Binding Force

by Loren L. Coleman

  Ty Wu Non fixed her with a penetrating stare. “A direct assault against Tarrahause, before the elimination of defending forces, deviated from the House plan.” He did not elaborate, wanting to see how she would handle the politically treacherous ground.

  “Company Leader Aris Sung re-interpreted the plan due to the unexpected presence of garrison troops in the field. He believed we could reach Tarrahause ahead of them and defeat what was sure to be a small garrison force in the city. He was mistaken.” She paused. Hedged. “To be fair, I would not have expected a full Kaifeng SMM company either. Especially sitting outside the city. And the basic thrust of the plan, after all, was to pull forces from the city so we could take it with less opposition.”

  Good. Ty Wu Non was pleased. Terry Chan could have taken the opportunity to launch a scathing indictment of Aris’ tactics. But instead she offered some amount of support for her previous lance leader. By lessening Aris’ mistake, she lessened the eventual punishment that would now fall on her, in his place.

  “Tarrahause might well become the key to this operation,” he said. “Company Leader James and I are still evaluating the cost of a direct assault against Mahabohdi, but the initial estimates are not acceptable. We assume at least one company of Kaifeng SMM, Leftenant General Fallon’s command company, will remain in the city for its defense. We know of one mercenary company that has pulled back into the city, and there could easily be another waiting in there as well. And as long as foodstuffs continue to flow into Mahabohdi from Tarrahause, the enemy has no reason to force a confrontation with us. They will sit and await reinforcement from Sarna, whether it takes one month or six. We don’t have the aerospace assets to shut down the shipping. We must take Tarrahause.”

  Now that he had everyone focused on the goal, it was time to reorganize what had effectively become a stalled offensive. “Company Leader Lindell, take your demi-company and link up with Terry Chan’s forces in Tarrahause. Company Leader Chan, you are to consider yourself reprimanded. You will continue to lead your company, but Thom will be the senior officer present and you will report directly to him.” Terry nodded curtly, accepting the rebuke without argument. He decided to overlook the naked anger that flashed in her eyes.

  Ty nodded back. A few days ago, he would have followed that with an Is that clear? Now he no longer felt the need. He was learning. If he was to be House Master, he couldn’t be relying on such clarifiers to remind the others of his authority. He either had it, or he did not. He remembered the confrontation with Aris Sung, so soon after Virginia York’s death. Ty had been heavy-handed there, bringing too much of his personal feeling into the conversation. He hoped that he knew better now.

  “Lance Leader James and I will continue to strengthen our defense around Beijing. We’re quite close to Mahabohdi here, so a counterattack is a real threat. Also, I want at least a full company on station and ready to take advantage of any weakness in Mahabohdi’s defenses.”

  He paused, eyes sweeping the room. “Now, I have one final piece of business that might affect everyone’s strategies.” So listen up. Again, he didn’t feel the need to say it.

  “There is a major holiday only three days from now. The Dragon Boat Festival. Those of you who follow the Chinese lunar calendar will know that, according to the Terran Standard calendar, the official holiday is some weeks off. Kaifeng has a shorter year than Terra, though, and this holiday is based in old fertility rites. Kaifeng has adjusted the date in accordance with their own crop-growing season. In three days, yang and yin begin to change over, and Kaifeng asks for a seventy-two-hour cease-fire to conduct their ceremonies, beginning at midnight tomorrow night. The request came in six hours ago from Planetary Governor Teresa Larsen, on behalf of the people of Kaifeng.

  “Let me explain why we will honor this request,” Ty said, forestalling any questions. “The Liao family takes great pride in its Chinese heritage. And while they have not actively fostered the old religions, you all know that every Chancellor has encouraged the celebration of the traditional Chinese holidays. That is because the people need a periodic release. Now, part of our goal here is to pacify Kaifeng and return it to the Capellan fold. We must show the common people that their lives will not suffer dramatic changes under our rule.” Ty smiled. “This gives us that opportunity.

