Riss Series 3: The Riss Survival (16 page)

"Congratulations, Captain Reese. I didn't think you could pull it off. No offense, but … " Byer's face turned a slight pink.

"The Mnemosyne did it. They suddenly see the Riss as a powerful ally, who is important to support."

"How do we go about certifying candidates?" Seng asked, looking like he was ready to begin immediately.

"Commander Byer, Commander Iglis, and Colonel Seng you are hereby certified, and it will be entered into your personnel records." I looked back to Terril who was pretending not to be interested. "You too, Gunny. You could probably get Admiral Plimson and General Garret to certify you if I didn’t." Her lip twitched for a second. Knowing Terril would join the Mnemosyne gave me a warm feeling. She was the best Gunny in the SAS and a dear friend who I could count on in good times and bad. "Certification doesn't mean a person has to apply, only that they are eligible to serve on a Riss cruiser. We will be conducting interviews as soon as you can notify the personnel under you, which includes the Bobcat and Merlin. I will talk to the appropriate commanders on the Bateleur. Iglis, although Admiral Butler may not like it, your people will also have to be certified. Lastly, I'll be transferring to the Mnemosyne as soon as a Captain for the Lynx is assigned."

A tingling feeling of amusement and an image of people dancing with party hats, horns, and drinks in their hands.

An image of a Gorillai in a hammock with me training with Scorpions under a blistering sun.

The tickle of laughter.

* * *

The certification took two extra days, as over eighty percent of the qualified personnel asked to be interviewed. Of the nearly five hundred Army personnel, we accepted half, mostly Scorpions, enough for two and possibly three cruisers with rotation replacements. Of the two hundred plus pilots and mechanics, we accepted fifty, enough for two cruisers but a little short when considering the need for rotations. Two days before the Bateleur was scheduled to depart, Pavao, Corbitt, and I met with the Admirals.

"We have reviewed the list of pilots and commandos and have approved all but two, because their expertise was considered critical to their current assignments. Two alternates were approved. We have decided Captain Corbitt, based on Captain Reese's recommendation, will assume command of the Lynx." Plimson said smiling in Corbitt's direction, whose mouth hung open. Captain Pavao's XO, Gabisi, will assume command of the Merlin, and Captain Pavao has agreed Commander Biryan will be her new XO. I believe these assignments keep the current command structure, which has proven effective, in place for the immediate future. Unless there are any objections, the transfers will begin at twelve hundred hours." Plimson turned his full attention on me, before speaking.

 "What I've approved with the MSA between our two nations and the related arrangements affects more than just you and me. Success will propel us ahead hundreds of years. Failure will propel us backward hundreds of years. Admirals Stenberg and Wattson ..." He nodded in it their direction, "… agree. One of us will visit on a regular basis and provide you with all the support within our power. I'm counting on you to make this work, Captain Reese."

"Yes, sir. You've provided me with a good team and what I need to be successful. I only hope someday you, Admiral Stenberg, and Admiral Wattson will be recognized for your foresight. I'm committed to making it happen. After all, Admirals don't like to be disappointed, especially by a Captain."

I whined.

I was reminded of Terril's comment about me being the Scorpions totem for relieving the boredom of a soldier's life on a cruiser, because of our many encounters with the Raiders.

Later that day, I met with my staff on the Lynx, including Commanders Byer, Iglis, and Colonel Seng. I had become very fond of these people. We had been through hell together, ironically in a duel to the death with Da'Maass and in the battle of Freeland.

"I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support through the years. There is no one I'd rather serve with, and there is no one I would trust at my back more than you. I wish I could take you with me on the Mnemosyne, but I can't. Only Riss can function on the Mnemosyne Bridge. But if I can ever do anything for you, I will. Varisko, I know you don't feel ready to be a captain, and I respect that. I know what it is to be thrust into a position before you feel ready and lack the experience of your peers. Captain Corbitt is a good man, and time with him will be good experience that will benefit you in the long run. Commander Byer and Colonel Seng, I'll see you aboard the Mnemosyne." I stood with conflicting emotions raging through me—leaving the Lynx and joining the first Riss cruiser.

"Attention," Varisko shouting and everyone bolted to attention.

"Thank you," I said as I exited the room, tears stinging my eyes.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Nadya transfers to Mnemosyne

"Well, Gunny, what do you think?" I asked Terril as we sat in the shuttle heading for the Mnemosyne. She was again part of my security guard.

"Following you has not been boring. You have Scorpions hyped and ready for another adventure. I hope you aren't going to disappoint us, Captain. The mutiny wasn't bad, but it was a long time ago." She pursed her lips and shrugged.

"Careful what you wish for, Terril. Most of the non-boring events are better in the history books than in real life." We were quiet for the rest of the ride. When I came aboard the Mnemosyne, there was no ceremony and no permission to board. This was a Riss ship and we were all equal.

"Leader," Alena greeted me as I entered the Bridge. "I'm excited and scared out of my mind. I love the idea of being the XO on the first Riss cruiser and petrified at the thought of being Captain of the Eirene."

"Yes, things are moving too fast for all of us, but we have no choice. We Riss-humans have an opportunity to make the Riss' dream of seeing the stars a reality. Ready or not, the opportunity exists today, and we must not fail to take advantage of it. Do your best. It's all the Riss expect of us."

Alena gave me a determined nod and smiled. "Ma'at, Quiet night under the moon, agrees."

After storing my things from the
Lynx
in my cabin, I made my way to the army area and found Seng in his new office.

"Captain Reese, welcome. It will be a couple of days before we get everything settled. The troops are excited," Seng said, as I entered.

