Shroud of Doom

by William Manchee

  Chapter 21

  Recruitment

   

  Word of Rupra Bruda’s blatant attempts to get mutants expelled from Shisk outraged Mutants all over Tarizon. Never had they been so callously attacked and told they were second class citizens; not worthy to live inside the domed cities. This outrage made it easy for Threebeard to begin the recruitment of soldiers for the Mutant Army. He began spreading the word that soldiers were needed to aid and protect mutants who were being excluded from the domed cities. The fact that the TGA was promising to train the first 99,000 recruits amazed and excited most mutants as in the past they’d always been excluded from military service. The twenty-two Mighty Jolly Taverns located throughout Lemaine Shane became recruitment centers and young mutants were soon lining up to enlist.

  Raising an army was a daunting task but Threebeard knew all the technical knowledge for the task was at his fingertips on the TGN. He dove into the task and discovered a wealth of information from the TGA archives and even found several detailed mobilization plans used by the military in the past. Fortunately, he wouldn’t need to feed and house his army in the beginning. He’d simply have to enroll them in the TGA training program being set up by Colonel Zitor and then wait for them to serve their two cycle tour of duty. But at the end of their initial tour of duty he’d have to be ready to house, feed, and equip 99,000 soldiers immediately and eventually ten times that many. Since he would be in training himself, he’d have to have others in charge of locating or building, a military base, acquiring uniforms, equipment, armaments, and support personnel.

  While Threebeard was busy with recruiting, Nic accelerated his work on setting up contacts with the rhutz packs throughout Tarizon. He worked closely with Councilor Garciah’s staff member, Thomilius Tomel, who’d been assigned to coordinate with him in integrating the two networks. Thom, as Nic called him, a tall, slim man with a light complexion, was young like Nic and very outgoing. The work involved much traveling so the two spent a lot of time together and became good friends. They started in Lemaine Shane but fortunately they’d both already done a lot of work there, so it only took them a few phases to finish up and move on. They next traveled to the continent of Turvin, started in Drasha in the far north and traveled by ATV along the north coast to Elish. This was slow, tedious work as they had to locate human contacts and then find local rhutz packs telepathically so meetings could be arranged at which they would explain what they were trying to do.

  The political situation in Turvin was different too. The people of Tuht, Synclaire, Pohl and Merria were more interested in trade and commerce than social justice. Whereas they generally accepted and approved of the Supreme Mandate they only did so because it insured greater freedom and independence from the government. Now with the world’s commerce coming to a standstill due to tremors, volcanic eruptions and the thickening cloud of ash encircling the globe, it was hard for them to think ahead to the political threat that they were facing.

  Neither had the people of this region encountered problems with the rhutz. They’d heard about Flat Meadow but found it hard to comprehend. There were plenty of rhutz around but they’d scarcely given them a thought. Now to find out they were a sentient life-form was a little hard to swallow. Fortunately, a rhutz named Falling Star traveled around with them to help convince the cell leaders that the rhutz were an intelligent life-form. One such gathering took place just outside of Roshaunda in Synclaire. Nic, Thom and Falling Star were standing on an outdoor stage used for theatrical performances. Their audience of some twenty-five local citizens watched them attentively.

  “My name is Nicirius Nocteris, but you can call me Nic. You may have heard of my brother, Tribius Nocteris, also known as Threebeard.”

  Many heads nodded as the name Threebeard had become well known due to the spread of the Mighty Jolly Taverns all over Turvin. Many smiles could be seen over the faces of the men in the crowd, no doubt caused by memories of their encounters with the Seafolken women featured at the popular taverns.

  “With me I have Thom Tomel, a member of Councilor Garciah’s staff, and the rhutz, Falling Star.”

  Some of the people in the front rows leaned back fearfully as Falling Star took a few steps forward and dipped her head slightly.

  Nic continued. “The purpose of our visit is to establish a cell here in Roshaunda where information about the global crisis as well as the political situation can be disseminated quickly and confidentially. All of you were chosen because of your fundamental belief in the Supreme Mandate, the peace it has provided Tarizon, and a strong desire to see it survive the global crisis that now faces Tarizon.

  “My expertise will be in helping you establish a relationship with the local rhutz population and Thom will concentrate his efforts on setting up a communications link with other cells throughout Turvin. Falling Star is traveling with us to show you a side of the rhutz that you may not have ever seen before. As I understand it, there are a few of you with telepathic abilities. Raise your hands if you have that ability.”

