Everything seemed to happen at once. There was screaming, yelling and shoving as the security personnel tried to maintain order. A group was dispatched to block off all the exits. Valerya sighted President Marjan being carried out by a team through a side door. Doctors who were already on standby for the conference followed them out.
She and Davys held hands as they ran to an alternate door. Before they went in, Valerya stole a glance over her shoulder. She noticed Sebastian running towards the main exit with some other security. She knew if the shooter was ever to be caught, it was then or never. She was sure the attack was meant for Davys and not the president. She had to do her duty.
She extricated her hand from Davys's and shoved him lightly through the door. She only saw his shocked look for half of a second as the door was automatically shut behind him. She ran off with Sebastian's group and they had to hand in their screening cards before leaving. For security purposes.
As they ran out of the building, Valerya was hit with the cool evening breeze. It was a beautiful day, and by looking at the setting sun, one couldn't have known that something very tragic had just occurred. Valerya made a silent prayer in her heart that the president would be okay. That he would be saved.
Normally, after a president dies, the entire affair is kept a secret from everyone, especially the division leaders until the new president is inaugurated. This was to prevent a civil war, as there would be usurpers who would be vying for the throne. But for the president to be shot and possibly killed in front of all these leaders was a disaster.
Valerya scanned the entire perimeter. The first shot didn't hit a target so one couldn't discern where it was from. But the second shot struck the president directly. From where the president was hit, the shooter couldn't have been positioned near the entrance. Valerya ran to the back of the building. She, Sebastian and some officers checked hidden corners and the general surroundings. She knew that there would have been no way the shooter would be able to escape. The place was crawling with security.
"Was the shooter possibly in the building?" she asked Sebastian.
"Not a chance. Everyone present was thoroughly screened and searched for weapons. Even holograms," he replied.
Sebastian walked slowly and faced the roof like he was searching for something. He seemed to detect some sort of movement and hurriedly ran in the direction of the roof while bringing out his gun, and she and others followed suit. As he spoke into the telecom requesting for backup, they went in a pod which took them straight to the top of the building.
At first, Valerya didn't notice anything unusual, but Sebastian gestured to the team to search. As they searched, Sebastian noticed a loose brick in the corner and took it out. Lo and behold, there was blonde hair poking out. Knowing how to handle it, Sebastian moved several paces backwards and yelled, "Put your hands where I can see them. Right now!"
Not giving up, the man pretended not to hear and Sebastian fired a round in the general direction of his knees. The man grunted in pain. "I wouldn't ask you again," Sebastian said. Cornered, the man got out of the hole in the wall. Before he could make any move, he was completely surrounded and pinned to the ground. His palms were held open, and as Valerya suspected, there was Fler venom in them. He had intended to kill himself.
It was kicked away, and two security officers, fifth force military she could tell, pounced on him and beat him mercilessly.
Prone to violence, they kept repeating "Who sent you?" as they hit and kicked him. Valerya could see three of the man's teeth on the floor, and inwardly thought he wouldn't be of any use if he couldn't speak, but didn't say anything.
"I'll tell you, please," the man cried. Reluctantly, he was let go of and he made a mad dash for the Fler venom, which triggered another round of kicks and punches. After a few minutes, the man raised his palms in surrender.
"I didn't do it, I swear," he said when he had caught his breath enough to speak.
"What do you mean?" Valerya asked.
"I only shot once. It missed."
"Who were you aiming for?" Valerya asked. The man made a wild attempt to bite his tongue, but he was held down. An army officer nodded to another, and the shooter was held down as Styre serum was poured into his mouth. It was a truth serum, but was rarely used, because of its extreme side effects on its victims. It caused delirium and dementia in its victims at best, brain death at worst. Before being used, an order had to be signed by the president, but considering the circumstances, the men felt it would be best to go ahead.
The man had an epileptic fit and stilled, foam coming out of his mouth.
"What is your name?" a senior officer asked.
"Dimitry Arkans."
"What happened today?"
"I made an attempt at the first son's life. Unfortunately, I missed."
"What was the plan?"
"To shoot the first son, hide in the hole which was created and sneak out two days later."
"Why did you shoot the president?"
"I didn't."
"Two shots rang out. One missed, and the other struck the president. So I ask again, why did you shoot the president?" the officer asked impatiently.
"I fired a shot, but when I missed, I decided to stay low and count my losses. Immediately, I noticed a direct shot at the president."
"The windows were bulletproof. How did you direct your shot?"
"Through the roof."
"Where did you get the proton beams for the bullet?"
"From the black market."
"Did you have an accomplice?"
"No."
"Is it possible the same person sent you both?"
"If that is possible, then she probably sent the person to kill the first son, but he missed." Valerya was now certain the shot was targeted at the president. He and the first son were too far apart, and the shot was extremely accurate.
"She? Who sent you?" the officer asked, but the man hesitated.
"I said, who sent you to assassinate the first son?" he repeated.
"Vivien Claude."