Rupra Bruda, who many considered to be the father of the Purists Party, was born in 10 AU in Vaceen, Tributon fifteen years before the cataclysmic volcanic eruptions devastated the planet. Vaceen was not a domed city but the atmosphere had cleansed itself enough in that region that people could live in relative comfort without breathers. Rupra was the grandson of Cornelius Bruda, a wealthy politician who for many years had been Chairman of Tributon’s General Assembly and as such was also a member of the World Assembly. Rupra’s father, Progasis Bruda was one of Vaceen’s town councilmen. Although it was a time of peace, Progasis Bruda made his living as an arms dealer and had many contacts in the TGA.
It was most likely from his grandfather that Rupra Bruda first acquired his hatred for the rhutz. He often told his grandson stories of rhutz’ attacks on their livestock when he’d been a rancher cycles earlier and how they would go out on rhutz hunts periodically to rid the area of the beasts. These hunts were very dangerous because the rhutz were very smart and possessed both telepathic and telekinetic abilities. Rupra loved these stories and often daydreamed of going on such a hunt.
What his grandfather didn’t explain to him was that the the rhutz were sentient beings who were generally peace loving and only killed for food. In fact, the land that became his grandfather’s ranch had been land the rhutz had hunted on for hundreds of years before humans settled there. Unfortunately, for Cornelius and Progasis, this misguided hatred for the rhutz would cost Cornelius his political power and Progasis his life.
When Rupra was but sixteen cycles old his father asked him to test the new Ruggi 7 experimental rifle. He was elated with the assignment and anxious to please his father, so he decided it was time to go on a rhutz hunt. The rifle worked well and its effectiveness led to the senseless death of the rhutz known as Shimmer. Unfortunately, Shimmer’s pack didn’t take kindly to an unprovoked attack on one of their own and in a counterstrike killed Callus Tripolis, one of Rupra’s companions. Of course, when Callus’ death was reported to the townspeople there were immediate demands to kill the rhutz responsible for his horrific death and a hunting party, led by Pregasis Bruda, was immediately sent out to exact such punishment. Unfortunately for the hunters the rhutz turned out to be more formidable than expected and all the hunters, including Rupra’s father, perished in what was to be known as the Flat Meadow Massacre.
When it was later found out that Rupra Bruda had provoked the massacre, there were demands that he be punished but Cornelius Bruda resisted and used his position as Chairman to block those demands. This eventually led to his resignation from the General Assembly and the end of his political career.
While his father was lying in a fresh grave and his grandfather was being censored and stripped of his power, Rupra was making sure there wouldn’t be any evidence to convict him for his crimes. Late one night he rode his jet cycle to his best friend’s home and killed him, the only surviving witness of Shimmer’s murder.
Too ashamed to face his family after his grandfathers’ humiliation, Rupra Bruda booked a freighter from the port city of Bama Uza and headed for Shisk where he hoped to find others sympathetic to his views and launch a political career. In Shisk he met and mated Essyria Tomaso, a nurse and the daughter of a wealthy merchant. Rupra and Essyria were well suited for each other, not only being very intelligent but also blessed with the gift of telepathy and telekinesis. And if Rupra was the father of the Purist Party, Essyria was its mother as they worked together organizing the Citizens for a Pure City or CPC devoted to the passage of the Mutant Eviction Act designed to rid Shisk of its mutants, rhutz, and seafolken whom they believed were inferior beings and a drain of the planet’s scarce resources.
Although Rupra Bruda’s first foray into the political arena was a disaster and led to he and his mate having to flee the city, it got the notice of a far more powerful player on the political scene, Vidal Lai. Vidal Lai, a mid-level officer in the TGA, was in the process of organizing the Purist party and launching his campaign to become Supreme Chancellor of Tarizon. He shared Rupra Bruda’s hatred for the mutants, Seafolken, and rhutz and applauded his effort to rid Shisk of their kind. But what he liked even more was Bruda’s ruthless approach to achieving his objectives. He needed a man who would do whatever it took to be successful to lead the Purist Party.