  A few hands went up.

  “Okay. If each of you would come up we’ll see if we can establish a connection with Falling Star,” Nic said. The five with their hands raised made their way up to the stage and faced the audience. “A few phases ago very few rhutz could think in Tari, but because of the hard work of Starlight and Shadow back in Tributon thousands of rhutz now can do it. Falling Star is one of them, so just look into her eyes as you would to read anyone’s mind.”

  The group concentrated and focused on Falling Star. A women in the group stiffened as a link was established. Her eyes widened as Falling Stars memories exploded in her mind. Another flinched as the connection was established. Soon all of them were smiling as they entered the world of the rhutz.

  “It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance,” Falling Star thought. “As you marvel at my world I am awed by yours. For hundreds of cycles we have walked in this world on separate paths, but now we must unite to meet the challenges of nature and of evil men. I can’t say I understand the human race. I don’t know how it is that some are good and others evil as the rhutz are of but one will—what is best for all rhutz. But at least there are many humans, like all of you, who are honorable and trustworthy who we would be proud to join in the struggle to save our beloved planet, Tarizon.”

  The five locals on stage smiled and nodded their approval to Falling Star and then blended back into the audience. Thom then addressed the group. “Our plan is to set up a cell in each urban area. The purpose of a cell is to identify those in the area who are sympathetic to our cause and bring them into the fold. When each cell grows to sixteen members it should split geographically into four new cells. Each cell will have someone devoted to keeping a line of communication open to the other cells so that information and orders can be sent out and received quickly. One person in each cell will be devoted to identification and recruitment of members, another to security and another to fund raising. While the Loyalist network is growing we will keep it secret, but should the time come when action is called for we will be ready.”

  Thom, Nic and Falling Star continued their work in Turvin zig zagging back and forth through Soni, Rour and Merria until they reached the southern tip of the continent. At Crystal Uza they took a ferry to the Tunisu Islands where they met Threebeard and Rammel at a tropical resort called Emerald Cove to debrief.

  “You did well,” Threebeard said slapping Nic on the back. “I knew I could trust you to do a fine job.”

  “Well, Falling Star was the hit of the show. She’s quite an inspiration.”

  “I bet she was,” Rammel said. “Unfortunately we’re going to be desperately needing your network very soon. I don’t know if you heard, but the General Assembly is considering a vote calling for the relocation of all the mutants in Shisk to facilities outside the dome.”

  “Yes, we heard that when we were in the city,” Nic said. “Do you really think it will pass?”

  “I don’t know,
” Rammel replied. “It might. Rupra Bruda has done a good job of stirring up the citizens. He’s got people everywhere protesting about the healthy, productive humans left outside the city while worthless mutants are taking up valuable real estate within the dome.”

  “What an evil bastard he is?” Thom said.

  “You don’t know the half of it? I’m sure he was responsible for killing Eyeball and Misty the rhutz who lived near the Mighty Jolly in Shisk.”

  “Yes,” Threebeard agreed. “I had our manager go to the public enforcer’s office and insist on an investigation. They found both of their bodies in the warehouse district adjacent to the Mighty Jolly. Now, the inquisitor assigned to the case has died under suspicious circumstances.”

  “What suspicious circumstances?” Thom asked.

  “Shortly after questioning Rupra Bruda, he was found dead in an alley across from a tavern where they say he’d been drinking heavily—no evidence of trauma other than bruised lungs and a toxic level of pain medication. The medical inquisitor doesn’t know what to make of it, so he concludes it was the result of his being drunk and mistakenly taking too many pills.”

  “So, you think Bruda did it?” Nic asked.

  “Absolutely,” Rammel said. “Back in Tributon Bruda’s friend died the same way—no apparent trauma to the body other than bruised lungs. Everybody knows Bruda has a strong invisible hand as well as being telepathic. I’m sure he read the inquisitor’s mind to find out where he was going, then killed him and made it look like an accident.”

  “Skutz. That’s scary. How do you defend yourself against someone like that?” Thom asked.

  “You don’t, unless you have similar powers and can guard against his probing mind,” Threebeard replied. “Nic and I were lucky we inherited the gifts. We can stand up to Bruda, but many others will be defenseless. That’s why he’s so dangerous and we must be sure he never gains any political power.”

  “But what can we do?” Nic asked.

