Deathstalker 04 - Deathstalker Honor

of my optician. Don’t flatter me, Cardinal.
    I know what I look like. Now, why am I talking to you and not BB?” “I’m afraid she doesn’t want to talk to you just now, Julian. You must understand; you and BB parted under very unhappy circumstances, and she quite rightly has some fears that you might still wish her harm.” “Now, why should she think that?” said Julian pleasantly. “Just because she betrayed me into the gentle hands of the Imperial tormentors?” “It was a different time then,” said Brendan. “I’m sure we all did things then that we have come to regret now. The new order is a new beginning for all of us, a chance to put the past behind us and remake ourselves as we would wish to be.” “Save the pretty speeches,” said Julian. “You were a slimy creep then and you’re a slimy creep now, and when you die they won’t have to bury you; they can just pour you down the nearest drain, so you can join all the other turds. BB gave you a message for me.
    Stop pretending to be someone important and pass it on.” “As you wish,” said Cardinal Brendan, entirely unmoved. “BB has asked me to say that she still has warm feelings for you, but that if you ever wish to see her again, you will have to prove your feelings are genuine.” “And just how do you suppose I do that? Bunch of flowers, nice box of chocolates, the dead body of an enemy? Try me, Cardinal. I’m in a generous mood.”
    “You must prove your good intentions by presenting to her the bound and helpless figure of the Chojiros’ greatest enemy.”
    “I always thought that was me, but women can be so fickle. Which poor bastard does she have in mind?”
    “Finlay Campbell.”
    Julian stared at the viewscreen for a long moment. “You want the Campbell?” “Your friend, yes. Your staunchest ally in the rebellion. How better to show your devotion to BB?”
    “If I ever find out this was your idea…”
    “I’m just the messenger, Julian. But even a failed ham actor like yourself must know that nothing of true value ever comes without a price tag. How much is BB’s love worth to you? And it’s not as if the Campbell’s been much of a friend to you lately. How long before he turns on you, as he already has with so many old allies? He’s not a happy man. Help put him out of his misery, and ours. And prove your worth at the same time.”
    “Betrayal,” said Julian Skye. “Is that all you Chojiros understand?” “Such a harsh word. Say rather that Clan Chojiro admires a man strong enough to live by his own rules. And know who his true friends are.
    So, may I inform BB that she can expect a package soon?”
    “I’ll think about it,” said Julian, and broke the connection.
    Flynn entered Toby Shreck’s office at Imperial News Headquarters and looked disparagingly about him as he pushed the door shut behind him with the heel of his boot. He was wearing standard work clothes, but hadn’t been able to resist just a touch of mascara and blusher. He sniffed loudly and fixed Toby with a withering gaze. “You’ve had the place redecorated again, I see. I still don’t like it. Really, Toby, all this high tech and polished surfaces really isn’t you. What this place needs is the feminine touch. Before the style police turn up and firebomb it on mental health grounds. What this office needs are pleasant pastel colors and big bunches of flowers everywhere. Flowers help to make a room.”
    “Oh, good,” said Toby, sitting hunched over the papers on his desk. “I’m behind with my work, the unions are making trouble again, and now you’ve turned up to irritate me. And don’t you dare bring in any flowers. I’m no good with plants, Flynn. You know that. I only have to walk past a flower, and it dies of neglect just to spite me. I like my office fine just the way it is, thank you. Anyway, you’re hardly in a position to throw stones. If I let you loose in here, you’d cover the walls with holos of big-eyed children and rush around putting doilies under everything.”
    “And what’s wrong with doilies?” said Flynn frostily. “A little delicate lace can do wonders to cheer a room up.”
    “What are you doing here, Flynn?” said Toby patiently. “The day’s over. Work is done. Go home and annoy someone else.”
    “I will if you will. It’s late, Toby. I thought you might like a lift.” “Thanks for the thought, but I still have half a ton of paperwork to wade through. You wouldn’t believe what ends