Riss Series 4: The Riss Accession
THE RISS ACCESSION
Book IV in the Riss Series
By C. R. Daems
The Riss Accession
Copyright © 2013 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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CHAPTER ONE
Task force arrives at Fools Landing
CHAPTER TWO
Riss/SAS MSA Terminated
CHAPTER THREE
Emergency meeting with Plimson
CHAPTER FOUR
Resigning from the SAS Navy
CHAPTER FIVE
Reorganizing the Freeland fleet
CHAPTER SIX
Attempting to form an Alliance
CHAPTER SEVEN
JPU rejects Alliance
CHAPTER EIGHT
Alliance with UFN
CHAPTER NINE
Deployment to Dong
CHAPTER TEN
Dong invaded
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Aftermath
CHAPTER TWELVE
New Riss-human candidates
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
The Maat arrives on Dong
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Riss cruisers to Echo
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
The battle at Lycos
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Nadya returns to Freeland
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Live free or die.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
The JPU discovers Freeland
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Rethinking positions
CHAPTER TWENTY
Surprise visit to Eden
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
It won't work
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Operation Discovery
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Returning heroes
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Developing an invasion strategy
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Preparations for War
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Operation Red
Novels by C.R. Daems & J.R. Tomlin
CHAPTER ONE
Task force arrives at Fools Landing
Captain Pavao and I sat in my office aboard the Mnemosyne. We had just finished a leisurely dinner of broiled steak, garlic mashed-potatoes, mixed vegetables, and a chocolate mousse for dessert. She relaxed in one of my two padded wingback chairs, looking content.
"Well, Nance, " I asked, "how are the repairs to the Eirene going?"
"We've done all we can for now. The remaining damage will have to be fixed at the Freeland maintenance facilities. The Aliens' Light cruisers didn't do that much damage, but their mother ship was a nasty bitch. We were only close for five seconds, yet her lasers wreaked havoc. If she’d had time to launch any missiles, I wouldn't be sitting here today.
"The same here." I nodded and took a sip from my glass of wine. I seldom drank alcohol, preferring kaffa, but Nance had chosen wine, and somehow it made me feel more in tune with her. Having her for a Riss-sister gave me someone to share my concerns with, someone who would give me feedback. My other Riss-human sisters—Alena, Jaelle, and Elissa—didn't have the experience or confidence. "Have you finished your inspection of the Aliens' mother ship?"
"As much as possible without tearing things apart. I suspect Admiral Wattson would prefer me to leave it for the inspection team he'll be sending." She snorted. "We should call that monster Medusa. Although this one only carried eight Light cruisers, it has the capacity for twelve; a level dedicated to manufacturing and repairing cruisers, missiles, and computers; and thirty-two missile tubes with an equal number of fifty and ninety-centimeter laser stations. The Medusa looks like a permanent station to ensure Fools Landing stays quarantined."
"They left a scout ship. I wonder if that was to maintain communications with the main force or just a precaution. In either case, they must have a home base or staging area; otherwise, the scout wouldn't know where to go. We’ve learned more about the Aliens, but what we've learned only raises more questions and concerns." I took a sip of wine and closed my eyes. "Nance, I'm grateful you decided to become a Riss-human."
"Me too. At the time, I felt you were giving me one of those I'm a genius or an idiot choices―depending on how it turns out―that you are always giving Admiral Plimson. And I know now how he feels when it turns out that he looks like a genius. Thank you, Nadya. Becoming a Riss-human is the best choice of my life. I can't imagine a life without Cethlion."
"Being a sister to the Riss is a precious gift. One that would never have happened if the need hadn't been great. Can you imagine what would've happened if Alena had been Captain of the Eirene? With our stealth ability and Duster missiles, it's difficult to keep in constant contact so one person can coordinate the overall action. I lost contact with you during our battle with the Medusa's cruisers. Consequently, Alena would have had to make independent decisions."
"Yes. In a time of peace, I believe she would make a good Captain, but she isn't ready for war. When the Medusa started spitting babies, I could feel Alena's indecision. Like many of the SAS captains today, she would be all right in a task force having overwhelming force. They aren't tacticians. Most never will be. It's what Admiral Wattson tries to teach our best and brightest at the War College. Even so, few graduate With Comment, and those are the only ones he considers qualified."
