Deathstalker 02 - Deathstalker Rebellion

Haceldama, the Field of Blood. Apparently, there was a hideous war going on down on the pleasure planet, though between whom remained unclear.
    "And you want us to go there?" said Finlay Campbell incredulously. "Where does it say on our resumes that we do suicide missions? And what makes this hellhole so important, anyway?"
    "Vincent Harker," said Alexander Storm simply. "One of the greatest strategic minds living today. He has knowledge of everything from distribution of forces within the Empire to its contingency plans in case of rebel attack. This is vital information, and we need it. Normally, he's so well guarded that we couldn't get anywhere near him. But twelve hours ago Harker's ship was attacked by a pirate craft. Nothing to do with us. Both ships managed to destroy each other, but Harker got away in an escape pod. He landed somewhere on Shannon's World. We have to find him before the Empire does.
    "We have two small advantages. Firstly, since this happened only twelve hours ago, we have as good a chance of finding him as whatever forces the Empress finally sends in to look for him. Secondly, Harker's pod was equipped with a beacon, and it should still be sending, though you won't know that for sure till you get down there. Thirdly, whatever's happening on Shannon's World, you people are best suited to survive it. You've already lived lives that would have killed
    anyone else."
    "Nevertheless," said Finlay. "You are sending us to a planet that only one person has ever returned from, and he was dying and crazy?"
    "Got it in one," said Storm. "But we really can't miss this chance at getting our hands on Harker. Think of it as a challenge."
    Finlay gave him a hard look. "You think of it as a challenge. I'm not going."
    "Yes you are," said Evangeline.
    Finlay turned his glare on her. "Give me one good reason. Hell, give me one bad reason."
    "Because I'm going," she said calmly. "Our beloved leader has decided I'll be more useful there. Haceldama, the Field of Blood. Sounds almost romantic, doesn't it?"
    "You have a strange idea of romance," said Finlay.
    "Of course," said Evangeline. "I fell in love with you, didn't I?"
    "I should give up now," said Giles. "Trust me on this; you're not going to win."
    Finlay glared around him impartially. "In the unlikely event that I return alive from this venture, certain people would be well-advised to come up with one hell of a reward."
    "That's my hero," said Evangeline.
    After that, choosing David Deathstalker and Kit SummerIsle to take control of Virimonde and run it for the rebellion went very smoothly. The meeting broke up and everyone went their separate ways, and only history would note that this was when the great rebellion really began.
    Owen and Hazel, Jack and Ruby and Giles sat around a table in the castle's great kitchen, relaxing after the Sturm und Drang of the Council meeting with several bottles of wine and a nourishing meal of the never-changing protein cubes. Giles
    kept swearing he was going to fix the food machines to turn out something different, or indeed anything different, but somehow he was always too busy with other things. Owen had a dark suspicion that Giles had lost the manual for the machine, but didn't want to admit it. Alexander Storm and the Stevie Blues had taken one look at what was for dinner, and decided very quickly that they needed some time in private to work on their reports for the Golgotha underground. Owen had a suspicion they had some food of their own tucked away somewhere.
    He took a determined bite at his second protein cube. He kept hoping that he'd get used to the stuff, but somehow every day it found a whole new way to taste utterly vile. He swallowed his mouthful through sheer willpower and quickly washed it down with a large mouthful of wine. Little wonder he ended up half-drunk after every meal. He was beginning to wonder if it might be better to get drunk before the meal, so as to be better able to cope with it. He sighed deeply and pushed the rest of the cube away. He'd been meaning to start a diet soon anyway.
    "Don't worry," said Hazel. "There are some really good restaurants in Mistport."
    "There had better be," said Owen.
    "I want a genetest," said Random suddenly, and everyone looked at him. He flushed slightly. "I mean, there must be the equipment for such a test somewhere in this castle."
    "I think so," said Giles. "Or at least something that I could patch together to do the job. But there's no need. We know