Deathstalker 06 - Deathstalker Legacy

moved in beside him, unobtrusively supporting him while she glared at the new enemy. He stood tall and proud in his Paragon's armor and flapping purple cloak, big and muscular, with sword and gun already in hand. His stern young face was almost familiar to Lewis.
    "I get the feeling ... I should know you," he said finally.
    "Of course you should," said the Paragon, his voice flat and harsh. ' I m Stuart Lennox. I'm Virimonde's new Paragon. Drop your weapons and surrender, sir Deathstalker. Don't make me kill you."
    "Lennox . . . Jesus, of course I know you, Stuart. Your father Adrian helped to train me, back on Mistworld. You used to bring him his lunch, and watch us train, back when you were a kid. So; you're my replacement. Du Bois didn't waste any time ... I don't suppose there's any point in my trying to convince you of my innocence?"
    "None of my business," said Stuart. "I know my duty. Your treason can be decided at your trial. Don't try to appeal to our shared past. I've seen the recording of you and the woman. You have disgraced your world, as well as your King."
    "Everything's so clear cut, when you're young," Lewis said tiredly. "All the things I've done down the years, for my world and my King; they don't matter anymore? They don't count?"
    "No. It just shows how far you've fallen."
    "You can't beat me," said Lewis.
    "Why not? We both had the same trainer. Oh, you have the years and the experience . . . but I have right and honor on my side."
    And while he was still talking a long green-scaled arm came out of nowhere, and vicious silver claws slammed into Stuart's side and out again. The force of the blow sent him flying through the air, tumbling end over end, blood flying everywhere. He hit the ground hard, groaned once, and lay still in a spreading pool of blood. Saturday emerged from the shadows under the Hereward's hull, and sniffed loudly.
    "If you're going to fight, fight. Talk afterwards. If you're still alive.
    Deathstalker; where are you going? The ship is waiting!"
    But Lewis had already left him behind. He hurried over to the still figure in the ruptured Paragon armor, and knelt beside him. He cut away a length of the purple cloak, made a pad of it, and pushed it firmly into the bloody gap in the armor, sealing off the wound. Stuart stiffened, but didn't cry out, though sweat popped out all over his face. Lewis used more of the cloak to make a pillow under the young man's head. The Paragons face was bone white now, and he was breathing harshly, blood spraying from his mouth with every exhalation.
    Lewis accessed his comm implant, and opened the Paragon's emergency channel. "Paragon down!
    Stuart Lennox, at the main starport! He's badly hurt, so get people here fast. He's going to need a regen tank." He cut off before they could ask any questions, and looked down at his replacement. "Hang in there, Stuart. Help's on its way. Don't worry. It looks bad, and I'm sure it hurts like hell, but it won't kill you. Hour in regen, and you'll be as good as new."
    "Why are you helping me?" said Stuart, forcing the words past the blood in his mouth.
    "Because I'm not the man they told you I was."
    "Always did think du Bois was full of shit. But I had to do my duty." "Of course you did."
    "If this doesn't work out... get word to my dad, that I did my best." "You'll tell him yourself. Lennox family don't die this easily." "Lewis!" yelled Jesamine, from the open hatch of the Hereward. "Port security will be here any minute! We have to go!"
    "I have to go," said Lewis, not moving.
    "Of course you do," said Stuart. "Dad sends his best. Now get out of here before I have to arrest you.
    And . . . give them hell, Deathstalker."
    Lewis got up and walked away from him, and it was the hardest thing he'd had to do all day. Alarm sirens were sounding all over the landing pads now. Saturday and Jesamine were waiting for him by the Hereward's hatch. Lewis looked dispassionately at the blood still dripping from the reptiloid's claws.
    "You should have let me finish him," said Saturday.
    "It wasn't necessary," said Lewis. "What are you doing here, Saturday? And what's the deal with this ship?"
    "I'm here to join up with you," the reptiloid said happily. "I want to see some real action, test myself
    against some real challenges. That is why I left Shard, after all. And I don't like it here on Logres anymore. They've all gone crazy. There's no honor in fighting crazy people. So I'm coming with you, to fight at your side against