  “Alert your cells in Shisk to the threat and have them launch protests against the resolution in the General Assembly to remove the mutants from the city.”

  “Sure. But will that be enough?”

  “Not by itself,” Rammel admitted. “Basset Als, Thom and I will be working behind the scenes with members of the World Assembly trying to get the resolution defeated, but we need some public outcry as well.”

  Threebeard nodded. “And I’ll go to the public enforcer and the media and expose Rupra Bruda. The people need to know the kind of man who is soliciting their support.”

  Nic wasn’t so sure his cells, which had only been recently established, would be capable of launching much of a protest against the resolution in the World Assembly, but it would certainly provide an opportunity for them to get some needed experience. The media attention from the protests would also help them identify people sympathetic to their cause which was one of their biggest problems. It was delicate work talking to citizens to determine their politics without exposing the existence of the cells to the enemy. Presumably if someone showed up for a rally called in support of the mutants the people attending would be safe to approach for cell membership. They’d still have to be careful, though, as spies often showed up to these rallies to obtain information about their enemy. Nevertheless, Nic believed the controversy would ultimately be a boon to the growth and expansion of the cell network in Shisk. They all left together for Shisk but once inside the dome they separated. Threebeard, Falling Star, and Nic went to the Mighty Jolly and Thom and Councilor Garciah went to Garciah’s new residence near the Capitol Building.

   

   

  The Council of Interpreters was beginning its new session in a few days so Councilor Garciah would be tied up, so this left Thom to work with Basset Als with the responsibility for applying pressure on delegates of the World Assembly. While Nic worked with the cell leaders, Threebeard went to the public enforcer’s office to see how the investigation of the death of Inquisitor Wentz was coming. He met with the Public Enforcer, Chief Ert Stegis in his office.

  “Sorry to hear about the death of Inquisitor Wentz,” Threebeard said.

  Chief Stegis sighed. “Yes, it was quite shocking and unexpected.”

  “So, the medical inquisitor ruled it an accident?”

  “Yes, an unfortunate mixture of alcohol and drugs, I’m afraid.”

  “What about the bruising on his lungs?” Threebeard asked.

  “How did you know about that?” Chief Stegis asked.

  “Reports from the medical inquisitor are public records. I accessed it as soon as it came out.”

   Stegis nodded. “Right. Well, that was odd, indeed. The medical inquisitor stated he thought it might have been some sort of lung disease or trauma caused when Enforcer Wentz fell on a trash can in the alley.”

  “But if that were the case there would be external bruising, right?”

  “True, the ME explanation wasn’t all that convincing, but with no witnesses, what other explanation is there?”

  “What about Rupra Bruda? Hadn’t Enforcer Wentz just interrogated him at his compartment?”

  “True. But his tracking records have him at his mate’s compartment the entire evening.”

  “His Mate’s compartment? I didn’t know he had a mate?”

  “Yes, it happened quite recently. He mated into a rather prominent family in Shisk, the Tomaso family, Sigor and Tulia.

  “Of Tomaso Industries? The medical equipment and supply manufacturer?”

  “Yes, that’s the one.”

  “Hmm.” Threebeard muttered bitterly. He knew that was bad news. With money and power behind Bruda he’d be ever harder to stop. But that wasn’t an issue he needed to discuss with PE Stegis.

  “Well, there are ways to disable a tracking device.”

  “Yes, I suppose, but without any evidence of that, we have to assume it was working properly.”

  “The reason I’d like you to take a second look at Rupra Bruda is that he has telekinetic abilities—rather strong ones. If you will check the records of a suspicious death in Ce Lat a cycle or so ago, you’ll find one with the same type of internal injury to the lungs. The victim was Romas Lantra, a close friend of Bruda, who was scheduled to be interrogated by the inquisitors in connection with the Flat Meadow Massacre.”

  “Really? That is interesting. I’ll check it out, but unless you can shed some light on how he managed to manipulate his tracking chip, I don’t think it will make much difference.”

  “Right. I understand,” Threebeard said thoughtfully. “I’ll work on that while you’re looking into Lantra’s death.”