  “However, I believe we can also find further advantage in this event. So here is what I propose. We organize a major offensive against Tarrahause, to commence at nineteen hundred hours tomorrow night. That gives us five hours before the start of the cease-fire. If we’re in luck, the enemy commander won’t be expecting an attack so close to the cease-fire.”

  Ty paused, waiting. Thom Lindell picked up on the idea first. “The offensive couldn’t hope to take the city in so short a time, but it could hurt the defenders immensely.” He nodded, an uncharacteristic gesture of approval from him, then he looked straight at Ty. “We time our attack to stop just short of midnight?” Ty nodded. “And if their troops fire at us while we’re withdrawing?”

  Ty’s earlier smile returned. “I’m hoping for exactly that. If they fire at us after zero-hundred, then they’ve broken the cease-fire and we can press the offensive right into the city. And we can lay the blame on the Kaifeng SMM or their mercenary friends.”

  Everyone nodded their admiration of the plan and the meeting was dismissed. Ty Wu Non held Thom Lindell and Terry Chan to their places by eye contact alone. After the others had filed out, he gave each a single nod. “I expect that offensive to press in after midnight. I don’t care how,” he said, voice almost a whisper, “but this could be the chance we need. Find a way to make them break that cease-fire.”

  16

  The Zone, Tarrahause

  Tarrahause District, Kaifeng

  Sarna Supremacy, Chaos March

  23 July 3058

  Aris slumped back in his seat, one hand curled tight around his glass and the other hidden conspicuously under the table as if he had a weapon concealed. He stared down into the dark liquid. Every minute or so his eyes lifted briefly to scan the room, looking for danger or opportunity and never inviting company. It was both an appearance and an attitude, neither of which was unfamiliar to the patrons of this bar. That was the kind of place Monte’s was, and Aris was beginning to feel much too comfortable there.

  It had surprised him how quickly he was able to fit in among the residents of the Zone’s downtrodden but streetwise citizens. The place and people were eerily reminiscent of his early life on Randar. He still felt alone, unused to being separated from the family of House Hiritsu. But he no longer felt afraid or out of place.

  Aris searched the dimly lit bar again. From his booth he had a clear view of both doors and most of the room. This was a hangout for the younger crowd, and as the clock ticked away into late afternoon, business was beginning to pick up. Still no sign of Li Wynn, though Li had promised to return within two to three hours. Had to check on some business prospects, he’d said. Aris saw a few others he’d been introduced to over the last few days, but they went about their business and left Aris to his.

  Three days. Aris had spent that first day picking up spending money and acquiring something other than beach clothes. He had also discovered that something so simple as a visiphone call wasn’t going to get through to Franklin or Beijing, so scratch that plan. The next day he’d tried amateur radio, only to discover that anything with the power to reach Beijing was monitored. And of course no local radios would be configured for the Hiritsu radio net. Trying to buy radio crystals that covered the appropriate frequency bands, those reserved for military use, would raise way too much suspicion. Aris would have to steal them, or else have Li hook him up with whatever passed as the local black market.

  ComStar had washed out yesterday afternoon. With House Hiritsu in control of Franklin and Beijing, the fate of Kaifeng no longer seemed certain. ComStar had opted out of the conflict, determined to remain neutral for fear of angering whichever was the final winner. Oh, they still pro
vided off-world communication, the rates for HPG messages appropriately adjusted for what they called Hazardous Area Transmissions. But they refused to provide any inter-city communication. Aris could try relaying a signal to Randar and back to Franklin, but that would take more time and, of course, more money.

  He cursed softly into his drink. He remembered when ComStar had been a little more confident—a bit more aggressive. Now Word of Blake apparently had them worried, especially since the Blakists had recently taken Terra away from them. With HPG communication no longer a ComStar monopoly, it was better for business to remain neutral than back the losing side. Aris remembered all the old complaints about ComStar arrogance, and everyone’s wish that someone would provide some competition and put ComStar in their place. Now they’d gotten their wish.