So, Rupra Bruda and his mate, Essyria were called out of exile and recruited for the task. At first Bruda was suspicious of Videl and feared he had ulterior motives in recruiting him, but in time that fear vanished and the two men became trusted co-conspirators in their scheme to seize control of the government of Tarizon and its army, the TGA.
It was now less than a cycle from their target date for seizing power and Rupra Bruda, Vice-Chancellor Videl Lai, Lt. General Bratford, and Colonel Lugwin were in a secret strategy sessions brought about by the botched attempt to kill the so called Liberator who, according to the Prophecy, was to arrive on Tarizon on the day of the Super Eclipse.
“What I want to know is how it was that an Earth alien managed to escape from the Space Port alive?” Videl asked giving Colonel Lugwin a cold stare.
The colonel stiffened. “Somehow the Loyalists found out about our plans. They knew precisely when and where we were going to strike and had an extraction team, disguised as maintenance workers, ready to snatch one of the Earth-aliens. We had no reason to expect intervention.”
“Have you found the mole who fed them the information?”General Bratford asked.
“Not yet, but we are interrogating everyone who could have known about the operation.”
“Why did they pick this one particular Earth alien?” Videl asked.
Colonel Lugwin cleared his throat. “That’s a good question. They seemed to know who they wanted. They could have easily rescued two or three others but chose to take just the Earth-exile named Peter Turner.”
“Why Peter Turner?” Videl pressed.
Colonel Lugwin shrugged. “I suppose it is because he seemed to fit the description of the Liberator.”
“How so?”
“Well, he reportedly is very intelligent, the right age, and his father is a prominent advocate back on Earth.”
“Yes, but according to the manifest there were others who would equally fit the description set forth in the Prophecy.”
“True, but he was also an excellent debater which would seem to indicate he may have a natural charisma and ability to persuade others to his viewpoint.”
“Ah, yes,” Videl said. “That definitely would make him a dangerous opponent if he had experience and training, but he doesn’t. He’s no more than a child and irrelevant to our struggle.”
“Not necessarily,” Rupra interjected. “Many people have embraced this idea that there is a Liberator who is going to some how stop us from seizing control of the government or challenge us once we attain power. Even if the Liberator isn’t really a threat himself, just the idea of his existence gives the Loyalists resolve to resist us. If we can kill him now it would be a severe blow to their morale.”
“Rubbish, we have more important targets right now,” Videl replied. “We are still lacking five votes to insure my election as Chancellor should Chancellor Als, shall we say, have an unfortunate accident.”
They all laughed.
“We need to get those votes solidified as soon possible as the Chancellor’s term is coming to an end. As you know, if he dies before the end of his term I’ll succeed to his office automatically and that will give me a great advantage when the World Assembly elects a Chancellor for the next five-cycle term.”
“What is your plan?” General Bratford asked.
“We are five votes short of what we’ll need to assure my election, assuming Chancellor Als is out of the picture. So, Rupra, I need you to take care of Chairman Sami San down in Queenland. His deputy has pledged his support to me but Chairman San is solidly behind Councillor Garcia.”
“Of course. I can kill him in a crowd and make it look like a heart attack.”<
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“No. It can’t be a telepathic kill. The constables will know it was you. There are only a few people on Tarizon who have the ability to kill that way and no one will believe Threebeard or a Seafolken was the culprit. I don’t want anyone pointing their fingers at me as being responsible for the Chancellor’s untimely death. Kill him in a more conventional manner, like a knife to the throat while he sleeps. Make it look like a robbery.”
Bruda nodded. “As you wish.”
“The chairman of Serie’s General Assembly will be resigning soon,” Colonel Lugwin added. “He fell for the bribe and the Public Prosecutor has been sent the incriminating evidence.”
“Excellent. Make sure they don’t drag their feet,” Videl replied. We don’t have much time. What about the others?”
