Riss Series 4: The Riss Accession (5 page)

"Invincible," Pavao said,
smiling.

"Yes, Invincible. You and your
teams must forget conventional ways to stop manned and unmanned missiles… Oh,
and ninety centimeter lasers. Think about the impossible and then implement it.
The Riss are adept at doing the impossible, and the clans built the Riss cruisers.
The nastiest cruisers in space."

"Yes,
dybbuk
." He
grinned. "We will find a way. Ni'Shay and the other elders want you
wrapped in a cocoon. They say the Riss are our future."

"Pavao, I'd like us both to be
actively involved."

"Sounds like fun. No better time to
build the cruisers of the future than in a war when Aliens are trying to kill
you. As you so elegantly pointed out, each Riss is the equivalent of over three
million humans."

"Da'Maass, Doctor Dayton informs me
you have no significant health issues, except maybe your liver is
having
to work
overtime to keep up with the wine you force it to process. Twenty Riss
volunteers are waiting at Rupea to talk with you. It will help you understand
the Riss, whether you
really
want one to share your human vehicle
,
and whether
one or more of them is interested in you as a host."

"I thought you could force... tell
them to..."

"My words are the words of the
Riss, but only when I feel they benefit the Riss nation. Forcing a Riss to
accept a host wouldn't be in the Riss best interest."

"Nor mine, although I would do
anything to fly one of your cruisers. You did help me begin to understand the
potential… ramifications."

"Good. We’ll depart for Rupea as
soon as I talk with the Riss-humans here."

Da'Maass stood and left the room.

"Pavao, if he's accepted, I'd like
you to be his mentor during his transition, although I expect all of us to
help."

"I think that is a
good
idea.
Da'Maass already has a crush on you."

"How are your attached units doing?
Any trouble?"

"Just the opposite. They are
delighted to be back on the
Eirene
.
They like the environment,
level three, and the fact it's safer."
She laughed. "And they feel
special."

"The same on the
Mnemosyne
.
Well, I'm off to take Da'Maass to his interview. It should be
interesting
."

"You think he'll be accepted?"
Pavao asked.

"Oh, yes. The
interesting
part will be
to see who decides to have him as a host."

* * *

Da'Maass was
quiet
on the
ride
to Rupea.

I doubted he was
having
second
thoughts, but I hoped his orientation helped him understand the cost of flying
those
magical ships
.

After an hour trek into the wilderness,
we arrived at a semi-circle of Riss.

He stopped short for a few seconds, and
his face paled. I think for the first time in his life he felt fear. He was
facing a life changing decision. Then he smiled and walked to a
boulder
some six
meters in front of the group and sat.

The question and answer session
lasted
over four
hours
.

I called a halt for the day. The Riss
and Da'Maass needed a rest and time to consider what had been said. The
discussions had been
interesting
. The Riss had been more philosophical than
with Pavao or me, and Da'Maass had been brutally honest.

"Wow, that was interesting. I
hadn’t realized what a bastard I was
and
how much my thinking has changed since
the Treaty," he said as we sat in the Rupea Snow Top’s main dining room.

"Yes, we’re a product of our
environment. The question is whether we’re capable of adapting when that
environment changes. I’d
imagine
it would depend on how radical the change."
For me
the hardest part had been learning to deal with people
,
as I had
tended to be a loner. The SAS system with its hierarchical structure was
difficult. Conversely, the Riss system, where everyone is equal, I found easy.

Being a Riss-brother would be easy for
Da'Maass—he understood
clan
. But his ideas of life and death were not the
same as the Riss. Only time would tell. "I think I understand you better
now. I knew the Riss were intelligent. What I didn't understand was they’re
real people with distinct personalities and professional interests. Thalia
enjoys life and is…"

"A mathematician."

"I can now understand that having
another person in your… vehicle with you for life might not be something most
people would want."

"What about you?"

"I could use a conscience." He
shook his head with a wry smile.

