Deathstalker 07 - Deathstalker Return

work."
    "There haven't been any Investigators since Lionstone's time," said Lewis.
    "Probably a good thing," said Carrion. "Ah, what have we here? Personal orders for the captain of the Hector, for his eyes only."
    The main viewscreen lit up again to show Finn Durandal's classically handsome features. He smiled out of the screen, calm and composed.
    "That's him," said Jesamine. "The Durandal. The real traitor."
    "Here are your real orders, my dear captain," Finn said easily. "They are not to be discussed with anyone else, even if they are of higher rank in the fleet than you. These orders come from Pure Humanity.
    First, you will use all measures necessary to locate and then execute the Deathstalker and all his companions. You will not accept any form of surrender. Bring back their heads, if possible. Second, you will land your troops on Unseeli, and make an example of the Ashrai. They must be punished for their past arrogance. Kill as many as is practical, in the time available, and be sure it's all transmitted live. Do good work, Captain; the whole of the Empire will be watching. We need to make a strong impression here—make it clear to everyone that the old liberal ways are over, and from now on aliens will do as they're told, or pay the price. When you're done, fill your holds with metal from the trees. I don't see why the Empire should have to cover the expense of this mission. Oh, and Captain, don't let the Deathstalker or any of his companions escape. Or don't bother coming back."
    The picture disappeared. Carrion studied the blank screen thoughtfully, while the others studied him.
    "Well?" Lewis said finally. "You can see for yourself—our enemy is your enemy. We have a common cause."
    "They will all die here," said Carrion. "It's been so long, they've forgotten what the Ashrai can do. Even in the bad old days of Lionstone, it took more than armies and war machines to stop the Ashrai. That's why Captain Silence scorched the planet, after all. So, the wheel turns, and war comes to us again. We will make an example here. And if they dare to try to scorch us again, I will show their petty starcruisers the same face I showed the Recreated. I will set their ships on fire against the night…"
    "Oh, great," muttered Brett. "Another psycho."
    "Shut up, Brett," said Lewis. "Sir Carrion, we don't stand a hope in hell of getting back to our ship unless you protect us. Our enemy is your enemy. You have to help us, in Owen's name."
    "If you're really a Deathstalker, you won't need help," said Carrion. My last ties to Humanity died with John Silence. I owe you nothing. Go your own way. I have a war to fight."
    Rose surged forward, her sword in her hand, the point aimed at Carrion's throat. Her movements were a blur, inhumanly fast, and still she never stood a chance. She'd barely crossed half the space between them when Carrion's staff suddenly blazed with energy and Rose was plucked out of midair and thrown backwards, hurtling across the lobby to slam into the far wall. Her eyes closed, and she slid slowly down the wall, still somehow clinging to her sword. Brett ran over to her. Lewis faced off against Carrion, his ugly face set in harsh, dangerous lines, his hand hovering over his disrupter. Jesamine moved in close beside him. Saturday looked on from the open doorway, his tail sweeping thoughtfully back and forth.
    "Keep your attack dog on a leash, Deathstalker," said Carrion. "Or I'll muzzle her. I think you should leave now. Your name buys you only so much protection. Be about your own business, and let the Ashrai tend to theirs."
    Lewis backed slowly away, not taking his eyes off the man dressed in black. Jesamine retreated with him, her hands clenched into impotent fists. Amazingly, Rose was back on her feet, though her eyes were
    dazed and she was leaning heavily on Brett. Lewis led the way out of Base Thirteen and back into the metallic forest. And Carrion stood all alone in the reception lobby, surrounded by ghosts, while viewscreen after viewscreen showed Imperial attack troops moving on the surface of Unseeli for the first time in over two hundred years.
    I am Carrion, the destroyer of worlds. I bring bad luck. Oh, John, was it all for nothing, in the end?
    The Imperial marines moved slowly through the metallic forest, keeping strict formation, guns at the ready. They spread out across the narrow paths, driven by religious fervor and flying on battle drugs that hadn't been used or needed in centuries, ready