Banished Worlds Read Online Free Page A

and got a positive nod from Nelson. I picked up Roberts helmet and held it out toward her. “You dropped this.”
    She snatched it away from me, but did not put it on. With the armor powered down, it was only a heavy, shiny hat. Roberts turned to Nelson. “I’m sorry, sir, I let him get a hand up on me. I didn’t know there was a design flaw in the power unit control pad. It won’t happen again.”
    “Forget it. Remember what I told you, all of you, Harry is a very bright boy, so be careful next time. Go join the others and I’ll bring Harry along when he is done.”
    “Yes, sir,” Roberts replied. She shot me a quick, unreadable look as she exited.
    “She’s a kid, Nelson, what the hell is she doing out here, and on a mission to Tirus of all places?”
    Nelson walked over to me and sat down. “Twenty-two, God, she’s just twenty-two and so damn bright, Harry. A real brain in that rock hard head of hers.”
    “A real cute head too,” I said and continued eating.
    “You keep your mind on the mission, not on what Agent Roberts looks like. Just don’t talk to her if you don’t have too. You’ll need her and that brain when you’re leading this mission dirt side. Don’t bounce it on anymore tables, got it?”
    “What, you’re not going?”
    “Too many people in charge then, you know that. One boss, lots of soldiers.”
    “So I’ll be in command, do your other agents know that? They know the clear chain of command?”
    “I’ve told them and will tell them again before we drop you.”
    “Land,” I corrected him.
    Nelson shook his head. “Prisoner drop is your way in. After you hit the dirt, it’s all up to you to find the girl and Roberts has your egress instruction. You’ve been on Lark, you know the culture of a prison world. None of them have that, and that’s why you’re here. That’s the only reason you’re here. The rest of the team is all backup, muscle if you need it. Except for Roberts and Price, they are brains, agents yes, but not the muscle type. They’ll listen to you, but don’t push it.”
    “Great, this day just keeps getting better. Why didn’t you mention that before I beat her head on the table?”
    “Like you said, she’s young and has to learn not to trust men like you.”
    I took another bite of my steak. “Like us, Nelson, men like us. After all I learned my nastier manners from you.”
    “Finish up, we have a short briefing, then you’re away.” Nelson leaned back in his chair to wait for me.
    ***
     
    On our walk, deeper into the body of the President’s ship, a raised voice caught our attention. We followed it to the source.
    “You will do no such thing, Doctor. This matter is closed, and I expect your discretion on this.”
    “Mr. President, is everything all right?” Nelson asked from the half open doorway.
    “Aren’t you supposed to be on planet by now?” President Garrett stared at me. He realized after a second that I was looking at the massive, and from the looks of it recent, scars on his chest. Garrett pulled his shirt closed with a sharp motion and threw a hateful look at Nelson.
    “Yes, sir.” Nelson reached for the door. “We are headed to the briefing now, sir, then off to Tirus. Sorry for the interruption.”
    Nelson and I continued to the transfer control room. It was filled with agents. Roberts stood off to one side, talking to a short, skinny guy that looked younger than her.
    “All right people, you’ve heard this before, but we are going to cover it again.” Nelson pointed to one area of the room. “I want the travelers to collect there, so your boss knows who’s who. That’s right. Your boss on this mission is Harry. You have all had time to read his profile, I hope you did, and learned something. Harry is a nicer version of me, but not by much.”
    “A lot Nelson,” I added, watching the room of agents.
    “Everyone move,” Nelson ordered.
    Roberts was first to relocate. The skinny guy moved with her. Two of the three