Deathstalker 04 - Deathstalker Honor

weather does what it’s told, chasing down possible Shub connections. But no, Jack bloody Random has to go chasing off to be a hero again, and I get dragged along with him.”
    “You know we had to come,” said Random. He looked back at the Sergeant. “You’re sure Young Jack Random is down there somewhere?” “Oh, yes. We’ve got holovid footage if you want to see it.” Miller’s mouth twitched as though he’d just tasted something sour. “The cameraman got fried before he could broadcast much, but we’re pretty sure it’s him. I thought you people said he died on Golgotha.”
    “He did,” said Random. “Show us the footage.”
    The Sergeant made the connection through the pinnace’s computers, and the holovid played back through Random and Ruby’s comm implants, channeled directly through their optic nerves. The interior of the pinnace cabin vanished, replaced by a jerky, uncertain scene of a village in flames. Gusting winds fanned the fires, and black smoke thick with drifting smuts and cinders billowed through the still streets.
    There were bodies lying everywhere. Men, women, children, lying in great pools of blood. Not all the bodies were intact. Ghost Warriors strode stiffly through the inferno, untouched by the intense heat. Dead men walking, their gray flesh rotting on their bones. And at their head, smiling and laughing, a sword dripping blood in one hand, was Young Jack Random. Tall, muscular, handsome, every inch the hero of legend. A severed human head hung by its blood-slick hair from his other hand. He stopped, suddenly aware of the camera, turned and struck a pose, standing half silhouetted against the crimson flames of a burning house. He smiled widely, showing perfect white teeth. His silver armor was running with blood, none of it his. He held up the severed head so it faced the camera, then laughed and gestured with his bloody sword. Two Ghost Warriors advanced on the camera. The footage cut off abruptly, and the pinnace cabin returned. Random and Ruby looked at each other. “Well?” said Miller. “Is that him?”
    “Oh, yes,” said Ruby. “That’s Young Jack Random, doing what he does best.” “So what’s the story?”
    demanded the Sergeant. “Officially, the man died a hero, leading the street fighting in the Parade of the Endless. Unofficially, there were all kinds of rumors. Some say he was killed by his own side for betraying the cause. Others say you people killed him because he wouldn’t go along with the deal you struck with Blue Block. Some say he never died. Just walked away in disgust from all the killing, but that he’d return again in the hour of the Empire’s greatest need. Lot of people liked that one. Word is, when he first appeared on Loki, people flocked to him as a savior. Until word came back with the few
    survivors that he was leading an army of Ghost Warriors and wasn’t interested in taking prisoners. So, talk to me. If I’m going to have to face that man dirtside, I have a right to know.”
    “Of course you have,” said Random. “He’s not a man. He’s a machine. A Fury. You can understand why we thought we had to keep that quiet.” “Jesus,” said Miller. “But… he was a hero. He helped lead the rebellion.” “Shub was taking the long view,” said Ruby. “If we won, they wanted one of their own in a position of power and influence. We only found out his true nature by accident. An esper colleague of ours destroyed his body completely. Flattened him out like metal roadkill.”
    “So how come he’s back here making trouble?”
    “It would appear Shub has built another one,” said Random. “Another me. I suppose I should be flattered. It’s psychological warfare. Just a little something extra to undermine human morale. Or perhaps a lure to bring me here, for some purpose of their own. When we find the Fury, I’ll be sure to see what he has to say about it. Before I destroy him again.” “If we can,” said Ruby. “Furies can take a hell of a lot of punishment. Julian Skye was a powerful esper. There’s no guarantee we’ll find anyone of his caliber dirtside.”
    “Julian Skye killed the original?” said the Sergeant, his face lighting up.
    “Damn, I watch his show all the time! He was a real hero!” “Yes,” said Random. “One of the few of us who really was. I wish he was here now.”
    “Probably too busy doing close-ups,” said Ruby. “While we get to do the dirty work, as always. What’s the matter,