Shroud of Doom

  Chapter 36

  Succession

   

  Assemblyman Basset Als looked down at his beeping GC. He recognized Commander General Zitor’s face and it looked grim. He pushed the receive button.

  “Commander. I’m glad you called. Have you heard about the Nanomite attack? I never dreamed they posed this kind of threat.”

  “Yes. That’s why I’m calling. General Bratford is mobilizing forces to enter Shisk.”

  “He is?”

  “Yes. Did you know about it?”

  “No. I did not. All our normal communications links are down as we have no power.”

  “Apparently the Citihead requested it. There are reports that the Chancellor is dead. Do you know where the Vice Chancellor is?”

  “He left at the end of the session and probably went back to his office.”

  “You need to go find him and take extra security. I suspect the Purist might try to kill him.”

  “Seriously?”

  “Yes. They have been looking for an opportunity to seize power and the Nanomites may have just given them one.”

  “Okay. I’ll find him right now and make sure he is secured.

  “Good. Call me back when you find him.”

  Als called in his security chief and asked him to check on the Vice Chancellor and make sure he was safe. The security chief left and Basset got back on his GC.

  “Mr. Chairman,” Threebeard said seeing his face. “Are you alright. I heard you’ve got a lot going on there.”

  “Yes, more than you can imagine.”

  “How can I help?”

  “Commander General Zitor things the Purists may try to take advantage of the chaos to seize power. Apparently General Bratford is about to send in troops to the city.”

  “Yes. I heard the Citihead declared a state of martial law.”

  “I think we need to put our cells on alert. We may need their help if the TGA tries to shut down the World Assembly.”

  “Yes. I’ve already alerted them, but I need you to call an emergency meeting of the Assembly to assure a smooth transition of power. You should appoint a committee to coordinate with the TGA on an emergency response effort. It has to be clear that the World Assembly is in control at all times. It’s not a time to be weak or timid. General Bratford will roll in there and take over if you let him.”

  “Yes. I’ll get right on it.”

  The security chief walked in with a solemn look on his face.

  “Wait a minute Threebeard. I may some more news. . . . What is it?”

    “Sir. The Vice Chancellor was on his way home when the attack took place. They found him under a pile of rubble.”

  “He’s dead?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Threebeard. Did you hear that? The Vice-Chancellor is also dead?”

  Threebeard sighed heavily. “Yes. I feared that would be the case. You must have the assembly elect a new Chancellor and it must be done tomorrow. There can be no delay. If we don’t have a new Chancellor by the time the TGA rolls in, it may be too late.”

  “Who should we support for the job?” Basset asked.

  “You, of course. This is also our opportunity to get a strong Loyalist leader elected.”

  “Okay. I better get to work. I’ll call you as things develop.”

  “Good. May God and Sandee be with you.”

  Basset Als hung up the phone stunned by the conversation. There had been talk of him some day becoming chancellor, but was he ready? He’d always laughed and gone along with suggestion thinking it was just a distant dream, but now it might become reality. He thought of all the problems that would face him if he were elected. A jolt of fear washed over him. Could he do it?

   

   

  Allo and the surviving Nanomite swarmmasters were sad. Millions of nanomites had died in the attack on the human skyscrapers in Shisk. All of the swarmmasters who participated in the attacks knew they probably wouldn’t make it out alive, for to make a building collapse required thousands of nanomite swarms working to weaken key stress points of the structure. Since it was impossible to predict at what point the building would begin to collapse it was usually impossible for the Nanomites to withdraw from the building in time to escape death.

  Fortunately, Nanomites reproduced quickly and swarms that had died were quickly replaced, but only if there was plenty of bacuum available. Unfortunately, the Shisk nanomites were running low. Allo felt Daylights presence in his mind.

  “Daylight. What did you find out?”

  “The TGA has seized all the bacuum stores and are in the process of removing them from the city.”

  “Then we are doomed.”

  “Perhaps I can enlist the support of some of my rhutz brothers and sisters to intercept them.”

