Essyria Bruda waited anxiously for the expected call from the Vice-Chancellor’s compound. She’d gone undercover as a nanny for the Cuva Domestic Exchange and was next in line for an assignment. She knew the call would come as she had made sure the usually nanny who watched the Chancellor’s children would be calling in sick. When the call came she called a sky cab and soon was dropped off at the Chancellor’s compound. After showing her credentials she was shown in. The Chancellor was not at home so security was relaxed. Essy had counted on this for their charade to work.
After a few moments she was shown to the kitchen where the children were eating with their mother, Moisa. She nodded politely when she was introduced to them.
“I’m glad you’re here. I need to leave pretty soon for a reception for the Ambassador of Dalo.”
Essy nodded. “Before you go, madam, can I have a word with you in private.”
Moisa frowned but didn’t object. “Yes, of course,” she said pointing to the empty dining room.”
Essy followed her in but before a word was said began squeezing her lungs with her third hand. Moisa grabbed her throat and gasped for air. Essy grabbed her to keep her from falling, then squeezed even harder. A tik later Moisa became dead-weight in her arms.
“Help!” she exclaimed. “Something is wrong with Moisa.”
The cook came running into the dining room.
“Quick. She’s having some kind of attack. Call for a medicab.”
The cook turned around and ran back into the kitchen. A security officer came in and surveyed the situation.
“What happened?” he demanded.
“She’s sick. She collapsed. I don’t know what’s wrong with her.”
The security officer helped Essy lie her down on the carpeting. He rolled up his jacket and put it under her head. Essy squeezed Moisa’s lungs one more time. She shook violently and gasped for a breath.
More servants and security personnel rushed into the room. Taking advantage of the confusion, Essy made her escape unnoticed. Soon the medicab arrived and Moisa was flown off to Central Shisk Casualty Center.
Chancellor Als was soon informed of his mates’ illness and immediately left to be with her. In the meantime three snipers took up their positions in and around the casualty center so that no matter where the Chancellor emerged they would be ready to take him down. As a final contingency Rupra Bruda, disguised as an orderly, waited near the emergency room entrance in case the Chancellor made it past the snipers.
The press, upon hearing the news of Moisa’s sudden illness, descended upon the casualty center causing a traffic jam both on the streets and in the air. As the Chancellor’s Korstar approached, public enforcers waved it to the rear entrance which they had kept clear anticipating his arrival. The driver pulled the Korstar up to the curb and a public enforcer ran over and opened the door. The moment the Chancellor stepped out of the vehicle there was a barrage of gunfire. His body was jerked backward as a bullet ripped through his shoulder and then again when another penetrated his stomach.
One of his security officers fell over him and took two bullets to his back. Blood splattered onto the passenger side window and pooled on the street. Rupra Bruda grabbed a gurney and, after enlisting the help of another orderly, went to the Chancellor side. He pulled the dead security officer off him and felt for a pulse. It wasn’t much but the Chancellor was still alive. They lifted the Chancellor onto the gurney and were about to rush him inside when a doctor arrived and waved them off. Bruda backed off realizing he couldn’t hang around any longer without risking detection. Before he left he tried to use his third hand to cut off the Chancellor’s oxygen supply to his brain, but with the mallee around him he lost his concentration and was forced to retreat.
Essy arrived at the casualty center just as her mate was making his escape. They went straight to the Vice-Chancellor’s office to report in. The Vice-Chancellor had already been advised of the attack and a member of the Supreme Council of Interpreters was there ready to administer the oath the moment Basset Als was declared dead or permanently incapacitated. A few loons later the word came from the Chancellor’s doctors. He was still alive but not capable of exercising his duties as Chancellor of Tarizon. Moments later Videl Lai was sworn in as his lawful successor and everyone knew the civil war was at hand.
Tarizon, The Liberator, Tarizon Trilogy Vol 1 Page 31