Riss Series 4: The Riss Accession, page 16
* * *
When Pavao arrived at Stenberg's conference room aboard the Horned Owl, Zann was already there. It was late, as Stenberg had insisted they meet immediately. She had barely closed the door when Stenberg spoke.
"The Maat is not authorized to leave Freeland."
"By whose authority?" Pavao asked as she fetched a glass of wine and sat opposite Zann and Stenberg, who were in the middle of a table full of papers.
"Mine. The SAS station commander."
"In case you may have forgotten, I'm not in the SAS military. I guess as station commander, you may be able to order the humans aboard the Maat to stay on Freeland, but that would actually be an illegal order in that it would violate the MSA between the SAS and the Riss." She sipped her wine, waiting.
"Damn it, Pavao. That cruiser is supposed to be assigned to one of the SAS Riss-human candidates you're evaluating. What does Reese want the Maat for?" Stenberg asked, his tone harsh.
"Admiral Stenberg, you are assuming that one of the Riss-human candidates will qualify as a Riss-human and that the captain of the Maat must be a SAS officer—"
"That Damn Reese isn't considering making a UFN officer a Riss-human and giving him the Maat. A pirate, now an UFN officer." He stood, glaring down at her.
"And lastly, you assume that you have the authority to command the Riss Nation. I thought we were allies and no one nation was in charge."
The room was silent as Stenberg walked to the sideboard and filled his glass. He stood there for a long time before returning to his seat.
"Pavao, You are... were a senior officer in the SAS military, and although you are a Riss-human now, you must have concerns about the security of the SAS empire. Do you agree with Reese?"
"Yes. Reese frequently makes decisions that would cause most men to doubt her loyalty to the SAS and her judgment. I have often questioned her reasoning, but after hearing it, I've always agreed. I often wondered if she were far more intelligent than the rest of us. But I've come to the conclusion that she, like Admiral Plimson, is just the right person for her current position. Believe me. I'm one of the three thousand Riss who don't want her position of Leader. She has never let Admiral Plimson down, and she will never let the SAS down. If she believes the Maat needs to be in Dong, it's in everyone's best interest it go to Dong."
"I would concur with everything Captain Pavao has said, including not wanting her position," Zann said.
"The good news, Admiral Stenberg, is one of the SAS officers has qualified to be a Riss-human. She's married and understands it's a life-changing decision and has elected to take some time to think about it. I think it a wise decision." Pavao laughed. "It took me a week just to agree to consider it. I believe she will eventually say yes and will be the captain of the next Riss cruiser, the Elpis—the goddess of hope."
"Thank you, Pavao for your patience. You're right. We are lucky to have Plimson... and Reese. If we're going to defeat the Aliens, we need bold leaders, and they are going to need our trust.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
The Maat arrives on Dong
My SID buzzed, interrupting my reading of our final report on the invasion of Dong. Jaelle's face appeared.
"Leader. The Maat has entered Dong. Alena is the captain."
"Good. Connect me to the Minerva." I waited as the connection was made, and Damaass's bushy, smiling face appeared.
"What can I do for you, Leader?"
"How is Zhang coming along?"
"If I didn't know better, I'd think he was a Riss in human disguise. He and Vesta, the goddess known as the keeper of the flame, appear to have always known each other. They share an intense devotion to work and inventiveness. The last exercise with Sakaata and the ones with Green-2 and Green-3 were clever. I don't think I could have done better. With the Riss he's fine, but he's a bit reserved with the humans on board. I'm working on that." He laughed.
"I'd like a meeting with all the Riss-humans tomorrow morning... and their senior staff."
* * *
There was no call to attention when I entered the room, but it did become quiet.
"Since I doubt everyone here knows everyone in the room, I'd like to go around and for each of you to introduce yourself." I nodded to Jaelle, who was sitting to my immediate left.
"Jaelle, XO on the Mnemosyne."
"Commander Byer, Commander of the Ghosts on the Mnemosyne."
"Colonel Seng, Commander of the Scorpions on the Mnemosyne."
"Commander Iglis, Intelligence chief on the Mnemosyne."
"Captain Damaass, on the Minerva."
"Zhang, XO on the Minerva."
"Commander Uryan, Commander of the Ghosts on the Minerva."
"Colonel Benito, Commander of the Scorpions on the Minerva."
"Alena, XO on the Maat," she said and smiled, which elicited frowns and questioning looks, especially from the Maat members.
"Commander Henya, Commander of the Ghosts on the Maat."
"Colonel Hakon, Commander of the Scorpions on the Maat."
"And, I'm Leader Reese," I said and was rewarded with smiles around the table. "I'd like to welcome the members of the Maat to Dong. Let me say that I feel Alena is already as good if not better than many of today's SAS and UFN captains. But we are at war, and each Riss cruiser is equivalent to sixty SAS cruisers, therefore our captains must be the most experienced Riss-humans we can find. As soon as Alena has gained battle experience, she will command a Riss cruiser. As will Jaelle and Elissa. But for now, Zhang will command the Maat. He has commanded cruisers in battle and demonstrated good tactical judgment."
