Read Online Deathstalker 08 - Deathstalker Coda by Simon R. Green - Free Book Online
Authors: Simon R. Green
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you.”
“Oh, don’t be such a grumpy old bear! I just thought, now that things have improved, and we’re not running for our lives anymore—couldn’t we please dump Brett and Rose now? I mean, it’s not as if we actually need them anymore. You’ve got an entire Imperial fleet at your command! I don’t know why you insisted on them coming along with us.”
“Because, my very dear, they’ve both been through the Madness Maze. They were dangerous enough before; God alone knows what they’ll be capable of once their powers start developing. No, I want them right here, where I can step on them hard, if I have to. Besides, you never know when having your very own thief and psychopath around will come in handy.”
“You know they’ll betray us eventually,” said Jesamine, resting her head on his shoulder. “If not to Finn, then to someone else. It’s in their nature.”
“Who knows what their nature is, anymore? They’ve been through the Maze, and that changes everything.”
Jesamine shuddered briefly. “I know. That’s what scares me.”
Lewis hugged her tightly to him, and for a long time neither of them said anything.
In the very next cabin, Brett Random and Rose Constantine were also in bed together. Brett was slowly getting used to having sex with Rose, but the lying beside her afterwards still made him nervous. He never slept, even when she gave every indication of being fast alseep. He always half suspected that at any moment Rose might decide to stick a knife in his ribs, to combine her newfound passion for the flesh with her old delight in the act of murder. The things a man will put up with to get his ashes hauled, Brett thought reflectively. For the moment they were both awake, lying side by side, her seven-foot-tall frame somewhat dwarfing Brett’s. As usual, he talked and she listened.
“I say, once we get to Mistport, we leg it,” Brett said firmly. “Head for the nearest horizon, and then disappear over it. There’s a war coming, and people get killed in wars. Particularly people like us. And a pair of smart operators like us could make a real killing on a rogue planet like Mistworld. The Deathstalker and his gung-ho chums won’t miss us; they’ll be far too busy playing heroes. And with a whole fleet to boss around, Lewis doesn’t need us anymore anyway.”
“I need them,” Rose said calmly. “I am a killer, and so must go where the killing is. Sex is nice, Brett, but killing has always been my first love. I have changed, but not that much. So I go where the Deathstalker goes—with or without you. And . . . I feel the need to see how this war with Finn is going to play out. My own small battles seem . . . insignificant, compared to being a part of destiny. We are Maze people now, Brett. We must learn to think in bigger terms.”
“It’ll all end in tears,” Brett said miserably. “Probably mine.”
Lewis took a call from Admiral Silence, asking them to come to the bridge, and he and Jesamine quickly got dressed. Lewis was ready in a few moments, but Jesamine refused to be hurried. If we’re going to be leaders of the rebellion, it’s important we look the part, she insisted. We want them to take us seriously, don’t we? Lewis went and busied himself unnecessarily in the adjoining bathroom. He didn’t trust himself to stay quiet under such provocation. Eventually Jesamine announced she was ready, and Lewis reappeared. He had to admit, she did look stunning. He said so, and Jesamine beamed.
“I keep telling you, Lewis, I am always worth the wait. What do you suppose Silence wants?”
“Maybe he’s heard something from Owen.”
Jesamine pulled a face. “I really think you’re going to have to let that one go, dear. I very much doubt we’ll ever see him again.” She paused, considering. “What do you suppose will happen, when Owen finally finds Hazel?”
Lewis shrugged. “You heard the strange person. Journeys end in lovers’ meetings. And they do say
“Oh, don’t be such a grumpy old bear! I just thought, now that things have improved, and we’re not running for our lives anymore—couldn’t we please dump Brett and Rose now? I mean, it’s not as if we actually need them anymore. You’ve got an entire Imperial fleet at your command! I don’t know why you insisted on them coming along with us.”
“Because, my very dear, they’ve both been through the Madness Maze. They were dangerous enough before; God alone knows what they’ll be capable of once their powers start developing. No, I want them right here, where I can step on them hard, if I have to. Besides, you never know when having your very own thief and psychopath around will come in handy.”
“You know they’ll betray us eventually,” said Jesamine, resting her head on his shoulder. “If not to Finn, then to someone else. It’s in their nature.”
“Who knows what their nature is, anymore? They’ve been through the Maze, and that changes everything.”
Jesamine shuddered briefly. “I know. That’s what scares me.”
Lewis hugged her tightly to him, and for a long time neither of them said anything.
In the very next cabin, Brett Random and Rose Constantine were also in bed together. Brett was slowly getting used to having sex with Rose, but the lying beside her afterwards still made him nervous. He never slept, even when she gave every indication of being fast alseep. He always half suspected that at any moment Rose might decide to stick a knife in his ribs, to combine her newfound passion for the flesh with her old delight in the act of murder. The things a man will put up with to get his ashes hauled, Brett thought reflectively. For the moment they were both awake, lying side by side, her seven-foot-tall frame somewhat dwarfing Brett’s. As usual, he talked and she listened.
“I say, once we get to Mistport, we leg it,” Brett said firmly. “Head for the nearest horizon, and then disappear over it. There’s a war coming, and people get killed in wars. Particularly people like us. And a pair of smart operators like us could make a real killing on a rogue planet like Mistworld. The Deathstalker and his gung-ho chums won’t miss us; they’ll be far too busy playing heroes. And with a whole fleet to boss around, Lewis doesn’t need us anymore anyway.”
“I need them,” Rose said calmly. “I am a killer, and so must go where the killing is. Sex is nice, Brett, but killing has always been my first love. I have changed, but not that much. So I go where the Deathstalker goes—with or without you. And . . . I feel the need to see how this war with Finn is going to play out. My own small battles seem . . . insignificant, compared to being a part of destiny. We are Maze people now, Brett. We must learn to think in bigger terms.”
“It’ll all end in tears,” Brett said miserably. “Probably mine.”
Lewis took a call from Admiral Silence, asking them to come to the bridge, and he and Jesamine quickly got dressed. Lewis was ready in a few moments, but Jesamine refused to be hurried. If we’re going to be leaders of the rebellion, it’s important we look the part, she insisted. We want them to take us seriously, don’t we? Lewis went and busied himself unnecessarily in the adjoining bathroom. He didn’t trust himself to stay quiet under such provocation. Eventually Jesamine announced she was ready, and Lewis reappeared. He had to admit, she did look stunning. He said so, and Jesamine beamed.
“I keep telling you, Lewis, I am always worth the wait. What do you suppose Silence wants?”
“Maybe he’s heard something from Owen.”
Jesamine pulled a face. “I really think you’re going to have to let that one go, dear. I very much doubt we’ll ever see him again.” She paused, considering. “What do you suppose will happen, when Owen finally finds Hazel?”
Lewis shrugged. “You heard the strange person. Journeys end in lovers’ meetings. And they do say
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