  He’d decided to wait one more day. Possibly he could purchase an amateur radio transmitter and modify it himself. If Li could get the crystals for any kind of reasonable price. If not, Aris would have to steal a vehicle and leave Tarrahause in order to search out warriors of his House. He’d almost left today. Would have, in fact, except for the news that both the Kaifeng SMM company and Jacob’s Juggernauts—the mercenary forces assigned to Tarrahause’s protection—had returned from the field.

  Li had explained why. Told him all about the seventy-two-hour cease-fire that went into effect at midnight this night. Preparations for the festival were underway. Aris had seen people hanging the bright red banners always used for Chinese festivals around the city. He wasn’t exactly sure why Ty Wu Non would agree to such a ceasefire, but if he had, then House Hiritsu would honor its agreement. But it wouldn’t surprise him at all if Ty was planning to launch some kind of special strike tonight, timing it very close to the start of the cease-fire.

  Lost in these thoughts, Aris didn’t spot Li Wynn until the youth was halfway across the floor to his booth. Aris sat up straight and answered Li’s easy nod with one of his own. He kept most of his attention over the younger man’s left shoulder, watching the front door and the rest of the bar while trusting Li to keep watch over the other half.

  “Sorry that took so long, Aris. Things were a bit hectic at the office.”

  Aris smiled at the thin attempt at humor. “You said there might be work available. Better than working the crowds tomorrow at the lake?” He needed money and thought he might find good pickings when people flocked to the lakeside for the dragon boat races.

  “Much better.” Li’s eyes were wide and alive with excitement, his nostrils flaring, mouth twitching at the corners. Aris read him easily, and knew that the kid believed what he was saying. Also, that he had something major in mind, perhaps a bit out of his league. “Maybe enough to get me off this backwater world. And there’s room for others.”

  Aris caught the offer, but paused a moment to consider. He still didn’t know much more about Li Wynn than he had two days ago. “I’ll want to know more about the job,” he said, finally making up his mind.

  Li slid out of the booth. “C’mon. Gotta move on this now. We’ll talk as we ride.”

  There were three others besides them, already waiting in a car out front. All young, and all nervously excited. Li introduced the driver as Kyle, just Kyle. Aris understood. First names only, probably because he was new. Li didn’t offer the names of anyone else as the car pulled away from Monte’s and turned onto a major street that would quickly take them out of the Zone. Aris noticed a lot of traffic moving the other way. “What’s the score?” he asked.

  “The word finally came down,” Li explained. “These Hiritsu warriors are going to launch a raid against the city within a few hours. We’ve been expecting them to do something before the cease-fire, and had almost given up on it. Apparently they expect to catch us napping.”

  House Hiritsu raiding Tarrahause? Aris wanted to howl his frustration. If he’d known this earlier, he could have timed it with bringing his Wraith up from the lake bottom. Now there was no time. “How sure are you of this information?” he asked.

  “Got it straight from a ’Mech jock’s mouth. Normally someone hangs out at this little club they all go to, the Gold Pavilion, eavesdropping on the conversations. That’s how we keep in touch with what the military’s up to. Well, since we knew this one was coming, I had a little talk with a technician who works for those mercs, the Juggernauts, we got in the city right now. She hooked me up with a ’Mech jock who clued me to the plans. All for a price, of course.” Li reached forward and slapped Kyle on the shoulder. “Hey, turn here.”

  The car swerved onto a side street, heading into a business district along the west side of town. Again the traffic was heavier moving in the opposite direction, but Aris paid that little attention. He was trying to figure out how to get a message to his people. Contacting the infantry might be possible—if they were part of the operation and if he could find the incursion point. But the borders of Tarrahause included a dozen kilometers of lakefront and a couple dozen more stretching out into the nearby farmland.

  “So anyway,” Li continued, “we’ll let the metal monsters kick open a few businesses for us and then it’s shopping time.”

  Aris raised an eyebrow. “That’s great, if you can find the assault point fast enough, and then keep from getting yourself killed.”

  “Find it?” Li laughed. “Aris, we’re there.”

