Battle Beyond Earth: Insurrection by Nick S. Thomas Page B

wanted it, and that was enough.
    Jafar felt the weight of the creature’s breath as it snorted before him. It stank like nothing he had smelt in a few hundred years. The rider seemed to let the beast weigh him up for a moment; then jumped down and stepped up before him. He was larger than the average Barbarlar, and that meant he stood over Jafar, much like he always towered over Taylor. He was starting to get a feel for how that might have felt all those years ago.
    He wore the torso armour of a Krys Lord, much like Erdogan had, no doubt pillaged from one that he had killed. The rest of his armour was made from animal skin and bonded layers of animal skin and bone. Long locks of hair flowed from his brow and would have been pure white, were it not for the dirt and dust particles. He looked like some bizarre circus creation to Jafar, but also a very strong and unforgiving one.
    "I am Siparis Coskun, Lord of all Barbarlars," he stated proudly.
    Jafar almost laughed, for he sounded even more anachronistic and absurd than he had expected, but he knew he must remain calm.
    "Lord Jafar, of the Krys unified worlds."
    Coskun looked at him seriously for just a moment. He then turned away and walked a few places, erupting into a deep laugh.
    "What do you want?"
    "I am here to make you an offer that will assist all our worlds," Jafar said loudly and firmly.
    "No offworlder ever travels here without wanting something. You did not come here for our benefit. What is it that you want of us?" he roared.
    Jafar sighed, for he could see Coskun was far smarter than he had hoped.
    "An enemy threatens us all; all our worlds, Krys, Human, Aranui, and Cholan. They will be on your doorstep soon. I propose an alliance that is beneficial to us all."
    "What happens off world is of no concern of ours."
    "But it will be your concern, and you will not be strong enough alone."
    Coskun spun around in anger.
    "Not strong enough!" he roared even louder.
    Laughter rang out from those surrounding them. Jafar could not help but feel pity. They were all strong and brave people, but they had no understanding of what they would be facing before long.
    "They are too strong for all of us. A dozen worlds of the best Krys fighters you have ever known would not be enough."
    "And you want our help, but why? Why would we give it?"
    Jafar knew he had to take a different road to convince them.
    "Because you enjoy war more than peace, you hone your skills in combat, and because you never walk away from a challenge. I am offering you the greatest challenge you have ever known."
    Coskun laughed once more, but Jafar didn't understand why until he finally responded. The rest of them carried on laughing until their leader lifted his hand to call for silence.
    "If this enemy is so powerful, such a worthy challenge, and that they will find us soon enough, why would we bother leaving our world? We can stay home and await the inevitable."
    Jafar shook his head, realising what a corner he had backed himself into.
    "So, Lord Jafar, the real reason you are here is in plain sight."
    Oh, no!
    "Your people are weak. Your Alliance is weak. You turn to us because you are desperate, and do you know what I say to you?"
    Jafar shook his head, but he could already see what was coming. Coskun strolled back and forth before his people. He was playing to the crowd, and Jafar knew it was at his expense.
    "You have led the Krys people into weakness. But I would not have them weak. As a Lord of the Krys, I invoke my birth privilege and challenge you for the leadership of our people!"
    Jafar had never thought the man so intelligent, or power hungry. He fully expected to be ambushed or killed, but not to have to face an enemy as intelligent as he was strong. He never expected for a moment that any Barbarlar could have his eye on the leadership of the Krys people.
    "For thousands of years you have chosen to remain isolated, and with no interest in the lives of any Krys that were not your own, why