Shroud of Doom

by William Manchee

  Chapter 22

  Mutant Relocation Act

   

  Basset Als grew up in Shini the capitol of Rigimol. He was tall, standing well over six feet, black hair and blue eyes. A good looking man but, more importantly, a dynamic individual with a keen intellect and a fiery tongue. It was not surprising that he had risen quickly up the political ladder to become the youngest member of Tarizon’s World Assembly. He commanded such great respect and allegiance that many believed someday he would be chancellor.

  It was fitting that the first bill that he took the forefront in opposing was the proposed Mutant Relocation Act. He felt strongly about this issue not only because it subverted the intentions of the Supreme Mandate, but also due to the fact that he had two mutant children himself that he dearly loved. They would be exempt according to the fine print in the Mutant Relocation Act exempting families of assemblymen, but nevertheless he abhorred the concept of treating human beings differently on account of their health or one life-form as being better than another.

  Thom Tomel was an intellect and a great speech writer. He had written the first draft of Basset’s speech to be delivered to the World Assembly the next day and the two were going over it.

  “The people are so scared with all the tremors, tidal waves, and volcanos erupting that they are not thinking rationally,” Thom said. “Don’t expect them to be too worried about civil rights.”

  “So, I just need to reassure them that they will be safe,” Basset replied.

  “Not just them but those outside the dome as well. Many of the people outside the dome trying to get in are friends and family of the people inside the dome. We have to convince them that those people somehow will be protected from the atmosphere.”

  “Right,” Basset said. “But how can we make such a promise.”

  “Perhaps we could set up camocubes outside the door and filter the air and water,” Thom suggested.

  “An interesting idea, but I doubt there are enough camocubes available in all of Tarizon for such a structure.”

  “True, and we don’t have time to manufacture them,” Thom mused.

  “Wait a minute,” Als said. “What about the shuttles?”

  Thom frowned. “The shuttles?”

  “Yes, there are thousands of shuttles in suspension yards that were used to ferry people back and forth to Earth during the 8th World War. There are also an equal number of survival pods used to keep citizens alive in orbit around Tarizon. If we could get some of them operational we would have a place to put the refugee’s seeking entry into the city so that mutants would not have to be evicted.”

  “What about all the mutants outside the dome,” Thom asked.

  Basset sighed. “Well, there are too many of them, I’m afraid. That’s a different problem that the World Assembly will have to take up later. I’m just worried about defeating this bill that is before the World Assembly right now.”

  “It might work. We’ll need to contact the TGA and see if our plan is even feasible.”

  “Let’s see what Colonel Tomel has to say about it,” Basset said as he picked up his GC and punched in the Colonel’s number. After a few moments Colonel Tomel came on the line.

  “Chairman Als, how are you?” Colonel Tomel asked.

  “Not too well. We are trying figure out how to defeat the Mutant Relocation Act.”

  The colonel groaned. “Ah, a daunting task, I’m afraid.”

  “Yes, but we have an idea and we need you to tell us if it is feasible.”

  “Okay. What is it?”

  “There are a lot Earth shuttles in dry storage as I recall.”

  “That’s right.”

  “If I remember correctly they each can house about 10,000 passengers and could provide a regulated environment for them.”

  Colonel Tomel thought a moment. “Yes, I think that is correct.”

  “What I’m wondering is if we could park ten or fifteen of them just outside of Shisk. That would be a safe place the refugees could be taken.”

  “Yes, that makes sense. I’m just not sure how quickly the shuttles could be activated.”

  “Could you check into it. I’d like to propose this as an alternative to the eviction of the Mutants from Shisk.”

  “Yes. Absolutely. This is something we could do all over Tarizon and perhaps save thousands of lives.”

  “Good. Check into it and get back with me would you, Colonel.”

  “I will, Mr. Chairman. Nice talking to you.”

  Thom looked at Basset and smiled. “Great idea. I’ll revise your speech and incorporate the idea.”

  “Yes. Just pray to God and Sandee that it will work.”

   

   

  While Nic was meeting with cell leaders in Shisk planning to disrupt Rupra Bruda’s rallies in favor of the Mutant Relocation Act, Falling Star reached out to the rhutz in and about Shisk. She quickly learned that there were seven packs inside Shisk and eleven in the country within a few kylods of the city.

  “Brothers and sisters. I am Falling Star from Tributon sent here by Shadow and Starlight to link the rhutz and the humans in the Loyalist Party. This a time of great peril for the rhutz on Tarizon. Not only has nature unleashed its fury against us, but many of the humans conspire against us as well.

  “You have heard of the Flat Meadow Massacre perpetrated by Rupra Bruda and his followers. With great regret I am here to inform you that Bruda has killed yet another of our sisters and is plotting to kill many more. This time it was Misty who lived under the dome in Shisk. Misty recognized Bruda, confronted him and was killed for it.

