Deathstalker 07 - Deathstalker Return

guards got too confident and too close, andDouglas suddenly whipped a length of his chains around the guard's throat, and broke the man's neck with a sudden twist. The other guards hesitated for just a moment, shocked by a death that wasn't in the script, and that was all the advantageDouglas needed. He struck out at the guards with all the training and experience of his many years as a Paragon, lashing out with hands and feet and lengths of steel chain; and surprisingly quickly all the guards lay stretched out on the floor before Finn, unmoving. Douglas stood over them, battered and bloodied and entirely unbowed, glaring at the man sitting on what had once been his throne.
    Finn applauded languidly, the soft hand claps filling the silence of the shocked Court. "Well done,Douglas . You always did know how to put on a good show. Guards, draw your guns." Hundreds of energy weapons were immediately trained on the harshly breathingDouglas .
    "Do get back in the dock where you belong,Douglas , there's a good fellow," said Finn. "Or we'll start the trial with your execution."
    Douglaslimped back into the dock, wearing his dignity like armor. Finn gestured, and the six dead and unconscious guards were dragged away. Six new guards surrounded the dock, guns drawn and at the ready.Douglas ignored them with magnificent disdain.
    "The charges," said Finn, almost casually, "are treason, sedition, murder, and royal fratricide. How do you answer,Douglas ?"
    "Mostly guilty, and entirely proud of it," saidDouglas . "I have always done my duty. Do we really need to go on with this, Finn? This whole trial is a farce. It's unworthy of both of us. You need me dead so you can feel safe on your stolen throne. Just do it, and then we can both get some peace."
    "Oh, hell," Finn said easily. "Why not?" He rose up from his throne, and stepped down from the dais, drawing his sword. "Kneel and bow your head to me, Douglas, one last time."
    And that was when Nina Malapert and Stuart Lennox came crashing through the stained-glass ceiling in their borrowed ship, the Hazzard. Everyone in the court cried out in shock and alarm as razor-sharp shards of stained glass fell like hail, followed by pieces of falling masonry. The audience rose up and stampeded for the exits as the Hazzard, a sleek racing craft with all its force shields glowing, slammed against the floor of the court and skidded on for several yards. Guards were thrown aside like broken dolls as the Hazzard plowed through them, heading for the throne and the dock. Finn drew his disrupter and fired at the ship, but the beam ricocheted harmlessly away from the force shields. People were running and screaming everywhere now, the whole court in chaos.
    The Hazzard finally lurched to a halt. The airlock hissed open, and Stuart Lennox emerged, a gun in each hand. He shot the two nearest guards, and grinned atDouglas .
    "Move it, Your Majesty! Don't you know a rescue when you see one?"
    Douglaslimped out of the dock, wrestling with his chains, and lurched towards the ship. The guards
    around the dock had already run for it, but more were hurrying forward. Stuart reached into Nina's backpack at his feet, and brought out a bandolier of concussion grenades. He tossed them around where he thought they'd do the most good, grinning widely. The explosions were satisfyingly loud, and did even more damage to the court. The guards dived for cover. Douglas clambered aboard the Hazzard, with Stuart's help, his chains clanking noisily, and Nina took off without even waiting for the airlock to close properly. The Hazzard smashed through what was left of the stained-glass ceiling, and was gone.
    Douglaswas so intent on his escape that he never saw Anne, thrown from her throne and lying on the floor of the court, pinned under heavy pieces of fallen masonry. Blood pooled around her, and she couldn't move her arms or legs. She cried out toDouglas , but he never heard her. In the end, it was Finn who came to help her, stepping immaculately out of the smoke and chaos. He lifted the masonry off Anne with his bare hands.
    "Don't worry, Anne," said Finn. "I'll always be here." And he sat down beside her, and held her hand while they waited for the summoned medics to arrive.
    On board the Hazzard, Stuart worked onDouglas 's chains with a Rookery skeleton key, while Nina shouted introductions from the pilot's seat. She was heading nowhere in particular at full speed, and as yet no one was on her tail.Douglas threw aside