Read Online Hellhole Inferno by Brian Herbert - Free Book Online Page A

reassurances,” Escobar said. “We will not be harmed. We will not be forced.”
    â€œOf course not,” Keana said. “No one is to be coerced. We hoped you would at least consider?”
    Bolton’s heart ached, wanting to be with her, but he couldn’t leave his comrades, nor did he want to lose himself … certainly not like this.
    â€œYou can go now,” Escobar said. “You have no place here.”
    They regarded one another in silence, and then the alien’s voice thrummed through a facial membrane. “You are the leaders of this group of humans. You are the ones I must convince, so that your faction assists us. This planet is threatened. You must see reason.”
    Keana added, “Encix is telling the truth. Your people have the opportunity to save this planet and save the Xayan race.”
    Encix said, “If your faction would accept the slickwater and reawaken more of us, we would have sufficient numbers to reach ala’ru .”
    â€œWhy should we care about your strange race?” Escobar said. “You are allied with our enemy, so you are our enemy.”
    â€œThe Ro-Xayans are the only significant enemy,” the alien said. “The squabbles of your factions will be irrelevant if the Ro-Xayans destroy this world.”
    â€œYou have already made the offer. No one is interested. No one will ever be interested,” Bolton said. “I’m sorry, Keana.”
    Escobar was adamant, though Bolton could sense his uneasiness. “You can’t force us. We are prisoners of war.”
    Encix seemed baffled, and the shadow-Xayans looked at the prisoners pityingly. “But you could become enlightened, you would receive remarkable powers of telemancy, and you would understand far more than you do now. Merge with us in a unique synchronicity of races.” The Xayan’s antennae quivered. “Why do you resist?”
    â€œBecause we are human ,” Escobar insisted. “And we have no interest in giving that up.”
    The alien turned to Bolton, as if she knew exactly who he was. “Keana-Uroa is quite satisfied with her own transition. Perhaps she can convince you.”
    Keana faced Bolton and said, “I can’t.”
    Encix raised her voice, so that all the bystanders could hear as well. “Any prisoner who becomes a shadow-Xayan will be freed. You will join us. You will have abilities and memories that you can only begin to imagine. You have all witnessed the power of our telemancy, how we defeated and drove away your powerful attack fleet.”
    Escobar lifted his chin. “My father will be back to avenge that defeat.”
    â€œIf your offer is so great,” Bolton added, “why hasn’t General Adolphus become a shadow-Xayan? Or Sophie Vence?”
    â€œThat is their choice for now. Eventually, they will reconsider.”
    Glowering, Escobar took a step closer to the alien, as if it required all his courage to approach her. “There is nothing you could say to make us join you. None of my soldiers want any part of you. Leave us in peace.”
    Encix remained silent, quivering and unreadable. Finally, she added, “You may reconsider when the Ro-Xayans come. By then, I hope it is not too late. We must achieve ala’ru at all costs.”
    The officer prisoners stood together, firm; the other POWs continued to whisper among themselves. Bolton said to Keana, “You should go now. You have made your case. If we change our minds, we’ll let you know.” He drew a breath, added, “Sorry.”
    The alien made a sound of displeasure and retreated from the camp. As she glided down the path, the prisoners moved aside, giving her free passage toward the fenced gate. Keana and the other converts went with her. When Keana looked over her shoulder at him he saw a glimpse of the deep sadness and disappointment she carried. Then they left through the guarded gates.
    Even after the entourage