Deathstalker 05 - Deathstalker Destiny

Basically, Vaughn had whatever powers she or he thought he or she had, because no one could convince Vaughn otherwise.
    Owen suggested the leprosy might have unhinged him, but apparently Vaughn had
    always been weird.
    Owen decided he didn't want to think about that, and concentrated on the ship as it stood steaming in the pattering rain. It wasn't much of a craft; barely the size of his late lamented Sunstrider II. Probably only had a nominal captain, and a few crew to do the scut work. Fast mover, though. Parliament wouldn't have bothered commandeering a slow ship, not for a direct message. Owen smiled grimly. The message would have to be pretty damned important to divert one of Parliament's couriers from his war duties, and Owen had a strong feeling he didn't want to hear it. He couldn't afford distractions now. All that mattered was getting off this planet, and going after Hazel.
    The ship's airlock finally cycled open, amid a long hiss of equalizing pressures, and Captain Joy In The Lord Rottsteiner stepped out onto the landing pad. He glared disdainfully about him into the rain, and then glared even more disdainfully at Owen. He was almost seven feet tall, supernaturally thin, and looked like he'd sway on his feet in even the mildest of breezes. His long face was all bones and harsh planes, dominated by a beaked nose you could open cans with. His eyes were deep set and very dark, and his mouth was set in a grim line. He dressed all in drab black, unadorned save for the bright red sash that marked him as an official representative of Parliament. He looked Owen up and down and sniffed superciliously. Owen just knew they weren't going to get along.
    The Captain strode forward to stand before Owen. He held his nose up high, the better to look down it at Owen, and ignored Vaughn completely.
    "I bear Parliament's word," said Joy In The Lord Rottsteiner, in a harsh growly sort of voice. "I speak for Humanity."
    "Really?" said Owen. "How nice for you. How are they all?"
    The Captain pressed on. "It is required that you return at once to Golgotha, Sir
    Deathstalker. Your services are needed most urgently. You are instructed to come with me, that I may convey you to an approaching starcruiser. How long will it take you to pack?"
    "Hold everything," said Owen, entirely unmoved by the message or the messenger.
    "What's so important that they've detailed a whole bloody starcruiser to come and pick me up? What's been happening in the war while I've been cut off here?"
    "War always bad idea," said Vaughn. "Much property damage, bad for insurance.
    Much better, kill all persons in authority, on both sides. Saves time, and helps prevent further wars. I know these things. Talk to God personally on subject many times."
    "The war goes badly," said the Captain, ignoring Vaughn with a thoroughness Owen could only admire. "You must come now."
    "Tell me about the war," said Owen.
    "Shub's forces are winning on most fronts," said the Captain, and for the first time Owen heard real gravity in his voice. "Humanity is barely holding its own against the insect ships. New Hadenman Nests are appearing all over the Empire.
    The Recreated have not yet left the Darkvoid, but signs of their coming have been manifesting in disturbing ways among the more sensitive elements of the esper community. And beyond all that, a new plague has appeared, leaping from planet to planet, striking down all who come into contact with it. We are living in the End Times, Deathstalker, when all will come to judgment. Evil and horror and destruction threaten Humanity on all sides. You must return. The Empire needs you."
    "No, it doesn't," said Owen. "These are all matters for the armed forces to deal with. I've no idea who or what the Recreated are, and for a plague you need
    doctors and research labs. Parliament just wants me back because it'll look like they're doing something. I don't have the time to rush around making appearances as a reassuring symbol. I'm needed elsewhere."
    "Parliament thinks otherwise," said Captain Rottsteiner. "Do you defy the will of the people?"
    "I've been the hero often enough," said Owen. "Let someone else do it. Hazel d'Ark has been kidnapped by the Blood Runners. I have to rescue her. If you need a Maze survivor for a symbol, why not ask Jack Random and Ruby Journey?"
    "They are no longer considered… reliable," said Rottsteiner. "Reports have been coming in from the planet Loki, of terrible actions performed at their