Riss Series 4: The Riss Accession (2 page)

"This is a Riss cruiser. The SAS
personnel maintain normal military protocol, but otherwise everyone is treated
as an equal, and we share the dining, workout, and recreational areas."

After two
hours, I
managed to
drag
the
group
down to the
second
level,
where we toured each section, ending up
at the Bridge. After we
entered
, Osborne turned to me frowning.

"Don't they acknowledge you when you
enter?"

"Sir, the Riss are telepaths and
speak in streaming
vid
. They knew I was coming long before we reached the
entrance
. They
acknowledge
me as you
would
a friend,
since we are all equal."

"But you're the Captain!"

"My position is Captain of the
Mnemosyne
,
but the Riss do not consider me any more important than the mechanic in
Environment or Shuttle Maintenance."

"That would be chaos."

"On a human ship, yes,
but
not to the
Riss.
Each has a position, which they pursue for the good of the Riss
. Each
position
is considered equally
crucial
to the Riss' success."
The Admiral was
silent
as we made
our way to the dining facility. They asked lots of questions during dinner. Afterward,
Osborne stood.

"If Captain Reese has no
objections, I'd like to talk with her alone, and I suggest that each of you get
with your counterpart on the
Mnemosyne
for a one-on-one."

I nodded and led him to my office.
"There's kaffa and wine on the sideboard, Admiral." I poured myself a
cup of kaffa and
sat
. After a moment, he chose kaffa and sat opposite me.

"Well, Reese, thank you for the
tour. Admiral Wattson sends his regards. He's walking on a knife's
edge
trying to
hold
the
alliance
between the
SAS, Riss, and clans together. In addition, he has to contend with the
seniority system, even though the War College,
Camalus
, has proven
seniority doesn't guarantee the best tactical officers, and we are going to
need
our best
fighting the Aliens." He studied me over his long, straight nose as he
sipped his kaffa. "So he's forming task forces and promoting key
individuals to Rear Admiral to
lead
them. That way, it avoids the kind of problem
you've had at Freeland, where you were the
station
commander
but had the
least seniority. I'm a
good
example. He promoted me well ahead of time,
but not so much that it will
cause
a
morale
problem, and it helps that I graduated
Camalus
With
Comment
.

"He's had me
take
my
task
force to
Fools Landing to
educate
them on what we’re facing. For now, the task
force leader’s
main
responsibility
is to convince the men and women under them
that we are fighting a superior
force
and will
need
alliances
with the UFN, JPU, Riss, and the
clans
if we
hope
to
win
. Long term,
he will have the task force leaders, UFN and JPU equivalents, and you as a
strategic planning
body
."

"Me?"

too
.>

Image of a Riss with
a
ring
through its
nose
being pulled along by me.

too
.>

Leader.> My tight muscles relaxed as her laugh washed through me.

"Admiral Wattson is impressed with
what you have accomplished during your
rather
short
career
. He claims
you would have graduated
Camalus
With Comment
.
That's a high
compliment from him, and based on what I've heard, I agree.
I could use
your help educating my task force. Tonight was a perfect start."

"I think you should give your key
officers a tour of the Aliens' mother ship, which Captain
Pavao
has named a
Medusa
."

"Where is
Pavao
?"

"In stealth mode. I’ll
notify
her to meet
you and your task force at the
Medusa
tomorrow." After an hour of small talk about our careers, he and his staff
returned to the
Goshawk
.

Jaelle welcomed as I
entered the Bridge and
sat
.

Eirene
.>

Pavao
’s face appeared
on the monitor.

"I see you entertained the Admiral
on the
Mnemosyne
. What did you
think?" She asked, grinning.

"I've offered you as a tour guide
on the
Medusa
. Wattson appears to be trying to
neutralize
the
alliance
problem by
appointing people he knows to
lead
task forces. He's promoting them to Rear
Admiral to avoid the potential seniority problem. Osborne graduated
Camalus
With Comment
"

"Smart
man
. Eventually,
that
should
dampen
emotions and provide better leaders."

"Yes, eventually. Nance,
tell
Colonel
McTosh
that you are
to have a
permanent
security
detail
like mine," I said. Emotions were running
high,
and
Pavao
was not immune to the hostility. She hesitated for several seconds.

"… Yes, Leader," She said,
acknowledging it was not a
suggestion
and cut the connection. I felt Osborne
was
sincere
and someone I could work with, but it would take time for him to
succeed in sorting out his task force.

running.> Lights flashed
blue
throughout the
ship
then turned
steady
blue, and a
status
change
message went out to every SID.

* * *

connection
from Captain
Pavao
.>
Immediately,
Pavao’s
ashen face appeared.