  Threebeard left feeling less than enthusiastic about the results of his visit with Chief Stegis. The tracking chip issue intrigued him so he went back to the Mighty Jolly to get on the TGN and find out if there were any other reports of citizens manipulating their tracking chips. He quickly discovered it had been a chronic problem for Central Authority as many individuals had simply removed their chips. Central Authority’s response to this was to make the removal or disabling of a tracking chip a major crime. This gave Threebeard an idea. Even if they couldn’t prove Rupra Bruda had killed Eyeball or Inquisitor Wentz, they might be able to prove he altered his tracking chip which would give the inquisitors the right to compel him to take the truth serum. If he was their killer, he’d likely confess it once he’d taken the serum.

  For the rest of day Threebeard researched tracking chip technology and discovered they were manufactured at Pullit Engineering right there in Shisk. To expedite his research he decided to pay a visit to the company. Since they wouldn’t have any reason to talk to him, he called Chief Stegis and asked him to call over to them and ask them to cooperate. Chief Stegis wasn’t thrilled about the idea but finally, after Threebeard dropped Councilor Garciah’s name, decided it couldn’t hurt and made the call. Upon his arrival Threebeard was taken to a small conference room and told to have a seat. After a few loons two men came in and sat d
own.

  “Hello,” a lean, grey-haired man said. “I’m Tollis Linden, assistant plant manager, and this is Tod Gucilli, from research and development. What is it we can help you with?”

  Threebeard nodded. “Nice to meet you. I just wanted to say your tracking chip technology is fascinating. I have been studying up on it lately. To think you can know the location of every citizen, monitor their vital signs, and even listen to the sounds around them is truly amazing.”

  “Yes, we are rather proud of what we have accomplished here. Of course, it is illegal to monitor conversations of citizens under the Supreme Mandate without a council order, so that part of the device is rarely used.”

  “Still, to have that capability is mind boggling,” Threebeard marveled.

  “Yes, thank you. So, how can we help you?”

  “Well, There is a certain suspect in a murder case who I suspect may have disabled or manipulated his tracking chip in order to provide an alibi for the murder.”

  The two men looked at each other nervously, then Tod said. “No, that’s not possible.”

  Threebeard looked intently at Tod searching his mind. It didn’t take but a tik to determine he was lying. Anger welled up in Threebeard but he managed to hide it. “Are you sure about that?”

  “Yes, the moment a tracking chip is tampered with a signal is emitted and Central Authority is notified.”

  “Who monitors these signals?”

  “It goes out into the network as a priority alert.”

  “I understand, but who monitors the alerts?”

  “Ah. Every city has a monitoring station and there are regional stations outside the cities. For Shisk the station is right here in this building.”

  “Could the person on duty when an alert is sounded disregard the alert?”

  Tod shrugged. “Sure, but why would they do that?”

  “Ah. They could have fallen asleep. Someone could have paid them money to ignore the alarm, perhaps?”

  Linden shook his head. “No. Not possible. All our employees are carefully screened before hiring and closely monitored once employed. It couldn’t happen.”

  “Then why did you fire someone for that very offense just last month. Let me think. His name was Ethenius Holdins, I believe.”

  Linden paled. “How did you know about Linden?”

  Threebeard shrugged. “Your terminations are a public record and it isn’t hard to put two and two together. I’m very well informed, so I’d refrain from lying to me. If it turns out you knew about someone tampering with a tracking chip and didn’t report it, you could be in serious trouble.”

  Linden swallowed hard. “No. We didn’t know exactly what happened, but there was an alert that somehow got misdirected and lost. We questioned the employee involved, but when he was less than cooperative, we fired him.”

  “I see. I’ll need the employee’s name. I’m sure Chief Stegis will want to talk to him, and if he lies, petition the council of interpreters to have him put under the truth serum.”

  “Of course. I’ll write it down for you.”

  When Threebeard got back to the Mighty Jolly he called Chief Stegis and gave him the information on the terminated employee. Stegis agreed to follow up on it.”

  Threebeard then began researching the Tomaso family and soon realized Rupra Bruda’s threat was much greater than he first imagined. He was convinced more than ever that he had to make sure Bruda was arrested for killing Misty, Eyeball, and Enforcer Wentz. That was the only way to keep him permanently out of politics where he posed the most danger. His wrist array beeped.

  “Yes,” Threebeard said.

  “Ah. This is Enforcer Stegis. I’m afraid I have bad news.”

  Threebeard’s heart sank. “What is it?”

  “Ethenius Holdins is dead.”

  Threebeard sighed. “Crushed lungs?”

  “No. A bullet to the head. It looks like a suicide.”

  “Yeah. Right,” Threebeard replied bitterly.