  Aris looked around. Other than some heavy traffic heading deeper into the city, he saw nothing amiss. Standard two-way street with two- to three-story buildings to either side. Businesses were closed, though it seemed a bit early. “I have to say, this is the quietest battle zone I’ve ever”—he paused, about to say been in—“heard about.”

  “Well, they ain’t here yet, my friend. This is where they’ll make the diversionary attack. I guess the Capellans are hoping to pull off any active patrols around the ’Mech yards. Meanwhile, their main thrust will try to hit the ’Mech yards and the Tarrahause aerodrome at the northeast edge of the city. Hey! There’s one of our rust-buckets now.”

  Aris followed the pointing finger. At the next intersection, a 30-ton Hermes II stood astride the cross street. It showed the crest of Jacob’s Juggernauts and its head turned slowly from side to side as if searching for something. Apparently making up its mind, the ’Mech stepped into an alleyway that ran behind a four-story parking garage and then kneeled down out of view. Looking for a parking spot, Aris thought. Setting up another ambush? But how? “I don’t understand,” he said, mostly to himself, though Li picked up on it.

  “What’s not to understand?” He clapped Aris on the shoulder. “One of the mercenary lances is hiding nearby, ready to pop out and tag the Capellans in the middle of the diversionary raid. We’ll hide in manholes until the fun has passed us. Then we crawl out and hit ‘targets of opportunity’, as the ’Mech jocks say.”

  Li leaned into the front seat. “See if you can find a Vulcan around here,” he told the driver. “It’s this real ugly thing with a round head, skinny body, and barrel-like arms. If it’s not within, say, two or three blocks, we’ll come back and stake this beastie out.” Li settled back into his seat. “The Vulcan belongs to our mercenary friend,” he explained to Aris. “He’s been paid off to kick in the side of jewelry stores and the like.”

  Aris grabbed his young associate by the arm, hard. “Li, what’s going on? It’s one thing to expect an attack. Maybe scouts or air patrols can clue you that one’s imminent. But it’s quite another thing to know exactly where the diversionary attacks will be staged.” Aris’ mind swam. Could it be intercepted transmissions? Aerial reconnaissance?

  Li’s answering chuckle drove those thoughts from his mind. “Man, you are out of touch. The Kaifeng SMM knows hours or even days in advance every move the Capellans make around Tarrahause. Maybe even Beijing. The MechWarriors have been talking about little else.”

  “But how is that possible?” Aris unconsciously tightened his grip.

  Li pulled his arm away and rubbed at the sore spot in the middle of his bicep
. “What’s wrong with you? The Capellans got an informer among them, of course. One of their MechWarriors.” He read Aris’ stunned expression and laughed again. “Yeah, it’s a riot, huh?”

  17

  Tarrahause

  Tarrahause District, Kaifeng

  Sarna Supremacy, Chaos March

  23 July 3058

  By the yellow glare of the street lamp, the interior of the parking garage looked like the gutted ruin of a building, its ferrocrete walls the white-gray of old bones. A waist-high wall was all that separated each of the four parking levels from the street outside.

  Aris eased Kyle’s car up the last ramp of the garage. He was running without lights and had kept well back from the north side of the building, the alley side where the Hermes II crouched in hiding. Next to him on the front seat, five large glass bottles rolled and clinked together. Aris could smell the paint thinner-soaked rags that stoppered each molotov cocktail, the caustic scent stabbing into his sinuses and making his head ache.

  Kyle and Li Wynn had been unable to find the Vulcan quickly, and so had abandoned the car just down the street from the Hermes II. Each person was handed a metal tool suitable for pulling a manhole cover, and then sent to different intersections where they could hide. The drill was a simple one. Wait for the noise to pass, then pop out and do some discount shopping.

  Aris had his own plans. He had doubled back to the car and hot-wired it, then quickly driven to a nearby hardware store and on to a small market. The glass bottles had held vinegar before being emptied. Industrial-strength paint thinner mixed with liquid detergent made a poor-man’s napalm. A roll of duct tape, a disposable lighter, and a broken broom handle completed his shopping. He hurried as much as possible, worried that House Hiritsu might start its attack before he could get into position.