Riss Series 3: The Riss Survival (30 page)

"And you can now command one of the Riss' magical cruisers. I frequently fantasize commanding such a ship. Thanks to my dybbuk, my life is interesting, and it's satisfying to see Freeland productive and the people happy. But … even being a passenger on the
Mnemosyne
is a life's dream." He shook his head, then smiled. "Come, I will show you where we are on your projects. The Minerva should be operational … "

Nance sent, clearly upset at the idea.

Thalia added, with a hint of amusement.

I shuddered at the thought of what everyone would think—a Raider commanding a Riss cruiser. It wasn't possible in my lifetime.

Da'Maass spent the entire day giving us a tour of the various facilities and answering questions. Sean and Rod were mesmerized by the factories, assembly plants, and the number and type of projects in progress. Da'Maass was clearly in his element showing off Freeland's technology and what they had achieved.

"Our dybbuk gave us the dream, and Freeland brought it to life."

* * *

"I had heard that the clans were helping us, but I hadn't realized the scope of the projects and the contribution they made in building the Riss cruisers. It's hard to think of them as ruthless killers when you talk to them and see what they are doing for us," Sean said, on the way back to the Riss area.

"Why does Da'Maass keep calling you dybbuk?" Ron asked before anyone could comment.

"The clans believe Nadya is a demon, in their mythology a dybbuk, who can see into their minds. It's the reason she found their raiding parties, avoided multiple attempts to assassinate her, found Freeland, and sees their future." Nance said, then laughed. "I think Admiral Plimson is beginning to think she's his dybbuk, because of all the impossible situations she puts him."

I would have liked to disagree, but I had forced him to make several career ending decisions. I guess you aren't supposed to love your superior, well superior's superior, but I did. He had always been fair with me. And I admired his courage to face tough issues and accept responsibility for them.

We spent several additional, glorious days at Refuge before returning to duty. I was no sooner back, than Wattson called for a meeting of the captains.

An image of a long strip of paper with entries on the left and credits on the right.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

A conference of the Captains

"Plimson, Wattson, Stenberg, and Zann entered right on time and took their seats. Plimson spoke first.

"I'm returning to Eden tomorrow and will announce that we are in a state of war with an unknown Alien nation. I'm also dispatching envoys to the JPU and UFN, explaining our findings and offering an alliance. I want to avoid any rumors that we are planning an invasion of the JPU or UFN. I believe it may take the combined efforts of our three nations to defeat, or at least repel, the Aliens." He stopped to take a sip of kaffa and look at his SID. "We have always had a plan for an invasion by the JPU and UFN but not Aliens. Because we don't yet know the invaders, there are many unresolved issues to be addressed. I'm today promoting Vice Admiral Wattson to Fleet Admiral, Vice Admiral Stenberg to Admiral and second in command as well as liaison with all allied forces, and Vice Admiral Zann to Admiral and Freeland Station commander."

Surprisingly, there was little reaction to Plimson's announcement. The war announcement was expected and the assignments logical, even Zann because she was a Riss-human. I wasn't sure where that left me.

"Effective immediately, Captains Reese and Pavao are placed on the inactive list and are on loan to the Riss Nation," Plimson said. Most of the officers around the table looked confused, which wasn't surprising. Everyone knew I was a junior captain, a Riss-human, and station commander; however, my exact status had never been formally stated.

"Leader Reese, are the Riss prepared to support the SAS per the Mutual Support Agreement?" Wattson asked formally. Heads were swiveling back and forth, trying to make sense of what was happening. Pavao sat there with a smile.

"Yes, sir."

"And to take assignments from me?"

"Yes, sir."

"For those of you struggling to make sense of what has happened, let me try and clarify. The Riss Project was a misguided attempt to integrate the Riss into the SAS on the assumption they wanted humans as hosts. Ironically, the project had an unexpected result—the Riss-humans have turned out to provide a bridge between humans and the Riss that would not have been possible otherwise. As a consequence, the Riss have achieved their dream of becoming a space going nation and the SAS has benefited from their advanced mathematics and the technological advances they achieved developing the Riss cruisers.

"The MSA is an agreement signed by Admiral Plimson as the Secretary of Defense and Reese, who those at the battle of Freeland know speaks for the Riss, to provide mutual military support and share technology."

"What does that mean in the field?" Captain Gardner of the Goshawk asked, glaring at me. Wattson was quiet for a moment, before he spoke.

"Consider if you and a squadron of UFN were preparing to fight the Aliens, which may not be too farfetched given the current situation. Who would be in charge? Could the UFN commander give you orders? Could you give him orders? No, I believe you would have to agree on a strategy and cooperate in achieving the desired outcome. The same applies to the Riss. The SAS has recognized the Riss as a separate nation as they do the JPU and UFN."

