When Rupra and Essy returned to Shisk they met with General Bratford, Videl Lai and Lt. Aerial Muri, Lai’s assistant, to report on the success of their mission. Rupra knew that Lt Muri was sleeping with Videl Lai and to be very careful around her. She was not only incredibly beautiful but very smart as well. In fact, Rupra knew that she had the gift of telepathy because he had tried to read her mind when he first met her but found it to be closely guarded and impenetrable.
“I see from the reports on the news that your mission was a success,” Videl acknowledged.
Rupra nodded. “Yes, I believe we got in and out without being detected.
“Excellent. Give me the details. I want to hear exactly how you did it.”
Rupra related in great detail all that had happened from the moment they boarded the transport plane to Queenland to their return to Shisk. Essyria added what she’d learned by reading Senator San’s mind.
“So, the so-called Liberator, Peter Turner is under Councilor Garcia’s wing?” Videl asked.
“Yes. I believe so.”
“Well, we can’t afford to have someone like that running around encouraging the Loyalists. Why don’t you find out exactly where they are hiding him so we can send in someone to neutralize the threat.”
“I think it is a safe bet that he is at Garcia’s home in the foothills,” Rupra advised.
“Hmm. That’s a problem because,” General Bratford said. “Garcia is a close friend to General Zitor and he keeps the compound closely guarded.”
“He must leave the compound from time to time,” Videl replied. “Let’s get his home under surveillance and if he does leave we’ll know about it.”
“I’ll take care of that and get someone to watch the councilor’s office as well,” Lt. Muri said. “He might bring Peter Turner there to show off to his friends.”
“What should we do about this underground operation that Garcia is building?” Rupra asked.
“What do you suggest.”
“I think we need to assign some people to start finding out the identify of anyone in this Loyalist underground. We don’t need to do anything with the information now but if civil war breaks out we’ll know how to attack them where it will do the most damage.”
“Essyria, that sounds like a good job for you,” Videl said. “Rupra has set up a fine web of Purists offices throughout Tarizon. You can build an enemy intelligence unit at each one.”
“Yes. That’s an excellent idea,” Rupra agreed.
“This will be a big undertaking,” General Bratford said. “You’ll have to recruit and train your volunteers very thoroughly. I can loan you some of our TGA intelligence officers to assist in your training.”
“Thank you. That would be most helpful, but won’t you be criticized for helping us spy on the Loyalist?”
General Bratford grunted. “Ha. General Zitor is helping to train the Mutant Army and everybody knows the moment we cease control of the government the Mutant Army will go over to the Loyalist. Besides, I have purged all the Loyalist out of our intelligence unit, so nobody will be complaining.”
“Oh. I see. Excellent.”
“Perhaps you can find others, like yourself, who can read minds. That will give you a decided advantage,” Lt. Muri added.
Essyria nodded. “Yes. I will make that a high priority. I’m honored that you would trust me with such an important assignment. I won’t let you down.”
“Good then. It is settled,” Videl said as he stood up. “I’m afraid I must go. I have urgent Assembly business to attend to. Keep me informed.”
After Videl had departed Lt. Muri came over to Rupra and Essyria.
“Very impressive operation in Queenland,” she said.
“Thank you,” Essyria replied.
“I’d like to assist you in your intelligence work here in Shisk. I’ve already got eyes on Threebeard and his cohorts at the Mighty Jolly. I’m sure they are part of the Loyalist underground.”
“Yes, I’m sure they are,” Essyria agreed. “I planned to immediately target all of the Mighty Jolly Inns all over Tarizon.”
“Good. I’ve got lists of volunteers anxious to be put to work too. I’d be happy to share them with you.”
“Thank you. We definitely should coordinate our efforts.”
Lt. Muri nodded and then left. Essyria looked at Rupra.
“So, what did you make of that,” she asked.
Rupra smiled. “Videl trusts you but he likes to keep his fingers in all the pots. You should get to know Lt. Muri and keep her informed as to your progress. That will ease Videl’s mind and you won’t have to deal with him directly. Believe me, it’s a blessing.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Videl has a temper and if anything goes wrong or doesn’t meet his expectations you don’t want to be nearby.”
“Essyria swallowed hard. “Okay. I’m glad I’ll be working with Lt. Muri then.”
They left Videl’s office in the Capitol Building and went back to Purists’ headquarters in downtown Shisk. They were very anxious to get started on the surveillance of the Mighty Jolly. When Rupra first came to Shisk a friend had taken him to the Mighty Jolly as the Seafolken women there were known to be intoxicating. But before they made it inside a rhutz named Misty had recognized Bruda as the person responsible for the Flat Meadow Massacre. When the manager of the Mighty Jolly, a mutant named Eyeball, heard about it later, he banned Rupra and his friends from ever coming back to the Mighty Jolly. Humiliated and angered by the ban, Rupra and his friends returned to the Mighty Jolly a few days later and ambushed Misty and Eyeball, killing both of them. Later when a public enforcer investigating the murders tracked Rupra down, Rupra killed him as well. Soon thereafter Rupra and Essyria were forced to leave the city and go into hiding until things cooled down. It was these brutal murders and a failed assassination attempt of Threebeard that got Videl Lai’s attention and led him to summon Bruda to join a group of Purist thinkers who were beginning to formulate plans to seize control of Central Authority and suspend the Supreme Mandate.
Tarizon, The Liberator, Tarizon Trilogy Vol 1 Page 23
