Deathstalker 04 - Deathstalker Honor

“Reports can be exaggerated; sensors can be mistaken. It’s a big world, Owen. He can’t have killed everything.”
    “And if he has? If he’s done everything he’s supposed to have done?” “Then we cut his black heart out, throw it on the ground, and stamp on it. And the same for everyone with him.”
    Owen had to smile slightly. “Life’s always been so simple for you, hasn’t it.
    Hazel? Good guys and bad guys, and a direct, forceful answer to every problem. But you heard the man at the briefing. There are still powers that be who want Valentine brought back alive for a show trial.
    If only because they could sell holo rights for a small fortune.”
    “I keep up with things,” said Hazel. “And for every faction that wants the Wolfe brought back alive, I’ll bet I can name ten who’d very much rather he came back with flies buzzing around him. Not least the clone and esper undergrounds. If word ever gets out that Valentine Wolfe had once been an active part and supporter of the undergrounds, they’d lose what little public support and popularity they have. And on top of that, there are any number of people who struck questionable deals with him in the past, and don’t want it coming out now they’ve recreated themselves as pure-hearted supporters of the rebellion.”
    “And that’s why we’re going to bring the bastard back alive,” Owen said firmly. “Not necessarily in one piece, but definitely alive. I’m no man’s puppet, and no organization’s either. I need to send a signal that no one pressures me. And I won’t kill him just because I want to.”
    “You and your damned conscience,” said Hazel. “All right, so we try to take him alive. What about his supporters?”
    “Massacre the lot, for all I care.”
    “Now you’re talking,” said Hazel.
    Owen leaned back in his chair, interlocked his fingers before him, and stared at them thoughtfully. “He wasn’t always a monster, you know. Valentine. We were children together, moved in the same circles, went to the same parties. He seemed quite… normal then. Nothing out of the ordinary. No sign then of the psychopath he became. Just another kid, perhaps a little quieter than most. Much like me. We were never actually friends, but I can remember good times we had together. And then we went our different ways, to be trained as a Wolfe and a Deathstalker, and I didn’t see him again for years. And sometimes I find myself wondering how two such similar children became such different adults.” “People change,”
    said Hazel. “Whether they want to or not. Life writes our scripts, and we just get to ad lib now and again.” Owen looked at her. “Why, Hazel, that was almost profound.” “Don’t you patronize me, Deathstalker. I have a mind. I have read the occasional book in my time. When there was nothing else to do. I just meant that even while we’re busy changing the universe, it’s busy changing us. Look at you; you’re not the person you used to be, even a few years ago. Thank God. The Owen Deathstalker I saved from certain death down below is a very different man from the official hero who toppled an empire.”
    “I know,” said Owen. “That bothers me.”
    “Don’t worry about it,” said Hazel. “He really was a stuck-up little prig.”
    Owen raised an eyebrow. “Then why did you stick with him?”
    Hazel smiled. “I thought I saw potential in him.” Owen’s mouth twitched. “I thought much the same
    about you.” And then he frowned again.
    “Oh, hell, Owen, now what? I swear, you know more ways to depress yourself than anyone I’ve ever met.”
    “I was just thinking about Finlay Campbell. We should have included him on this trip.”
    “We’ve been through this, Owen. The man is obsessed. He’s sworn a vendetta against Valentine.
    Sworn to kill the man, on his blood and on his honor. If we’re to keep our options open down there, we can’t afford to have the Campbell anywhere near us. He’s always been… erratic. They tried using him as a bounty hunter, but he always brought them back dead. Sometimes in pieces. Last I heard, his girlfriend, Evangeline, was trying to get him interested in politics. God help Parliament, that’s all I have to say.”
    “He fought beside us. He was a hero of the rebellion, just like us. And Valentine wiped out his whole Family. It doesn’t feel right, keeping this from him.”
    “Owen, we hardly know the man. You’re the one who wants to bring Valentine