  “Bruda now is trying to get the mutants and rhutz of Shisk evicted to make room for more healthy, unimpaired humans who he claims are superior to the mutants on Tarizon. This is a dangerous time for us and you must all be alert to this terrible danger. Stay out of public places and lay low for a while until this danger is over.

  “We are in the process of forging an alliance between the Loyalists, the Mutants, and the Seafolken to fight Bruda and his evil Purists. But our alliance is young so we are all vulnerable and must be vigilant.

  “During the next few days we will be working hard to defeat this legislation in Tarizon’s World Assembly. It may be that we will need you for security or to show our support to those who oppose the new law. Be ready and respond quickly should you get the call.

  “God and Whisper be with you,” Falling Star concluded.

   

   

  Later that day Colonel Tomel called Basset Als with a report on the Earth Shuttle situation. “I’ve checked with Intergalactic Command and they report that most of the Earth Shuttles have been out of service for so long that it would take considerable time and effort to repair and refit them for intergalactic travel.”

  Basset sighed fearing his idea wasn’t feasible.

  “But, since you don’t need them to travel off Tarizon they don’t think it will be too difficult to move some of them to sites near the cities and get their environmental systems online.”

  “Excellent,” Basset replied. “Would you start organizing a team to implement the plan. I’m going to propose it to the World Assembly later today and I’m pretty sure it will adopted.”

  “I’ll get right on it,” Colonel Tomel assured him.

  Basset hung up and called Threebeard and gave him the good news. When he had finished, Threebeard told him about his progress on the investigation of Rupra Bruda. Basset was disappointed but not surprised by the setback. “It’s going to be next to impossible to take down Bruda legally.”

  “Perhaps someone ought to just put a bullet bomb in his head,” Threebeard replied.

  “That is tempting, but we are pledged to uphold the Supreme Mandate,” Basset reminded him. “We can’t let Rupra Bruda drag us down to his level.”

  “I know. Just a thought,” Threebeard chuckled. “I just got off he GC a few tiks ago with Nic and he says there should be a good crowd of our supporters at the East Gate
tomorrow. Apparently a lot of people are appalled at what Rupra is trying to do and want to help us stop him.”

  “That’s good news.”

  “It should be an interesting confrontation. I just hope it doesn’t turn violent.”

  “The public enforcers should be out in force, so hopefully everyone will remain calm,” Basset reasoned.

  “Bruda may want it to turn violent particularly if it gives his supporters good cause to kill a few mutants and rhutz.”

  “You’re probably right. I’ll remind Nic to tell our supporters that it should be a peaceful demonstration, to expect the CPC to try to provoke them, but not to let it happen.”

   

   

  The following morning Bruda was shocked at the size of the crowds at East Gate Park. He’d expected the ranks of his supporters to have grown because of the news reports and the publicity he’d gotten out but he was not prepared to see so many Loyalist supporters picketing against the mutant evictions. He wondered how that had come about. He couldn’t imagine anyone caring that much about the mutants.

  A group of mutants jeered at him as he and Essyria walked by. He shook his head in revulsion and walked on to the group of tables he’d staked out the day before to be the CPC headquarters for addressing his followers and signing up new members. Chalk and Peeta were already there enrolling new recruits.

  “So, it looks like we’ve got the attention of the city,” Bruda said.

  Peeta glanced around the crowd nodding. “You could say that. What did you do to get all these people out?”

  “I talked Assemblyman Tash into introducing a bill this morning to evict the mutants and allow as many healthy humans into the city as possible. I guess now people are taking us more seriously.”

  “They have no choice,” Essyria noted. “They have to be responsive to the people.”

  “I’m a little surprised to see the opposition so well organized,” Bruda said.

  “Yes, I was surprised too when I got here early this morning,” Peeta agreed. “There was a large contingent of Loyalist organizers at work.”

  “Did you recognize anyone?” Bruda asked.

  “No, but a three-headed mutant seemed to be in charge.”

  “Threebeard,” Bruda said. “I’d heard he was in town.”

  “There were a lot of rhutz and seafolken as well.”

  Bruda sighed. “Well, I guess that’s to be expected. They suspect we killed Eyeball and Misty. I guess that’s got them riled up.”

  “Too bad we can’t have that rhutz hunt today,” Chalk said. “There are plenty of them around.”

  Bruda smiled wryly. “Maybe we can a do better than that.”

  Everyone turned to Bruda expectantly. He told them his idea. Essyria’s eyes widened.

