Riss Series 3: The Riss Survival Read online

  "You can kill the Riss, and you can attack the Lynx, killing hundreds of innocent people. And the Lynx and the Merlin will destroy the Saker killing hundreds more. Are you really that kind of a man? Is that how you want people to remember you?"

  "You're a traitor! Consorting with the Raiders."

  "You will have your chance to present your evidence at your hearing. If you're right, I will be relieved of command and no one will have to die. I'm sending Scorpions to the Saker to secure the ship. If you fire on them, the Saker will be destroyed. Captain Reese, out."

  "Colonel Seng, send two shuttles of Scorpions to secure the Saker. Commander Byer you will support the crossing with force if necessary. Gelman, send to Corbitt, 'prepare to support Scorpion detail being sent to secure the Saker.'" I sat back and hoped Walden's twenty years of military service wouldn't permit him to waste the lives of comrades in arms. The tension on the Bridge felt like the discord of an orchestra tuning their instruments.

 

 

  I wasn’t responsible for the future of the human race or SAS, but I was responsible for the future of the Riss.

  A warm, safe feeling flowed through me. I wished I understood. Minutes later, reports began coming. At my nod, Gelman left the Bridge speakers on for everyone to hear.

  "Captain Corbitt reports he's in position and has dispatched his Strikers.

  "Colonel Seng reports two Scorpion combat shuttles launched.

  "Commander Byer reports Strikers leaving Saker with weapons disabled."

  The Bridge held its collective breath. The unthinkable could happen and SAS ships fire on each other—comrades killing comrades over a few madmen's hate. It was possible. It had happened to me. Each passing minute felt like a lifetime.

  "Colonel Seng reports the Scorpions are on board and encountering no resistance."

  * * *

  The Saker's Bridge crew and the Wasp Commander were confined to quarters under guard while every individual on the Saker was interviewed. Commander Iglis conducted the investigation and concluded some fifty people had been actively involved in the mutiny, although many claimed to be just following orders. Iglis found that Lavett and Waldel had been planting seeds of distrust and spreading rumors for months. I didn't envy the SAS Inquiry having to sort out who was following orders and who was part of the mutiny.

  The Saker's Wasp Commander and gunny were good examples. They had been told Captain Corbitt agreed I should be relieved of my command and that the Scorpion Commander on the Lynx would stand down during the takeover. The gunny leading the takeover did order his men to cease fighting when he saw the Scorpions. But by then, six Wasps had been wounded, three seriously. It would have been worse if small details hadn't elected to surrender when they encountered Scorpions while trying to secure their assigned area.

  I had the fifty individuals restricted to one area of the Saker and under guard, awaiting the replacement ship.

  * * *

  I was surprised a month later when the Heavy cruiser, the Bateleur, a Hunter, the Bobcat, and a Light, the Osprey arrived. I was relieved to find Admiral Plimson aboard the Bateleur but couldn't help wondering if I were in trouble.

 

 

 

  Thalia had a point. Plimson had always gone out of his way to be fair with me. But he may not have a choice if he got pressure from Eden. Too many didn't like the Treaty, as Lavett and Walden had proved.

  "Skipper, the Admiral has invited you to join him on the Bateleur at sixteen hundred hours."

  "Thank the Admiral and confirm I'll be there." Captains didn't turn down invitations from Admiral unless they were in Regen. Fortunately, I had a few hours to get ready.

  "XO, you have the Watch. I'm off to get ready for my meeting." I returned to my room, stood in the Fresher until I turned pink, worrying. I dressed in formal whites and arrived at the shuttle reserved for my use thirty minutes early. Much better early then one minute late. I boarded and sat. I was shocked out of my musing when Terril and a corporal followed me in.

  "Terril, you can't—" She had come prepared, tapped on her SID and a hologram appeared with the letter signed by Admiral Plimson and General Garret authorizing a detail of an unspecified number of Scorpion bodyguards. They were authorized to accompany me everywhere without exception—or my permission. The order resulted from the multiple attempts on my life.