* * *

The
questioning went on for four days and was
intense
at times. Da'Maass never tried to avoid
the difficult questions and was equally probing. I was notified the next day
that three Riss were
willing
to
host
him, which surprised me. The Riss
Snowy
mountain trails with shadows from the setting
sun
was the most interested. Her position had been scouting and
intelligence gathering. I notified her, Da'Maass, and Pavao to meet me on the
Mnemosyne
.

* * *

"Good day, Doctor Dayton. Are you
ready for another Riss insertion?" I said as I entered her office. She sat
at her desk, immersed in something on her medical
tablet
.

She laid the tablet on her desk. "That
was
very
quick.
I thought it would
take
months to find, test, and
accept one.
The criteria
are
very narrow
,
otherwise I might have applied," she said
with a smile. "Oh, Da’Maass. That was the reason for the physical. I know
members of the clans are eligible to apply, but isn't that dangerous?"

"No, not at all. If you were inside
someone and could take complete control over that person at any time, would you
allow them to do something against everything you believed in?"

"I see your point, although I doubt
most of the fleet
would
. I guess I find it hard to accept ex-Raiders,
which they would have to be to qualify, as ideal candidates.
They were
killers and worse."

"It's interesting. We endeavor to
rehabilitate criminals rather than keep them incarcerated, but we never
really
trust or
forgive them. The Riss don't hate, so they have nothing to forgive. As for
trust, it's impossible to deceive a Riss who knows your thoughts and
feelings."

I watched Dayton while she considered
what I had said. When she nodded, I continued. "If the candidate is
sincere, he or she will succeed. If not, the Riss will reject the candidate.
Therefore, the clan candidates are no more dangerous than any other. You must
realize that sometimes an SAS candidate would want to be a Riss-human for
devious reasons."

Before she could answer, Jaelle came walking
in with Da'Maass and
Snowy mountain trails with shadows from the setting
sun
.
Dayton stood staring at Da'Maass for a
long time, then shook her head and waved for him to follow her.

"Well, Da'Maass, are you
sure?" I asked. He looked a bit pale behind his bushy beard and mustache.

"I'm nervous. Becoming a Riss-human
will change me forever in ways I can't begin to guess, and that's scary. But I
think that's a
good
thing, so I'm
ready
."

"Up on the table," Dayton said
as she adjusted the machine which would inscribe the
Rh
tattoo on his
face. The procedure took almost an hour. She had just finished when Pavao knocked
and opened the door.

"Pretty tattoo, Da'Maass. You look
like a tagged Kodak Bear."

 
He said nothing, staring at the Riss
sitting in the corner. After a slight pause, he stripped off his shirt, walked
over to her, and sat.

When Da'Maass lost consciousness and slumped,
I motioned to Pavao and Jaelle. "Let's go to my office. There’s nothing we
can do here. Doctor Dayton knows the procedure and will monitor Da'Maass. I'd
like to discuss our new Riss uniforms."

"Uniforms?" Pavao gave me a
funny look. "Why?"

"I think it's in everyone's best
interest that we appear the independent nation we are. That's not hard for the
Riss as they aren't human, but we are.
So we need to look like we belong
to an independent navy.
If we appear
to still be
part of the SAS, it's going to be
difficult for Admiral Wattson to restore discipline."

When we reached my office, our security
guards stayed in the corridor. I had kaffa prepared, and everyone got
comfortable.

fur
uniform like
Riss.>

"Thalia's opening suggestion is a
fur
uniform," I said, sipping my kaffa.

"I'd prefer something dark and
simple and… non-furry," Pavao said.

Jaelle nodded agreement.

"I like the idea of a dark color
and for our formal and work uniforms to be the same. The Riss are a simple,
unpretentious race, and our dress should reflect that."

"Good idea," Pavao said.
"What about rank?"

"We don't have rank. We're all
equal."