“We can’t kill any others. It would be too obvious what is happening,” Colonel Ludwig argued. “We either need to convince them to vote our way or get something on them we can use to force them to vote with us.”
“Well, figure it out quickly. We’re running out of time,” Videl spat.
“Yes, sir,” Colonel Lugwin said.
After the meeting broke up Rupra Bruda went to his house where his mate was anxiously awaiting.
“So, how did it go?” Essyria asked.
“Not bad. We’re getting close. I’ve got to go to Queenland to take care of Sami San.”
“Take care of him?”
“Slit his throat to be more exact.”
“Oh, really?”
Rupra nodded.
“When do you have to leave?”
“Immediately. Videl is not a patient man and he’s worried we won’t have enough votes to win when the time comes.”
“I’ll come with you. We can say we are taking a holiday.”
Rupra nodded. “That’s probably a good idea. Videl wants it to look like a robbery, so we’ll have to figure out how to get the Chairman alone.”
“That’s not going to be easy.”
“No. It would have been much easier just to collapse his lungs while he was giving a speech or squeeze his brain until he has a seizure.”
“Oh, well. Videl always wants things done the hard way.”
“Yes. He is very particular, but he has a point. We don’t want to have to go into exile again.”
“No. Not when we are so close to victory.”
That night Rupra and Essyria hitched a ride on a military transport heading for Guthlin, Queenland’s capitol. The official manifest of the transport plane did not show that they were passengers and when they arrived a Korstar 7 was waiting to take them to a private residence of a prominent Purist, Etah Brun, where their presence would go unnoticed. Etah met them when they arrived and showed them to their rooms.
“It’s so good to finally meet the chairman of our party,” Etah said. “I trust your trip was uneventful.”
“Yes, and that’s the way we wanted it. No one can know of our visit.”
“Of course. I have given the servants a few days off to be sure your visit is not compromised.”
“What about our driver,” Rupra asked. “Can he be trusted?”
“Yes. Actually, that isn’t our usual driver. It is Rudd, my brother. He agreed to chauffeur you around the city. He’s a loyal Purist and wants your mission, whatever it is, to be successful.”
“Good. We’ll need him tonight.”
“No problem.”
“We’ll be wearing disguises so that no one will recognize us.”
“Fine. Is there anything I can do to help? Are you hungry? Perhaps some dinner.”
“Yes, a quick bite would be good,” Essyria said. “The TGA didn’t provide us even a drink of water on our flight.”
“When you are done unpacking come to the kitchen and I’ll fix you something. I’m not a great cook, so don’t expect much.”
“I’m starving,” Essyria replied. “Anything at all will be fine.”
Etah left as they began unpacking and getting settled.
“If we hurry we can get to the Senate Office Building before San leaves for the evening,” Rupra said. “I’ve been told he usually goes to one of the downtown hotels looking for companionship.”
“His official calendar says he’ll be leaving there about 1700 kyloons,” Essyria noted as she picked up a small bag and took it into the bathroom. Ten minutes later she came out looking much different. Rupra did a double take.
“Wow! You look very sexy as a blond.”
She winked at him. “You think?”
“Yes. Indeed. And those long eyelashes are very striking.”
“I’m glad you like them. I hope Senator Sans likes them as well.”
“Oh, he will. Don’t worry.”
When they were done they made their way to Etah’s kitchen where they found her with an array of meats, cheeses and fresh fruit.
“It’s not much. If the cook were here—”
“Nonsense. This is perfect,” Essyria said. “We don’t have time for a fancy meal.”
They ate quickly and soon were on their way to begin their surveillance of the Senator. When they arrived Rupra went inside the building to stake out San’s office. He found a bench across from his front door, took a seat and pretended to be reviewing some papers. Bruda and Essy had a strong telepathic connection and could communicate with each other mentally even if they were miles apart. This was very handy for missions like this one.