  "Sit, Gunny. Why are you going?"

  "I've never met the Admiral. And I thought it would be interesting to watch you dance with an Admiral."

  "You don't dance with Admirals. It's yes, sir. I'd be happy to, sir. Immediately, sir. It will be boring."

  "Sounds like fun." Terril gave me an evil grin. When I looked out, we were entering the shuttle bay and minutes later the green light came on. As I exited, a young Lieutenant waited.

  "Welcome aboard the Bateleur, ma'am, I'm Lieutenant Alderson, Admiral Plimson's aide-de-camp. If you'll follow me, I'll take you to the Admiral's conference room. He should be available shortly. To his credit, he didn't comment on the two Scorpions accompanying me. He led me through hallways familiar from the inquiry at Saipha. I smiled remembering my first time on the Bateleur. I had been accepted as a candidate for the Riss Program and to my amazement picked up and transported on the Bateleur.

  "Captain Reese, can I get you a cup of kaffa or something else?" He tentatively looked to Terril who shook her head as she and the corporal backed up against the wall.

  "Kaffa, would be nice," I said, wanting something to keep my hands busy and maybe relax me. As soon as I thought it, Thalia worked her magic and the tension left my neck and shoulders.

 

 

  The Lieutenant had no sooner put the cup down next to me, than Admiral Plimson and two Vice Admirals entered the room. I bolted to my feet and stood at rigid attention before the Lieutenant could call Attention.

  "At ease, Captain Reese. Let me introduce you to Vice Admirals Stenberg and Wattson. They will be part of the Inquiry Board."

  "My pleasure, sirs," I said still at semi-attention."

  "I see you brought protection," Stenberg said, smiling as he and the others found seats opposite me. Before I could respond, Plimson spoke.

  "Our Captain seems to attract more than her share of killers. So, I've ordered a permanent detail to follow her. I doubt the gunny would let her go anywhere without guards even if I hadn't. The Army seems to have taken her under their wing." He pointed to Terril and smiled. "Well Reese, you seem to have attracted more trouble. The joint chiefs of staff, which Stenberg and Wattson are members, have decided it would be best to have the inquiry here rather than on Eden where it could become a circus, since a large number of individuals and organizations are vehemently against the Treaty. Why don't you give us an overview of the charges you've filed?"

  "I knew Captain Lavett did not agree with the Treaty from the beginning, but I only learned …" I tried to give a brief overview, but bit-by-bit they pulled out every detail.

  "I'm glad you were able to stop the mutiny. The truth would have been twisted around to blame you and the clans. And it wouldn't surprise me if you would have somehow been killed aiding the clans in a revolt." Plimson paused to take a sip of water. "The official inquiry will start tomorrow at nine hundred hours."

  * * *

  The inquiry took three weeks. Everyone who was directly or indirectly involved along with anyone who wanted to speak was interviewed. Lavett and Walden were sentenced to the Cerberus penal colony for life. In addition, twenty-one navy personnel were found guilty to some degree or another: four were given a year's confinement and dishonorable discharge, five were reduced in rank, including the Wasp C
ommander on the Saker, and the remaining twelve received letters of reprimand.

  After the inquiry ended, Plimson asked to meet with me. When I entered his meeting room, Wattson and Stenberg were there along with the Admiral.

  "Help yourself to kaffa or water and have a seat," Plimson said and waited as I poured a cup of kaffa and sat.

 

  A ripple of laughter. I couldn't see what was so funny.

  "Reese, we agree you did nothing to justify Lavett or Walden to mutiny. However, given their attitude towards the Treaty, some of your actions could have been interpreted as plotting with the clans." He held up his hand before I could respond. "In that case, he should have requested an inquiry into your actions, not taken it on himself to remove you. We believe part of the problem is that Lavett like almost all the SAS captains have more time-in-grade than you, yet you're the station commander. That will continue to be a problem."

