Deathstalker 04 - Deathstalker Honor

he’s human,” said the first man. “He was born among us to become more than us, to lead us to victory. Like he led the rebels against the Empress.” “That was Jack Random,” said the second man.
    “The professional rebel. Though they say he’s immortal too these days. And Ruby Journey and Hazel d’Ark, and that bloody Hadenman Moon. Every bugger except us, seems like.” “Yeah,” said the third man. “But they’re still human. Old Daft Sally asked Hazel d’Ark to heal her by laying on of hands. Didn’t work.” “Maybe Sally just didn’t have enough faith,” said the first man. Owen decided he didn’t like the way the conversation was going. He stepped forward into the light of the fire. “May I join you, friends?”
    “Sure,” said the first man. “Take a pew. I’m Harry. The one with the stupid hat is Sigurd, and the boring one is Glum.”
    “I’m Giles,” said Owen. “I’m… new. I’ve met the Deathstalker. He didn’t seem all that special to me.
    Just a man, trying to do what’s right.” “Then you must have had your eyes shut,” said Harry, picking at a scab on the side of his face he still had left. “He’s been touched by God. Has to have been to do all the things he’s done. They say angels fought alongside him in the great rebellion, and were seen flying in the skies above all the great battles.” “He’s no Saint,” said Sigurd. “There’s only one Saint here, and she’s still up to her elbows in guts in the infirmary. And I saw the Deathstalker on the holo, fighting in the streets on Golgotha, and there weren’t any bloody angels there. Just Hazel d’Ark, and she sure as hell isn’t any angel. Unless it’s the fallen kind. Nice tits, though.”
    “Angels wouldn’t show up on a film,” said Harry patiently. “They’re spiritual creatures.”
    “If he was a Saint, he’d heal us,” said Glum, still looking down at his knees. “Save us all, and wipe out the Hadenmen with a wave of his hand. But he didn’t, because he can’t. No, he’s powerful, all right, but he’s still one of us.” “There are those who say he’s a monster,” Owen said quietly. “That no one should be able to do the things he can do. That all power corrupts—“ “Bull!” said Harry angrily. “He was born an aristo, but he gave it all up to champion the downtrodden! He gave up wealth and position of his own free will, refusing to live in comfort while the people lived in slavery! He’s a hero. A legend.”
    “That was Jack Random,” said Sigurd stubbornly. “Random was a failure on his own. Everyone knows that. The Deathstalker fought for us when no one else would. Freed Jack Random from prison and put new life into him. He could have been Emperor if he wanted, but he turned it down.” Harry shook his head wonderingly. “You only see his like once in a thousand years.” “He gave the Hadenmen a chance at redemption,” said Glum, looking up for the first time. “Who else would have done that? All right, they betrayed him in the end, but that’s Hadenmen for you.”
    “They say he killed a Grendel with his bare hands,” said Harry reverently. “A Grendel, mind you! No man could do that who wasn’t touched by God.” “But doesn’t it scare you, some of the things he can do?” said Owen. “Oh, hell,” said Sigurd. “Of course he’s scary. Heroes always are. They’re all pretty spooky, all the Maze people. If they did go bad, who could stop them? They could kill us all, lay waste to whole planets, destroy the damned Empire if the whim took them. They could be monsters. But the point is, they aren’t. The Deathstalker came here to save us when no one else would. He could die here, along with us, and no one would ever know. But he came anyway, because it was the right thing to do. In the end, that’s all that matters.” “Touched by God,” said Glum. “Driven by destiny. Chosen to be a hero.
    Poor bastard.”
    “Yeah,” said Harry. “He could have taken the crown. I would have. Instead he’s here with us. In Hell.”
    “Oh, I don’t know,” said Owen. “From what I’ve heard, Parliament’s an even more dangerous place than this. At least here you can be sure who your enemies are.” He got to his feet. “I have to go. Thanks for your company, friends.” He left them sitting around their fire and made his way back across the compound, heading nowhere in particular. He’d heard them talk about Owen Deathstalker as a hero and a