For twenty loons nothing happened but then the front door opened and two security men walked outside and looked both ways. They looked over at him but he didn’t look up.
“Okay, he’s about to come out,” Bruda thought.
“Understood,” Essyria acknowledged.
A moment later Sami San came out with two other men. Together, with their two security guards, they left the building and walked to a waiting PTV and got in. Bruda rushed to the Korstar 7 parked down the street and they followed them to the Morissee Hotel.
“This is a popular hangout for politicians and government bureaucrats,” Rudd said. “Senator San probably is having dinner with someone.”
“Yes,” Essyria said. “That’s what we’re counting on.”
They got out and Rudd drove off to park the Korstar.
“I’ll check in while you find a seat at the bar,” Rupra said.
She nodded and walked to the front door and walked inside. Bruda went straight to the front desk and got a room. He repeated the room number and access code in his mind several times so Essy could memorize it.
Essy went to the bar and saw Senator San talking to one of the hostesses. She looked over his way and their eyes met. She smiled and took a seat. The bartender came over and took her order and then grabbed a bottle and filled a tall glass with a pink liquid. Essy took a sip and then looked over where Senator San had been but he was gone. She looked around and saw him being seated at a table. A minute later he was joined by a man and two women. Essy stiffened and then reached out to Rupra.
“Scutz! It looks like he’s already got a date.”
Rupra, who was up in the room he had booked, sighed. “Well, it’s never easy. Use your third hand to make his date wish she were dead. Maybe we’ll get lucky and one of the guards will take her home.”
“Alright, but I’ll have to get closer. My gift is not as strong as yours.”
“Get a table and make sure the waitress gives you one close by.”
“Alright. Take a nap. This might take awhile.”
“Sorry, my love.”
Essy finished her drink and then motioned to the hostess. She came over and moved her to a table near where the Senator and his party were seated. She was close enough now she could use both her telepathic and telekinetic gifts effectively. She decided to see what everyone was thinking before she made a move on the senator’s date. She focused on the man first as she extended her mind to her mate.
“The man is Eurral Stempolis. He’s the Chairman of Azollo World Bank. He wants the senator to assist him in getti
ng a contract for the financing of a new port facility. The woman with him is his wife, Ulla, and the other woman is a friend of his niece. He doesn’t think he has a chance at getting the business, but his board of trustees has insisted he try.”
“Just a boring business meeting, huh?”
“Looks that way. Let me see what’s in his niece’s mind.”
Essy changed her focus. The woman’s mind was full of strong conflicting emotions that startled Essy.
“Oh. . . . Her mind is racing. . . . Ah . . . Her name is Goura and she’s very nervous and ambivalent about being here. She wants to help her aunt and uncle but isn’t attracted to the Senator.”
Rupra laughed. “Then we’ll be doing her a favor. Get on with it.”
“Yes, I will but let me see what the Senator is thinking.”
Rupra sighed. “Women, they always have to know what everybody is thinking.”
“Be patient, love,” she said as she made eye contact with the Senator. “Oh, my! He’s much more interested in me than Goura.”
She stiffened as his thought flooded into her mind.
“Well, you always stand out in a crowd, my love.”
“Oh, my. . . . He’s thinking of some very nasty deeds he’d like to perform on me.”
“Okay. Okay. Enough!” Rupra said impatiently. “Get on with it.”
“No. I want to know what’s beneath his carnal thoughts. If I’m going to kill him, I want to make sure I get all his secrets before the deed is done.”
“That’s very thorough, but aren’t you afraid you’ll find out something that will make you feel guilty about killing him?”
“It’s a risk I must take. He may have information that could be useful to us.”
“Of course, you’re right. Just hurry. I don’t like it when a man is coveting you.”
She laughed. “Are you jealous?”
“Obviously.”
“I’ll just be a minute. . . . okay. . . . He’s been talking to Councillor Garcia. They’re working on a network of cells in Queenland.”
“Cell’s?” Rupra asked.
