The monitors showed her what was happening. Even though they weren't on land yet, some of the other ships were already on the ground. They met immediate resistance upon landing. From an assortment of opened airlocks and cargo holds, armed men and women fanned out. Most of Lou's provided forces were wearing mercenary military uniforms, others the armband of Hestian Liberation along with her followers, and among them were the white armor-clad fighters of the Little Sisters of Divine Recompense.
Fighting spread across the city. The HSF opposed every landing, but they had to defend everywhere while Tia's army could focus on their landing zones solely. The landing ships themselves provided fire support, their auto-turrets engaging the HSF with varying effectiveness.
The San Papa Gregorius set down in Rochefort Park along the Thanh River. Once she was secure on the ground, her holds opened and the Sisters' heaviest forces poured out, power armor-clad fighters with tanks and mechanized vehicles. Mounted artillery guns activated on her hull to provide fire support missions, although only with stun shells for the moment.
"Many of our ships report heavy resistance," Mother Sarno said. "The HSF is concentrating on our landing zones."
"Just as we expected," Tia noted. "Suppressive fire?"
"Effective for the moment, but we expect artillery fire to commence shortly."
"The deflectors should buy time." Tia tapped a key at the command table. "Ground Command to Liberator."
Henry's voice came through. "Liberator here."
"We're going to need fire support shortly. If they bring their artillery into the fight, it could cause casualties we can't afford."
"Miri and Piper are identifying possible sites now. We'll take them out once we have secure targets."
"Thanks." Tia's attention returned to the holotank. The rest of the fleet was landing, save those handful of warships that weren't atmosphere capable. Their armaments were already providing immediate tactical support, dropping explosive or stun rounds onto HSF concentrations to break them up.
Each second felt like a minute. Each minute, a precious eternity. The slow passage of time prompted her to go back to that earlier war. The words and faces of long-dead comrades came to her mind, one by one. Quang, Ngoc, Mathilde…
"You think of old friends."
She glanced toward Yanik. He was wearing a set of tactical armor for tailed Saurians, acquired by Lou at request. She imagined he wanted to go out and fight as much as she did, but for the moment, he seemed content to stand nearby.
"I do," she admitted. "I'm remembering all of my comrades who died fighting in the last revolution. How much they'd want me to see to it our people are freed this time."
"Krassha is always most difficult when concerning the dead. We cannot ask them what they feel our obligation to them to be; we can only rely upon memory."
"I've already made compromises to get us here," she said. "How many more will I have to make?"
"I cannot answer that. I can only say that obligation to the living is more important than that to the dead."
There was a flash of pale light on the monitor. "Enemy artillery acquired; we're firing," Henry said over the line. More such light descended from the clouds, like bolts thrown by an angry deity, and distant explosions flowered on the horizon at times.
Tia watched the holoviewer quietly. Their landing areas were secure, and now they were coalescing into one common zone. Their forces pushed out to widen their zone.
And yet, the casualties were already starting to build. Even with their supporting artillery silenced, the HSF and attached corporate troops were stubbornly holding on to every centimeter of ground. Casualties were mounting on both sides.
"They fight so hard for their oppressors," Tia lamented. "If they'd throw down their arms, this would go so much faster."
"They cannot, Comrade Tia," Quan pointed out. "They know revolutionary justice awaits them upon capture. That they will be made to pay for their crimes against the Hestian people."
Tia noted the way the flesh around Sarno's eyes tightened. Quan wants revenge, or justice, while she's more interested in people surviving. Given her subordinates were fighting and dying as they spoke, Tia didn't ignore her reaction. "Mother Sarno? Did you have something to say?"
"Yes." Sarno turned away completely from the holotank. "The Church has its own research on Hestia, and I've been reading it. It is true that many HSF rank and file soldiers are your own people, and even those of other worlds are among the impoverished of those worlds. Many of them join to escape poverty. They are trying to feed their families."
Quan's cheeks reddened. "They benefit from the exploitation of our people!"
Viscerally, Tia knew he was right. They did benefit. But she considered what she'd learned traveling through Neutral Space. While some could enjoy abusing what little power they had, most were hardly the worst part of exploitation, indeed, were the exploited themselves. Even among the Hestians on the actual HSF, they weren't the worst collaborators—she reserved that for the "Republic."
"Mother Sarno, you seem ready to suggest something," said Tia.
Sarno nodded. "The resistance we're facing is only going to grow, and your rebellions across the planet can't sustain their success forever. Even if their counter-attack here fails, Rigault and his forces can outlast you."
Tia nodded. "Go on."
"I doubt they wish to die fighting for the likes of Antoine Rigault," she continued. "And the rank and file will include people horrified by the implants. They only fight because they expect you to have them murdered out of ideology. Promise humane treatment and possible amnesty to their forces and their resistance will slacken."
"And let them get away with their crimes?" demanded Quan. He glared at the elderly nun. "They abuse our people in the streets. They steal from our homes. They hurt our children for sport! They deserve what's coming to them, every one of them! And you want us to let them go?"