"So who is going to fight the Minerva, and the one after that? Only three Riss cruisers will be in service for some time to come, so we can't afford to lose one. They must be fought to their potential for everyone's benefit. The battle at Fools Landing is a prime example. Two Riss cruisers defeated eight of the Aliens’ Light cruisers and a… Medusa. At Zigzag, a Heavy, a Hunter, and three Light cruisers barely won against three of the Aliens' Light cruisers." I stopped and finished the wine in my glass and was tempted to fill it again. "Nance, the SAS has roughly ten billion citizens, but there are only three thousand Riss." I shut my eyes, seeing the dead bodies. "The Mnemosyne lost four and the Eirene two—that's the equivalent of killing twenty million humans." I couldn't help my harsh tone or the tears that I turned my head to hide.
"I know, Nadya. Yesterday that argument would have seemed academic. Today it doesn't."
When I opened my eyes, Nance had tears in hers as well.
"Cethlion told me we must look forward, not backward," Nance said so quietly I almost didn't hear her. "She's right. We must learn from each encounter and get smarter—and yes—find a captain to fight the Minerva to its potential."
* * *
An interesting configuration, an enhanced version of the one at the battle of Zigzag—three additional Lights. I shuddered at the thought of three extra lights against an additional five Alien Lights and a Medusa.
"... the Mnemosyne and Eirene. This is Rear Admiral Osborne of the Goshawk, commanding the SAS task force alpha one out of Freeland, sent to relieve the Mnemosyne and Eirene. This is Rear Admiral… "
A few minutes later, the broadcast stopped, and shortly afterward, individual cruisers began taking their weapons offline—all but one. I continued to wait, wondering how military discipline could break down so fast when emotions took control.
"Sorry, Captain Reese. We weren't sure what to expect and were being cautious." There was a long pause. "Captain Reese, respond—" I could hear muffled talking in the background, then Osborne screamed, "MacLin, turn off your weapons now and put them under lockdown. I want a report on my desk within the hour explaining why you disobeyed a direct order. Osborne out."
"This is Captain Reese. Welcome to Fools Landing, Admiral Osborne."
"Thank you, Captain Reese. My task force has been given the responsibility of inspecting what's left of the Aliens' quarantine force and bringing anything of value back to Freeland." He paused, staring at me for a couple of heartbeats before continuing. "I'd like you to join me and my staff for dinner tonight, if you aren't otherwise occupied."
"Unless you have already toured a Riss cruiser, why don't you and your staff join me on the Mnemosyne?"
"I'd like that. You will need to keep your lights burning so my shuttle pilot can find you," he said, his broad lips breaking into a smile. "Will eighteen hundred hours be acceptable?"
"Yes. I look forward to seeing you, Admiral."
* * *
"There seem to be a lot of Scorpions around, Gunny," I said, surveying the bay.
"Admiral Plimson's order did state an unspecified number of bodyguards. Today it's ten."
I couldn't blame Terril after Captain Lavett's attempted mutiny. He had requested a meeting with me and came in an army assault shuttle with twenty Wasps aboard. The Admiral wasn't in an assault shuttle, but it could hold twenty if necessary. I had to admit I didn't show a lot of trust when the task force entered Fools Landing. Better safe than sorry.
"You’re right. Perhaps the Admiral will consider it an honor guard," I snorted as the broad shouldered Admiral exited the shuttle.
"Attention," Jaelle shouted. Osburne was young for a Rear Admiral. He had an athletic build, curly brown hair, and stood a little over one hundred eighty-five centimeters. Five officers followed him out of the shuttle.
"Permission for me and my staff to come aboard, Commander," he said while his eyes scanned the bay, stopping at me.
"Permission granted, Admiral," Jaelle said as I approached.
"Welcome aboard, Admiral Osburne. I'm Captain Reese."
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you. You're probably the most talked about officer in the SAS navy. I've brought several of my staff. I'd like you to meet my XO, Commander Babcock... Weapons officer, Commander Stilman... Striker Commander, Addison... Navigation officer, Commander Mercy... and the Wasp Commander, Colonel Huan."
"Welcome, gentlemen. If you will follow me, my staff is waiting on level three." On the way, heads swiveled as the group noticed the wider and taller hallways and larger steps as we made our way to level three.
"I noticed your bodyguard detail is rather large and very attentive," Osborne said as we walked.
"Following me has made them paranoid. Unfortunately for them, anyone trying to kill me has to kill them first, and that seems to happen rather often."
"So I've heard."
When we reached level three, I introduced my staff and motioned to a table where drinks and snacks were available.
"This is like being outdoors," Osborne said as we walked along. "If you brought me here blindfolded, I would've thought I was in a domed garden. I doubt any cruiser designer would ever consider devoting a level to a garden. But I have to admit it's beautiful. Is it open to everyone on the ship?"
"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 pla
nning body."
"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.
"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.