"Nadya, there has been a shooting
on the
Eirene
. A Captain
MacLin
shot r-Scylla.
He claims she attacked him. She'll
live
, but a Scorpion on my
security
shot
MacLin
. They've
transferred him to Regen on the
Goshawk
.
Apparently, he'll
live
as well. The Admiral announced an
inquiry
into the
shooting will take place—"

"Captain
Pavao
,
declare
Ship Alert
and
clear
the
Eirene
. When the
ship
is
clear
,
declare
Battle Stations, silent running. We are
leaving Fools Landing. I'll see you at the Freeland repair
station
." I
cut
the
connection.

running.> Lights flashed
red
throughout the
ship,
and SIDs
lit
with the
emergency override.

the
Helm
's board.>

<
Helm
: Engines two and six half speed.
Execute
vector
.>

< Engines two and six half speed.
Vector executed.>

I sat back, shaking in
rage
.

I felt no attempt to
dampen
my anger.

stop
?>

or
leave
.>

* * *

After we entered the Wave
,
I
canceled Battle Stations and called a staff meeting since everyone would be
nervous
,
not knowing what caused our sudden exit.
When Jaelle closed the
conference
door behind
me, I walked over to the side board, retrieved a cup of kaffa, and sat. I had
calmed down but was still
furious
.

"A Captain shot a Riss while
touring the
Eirene
. He claims the Riss attacked him," I said.

Shocked faces stared back at me.

"It would be far more likely an
Alien boarded the
Eirene
and shot him
than
that a Riss would. A Scorpion on the security
detail I ordered for Captain
Pavao shot the Captain
.
The
Riss and the captain will survive; however, I thought it best we leave before
the situation escalated out of control."

"What will happen to the
Scorpion—" Colonel Seng began, but I interrupted him
.

"Not a damn thing," I snarled,
"even if I have to go to Admiral Plimson."

That got me some shocked
looks but then nods of approval.

"Admiral Wattson is doing his best
to
get
the situation under control, but I
fear
the buildup is happening too fast.
There are
too
many people on Freeland, and rumors filled with hate are
rampant
. It's causing
a breakdown in discipline. And no, I don't know the answer or where it will
end. Like you, many in the SAS are
excellent
people, and I'm
proud
to have
served with them." I sat back, exhausted.

The meeting ended shortly afterward. Nothing
could be done, and
little
could be said except the usual—we hope
the Riss will recover soon... When everyone had gone, Terril waved my other
guard
out.

"What’s next… Nadya?"

"I don't know, Terril. I
know
things must
change. Every time a Riss dies, it's the equivalent of over three million
humans dying."

Terril looked at me in shock.

"There are ten billion humans in
the SAS but only three thousand Riss. A ship like this contains the equivalent
of six hundred sixty million humans, and how many of the SAS military would
desert
us in
war
or even see
it as an opportunity to fire on us?"

"Too many."

When we exited the Wave into Freeland
space, we were immediately hailed by a Hunter, which had its weapons online.

"Unknown cruiser, you are in Freeland
space and must
submit
to a security search. Any attempt to
resist
will result
in your destruction."

running.>

space
station.>

<
Helm
: Two
second
skip on Nav
vector.> Red lights flashed,
and
SIDs buzzed with the status change as the
people on the Bridge faded into ghosts and back again.

where
we not.>
r-
Diona
sent with a feeling of amusement.

.> Thalia
sent an
image
of a group of Riss laughing at some clown with SAS written on his
costume, running into walls, and tripping over things.

cry
.>

* * *

As we
ghosted
our way
towards Freeland, the airwaves were filled with chatter. Most of the
communications came from Admiral Wattson as he tried to establish order from
the resulting chaos. We docked in stealth mode, and ten minutes later the
Eirene
arrived
.

connection
to Admiral
Zann.>

Zann's
face appeared on the
monitor
shortly afterward.

"Admiral Zann, I am withdrawing all
Riss to Freeland, and I'm enlisting your help in expediting their
transfers."

"Why, Nadya?"

"I do not
trust
the SAS, and
I’m terminating the Mutual Support Agreement, MSA, with the SAS immediately. We
will
abandon
the Riss cruisers. They may do with them whatever they
wish
."

"What about the Riss' dream of
going to the stars?"

"After the Aliens have confined the
humans to their planets, the Riss will go to the stars."

"How?"

"Because the Riss… are
Si'jin
masters
." I
smiled at the analogy. "The Riss do not fight force with
force
and will be
the Aliens'
dybbuk
."

"Yes,
Leader
. I will
join
you on Freeland."

"No. The Riss may need your
connection
to the SAS.
Stay for now."

"I'll see to the transfers."
Zann cut the connection. I left the Bridge for what would be the last
time
and made my
way to the Scorpions’ area with Terril and another guard following. Seng was
waiting when I arrived.

"What happened, Captain Reese?"
he asked in a worried tone.

"The SAS refused us entry into
Freeland space without a
search
and fired on us, although our weapons were
offline and we have
army
and navy personnel
aboard
. I have
recalled all Riss to Freeland." My eyes felt
moist
at the thought
of leaving old friends. "I would appreciate it if you would use your
shuttles to help
transport
the Riss to the planet. Afterward, you should
contact your superiors since the
Mnemosyne
and
Eirene
are being
abandoned."

"Abandoned?"

"Yes, my friend. I will always
remember your
support
, my
dear
adopted sister and friend Terril, and the
loyalty
of the
Scorpions. But I will not have your lives on my conscience." A tear slid
down my cheek.

