Tombstone Read Online Free PDF

but that’s the one that came out.  I couldn't imagine why they'd be
after me.  The entire thing seemed ridiculous.
    He let out a short breath.  “Darius, the Corps is unlike any
other military organization.  We are looking for a certain type of recruit.” 
He stopped for a few seconds as he put together what he wanted to say.  “Most
of us have pasts like yours…”  He looked me right in the eye.  “…or worse.”  He
emphasized that last part and let it sink in before he continued.  “Some a lot
worse.  I’m from the LA Metroplex myself.  The Valley.”
    The Valley was one of the most notorious slums in the U.S. 
I didn’t know much about other places, but I’d heard of the Valley.  If this
guy grew up there it was no joke.  “So you guys need a thief?  What, did your
budgets get cut and you're looking for new income?”
    He smiled and snorted slightly, not quite a laugh.  “No,
Darius, we need independent thinkers.  We need doers.  Not easy to find.”
    I laughed.  “And you think that’s me?  What makes you think
I’m what you’re looking for?”
    “Well, for one, you obviously cut out your own implant,
which suggests that you have the toughness you will need to make it through our
program.  A sloppy surgeon to be sure, but it takes a certain grit to do what
you did.”
    “Big deal, you want tough you should head up to Louisville
and hit up some of the Gangers there.”
    He held in a small laugh.  “I said tough, not crazy.  We
aren’t looking for psychopaths, Darius.  Look at you…you are very measured in
how you do things.  You haven’t been terribly forthcoming with me, but you
haven’t been overtly hostile either.  Measured.”
    “So the fact that I didn’t tell you to fuck off makes me
Marine material?”  The whole thing still seemed crazy to me.
    “It’s more than what you say or don’t say.  Look at how you
ran your little gang.  You robbed us three times – we were watching you after
the first, by the way – and didn’t kill or seriously injure anyone.  You did
what you needed to do to survive, but you didn’t escalate the situation past
what was required.  It is very clear you are deliberative, brave but cautious. 
Just what we want.”
     Still on my mind:  “You were watching us?”  I hadn’t had a
clue.  “Why didn’t you stop us sooner?”
    “Why do you think?  He had an annoying smirk on his face. 
He clearly enjoyed these head games.
    “My God, you’re fucking kidding me.”  This was getting more
and more bizarre.  “You were watching to see if you wanted to recruit us?”
    “Very good.”  He leaned forward over the back of the chair. 
“You are starting to understand.  It was pretty clear from your first robbery
that you knew what you were doing.  You even watched the convoys, and you hit
the specific cargo that was easiest for you to move.”  He paused slightly. 
"Unless that was a coincidence."
    "It was no coincidence."  I felt a little naked;
they had us completely figured out.  "I wasn't looking for the kind of
attention stealing weapons or high tech stuff would bring."
     "Look, Darius, trust me."  His voice changed
slightly, less casual, more serious.  "You are the kind of recruit you're
looking for.  You’re clearly intelligent, despite your lack of
education."  He smiled again.  "And your robberies displayed some
first rate small unit tactics."
    He let me think for a minute.  Why would I want to be a
Marine anyway?  Just because they invited me?  "Look, I appreciate the
offer, but why would I want to join up anyway?  So I can go get my ass shot
off...what?  In space?"  He nodded.  "You figure I'll join up so you
don't turn me in.  Because it's better to take your deal than end up getting
sent to the lunar mines for stealing?"
    "Or sentenced to gas by the megafarm magistrate back
home?"  He had a self-satisfied smile on his face.  "Of course we
know who you are, Darius.  We're not