Peridot City, Jewelica
The Jewelica Free State was the name of the semi-independent polity that ruled Jewelica. If had a leader called the President who was advised and assisted by a Council. Together they made decisions that affected the whole islands. The President and the Council were elected indirectly by the people of Jewelica through a biannual conference.
The current President was Onyx Crystal. He was 61 years of age and had often been known as a leader who was able to unite opposing factions. He was a compromise candidate that was acceptable to both the Diamond Authority and the Jewelica Free State. He was not a visionary, nor did the freedom of his people bother him at all.
He was far more concerned about being pragmatic. He was willing to concede that freedom or use it as leverage to gain an advantage for himself or his nation. He had no real reason to oppose the Diamond Authority, especially when it payed handsomely for his privileges.
The Oans had known that money spoke louder than ideology and sense of duties. Mr Crystal’s loyalties lay with whomever paid him the highest. A person like that could easily concede their aims and goals to anyone who paid enough. Although his presence had been tolerated, it was time to get rid of him.
There was a member of the Council who had been a prominent leader. He has been the biggest proponent of the independence of Jewelica and the liberation of the Gemican people in general. He was a vocal proponent of the Western democracy that the Diamond Authority hated. The people loved him for it and wanted him to be their President. His name was Alexandrite Mercury.
With pressure from the Diamond Authority, Crystal was elected instead of Mercury. But Mercury was too significant to remove from the picture altogether. He was made a part of the Council. Over the years ease had dulled the sword that fought for independence. Thankfully it could be resharpened.
With a single call, he was ready for battle. The Oans had taken a significant portion of the city. To take not only Peridot City, but Jewelica as a whole, they needed the Jewelica Free State on their side. The days of playing coy and making compromises were over. It was time to pick a side and fight for it.
He drew his breath, mustered his strength and courage, and replied: “I shall”.
A carefully orchestrated plan to kill Onyx Crystal was devised. Antimony was almost impossible to detect in the blood and urine, but it was deadly. With incredible expense, Alexandrite Mercury had acquired it and poured into Onyx Crystal’s meal at a Council dinner.
The Council, in spite of the war, was having a lavish dinner. Alexandrite Mercury watched as his poisoned plate was brought before President Onyx Crystal. As the plate landed before the man, the President looked at the food in bewilderment.
It was then that Mercury had realised his mistake. He had poured the poison into the incorrect dish. Crystal swapped his plate with another member. it was too late to do anything. Over the course of the dinner the member experienced severe back pains so much so that he collapsed on the floor.
He was rushed to hospital, and he was found to have suffered toxin-induced kidney failure. This diagnosis led the an inevitable conclusion. The member had been poisoned. With suspicions raised and the State more vigilant, it was too dangerous to talk with Captain Laona over the phone. Alexandrite had to meet with a spy in person at an unassuming pub.
As Alexandrite was seated opposite the spy, explaining the change in events, someone else was watching.