“Yes, a network of Loyalist who are preparing to go underground if Videl Lai takes control of the government. The Councilor wants him to lead the Queenland organization.”
“So, they’ve given up? They know Videl’s ascent to power is inevitable.”
“It appears they are smarter than we thought.”
“Garcia is no slubdub. He knows there is nothing stopping us.”
“Wait . . . Councilor Garcia has the Liberator?”
“What? They believe in that nonsense?”
“Apparently. His name is Peter Turner and Councilor Garcia is going to protect him.”
Anger welled in Rupra. “Well, we’ll see about that. . . . now you’ve got your secrets, let’s get on with the task at hand.”
Essy looked away a moment and then refocused on Goura. With her second hand she squeezed her stomach hard.
“Ahhh!” Goura gasped as she pushed herself away from the table and doubled over.
The senator stood up. “Are you alright?”
Essy gave her stomach a twist.
“Oh. No. . . . I feel like I’m going to be sick.”
Ulla rushed over and put her arm around her niece. “Darling. Let me take you to the ladies’ room.”
“No. Take me home. If I’m going to be sick I’d rather it be at home.”
Eurral, with a look of irritation on his face, said, “Oh, it will probably pass, dear.”
“No. Take me home. Please.”
Eurral sighed.
“Let my man take Goura home. Ulla can go with her to make sure she is okay. We have much to discuss.”
Eurral nodded. “Yes. Ulla, go with Goura and I’ll come by and pick you up later.”
Ulla nodded and took Goura’s arm. Senator San motioned to one of his security men. The man came over and got his instructions. A moment later Senator San and the banker were ordering dinner. Essy immediately began flirting with the Senator. He smiled and looked over at her anxiously. She wondered why this meeting with the banker was so important that he’d insisted they continue on despite Goura’s illness. She reached out to Rupra.
“I wonder why Senator San thinks they have so much to talk about. Surely he knows Eurral is only after his vote.”
“He must want something in return,” Bruda thought.
“Take a nap. You haven’t slept in 30 kyloons. I’ll wake you when the meeting is over.”
Essy motioned for the waiter and she ordered something to eat so she wouldn’t look conspicuous hanging around. When it came she ate slowly as she ease dropped on the Senator’s conversation with the banker.
“I shouldn’t see a problem with helping you get the contract, Eurral, but I need your commitment to one of my projects as well.”
“What’s that, Senator?” Eulla asked.
“You know we have a very important election coming up in the fall.”
“Yes, of course. The Chancellor’s re-election. It shouldn’t be a problem, should it.”
“No. Not if he’s alive.”
“Alive? Is he in bad health?”
“No. Perfect health, but there are rumors of an assassination attempt. You know these Purists are a ruthless bunch. They would do anything to gain power.”
“Yes. I suppose that is true, but do you think it would be possible to assassinate the Chancellor. He is heavily guarded, I’m sure.”
“He is, but there are ways it could be done. You know it is rumored that Rupra Bruda has killed several men with his mind.”
Eulla smiled. “Yes, I’ve heard that, but I don’t believe it.”
“Well, it’s better to assume it is true, rather than regret we didn’t take the threat seriously later.”
“Okay. So, assuming the Chancellor is assassinated, what do you want from me?”
“We need to stockpile credits to finance a resistence.”
“A resistence. You think the Purists will try to abolish the World Assembly?”
“Yes, and suspend the Supreme Mandate as well.”
“They couldn’t get away with that, could they?” Eulla asked meekly.
“Hopefully not, but I’m asking you, if it does, will you help.”
“Yes. Of course. There are ways to keep stores of credits secret.”
“Good. Set it up and then tell me how to funnel the credits to you. A civil war won’t be cheap.”
“If there is a civil war your credits will become worthless. The Purists will likely change the systems to make your stockpile worthless.”
“True, but the moment we know a civil war is inevitable we’ll convert the credits to food, weapons, and other necessities of war.”