  “No. You don’t want to give the TGA a reason to declare war on the Rhutz. We appreciate your help, but we can’t allow you to do anything to endanger your life-form. We were almost extinct and by the grace of God were given new life by Threebeard and Artis. Contact them and tell them we are sorry that we were forced to kill so many in their great city, but our instincts for survival compelled our actions. We are a peace loving life-form and it has been difficult for us to wage war, but it is over now as we cannot reproduce without bacuum. Ask them to try to help our other brothers and sisters on Tarizon from the wrath of the TGA, but if they cannot because we are now the enemy, we understand.”

  “You are not the enemy. It is the Purists who have caused this war by their atrocities. Threebeard will figure out a way to help you. Don’t give up hope.”

   

   

   Nic arrived at the shipyards at Shisk on Captain Lozich’s new ship, Freedom. Threebeard had asked them to come to Shisk to help thwart the feared Purist attempt to seize control of the capitol. Their task was to block the entrances to the dome so the TGA could not enter the city. This was a daunting task as the TGA soldiers were heavily armed and would fight their way in if necessary. Daylight and Falling Star were waiting for them on the dock when they arrived.

  “It is good to see you two,” Nic thought after he climbed off the ship and jumped onto the dock.

  “Yes, it has been a long time,” Falling Star thought. “You look well.”

  Nic shrugged. “Other than being a little seasick, I feel pretty good.”

  After Captain Lozich secured the ship he joined them on the dock. “So, what’s the situation?” he asked.

  Daylight stepped forward. “The Nanomite attack is over. Most of them died when the buildings collapsed. They are out of bacuum and soon will all be dead.”

  “Yes, well I’ve brought some bacuum,” Nic said, “but only enough to sustain but a few thousand swarms. I have arranged transport for one cube to Liehn.”

  “Good. Allo will be glad to hear that. I will tell him.”

  “Have them build a cube somewhere safe and when it is ready I’ll have it picked up and smuggled back to Tributon.”

  “I will,” Daylight thought.

  “How are we to stop the TGA?” Falling Star asked.

  “We won’t be able to stop them, but if we can keep them out of the city until noon that should give the World Assembly time to elect a new Chancellor.”

  “What about the garrison’s already inside the dome?” Falling Star asked.

  “We will have to keep them busy so they won’t be able to get to the Great Hall before noon,” Nic thought.

  “How are we going to do that?” Captain Lozich asked.

  “We thought we’d have a parade and a big rally at the capitol to mourn the death of Chancellor Hock,” Nic replied. “We plan to clog the streets and make it impossible for any troops to get to the Hall. We could use as many Seafolken as you could recruit for us.”

  “I’ll put out a call for them. There should be several hundred just here in the docks.”

  ““Good, What if they fire on the crowd?” Daylight asked.

  “The rhutz and the Seafolke
n can disarm them with their third hands.”

  “Yes, Many of the Mutants have the same ability,” Nic noted. “I’ll be sure they are on the front line. We won’t be able to hold them off forever, but for several kyloons shouldn’t be a problem.”

  The meeting broke up and everyone went their separate ways to start work on their assigned tasks. Captain Lozich put the word out to all Seafolken along the coast of Turvin to come to Shisk while Falling Star sought help from the thousands of rhutz who lived in the forest of the Weeping Mountains. They all agreed to meet late that night at the Mighty Jolly to make final preparations.

   

   

  Basset Als walked onto the floor of the World Assembly for the emergency meeting. Less than half the seats assigned to the assemblyman were occupied. It was apparent the Purists were going to try to stall the proceeding by boycotting it thus preventing there being a quorum. Luckily for the Loyalists they had a slight majority and had managed to get everyone in the hall. After the secretary called the roll he announced they were short one vote for a quorum.

  Angry cries came from the Loyalists anxious to elect a new Chancellor immediately, but the rules were clear that no business could take place without a quorum. Basset shook his head angrily and looked as his chief of staff.

  “Who’s missing? I thought we had enough for a quorum.”

  “Two of our Assemblymen are in the hospital. They were injured in the building collapses.”

  “Well, get them here. I don’t care if you have to roll them in on their hospital beds, but get them here within the kyloon.”

  “Yes, sir,” his chief said and hurried off.

