Accidental Conscript by John Walker

Author:John Walker [Walker, John]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-03-26T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

Aldo checked his finances as he stood in line for the military check-in center. He couldn’t believe how many other people stood around, waiting for their chance to be drafted. If not for the fact they shuffled all the people into a courtyard, he might’ve felt concerned about someone seeing him.

With any luck, he’d be off Mars before nightfall. If not that, then at least somewhere safe from Constance and Security Corps. Not that he should’ve had anything to worry about. He was a respectable man. Someone above the concerns of a street rat. And when he saw the wealth at his disposal, he realized he’d hit the jackpot.

Knowles came through in that regard. Though the truth was, the doctor didn’t care about the agreement. He got it done, he took his pay, then he ran off. That was the full extent of his concern. In fact, he probably hopes we both die so he doesn’t have to deal with the fact we can out his miserable ass.

If he didn’t have to deal with the military, he would’ve easily had enough money to survive the rest of his life on some decent planet far from any sort of action at all. Earth might’ve even been an option except for the people looking to kill him. Mars was too close for comfort, so one of the colonies would have to suffice.

Still can’t believe this guy got drafted! What’re the odds? It was both good and bad luck. Knowles made it clear they needed a close match. That box was checked. Had he mentioned it before they went down the path, Aldo would’ve turned him down. Though he waited until I’d gone past the point of no return.

After he delivered the fake codex, his life as Sam Levine was over. Aldo Cassidy became his real identity. Much as he logically struggled to embrace the name, he didn’t have a choice but to cling to it. The quads helped, but they couldn’t change his memories. At least, they hadn’t done so yet.

I wonder if that’s a possibility. Knowles failed to mention any potential side effects. Which made sense. The guy was a real crook. Too bad I have to leave here. I’d hunt him down and take care of him before hopping on this ship to God knows where. He hadn’t spoken to anyone about what happened next.

Did he have to go to some kind of training? Aldo looked through a bunch of old correspondences, but didn’t find anything specific. Except for the summons. That came right up, making it clear he needed to be there between two dates. Which seemed odd. He thought they’d be far more specific.

Then he saw the lines, and realized it didn’t matter. Bureaucracy could only move so fast, even for the military. Though it likely meant he’d have an easier time getting through without anyone questioning his identity. At least I have an equal chance of dying to some kind of alien monster as all the rest of these poor bastards.

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