Banished Worlds Read Online Free PDF Page A

should have no trouble getting in and disappearing into the crowds. Asking questions shouldn’t be an issue either,” I told the group.
    “Remember, Danbeu is in charge down there, and trust me he is one mean, smart cookie.” Nelson surprised me with a handshake. “Fast trip, and good luck. Okay, people, strip out of your gear and get dressed in the second skin armor and the clothes provided,” Nelson ordered.
    I walked over to Roberts as she moved to the rack. I took her arm and pulled her to a far wall. “So what did you tell your friend?” I asked.
    Roberts looked across at me, and for the first time I really saw how crystal blue her eyes were. That in itself was a distant and painful memory.
    “I told him we needed you, for now, and later I would help him kill you.”
    “Good work,” I replied and returned to the equipment rack. My hanger only had the second skin armor on it, as they had issued me new clothes after my shower. I took off my jacket, shirt, and T-shirt, then pulled on the second skin. “Hey, Price, how do I get a larger size in this second skin armor?” I pulled on the heavy material to try to stretch it for comfort.
    “It was cut to match your armor size on record, Agent Danbeu, it should fit perfectly.”
    “In the old days, I could be skinny and let the armor be my muscle, like most agents. Of course, on a prison planet I didn’t have armor, so if I needed muscle to do something it had to be my own. I’m a little bigger now than I was back then.”
    “You got fat.” Nelson laughed at his own joke and the others followed suit.
    “I’m sorry, but we don’t have any larger armor on hand. This armor was produced, in a rush, specifically for the people on this mission. That’s why we went with service record sizes.”
    “Just deal with it, convict, or leave it here. You’re fat and we’re unarmed.” The older female looked at me and pulled on her second skin.
    “Get to the pad, all of you,” I ordered. “Let’s get this done. After all, I got a cold beer on a space station waiting for me.”
    Again Roberts was the first to move and the skinny guy, Price, right with her. Everyone took a place on the descent pad and waited for me to join them. I walked around the pad once, a quick inspection of sorts, and stepped up between the older female and Roberts. Price was one over from Roberts. I looked to Nelson. “Any last minute intel I should have?” I asked.
    President Garrett entered the transfer pad area. He was trailed by four more agents in full armor. “Good, I’m not too late. There has been a small change in plans.” Garrett motioned Nelson closer. “I have decided to send you too.”
    “You can’t, sir,” Price and Roberts said simultaneously.
    Price stepped off of the pad.
    Roberts started to, but stopped when I touched her arm.
    She looked to me, and I shook my head slightly.
    “I don’t have any second skin armor for Agent Nelson and he can’t wear his normal armor Mr. President.”
    “And …” Roberts started to add her comments, but was stopped by a wave from the President. “Nelson, get on the pad with the others. This is not open to discussion, or comment. Now, Agent Nelson,” Garrett ordered, “and without the armor.”
    Nelson looked from him to me. “This is your fault, Harry.” He grabbed my jacket with his left hand and hit me in the gut with his right which doubled me over. Nelson let me go and stepped away from the pad. He pulled his armor off slowly, one piece at a time. As he did, he tossed each piece in the direction of the storage locker, not really caring where the armor landed. Nelson stepped onto the pad at the opposite end from me and waited for the trip to begin.
    This development felt familiar to me, as the people you trust prove not to be worth the faith you put in them. It was like watching history repeat itself, only I was not the one getting betrayed this time. “Welcome to my world, Nelson,” I added. “Doesn’t feel so good