  Basset punched in Nic’s number on his GC. “Any sign of the TGA,” he asked.

  “Yes, they are disembarking right now from a dozen transport planes at the airport just outside the dome.”

  “Are you going to be able to stop them?”

  “We can stall them for a while. We have thousands milling around each entrance ready to create havoc if need be.”

  “Good. What about inside?”

  “There are twenty thousand mutants, rhutz and seafolken already on the Capitol grounds. If they see any troops they will immediately block their path.”

  “Alright. We didn’t have a quorum when the session was called to order, but we expect to have one momentarily.”

  “Good. We’ll hold them off. Don’t worry,” Nic assured him.

  Basset hung up as he heard sirens in the distance. He looked up and prayed that it was the ambulances bringing his two delegates to the session.

   

   

  Videl Lai was in command of a convoy of TGA soldiers ordered to secure the Capitol Building and the Great Hall of the World Assembly. Although his order were simply to secure the area, his intention was to clear both buildings and send the assembly and its members home. As long as they could not meet, they could not elect a new chancellor. When the convoy turned the corner to the long boulevard that approached the Capitol Building they met a huge crowd packed so tightly that no vehicle could get past.

  “Move those people out of the way!” Videl ordered.

  A line of soldiers ran up in front of the crowd. One of them had a voice amplifier and he ordered the crowd to move aside and make way for the caravan. The crowd ignored him.

  “Move aside now or you will be arrested for interference with a military officer.”

  The crowd tightened up even more and stared defiantly at the soldiers.

  Videl got out of his PTV and gave the crowd a once over.

  “A bunch of mutants and Seafolken. Damn them! Fire on them if they won’t move.”

  The soldiers raised their weapons and pointed them at the crowd but as soon as they did each of the rifles went flying out of their hands. The embarrassed soldiers ran after their weapons only to have them inexplicably take flight again. The soldiers looked at Videl and shrugged.

  Videl pulled his revolver quickly and began firing at the crowd. People began screaming and started to turn to retreat when a dozen rhutz came running through the crowd at the unarmed soldiers. Within a few tiks they were ripping the soldiers apart. Shots came from more TGA soldiers farther back in the caravan. A rhutz went down with a painful whimper. Hearing the wail of the beast the crowd stopped their retreat and began moving forward again. The soldiers in the rear began moving forward shooting into the crowd. Suddenly there was gunfire from the buildings on both sides of the Boulevard. Several soldiers went down. Videl looked up at the snipers and cursed.

  “Get in those buildings and flush out those snipers.”

  The crowd pushed by the lead vehicles in the caravan. Videl shot several of them but was soon forced to retreat or be caught in the middle of the crowd and torn to shreds.

   

   

  Two ambulances pulled up to the loading dock behind the Great Hall of the World Assembly. The injured assemblymen were helped out and pushed into the hall in wheel chairs. Once they were seated Chairman, Ruskin Wallt called the session to order and the secretary started once again taking roll. Suddenly Purist members began filing in not wanting to be left out of the selection process. Basset Als let out a sigh of relief. The secretary announced there was a quorum.

  The chairman noted the emergency meeting had been called, pursuant to Article 7, Section C of the World Assembly’s Charter, to select a new Chancellor since both the sitting Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor had been killed in the previous day’s attack by the Nanomites. The chairman called for nominations. Assemblyman Tash stood up and raised his hand. The chairman nodded his way.

  “I nominate Chairman, Ruskin Walt, for the position of Chancellor of Tarizon,” Tash said.

  Another assemblyman stood up. “I second the nomination.”

  Basset Als frowned at the nomination. It was a clever ploy calculated to thwart the Loyalist from electing one of their own as Chancellor. Chairman Ruskin Walt was from Morissee in Lower Azallo, a neutral country that never took sides on any issue. The chairman didn’t have a political philosophy. He was an opportunist and would support whoever offered him the most for his support.

  Another assemblyman stood up and the Chairman nodded. “I nominate Basset Als,” he said.

  The nomination was seconded and the Chairman asked for further nominations. After a moment of silence someone moved to close nominations, it was seconded and the Chairman announced since he was a now a candidate he was relinquishing his position as Chairman to the Vice-chairman.

