Deathstalker 07 - Deathstalker Return

elements, and the temperature is… well, hot and sweaty, basically. Gravity's a bit heavier than we're used to, but not by much… which is odd, given the sheer size of the planet. It ought to be a lot heavier… still, that's Unseeli for you. Never what you expect. As you can see, there's only the one continent, and no oceans. No freestanding water at all, that I can see. And the metallic forest stretches from pole to pole… damn, some of those metal trees are so tall they actually pierce the upper layers of the atmosphere! I've never seen anything like this…"
    "No one has," Jesamine said softly. "Unseeli is unique, in all the Empire. Trees of gold and silver and brass, and every other metal you can think of, with cores of heavy metals that used to be mined for starship drives. There's never been a human colony here, not even back in the most gung ho days of Lionstone's reign. People couldn't live here. It was just too alien."
    "And this is where you expect to find the man called Carrion?" said Brett. "In a place where no human could stand to live? Who's to say he's still alive anyway, after two hundred years?"
    "He went through the Madness Maze, and came out transformed," said Jesamine.
    "Supposedly," said Rose. She was studying the viewscreen intently, as though searching out a new opponent's weaknesses.
    "I'm surprised we haven't detected any power sources, at least," said Lewis. "This close, nothing should be able to block our sensors. There was supposed to be an old mining base here, but I'm not even getting a homing beacon. God alone knows how I'm going to land this ship."
    "You're not," said the ship's AI. "That's my job. You just find me an open space, and I'll put this ship down as gently as a leaf falling from a tree—only without the ups and downs and spiraling around that usually accompanies a falling leaf. Not really a good metaphor, after all. Just forget I ever said anything.
    Gosh, is that the time? I've got important synapses to file."
    "You know, given time and sufficient motivation, I'm pretty sure I could rip out his entire personality,"
    said Brett.
    "I'll bear that in mind," said Lewis.
    Try the comm again," said Jesamine. "If Carrion is down there, he must know we're here by now—if he is what he's supposed to be. Use the name again, sweetie. It's the only calling card we have."
    Lewis fired up the comm panels again, though if the old mining base was actually offline, he wasn't sure what or who might be receiving him. "This is Lewis Deathstalker, aboard the Hereward. We do not represent the Empire. I need to speak most urgently with the man called Carrion. Please respond."
    They waited, listening intently to the empty hissing of dead air. Brett stirred uneasily.
    "If there really was a base here, its systems should have come back online automatically, once it heard us. Even after two hundred years."
    "Something could have happened to it," said Jesamine. "There are some strange stones about Base Thirteen…"
    "Base Thirteen!" said Brett. "I knew coming here was a bad idea. That's it. Let me out of here. I'll walk home."
    "Don't tempt me," said Lewis.
    "This is Carrion," a voice said suddenly, breaking through the static. It was a harsh, rasping voice, almost too deep to be human, with strange, unsettling undertones. "Been a long time since I answered to that name. You've come a long way, Deathstalker, and only your name buys you this much welcome.
    Humans are not needed or wanted here. You are the enemy, and always will be. Give me one good reason why we shouldn't just rip your ship apart around you."
    "Give him a good reason!" yelped Brett.
    "Calm down, Random, or I'll have Saturday sit on you." Lewis thought for a moment, considering his options. "Hello, Sir Carrion. I am Lewis Deathstalker, a descendant of the blessed Owen, and I ask your help in his name. Like him, I have been unjustly outlawed, and am pursued by evil men. My four companions and I request permission to land and discuss the situation with you. Much has changed in the Empire. All of Humanity, and your world too, are under threat. The Terror has finally found us."
    "You're just full of good news, aren't you, Deathstalker," said the voice. "Just like your ancestor. Very well. I grant you permission to land. I will meet with you. There's no starport or landing pads, but there is a clearing where you can put your ship down, not far from Base Thirteen. I'll join you there. Don't go wandering off, or I can't guarantee your