Resort to violence only as an absolute last resort.
History has demonstrated time and time again that strategic nonviolence can be, and usually is, more effective than open hostility. Since the government in question already has a standing army to enforce their will, violence does little more than increase casualties, demoralize the rebellion, and weaken the movement. Creative nonviolence can undermine even the strongest government if it is done correctly.
There may come a time, however, when fighting is the only option.
When this becomes the case, use extreme caution.
* * *
Bryan and Matt ducked down, sitting against the wall of one of the shops, watching as a steady stream of masked men and women hurried down the road toward the center of the city.
"Whatever this is," Matt said to Bryan, "It came from the General Assembly. If they go through with this, it could ruin everything."
"We haven't even had a chance to see the new constitution."
"I don't think they have any interest in that anymore."
The scene in front of them was chaos and disorder. The crowds seemed endless, pouring onto the streets and toward the center of the city. They attacked shops and cars and anyone caught on the street. There was no limit, and their anger and hate seemed boundless.
Matt got up, and Bryan hurried after him.
"Where are you going?" he asked. Matt stopped and turned to him.
"We have to get to the College. Our biggest priority now is that we keep civilians safe. The Jacobins planned to bring civilians to the College in the event of an attack."
Bryan hurried after him. The sounds of riots and the sight of fires scattered intermittently across the city. They did their best to avoid it as they made their way to the College. When they were just outside, Bryan stopped in his tracks, as a frightening thought raced through his mind. Matt stopped and turned to him.
"Bryan? What's wrong?"
"Marie," he said, almost in a whisper. He looked up at Matt, "I have to find Marie.
She might be in danger."
Matt looked at the College, the various buildings sitting dark and cold in the blaze of the city, and turned back to Bryan.
"Find her, and her father if possible, and bring them here. I have to stay here, but if you bring them here, we will protect them." Bryan nodded.
"But for God's sake, be careful," said Matt sternly. Bryan hugged Matt, and both went their separate ways.
Shouts and cries echoed all across the city as Bryan ran toward Marie's home. He was a block away when he saw someone running his direction. It was Marie. He called out to her, and they embraced on the dark street.
Marie looked at Bryan with tears in her eyes.
"My dad and I were going to hide out until this was over, but I couldn't leave without making sure you were safe."
"We're taking refuge at the College; the two of you should come with us."
"Where did this even come from?" she asked, "This isn't the Jacobins, is it?"
"No, never. The General Assembly is doing this. They didn't even bother to warn us
first."
Marie looked around as if expecting someone to be listening in. The streets were empty and the houses were dark. The noise of the commotion filled the air, and yet the two of them were alone. She leaned in toward Bryan as if to tell him a secret. "The Eastern District has fallen." Bryan couldn't believe his ears.
"They've taken over? Did the Landowners even put up a fight?"
"Of course, they did," said Marie, almost insulted, "They aren't going to give up their homes without a fight."
Bryan looked to the east, as an image of a map appeared in his mind.
"The Eastern District is just a couple miles away, right? We can take this road and cross the river into it, right?"
"Well, yes, but…"
"Marie," Bryan grabbed her shoulders, his mind bursting with possibilities, "What if I met with them? What if I met with one of the leaders and tried to reason with them? I could tell them that when the fight is over, we have a constitution and a set of rules that can be followed when this is over. Do you think they'll listen?"
Marie shook her head skeptically. She looked like she wanted to believe it, but couldn't bring herself to do so.
"I'm… I'm not sure."
"I have to try," said Bryan, letting go, "The whole movement has led up to this. I have to try, at least."
He ran toward the east when he heard Marie call after him.
"Bryan, wait!"
He turned to her.
"Marie, please, go to the College, you and your Dad. Matt will take you in and…"
"No, Bryan, I'm coming with you. I've been to the district; I can help you find your way."
Bryan hesitated, but only for a moment.
"OK, but stay close."
* * *
The General Assembly made their headquarters in one of the many mansions that sat in the city's Eastern District. The area made it an ideal base from which they could oversee their attack; an attack that, Bryan knew, would prove to be a regrettable mistake.
He ran with Marie through the streets of the Eastern District.
