Deathstalker 03 - Deathstalker War

sharp-edged youthful features, and wore thick, superbly cut furs topped with the scarlet cloak of the esper. He wore a simple short sword on his hip, in a well-worn leather scabbard, but Owen had no doubt the man also had a gun or two hidden under those furs somewhere. He looked the type. He also looked like he was enjoying the hug entirely too much.
    Silver and Hazel finally broke apart and stepped back to hold each other at
    arm's length.
    "Looking good, Hazel. Robbed anyone interesting recently?"
    "You'd be surprised. How the hell did a rogue like you get to be head of starport Security? That's like setting a starving wolf to guard a flock of sheep."
    Silver shrugged amiably, not insulted. "Even the fiercest wolf has to settle down and turn respectable eventually. We lost a lot of good people here during the esper plague, including most of my superiors. Typhoid Mary killed or brainburned them all in the space of a few days, and when she was finally taken down, I was the only one left standing. To everyone's surprise, including my own, I've been doing a good and mostly honest job ever since. Mostly because there's so much work to be done that I haven't the time or the energy to be crooked."
    "Never thought I'd hear you say that," said Hazel, laughing. She looked back, and realized Owen was studying them thoughtfully. "Owen, get up off Jenny and come and meet an old friend." Owen got up carefully. Jenny stayed where she was, breathing harshly. Hazel grinned. "Owen, allow me to present an old confidant of mine. Ex-pirate, confidence trickster, lawyer, and occasional female impersonator when money gets short. Generally a good comrade to have with you, on either side of the law. Particularly if you're working a swindle. Best innocent-faced liar I ever knew."
    "Which is why I'm so good at my present job," said Silver calmly. "Takes one liar to spot another. And I know all the tricks, because I've used most of them in my time."
    "This is all very charming and picaresque," said Random, "but I have business to
    be about."
    "Oh sure," said Silver. "Hang around, and I'll get you a map and some guards."
    "No need. I know my way around Mistport. And I've never needed guarding." He bowed politely to them all, even Jenny, then strode confidently off into the fog, his straight back radiating strength and purpose.
    "Impressive," said Silver. "I just hope he doesn't get mugged and rolled. We'd never hear the end of it."
    "I have my own mission, too," said Jenny Psycho icily. Everyone looked round sharply, as they realized she'd got to her feet without being noticed. If anything, she looked even more dangerous than she had before. "I don't need a map or guards either. Just stay out of my way."
    She stalked off into the fog, and the mists rolled aside to get out of her path.
    They closed again after her, and she was quickly gone. Hazel shook her head slowly.
    "You know, I could have sworn we were supposed to work as a team."
    "Don't let it bother you," said Owen. "Personally, I feel a lot safer with them gone. Neither of them would get my vote for mental health poster child of the year."
    "You're missing the point, as usual," said Hazel. "God knows how much damage Jenny Psycho will cause on her own, and I particularly wanted to stick close to Jack Random, in the hope of spotting something that would prove whether he's the real thing or not."
    "I thought you were sure he's a fake?"
    "I am. But proof would be nice."
    "We could always go after him."
    "No we couldn't. Then he'd know for sure that we don't trust him."

    "I hate reasoning like that," said Owen. "You can argue all day and still end up running in circles. We could be wrong about him, you know."
    "Hold everything," said Silver. "Are you telling me there's a chance that wasn't the real Jack Random?"
    "We're still deciding," said Hazel. "Let's just say we have doubts."
    "But he looks the part," said Silver. "Every inch a hero and a warrior."
    "Precisely," said Owen. "He's too perfect. Real life isn't like that."
    "Paranoia," said Hazel, smiling. "A game for the whole family, and anyone else who might be watching. Let's get out of the cold and find somewhere warm before my toes drop off."
    Owen glanced approvingly round Silver's private quarters as he sank into a deeply comfortable chair by an open fire. The ex-pirate Security chief lived in a fair amount of comfort, by Mistport standards. There were a number of high-tech appliances, including electric lighting, rare on a world