Imperial Media Chambers, 12:43
Councilors stood watching the broadcast, disgust etched all over their faces, as the incredibly racist Councilor Stewart Denneri, bathed in the success of his court case, preached to all of Weylara about the so-called "evil" race of blacks. The Emperor himself stood on one of the upper levels, with his bodyguard, J'uvai, beside him. His chief councilor, Ertrys, stood at his other side. "Horrible, Sire," murmured Ertrys. "How could you let this happen?"
"Because he is my nephew's brother-in-law, and has the support of most of that branch of the Kel'lara clan," replied Ptaros. "I cannot stop him." The other man sighed. "You must be able to-" The Emperor cut him off with a wave. "What? What? Publicly condemn him? Have him executed? I think not. He is not without supporters, many of them, as I have said, within the imperial family itself." Ertrys scowled and muttered curses under his breath at the man standing on the holopad in the chamber below him, through the window.
The Dominion of Weylara, 12:00pm-12:50pm
All over the Dominion, citizens spat at the screens and projections of the nationally hated councilor. They turned to the black citizens beside them and offered their support. The councilors in the palace booed and shook their fists.
In front of the Palace, 1:00pm
Councilor Stewart hurried down the steps, surrounded by private bodyguards who fended of the wave of citizens attempting to assault the councilor. He was pushed into an armoured limo, which pulled smoothly away from the curb.
"Well, that went better than I expected," gloated Denneri. "And all without seeing that pig Alex'x." Alex'x was the councilor who had fought longest and hardest against Stewart in the court case which had for several months kept him from making his racist address.
The limo moved silently through the beautiful city. Stewart, deep in thought, stared out of the window at the citizens going about their business. When it stopped at his private residence, he exited gracefully and entered the building for some celebratory wine.
Residence of Stewart Denneri, 10:24pm
Clad in a decorative gown, Stewart moved aimlessly about the house with a glass of wine in hand. The dimly lit house offered little to rest the eye on, so he turned up the brightness in order to admire the artworks on the walls.
A knock on the door startled him. "Lucy?" The house AI answered. "One white male, late thirties, brown hair..."
"Alright." The AI fell silent. "Open the door," commanded Stewart.
The man who entered was a stranger to Stewart. "What is it?," asked the councilor. "Sir, I was wondering if you'd like to buy some of my delicious - oh..." He recognized the man standing before him immediately. "You're that guy from the news. Um... Denneri! Yeah!" He scowled. "You're the racist one." Denneri snapped. "I don't like that term!" He pointed to the door. "Out!"
The other man spat, then turned toward the open door. He closed it behind him, and Stewart heard a muffled "Racist!" before blessed silence once again.
Stewart stood there for a moment, then put his glass down and ran to the door to teach him a lesson. The AI opened it, and Stewart took one step out.
And in that step, he noticed three things.
First, that there were three men and a woman on his front lawn. Second, that one of the men was kneeling over the face-down body of the door-to-door salesman. Third, that the other three were moving towards him.
Stewart Denneri had time for a fourth thought - that they had better get off his flowers - before...nothing.
West Nlaril INPF HQ
"Cao! Get in here!"
Urij entered the office of West Nlaril Police Chief Tronnl Muargus, and sat down before the aforementioned.
"You've heard about the kidnapping?" Cao nodded.
The PC slapped a folder down onto the desk that separated the two. "The case is yours. Here's everything we know. There's also a check for funding. Assemble a team, four spots including yours. Maximum," he stressed. "Four max. Got it?" The young officer nodded. "Then get going!"
