Deathstalker 07 - Deathstalker Return

conversation that way for some time, without seeming too eager. He needed to know just what he'd be dealing with, when the time finally came to confront Tobias Moon.
    "They exist in perfect symbiosis," Hellen said easily. "Just as we do, with our cities. The Red Brain takes the long view, the wide view, while Moon remains focused on the everyday needs and problems of those who live and work here. If you like, the Red Brain is our god, and Tobias Moon his prophet."
    "No," said Jesamine. "I don't think I like that idea at all."
    Hellen laughed. "It's just a way of thinking about it. Don't worry; our god doesn't require sacrifices.
    Unless it's been a really bad harvest. Joke! Try… thinking of the Red Brain as a great computer, and Moon its programmer. Does that help?"
    "Just a little," said Lewis.
    Rose and Brett hung back so they could talk quietly together. Lewis and Jesamine were clearly charmed by the manifold delights ofMissionCity , and that worried Brett. In his experience, the prettiest face was always a disguise for the greatest danger, and the knife in the back always came when you were least expecting it. He couldn't shake off the feeling that they were walking blithely into some carefully concealed trap. He murmured as much to Rose, and she nodded.
    "Ugly place. Overgrown with weeds. This is no way for people to live. No action, no challenges. Bunch of damned tree-huggers." Rose sniffed loudly. "Living in harmony with the natural world, my arse. The natural world will bite your arse off, given half a chance. You have to tame it, regulate it, stamp it underfoot. The jungle's more honest than this place. Real nature is kill or be killed, red in tooth and claw.
    Always has been. The Deathstalker had better smarten up and keep his eyes open, or we could all end up as fertilizer for their mighty God Plant."
    "Thanks a whole bunch," Brett said gloomily. "Now I feel even worse, if that's possible." He peered unhappily about him. "This isn't my kind of place either. Nothing worth stealing, no one to con… there are supposed to be roots and weeds here that Dr. Happy and his breed would pay serious money for, but I couldn't pick them out of all this mess to save my life. And how can you bribe information out of people who already think they're living in paradise, the fools? God, I'd kill for a drink. This place is far too healthy for the likes of me. I want to go home."
    "If this does turn out to be a trap," Rose said dreamily, "I'll bet this city would burn up real good…"
    "I do hope you realize just how rare it is for Tobias Moon to agree to meet with you," Hellen Adair was saying to Lewis. "In fact, I don't think he's seen any offworlder in person for almost a hundred and fifty years. After the legends began circulating, we got a lot of tourists here. Moon had been made into a hero and a myth, without his permission, and we had pilgrims turning up here by the shipload, all determined to worship at Moon's feet and pester him for wisdom. So he withdrew into the embrace of the Red Brain and vanished from sight. Only a very few people know his location these days, and he rarely speaks even to them. To speak with Moon in person is the highest privilege you can aspire to, in this world. And then you turn up, and nothing will do but that Moon has to speak to you immediately.Lot of people had their
    noses put out of joint over that. But you're a Deathstalker, and that name carries a lot of currency here.
    Owen made all this possible. He came here when we were all lepers, outcast and despised by the rest of Humanity. He walked among us, and taught us how to be strong and proud again. He fought alongside us against the Hadenmen and the Grendels, and worked miracles in our defense."
    "Does Moon ever talk about Owen?" said Lewis.
    "No." Hellen frowned for the first time. "He never talks about those days. Perhaps he will, to you. We don't know why he's so keen to talk to you, or what he has to say. When you've finished your conversation, whatever turns it may take, I suggest you get back to your ship and get the hell off this world. A lot of people are going to be really upset about being excluded from this meeting. You may be a Deathstalker, but you're clearly no Owen, and as for your companions…"
    There was a vicious rasp of steel as Rose drew her sword. "What about us?"
    "Rose, put that sword away!" Lewis's voice cracked like a whip, but Rose didn't react as she advanced on Hellen.
    "I've had enough of this snotty