Richard Rawlings (The Invicible Hero)

Chapter 47

The elder furrowed his brow, his sharp eyes fixed on Richard as though trying to decipher the game these frail humans were playing.

He knew well enough that humans, though weak, were not foolish. They understood when the odds were against them, so there had to be more to this challenge than reckless bravado.

For a moment, the elder considered simply ordering the execution of all the prisoners. It would be quick, decisive, and rid him of this nuisance. But then, he hesitated. Killing them outright would cost him the respect of the alien masses.

They would whisper that he had been afraid to face a human challenge, and such whispers could shatter his carefully cultivated reputation. He needed to maintain his image—he had to play the role of a strategist, not just a brute.

Acting like a seasoned politician, the elder took a different approach. "Does your fellow prisoners agree with you?" he asked, his voice smooth, calculated. He motioned to the men standing behind Richard, trying to sh