Deathstalker 05 - Deathstalker Destiny

damage, said Diana. God knows how many more he'll kill before he's stopped. Now will you come back?
    I've been trying to reach Jack through our old mental link, said Hazel. I can't get any response from him, or Ruby. They must be deliberately blocking us out.
    We'd be no better at tracking him down than anyone else. And even if we could find him… I'm not sure what we'd do. What we could do. I mean, this is Jack Random we're talking about.
    No one's above the law, said Owen flatly. It has to apply equally, or it means nothing. But Jack… isn't our problem. None of the things you've described are as important as what's happening on the Wolfling World. Our mission there has to take precedence.
    Captain Silence is on his way into the Darkvoid, said Diana desperately. Let my father deal with it, whatever it is.
    I don't think so, said Hazel. In fact, if he's on his way there, it's more important than ever that we get there first.
    And as suddenly as that, they were gone. She called again and again, but no one answered. Diana wasted a few moments in cursing their names and general foul language, and then moved reluctantly on to the next on her mental list. Having located two Maze minds, it wasn't too difficult for her to track down another.
    Damn, said Jack Random. I would have sworn no one could find me. Hello, Diana Vertue. How are you?
    Just a tad desperate, said Diana. How are you, Jack? Killed any more innocents recently?
    None of them were innocent, said Jack immediately. They all needed killing. I'm just doing what I've always done. Taking out the garbage.
    Diana tried to get a glimpse of where he was, or what he was planning, but Jack's shields were already reforming, like bricks in a great wall, and she knew he'd never let her find him again. She'd caught him by surprise, but her expanded mind, powerful as it was, was no match for his, and they both knew it.
    She quickly filled him in on the latest emergencies, and the true nature of the Mater Mundi, but she could tell she wasn't reaching him.
    Interesting was all he had to say. But esper problems are your province, not mine. I have my own responsibilities, and the duty I have chosen to shoulder is a heavy one. I can't put it down, even for a moment. Don't try to find me again, for your own sake. I can't trust anyone these days.
    And then his presence was gone, shut away behind shields so powerful Diana couldn't even sense where he had been. Diana called after him anyway, and was somewhat surprised to get an immediate response. From Ruby Journey. Hers was a cold, controlled presence, her thoughts as precise and unemotional as well-oiled machinery. Diana quickly prepared her own shields and defenses, just in case.
    This was Ruby Journey, after all.
    I heard your call, said Ruby. I even managed to listen in on your conversation with Jack. I don't give a damn about your problems either. All I care about is locating Jack. You must have picked up some idea as to where he is, some clue to what he's planning. Open your mind to me, so I can see.
    Go to hell, said Diana. I'm not having you trampling about in my mind. I don't know where Jack is, or what he intends to do. And if you're not willing to help
    me, I don't give a damn about you either.
    Foolish, said Ruby Journey. Very foolish.
    Her mind smashed against Diana's, but even her Maze-given powers couldn't just sweep aside Diana's shields. Ruby increased the pressure, but despite the pain and the strain, Diana wouldn't give way. Ruby's power raged about her, like a storm that might capsize a ship at any moment, but somehow Diana's shields still held. And in the end Ruby got tired, or bored, and backed off. She sent out a single mental image, and Diana studied it cautiously from behind her shields.
    The image showed Ruby Journey at a city armory, equipping herself with all manner of weapons and explosives. Enough to hunt down and kill a hundred men.
    Ruby was smiling coldly.
    If Jack contacts you again, show him this image. Show him what's coming after him. And remind him that I never, ever, stop once I've accepted a commission.
    Ruby disappeared behind her shields and was gone, leaving Diana hovering alone above Golgotha. It was an unnerving thing, to know you'd just faced an enemy that could have beaten you if she'd cared enough to spend a little more time and energy. Far off in the dark, the Recreated were still howling their endless awful scream. Diana felt very tired and very vulnerable, and fell back into her