  The vice chairman rose and took the podium. “We will recess for one kyloon and then reconvene for each of the candidates to address the Assembly before a vote is taken this afternoon.

  Basset Als was not pleased with the delay as he didn’t know how long the TGA could be kept at bay, but there wasn’t much he could do about it since a kyloon certainly wasn’t an unreasonable amount of time to let the assemblymen consider how to vote. If he objected to the delay he might alienate some of the voters and he couldn’t afford to do that.

  He wondered what he should say to Assembly. He hadn’t prepared a speech as there simply hadn’t been enough time. He started making notes of possible topics to cover. His GC buzzed. It was Nic.

  “So, how is it going out there?” he asked.

  “We’ve managed to keep the TGA out of the city so far but they are losing their patience and I think soon they will have too many troops for us to hold back. I heard there is now a quorum.”

  “Yes and the Purists have put up Chairman Walt to oppose me.”

  “Well, that’s a good choice for them. They know they can buy his allegiance.”

  “Yes, and anyone who votes for him can say they didn’t take sides since he is not a member of either party.”

  “So, how do you think it will go?” Nic asked.

  “It will be close. We have a razor slim majority but if we lost even one vote we could lose.”

  “We’ll be praying for you.”

  “Thanks,” Basset
said and disconnected the GC.

   

   

  Videl Lai looked out over the crowd frustrated that they’d been unsuccessful at breaking through the crowd and getting to the Capitol Building. Suddenly he got an idea.

  “Sergeant. Order me six jet copters. We’ll load them up and fly over the crowd.”

  “Yes, sir,” the sergeant said punching a code into his GC.

  Several loons later the sound of jet copters coming in from Central Shisk could be heard. When they landed the soldiers climbed aboard and one by one the copters took off toward the capital building.

  As his copter was rising quickly over the crowd Videl saw a pack of rhutz running fast toward the Capitol Building. “Shoot them,” he ordered.

  The soldiers nearest the doors took aim and began shooting, but the rhutz were running through the crowd and hitting them was almost impossible. Several mutants were hit and went down but the rhutz made it to the Capitol Building unscathed.

  As the first jet copter began to land two rhutz used their telekinetic abilities to launch a public bench at it. The bench got caught in the rotors causing sparks and a fire to break out. As the rotors slowed down the copter lurched, then tilted badly and began to fall. When it hit the ground the fuel tank ruptured and it burst into flames. There were obviously no survivors. The other jet copters circled a few times but didn’t dare land.

   

   

  Chairman Walt took the podium to give his address to the Assembly. He was an a handsome, polished politician with an endearing smile. An elder statesman, he’d served his state well over the years and was very popular.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, citizens of Tarizon, I am honored that you have nominated me as a candidate for Chancellor. It has been a dream of mine for 40 cycles to be the leader of the world and I believe I am well suited for the task.

  “I say I am well suited because I am an independent thinker and I don’t subscribe to any philosophical beliefs. It is my philosophy that as circumstances change our response to the challenges we always face often require rethinking our values and principals. Anyone who thinks their ideals or their political doctrine is always the right prescription for every challenge we face is deceiving themselves.

  “Nobody worked harder than I did to get the Supreme Mandate adopted by all nations of the world. I love and cherish it. It brought us decades of peace, but God has challenged us like He has never done before with these volcanic eruptions and other natural disasters that threaten our very existence.

  “Two cycles ago had anyone said we should abridge any of the civil rights guaranteed by the Supreme Mandate I would have been aghast. But circumstances have changed and our very existence depends on decisive action; action that may require suspension of some of our beloved civil liberties; action that might favor one life-form over another, not that one is better than the other, but that one has a better chance of survival than the other.”

  There were cries of outrage in the audience. The Chairman called for order.

  “Who would have thought a cycle ago that our great capitol city of Shisk could be laid waste by a life-form that the average citizen didn’t know existed. The Nanomites came before the Supreme Council of Interpreters seeking recognition as a sentient life-form to be afforded all civil liberties guaranteed by the Supreme Mandate. The Supreme Council made its decision and the Nanomites lost. But they couldn’t accept that decision and chose instead to seek revenge.