"That could be very confusing in a battle," Captain Yumas of the Gyrfalcon said. "Someone has to be in charge or—"

"I'm in charge, Captain. We will soon be fighting for the survival of the SAS. If anyone's ego or prejudice is more important than the security of the SAS, then resign. We will be better off without you." He scanned the room, locking eyes with each captain, then took several sips of kaffa. "Let us get back to the real problem—what is our short term strategy? I say short because without more information it's impossible to develop a long term one."

The room remained quiet as everyone scanned the others as if looking for someone to speak.

I sent to Nance.

"Admiral Wattson, I believe we have to continue to engage the Aliens … " Pavao summarized our exchange. It was clear that was what Wattson had already decided, judging from his looks and timely questions. The discussions lasted for several hours. I thought it obvious from the who's in charge comments that my involvement would complicate the discussions, so I remained quiet giving Pavao my input via Thalia and Cethlion.

In the end, it was decided to ignore any planets in the JPU until Plimson could form an alliance. Wattson directed Iglis to analyze each of the quarantined planets to determine the probable size of the Aliens force to quarantine it. That would determine the size of the force we would send to liberate it. The meeting was adjourned for two days. As everyone was leaving, Plimson spoke.

"Reese, Pavao, please stay. I'd like to know the status of the Minerva and the upgrade projects." He remained quiet until Bradshaw closed the door. "That was wise, Nadya, and sneaky. I think your direct involvement would have been disruptive. Getting Pavao to speak for the both of you worked nicely. She isn't the lightening rod you've become."

"I wondered why Reese was so quiet during the discussions," Stenberg said.

"It's very frustrating. I wish I could select the ten officers on active duty who passed the War College
With Comment
and a few like Reese and Pavao with substantial battle experience, and put them in charge. Of course, that would destroy the seniority system men like Captain Gardner are desperately trying to save at any costs. I can't do that, but I will not allow the SAS to fail because of it."

"I agree, but if you decide it's necessary, I'd suggest you reassign their cruiser back to Eden rather than direct punitive action, which may cause a backlash. I will reassign them to a desk when they arrive and appoint a new captain to return the cruiser back into action."

"Sir, since the Riss are an independent nation, I'm free to make the necessary adjustments on the Riss cruisers?"

"I feel another headache coming on, Reese. As a free nation, of course you're free to take any action you deem appropriate; however, I would hope those actions would not disrupt our MSA."

"Sir, the Riss will support the SAS in anyway Admiral Wattson feels appropriate. My concern is that the Riss cruisers fight to their maximum potential. Pavao commanding the Eirene ensures it will be. I must ensure that the Minerva and the Mayat also do."

"You're not planning on making another Riss-human?" Plimson asked, cautiously.

"Who?" Wattson was quick to ask.

"No. It's not that easy. The Riss were fortunate to have found Pavao. It might take years to find another like her." I smiled at Nance. I'd become fond of her over the years. She felt more like an equal, who I could share my doubts and concerns.

"I'd appreciate you keeping me in the loop. Many in the SAS have not come to terms with Riss-humans or the Riss, and I would not want to do anything to make it worse. But conversely, I want those ugly beasts, you call cruisers, at their best."

* * *

Admiral Wattson scheduled another meeting the next day, with the same captains. I arrived early, fetched a cup of kaffa, and found a seat toward the back. I didn't expect today's meeting to be any friendlier than yesterday and wished I were invisible.

Immediately I saw an image of me swinging in a hammock strung between two cruisers.

Nance interrupted my musing and sat down next to me.

"Attention!" Bradshaw announced, as Wattson, Stenberg, and Zann entered the room.

"At ease," Wattson said and everyone found a seat.

"The goal today is to settle on our next move, since it is unacceptable to do nothing. Does anyone have a suggestion?" An uncomfortable silence followed for several minutes. I wondered if asking his students—in this case captains—to analyze the problem and come up with a solution was a carryover from the War College or his standard approach. Now that I considered it, I saw the logic. If he told us what he thought, it would stop everyone thinking, and he could lose a better solution or an ideal that led to one. It also gave him an insight into each individual, which would be important when deciding on assignments. Eventually, Captain Gardner spoke.

"I don't think there are any clever options. We pick a quarantined planet and send an overwhelming force to clean out anything there. Then we pick out the next… " He banged the table for emphasis. Captain Yumas was quick to agree. The discussion went on for what seemed like two days rather than the actual two hours.

Pavao lip twitched, trying to suppress a smile.

"Sir, I would like to suggest restoring the
Asp
—"

"The Riss and the Raiders are bedmates. Neither of you can be trusted," Gardner banged the table so hard kaffa splashed from his cup.

"I agree. All of her directives have favored the Raiders, Riss, or the Army. I wouldn't trust her in a battle—" He stopped when I rose.