Deathstalker 07 - Deathstalker Return

remonstrate with you most severely. You do remember what happened the last time I had to remonstrate with you, don't you?"
    Dr. Happy nodded sulkily. He remembered. "I still feel you overreacted somewhat."
    "Just be grateful there was a regeneration tank handy. Next time, I won't stop with your extremities. I might need you, but I don't necessarily need you intact."
    The Halcyon came at last to Haden and took up a high orbit. The robots representing the AIs of Shub below teleported Finn and Dr. Happy down to the scientists' observation post, right on the edge of the Maze. Finn wasn't at all happy about entrusting his well-being to anyone other than himself, but he kept his concerns to himself. Partly because he needed Shub to see him as a trusted and trusting ally, and partly because he was so very eager to see the Maze and the survivors. Dr. Happy giggled loudly through the entire teleport experience until Finn hit him.
    They materialized in what looked like just another steel-walled corridor in any scientific outpost, but they had to be there on Haden only a few moments to realize that they had come to a very strange place.
    Everything felt different, eerie, threatening. Finn's hand dropped immediately to the gun at his side. He could feel all the hairs standing up on his arms and the back of his neck, as though he'd just entered the lobby of a haunted house. Part of him wanted to turn and run and keep running, which was a shock to Finn. He'd never felt that way before, about anyone or anything. He pushed the feeling aside. He hadn't come this far to leave empty-handed.
    Dr. Happy stood very still, gnawing on a fingernail, his eyes wider than ever. He was trying to smile, but his heart wasn't in it.
    A human scientist in full blast armor came round the corner at the end of the corridor, and Finn almost shot him on sight. He made himself take his hand away from his gun. Whatever the threat here was, it definitely wasn't human. One of the blue steel robots from Shub came round the corner to join the human scientist, and Finn relaxed a little. If anyone understood the true nature of this unnatural place, it would be Shub. He walked forward, nodded courteously to the robot, and stuck out his hand to the human scientist, who shook it grudgingly. He was short and bald and scowling, and didn't look at all happy to have visitors.
    "Welcome to Haden, Sir Durandal. It's an honor to meet you, of course, but I could wish it had been under happier circumstances. I have to tell you that I'm not at all happy about this situation. The existence
    of the twelve survivors was kept secret for good reason. But, Shub went over my head, so… What is that, behind you?"
    "That is Dr. Happy," said Finn, not looking round. "And whatever disturbing thing he's doing, don't worry, because he's going to stop it right now. Unless he wants me to slap him silly."
    "Charmed to be here," said Dr. Happy, blinking owlishly at the robot. "Absolutely charmed. Is there a toilet anywhere handy?"
    "Shut up," said Finn. He gave the human scientist his best sincere look. "For better or worse, the cat is out of the bag, Doctor…"
    "Dr. Ramirez. Well, if someone had to find out, I suppose I should be glad that it's someone like you who got here first. Let me show you around. And then maybe you'll understand why we kept our secret so long."
    He led them off, back down the corridor and round the corner, into another identical corridor. "This is all part of the observation structure my predecessors built directly around the Maze, deep under the surface of Haden. Normally we don't come this deep and venture so close to the Maze itself, but the survivors can only be… appreciated, up close and personal."
    "I take it the blast armor you're wearing isn't just a fashion statement," said Finn. "How dangerous is it, down here?"
    "To your body or your soul?" Dr. Ramirez tried a laugh, but it wasn't very succesful. "We take every precaution we can when dealing with the survivors, Sir Champion. Theoretically, they're completely secure, but normal scientific theories tend to break down around the Madness Maze. You should be safe enough as long as you stick close to me, and don't do or touch anything without checking with me first."
    "Is that your opinion too?" said Finn to the robots.
    "Every worthwhile endeavor involves risk," said the AIs of Shub.
    "I just know I'm going to love it here," said Dr. Happy.
    Dr. Ramirez shook his head. "I knew we should never have agreed