Shroud of Doom Read online

  Chapter 2

  Flat Meadow Massacre

   

  Rupra Bruda turned on the video communicator and sat back in a chair to watch his father in action. The emergency meeting of the town council was just beginning. Progasis Bruda called the meeting to order.

  “I’ve called this emergency meeting to inform you of some disturbing events in the hills of the White Mountains. My son Rupra and his two companions, Callus Tripolis and Romas Lantra went on a hunting trip two days ago to try out the new Ruggi 7 smart rifle currently in final development by Ruggi Manufacturing. While they were staking out a meadow for range deer, they were attacked by a pack of rhutz. One of the boys, Callus Tripolis, was murdered by the pack.”

  The members broke out in excited chatter. Progasis waited for the members to quiet. “I believe it is imperative that we authorize a hunting party to go out, find this pack of rhutz and kill them all.”

  A councilman raised his hand.

  Councilman Garciah, what say you?

  Councilman Rammel Garciah was a staunch supporter of the Supreme Mandate as his father had been a signatory on the historic document that had brought peace to Tarizon and unified it under one world government. Under the Supreme Mandate all life-forms were guaranteed freedom to speak freely, to assemble and debate the issues, to vote, if accused of a crime, the right to a just advocate, and to live freely. Unfortunately, the document itself only mentioned humans, Seafolken and mutants. Since the adoption of the Supreme Mandate by the people, scholars came to realize that the Rhutz and the Nanomites might also be sentient life-forms and thus entitled to the protection of the Supreme Mandate. Unfortunately this issue was yet unsettled and there were many who opposed recognizing them as sentient life-forms. Progasis Bruda was one of them.

  “I know this is an unsettled issue, but I believe, as do other members, that the rhutz is a sentient life-form and they cannot simply be gunned down because they are suspected of a crime. If one or more of them participated in a murder then they should be tried and given an opportunity to defend themselves.”

  “You know there is no precedent for that,” Bruda spat. “Nowhere in the Supreme Mandate is the word Rhutz even mentioned. Only humans enjoy the rights guaranteed by the Supreme Mandate. I question whether they are really a sentient life-form, anyway.”

  “Nevertheless, until the issue is settled by the Counsel of Interpreters, can we disregard the possibility they are sentient beings and risk sanctioning a murderous hunt.”

  Another councilman raised his hand.

  “Councilman Quaris, what say you?” Progasis asked.

  “It could be many cycles before the Council of Interpreters makes a final determination on this matter. We must act now before this pack kills more innocent people or infect other packs.”

  “Your point is well taken, councilman Quaris,” Progasis said. “I have been told the rhutz in question acted as if they were mad. At this moment my son is being tested for the eripititis virus which you all know is a super virus carried by the Spinal Tick.”

  There were gasps of shock from the audience.

  Councilman Garciah raised his hand.

  Councilman Garciah, what say you?

  “Should we not wait for the results of these tests before we vote on this matter. I fear a vote now will be tainted by unfounded fears.”

  “There is some logic in that,” Progasis said, “but the results of the tests won’t be known for twenty kyloons, I’m told. Can we afford to do nothing and perhaps allow other packs to be infected?”

  Councilman Garciah sighed. “Then we should find them and isolate them until the test results come back. If they are infected, there are treatments available.”

  “The rhutz won’t submit to treatment,” a man from the audience spat. “Kill the beast now before there are other victims!”

  Progasis smiled. Other members of the audience cheered their agreement.

  “That’s a good point,” Progasis said. “Getting the rhutz to cooperate in a judicial proceeding may not be possible.”

  Councilman Quaris stood. “I move the Public Enforcer organize a volunteer hunting party to hunt down the pack of rhutz who killed Callus Tripolis and kill every last one of them.”

  “Aye,” another councilman said.

  Progasis nodded. “There is motion on the table. Is there any objection?”

  Rammel stood.

  “State your objection,” Progasis said begrudgingly.

  “I must point out that the Town of Vaceen lacks legal authority to commit murder or even execute criminals, once there has been a lawful adjudication of their crime.”

  Councilman Quaris stood.

  “Your response, Councilman Quaris,” Progasis said.

  “The Animal Control Act authorizes the city to cause the eradication of infected pets, rodents, or wild beasts that imperil the population.”

  “That is correct,” Progasis said, “and since there is no legal authority for the proposition that the rhutz is anything other than a wild beast, I find that the Town of Vaceen does have the right and authority to eradicate these beasts that have clearly imperiled this population. If there is no further objection, we shall vote on the matter.”

  Rammel started to stand again but then thought better of it.

