STARMAN

     He sat in the quiet hall, on a wooden bench, waiting. He was six feet one inch tall, dark brown hair, cut short, graying at the temples, steel gray eyes, slightly shaggy browns. His chin was strong with a cleft. No beard. The only distinguishing marks on him was a small white star on his left cheek.

     "Name." The clerk asked.

     "Starman." he answered.

     "First or last."

     "Both."

     "OK, suit your self. Occupation."

     "Mercenary."

     "Looking for a billet? We have several coming up. Nothing at the moment. Got troops going out to Johnson's planet in about three weeks. Mind fighting with bows and spears?"

     "Makes no difference. A man is just as dead if he's killed with a spear or a blaster."

     "Good point. Come along. I'll sign you up. Can give you accommodations at the local billet until you ship out. Bunk and grub is the best we can do. Johnson's planet's not one of the rich ones. Little backward world. Got a border dispute going. Pay's not great but it'll tide you over until something else's comes along."

     "How long is the contract for?"

     "Three months planet time. Nothing fancy. Border patrol stuff. Man can still get killed though."

     Starman picked up his duffel bag and followed the clerk. Signing the papers, and undergoing the physical was all routine to him. He had been through it a hundred times. He stood nude in the room while the Doctor looked in his eyes, mouth, and ears, listened to his heart, had him cough, checked for ruptures, hemorrhoids, and did a Proctology exam and took a blood sample, declared him fit for duty and signed off his medicals. He collected his chits for room and board, proceeded to the billet, turned in his chits and claimed a bunk. Not many of them were occupied. He locked his duffel in the locker provided, then strolled down to the mess hall to see if he could scrounge an evening meal. It was late. He caught the mess crew cleaning up and offered to help for a late meal. His offer was gratefully accepted. The bread, meat and cheese wasn't the best fare he ever had, but after two days without food, he put away a goodly amount.