   

   

  The World Assembly was called to order by the Chairman, Ruskin Wallt. The Great Hall was filled to capacity with assemblymen, staff members, the media and hundreds of spectators. The chairman announced that this was a special session called by Chancellor Chlovus Hock to address the current global crisis brought about by the super-volcanic eruptions occurring all over Tarizon and the devastation they were causing. An environmental expert from Central Authority was called first to report on the current situation throughout Tarizon. He told of thirteen volcanoes currently erupting all over the globe. He explained that these were not just ordinary eruptions but unprecedented eruptions coupled with devastating tremors, lava flows, tidal waves, and huge toxic emissions of volcanic ash. He then explained Central Authorities’ response to the disasters but warned that its resources were already stretched and over taxed.

  “These cataclysmic events that we are experiencing today will impact Tarizon not just for the immediate future, but for cycles and cycles to come. Thousands, maybe millions will die, even if we mobilize all of our resources to deal with the effects of these tragic events.”

  The expert left the podium. “We are all greatly concerned about all these disasters happening all over Tarizon and we will take whatever time is necessary to deal with them in the days to come, but right now we face a crisis right here in the capitol. As you know there are thousands of refugees lined up at our gates seeking entry into the dome. Unfortunately, we cannot facilitate everyone who seeks to come in. To address that problem, Assemblyman Tash has asked for the floor to introduce a bill. Assembly Tash. You have the podium. Assemblyman Tash, a skinny, grey-haired man with a scowl on his face, walked up the stairs to the podium and looked out over the crowd.

  “Mr. Chairman, members, and citizens of Tarizon. I hate to have to interrupt the Assembly’s deliberations over these terrible disasters all over our planet, but as you know the World Assembly is responsible for the affairs of its capitol city, Shisk. As the chairman explained we are facing an immediate crisis that must be dealt with swiftly and effectively. Thousands of our citizens are pounding on our door seeking refuge from the toxic ash that is spewing out of Mt. Soni. The air quality outside the dome is so bad people are having to use breathers to avoid the deadly toxins in the air. But even with breathers they still must find clean water and food, all of which are in short supply with all traditional distribution outlets out of service.

  “The tragic fact is we cannot protect and provide for everyone outside the dome. This is a disaster beyond any of our imaginations and could not have been anticipated. Accordingly, we must make difficult choices and tough decisions to protect as many citizens as possible. It is with this backdrop that I propose the Mutant Relocation Act for your consideration.

  “Many cycles ago when Shisk was first built Central Authority sought to allow a cross section of the population of Tarizon into its capitol city dome. Perhaps when this was done it made sense. The effects of the 8th World War were waning and Tarizon was gradually recovering from centuries of abuse, so many people were able to stay outside the dome and live in good health. But the situation today has changed. Now, since we cannot protect all of our population, we must decide who we should protect.

  “I think it is obvious who those should be. The normal, healthy human population that will provide the greatest future for Tarizon.

  There were screams of disapproval from the delegates and spectators in the crowd. The chairman called for order.

  “We cannot be selfish in this decision. We must consider what is best for Tarizon. Accordingly, this bill orders the immediate eviction from the city of all non-human life-forms and humans with abnormal defects or afflictions that might cause them to be a burden on the resources of the city. Once the mutants and others are gone we then will be able to allow in thousands of citizens who would otherwise die.”

  There were screams of protest. One delegate yelled, “You’re advocating genocide, what’s wrong with you?”

  The chairman stood up and glared at the delegate. “We will have order. You’ll have your turn to speak.”

  Tash continued. “As you know many citizens have taken to the streets demanding this action. If you don’t address this issue immediately and take swift action, I fear that the city will erupt into anarchy. As you know the people outside the dome can only survive for a few days, so this is not a matter that can be delayed. Thank you.”

  Tash left the podium and the Chairman stood up. The chair recognizes Assemblyman Als who has asked to speak on this issue. Basset Als climbed the stairs and went to the podium.

  “Mr. Chairman, members, citizens of Tarizon. I can understand Assemblyman’s Tash’s concern for the refugees pounding at the gates of Shisk demanding they be let in. Of course, this is a tragic situation and something must be done, but his solution is not the answer. We must not panic and do something rash, something that will haunt us for the rest of our lives. We cannot let this disaster turn us away from the dictates of the Supreme Mandate. Whatever this body does to respond to the challenges that face Tarizon must be for the benefit of every sentient life-form equally.

  “But talk doesn’t solve problems in and of itsel
f, so I have an alternative proposal that I think will be just as effective as what Assemblyman Tash has proposed, yet will not divide our people and undermine the very fabric of our society. As you all know during the 8th World War we faced a similar environmental disaster and faced the same situation we face today; too few resources to take care of all of those in need.”

