Deathstalker 07 - Deathstalker Return

the embrace of the Red Brain. It reminds me of the mass consciousness of the Hadenmen.
    It was necessary to destroy them, but still I miss the closeness, that intimate connection. The never being alone. The Red Brain and I have joined in symbiosis. It is not the same, but it will do.
    Together, we regulate and control plant growth and activity, to cooperate with the colonists. They are a part of the ecosystem too, and a part of us. Our children.
    "It is a peaceful life, for one who was created to wage war. It is all I ever really wanted. Now you come, Deathstalker, and like your predecessor I have no doubt you bring bad news." He swiveled his head back and forth experimentally, and his neck made loud cracking and creaking noises. "I don't inhabit this body much anymore. I live in a larger body, with a larger perspective. But here I am. Because I never could say no to a Deathstalker."
    "You honor me, Sir Moon," said Lewis. "I wouldn't have disturbed you, if the whole Empire were not at risk…"
    "It's always something like that," said Moon. "Deathstalkers never bother themselves with the smaller things. I know why you're here. I'm still linked into the Empire's comm systems. I've been updating myself while we've been talking. So, the Terror has come at last, the worlds are falling apart, and you have been outlawed. Time plays the same patterns, over and over again. And Owen and I are legends now… He wouldn't have approved. But then, he was always the best of us. I could have been so much more.
    Grown, and performed miracles, as he did. But I never wanted that. Or perhaps I was afraid to embrace the change and the power, as he did. I don't think Owen was ever really afraid of anything, except failing those he loved. Still, this is the life I chose, and I have been happy enough, here."
    "We need to talk about Owen, Sir Moon." Jesamme moved in beside Lewis, cutting off what promised to be a rambling conversation. "Is Owen still alive somewhere? Where should we look for him?"
    "I haven't seen Owen since he left this world," said Moon in his buzzing, inhuman voice. The golden eyes shone piercingly bright. "Though sometimes, I think I talk with him, in dreams. The link the Maze formed between all of us was a strong one, and I don't know if even death could break it. A voice came to us, after the defeat of the Recreated, and said that Owen died bravely, saving us all. It was the kind of thing he would do. I know what's happening in the Empire, Deathstalker. Much has happened since you left Logres. The old King, William, has been arrested for treason. The young King, Douglas, is in the hands of his enemies. You must make a decision: go back and save your friend, or go on and perhaps save the Empire."
    "Lewis, you can't go back," Jesamine said immediately. "Not after we've come so far."
    "ButDouglas …"
    "Would understand. He can take care of himself"
    "Bound to be a trap waiting for you there," said Rose. "It's what I would do."
    "But where can we go, if Owen really is dead?" said Lewis. "And are you sure of that, Sir Moon? I've been given reason to believe that he could still be alive, somewhere."
    "He was a great man," said Moon. "A warrior, yes, but so much more, besides. I still miss him, after all this time. He saved my soul, you know. After the Grendel killed me in the old caverns under Haden, the reborn Hadenmen brought me back to life, but only as one of them. I had access to most of my old memories, but they meant nothing to me—until Owen came, and brought me back into the light, back to myself again. Everything I am, I owe to him."
    "Excuse me?" said Brett, sticking one hand up in the air. "You were dead… and then you came back to life again?"
    "Yes," said Moon.
    "Just checking," said Brett.
    "What was it like, being dead?" said Rose.
    "Restful," said Moon. "In a way, we all died when we went through the Madness Maze. What came out the other side was something new. We were reborn, remade into new life. Owen's still out there, somewhere. I believe that. I have to believe that." He paused, and looked at Lewis again. "Has anyone ever tried to recreate my old people, the Hadenmen?"
    "No," said Lewis. "We don't believe in cyborgs anymore."
    "Probably just as well," said Moon. "We were never what the Maze intended."
    "What did the Maze intend?" said Jesamine.
    "Go there," said Tobias Moon. "Go to Haden, go to the Madness Maze, and ask it. Every answer to every question you ever had can be found in the