"True, however, we must interface
with the outside world, and they will need to know our positions. You are the
Riss leader, some of us are captains, and others are
XOs
or training
to be captains."

"I agree," Jaelle said
tentatively. "It's simple when you consider the ten officer ranks in the
SAS, and the fact most don't tell you what that person does."

We spent several hours discussing
various options and finally decided the color would be dark gray. The uniform
would consist of slacks, a long sleeved pullover top with a collar, and soft
leather boots with rubber soles. The Riss-human's position would be designated
by five-point silver stars on the right sleeve. One star indicating the
equivalent of an XO; two stars, one next to the other, a captain; and three stars
in a triangular shape the
Leader
position. On the right shoulder and on the light gray beret, a sunburst badge
would be worn. The badge would have an outline of the
Mnemosyne
and two
scrolls: on the top RISS NATION and on the bottom NAVY.

Afterward, Pavao returned to
be
with Da'Maass
when he recovered.

Jaelle went off to Freeland to order the
uniforms, and I decided to visit Terril for a workout.

The weeks flew
by
, and
according to the feedback from Colonel Seng and Commander Byer, Admiral Wattson
was working the assembled fleet hard. He had retired another three captains and
was running exercises every other day. He continued to ignore us.

The
Mnemosyne
and the
Eirene
had been repaired,
and
our missiles replenished. Da'Maass appeared to be adapting well and
had named his Riss,
Adiona
—goddess of safe return. He was itching
for his first flight, but I’d decided to keep the Riss cruisers in
dock
to help
Wattson keep the focus off the Riss. Pavao left Da'Maass on the
Eirene
with Alena while she, Commander Byer, and I made several trips to Freeland
to
check
on
the progress of the Invincible project. Zann was keeping track of the SAS
projects.

Ta'Lona
's R&D
team had come up with two ideas. The first, a
platform
they dubbed
Dummies, which produced a Light cruiser signature and was armed with
fifty-centimeter lasers. The Aliens' missiles and manned fighters would be
coming out of a cloud of chaff and
looking
for the Riss cruiser. The first thing
they would see would be a Dummy, and hopefully, they’d be drawn in its
direction. The defensive laser systems would destroy some, ECM would force
others off course, and the manned fighters, with their attention on the Dummy, would
be vulnerable from the rear. The ones that got through would be ramming a Dummy
cruiser.

The fighter problem was complicated.
The current
solution was to
provide
two
3D optical displays—one forward
and
one
rear—since the fighters could be seen with optics but not radar-like
sensors. Not a perfect solution because the pilots now had three panels of
information to monitor,
but
hopefully they would adapt over time.

Pavao, Byer, and I blessed the two
solutions.

"
Ta'Lona
, you and your
team have come up with reasonable solutions, and I'm authorizing production of
twelve Dummy platforms and optical displays on six Ghosts. However, I want the
R&D to continue. Besides, you still haven't solved the fifty and
ninety-centimeter laser defense problem."

His mouth dropped open, and he turned a
bit pale.

"Relax,
Ta'Lona
. You and your
team did well in a short period of time. We're pleased. I just don't want you
to stop looking for new and better solutions."

Ta'Lona
smiled.
"Thank you, Captain Reese. We will find the
solution
you
see."

* * *

Wattson's face
appeared. He had dark circles under his eyes.

"Admiral Wattson, how may I help
you?"

"Good morning, Captain Reese. Thank
you for maintaining a low profile over the past several months. It has made my
task of restoring discipline easier. Your decision to resign from the SAS
proved beneficial. The Riss-humans and you in particular were a lightning rod
on many levels: hosting a parasite, out of zone promotions, treatment of the
clans, etc. And we, the senior officers of the SAS, contributed to the problem
by hoping it would go away if we ignored it. I'm sure the problem hasn't been
completely
resolved, but
I believe it’s under control, so I'd like to meet with you and Captain
Pavao."

"At your convenience,
Admiral."

