Deathstalker 02 - Deathstalker Rebellion

guards, both human and inhuman, and it's up to me to free Skye and fight my way out?"
    "That's right," said Mr. Perfect. "A walk in the park. We have every confidence in you. After all, since it's so obviously a trap, there's always the chance they won't be expecting anyone to actually walk into it. Let alone one man on his own. You should take them entirely by surprise."
    "I can't help thinking should is the operative word there," said Finlay. "I told you, I don't do suicide missions. And I haven't heard one thing so far that's
    going to change my mind."
    "That's why they wanted me to be here," said Evangeline. She walked slowly forward to join him, their eyes holding contact all the way. She put out her arms to hold him, but he stopped her with an upraised hand.
    "Don't. I'm covered in muck and blood. I'll get your dress dirty."
    Evangeline looked him over, trying not to wince at the sight of his wounds, and shook her head sadly. "More blood. More pain and suffering, on my behalf. I've always known you only do this for me. You've never given a damn for the rebellion or the underground, have you?"
    "I needed something to do down here," said Finlay uncomfortably. "Something to keep me busy. And I do care, in my way. I still remember what I saw in Silo Nine, down in Wormboy Hell. I will not allow that kind of suffering and horror to continue. I have sworn a death oath, upon my blood and my honor, to fight to put an end to Silo Nine and the system that produced it. The underground's the best way for me to do that. But I'm still not going on this mission, Evie. Not even for you. I know my limitations."
    "So do I. You're quite right. It probably will get you killed. But we need you to do this mission. I could come with you, if you like. Fight at your side, die beside you."
    "No! I don't want that. I nearly lost you in Silo Nine. I won't risk that again.
    I need to know you're safe. I wouldn't want to live without you. Is this Skye bastard really so important?"
    "If he talks, the underground will have to scatter again. Thousands of clones and espers and their supporters would risk capture or death all over again. It could take anything from ten to twenty years before we could pull ourselves back together again, and that's being optimistic. The underground might not survive
    at all. Certainly the rebellion would be set back indefinitely. It's the timing that's so ironic. Things are finally going our way, Finlay. These new rebels, with Jack Random to lead them, could be the final spark we need to blow the whole corrupt Empire apart."
    "What do you want me to do, Evie?"
    "I want what you want: for us to be here, safe, together. But what we want doesn't matter anymore. If Skye talks, what little we have will be taken from us. You have to go, Finlay. You're the only one who stands a chance of bringing this off and coming back alive."
    "And if I don't? If I get myself killed, fighting for the damn Cause?"
    "Then part of me will die with you," said Evangeline, looking at him steadily.
    "I know what we're asking of you. What I'm asking. It's tearing me apart. But…"
    "But you're still asking."
    "Yes. I know my duty. To every esper and clone who suffered in Silo Nine, or suffers every day as non-people in the Empire."
    Finlay smiled briefly. "You always did fight dirty."
    "I love you, Finlay. If you say no, I'll still love you."
    "I love you, Evie. Even though you're asking."
    They looked at each other for a long time, seeing nothing but each other, their love so strong and fierce it filled the chamber. The crowd was silent, holding its breath. So Adrienne cleared her throat and stepped forward.
    "Don't do it, Finlay. You'd have to be crazy to take on a mission like this.
    Everyone's been telling me what a great fighter you are, but no one could face these odds and come back in one piece."
    Finlay smiled coldly at her. "You never did believe in me, Adrienne."

    "That's not the point. Let them find somebody else. There's always somebody else."
    "There isn't time," said Finlay. "Weren't you listening?"
    "Damn it, stop fighting me! I'm worried about you!"
    "Really? What brought that on?"
    "Damned if I know. I don't even know what I'm doing here. But Evangeline and I have become rather close just recently, much to our mutual surprise, and since she's clearly not stupid or easily impressed, I'm forced to the opinion that you must be something of the hero and fighter she says you are. Though if you're that good an actor, you should be