"I'll make sure they arrive safely.
It’s been an honor serving with you, Captain Reese." He saluted and strode
away, shouting orders.

With Terril tailing, I left to
visit
Byer. "Terril,
it seems your duty is over." I didn't turn
,
unable to
bear
facing her.

"Not until I see you're
safe
on Freeland.
The five Scorpions following me and I are hoping someone gives you a dirty look
because we're in a bad mood."

I almost tripped when I looked over my
shoulder and saw the fully armed Scorpions following Terril.

When I reached Commander Byer's
area
, he too was
standing outside his office as if expecting me.

"Captain Reese, what's going
on?"

"The Riss have terminated the MSA with
the SAS and are going planet-side. Apparently, some in the SAS would kill navy
and
army
personnel to
kill
Riss. That is unacceptable. I want to thank
you for your support over the years. I will always think of you as a
friend."

"It's been an honor, Captain Reese.
Tell me when you are ready to leave.
Ghosts
will
see
you and the
Riss safely to Freeland."

I
turned
and made my way in the direction of the
Intel units, wanting to
scream
to the gods how so few could
destroy
so much.

When I reached the door, it was
open,
and
Iglis
stood
waiting.

"The airwaves are
alive
with
messages. Zann has recalled all the Riss from the cruisers, Wattson is trying
to calm the fleet, and messages are flying between captains. Half the cruisers
have their weapon systems online. It's chaos."

"That's what happens when
discipline breaks down—emotions rule. This is no
place
for the Riss.
We're leaving."

"You can't!"

"Do me a favor,
Iglis
. Send the
following
message
to Admiral Plimson via the Comstat,

To: Admiral
Plimson
.

Sir, it is with deepest regret that
I
inform
you that the
Riss
have
terminated the
MSA
with the
SAS
for the multiple breaches of our
agreement
by
SAS
officers. The
Riss
can no longer trust them to fulfill
their support of the
Riss
.
I
would do anything for you to repay your
support of me and the
Riss
over the
years, but I cannot
risk
the lives of
the
Riss
, or the lives
of the navy and
army
personnel
serving alongside them. Too many
want
the
Riss
gone, so we
will
go
.

Signed, Captain
Nadya
Reese
.

"I’ll miss you,
Iglis
. I wish
things could be otherwise. It's been a pleasure knowing you." I turned and
headed for the shuttle area.

"I hope the Aliens come here soon,"
Terril said to no one in particular.

"Why?" I stopped to stare at
her.

"Because then I'll be confined to
the same planet as you. I certainly don't want to
fly
with any of
those idiot captains," she said and nodded up towards the ceiling and
space
.
"Besides, I believe the Riss will beat the Aliens’ quarantine before I'm
too old to fly."

"You'll never be too old to fly
with me."

The shuttle bay was alive with activity.
I entered my shuttle and motioned Terril to sit beside me—for the last
time. Looking out the window, I saw
Ghosts
everywhere. I hoped no one would try to interfere because
Byer's
pilots would
react with deadly force, and I didn't
want
that.

When we reached the landing area at
Rupea
, it was a
beehive of activity, with shuttles coming and going and Riss wandering off into
the wilderness.
Pavao
stood next to
Ni'Shay
and
Da'Maass
. Her security guards, like mine, hadn't
left.

"Terril, don't you need to leave?"
Each word felt like a knife
striking
my heart.

"No one but Admiral Plimson and
General Garret can
relieve
me of my responsibility. And I haven't heard
from them." Her lip twitched, and I gave her a death-grip-hug. I released
her when
Ni'Shay
spoke.

"Captain Reese, you have Freeland
and
, I think, the
SAS in turmoil. Captain Pavao tells me you are coming to
stay
. For the
elders, I
say
you and the Riss are welcome to stay as long as you wish. You and
they are officially citizens of Freeland.

"Thank you, Elder
Ni'Shay
. I'm sorry to
impose upon you as I'm afraid it may cause you
trouble
. But we have
nowhere
else to go."

"It doesn't matter.
Without Riss'
support
,
the SAS will cause us
trouble
whether you’re
here
or not. The
elders decided we will
abandon
the factories and repair facilities."

"You can't. The SAS will
retaliate
. They have
been looking for any excuse. If you
stay
and help, it might not be as
bad
since you’re valuable
to the war effort."

"Yes, it will be
bad
, but it will
be no different
than
if you hadn't negotiated a
treaty
. And we will have the
satisfaction
of knowing we
may just help the Aliens quarantine them as they will quarantine us."

I hadn't thought about the impact to
Freeland. I hadn't thought at all, was the
truth
of it.

You Leader
.
Cethlion sees our future. Decision
correct.>

decision
correct
.>

My head spun with
doubt
, confusion,
the overwhelming responsibility, the impact on friends and comrades-in-arms, and
finally
the loss of friends. Just then,
Pavao
walked up and put an arm around me.

"I understand why you are
Leader
and why no
one wants the position." She gave a short laugh. "Cethlion says you
will show the Riss the path to the stars, and your Riss-sisters will help you
over the bumps."