"Leader Reese, are all three cruisers going to remain in Dong?" Commander Henya asked. She was a tall, wiry woman. "There is a war... "
"Yes, Commander Henva. There is a war going on, and people are dying. Many more will die before it ends—friends and comrades, fathers and mothers, son and daughters."
I hadn't thought about it that way. That going to the stars had saved the Riss.
"I'm sorry, Leader Reese. I didn't—" Henva began but I interrupted her with a raised hand.
"You are rightfully concerned. You must, however, understand the Riss, and that is not easy for a human. Many in all three empires believe it's an act of cowardice to avoid a confrontation with the enemy. That it is heroic to die fighting. The Riss have no such concepts. Not too long ago, the Riss were hunted for their hides. They chose to retreat into the mountains rather than fight or even seek revenge. They understood that if they didn't, the humans would wage war on them, and they would be annihilated.
"I chose to abandon the SAS, JPU, and UFN at the battle of Hayjar rather than to risk the lives of the delegation on the Mnemosyne and jeopardize an Alliance. Many consider those acts of cowardice. But the Riss are a space-going nation today, and we have an alliance between the SAS, UFN, and the Riss because of those decisions."
I paused to take a sip of kaffa. "Riss-humans are required to captain the Riss cruisers because we humans have the aggressiveness required in battle. But I expect the Riss-human captains and you to show the Riss's wisdom to fight intelligently. We don't need dead heroes. We want to win but with the fewest number of deaths and injuries. Those we fight are copies. You are not."
When I looked around the table, heads were nodding in what I took for understanding. I sighed with relief.
"With the assignment of Zhang as captain of the Maat, we have four operational Riss cruisers. I intend to begin rotating them between Echo, Freeland, and Dong so that the task forces in Echo will always have at least one Riss cruiser available, and Freeland and Dong will always have one Riss cruiser for training and bringing new Riss cruisers into the fleet. For now, Zhang and Damaass will alternate between Dong and Echo, and Pavao and I between Freeland and Echo. Alena will be XO on the Mnemosyne and the Eirene when in Echo. Jaelle will be the XO on the Maat, and Elissa the XO on the Minerva. The Mnemosyne and the Minerva will leave for Echo in five days.
* * *
The next day, I took Jaelle with me to the Maat. When we arrived, Damaass and Zhang had already arrived from the Minerva and were waiting with Alena in the shuttle bay.
"I understand you and Vesta are content with the pairing," I said as we joined the group.
"Yes, Leader Reese. Vesta is all I could have hoped for. I'm more content than I've ever been in my life." Zhang said.
"Captain Damaass says you are ready, so your new position is now Captain of the Maat."
"Thank you, Leader Reese," Zhang gave me a small bow.
"I want you and Jaelle to continue to run exercises with the Green task forces, certify Riss crews, and monitor the Riss factories on Dong. The Minerva and the Maat will rotate after each engagement with the Aliens."
Zhang and Damaass nodded.
"Good, let's take a tour of the Maat," I said, leading the way to the Ghosts' bays. Henva was in Ghost bay one, talking with several pilots when we entered. Everyone straightened and Hanva started to call attention, stopped with her mouth open, and then smiled.
"Good morning, Leader Reese. I almost forgot this is a Riss ship, and the captains appear to wander a lot. Captain... XO Alena... "
"Yes, it's confusing. Each Riss has a position, much like the military except each position is equal and your position changes based on the need. Alena was the captain while she ferried the Maat here. Because this ship will be going to war, her position has changed. She has not been demoted since all positions are equal. She has just changed positions. She is now the XO on the Mnemosyne. If we didn't have to interface with SAS personnel, we wouldn't need the stars on the sleeves. They are so you know what position each of us is currently filling. As of today, Zhang has the position of Captain and Jaelle XO on the Maat."
"Strange concept, strange ship, strange eating and working out with Riss, Scorpions and Intel folks, but my people and I love it. I understand there will be planet-side leave. If that's true, no replacements may be needed. People won't want to risk getting reassigned to a regular ship." She laughed.
"Yes, there will be planet-side leave, after everyone attends a required class on the dos and don’ts of UFN society."
We stayed to talk to pilots and mechanics, giving Zhang and Jaelle time to get acquainted. Afterward, we visited the Scorpion area.
"Good morning, Leader Reese, Zhang, Jaelle, Alena, Elissa," Colonel Hakon said as he came out of his office. "Having navy personnel visiting the army areas takes some getting used to. But Colonel Seng is right, my troops and I wouldn't want to be anyplace else."
After dinner, Zhang and Jaelle walked Damaass, Alena, Elissa, and I back to our shuttles.
"Any questions?" I asked before boarding. "These assignments are the precise reason we need experienced captains. We don't work as a task force and can't depend on others to help. I know you don't need XOs, but... "
"You expect us to help tutor Jaelle and Elissa in the game of war," Zhang said.
"To be Riss-wise," Damaass said and laughed. "And to be in the enemies' minds, like a dybbuk."
