Mistworld (Deathstalker Prelude) Read Online Free

package I’m picking up; what’s in it?”
    “A memory crystal. Do handle it with care, Jamie; as far as I and my associates are concerned, that crystal’s safety is far more important than your own. Should the crystal prove to be damaged in any way, I would be most upset with you. Bring the crystal to me and place it in my hand, and your service to me will be complete. In return, I will take care of your debts. All of them.”
    “That’s it?” said Jamie, frowning. “You must be crazy, Vertue. There are any number of couriers who could handle this for you, for a tenth of what it’ll cost you to pay off all my debts. Why bother with me?”
    “I need someone who is both discreet and reliable,” said Vertue amiably. “Not to mention desperate. As I’m sure you’re aware, the theft of memory crystals carries the death penalty in Mistport. You will do this little task for me, won’t you, Jamie?”
    “What makes you so sure you can trust me?”
    “Your word is said to be good,” said Vertue, smiling faintly as though the idea amused him. “And you and Cyder know each other well. Too well for either of you to even think of trying a double-cross.”
    “But just supposing I should,” said Jamie. “What could…”
    Blackjack leaned forward suddenly, and one scarred hand shot out to wrap itself around Jamie’s throat. The mercenary bent Jamie back over the reclamation tank, and then grabbed his belt and lifted him up and out over the unit. Dr. Vertue opened the tank’s lid, and Blackjack started to lower Jamie towards the curling blue mists. He kicked and struggled, gasping and choking for air, but he couldn’t break the mercenary’s grip. Jamie looked down into the mists with bulging eyes. The blue mists swirled eagerly, hungrily, and beyond them he could see light glinting on the many saws and scalpels that stood ready to pare him down to his essential elements; so much skin, so much bone and cartilage, various organs, and of course the eyes. There was always a demand for eyes. Blackjack lowered him into the curling mists, and only the mercenary’s choking hand kept Jamie from screaming.
    “Enough,” said Dr. Vertue, and Blackjack swung Jamie away from the tank and placed him carefully on his feet again. He let go, and Jamie sagged against the side of the unit, gasping for breath and not even trying to hide the unsteadiness in his legs. To be placed alive into the reclamation tank, to die inch by bloody inch as the scalpels and saws cut into you…
    I’m sorry, Madelaine… I can’t even avenge you. I’m too scared .
    Jamie realised he was leaning on the reclamation tank to support himself. He quickly pulled his hand away and stood up straight. Vertue chuckled quietly. Blackjack didn’t even smile.
    “You won’t betray me, Jamie,” said Dr. Vertue. “Who else can afford to pay off all your debts? And besides, if you should even contemplate such a thing, I’ll send Blackjack to fetch you. You have very lovely skin, my dear Jamie. I could get five thousand credits for two square feet of your skin. Go to the Blackthorn tavern tomorrow evening. Collect the package from Cyder. Pay for it. Hurry back here. Got it?”
    “Got it,” said Jamie. “Can I go now?”
    “By all means,” said Dr. Vertue.
    Jamie Royal turned and walked unsteadily out of the freezing cold chamber. His hands were trembling and his legs shook, but he had enough self-respect left that he wouldn’t allow himself to hurry. They could scare him, but they couldn’t make him run. The door swung open before him, and he stepped out into the corridor. He waited until the door closed behind him, and then he leant back against the cold metal and wiped at his face with a shaking hand. Sweat was pouring down his face, as though he’d just stepped out of a furnace rather than an icebox. Vertue and Blackjack were probably watching him on the security camera, but he didn’t care anymore. Vertue hadn’t said what he wanted the memory