Deathstalker 01 - Deathstalker

move around without pulling something painful. The giant came to a stop before them and gave them all a brief, impersonal smile. Owen was surprised again to realize the man was quite handsome. It just wasn't the first thing that got your attention, mainly because the giant was wearing only a pair of tight-fitting trousers, the better to show off his highly developed muscles. Among other things. Owen couldn't help noticing that Hazel was staring at the giant with undisguised fascination, all but devouring him with her eyes. Owen sniffed. There were more important things than muscles.
    He coughed politely to get the giant's attention, and the huge man came to a halt before him. Owen felt like he was standing in a hole.
    "I'm Tom Sefka," said the giant, in a voice so low it almost trembled in Owen's bones. "Manager and owner of the Olympus health spa. I'm assuming this is something important. Delia doesn't usually disturb me for anything less, but the
    Hadenman impressed her." He looked Moon over thoughtfully. "If you're looking to make some quick money, I've got several regulars who'd pay good money to take on an augmented man in the ring."
    "Thanks," said Moon, "but I tend to break things when I play."
    Sefka blinked at the inhuman voice, then turned back to Owen. "So what can I do for you?"
    "We're looking for Jobe Ironhand," said Hazel, just a little breathlessly. "It's really important that we talk to him."
    Sefka frowned. "You had me called away from my work just for that? What the hell do you want with him?"
    "We rather assumed he was the owner or business partner," said Owen, and Sefka smiled unpleasantly.
    "Hardly. You want Jobe, he's out back doing his chores. You can talk to him if you want, but don't keep him from his work. Come and see me when you're finished. You all look like you could use a little weight on your frames in the right places."
    Owen frowned. "Won't Ironhand mind us just walking in on him?"
    "It's not his place to mind," said Sefka. "He's only the janitor, after all.
    You'll find him through that door, second on the right and down the corridor.
    When you're finished with him, tell him the shower floors still need cleaning."
    He nodded to them all briefly and turned and left, disappearing through the far door. Owen was a little surprised the floor didn't shake beneath him when he moved. Hazel watched Sefka go with hungry eyes. Owen felt a little irritated.
    Sefka wasn't that special. Probably had muscles where his brains should be.
    "Maybe we should see him afterward," said Hazel. "I'd just love to put my body
    in his hands."
    "If you could control your animal lusts for a moment," Owen said icily, "we really ought to find this Jobe and sort out what's going on here. The Abraxus must have got it wrong. Perhaps Random is someone else here at the spa."
    "Give me an hour alone with that body, and I'd show him some animal lusts he'd never forget," said Hazel.
    "Muscles aren't everything," said Moon.
    "How true," said Hazel. "It's not just his muscles I'm interested in."
    "I wonder if this place has cold showers," said Owen.
    "Let's go find Jobe Ironhand," said Moon diplomatically. "Maybe then we'll find out what a living legend is doing working as a janitor."
    "It's regular work," said Hazel. "Maybe the pay's good."
    Moon looked around him. "It would have to be."
    Hazel shrugged. "Even a professional rebel probably has to turn his hand to some honest work now and again to put food on the table between rebellions."
    "He must be working undercover," Owen decided. "Staying out of sight while Imperial agents are searching for him. It makes sense."
    He set off for the far door without waiting for the others to agree with him.
    The door led into a tiled corridor which branched in difference directions according to whether you wanted the signposted weights room, the steam room, or the showers. Owen took the second turning on the right, as directed. According to the handwritten sign on the wall it led to the locker rooms. Owen led the way at a brisk walk and tried not to think about the implications of what he'd been told. Jack Random, the Jack Random, working as a janitor in a place like this?
    It had to be a mistake, or a cover, or… something.
    The locker room looked like any other locker room, bare and functional, with a
    smell of perspiration and liniment. Most of the lockers stood open and empty, suggesting that the spa was going through a quiet time. As they moved further into the room, the air