  Basset reminded them of the Earth Shuttle and Orbital Hibernation programs. Many delegates nodded their memory of those difficult days.

  “I have talked to Colonel Tomel of the TGA and he assures me that we can have twenty-five Earth shuttles parked outside Shisk within two days to take in at least 50,000 refugees. This should ease the situation immeasurably and avert the crisis we now face here in Shisk. He also assures me that many more Earth shuttles can be refitted and made available to other cities around Tarizon to provide housing with clean air, pure water, and nutritious food. Of course, this won’t solve all our problems, but it is a much better solution than the Mutant Relocation Act, which I urge you to kill quickly as its introduction as a serious bill to consider is an outrage and a blemish or the history of this great body.”

  There was applause and shouts of approval. Assemblyman Tash looked dumbstruck. The chairman called for order and asked if there was any more debate. Many hands were raised and the debate continued, but the general mood of the Assembly was clearly in favor of Basset Alms proposal rather than the drastic provisions of the Mutant Relocation Act.

   

   

  After Rupra Bruda informed the crowd of the introduction of the Mutant Relocation Act in the World Assembly and predicted its approval, he climbed down off his makeshift stage and began leading the march of the CPC members toward the East Gate. As they marched they chanted “Kick them out!...Kick them out!...Kick the filthy mutants out!”

  At the same time the Loyalist crowd began marching from another location toward the East Gate putting the two groups on a collision course. Threebeard, Nic and Falling Star were leading the Loyalists group and Bruda, Chalk and Peeta were leading the CPC supporters. When the two groups got within a few strides of each other Tibor Raseen, his face covered by a mask, stepped out from the crowd and took a shot at Threebeard with his laser. The laser struck Threebeard in the shoulder and he fell to the ground. Falling Star immediately took after the assailant. Raseen ran to a jet bike parked nearby but before he could get on it and make his escape Falling Star pounced on him and began ripping him to shreds. At first the crowd looked on in shock but it wasn’t but a few tiks before more guns and knives were drawn and the two groups were fighting in close combat.

   

   

  Nic helped his brother to a picnic bench away from the melee and laid him upon it. He tore away Threebeard’s shirt and examined the blackened wound. It smelled like smoldering flesh and was swelling rapidly. Two TGA medics arrived moments later and began cleaning the wound. His partner gave Threebeard an injection, plugged something into his wrist array and then helped his partner apply a dressing.

  “We need to get him out of here. I’ve ordered a medicab. It should be here momentarily,” a medic said.

  “Is he going to be okay,” Nic asked worriedly.

  “I don’t know. His vitals are weak and that laser did some serious damages. You can ride with him to the casualty station.”

  “Thank you,” Nic said giving Threebeard a concerned look.

  Moments later the medicab landed nearby and the two medics loaded Threebeard on board, then left to tend to the next casualty of the East Gate riots. Nic climbed in solemnly beside Threebeard and the robot medicab took off. About ten loons later the medicab landed on the roof of the Northeast Casualty Station and took Threebeard inside. Nic watched as he was taken away and then went to the waiting room. Just as he sat down he wrist array beeped.

  “Yes,” he said.

  “How is Threebeard,” a concerned Thom asked. “I just saw him shot on the VC.”

  “He’s alive and fortunately received quick medical attention. The laser hit him in the shoulder, so I don’t think any major organs were injured.”

  “Where are you now?”

  “At the Northeast Casualty Center. . . . I didn’t see what happened to Falling Star. Is she okay?”

  Thom hesitated. “No. After he killed the shooter someone picked up the shooter’s laser and shot Falling Star. I’m afraid she is dead.”

  “Oh, my God! Have they identified the shooter?”

  “Yes, a Tibor Raseen. He was a member of the CPC but Rupra Bruda is claiming he acted alone.”

  “Yeah. I bet. . . . Was anyone else hurt?” Nic asked.

  “Yes, seven others were killed by the rhutz who went on a rampage after Falling Star was killed. Many more were injured. It took the PEs twenty loons to restore order.”

  “What a nightmare,” Nic said.

  “Yes, and it was all for nothing. The World Assembly voted down the Mutant Relocation Act decisively.

  “Oh. Thank God and Sandee.”

  “Let me know when you hear anything about Threebeard’s condition. Basset and I are quite worried.”

  “Yes. You’ll be my first call as soon as I hear anything.”

   Nic clicked off his wrist array and took a deep breath. He thought back to everything he and his brother had been through. He couldn’t imagine life without Threebeard. He wasn’t just a brother but a father and best friend. He had to survive. Not only did he and Artis need him but Tarizon needed him as well. God had given him such wonderful gifts to help him make Tarizon a better world. He couldn’t let him die this way. Then a horrible thought came over him. What if there wasn’t a God?