Chapter 1 - Holding Breath
Onlookers filled every square inch around the courthouse. The trial had lasted for two days, during which time most of them had remained where they were, all day and all night. They stood as far as the eye could see, shabby coats and shirts over thin, chilly frames. Their only thought was inside those walls. Even food was forgotten. Their only thoughts were with their savior, in flesh, who was being tried for the unthinkable crime of assassination. Why on earth had she done that? Was there a good reason? Was she really crazy, or trying to steal the presidential office for herself? Couldn't be, they told themselves. Unless…
Suddenly, rumors began to circulate that a verdict has been handed down. What was it? What happened? And then, the sound of bees. It grew louder, and turned to a rumbling, like a bitter and spiteful wind. From the south over the rooftops came a silver hovercraft, red burners below casting off orange sparks as they pushed away the ground. The craft banked sharply and began diving towards the courthouse, towards the twenty foot door that held all of their fates inside.
The crowd scattered as the craft dived, people trampling over anyone slower or shorter. It landed roughly on the sidewalk right in front of the door, just as it burst open. A thin woman with long, brown braids was pushed towards the ship by two men. One was short and thick, like a barrel with arms. The other had short cropped dark hair, severe eyes, and thick frames. They dashed into the hovercraft. As thousands of fervent devotees looked on in wonder, the ship bounded into the air, turned its rear towards the courthouse and soared out of sight. Their eyes trained on the ship as it headed towards the largest single building in all of Pan Em - the presidential palace.