  Plimson looked down at his SID. "One of Lavett's charges was letting the clans merchants continue to operate in the UFN and the JPU. The intent of the Treaty was to confine their operations to the SAS."

  "Sir, that maybe everyone's understanding, but the Treaty doesn't state that as a condition. Allowing them to continue to operate in the UFN and JPU benefits the SAS. The clans have an extensive spy network in both empires. Therefore, what the clans learn, I know and thus the SAS. We now have reliable information about each empire and advance notice of anything that may affect the SAS."

  "Military Intelligence will be very pleased, Captain," Stenberg said, then nodded to Plimson.

  "Another of his charges was allowing the Riss shore-duty but no one else." Plimson paused, waiting for me to respond.

  "Sir, the Riss have lived their whole lives outdoors. They have no houses or buildings. Unlike the other military personnel, they will not be rotating home in a year and will likely spend many years here. Therefore, they need time on planet. The clans accept the Riss as neutral and have been willing to let them roam a wilderness territory where there are no settlements or towns. Humans would want to visit the towns, and it would only take one or two incidents to spark a chain reaction all the way to Eden. Lavett is an example of someone who would have intentionally caused trouble."

  "Makes sense," Wattson said, "when you hear your reasoning."

  "Yes, the problem will be trying to send replacements that aren't prejudiced and willing to listen to reason. I think the best we can do is to ensure the Captains understand the conditions in Freeland, why you are station commander, and what you are trying to accomplish." Plimson looked towards Wattson and Stenberg. Then he turned back to me. "It sounds like Captain Corbitt acted property during the mutiny and hasn't given you any problems."

  "None. Captain Corbitt's performance has been excellent," I said, realizing the kind of problem I would have had if he had sided with Lavett.

  "Good, we plan to leave him here to finish his tour. I'm assigning Captain Pavao as Lavett's replacement. I've explained the situation here and the fact that you are station commander. Although, she is a senior Captain with substantial experience, she asked for this assignment." Plimson paused and took a sip of his kaffa. "I trust her, Reese. Oh, speaking of Corbitt, I expect you to provide me with an evaluation of each Captain assigned to Freeland."

  "Me?"

  "Yes, you're the station commander. Actually, I think a captain's performance on a unique assignment like Freeland will be more informative than a routine one. For example, Corbitt will now be on a fast track for a Hunter."

 

 

 

  Amusement tingled through me. I was beginning to think she was an incarnation of Thalia of the three Muses. I guess it was much better one of us wasn't depressed or constantly afraid. Stenberg spoke, breaking my mental paralysis.

  "What about the decision to put the army in charge of inspections," Stenberg asked, frowning.

  "Ironically, the army personnel are the least biased, and I enjoy the support of the Scorpion Commander and his senior noncoms. I trust them to go out of their way to be impartial. I'm trying to avoid anyone asserting their prejudices on the clans or the clans on the inspectors. This way the fight will be between the army and the inspectors, and the army has thick skins."

  That got a few chuckles.

  "I agree with you and the Admiral. The situation here would take very little to ignite a major incident that would explode on Eden. And it's going to be very difficult to finds replacements. We can't interview them all," Stenberg said and everyone lapsed into silence but sat staring at me.

 

 

 

 

  An image of me juggling balls and every few minutes an Admiral throwing me another one.

 

 

 

  I felt her laughter.

  "Sirs, I would like to have the clans build the Riss a cruiser—"

  "What!" Wattson spilled the kaffa he was sipping.

  "Are you crazy?" Stenberg asked.