  “The Nanomites obviously despise the Supreme Mandate as they have chosen to step on the rights and liberties of thousands of citizens of Shisk and Fasoon and we can’t let them get away with it!”

  Many delegates came to their feet applauding and screaming their approval.

  “I respect all the life-forms on Tarizon but this is not a time for war amongst ourselves when our very existence is in jeopardy. It’s a time for compromise and statesmanship and I believe I am the best candidate to bring that about. I will be open to any and all ideas as how best to restore Tarizon’s ecology, maintain peace, and insure a prosperous future. Thank you.”

  Many in the Great Hall were on their feet clapping, stomping their feet, and yelling their approval. Chairman Walt nodded and left the podium. A moment later Basset Als stepped up and the hall quieted.

  “Let’s not forget the eight world wars that killed over a billion of our citizens and nearly destroyed our planet. It was a time of utter despair and horror. I too worked hard to the bring peace and hope to our people with the adoption of the Supreme Mandate, but I will never advocate ignoring any of the rights and civil liberties it guarantees!”

  Many stood up applauding and yelling their approval.

  “When we wrote the Supreme Mandate we knew there were incredible challenges ahead and that it would be tempting to abridge the rights of some for the benefit of others, but that philosophy is what fueled a century of war. We knew it was critical that basic civil liberties would always be protected so that the people would always remain in control of their government through their elected officials. For too long tyrannical regimes controlled many of our states and waged war to protect their own self-interests. The cost of that in lives and suffering is incalculable. The Supreme Mandate abolished tyrannical government on Tarizon forever and we must defend the Supreme Mandate to our death. There can be no compromise when it comes to our freedom and liberty!”

  The crowd responded with more applause and cries of support.

  “I do not condone what the Nanomites have done to our capitol city. They have killed our Chancellor and laid waste to much of the city. There conduct is inexcusable. But let’s take a look at what brought about war.

  “Two cycles ago our government asked the Nanomites for help in restoring construction on Tarizon. The Nanomites had no reason to do this, but they were promised in a written contract that if they did their numbers would multiply and they could live peacefully in the buildings they constructed.

  “But before the ink was even dry on the contract those who were responsible for the project, Berne Baldrige and Rupra Bruda, decided to breach that contract and deny the Nanomites the right to live in the buildings they built and to insure that they could get away with this flagrant breach of contract, they committed genocide on the Nanomites of Fasoon, killing millions of swarms, and concealing that atrocity from the government and the people.

  There were cries of outrage in the audience as well as displeasure for defending the Nanomites.

  “I only found out about this a few days ago. But this knowledge certainly makes the events of the last few days more understandable. The important thing is this war could have been avoided had the Supreme Council properly interpreted the spirit as well as the letter of the Supreme Mandate. How can you enlist a life-form to build structures like the Hall of the Supreme Council of Interpreters and then deny that they are a sentient life-form protected by the Supreme Mandate?

  “If I am elected I can end this war with the Nanomites immediately. The Nanomites are a peaceful life-form and do not want war. They only want what was promised to them in the beginning. If you elect Chairman Walt the Nanomite War will go on and you have seen what devastation they can inflict on us without warning. This war needs to end now and I can make that happen!”

  Again assemblymen rose yelling and screaming their support or opposition Basset Als’ words. Some of the members got so worked up they began pushing and shoving each other and a fist fight broke out. Security officers were quickly dispatched to restore order.

  “We have successfully negotiated an accord with the American government on Earth which will allow a million of our citizens to go to Earth to conceive and raise their children in a clean and wholesome environment and then return with them to Tarizon to guarantee many healthy generations in the future. This is a wonderful opportunity for us, but there are those who would have us desert our planet and forcibly inhabit Earth. These are the same people who want us to suspend or even abolish the Supreme Mandate
until this crisis is over. These people are the same ones who condone genocide and believe they can rule Tarizon better than the people themselves.

  “I’m not saying Chairman Walt is one of these people, because I know he is not. But he is too anxious to compromise fundamental principles and thereby a dangerous man to lead us now. There can be no compromise when it comes to our civil rights and democratic government. We must uphold and defend the Supreme Mandate at all costs! We cannot allow tyranny to return to Tarizon. . . . Thank you.”

