Prophet Read Online Free PDF

than life."
    Lomax returned the smile. “I know how you feel. When I was your age, I wanted to go out to the Frontier and see all my heroes too.” He paused. “After awhile, you learn that they all bleed and they all die."
    "What about the Prophet?"
    "Who's he?"
    "I don't know. Just someone I heard about on the video."
    "This year's outlaw hero,” snorted Lomax. “Take my word for it, kid: some bounty hunter will bring him down, just like they brought down Santiago and all the rest of ‘em."
    "Still, I want to see them all for myself.” Neil paused. “You're the only famous person I've ever met."
    Lomax smiled ruefully. “Let me tell you, fame isn't everything it's cracked up to be—especially out on the Frontier."
    "You say that because you see famous people all the time,” protested the young man. “But no one else special has ever come to Greycloud."
    "There's nothing very special about pointing a weapon and killing people,” said Lomax.
    "Sure there is,” argued Neil. “How many men can do it?"
    "Too damned many."
    "Still, I want to go out there and see them for myself."
    "You may be disappointed,” said Lomax.
    "I doubt it."
    "What do you think—that there are a couple of thousand worlds out there populated only by killers and folk heroes? Kid, the Inner Frontier is filled with miners and farmers and merchants and doctors and everything else you need to run a planet."
    "I know that,” said Neil irritably. “But they're not the ones who interest me."
    "Something tells me that you'll find all the colorful characters you're looking for.” Lomax paused. “Kids like you usually do."
    "Maybe I can even become one myself,” said Neil, trying to hide his eagerness.
    "If you live long enough,” said Lomax. “Now let's start taking care of business."
    "What business do we have before we reach Olympus?"
    "Well, to begin with,” said Lomax, “they've probably issued a kidnapping warrant for me. I want you to radio Olympus and tell them you've come with me of your own volition."
    "They won't believe me."
    "Perhaps not, but I want it on the record."
    Neil nodded. “All right."
    "And then, since you're going to have to start earning your keep, I want you to go into the galley and make me up some dinner.” He paused. “Soya products only. No red meat, no dairy products."
    "I don't see how that makes you a better killer,” said Neil.
    "It makes me a healthier one,” responded Lomax. “I've got high blood pressure and a high cholesterol count. No sense letting these control patches I wear do all the work."
    The young man smiled. “You're kidding."
    "Why should you think so?"
    "I just can't imagine the Gravedancer sticking medical patches in his body for that stuff."
    An amused smile crossed Lomax's face. “You probably can't imagine that I've got a prosthetic eye, and that my current set of teeth are three years old, either."
    "Is that true?"
    "Kid, there are very few whole men walking around the Inner Frontier,” answered Lomax. “Now go send those messages."
    Neil activated the radio and spoke briefly to his father, who was alternately distressed and enraged, but finally realized that there was nothing he could do about the situation, and even volunteered to send some money ahead to Olympus, an offer the young man refused.
    Then they ate, the young man insisting on having the same bland food as Lomax.
    Finally they strapped themselves into the bunks that folded out from the bulkhead in the short corridor between the galley and the cargo area, and went to sleep.
    Lomax awoke with a start an hour later.
    "Shit!” he muttered.
    "What is it?” asked Neil, sitting up abruptly.
    "I put us on auto pilot, but I forgot to activate the Avoidance Sensors. We're probably okay, but it'd be just my luck to smash into the only damned meteor within five parsecs."
    "I'll take care of it,” said Neil, walking to the control panel.
    "Wait a minute and I'll hit the lights,” said Lomax.
    "Not necessary,” came the