11.

They learned that one of the new and improved features of Highborn was a gland that squirted Suspend into the brain at the moment of death. Thus, drugs had frozen Sigmir’s brain when he died. No damage had been done because of his lack of oxygen. At least so went the theory.

Three nights later, the Slumlords huddled in an underground garage, sitting on chunks of concrete as they cooked their suppers. Suddenly the talking stopped. Man after man looked up, amazed and fearful at what he saw.

Dressed in gleaming new combat armor, Sigmir strode among them. A fresh scar showed where the shrapnel had torn out his throat. He moved with purpose and force. His eyes glittered more darkly than ever and the corner of his mouth twitched as if he considered a joke that only he knew. There seemed to be a new grimness about him, a feeling that a dead man had joined them. Some of the storm troopers shivered as he marched past, a few crossed themselves with a long-forbidden religious gesture.

Captain Sigmir strode to where Marten sat.

Upon seeing the newly resurrected captain, Marten stared for only a moment. Then he jumped to attention and saluted smartly. “Glad to have you back, sir,” Marten said, who kept the quaver and more than a bit of hatred out of his voice.

Sigmir peered at him, the odd twitch never leaving the corner of his mouth. Finally, after an uncomfortable length of time, Sigmir whispered hoarsely, “Prepare for a dawn assault, Lieutenant.”

“Sir?”

“I will be the first into the merculite missile battery.”

“…Yes, sir.”

Sigmir examined those who stared at him in shock and fear. “Do any here doubt me?”

No one spoke.

“Nothing will stop me,” wheezed Sigmir. “Not death, not the enemy, not the lack of guts in my men.” Once more, he examined them. Then he turned and strode to where the Colonel conferred with the other Lot Six captains.

“He’s a vampire,” whispered Turbo.

“I don’t know about that,” said Stick, who had yet to touch his food. “But he don’t die.”

“He’s going to kill us,” Omi said moodily.

“Why do you think that?” asked Marten.

“I’ve seen that look before. He’s mad, stark raving nuts. And if he has to kill us all to get what he wants then he’s going to do it.”

“We’ll see,” said Marten.