"I advise that you consider mercy," Sarno said, keeping her eyes on Tia. "Your revolution will be judged not just for the blood spilled to accomplish it, but why that blood was spilled."
She's right. But he is too. Tia had her own bitter memories of the behavior of the HSF and the corporate security forces. Not just those who cooperated without question with the experiments performed on her, but those from her youth as well. Just letting them go; the idea made her burn with anger. Quan is right, they deserve it! We deserve to have our pain repaid back on them!
A slight hissing sound prompted her to turn to the source. Her eyes met Yanik's. In those alien yellow eyes, she imagined she could see his own anger, his own feeling of unpaid injustice, and the crippling injury he'd taken at Kepper's hand, or being driven from his own homeworld.
Yet he acquiesced into letting Kepper go, she reminded herself. He put the needs of others above his own desire for justice… for revenge.
She glanced back at the global display near the holotank. Across the planet, her people were rising, at her command. Her words could tilt them in either direction. Her words could even keep them from dying further against foes they had in hopeless positions. The responsibility felt like it could crush her any moment.
Her eyes turned toward the map showing the unfolding battle for Thyssenbourg as well. She wasn't out there, but she knew what that fighting was like. She'd experienced it herself. The terror in your gut that any moment your existence would end. The pain of lost comrades. The cries of the dying, the weeping for their mothers. The memories of sixteen years ago came roaring back. Their forces, her people, were dying out there, as were those wearing the HSF and corporate uniforms.
Promise fair treatment and amnesty, and the surrenders will save our side too, she thought. More of my people will live to see a new Hestia.
Tia swallowed, steadying herself. It's the right thing to do. She repeated it as she glanced towards the comm controls and Sister Justinia.
"Comrade Chairwoman," Quan's eyes pleaded. "Don't tell me you're going to listen to this… nonsense?"
"We must do whatever we can to win today, Comrade Quan," she said, keeping her tone level. "We will make every sacrifice needed to preserve our people."
"But—"
She gestured to Justinia. "Put me on. All channels. All media."
The nun operated her console for a second. "You're on."
"Attention. I am Chairwoman Tia Nguyen, and I speak to address not only my supporters, but those fighting them as well. I give my personal pledge to you all that any soldier fighting our forces who chooses to surrender will be treated humanely. Surrender and no further harm will come to you. You will be released to return home as soon as hostilities are over. I urge you to lower your arms and cease fighting for those who would turn every one of us, Hestian or offworlder alike, into puppets with their neural control devices. Do not die for those who have already killed innocent people to test their evil device.
"And for my comrades, yes, I ask you to show mercy, for the good of our revolution and the liberty of our people. The liberation of Hestia must come before any of our personal desires. Honor my promises in that cause, and we will create a Hestia worthy of our finest dreams."
She nodded to Justinia, who ended the transmission.
From his place at the table, Quan frowned. She could see the bitterness, and inside, she felt the same from the Tia Nguyen of sixteen years ago who yearned for justice, for revenge, against the crimes she spent her childhood aching to stop. "You heard what I said, Comrade," she said softly. "Whatever we personally feel, Hestia demands we act to save her, even if we must give up the justice we wish to see."
Quan nodded stiffly. "I understand. I will resume my duties." He returned his attention to the monitors he was overseeing.
He will not be the only fighter disappointed, Tia thought. I have angered many in the Party. I only hope they understand why we must do this, and that they will obey.
* * *
Tia's speech finished playing over the speakers in the planetary command bunker. Antoine wanted to reach through the screen and strangle the life out of her on general principles. That she was trying to undermine his troops' morale made the desire all the stronger.
Nearby, General Rousseau shook his head. "Are you telling me you believe her?" Antoine asked the man.
"She does seem sincere, but whether or not I believe her, I know some of the rank and file may do so. Those of our troops who are cut off and isolated may attempt to take her word for it."
"Then put me on!" Antoine demanded.
The arrangements were quickly made. Antoine stared into his link's video screen, knowing it was transmitting his image as well, and spoke harshly. "This is Director Antoine Rigault. I am aware of the so-called 'promises' of the radicals now besieging our world. I call upon the security forces to ignore them. They are a sign of our impending victory, as our foes are desperate enough that they seek to soften our resolve with lies of mercy when we fully know their bloody aims.
"They want you dead. They want us all dead. They blame us for their own failings, for their inability to make their world as prosperous as we have, and they want to kill us for that! Do not for a moment believe that woman's lies. She will shoot you dead as soon as you are in her mercy. I know this because that is how I got this." He pointed a finger to his electronic eye. "I'm only alive today because she was such a bad shot!
"These people are why we are implementing the Workplace Security Act, to protect Hestia from their sabotage of our economy! They have brought this measure upon themselves, and this attack makes clear the necessity of the Act! They are so worried about losing what power they have left that they are attacking us, even though they have no hope of prevailing against the power of the Republic and the Hestian Business Council.
"Remember this. Any trooper who holds true to their contracts will be amply rewarded when this fighting is over. Any who surrender will be judged in violation of employment contract and blacklisted. And a ten-million-credit bounty will be granted to anyone who kills Tia Nguyen, whichever side they're on!"
