Three Lives Of Mary by David M. Kelly Read Free Book Online

system? She hadn't applied and it cost thousands of credits to pay even basic fees, let alone a single-person premium. She didn't have that kind of money.
    "That's within allowed limits. You're in berth 17B, bunk 43. Put your hand here."
    Mary slid her hand over the indicated spot, too confused to argue. A small metal arm rotated out of the table and glued a black plastic datatoken to the back of her wrist. The top glowed with green direction arrows that pointed ahead and to the right."
    "Follow this to your berth. You're responsible for looking after your boarding pass." The usher pointed at the wrist band. "That's your pass and ID until you land. Don't remove it or exchange it with anyone else. Not that you could get it off anyway. Congratulations, you're all checked in. Have a good look around. Haven's a dump, but the next stop is HIP22449-5."
    Mary twisted out of the seat and drifted through the crowds, still confused. It was impossible. Someone had made a mistake, but how? It must be a system glitch, but that was impossible too.
    She glanced up. Tartoa's window looked down over the dispatch area and, despite the distance, she was sure she could see his bulky silhouette behind the shaded glass. A new world? That was crazy. Why would she want to become a colonist and suffer all that hardship? She was used to civilization and order, not chaos and adversity. She'd helped establish over a dozen worlds; why would she confine herself to just one?
    She saw a movement in the window that might have been Tartoa waving to her. To her surprise she felt a grin spread across her face and she lifted her arm, returning the gesture.
    Life has to be lived.
     

Acknowledgements
    Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed this story and please share your thoughts with me. If you enjoyed "Three lives Of Mary" please consider leaving a review on Amazon. Even if it's only a line or two, it's very much appreciated.
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    www.davidmkelly.Net

Also by David M. Kelly
    

    Dead Reckoning and Other Stories is a collection of ten science fiction stories featuring a cast of characters all in need of some serious therapy and is available at all good book retailers, including:
     
    Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0106R3MW4
     
    Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dead-reckoning-and-other-stories-mr-david-m-kelly/1122660773
     
    Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-ca/ebook/dead-reckoning-and-other-stories
     
    In Dead Reckoning , Hector discovers that life after death ain't easy when your shorts itch and your ass belongs to a whip-wielding giant. And pity poor Murphy, struggling to keep the peace between his team of geeky scientists and a gung-ho lieutenant, as they investigate a mysterious alien ship—all while dealing with his own personal case of Murphy's Law .
    First Contact is always complicated, especially when you have to call in cranky old relic, Casteneda, to bail you out. Fresh off the battlefield, Matt Holbrook is also grappling with a perplexing new species, but all he wants is to make it home.
    Earl Duarte is in for some interesting pet therapy in How much is that doggy? And as for Elvis, he definitely needs some therapy. In One for the Money he's re-entered the building, but is kinda confused. Meanwhile, lovesick Dan wonders if Mel will ever notice him in the technology-obsessed world of Version Control .
     
    Reviewers say:
     
    "Very well written collection of short sci-fi stories with excellent plots. Plenty of suspense to keep the readers interest."
     
    "A wonderful introduction to a fun, new Canadian author."
     
    "Definitely a keeper."
     
    "The author … is great at