"I'm hoping over time that I can authorize Riss qualified personnel to visit Freeland, until then all humans are permitted access to level three. You and I will have to work out specific duties on the ship. I would imagine pretty much normal security, not so much for on board personnel but for visitors or unauthorized persons. And to keep people busy."

* * *

I sat on the Bridge in the command chair mesmerized by the sight. It was like nothing else, unique—Riss unique. Terril had said it felt eerie, because of the total silence, yet to the Riss it wasn't silent. Conversations were going on all the time—in streaming vid.

"Commander Iglis?"

"Captain, would you mind coming to my office. I'd like you to see something, when you have time."

"I'll be down shortly." I cut the connection. Iglis would never ask me to visit her unless it was important. She obviously wanted the security of the Intelligence compound.

I still hadn't gotten over the feel of the Mnemosyne, the taller ceilings, the colored walls, and synthetic carpeting. When I reached the entrance, two Scorpions stood guard, a compromise with the normal special Intelligence security. Admiral Butler had agreed, since the Scorpions didn't directly report to me. Though I'm not sure Butler would be impressed by the cursory inspection I received. Both straightened as I approached. One stood sort-of ready while the other verified my identity on his SID. Of course, it was all silly. They knew I was the Captain, Gunny's friend, and two scorpions followed me who would have shot them if they had made any aggressive move towards me.

"Ma'am," he said as he stepped back to let me pass. Chief Drock met me as I entered.

"Captain, Commander Iglis would like you to join her in the conference room."

"I heard you received your third knot. Congratulations."

"Feels like I should have been awarded the bronze star." He laughed. "Now that I've gotten over the initial stiffness and lost most of my excess fat, I'm enjoying myself. I'm beginning to think I could defend myself if I had to. And I love this ship. The camaraderie is satisfying. On most ships, there is an invisible barrier between navy, pilots, and army. It should be worse here with another type, the Riss. But there appears to be little of that. The Riss make no distinction and it's contagious."

"To the Riss, everyone is equal." I said, as I entered Iglis's conference room.

"Ma'am," Iglis said as she shot out of her chair."

"As you were, Iglis," I said. I retrieved a cup of kaffa and sat. I hated the formality but knew it was necessary or discipline would suffer. The humans system required it, and like it or not, I was part of that system.

"I'm sorry to ask you down here, but it would be difficult to bring the information to you without putting it on some file, which I'm reluctant to do."

"And you want me involved because?" Normally, she would send her findings to headquarters, so it must relate to my responsibilities, or she just wanted my opinion. Admiral Munoz wanted Iglis independent but would turn a blind eye if she shared information with me, because together we had proved a valuable team.

"The Raid … merchants have been extremely cooperative during my debriefings when they return from trading in the empires. I don't know where they get their information and they are vague on their sources, but it's more than they could collect by themselves …" She paused to look at me. She suspected I knew but didn't press the issue. "Levi Ba'Tasuo is the merchant operating out of the Papak Sector of the JPU. When he returned two months ago, he'd heard ships going to the planet Baraz from Mihr haven't been seen or heard of since. This is strange because two of those ships called Mihr home and three of the others stopped at Mihr on a regular basis. When Ba'Tasuo returned yesterday, he said the planets Baraz and Alborz have been officially declared off limits by the JPU military, and they are guarding the main routes to those planets. It's not general knowledge but he heard that the JPU sent a cruiser to Baraz, and it hasn't returned. That was several weeks ago. He believes they're planning to send a task force to Baraz within the next week or two."

"Iglis, bring up a globe of the JPU and SAS," I said wanting to put things into perspective. When the hologram sprung to life, Iglis highlighted the Baraz and Alborz solar systems in red, leaving the others in white. I knew the JPU Papak sector bordered the SAS Darkov sector but not where specific solar systems were in relationship to others. Looking at the globe, Fools Hope and Fools Landing were relatively close to Alborz, explaining why the four planets had been a point of contention for centuries. Ironically, Freeland was in the general proximity, although not in either of the defined sectors.

"The question is whether it's contagious or not. I'd ask Sa'Lamas on the Wheeler to keep his ears open for rumors about Fools Hope or Fools Landings. Ba'Tasuo can keep us updated on the JPU situation."

"Contagious?" Iglis asked, frowning in concentration.

"You don’t lose all contact with five ships and two planets through miscommunications or random mistakes. We have to assume a disaster of some kind has occurred. If that is correct, then isn't it possible that it could spread. The question then is where—JPU, SAS, or Freeland? If it's into the SAS, then Fools Landing or Fools Hope is the logical choice."

"Why didn't I see that?" Her face clamped into a tight scowl.

"Iglis, you were too close to it to see the possibility. You have to learn to step back and take a deep breath. This is the first time I've seen the data, so it was easy for me to see a possible connection. You found the data. Without that we couldn't deduce what might happen." I smiled and patted her shoulder. "We make a good team, that's why Admiral Butler turns a blind eye to our connection. Let them know what you found. It'll be interesting to see what they make of it—if you leave off our conjecture."

Iglis laughed. "I think I will."

* * *

I sat surveying the conference room. I had requested—SAS speak for ordered—formal weekly meetings in the morning, a meeting with the elders in the afternoon, and dinner that evening with the three Captains on station, Byer, Seng, and Iglis.

"Good morning, everyone. Captain Corbitt, congratulations on winning the bimonthly competition." I had started several competitions a month ago. Freeland was a boring assignment, and worse, no shore leave to break it up. The first was a bimonthly competition between the three cruisers. Pavao had won the first and now Corbitt had won the most recent one. I had a crystal trophy made looking like an old fashion battle ship and each winner got to keep the trophy until the next competition and had his or her ship and name engraved on it.