  The hall broke out in excited conversation. A chorus of “No more tyranny” began ringing trough the Great Hall. Security again was dispatched to quell the pushing and shoving and several fights that broken out. Basset Als left the podium and the Vice-Chairman stepped up.

  “Thank you. Now the secretary will conduct the ballot.”

  The Secretary took the podium. “Thank you, Mr. Vice Chairman. You will have ten loons to record your vote.”

  Lights suddenly flashed on a large screen above the podium. The two names, Ruskin Walt and Basset Als, suddenly appeared. Numbers started flashing beside each name. Walt 43, Als 44. The members broke out in conversation. There were screams of delight and despair as the numbers changed. Walt 57, Als 54. Basset looked at Nic and shifted in his chair.

  “It will be all right,” Nic assured him.

  “Holy Sandee!” someone screamed as the tally went to Walt 99, Als 105.

  Basset looked away. He couldn’t bear the suspense. So much was riding on this vote. What would they do if he lost? It couldn’t happen. This war had to be stopped. Tarizon couldn’t stand any more destruction. The number changed again. Walt 289, Als 281. Basset’s heart sank. Nic put his hand on his shoulder. He shook his head. “How many votes left?”

  “570 voted, 251 to go,” General Zitor replied.

  “Oh, God. Please. We can’t lose this.”

  Once more the tally changed. Walt 369, Als 371.

  “There we go! That’s better,” Nic exclaimed. “Only 81 more votes. You’re almost there.”

  The board was quiet for a moment. Everyone looked around to see who hadn’t voted. The vice- chairman stepped up to the podium. “Last call for votes. If you want to vote you must do it in the next 100 tiks.”

  The number 100 appeared on the top of the vote tally. It began counting down 99, 98, 97. The tally changed again: Walt 389 Als 391.

  There were screams of anxiety from members all around as the countdown continued—57, 56, 55. The tally blinked again. Basset stared at the numbers: Walt 401, Als 400. His body stiffened. Nic shifted nervously in his chair. “Come on! Just eleven more votes.”

  The vice-chairman looked up at the voting board, but said nothing as the countdown continued—37, 36, 35. There was a flicker and Basset looked up anxiously at the tally. Walt 407, Als 408—21, 19, 18. Nic closed his eyes. He couldn’t stand it—11, 10, 9. Basset sighed deeply. “It’s going to be okay!” Nic promised. Finally, there was one last blink as time ran out. Walt 410, Als 410.

  The vice-chairman looked at the secretary. “It appears we have a deadlock. Mr. Secretary there appears to be one assemblyman who didn’t vote. Is that true?”

  The secretary stood. “Yes, I’m afraid it is, sir. Assemblyman Tossef from the Beet Islands just collapsed and had to be taken to the casualty center.”

  The vice-chairman nodded. “Very well, then according to the Rules it appears I must break the tie,” he said looking rather pale. “Ah. Just give me a minute to confer with the Secretary and then I’ll cast my vote.”

  The room broke out in a flurry of conversation as the fate of Tarizon was about to be decided. Basset Als was quickly surrounded by well-wishers, so Nic backed away from the gathering crowd and scanned the room looking for Chairman Walt. His eyes finally settled on him and then on the man standing next to him. It was Rupra Bruda!

   

   

  Videl Lai was patched in to a conference call between General Bratford, Colonel Lugwin and Rupra Bruda. He was angry and disappointed that the TGA had been unsuccessful at taking control of the city and shutting down the World Assembly. He wracked his brain for an acceptable excuse for the debacle.

  “Lt. Lai. What’s the status of securing the Capitol Building?”

  “Ah. We haven’t been able to get to it, sir,” Videl said. “There is a large crowd blocking our way and snipers all along the boulevard.”

  “So. You let an unruly crowd stop you from carrying out an order!”

  “No, sir. There were a pack of rhutz and—”

  “I don’t want excuses. Why haven’t the troops I sent moved into the city.”

