Binding Force

by Loren L. Coleman

  Whether K’ung-fu-tzu or Confucius, it was still Master K’ung, and Aris knew all the sage’s speeches and writings. Many of those teachings were at the heart of House Hiritsu, as important to its way of life as the Lorix Order. Teachings that defined the cardinal relationships, whether between superior and inferior, and those that dealt with relations between equals. To know your place in life was the core of Confucianism. Obey superiors. Treat inferiors virtuously. And always, always, be respectful of another’s station in life, regardless of its level.

  Aris had vowed to live by those codes the day he joined House Hiritsu. They acted as a good check on his other vows, those of the Lorix Order that drove him to excel at being a warrior. Between the two, war was justified but tempered with reason. Those vows and others helped to define the Warrior House, both within itself and in relation to its place in the Capellan Confederation.

  The cotton shirt Li had loaned Aris was too small for him, and it pulled at his shoulders, but Aris shrugged away the discomfort. The boy would return to the park soon, with newly purchased, or stolen, shirt and thongs. Aris couldn’t help of thinking of him as almost a child, though Li Wynn was at least nineteen or twenty Terran Standard years of age. Li seemed to be the person Aris would have been destined to become had he not managed to become adopted into House Hiritsu. That had made him grow up fast. Li hadn’t been given that benefit, and Aris doubted that Li had ever known anything other than the streets.

  He heard the soft, rasping brush of sneakers against concrete a moment before he noticed a wavering in the statue’s shadow. Someone was trying to approach from behind, using the statue to mask his own shadow. Aris couldn’t be sure if Li Wynn was trying to impress him, or if the street raff routinely tested himself this way. He wanted to believe the latter, but either way it wouldn’t do to let it pass unnoticed.

  “Too anxious, Li Wynn. You can never let impatience get the better of you.”

  A pair of black thongs dropped to the concrete beside Aris, and he looked up. Li Wynn stood behind him, a dark shirt clutched in his right hand. He gave Aris a reluctant nod. “Sorry it took so long.”

  Aris stood and quickly pulled off the shirt Li had loaned him and handed it back. “I’m in no position to be choosy. Again, I appreciate your offer of assistance.” Aris took out the wallet he’d liberated from the couple on the beach and pulled out two twenty C-bill notes. “This should cover the purchase.”

  Li Wynn never mentioned that the amount certainly tripled the purchase cost, and it raised Aris’ estimate of the younger man another notch. What wasn’t said could sometimes be as important as what was. “Where will you go now?” Li asked.

  “Into town,” Aris answered vaguely. “I’ve got some other purchases to make. I was”—he paused and forced a grin—“forced to leave most of my belongings elsewhere.”

  “You’re new to Tarrahause.”

  Aris’ grin faded. The kid was pushing for information, and Aris still wasn’t sure how far he should go with Li Wynn. Then again, a street contact was nothing to throw away lightly. “What makes you think so?”

  It was Li’s turn to grin. “If you were connected around here, I’d know you.”

  He probably would at that. Aris remembered his own days on the street, when survival meant recognizing by face who was an undercover dick and who you could turn to for advice—advice properly paid for, of course. “Okay, I’m not from around here. But I might be here for awhile, which means I’ll have to get settled in and bone up on any local… customs.” Meaning whose toes am I likely to step on? Aris was properly concerned. If there was any organized criminal activity in Tarrahause, they could be onto him faster than the police. They wouldn’t automatically turn him in, but they would do what they considered the best for themselves. Aris would do well to get on friendly terms.

  Li pursed his lips, as if trying to decide how far he should trust Aris. “Well, for starters you’re in prime hunting ground. The beaches are easy pickings, but this area is also fairly well patrolled by the local Djing-cha. And before long we might be under martial law, which is never good for business.”

  Aris nodded his understanding. Martial law meant that thieves could be shot on the spot. It meant curfews and a military presence on the streets. “I heard about all the trouble. Any idea how long it might last?”