  "Sirs, I'm the station commander, although as you point out, I have the least seniority. I'm expected to be the governor of Freeland, although it's not official. I'm the leader of the Riss Nation, but what does that mean to the SAS? The expectation is that the Riss will soon be operating one or more of the SAS cruisers but in what function? They are not SAS personnel and not officially allies." I took a sip of kaffa to give everyone time to think about what I was saying. "If the Riss had their own ship or ships, then they could join the SAS as allies, which they want, and many of the present vagaries would be solved. I'd guaranty that no SAS technology would be present in the new cruisers and take full responsibility for its security. It would be designed for the Riss, not humans." My mouth went dry, watching the open-mouthed silence. I took another sip of kaffa and found my hand shaking.

  I couldn't tell as no one was talking.

 

  "Reese I think you managed to give us all a headache. I for one need to sort through what you've said." He looked to the others, who were nodding agreement. "Let's meet back here tomorrow at nine hundred hours."

 

  An image of three weightlifters struggling to lift a massive dumbbell.

  * * *

  "I'd say that was a ten knot performance, Captain Reese," Terril said during our shuttle ride back to the Lynx. "Master Wei had the right of it, as usual. As one progresses in Si'jin, a contest is as much about mind games as it is about technique. So, watching elders, or admirals, or high ranking officials contend for an advantage is much like watching an advanced Si'jin match."

  "Terril, do you think it would be possible to have a contingent of Scorpions on an allied ship?"

  "By the gods, Nadya… you're planning a Riss Navy!" She shook her head and lapsed into silence.

 

  Image of an old-fashioned aircraft carrier, battle ships, and destroyers manned by Riss, cruising in an ocean.

  * * *

  I entered the conference room a few minutes early, poured myself a cup of kaffa, and sat. I didn't know what to expect. I hoped I hadn't pushed too fast, too hard, and lost. But they had caught me off guard, causing me to express my thoughts out loud—fire, ready, aim.

 

 

  The promotions have come to fast. I had gone from Lieutenant Commander to Captain to Station Commander in what seemed like light-seconds, missing the experience normal time in grade would have provided.

  Thalia's answer for everything. I'm high-Riss because she is; therefore, nothing is too hard or i
mpossible, or … I had no option but to play the hand I had been dealt.

 

  Amusement. The Thalia I loved—everything was exciting and fun. I was so engrossed in my thoughts I almost didn't stand when the admirals entered.

  "At ease, Reese." Plimson said as he and the other two got settled with kaffa. "Reese, admirals are supposed to give captains headaches and impossible tasks to do. Captains are not supposed to give admirals headaches and impossible decisions to make." He sat staring at me, making me feel like a little girl waiting to hear her punishment. "The sensible answer is Hell No! You have again, I repeat—again—put me in the position of looking like a fool or a genius depending upon the eventual result." He shook his head and sat nursing his kaffa. Stenberg and Wattson sat quietly staring at me.

  "I was foolish or brave, depending upon who you talk to, the last two times you presented me with a career shattering decision. Both times, you made me look like a genius. Zann claims the Riss always pick the right … Riss for the task at hand, and they picked you as their leader. I'm going to trust the Riss and authorize you to build two Riss cruisers."

  "… Thank you, sir." I wanted to kiss him, but he was an admiral.

  "Remember, Captain Reese, admirals don't like to be disappointed." All three looked at me grim faced.

  "Captain Reese, I have mixed emotions about Admiral Plimson's decision, and I'm glad I didn't have to make it. My understanding is that you will ensure that no SAS technology will be used in the … Riss cruiser and that the clans won't use it against us. Is that right?" Wattson asked.

  "Yes, sir. The Riss want to be an ally of the SAS. They have and have and will continue to work in the best interest of the SAS. My promise to you is the promise of all the Riss."

  "I still find it impossible to believe you not only represent the Riss but that every Riss will agree with whatever you say," Stenberg said, smiling. "If you can bottle that, I'll buy a million bottles."

  "What scares me, Admiral Stenberg, is how easy it would be to abuse that power. I agonize over every word." It did scare me, more so because no one ever offered me an opinion or opposing view.