Eulla took a deep breath and shook his head. “I hope it never comes to that. I’ve enjoyed these years of peace and actually being able to go outside and breathe again.”
“I assure you, Eulla. We will do everything possible to keep the Purists out of power, but we must prepare for the worst. It’s the prudent thing to do.”
Eulla nodded. “Yes, of course. You can count on me.”
After dinner Eulla left and while he was paying the bill the Senator looked over at Essy. She smiled brightly at him. He smiled back and then got up and came over to her table.
“Eating all alone tonight?” Senator San asked.
“I was hoping for some company, actually,” she replied.
He studied her. “Well, I could always use a nightcap. I’d be delighted to buy you a drink when you’re done.”
“I’m finished. That’s sounds nice.”
“Why don’t we go out onto the terrace. It’s pleasant this time of year and, if we’re lucky, we may be able to see Clarion.”
“I’d like that,” she said closing her mind to Rupra. She didn’t want him to see her seduce another man even if it was in the name of the party.
They went to the Terrace and not only was Clarion in full splendor but Segalux, Tarizon
’s second moon, was there as well. Essy’s eyes widened.
“That’s right. Segalux and Clarion are in close orbit.”
“Yes, did you see the Super Eclipse,” Senator San asked.
“Of course. I think everyone on Tarizon was watching it. It was eerie, don’t you think, to have two moons disappear like that.”
“What was eerie was that so many people saw it. Rarely is the sky so clear, but from what I’ve been told people saw it all over Turvin. It was almost like God wanted people to witness it so he cleared the sky for a few loons so it would be possible.”
Essy laughed. “Don’t tell me you believe in the Prophecy.”
Senator San shrugged. “Well, not really. It doesn’t make a lot of sense. But it does seem quite astonishing that so many people witnessed it.”
They took a seat and continued their conversation. They both drank a lot but before Senator San was too drunk Essy made her move.
“You know. It’s getting a little chilly out here. We can continue our conversation in my room, if you like. My bar is well stocked.”
“Oh. I should be getting home,” the Senator protested. “I’ve got a session tomorrow that I must prepare for.”
Essy smiled seductively. “You sure? I promise to kick you out early tomorrow so you won’t miss anything.”
Senator San hesitated a moment, so Essy stood up and took his hand. “Come on. You’ve been working too hard. Let me show you how to relax.”
Senator San followed her to the elevator and when it arrived they stepped inside. His bodyguard started to follow them in but the Senator waved him away.
“What room are you in,” he asked.
“2213,” she replied.
He looked at the bodyguard and said, “Give us a moment and then come up and guard the door.”
The bodyguard nodded as if he’d done that before.
Once the doors had closed she gave the Senator a long kiss and she could feel his body respond. They fell out of the elevator on the 22nd floor and stumbled to Essy’s room kissing and fondling each other along the way. Essy punched in the code and the door opened. They went inside and went straight to the bed. The senator ripped open Essy’s blouse and then fumbled to take off her bra. She pushed him away.
“Wait a minute. Get in bed. I need to freshen up.”
The Senator groaned but finally let her go. He quickly stood up and started removing his clothes. Behind him the closet door opened slowly and Rupra crept up behind with a knife, put one hand on his shoulder and with the other slit his throat. Rupra backed off quickly trying to avoid the blood spurting from the wound. Senator San turned clutching his throat, then fell limp on the bed. A tik later Essy came out of the bathroom fully clothed and ready to make an escape.
There was a pounding at the door. “What’s going on in there,” the guard demanded.
Essy motioned for Rupra to get behind the door. He complied and she opened the door. “He’s bleeding! Someone cut his throat,” she exclaimed as the guard rushed in.
Rupra leaped at the man and struck the knife in his stomach while Essy gripped his lungs with the third hand and squeezed them until he passed out.
“Come on,” Rupra said. “The other guard could be back anytime.”
They both composed themselves and then walked out and closed the door like nothing had happened. Soon they were back in the Korstar pleased at how well their mission had gone.