  “Franklin has already fallen. Beijing don’t look good, according to the Mahabohdi news station.” Li shook his head. “This General Fallon—she leads the Kaifeng SMM—she’s already ordered communications cut off between the three district cities. We can only get news directly through Mahabohdi now.”

  That wasn’t good. A communications blackout would seriously hinder Aris’ ability to get in touch with Battalion Commander Non. “I imagine that doesn’t apply to ComStar stations, though.”

  “Not directly,” Li Wynn said. “But ComStar has instituted one of their infamous rate hikes.”

  That figured. So I’ll need to acquire some extra funds first, but then I should be able to reach someone in House Hiritsu through Franklin. A day. Maybe two. “Got any clue where I can find a cheap place to lay low for a couple days?” he asked. Aris felt himself falling easily into the intonations and language of the streets.

  “Grab an uptown bus. Once you cross Fiftieth Street, you’re in the Zone.”

  Aris didn’t have to ask what that was. Every city had its poorer section, always given some almost affectionate nickname by those who had no choice but to live there. “Thanks again, Li. I owe you.”

  Li hesitated, again as if trying to read how much he should tell Aris. “Look. If you’re needing some action, find a place called Monte’s. I gotta run some errands, touch some bases. If anything pans out, maybe I can cut you in.”

  Aris thought the younger man too trusting by half. But he wasn’t about to give him a lecture this time. “Monte’s. I’ll remember that.” He pulled the wallet out of his pocket, removed a handful of bills, and then handed the wallet to Li. “Do me a favor and ditch this somewhere, will you?”

  “You got it.”

  Aris moved off then. He’d left another twenty C-bill in the wallet, a fact Li would certainly discover before throwing the billfold away. Loyalty couldn’t be bought on the streets; anyone who’d ever lived on them knew that. But nothing generated enlightened self-interest like a generous, hand-out. Aris was sure he’d see Li Wynn again. Maybe by then he’d have a better idea of the situation on Kaifeng. Because if he couldn’t solve the communications problem soon, he’d be forced to act on his own.

  And that frightened Aris more than anything else that had happened to him on this planet so far.

  15

  Beijing Aerodrome, Beijing

  Beijing District, Kaifeng

  Sarna Supremacy, Chaos March

  22 July 3058

  The administrative building adjoined the main hangar of the Beijing Aerodrome. The Dainwu, or Great Tiger, House Hiritsu’s Overlord Class DropShip, sat on a ferrocrete pad outside the hangar, its thirty-six-story height dwarfing everything around it. Six BattleMechs patrolled the airfield’s perimeter. Closer in, two platoons of Hiritsu infantry surrounded the hangar and admin building.

  The building’s small conference room could seat only six people. Battalion Commander Non, Infantry Commander Jessup, and the three BattleMech company leaders—now including Terry Chan—sat at the table. Each company leader had also brought one lance leader, but since the table couldn’t seat them all, they stood behind their respective commanders. Terry Chan had brought Jill McDaniels, recently elevated to lance leader with Aris’ disappearance. An interesting choice, in Ty’s opinion. Technically, it should have been Raven Clearwater. But, then, perhaps Terry Chan hadn’t wanted to leave the bulk of her company, even in a stand-down, under the command of her most junior lance leader.

  Ty stood behind his chair, having already ordered the others to be seated. He leaned on its back, hands pressing into the vinyl covering. There were congratulations to be handed out an
d admonishments to be made, neither of which he particularly wanted to deal with now but knew were expected of him in his role as House Master. The first order of business, though, was to ascertain the status of a missing son of the House.

  “Company Leader Chan. Your report said that Aris Sung was lost crossing the Jinxiang, but there was no positive evidence of death. Is Aris Sung missing or deceased?”

  Terry Chan raked fingers back through her short hair. “I would have to say missing, Battalion Commander. Several of us saw his Wraith enter the Jinxiang, but it seemed to be caused by a failed jump rather than from a killing blow. We held the bridgehead as long as seemed safe, and then pulled back, as per his final orders. One lance of the Kaifeng SMM linked up with the mercenaries and kept pushing us further away. If Aris survived, I would surmise that he was either captured or no longer has a BattleMech. Either way, of little use to us at this time.”

