Empire & Ecolitan Read Online Free PDF Page B

trouble.”
    â€œMakes sense, I guess. But why’s she here?”
    â€œNot here, White. Haversol. Haversol’s a happy hunting ground for everyone—us, them, the outies, even see some of the Ursans once in a while. Good reason to be careful there.”
    â€œWhy are you headed there?”
    â€œNot headed there. Headed to Accord. Understand they might be able to fix my eyes. Good biologies there.”
    â€œLike the genetic wars under the Directorate?”
    Arto shook his head. “No. Not quite the same, the way I understand it. The Directorate tried to create superkillers. Accord works with what already exists.”
    â€œNot what I heard.” The younger man shrugged, and let his eyes check the still-closed lock port. “But I guess you hear what they want you to hear.”
    â€œIsn’t that the truth,” snorted Arto. “Never changes.”
    In the lull in the conversation that followed, both men looked around the waiting area.
    â€œAttention, please. Your attention, please. In just a few standard minutes, we will be embarking full status passengers on the J. P. Morgan through lock port three. Those passengers with gold status should be prepared to embark. Those passengers with gold status should be prepared to embark.”
    Arto glanced from the far seats back at the man beside him. “Wouldn’t mind that kind of status.”
    â€œNo. Beats the stand-up closet I got.”
    â€œBet you spend most of your time in the common lounges.”
    â€œNo bet.”
    â€œBe careful, White. You look just enough like an Imperial agent to get in trouble, and you haven’t got any metal plates in you. Every two-bit operator, like that sister, or like the fellow over on the end with the heavy boots—bet he’s a Fuard with the steel tubes built into his forearms—will be angling to find you out. Doesn’t matter that you’re what you say you are. Because only an Impie agent could have cover that good.”
    â€œHades! That why everyone keeps looking at me? Thought it might be my good looks.”
    â€œJust a guess, friend.” The scanner glasses, their mirrored surface impenetrable, looked away from the spacer and toward the lock.
    â€œSo who do you work for? Knowing all the agents and what makes them tick?”
    â€œMe? I work for me, no one else. Couldn’t afford it otherwise. One stun beam my way and I’m blind. Direct hit and I’m out for a week, with a headache for a month afterward.”
    The spacer nodded, ignoring the evasion. “So what should I do? Act my normal dumb self? Hope someone doesn’t decide I’m am Impie agent? Pretend I am? Pray?”
    â€œPrayer won’t help. Neither will playing the agent unless you can carry it off. Acting innocent might, particularly if you are. At least until you land on Haversol. Then all bets are off.”
    â€œWonderful.” The brown-haired man shook his head, lifted both shoulders as if trying to relax them.
    â€œAnd that shielded personal kit in your bag would make anyone suspicious, at least anyone with a scanner.”
    The other shook his head again. “That why I’ve opened the damned thing every time I’ve turned around?”
    â€œYour attention, please,” interrupted the message system. “Your attention, please. Republic Interstellar is now embarking gold status passengers on the J. P. Morgan . Gold status passengers only. Through lock port three. Would those passengers with silver status please prepare to embark? Passengers with silver status prepare to embark.”
    Arto reached down and pulled a single kit back toward his feet. “Time for us to separate, White.”
    â€œHave a good trip. Good luck with the eyes.”
    â€œHope to, and thank you.” The older man stood, then leaned toward the younger spacer. “Someone’s out for you, but it won’t be me. Good luck.”
    With that, Arto was up