He cut the line at that part. That will keep her on her toes. A bemused sneer crossed his face. Her kind are always turning on one another.
"Inspiring, sir," Rousseau said. "Let's hope the men are bolstered."
"I've offered a reward for victory. That's usually enough."
Both men returned their attention to the monitors. Minutes passed, quiet, tense minutes, as they waited to see if the broadcasts had any effect upon either side.
They were frustrating minutes to Antoine. Already his plans were badly disrupted. The empire he planned to build required the cruisers now in enemy hands. Even victory here might not be enough. But at least I can have revenge on Nguyen for causing this trouble. And I can rebuild when this is over. I will rebuild.
* * *
In the command center of the San Papa Gregorius, Tia watched the battle continue to unfold. The landing zones were all linked together now into a solid area, and their expansion brought their troops to both sides of the river. Each block was being fought for, and isolated units of the security forces continued resisting, even when cut off.
"It appears our oppressors don't believe us," Quan remarked. "Or they believe Rigault more."
"He made an effective point with his eye." Sarno's eyes were curious as she focused them on Tia. "You did shoot him?"
She nodded. "Sixteen years ago."
"In battle? Was he still fighting?"
"No. He was wounded," Tia admitted. "Defeated."
"So why?"
"Because he'd helped to kill my comrades," she replied bitterly. "He led the forces that nearly wiped us out. Linh and I were the only survivors."
Sarno bowed her head once. "So you shot him to avenge them?"
After a frustrated moment, Tia shook her head. "Not just that. He… he was an oppressor of my people, Mother Sarno. And we were going to lose, and he mocked our struggle. He mocked us all."
"Ah." Sarno nodded. "It may not surprise you to learn I have heard of this happening before."
"What do you mean?"
"That's the thing about violence," Sarno continued. "It becomes a cycle. The violent abuses you suffered under these corporations drove you to violence in turn, including shooting a helpless prisoner. He survived and took his rage out on your people, and ultimately, on you. Even now he provokes his people to fight beyond hope simply to spite you."
"Is this your way of telling me I shouldn't have shot him back then?"
Sarno shook her head. "No. I'm simply showing how I understand this process, because we Sisters have known it in our lives. Every Sister here, in this command center, or on this ship, or in the fighting around us, every one of them has experienced violence before. Before we took our vows."
"You're all ex-military, I know."
"Not all. Most, yes. But the point is that some of those in our Order did the same as you once did, Chairwoman. They were driven by violence until they fell into feeding the cycle as well." Sarno's eyes turned to an image of the planet. "It's not always an easy cycle to stop. That is why we pick our fights so carefully, and why we hold back the use of lethal force, because it would be against our oaths to feed that cycle."
"Violence will exist so long as capitalism and tyranny do," Quan said. "That can't be avoided."
"Perhaps not, but it can be resisted." Sarno glanced at Tia again. "Please remember that, Chairwoman."
Tia nodded.
"Chairwoman, we have an update from Xayaboury!"
All eyes went to the holographic display of the planet.
* * *
Antoine was the first to see it. The planetary map, with its conflicting blues and reds, alternated those colors for cities and towns known to be contested. Already too much of the map was red for his taste.
So was Schneiderbourg now.
"The HSF Office in Schneiderbourg was strongly held!" he snarled. "How did they fall so quickly?!"
Rousseau looked up from where he was consulting a message. "From what w
e can tell, Director, they didn't fall." He met Antoine's eyes calmly. "Colonel Lambert surrendered."
The news stoked Antoine's fury, such that his soul burned with rage. He's not even Hestian! Why is he surrendering?!
Indeed, it was becoming clear that this was only the largest such case. A few other towns and cities went red too, and on the map of Thyssenbourg, the small blocks of blue for units cut off in the enemy advance started to disappear. The red was expanding from the city's southern quadrant, heading steadily for the Commercial and Government districts, and less blue seemed to be in the way now.
"Their orbiting fire support has proven quite capable," noted Rousseau. "The cruisers they took from your station are firing, well, I'm told it's Matrinid weaponry."
Yes. Nguyen has turned my ships against me. I should have killed her, Rene's amnesty plans be damned!
"Our forces are still holding," Rousseau said. "But we may need to consolidate troops until reinforcements arrive from other systems."
"In what way?" Antoine asked.
"I would propose we withdraw to the northeast of the city," Rousseau said. "In the warehouse district. We can establish a defensive perimeter and await reinforcements from other systems."
"No." Antoine shook his head furiously. "If we do so, we abandon the capital. Nguyen's momentum will be unstoppable after that." And she will have all of my ships. "We must push her back here and now."
"We have reinforcements coming up to hold, but unless we do something about their fire support…."
"Something will be done, that I promise you," Antoine said.
"Oh?" Rousseau was clearly skeptical. "What?"
"Director, General!" The female officer's voice filled the bunker. "We have new contacts jumping into the lunar L5 point!"
The two men turned their attention to the holotank displaying the solar system. A host of new contacts showed not far from Hestia.
Breach of Trust: Breach of Faith Book Four Page 37