Exile to the Stars (The Alarai Chronicles) Read Online Free PDF

a joke.
How do you fit in? What’s the secret? Slinging bullshit? I just can’t make
myself do it. Now all I want is to get away.”
    “I
can dig it, but it doesn’t sound like you’re talking about a vacation.”
    “No,
not a vacation. I want to disappear for good.”
    Carl
whistled and raised his eyebrows. “Anthropology isn’t enough to make the
difference?”
    “Maybe
it’s too damn much.” A speculative look settled on Jeff’s face. “While I really
love anthropology, thinking about it now it only seems to be a step along the
way. Something I have to understand before moving on. But to what?” Jeff let
his breath out in a long sigh. “Okay. I’m a specialist in Late Antiquity,
right?”
    “You
mean that European mob scene you’ve talked about?” Carl replied with a wicked
grin.
    “Yeah,
that’s it,” Jeff responded with a smile tugging at his lips. “About 300 to 700
AD.” A frown creased his forehead. “I was drawn to anthropology like a magnet,
and when I discovered Late Antiquity there was no doubt where my future lay. I
felt like I was coming home! I’ve very nearly memorized every reference I can
get my hands on, yet it’s never enough. Can you believe it? Now I’m into Roman
history and the Middle Ages trying to get more insight. The people, the
history, their manner of warfare—you name it, I’ve studied it. What is it I’m
looking for?”
    “I’ve
seen your apartment. Hardly room for a bed with all those holo cubes. Maybe
you’re looking for yourself?”
    “Maybe,”
Jeff said doubtfully, “but I don’t think that’s all of it. Sometimes I feel
like I’m studying for my dissertation again; like I’m going to be tested.” Jeff
paused and smiled. “Although Late Antiquity was a brutal period, it was also an
exiting time. So much happening!”
    Closing
one eye, Carl pantomimed drawing a bow. “Twang!”
    Jeff
threw his hands up and laughed. “Okay, okay. So I’m atavistic.”
    “Nah.
Not implying that. We’ve been friends long enough that I know how important
that period is to you.”
    “Maybe
it’s too important. It isn’t only that I’m into archery and fencing, or that
I’m absorbed by the peoples of Late Antiquity. Sometimes they seem to be the
only real things in life. Maybe if I put some distance between that stuff and
myself I’d find a way of fitting in. There has to be a point to life somewhere!
God, I hope there is!”
    Sitting
back in the booth, Carl stretched mightily. “As far as fitting into the system
goes, who am I to talk? I don’t see anymore hope or purpose in it than you do.
Thing is, biology and chemistry make the difference for me.” Carl smiled
wistfully. “Jeff, if you happen to find a point to life will you let me know?”
    “You’re
on the top of all my lists, buddy. Thanks for being there.”
    Carl
happened to look at the clock near the door and let out a dismayed whistle.
“Time goes fast when you’re having fun, boyo. Nearly midnight! I have to drop
some reference cubes off at the lab or old Benford will have my skin in the
morning.”
    “Go
on without me. It’s only about ten blocks to my apartment. I’ve got to walk
some of this off.”
    “You
kidding? I think it’s more like twenty. Man, you know what it’s like out there.
No one walks unless he’s in a friendly crowd and armed. Ride back with me.”
    “I
do know what it’s like, but I can’t imagine anything capping that little fling
with Hathwaite. No one is even going to see me.”
    “Bullshit,”
Carl shot back. “Those gangs have every square inch staked out. This is crazy.
No, it’s stupid! This is not a good night to walk to your car, much less home.
Damn it, Jeff, you heard the report.”
    Jeff
stood up. “I’m walking.”
    “I
think this is a very bad decision. You take too many risks. It’s really going
to bite you one of these days.”
    Back
at the Ford, Jeff extracted the saber case. Carl started the car and stuck his
head out of the