Free Slave of the Legion by Marshall S. Thomas Page B

would have to do. I was horrified when he told me. I cried with grief, for myself. Then he told me more. The Legion takes a long view of history, Wester—a very long view. Yes, I've been collecting names. I'm an undertaker, compiling a list of the dead. Only they aren't dead yet. But the hand of the Legion is on them now—they're all going to die, for Justice."
    "And just how is the Legion going to do that?" I was nodding off, but I had to admit she told a good story.
    "That's what my Angel told me, Wester. It's not just a theoretical exercise. These people are all going to die, on Judgment Day. And Judgment Day is coming for every System world. And on Judgment Day the evil will all die, and the innocent will be freed."
    "Yeah?"
    "Yes—the System is doomed, Wester. History is clear on that. And the Legion is clear on it as well. We know we must destroy the System, or it will destroy us. We must attack it head-on and not stop until the entire rotten structure collapses into fragments. Then we drive a stake into its heart, so it will never arise again."
    "So we're going to replace their empire with ours?" I asked.
    "No, Wester. The stage after empire is decay and dissolution—always. There are no exceptions, ever. ConFree knows that. We're never going to be an empire. We're going to smash the System, liberate all Outworlders who want to be liberated, ensure galactic slavery is dead, then return to our own sector and remain faithful to ourselves, our own people and our own traditions. The rest of the galaxy can do as they wish, once the System breaks up. But once we land on a Systie world, the slavers had best watch out. We're going to cleanse those worlds—all of them. It's not a paper plan, Wester; it's not a think piece. This is the Legion's goal. Slavery is to be annihilated from the Galaxy—along with the System that supports it. It may take generations, but the Legion has got plenty of time for Justice. That's the goal, Wester—Justice. But we're not doing it for some theoretical ideal, we're not doing it to conquer the galaxy or liberate humanity from its own stupidity. We're doing it for our own people, for every civilian housewife on every ConFree world who doesn't give a damn for politics and just wants to raise her family in peace—and for their children. And for all those Outworlders and Assidics who live in slavery under the System. And on Judgment Day, the Legion will fall from the sky and open the Book of Death, and everyone in the Book will die."
    "That's crazy, Tara—that's the craziest thing I've ever heard." I really wanted to close my eyes and sleep.
    "Yes—isn't it? They're really serious, Wester. Millions are going to die! And it's all I ever wanted from life. You remember me—even as a child, I was always outraged by what I saw. All I wanted was justice. Well, God should have mercy on people who get what they want."
    "And what about all those slaves, all those lives you ruined?"
    "Yes, we owe them too, Wester. We owe them justice as well. There's a White Book as well. Every one of my people is in there."
    "Oh great! I'm sure that makes you feel a whole lot better! And what does the Legion give them, on Judgment day, assuming they're still alive—an apology?"
    "A new life, Wester. Immortality. Peace. Everything. We give them everything. Life and Death, Wester—that's what we offer, on Judgment Day."
    "Wonderful. Well, I'm glad to hear our leaders are completely insane. It should ensure that my lifestyle doesn't change."
    "Yes—isn't it wonderful? This is all I ever want to do, Wester—walking in the mud with an E. It's my penance. I never want to see the Maiden again!"
    Gildron moaned. Tara turned to him. "Oh, Gildron! Don't worry; I'll never leave you! I'll love you forever, old friend!"
    I lay back, my head on my ratpack, and closed my eyes. I couldn't stay awake any more, not even with Tara's hypnotic voice whispering in my ears.
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    I dreamed about Moontouch. She came at me out of the