Deathstalker 03 - Deathstalker War

for your ghoulish audience? Doesn't this move you at all?"
    "Sure," said Toby. "That's why we're getting a record of each face, so they can be identified by their next of kin."
    "Oh," said Julian. "I'm sorry."
    "And because it's a dynamite shot. It'll make a hell of an impact on the early-morning news slots. This is the kind of footage that wins awards."
    "Not to mention bonuses," said Flynn.
    "Right," said Toby. "And if it puts a few people off their breakfast, so much the better. With a bit of luck, someone might even call in and complain. You can't buy publicity like that."
    Julian didn't know what to say that wouldn't involve shouting, so in the end he said nothing. He didn't want the others to think he couldn't control himself. He looked to Finlay for his cue. The Campbell was looking at the severed heads, but not seeing them, his brows furrowed as he tried to remember something.
    Evangeline put a hand on his arm.
    "What is it, Finlay?"
    "I know this place," he said slowly. "Summerland. Someone told me about it, long ago… This wasn't just a pleasure planet."
    "What else was it?" said Giles.
    "I'm not sure," said Finlay. "But I think… it was a therapy world."
    "There's someone outside," Julian said abruptly. Everyone looked at him sharply, except for Giles, who nodded slowly.
    "Yes," he said quietly. "Two of them. Waiting by the entrance."

    Julian looked at him. "Since when have you been an esper, Deathstalker?"
    "I'm not," said Giles. "I just know things, sometimes. Do a full scan, esper."
    Julian concentrated. "Two lifeforms. Not human. Definitely not human. But… sort of human. I've never sensed anything like it. They're waiting for us to come out. They don't feel threatening."
    "Then let's go talk with them," said Finlay. "And let's hope they have some answers. Because I'm not in the mood for any more mysteries. I just want something I can hit."
    They moved quickly back through the deserted rooms, still checking warily for ambushes as they went, until finally they reached the main entrance, then stumbled to a halt at the sight of what they found waiting for them there.
    Standing calmly before the entrance was a four-foot-tall teddy bear, with golden honey fur and dark knowing eyes. He wore a bright red tunic and trousers, and a long bright blue scarf around his neck. He looked warm and lovable and entirely trustworthy. His companion didn't inspire the same kind of immediate trust. Well over six feet tall, and wrapped in a long filthy trench coat, he looked human enough, apart from the cloven feet, clawed hands, and large blocky goat's head, with long curling horns and a permanently nasty smile. His grey fur was soiled and matted where it showed, and his eyes had a dangerous wildness to them. He stood slouching before the rebels, half the buttons missing from his trench coat, his ears drooping as though he couldn't be bothered with them.
    Finlay and his party stood very still, crowded together in the entrance.
    Whatever they'd been expecting, this very definitely wasn't it. Julian felt like shooting the goat-thing on sight, but somehow couldn't bring himself to do it.
    There was something about the goat, and the bear. The Bear… Julian pushed his
    way forward, looking from the Bear to the Goat and back again.
    "I know you," he said hoarsely. "I know you, don't I?"
    "Of course you do," said the Bear, in a warm and understanding voice. "All children know us."
    "You're Bruin Bear and the Sea Goat," said Julian. "Every child's friend and hero."
    "Yes," said Evangeline, pushing forward to stand beside him, her eyes fixed on the bear. "I used to have all your adventures, when I was… young. Full of magic and wonder and marvelous places. I remember. There were books and cartoons and films and interactive games, all to do with your adventures in the Golden Lands.
    I remember…"
    "Yeah, well, we've been around for a while," said the Sea Goat. "Not that we ever saw any royalties, mind. Still, that's what happens when you're not real, and you can't afford a decent lawyer."
    "You're automatons," said Finlay. "Mechanical devices with preprogrammed minds, in the shapes of well-loved children's characters."
    "Nah," said the Sea Goat. "We're just toys. We're all toys here."
    "Welcome to Summerland," said Bruin Bear. "Or what's left of it. We're here to look after you."
    "We have got to make time for an interview with them," Toby said to Flynn.
    "Bruin Bear and the Sea Goat, in their own words. People go crazy for