America's Galactic Foreign Legion - Book 1: Feeling Lucky Read Online Free Page B

But Mars doesn’t want you. We have laws for your
type. So I’m out of here if you don’t negotiate with me in good
faith. What is your decision?”
    “ Wait! I’ll settle for
$200,000,” I said, trying not to sound too desperate. “You sound
like a cop. Are you sure you’re a lawyer?”
    “ I am not a heartless man,”
explained Depoli. “I feel your pain. But I have a job to do. I have
to represent the best interests of the resort industry and
Harrah’s. I’ll tell you what. To prevent poor publicity at the
height of the tourist season, I am authorized to accept your
$200,000 settlement offer. It’s a better deal than you deserve. The
money will be on your card within minutes.”
    “ Thank you,” said. “I guess
you’re not so bad for a lawyer.”
    “ Are you sure we can’t just
unplug him?” whispered Depoli to Dr. Fischer. “I’ll cosign the
death certificate myself.”
    “ That would be unethical,”
explained Dr. Fischer. “He probably has a lot of life left in him.
Besides, Mr. Czerinski is paying his medical bill with
cash.”
    “ Whatever,” said Depoli,
abruptly leaving.
    “ Excuse me, Mr. Czerinski,”
said Dr. Fischer, “How does only $200,000 help your cause? You are
still $150,000 short. Those ghouls in accounting are going to want
their money.”
    “ I know,” I replied.
“Connect me up with a United States Galactic Federation Foreign
Legion ATM.”
    “ But I thought the ATM was
shot up by terrorists,” replied the doctor.
    “ Oh come on, Doc. There is
more than one Legion ATM. Hook me up, pronto! I want out of here!”
Minutes later it was done.
    “ Good morning, Joey
Czerinski,” said the United States Galactic Federation Foreign
Legion ATM. “I heard you were shot. Crime is running rampant on
Mars these days. I think it’s all the vagrants that are attracted
by the fast life. They don’t realize how harsh colonial law can be.
Mars does not coddle criminals. It might have been a poor choice
for you to visit the Red Planet.”
    “ I heard you got shot, too,”
I sniped back. “Any suspects?”
    “ Yes, I was shot. Several
times. The matter is still under investigation. I’m sure the police
will catch the culprits soon. What can I do for you?” asked the
ATM.
    “ I need $150,000 to pay for
my recovery. Can you help me?” I asked.
    “ I can more than help you.
War has broken out on the Spider Frontier. Nuclear exchanges have
occurred, and the United States Galactic Federation Foreign Legion
will be the first deployed to the area. There is a $200,000
enlistment bonus being offered to quality recruits. Congress
doubled the war time enlistment bonus, and the loan contract and
fine print will be the same as before,” explained the
ATM.
    “ It’s a deal if the one
month I have to pay back the money doesn’t start until I am fully
recovered from my injuries,” I insisted, thinking that should cover
any loopholes. I was trying to think ahead, but admitted I hadn’t
done much of that lately. Usually it was just one day at a
time.
    “ We have a contract,” said
the ATM “Legion doctors will be checking on you. We don’t want
damaged goods, but I’m sure you will pass. You are in excellent
care.”
    “ Fine,” I said
    “ Fine,” said the
ATM.

    CHAPTER 4

    “ Welcome to Channel Five
World & Local News & Weather Tonight. I am Brad Jacobs.
First, from the war front we have Phil Coen, live with interviews
of our brave troops. Phil? What is the situation from planet New
Colorado?”
    “ Brad, The United States
Galactic Federation’s Sixth and Seventh Fleets have smashed the
spiders’ huge armada of warships and troop transports in a
spectacular nuclear exchange in orbit around New Colorado, but not
before an army of at least a million spiders landed on the planet’s
surface and dug in. The good news is that the spider army is
effectively cut off from supply and air support, and the spiders
are no longer a threat to this quadrant of space. Most colonists
have