"How about eighteen hundred hours
on the
Golden Eagle
?"

"Yes, eighteen hundred hours,"
I said,
and
he cut the connection.

"What's up, Reese?"

"Admiral Wattson is requesting our
presence at eighteen hundred hours on the
Golden Eagle
. He looked tired.
Don't forget the Ghost and Scorpion
escort
."

"Restoring discipline couldn't have
been an easy job. The entire fleet on Freeland wanted you court marshaled,
discharged, imprisoned, or shot―depending on
who
you asked."
She snorted. "He probably told them you were dishonorably discharged and
sent to the penal colony at
Cyberus
. I’ll meet you there; you're not safe to
travel with." She was laughing when she cut the connection.

Jaelle was smiling.

Ignoring her, I activated Byer’s SID.

"Yes, Captain?" he answered
immediately
.

"Commander, Admiral Wattson has
invited me to dinner at eighteen hundred hours."

"Your
escort
will be
ready
. By the way,
the pilots are excited at the idea of a visual display. They love the
Ghosts
, but it's difficult acting in
concert with their teammates when you can't see them. And it kind of reminds
them of the old dog-fight days on earth."

"Thank your
team
for me. We're
making progress. If we can somehow create a system that provides positional
information, the
Ghosts
will truly be the fighters of the future."

* * *

I left early, as the
Golden Eagle
was an hour's flight away in
a shuttle.

"Ma'am, we are being challenged by
two Strikers," Lieutenant Lennon, my pilot, said over the loud speaker. "They
say this is a restricted area, and we are to return to Freeland or be
destroyed."

"Captain Pavao was right. You're
not safe to travel with," Terril said. Her grip tightened on the seat
rest.

"Inform them this is a Riss
shuttle, and ask for their names, as Admiral Wattson will be interested."
I
waited
,
hoping
they weren't going to
cause
an incident.

"Not necessary, ma'am. Commander
Katlin in
Ghost
One has given
them five seconds to disappear voluntarily. They are turning away."

"Thank the space gods those
Ghosts
are along." Terril loosened
her white-fingered grip. The rest of the trip was uneventful.

When I
exited
,
Lt
. Commander
Bradshaw stood waiting. "Greeting, Captain Reese. I like your new
uniform
. I've been
informed Captain Pavao is only a few minutes out, if you would like to
wait."

"Yes."

Bradshaw looked gorgeous as usual, and I
wished I could see him on a regular basis. But I'd
bet
Wattson had
him running night and day. "I guess the Admiral is keeping you busy."

"Yes. It's been educational
watching him exert control over the assembled fleet. I knew you encountered a
lot of prejudice being a Riss-human, but I hadn't realized the hate and
viciousness that went with it. I'm sure the Admiral hasn't eliminated it, but I
think he has it more or less under control. He's replaced thirteen Captains and
five
XOs,
and sent twenty-one officers back to Eden for reassignment. Ten
were reduced in grade." He hesitated for a moment while looking at his
SID. "Captain Pavao and her escort just arrived in the next bay. We can
collect them on the way to the Admiral's conference room. Work before
dinner." He smiled and led me out of the bay.

"Commander Katlin has an
interesting way of waving off intruders," Pavao said as she joined us.
"Must be scary being threatened by a fighter you can't see. And to make it
worse, Commander Millet, the leader of my escort, chimed in with,
Escort
one, this is
Escort
two. Leave
one for me
."

When we entered the
conference room, it was crowded.
Wattson stood, which caused all the others to
rise. It was comical since the lowest ranking officer in the room was a Rear
Admiral.

"Welcome. It's
nice
to see you.
I'm afraid my duties precluded us getting together sooner, but I've heard
you've been busy. I called this meeting to share statuses as allies." He
paused to stare at Pavao and me. Smiling, he turned to face the group of
officers. "I believe everyone knows Captain Reese, who speaks for the
Riss, and Captain Pavao. I’d like to introduce my task force leaders. Admirals
Osburne
,
Sakaata
, Gebauer, Botos,
Modero
,
Unger, and
Quinerly
," he said, pointing in each individual's direction as he said
their name. "Please help yourself to drinks on the sidebar and be
seated."

