The Klin had found the Humans and employed them as their muscle; he was sure the Kracori were just as deadly.
A large metal door stood open at the end of the last corridor, as formidable as that of a bank vault, easily three feet thick. Anxious-looking Juireans were waiting, ready to push the door shut once the Elder entered. Hydon stepped inside then turned to the guards.
“Wait. There are others coming.”
The Guards looked at each other nervously, but complied.
Hydon moved into the chamber beyond the door while Adam waited with for his team.
Two minutes later, Adam was relieved to see Lt. Tobias appear around a faraway corner and enter the last corridor before the vault – followed by the other SEAL’s, Sherri and all the rest, including McCarthy and his men. Kaylor and Jym brought up the rear. None of the Humans had been armed yet. Part of him wanted to tell Hydon not to supply weapons to McCarthy and his men, but he thought better of it. If Hydon detected distrust by Adam for members of his own team, he might reconsider giving weapons to any of them. He hoped he wouldn’t regret his decision.
Adam waved them through the doorway and the Juireans closed the heavy door, securing it from inside when the last of them was through. Immediately, Adam felt his ears pop, as the pressure inside the room was increased. This increased air pressure would add even more resistance when attempting to open the door.
Of course, the Klin would probably just blow it….
They were all in a large foyer area shaped in a semi-circle. Three doors were placed in the curving far wall, and positioned between each door were formidable metal barricades manned by six Juireans each. The Guards were encased in full body armor, including helmets, and each gripped the largest hand-held flash rifles Adam had ever seen.
A Juirean was motioning for the group to follow him through the doorway on the left. Without a word, they all followed. They entered a larger chamber, rectangular in shape, with a ceiling over twenty meters high. Assembled around them were a number of squads of Juirean Guards, as well as Hydon and about half of his support group.
Adam walked up to the Elder, his own group standing behind, looking unsure what to do next. After a moment, Hydon took notice. “Commander, supply each of these creatures with a flash rifle and sidearm, along with ample charges. Then find a barracks for them, somewhere not too far from my quarters. They are now part of my personal guard. Is that understood?”
Adam could see that the Guard commander recognized Adam and his companions as Humans, the very enemy they were currently waging war against – and for all he knew – were attacking Juir at that very moment. Apparently only Hydon and his closest advisors knew the truth.
“My Lord?” the commander said, “are you sure that is wise?”
“They can be trusted, commander, and soon we may need their assistance. Do as ordered.”
“Yes, my Lord.” The Juirean Guard moved up to Adam until he was only a few inches from him, towering a head taller. He looked down at the Human with undisguised contempt before finally saying, “Follow me. There is a place where you can find quarters.”
The room they were taken to was large and utilitarian, consisting of only a row of bunks, a bank of lockers and a communal grooming station at the end. Since all Juirean fighters were male, there was no need to have separate quarters for men and women.
Two Juireans wheeled a large cart into the room, filled with protruding barrels from a dozen or more flash rifles, plus MK’s and satchels of assorted charge packs for the weapons. Without a word, all the military personnel in Adam’s group swarmed the cart, snatching up weapons and ammo with gusto. They each admired the feel of the weapon in their grasp, as if it were a long-lost love. Adam armed himself as well, and after going so long without holding a weapon in his hands, he felt almost a drug-high sweep over him.
Sherri was no exception. She confidently selected a rifle and MK of her own, but soon the thrill had passed. “Adam, what’s going on now? We have Juireans giving us weapons – and the whole damn place feels like it’s being blown apart.”
“You’re right about that, Sherri,” Adam said as the group assembled around him. “The Klin found a way to get here sooner than