  Ty Wu Non kept his face carefully neutral. He had always resented Aris Sung, first for the way the younger man had entered service to House Hiritsu and second for his superior performance in his duties. If Ty had not been assigned as Mentor to the street urchin—if, say, James or Lindell had—it could just as easily have been one of the other company leaders who’d risen to the position of House Master. Ty would prefer to think he had reached this position through his own ability, but Aris was a constant reminder that he’d had help. That he’d needed that help.

  But Ty Wu Non would be House Master now, barring incident, and a House Master could not afford the petty jealousies and rivalries that raged quietly among younger members of the House, just as between the members of any family. Virginia York had taught him that. Not in so many words, but by the even-handedness of her leadership. Ty swore he would try to live up to her standards.

  “All right, Aris Sung is to be considered missing in action. If he’s still alive, no doubt he will attempt to communicate with us. Everyone”—he paused, making direct eye contact with Terry Chan—“everyone is to remain alert for any such attempt.” Ty ignored the slight flush that rose to Chan’s face. He didn’t like singling her out, but he also knew how strong the temptation might be to ignore any signal from Aris. Would I have done that? No, he did not want to believe he would.

  “Status report,” he snapped out, forcing his mind away from such thoughts and drawing the immediate attention of his command staff. “The plans laid out by Aris Sung have worked reasonably well, perhaps even commendably considering the early loss of House Master York and Kaifeng’s obvious preparations against us. Company Leader Lindell has effectively shut down Franklin District and taken control of the city, all according to our original schedule. Thom?”

  Thom Lindell rocked his chair back on two legs while studiously blanking his face. Ty knew the report would be dry and almost monotone. He could appreciate the other’s personal control, but was always left with the impression that something important could be left out and no one would ever know it.

  “We had to contend with a single lance of the Kaifeng SMM, supported by a lance of mercenaries and a strengthened armored company,” Thom Lindell began, each word delivered with the same precise intonation. “Aris’ plan predicted their actions perfectly. We took control of the major shipping routes for their major crops of rice, fruits, and vegetables. When those stopped flowing into the city, it drew out the mercenaries. From interrogations we knew that only a single SMM lance held the city of Franklin. We forced the confrontation and seized it in a single day.”

  “Company Leader Lindell’s detailed report on tactics employed by both sides is on disk,” Ty informed them. “I suggest you all review it on your way back to your commands.” He looked to Lindell again. “Force disposition?”

  “I do not expect Leftenant General Fallon will try to retake Franklin,” Lindell said. “We are well-established behind the city defenses, and she has problems closer at hand to consider. I left six of my BattleMechs and an infantry company to hold the city. The rest await reassignment.”

  Ty nodded his acceptance of the report. “Well done, Thorn.” He was glad Lindell was not overly ambitious. Such rock-steady competence could have placed him above Non, Aris Sung or no.

  “The Beijing assault has not proceeded according to schedule,” Ty continued, “but as of eleven hundred hours this morning we are finally in control of the district. By using the Dainwu for air control, we were able to push those damn aerospace fighters back into Mahabohdi. Our ’Mech forces knocked out two Kaifeng lances and repelled a full mercenary company, which we believe has also fallen back into Mahabohdi. The Kaifeng SMM lances were waiting for us along the shipping routes, which suggests they knew where we planned to strike.”

  Ty glanced over at Company Leader Jason James. “Quick action on the part of Company Leader James saved us from taking severe losses. He tricked three enemy units into jumping toward swampy terrain, where they got mired down. Good work, Jason.”

  James nodded, one side of his mouth twitching up in a smile. Then he sobered as an earlier comment finally hit home. “How did they know we were coming?”

  “That is the question. Terry Chan reports a similar occurrence in Tarrahause, and of course there’s the matter of the aerospace ambush that hit us as we passed Nochen. Anyone have an answer?”