  “Hearing no more objections, we shall put the matter to a vote?” He nodded to the council secretary and a big screen lit up behind them with the twenty-one names of the Vaceen town council member’s on it. Red and green lights began popping up alongside each councilman’s name. Green for “aye” and red for “nay.“

  Progasis looked at the results and said, “The “ayes’ have it. The resolution is passed twelve to nine. There being no further business, this meeting is adjourned.”

  Rupra Bruda smiled and turned off the VC. Now all I have to do is convince father to let me volunteer for the hunt. The only problem is that damn test. He’s not going to let me go until the results of the test come back. Skutz!

  That night Rupra tried to convince his father to let him go on the hunt but both his mother and father were adamant he stay home, in case any symptoms of the infection manifested themselves. Rupra was disappointed but resigned himself to having to stay home. He vowed to be more careful in crafting his lies in the future.

  That night Veda Kulchz, the Public Enforcer deputized forty-one citizens to be part of the hunting party including Progasis Bruda and Rubbias Tripolis. At first light the next morning the hunting party set out in seven jet copters to track down the rhutz. They found them without any trouble as they hadn’t moved from their den. Shadow never saw the jet copters as he’d been gone for over a kyloon when they showed up.

  The copters landed at strategic locations around Flat Meadow and the hunters took up positions ready to ambush any rhutz who tried to escape. When the trap had been set, eleven hunters including Bruda and Tripolis, moved on the pack. The rhutz had heard the copters landing but didn’t know what to do since they were a peace-loving species and had never before been confronted by a hostile force bent on killing them.

   

   

  With Shadow gone, a rhutz named Splash had taken charge of the pack. He was strong and intelligent but lacked experience. The attack baffled him as he’d never heard of humans attacking a pack of rhutz before. His initial instinct was to run as he knew the pack was no match for the humans with their flying machines and guns, but his scouts quickly informed him that all paths from the meadow were covered by the humans. Since he had no option but to fight, he linked his mind to all the packs of rhutz in the area.

  “Brothers. We are under attack by many humans with copters and guns. They will kill us all unless you come to our aid. Come quickly. Time is short.”

  Seven pack leaders within five kylods of Flat Meadows responded to the call promising immediate help. Splash then turned to his immediate problem, eleven humans with guns walking straight at them. With nowhere else to go, Splash ordered all twenty rhutz to attack the
eleven at once in three columns. His thinking was that such an assault would be difficult to defend. Whereas the first few rhutz might be killed the remainder would get through to attack the humans.

  His strategy worked perfectly. When the rhutz came at them the forward hunters easily picked off the first two in each column, but they quickly felt the steel teeth of the third and fourth rhutz as they viciously attacked. The other hunters stood and watched the melee, unable to use their weapons without endangering their fellow hunters now in mortal combat with the rhutz. Suddenly, the other eleven humans, including Bruda and Tripolis, found themselves in close combat with the rhutz. Many dropped their rifles that were now useless and pulled their knives and pistols. The men fought desperately but in close proximity the rhutz were able to use their telekinetic powers to rip these weapons out of their hands before they could be of any use. Soon all eleven of the hunters were dead and their bodies left lifeless on the blood soaked ground.

  The Public Enforcer was shocked and appalled by the loss of eleven of his deputies. Panic-stricken he ordered his men to retreat to the copters. Unfortunately, the remaining rhutz were in his path, so he had no choice but to confront them again. His men marched across the meadow firing at any rhutz along the way. Seeing their retreat Splash pondered whether to order the remainder of the pack to retreat or take another suicide run at the human intruders. Looking over the meadow and seeing his slain brothers everywhere, he decided he had no choice but to attack the cowardly humans with one more suicide attack. He had to make them pay for what they had done.

  Unfortunately, this time the Public Enforcer had anticipated the attack formation and stationed four snipers on both sides, just out of view of the main party. When the rhutz came at them in single file they were easily picked off by the snipers. When the last rhutz fell the fifteen remaining hunters let out a triumphant cheer.

   

   

  Shadow reached the Hilor River late that night. He was exhausted so he killed a young range deer that had strayed from its herd and picked it clean. Then he found a hollowed-out tree and slept for the night. All the next day he followed the Hilor River west toward Rigomol. He’d never been to Rigomol, as rhutz had no need to travel long distances. They had all they needed in the vast forests their ancestors had left them. After Shadow had crossed the White Mountains, however, the scenery changed dramatically. There were fewer trees and bushes and more open grasslands. This bothered him as he felt alone and more vulnerable out in the open. But what lie ahead was even worse—the Ural Desert—devoid all life except scrub brush and hideous looking vultures who circled overhead.

