One
Lanyon knew as soon as Predamor spoke the words they
couldn’t possibly be true.
It’s a simple job,” Predamor declared. Predamor, a
Malcosian, took on various assignments for the Malcosian
government and had lured Lanyon away from Malcosia City to
Vermenia, the seat of government and a ninety-minute flight, with
the promise of work. “You only need to deliver a memory disc to an
agent in Thenos. I’d take it myself, but they want this to be done as
quietly as possible, and I might be noticed.”
“I’m an Earthman. I won’t be noticed?”
“No, they’d never expect an Earthman to be involved in
government business, and don’t forget; the government will pay you
well, same as before when we went to Terbania. This is just a simple
delivery. What could be easier? Agreed? I mean, you’re already
here.”
Simple delivery indeed, Lanyon thought as he dug himself
deeper into the dense bushes on the edge of the woods near a
compound consisting of one large building and two storage sheds
and listened for the approach of the Malcosians. He’d counted six of
them already—all of them dead set on annihilating him. Predamor’s
What could be simpler? memory disc assignment had him running
and ducking for his very life. Now a resolution one way or the other
pended. The government had better pay well for this little excursion,
presuming he’d be around to collect. He’d have a serious discussion
with the paymaster later.