  Terry was quick to respond. “Whoever assassinated House Master York had to be a professional, possibly FedCom MHO still in place when Sarna went independent. They could have gotten a message through that we missed.”

  Ty Wu Non nodded. “That has been considered. I sent a message up to the station last night. They’re reviewing all transmission logs. And SMM prisoner interrogations all say the same thing, that order came directly from General Fallon. So no help there. Any other ideas?”

  “Well…”

  Ty turned to Lance Leader McDaniels. “Yes, Jill? You have something?”

  The newly promoted lance leader shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other. Then she seemed to become conscious of her hesitant attitude and quickly snapped herself to a more dignified posture.

  “This is based on little more than rumor,” she said. “But there are those questionable assignments given out by House Master Ion Rush in the last few months.” McDaniels glanced around, saw that she had everyone’s attention. “I mean, there’s speculation that these were designed to weaken Warrior Houses whose loyalty to the Chancellor might be in doubt.”

  Ty picked up on her train of thought. “And you think perhaps the esteemed Ion Rush has set us up?” He shook his head slightly. “I wouldn’t put such tactics past him, Jill, but I don’t think he’d play a game like that in this situation. We’re not involved in a mere exercise here. This is a well-defined military operation with a goal that is important to the state.”

  Thorn Lindell leaned forward almost imperceptibly. “Regardless of where the betrayal came from, have we taken the early warning into account when predicting Sarna reinforcements?”

  Ty felt himself tense up as he considered how much he should tell them. Then he decided not to hold back. “Two days ago, if all went according to plan, three of the Confederation’s new warships came out from under wraps and jumped into the Sarna system. Their DropShips are carrying fighters only. Sarna is under a blockade that will be tightened over the next week. House Master Ion Rush promised House Master York a full month. It would take Sarna that long to organize any kind of break-out attempt against warships.”

  Several people started to speak at once, then all fell back into silence rather than continue the discourtesy of trying to talk over some else. After a suitable pause, Company Leader James leaned forward and continued for all of them. “Three warships? That’s almost everything the Confederation’s got. Isn’t that risky?” Several others around the room nodded agreement with the question.

  “The risk was deemed minor. These ships needed a proper test of their abilities. They have ample fighter cover to help protect them, and all three are continuously updating jump solutions. They’re under ord
er to abandon their fighters if necessary to ensure their survival.” Ty paused, hoping for the proper dramatic effect. “I’ve reviewed the plans, and I believe the blockade will work.”

  He watched as the faces of his people visibly relaxed, and an inner glow warmed him. As it had been with House Master York, his assurance was enough for his people. He thought he saw some small flicker of doubt in the eyes of Terry Chan, but wrote that off to what she knew was coming.

  “Next order of business,” he said, his voice stronger, “Tarrahause.” He let a harsh note bleed into his tone. “Company Leader Terry Chan, what is going on over there?” Ty wasn’t looking forward to this part. No matter what was said, he was sure he was going to have to reprimand Chan. The daughter of two House Hiritsu warriors killed in battle, she’d been an able and worthy protégé over the last several years. Ty had sponsored her adoption into the House, and if not for Aris Sung, would have taken her as his personal student. But Ty could no longer maintain such an active interest in one person’s career, and her assumption of command in the Tarrahause District made her responsible for the failure to secure it.

  Terry Chan knew how to accept that responsibility. Back straight and shoulders squared, she faced her battalion commander. “We have failed to take the initiative in Tarrahause. As mentioned earlier, they seemed to know what we were about. Mercenary forces supported by Von Luckners hit us at the port terminal. Then a full Kaifeng SMM company ambushed us at the river crossing. Our ’Mechs were torn up by concentrated fire and Thunder munitions, so I fell back into the jungle rather than continue to push what had become a bad position.

  “We never got the chance to retake the offensive. The SMM commander knew he had us, and pressed his advantage. A Kaifeng SMM scout lance hooked up with the mercenary force that had been following our backtrail and pressed us well outside our field of operations. That was when I called in the Lao-Tzu for pick-up. Since then we’ve been rearmoring and rearming.”