  As long as he followed the river he wasn’t in any danger. He found a few lizards and rodents to sustain him and the river provided all the water he could drink. After a few days he realized he needed to cross the river and go north, but he didn’t know precisely where to do that, so he opened his mind to see if he could link with any local rhutz who might be able to help him. It took a while but he finally made contact with a pack several kylods to the south. They agreed to come to him and show him the path to Urunes.

  The pack leader was a female rhutz named Moonlight. She was saddened by Shadow’s tale of the loss of Shimmer, his mate. “I don’t understand why the humans killed her.”

  “Nor do I,” Shadow said. “That is why I must go to Urunes and talk to Councilor Sandista. Perhaps he will have the answer I seek.”

  “The trail to Urunes is long and harsh. You cannot make it without water. There are snakes and scorpions, too. They will smell your water a kylod away and come after it.”

  “But I must get there. Can’t I travel at night?”

  “Yes, the snakes and scorpions sleep at night, but you will still need water. Even at night it is hot in the desert.”

  “So, what should I do?”

  “We can strap an ox skin full of water on your back.”

  “An ox skin?”

  “Yes, it’s the stomach of a river ox. It’s water tight. If you find yourself traveling during the day, just be alert and keep moving. As long as you can see the desert scorpions and lizard snakes, you should be able to keep your distance. It’s when you slow down or stop that you’ll likely be attacked. If you get bitten you’ll likely die, so keep moving.”

  “Do you think I will make it?” Shadow asked worriedly.

  “You’ll be all right the first day because you’ll have water. After that it will depend on your speed, strength, and the will of God.”

   Shadow nodded. “I believe God has sent me on this quest, so I trust he will send Whisper’s spirit to guide me and give me the strength to make it.”

  “I pray that be the case. Be sure and link with me on your way back as I too would like to know the answers you seek.”

  That night Moonlight used her telekinetic skills to fasten the ox skin on Shadow’s back. The water was heavy and made travel more difficult, but having his own supply of water relieved a lot of Shadow’s concerns about traveling across the desert. He felt sure he could make it now. The only things that still worried him were the desert scorpions and lizard snakes. He wondered if they’d be easy to spot or they’d show up unexpectedly. As he began his trek across the desert, he was glad it was night and he didn’t have to worry about them.

  The first surprise when he crossed into the desert was how big the sky was. In the hills of the White Mountains it seemed much smaller, but here it looked huge. The stars were much bigger and brighter here as well. He’d never paid a lot of attention to stars before but now he marveled at how beautiful they were and how they illuminated his path across the desert.

  Even traveling at night it was very hot and he found himself wanting to drink. Moonlight had inserted a long narrow sponge into the ox skin which hung down near Shadow’s mouth where he could suck out water as he needed it. The water came out very slowly, but even so he soon realized he’d drank half of his supply. Rhutz had difficulty determining the time at night. During the day it was easy with the sun racing across the sky. He thought the night was about half over, so at that rate he’d be out of water by daylight.

  Moonlight had told him he should get to Urunes by noon. That meant he’d be without water for four kyloons during the worst heat of the day. He wished somehow he could shed his fur as it would make the heat even worse. As he walked, he wondered how he was going to approach Sandista. A rhutz just couldn’t walk into a building like a human could. He could prowl the streets as rhutz often did looking for rodents. The humans hated rodents and gave the rhutz free reign to rid the cities of them. But a rhutz could not enter a building, particularly a public building, without having someone summon the Public Enforcer.

  He finally decided he’d have to observe Sandista for a day or two to see where best to stage an encounter. It wouldn’t be an easy task as Sandista would have to be alone and the contact would have to telepathic. As he thought about it he had misgivings. What if he’d come all this way and couldn’t talk to the councilor. Am I being foolish to even try to make contact with the humans?

  When the sun began to rise in the sky, the heat became unbearable. Shadow’s water ran out about an hour after sunrise. To lighten his load he shook his torso violently causing the ox skin to tumble to the ground. He considered stopping to lick up the last few drops of water leaking out of the jug, but quickly moved on when a desert scorpion came out of nowhere and scampered over to it. He quickened his pace and looked around warily.

  Time seemed to drag on in the hot morning sun. It seemed like he should have already reached Urunes. The sun was up high in the sky but, even so, he could only see endless desert ahead. Weariness overcame him. He had an overwhelming urge to lie down and sleep, but he knew if he did he’d never get back up. He trotted on, thinking about Shimmer to get his mind of his discomfort and urgent need for water. She had been a good mate and he thought of all the things they’d done together in the three cycles since they’d been mated. He missed her terribly and dreaded the thought of living
the rest of his life without her. That gave him comfort, for if he died in the desert this day at least he’d soon be with Shimmer in the afterlife.