  “Ah. There are huge crowds blocking all the entrances, packs of rhutz and many Seafolken doing everything they can to keep us out,” Colonel Lugwin replied.

  “What? Are you all a bunch of cowards! From what I am told the World Assembly is about to elect a new chancellor. If that happens we have lost an excellent opportunity to seize control of the government. Your incompetence may cost us everything.”

  “Excuse me, General,” Rupra interrupted. “The situation may not be so bleak.”

  “And how is that?” General Bratford spat.

  “I am in the Great Hall and I have been working with our party leaders to make sure that there would be an acceptable outcome from the voting.”

  “Okay. How is that coming?”

  “We have backed Chairman Walt to be the next chancellor of Tarizon. He is an independent and very popular with his colleagues. He’s also a practical man and realizes things must change on Tarizon if it is to survive. You should have heard the speech I wrote for him.”

  They all laughed heartily.

  “Well, that sounds promising. Do you think he can be elected?”

  “Well, they have just taken a vote and it is a tie momentarily.”

  “A tie?”

  “Yes, and the Vice-Chairman is about to break that tie.”

  “How do you know he will vote for Walt?” the General asked.

  “Because I just told him that if he didn’t vote for Chairman Walt I would choke him to death on the podium. I even gave him an demonstration of my ability so he would have no doubt that I could do it.”

  There was a moment of silence. “I hope that works, but it could backfire on you if he reports your threat to anyone,” Videl interjected.

  “Don’t worry. I am in his head. I know everything he is thinking. He’s mine, trust me.”

  “All right. Report back to me the moment the new chancellor is elected,” the general ordered and terminated the connection.

   

   

  Nic studied Rupra Bruda wondering what he was up to. He had a steady gaze on someone. Nic searched to see who he was looking at. It was the Vice-Chairman who was conferring with the secretary and didn’t look happy. Suddenly he realized what was happening.

  Nic closed his eyes and thought of Falling Star. “Yes, Nic. I am hear.”

  “Are you outside the Great Hall right now?”

  “Yes. I’m with my pack.”

  “Rupra Bruda is inside and I’m sure he is trying to steal the election. I need you and your pack to break into the great hall and distract Bruda so I can get to the Vice-Chairman and assure him he is safe.”

  “We’re on our way” Falling Star assured him.

  Falling Star and five other rhutz immediately charged the front entrance to the Great Hall. The two security officers at the door tried to stop them but two of the rhutz attacked them while the other four entered the building. Once inside they raced toward the Great Hall. More security officers tried in vain to stop them but didn’t even slow them down.

  Once they got to the door of the Great Hall two officers were there with their guns drawn but before they could shoot both the guns flew out of their hands and fell to the ground a few strides away. The rhutz raced past them and into the Great Hall then split up looking for Rupra Bruda.

   

   

  Rupra Bru
da kept a steady gaze at the vice-chairman. He could feel the great fear and trepidation in his mind. The vice-chairman glanced quickly at Rupra then at the podium where everyone was expecting him to go to cast his vote. He started to walk slowly to the podium when Nic put his hand on his shoulder and told him something.

  Bruda frowned and scowled at Nic. Suddenly he heard growling behind him. He swirled around quickly and saw a rhutz bearing his teeth at him. Then he heard another growl to his side and spotted a second rhutz ready to pounce on him.

  The Vice-Chairman took the podium and glanced over at Rupra Bruda who was now surrounded by four rhutz. Then he looked at Nic who gave him thumbs up. The Vice-Chairman swallowed hard. “Alright, I have confirmed that I indeed have the right and obligation to break this tie vote.”

  Bruda turned around and tried to concentrate again on the Vice-chairman but Daylight lunged at his arm pulling him to the ground. Several security guards finally arrived on the scene and started hitting the rhutz with night sticks.

  The vice-chairman looked over at the scuffle and smiled. “So, I hereby cast my vote for Basset Als to be Chancellor of Tarizon!”

  The members favoring Basset Als went wild. The rhutz quickly scampered away from the security officers and ran out of the Great Hall. Bruda was helped up by a security officer and escorted away. As he was leaving he looked back at Nic and raised a fist angrily. Nic smiled triumphantly.