From cannon fodder to sweeping across thousands of stars.

Chapter 231 The anti-aircraft guns were leveled and aimed at the crowd (End)
One night passed, and the time came to July 7th.

It's Tuesday, and it's a rare sunny day.

When the first ray of sunshine in the morning shines on the spire of the Governor's Palace in the center of Urban city.

Princess Agnes Barbara Lyon of the Star Dragon Empire has completed her morning prayers and, with the assistance of several maids, washed and dressed herself.

From Agnes's perspective, it's impossible to say how devout her faith is.

This imperial princess, who has always believed that "man can conquer nature", showed her belief in the imperial state religion to the outside world. It was more of a "political show" to win over the church.

While Agnes was dressing up, Natalia Bonaparte hurried into the dressing room after knocking on the door.

Seeing a look of anxiety on her face, Agnes waved the maids to retreat temporarily.

"What's wrong? Miss Natalia, your face doesn't look very good. Did you not get a good rest last night?"

"It's okay, Your Highness, I just went on another round of inspections. Not sleeping for a day or two will have no impact on me."

"Observation posts arranged at various key nodes in the city sent back news that there have been signs of crowds gathering in the city since early this morning. Although your Highness's speech today will indeed attract crowds to gather, the number and trend are still the same. Something unusual”

But even so, the expression on Natalia's face, who was behind the podium, still did not relax.

When Her Royal Highness the Princess insisted on giving a speech, Natalia could only order the mechanized troops stationed outside the city to prepare for battle, and at the same time transferred some light vehicles that were less likely to cause riots into the city.

The people gathered now filled almost every corner of the Rose Square in front of the Governor's Palace.

Agnes spoke after a moment of silence.

"People of the Empire, I, Agnes Barbara Lyon, hereby swear that the Imperial Family will stand with its people to fight against the forces that seek to divide this great country of ours. "

They did not show any aggressive behavior, but listened carefully to Agnes' emotional speech.

"I know you are thinking about my safety, Sir Natalia."

"Don't worry, Sir Natalia and Count Artesia are stationed in the area three standard jump distances away. If anything happens, she will arrive in time."

"But my captain of the Guards, you will protect me, won't you?"

As the marchers approached, the citizens in the square also noticed something was wrong.

"Long live life!"

After all, at this juncture, allowing HCP and main battle tanks to enter the city directly might directly detonate the already anxious situation.

Citizens on the periphery began to withdraw after seeing the ferocious marchers.

According to real-time monitoring from observation posts and drones, a large number of people were marching in this direction on the six main roads radiating from Rose Square, holding signs and flags with slogans.

Natalia walked quickly to Agnes and lowered the volume while turning on a portable shielding device.

"I also know that this trip has certain risks, but as a member of the royal family and the representative of my father, if I escape at this time, it will only make the public's distrust of the royal family continue to rise."

"Your Highness, I swear on my life that no matter what happens, I will lead the Guards to fight for you until the last moment."

Natalia stared at the adjutant in front of her with a serious expression, who was transferred from the original army with her.

"The notice will continue, and everyone will be prepared to use the Imperial Guard infantry to form the first line of defense if a level one alert situation occurs. If the situation continues to escalate, vehicles will be brought up."

An adjutant walked up to Natalia and reported. The latter nodded and looked towards the location where the adjutant said.

"We need liberation!"

The captain of the imperial guard put his command sword on the ground and knelt on one knee.

The tone of the imperial princess was a little disappointed, but she quickly adjusted herself back.

Natalia Bonaparte was stunned for a moment when she heard this.

Some multi-legged combat vehicles, wheeled combat vehicles and high-energy laser anti-aircraft vehicles have been parked near the Governor's Mansion and are kept activated and ready for action at any time.

Judging from the chants and banners, it was obvious that the crowd was not here to 'thank' the Imperial Family.

The dissuasion and obstruction by the police and the capital garrison were all ineffective. After all, they were also residents of this planet, and maybe their family members were also among the demonstrators.