Several in the General Assembly spoke to one another of Glenn Mansion, an impromptu headquarters set up by the rebellion. As they moved into the district, Bryan could tell they were getting closer. The streets became more chaotic as they got closer. While most homes had their lights out, some were alive with people, looking out at the streets. Further, windows on homes stood broken and shattered. Cars were damaged beyond repair. Bryan felt nervous as he saw a few homes had caught fire. He did not like the injustice of it. He didn't like that most citizens needed to live in dark, brokendown buildings throughout the city while the Landowners took everything else. Still, he felt resentment at General Assembly toward expressing their anger this way. If anything, they were doing more harm than good.
They arrived at Glenn Mansion and saw the dozens of people going in and out. Some carried supplies, much of which was likely looted from the house, while others barked orders at small groups. Bryan and Marie ran inside. The home was well lit, and Bryan knew immediately that it was the finest home he'd ever been in. Its high ceilings and carefully renovated rooms rivaled that of even the College.
In the center of the room was a large mahogany desk. Behind it sat Dorian, barking orders to anyone and everyone. A constant stream of rebels went across the room, and in and out of the building, like an elaborately choreographed march that Dorian conducted. He demanded answers and updates, pointed and shouted orders, so much so that he hardly noticed Bryan and Marie. When Bryan approached him, however, he looked up and greeted them with a sinister smile.
"Mr. Creed," he said, "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"Dorian, you launched an attack?" Bryan demanded, "You didn't even bother to tell the Jacobins? Do you even have a plan for when the attack is over?"
He looked down, and shook his head, as though disappointed. When he looked up, Bryan noticed that the movement in the room slowed to a crawl.
"We delayed the attack as long as we could, but we couldn't wait any longer. The longer we wait, the stronger the Council becomes."
"But this?" Bryan gestured around him, "I hate what the Landowners have done as much as you do, but this makes us just as bad as them."
"What do you mean by us?" asked Dorian, tilting his head to the side, "The order that's been sent out to the General Assembly is to eliminate all enemies of the revolution."
Marie stepped forward.
"And who is that?"
He turned his eyes toward her.
"ALL enemies of the revolution," he spit the words out at them, as though their meaning was not clear."
"What's that supposed to…"
Bryan's words stopped in his mouth. He backed up slowly, as the realization dawned on him.
"No… you're not…"
"Yes," Dorian said softly, nodding his head. He looked around the room. All around them, the members in the room, some of whom Bryan had known, stood staring at them.
"Don't you all have work to do?" Dorian called out, and like a switch, the commotion resumed. They went to and from within the mansion and called out orders and inquiries to one another.
"We…" Bryan tried to speak, but fear rose up inside of him, "We aren't your enemy.
We fought with you. We only wanted…"
"You didn't fight at all," he said shortly. Coldly, and calmly, Dorian got up, walked around the desk, and approached Bryan and Marie. "If you are not against something, you are for it, or you might as well be. You couldn't even root out the loyalists within the
College. And were you not hoping to accept a position in the High Court?"
Bryan froze, unable to do anything but stare straight ahead. Dorian seemed to spit the words right into his face.
"That's different. We wanted to infiltrate the government. We wanted to…"
"Another plan that will go nowhere," Dorian scoffed, "Tonight, all opposition falls.
We're trying to avoid as many casualties as possible, but things may get messy."
"We have laws," said Bryan, trying one last time, "We have a final draft of the new constitution. We wanted you to see it."
"And we will," he said, moving back to the desk, "But for now, we must win this night. Every last enemy of the revolution will be taken out tonight. You know better than anyone, Bryan. Revolutions are seldom won without casualties." When he sat, he looked at them with an evil grin on his face.
"If I were the two of you, I would stay away from the College."
Bryan said nothing. He backed away from Dorian's grinning face, with increased panic filling his body. Finally, he turned and ran out of the mansion with Marie right behind him. They burst out into the cool night, and Bryan raced down the road.
"What is it?" asked Marie, gaining on Bryan, "What is he planning?"
"Matt," Bryan said, running as fast as his legs could carry him, "We have to get to Matt. We have to get to the College.