Deathstalker 03 - Deathstalker War

to him. He wanted to win this one fairly. He was fighting for a set of ideals, his own as well as the rebellion's, and either he won fairly, or his whole life had no meaning. Silence put all his strength into every blow, all his speed into every cut and parry, and still had to struggle to match the Deathstalker's attacks.
    The young rebel fought as though his life no longer mattered, only the winning.
    Silence tried to feel that way, too. The whole Empire depended on him now.
    Everything he'd ever believed in and fought for. Everything that had given his life shape and meaning. But in the end, his surety wasn't as certain as Owen's, and perhaps that was why his sword was finally just that fraction slower, and Owen beat his blade aside, stepped forward, and set the point of his sword at Silence's throat. For a long moment the two men just stood there, face-to-face, breathing hard from their exertions. They looked into each other's eyes, and recognized what they saw there.
    "I can't kill you," Owen said finally. "It would be like killing myself.
    Surrender, Captain. Put down your sword, and I guarantee your safety. The rebellion's going to need someone like you to help us rebuild."
    "My loyalty…"
    "Is to the people of the Empire. Help us preserve the best, so we don't throw it out along with the bad."
    Captain John Silence looked back at his Empress, then around at the Hell she'd made of her Court, and slowly opened his hand and let his sword drop to the floor. It made hardly any sound. Owen lowered his blade. They nodded respectfully to each other, then turned to look at Hazel d'Ark and Investigator
    Frost. They'd dueled each other to a standstill, standing face-to-face, breathing hard and harsh, swords shaking in their exhausted hands. Their eyes were as fierce as ever, but they had driven themselves beyond strength or stamina, and they were both too proud to draw on their unnatural strength and skills.
    "Give it up, Hazel," said Owen. "You're never going to win, either of you. And neither of you is ever going to yield. You're too alike. Call it a day, and let's get on with what we came here for."
    Hazel considered it, frowning thoughtfully as sweat dripped off her face. "What the hell," she said finally. "We can always try this again later, when we've got more time. What do you say, Investigator? I'll step back if you will."
    "Never," said Frost. "I'm an Investigator. The Empire made me what I am. I'll never give up, never give in. Kill me if you can, rebel."
    "It doesn't have to be this way," said Owen.
    "Yes it does," said Frost. "This is my life. My meaning. My purpose. I'll never back down. It's not in me. Kill me if you can."
    Hazel lowered her sword. "I can't. Not like this."
    "I can," said Kit SummerIsle. And in a movement so fast no one recognized it till it was too late, he drew a hidden dagger and threw it at Frost with all his strength behind it. She turned slightly as he spoke, and the knife took her in the throat. Blood spurted thickly, running down her chest in streams. She dropped her sword and clutched at her throat with both hands. Blood welled between her fingers. She started to pull the knife free, and then sat down suddenly as the strength went out of her. Silence was quickly there at her side, holding her in his arms. She shuddered uncontrollably, and he held her tighter.
    She looked shocked, confused, as though she couldn't believe this was happening
    to her.
    "Stupid way to die," she said, her voice thick and labored. Blood sprayed from her mouth in a fine red mist. "I feel cold. So cold."
    "I've got you, Frost," said Silence. "I'm right here."
    "Never thought… it would end like this."
    "Hush," said Silence. "Save your strength till we can get a medic in here."
    "No," said Frost. "We never lied to each other, Captain. Don't start now."
    "Then heal yourself! I did!"
    "Too late, Captain. Too late."
    "You were a good soldier," said Silence, his voice breaking. "The best, right to the end."
    "Of course. I'm an Investigator. John…"
    "Yes?" said Silence, but the breath just went out of her in a long bloody sigh, and she was gone. Silence hugged her to him. "Good soldier. Good soldier."
    Eventually he let her go and got to his feet. His uniform was soaked with her blood. He looked at the SummerIsle, who smiled back at him.
    "Why?" said Silence. "Why her, and not me?"
    "You killed my David," said Kit. "Now you know what I felt. Want to try and kill me now, old man?"
    "Not right now," said