"I have the boldness to make a bold statement and cancel today's public speech. I will wait until the situation is more stable before making further plans."

"at all costs."

"Yes, my lord!"

"Liberty leads the people!"

"But this will take at least three days."

"But your safety." Natalia said anxiously, but before she could say anything, she was interrupted by Her Royal Highness the Princess.

"My safety does not matter. If we cannot stand with the people, then our royal family will be in a huge crisis."

Then he took a step back and said, 'Oh! With a sound, he pulled out the command knife from his waist and held it in front of his chest.

"Sir, the light vehicles you requested to mobilize into the city have arrived at the side of the Governor's Palace and can form a defensive line in front of the podium at any time."

Therefore, for the time being, we can only adopt a relatively peaceful approach instead of violently dispersing civilians.

Natalia's eyes became more determined and she added the last sentence.

Agnes smiled, and then while standing up, she also helped Natalia, who was kneeling on one knee, up.

On the podium in front of the Governor's Palace building, Agnes was speaking to the people gathered around.

When the demonstrators on six main roads approached the first cordon, Natalia issued a 'level 1 alert' order.

The 800 imperial infantrymen who were waiting in full formation quickly appeared from behind the podium like mercury pouring down the ground, and soon formed a three-layer defense line directly in front of the podium.

Some of these soldiers wearing combat exoskeletons and holding anti-riot shields and non-lethal weapons formed the first human wall and turned on the loudspeakers to disperse the bewildered citizens in the square.

When the citizens in the square dispersed in all directions with the big flow, Natalia, who had already stood next to Agnes, could now see the crowds of demonstrators on the six main streets.

At the command of several sergeants, the Imperial Guard infantry advanced a certain distance forward and raised the black warning flag.

At the same time, snipers deployed in surrounding buildings and drones in the sky also targeted suspected leaders and instigators in the demonstrations.

"They were given a warning that if they went any further, force would be escalated."

After hearing the adjutant's report, Natalia gave the order expressionlessly.

Soon, dozens of green visible lasers were fired from the buildings around the square and on both sides of the street, and were firmly locked on the targets identified as 'agitators' in the crowd.

"Attention citizens marching ahead, you have violated the empire's relevant laws on demonstrations. Please end the march and return home immediately. The empire will not hold innocent people accountable."

"Please don't be coerced by the 'agitators' and 'separatists' among you and make irreversible actions."

At the same time as the loudspeaker issued the order, Natalia discovered through the surveillance screen that at the location of the 'agitators' highlighted by the visible laser, another group of people took the initiative to protect them in the middle.

In the magnified high-magnification picture, a trace of metal reflection was exposed under the collars of some people.

These are not ordinary citizens, but armed personnel who have undergone extensive body modifications. Obviously, there is a professional team behind the parade.

"Throw tear gas to disperse them."

Among the Imperial Guard infantry who received the order, some soldiers holding multi-functional electromagnetic throwing devices pointed the track diagonally upward.

With the sound of 'buzzing' electric energy charging sounded. A barrage of tear gas was fired.

But what Natalia didn't expect was that a large number of low-power laser flashes flashed from behind the crowd, and many tear gas canisters were detonated in the air.

The tear gas canisters that landed in the crowd were quickly picked up and thrown forward.

Several high-power fans appeared from nowhere and blew away the smoke.

Seeing this scene, the marching crowd immediately burst into cheers. Amidst the slogans that gradually increased in volume, the crowd also quickened their pace.

"These guys."

Natalia clenched her fists. It was obvious that there was a force organizing and fanning the flames behind all this.

She looked at Her Royal Highness the Princess, who had been watching the crowd slowly approaching, and whispered:

"Your Highness, please leave first."

"No, I can't leave, Natalia-san."

Agnes's tone was calm but firm.

"Have you seen these people? If I leave today, the dignity of the empire will be completely trampled on."

Natalia followed Agnes' gaze and looked forward.

The Imperial Star and Dragon flags placed on both sides of the street had been taken down by the crowd, torn apart, trampled on, or set on fire.

