question was of the gravest nature, his tone was that of casual curiosity.
    “No, of course not,” Adam said with a smile. “We’re friends.”
    “Did you kill Kanoc?”
    Adam looked toward where the truck sat. “No, he’s just sleeping. He seemed very upset.”
    “That is understandable. We were not expecting to find such a…a—”
    Suddenly, the eyes of the alien turned to circles and the gray of his face scales turned ashen. He inhaled sharply and toppled over, falling to the floor. The two other aliens watched with expressionless detachment.
    Hernandez, one of the two trained medics on the team, rushed to the fallen alien. He turned him over and ripped open his dark red shirt. Already Adam could see a bruising of the skin in the middle of his chest.
    Hernandez took a stethoscope and placed it on the alien’s skin. “His damn heart exploded, Cap. He’s toast.”
    “Ace, how’s the other one?”
    Harbison poked his head around from behind the truck. “Sorry, sir. Not familiar how much force to use on these guys. Doesn’t look like he’s going to be waking up anytime soon.”
    Adam pursed his lips before issuing