I met
Sakaata
at the
sidebar as I collected my kaffa.

"Congratulations, Admiral
Sakaata
."

"Thank you, Reese. I'd like to
catch up on what has been happening with you and reminisce about old times. The
rumors about you run the gamut."

"I'd like that. And I'll give you a
tour of the
Mnemosyne
." I headed to the empty seat between Wattson
and Pavao. I was surprised to see Gebauer sitting across the table from me. He
hated the Riss Project, the idea of someone hosting a parasite
,
and had made
my life hell on the
Peregrine
.

"Reese, I know you and Admiral
Gebauer had problems in—"

I held up my hand, interrupting him.
"I served with Admiral Gebauer and found him a dedicated and courageous
officer. So long as he doesn't object to me joining the fight, I would be proud
to fight alongside him." At the battle of
Tamerland
, Gebauer had
showed judgment and courage fighting the Raiders, who had an
overwhelming
advantage.

"That is very gracious of you,
Reese, considering how I treated you on the
Peregrine
.
Your Riss math saved us at
Tamerland
,
and
you’ve always done your duty in spite
of everything. I would welcome you and the Riss as allies."

"Any other questions or comments
before we begin?"

"Yes. Captain Reese, I notice you
aren't wearing an SAS uniform,
but
you're wearing the rank of a Vice Admiral. I
hope that doesn't mean you feel you outrank us,"
Modero
said with a
snort.

I stopped Wattson from responding. "Admiral
Modero
,
I'm not wearing an SAS uniform because I'm no longer an SAS officer, not
active, inactive, or retired. What I'm wearing is a Riss uniform designed for
Riss-humans, because we can't run around naked like the Riss." I stopped
to let the laughing and side comments stop. "The stars are not rank. The
Riss have no rank. We have positions which are all equal. The stars are for
your sake
,
so that you can tell each Riss-human's position. One star is
someone in training to be a captain, the equivalent to your XO. Two stars
designate
a Riss Nation
captain
.
And three stars indicate the position of
Leader
.
And before you jump to the conclusion that the position of Leader is higher
than anyone else, you must
understand
it's
merely
a
position
that someone
has to
fill
. For now, the Riss have given the position to me. It's not a
position I or any Riss want." I took a sip a kaffa and looked at Wattson.

"Thank you,
Leader Reese
.
I'm sure it was a question on everyone's
mind. It's a mind-warping concept that is hard for humans to imagine. All
right, down to business. What's the status of the Riss cruisers?"

"The
Mnemosyne
and the
Eirene
are repaired and restocked. They are operationally ready. The
Minerva
could be operational within three to four weeks if we can resume flights. The
fourth Riss cruiser could be operational within
six month
; however, at
the present time we don’t have a Captain."

"What about the other Riss-humans:
Alena, Elissa, and Jaelle?"
Sakaata
asked.

"In peacetime, Alena and Jaelle are
ready now and Elissa in a year. But they aren't ready for war. They don't have
the tactical experience
to effectively fight
a Riss cruiser."

"Many of our captains are the same,
yet we send them to war. I thought the Riss were supposed to be allies,"
Botos said.

"That is true, but your captains
fight in squadrons or task forces and have support. By the nature of our
cruisers, we make independent decisions.
At Fools Landing,
either
Captain Pavao or I would have been destroyed if she hadn't been an experienced
Captain.
Besides, if the Riss lose a cruiser, we will have lost one-fourth
of our cruisers and
almost
seven percent of the Riss population.
That is
equivalent to the SAS losing twenty cruisers and ten thousand personnel. Would
you commit that much to an inexperienced Captain?"

are
their
leaders.>

overwhelming force.>