In the strange lights and shadows caused by the smoke and fire, the crowd had become even more enthusiastic.

"I understand what to do, Your Highness."

Natalia nodded and retreated, giving new instructions at the same time.

"Vehicles in position, all snipers to kill those agitators and separatists!"

Simon and Alvin, who had already rushed to the podium, had a look of panic on their faces, but before they could say anything, the Imperial Army had already started taking action.

Light vehicles, including accompanying high-energy laser anti-aircraft vehicles, drove to both sides of the Government House building, forming a crossfire.

The snipers deployed in the building also opened fire at the same time.

Light beams flashed continuously over the square.

Those targets who were not protected by the people around them had their heads pierced by lasers.

Although the extremely penetrating laser also caused casualties to other citizens in the rear, as the most loyal troops of the imperial family, the Imperial Guard soldiers would only obey all instructions given by their superiors.

"Attention citizens in the parade, end the parade immediately and stop destroying the Imperial Star and Dragon Flag! Otherwise, we will take the highest level of force to counterattack!"

The loudspeaker continued to issue warnings, but the crowd, which had been in chaos because of the casualties, quickly stopped under the encouragement of another group of 'agitators' scattered in the crowd.

And rushed directly towards the podium.

"Liberty leads the people!"

"The Vendéans want independence!"

"Down with the Imperial Family! They are murderers! Executioners!"

The crowd's shouts even drowned out the sound of the loudspeaker.

Seeing the crowd rushing in like a wave, the guardsmen took off the deadly weapons hanging on their backs.

Simon and Alvin were stunned at this time. They did not expect that the crowd would be stimulated to such an extent.

What's more, I didn't expect that Her Highness Agnes had no intention of retreating, and that the newly appointed captain of the guard under her had no hesitation in taking action.

The crazy marching crowd had already broken through the second cordon on the square.

According to reports from observation posts, Molotov cocktails, homemade explosives and even simple electromagnetic guns also appeared in the crowd.

As long as we get rails with sufficient accuracy, and then use them with coils and smuggled superconducting batteries, we can make a simple electromagnetic gun that is not accurate enough but powerful enough.

This is also a common earthen weapon in rebel areas or in the hands of mobs.

"Your Highness, this is no longer an ordinary demonstration, this is a riot."

"I know"

Even in the face of the approaching mob, Agnes still showed unusual calmness.

"I have already shown them the empire's forgiveness. It is they who have crossed this red line themselves. That being the case"

The imperial princess looked at her captain of the imperial guards, and at the same time glanced at Simon and Alvin who were standing trembling beside them, and slowly said:

"Then let these people and the forces behind them know what the consequences will be if they cross this red line."

"Your will is obeyed, Your Highness."

Natalia Bonaparte made a fist with her right hand and put it on her chest to salute, speaking firmly.

"Just let me give the order and take the blame for the bloodshed."

"No, all the blood will flow on my body."

Agnes took the command knife from Natalia's hand, walked to the front of the podium, raised the tip of the knife and pointed it in the air.

"Anti-aircraft vehicles level the fort! Target. The mob directly in front!"

As Agnes issued the order, amid the sound of mechanical transmission, the two accompanying laser anti-aircraft vehicles leveled their high-energy laser transmitters.

One left and one right, pointing crossly at the approaching crowd.

Looking at the Imperial Star Dragon Flag in the distance that gradually turned into ashes in the flames, Agnes no longer hesitated and firmly chopped down the command knife in her hand.

"High energy mode, start strafing!"

Two scorching rays symbolizing death swept across the square, silently harvesting the lives of these 'mobs'.

The person who was irradiated by the high-energy laser did not even have time to react, and was cut into two pieces in an instant and fell to the ground.

The drawing of hell descended here at this moment.

Amidst the miserable howls that could change the color of strangers, on the floor tile in the center of Rose Square.

The carved rose flower was dyed black and red by the flowing blood.

(End of this chapter)