The Legend of Earth (The Human Chronicles Saga -- Book 5) by T.R. Harris

“What does it read?”
    Mininof had participated in the prior evening’s festivities as well, but obviously to a lesser degree. “It is some of the last reports filed by the spies within the tower just as we began our attack. There is some interesting information.”
    “Go on, don’t leave me in suspense.”
    “Hydon is in the bunker below!”
    Jonnif was nearly shocked sober – almost. This was very interesting news. Prior to the attack, the Klin – and now the Kracori – had had no fewer than thirty-five active spies operating within the building. They continually fed information to the Kracori, no matter how trivial. As is often the fate of spies, none had been warned of the impending attack, so all perished in the building.
    “Yes, he and a group of what appeared to be Humans entered the bunker elevator just moments before your first strike.”
    “Humans? Here?”
    “That is what was reported.”
    “Did the spies know who they are or what was their significance?”
    “It was not mentioned in this report, yet a previous file might mention them. I will research it.”
    “Good. In the meantime, get me linked into the bunker’s communication network. I wish to speak to the almighty Juirean Elder, now cowering in fear within his metal tomb, right below my very feet.”
    “Technicians have already located the trunk lines. It should not be long before you have access. I am anxious to hear your conversation with Hydon. It will be legend .”

 
    Chapter 13
     
    Legend to a Kracori was very similar to a reputation, only more so. It was what gave a Kracori his identity, his legacy, his very reason for existing. Each Kracori had their own individual legend, and then their race had a legend of its own. The Kracori took immense pride in the legend of their race, and they also assigned legends to other races, even though none were aware of it. These legends created a pecking order of beings throughout the galaxy, with the Kracori sitting upon the very top.
    Dominance for the Kracori came with the discrediting of another’s legend, be it an individual’s or that of an entire race. Until the legend was destroyed, the person or race was still considered a threat.
    On Eilsion, Kracori seldom resorted to full-blown wars or murder against their own kind; most Kracori struggles in the past had been against nature or beast. Amongst themselves, it was the placement of legend that determined a person’s position within the society.
    For the eight hundred or so years that the Kracori had been aware of the Juireans – since revealed by the Klin – their consciousness had been dominated by the Legend of the Juireans. It infected their politics and haunted their dreams, even though no Kracori had ever met a Juirean face-to-face.
    The Klin had introduced the galaxy to the Kracori, if only peripherally. Yet conversely, the Klin had been careful not to reveal the Kracori to the rest of the galaxy, electing to save them for their grand finale. That time had finally come, but as it turned out, it was the Klin who had not been invited to the party.
    In doing so, the Kracori had greatly diminished the Legend of the Klin, a legend that for many generations ranked second only to that of their own. Now with the utter demolition of the Juirean Legend, the only legend the Kracori had to contend with now was the Legend of Earth .
    As Jonnif prepared himself for the day’s activities – which undoubtedly would have him speaking directly with the Council Elder Hydon Ra Elys – he was curious to learn what Humans were doing on Juir. He had not been aware that any were even near the planet, let alone on its surface and associating with the most-powerful Juirean of them all.
    Jonnif was still confident in his plan to divert the Human fleet from Juir. In fact, the latest report he had received put the estimated time for the attack upon the planet Earth at just under seven days, which was actually behind schedule. From what he understood,