Riss Series 3: The Riss Survival
Read Riss Series 3: The Riss Survival Online
Authors: C. R. Daems
Tags: #Science Fiction, #Literature & Fiction, #Adventure, #Military, #Science Fiction & Fantasy
THE RISS SURVIVAL
Book III in the Riss Series
By C. R. Daems
The Riss Survival
Copyright © 2012 by C. R. Daems
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or by any information storage or retrieval system, without the permission in writing from C. R. Daems.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
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The Freeland Treaty
Unrest in the Freeland Task
Official Meeting with Freeland Elders
Confrontation with the Asp
Mutiny
The Riss cruiser project
Designing a Riss cruiser
Paid trouble makers
New Bridge crew
Inspection problems
Errant missle
The Mnemosyne hull finished
Trial run
Security chief arrives
Plimson inspects Mnemosyne
Plimson visits Freeland
Nadya transfers to Mnemosyne
Unknown invasion
Needing more information
Alien scout at Kamboja
Decisions
A new Riss-human
The build up to war
Nadya’s shuttle attacked
Taskforce to ZigZag
Captain Pavao
Aliens arrive
Aboard the cruiser Tetia
The battle of ZigZag
Discovering the true Aliens
Time to think
A conference of the Captains
Adjustments
Asp commissioned
The Mudusa
Facing reality
Novels by C.R. Daems
& J.R. Tomlin
CHAPTER ONE
The Freeland Treaty
I sat in Vice Admiral Zann's office aboard the Heavy cruiser, Golden Eagle, sipping a hot cup of Eden kaffa with its hint of chocolate, of which I'd become fond. Zann looked tired.
Zann and I had spent the last two months working on the million and one mind-numbing details necessary to implement the proposed Treaty with the Raider clans. They had been defeated but had not surrendered. They had been prepared to die fighting—every man, woman, and child—rather than surrender unconditionally to the Sadr Alliance of Stars (SAS). Many of the captains of the invading armada had been quite willing to accommodate them. But vengeance was not the Riss way, and I had negotiated a Treaty that would avoid a bloodbath. Although Zann and I worked on its implementation, the Treaty still had to be ratified by the SAS. While awaiting the decision, we had repaired the damages to the salvageable spaceships, sent the dead and seriously wounded home, and disabled the Raiders' warships.
Yes, I had also abused our vehicle, as Thalia referred to my human body, with long days and short nights. While I worried about my upcoming responsibilities, Thalia as usual thought it would be great fun.
What else could I say? Zann's System Interface Device (SID) beeped. She listened through her ear-implant receiver, tapped on the keyboard, and a hologram sprang to life displaying a document. Although I couldn't read it from where I sat, I recognized the SAS Council seal. Zann scanned the document without comment, occasionally nodding and sometimes frowning.
"Two Light cruisers, the Merlin and Saker, have entered the system. They will be your task force to enforce the Treaty with the Raider clans. The SAS Council has ratified the Treaty with only minor amendments. However, they left unresolved several issues. Are you the de facto Governor of Freeland? Are the Riss partners with the SAS or part of the SAS? Are you the Riss military leader? And so on. At least, they officially designated you the station commander." Zann paused to take a sip of her kaffa while studying me.
"Admiral Plimson has no problem with you having two roles and would like to promote you to Admiral but feels that might cause widespread resentment among the senior captains because of your short time in grade. That would impact morale and much of the resentment would be directed at you. So, you remain a Captain."
I felt too numb to say anything. I hadn't come to terms with being a new Lt. Commander, and now, less than two years later, I was in charge of a small fleet and responsible for enforcing a ceasefire Treaty with a nation of Raiders.
The Riss didn't have rank or elders or elected officials, just positions that were all equal. Somehow, I had acquired the position of Leader, which made my words the words of every Riss. A concept humans would never understand. Although they had rank or officials or elders who represented them, that didn't mean all the people they represented agreed with them. One hundred percent agreement was unthinkable—but not to the Riss.
Zann put down her kaffa. "I had thought it would take fifty years for the Riss to win recognition as SAS partners, who would crew spaceships in their native Gorillai host. Unfortunately, for you, you've achieved it in less than ten. In fifty years, you'd have felt ready for the responsibility. Now you don't."
"Maybe the Riss have the right person, but their timing is a bit off," I said. It sounded like a lighthearted quip, but it wasn't. I was terrified, not of me failing but of failing the Riss. Zann smiled like she knew what I was thinking.
"I can only say that the Riss have an uncanny way of putting the right person in the right position. Trust them. I'll be leaving tomorrow with the rest of the fleet. I've arranged for a six-month schedule to deliver Riss from Saipha, provide replacements, and bring supplies and equipment you request." She gave me a hard look. "I'm concerned about having the entire Riss nation in space … but as Leader, it's your decision."
My head spun, and I had to lean back in my chair. Was that the right decision? Was I putting all the Riss in one basket and threatening an entire race's existence? I felt like throwing up.
"It's a risk, but the Riss will never achieve their full potential confined to Saipha. Their destiny's the stars." I shocked myself with the revelation—the unconscious reason behind my decision.
"Yes, the Riss chose wisely. I wish I could join you, but you will need someone to support you on Eden. Good luck, Nadya."
* * *
The following day, I called a meeting of the senior members of the Lynx and the two Light cruisers under my command. I had lunch served to make it as casual as possible. As usual, I felt intimidated. The people under me had more experience in their rank and in life.
Of course, Thalia meant I, as a high-Riss because of her, should not be intimidated, whereas I meant I was used to being intimidated. After the dishes had been cleared away and everyone had something to drink, I could not procrastinate any longer and tapped my spoon against my water glass.
"Each of you was selected because of your interest in this assignment and your tolerance towards the proposed Treaty, which I've been informed, has been approved by the SAS Council." That produced a variety of emotions around the table, which thanks to Thalia I could sense. I felt satisfaction, indifference, acceptance, and … disapproval. The latter emotion surprised me, since the captains and their senior officers should have been screened before being assigned to Freeland. Another thing I would have to monitor carefully, now and as new replacements arrived.
"Many in the fleet wanted revenge. I can understand their pain. My home planet was raided and friends killed and kidnapped, and during my four engagements against the Raiders, close friends were wounded and killed. But neither the Riss nor I can justify revenge in the name of justice. The Riss have supported the SAS in defeating the clans in an effort to stop the killing of innocent people—not out of hate or revenge." I paused to look at each individual. "This Treaty gives us an opportunity to create something good for the SAS, the Raider clans, and the Riss. It will take time. The wounds are fresh on both sides. It's my responsibility and yours to make sure nothing interrupts the healing process."