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Riss cruisers to Echo
We entered Echo with our sensors active and at three-quarter power to make sure we were visible and broadcasting the authentication codes. I hoped working with the UFN had made the SAS captains less prone to shoot first and ask questions later.
"Yes Leader," Damaass said as his face appeared on the monitor.
"Wear your dress uniform. Admiral Wattson has requested my presence, and I think you should be there."
"And my medals?" He smiled.
"It's required," I said, which caused his mouth to drop open. After a moment―I'd bet talking with Cethlion―he smiled, realizing I meant the tattoo.
"With both uniforms?" He laughed. "Separate shuttles?"
"Yes, nineteen hundred hours on the Eurasian. Scorpion and Ghost escorts."
"Wouldn't go anywhere without them." He laughed and cut the connection.
She replied.
* * *
Terril was waiting at the shuttle with a replacement when I arrived.
"Is this going to be exciting, Leader Reese?" she asked as we entered the shuttle and sat at my nod.
"I hope not. Wattson doesn't deserve my tantrums. He has worked very hard to eliminate the prejudice against the Riss, and it's an impossible task."
"So you're on your best behavior tonight?"
"I hope so. There will be a lot of paperwork if you have to shoot the Fleet Admiral."
"I'll try to remember that," Terril said as the overhead light went green and the shuttle door slid open.
When I exited, Bradshaw stood waiting. "Good evening, Leader Reese." He smiled and I wanted to throw my arms around him. "Congratulations, Commander. That's wonderful," I said as I gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
His cheeks turned a shade of pink, but he returned the hug.
"Are you being reassigned?"
"No. I'm still the XO on the Eurasian. Commander Casey is Admiral Wattson's new aide. But Admiral Wattson said I should get you, as it would put you in a better mood." He laughed, then nodded to my right. "I see Casey has collected Captain Damaass. I'm off duty, so if you have time after you meet with Wattson, maybe we can get together."
"Wattson who?" I grinned.
"Just ask Casey. He can get in touch with me." He leaned over and kissed my cheek, and my knees went weak. "Commander Casey, this is Leader Reese."
"Leader Reese. It's a pleasure to meet you. If you and Captain Damaass will follow me, I'll take you to the Admiral. He's waiting in his office." With that, Casey led us to the second level and a suite of rooms especially modified to accommodate the Fleet Admiral and his staff.
The sergeant on duty knocked and after a short exchange opened the door wide for us.
Wattson and Zhu stood when we entered.
Terril and a Gunnery Sergeant Quinn, Damaass's senior security guard, followed us into the room.
The other two guards remained in the hallway with another man wearing a similar uniform to Xun's.
Xun stood behind Zhu.
"Leader Reese, Captain Damaass," Wattson said. "Admiral Zhu and I were a little surprised when we were told you had entered the system. We would like to know the Riss status."
"I apologize for the surprise, but sometimes advance notice raises questions and concerns that are best handled face-to-face." I walked to the sideboard and fetched a kaffa, and Damaass poured himself a glass of wine. "I'm here honoring my Mutual Support Agreement with Admiral Plimson. The Riss now have four operational cruisers, and four captains I feel can fight them effectively. Admiral Zhu's brother, Zhang, is now a Riss-human and captain of the Maat."
"I thought he might qualify. He's more Riss-like than most and an outstanding commander, who has demonstrated excellent tactical judgment during his career. I didn't think Sato or Chung was what you were looking for, but they met your criteria."
"Chung wouldn't have been able to adapt to another intelligent lifeform in his mind. Sato is the hero type," I said more for Wattson than Zhu, who I suspected already knew.
"Heroes are bad?" Wattson asked, probing as usual.
"Most envision there are among us heroes. That implies those among us who are not heroes—are cowards. The Riss possess no such concepts. I avoided, or some would say, ran from the Aliens at Hayjar. A hero would have stayed." I paused, waiting for any comments.
Zhu gave a nod.
Wattson started to say something, stopped, then nodded. "I see your point, although most won't. They will feel that makes you undependable," Wattson said.
"Heroes are concerned with winning battles. I want Riss captains who are concerned about winning the war. I do not care what others think," I said and Damaass laughed. "It's not romantic, but the clans of Freeland will attest to its effectiveness."
"Back to the reason we're here. I will be rotating Riss cruisers to Echo to support the Alliance's mission. Rotating, so those Riss-humans in training—acting as XOs—will be ready to captain the new Riss cruisers as they become available. I'll leave one Riss Cruiser on Freeland, one on Dong and two on Echo. They will rotate after each mission. For this rotation, it's Captain Damaass and me. Pavao and Zhang will be our replacements."
"Thank you, Reese. I think the Riss presence will help minimize the rumors that the Riss aren't helping to fight the Aliens. They don't see you, so..."
"I understand."
* * *
While we waited for word of a Medusa sighting, Damaass and I conducted several seminars on the techniques we had evolved in our two battles with Medusas, and Damaass monitored live simulations using those techniques. I wanted Damaass seen as a veteran in the war against the Aliens to minimize the inevitable hostility because he’d been a Raider. For the most part, I think it was working. We were never going to eliminate prejudice, so I would have to settle for minimizing it.
In the middle of my weekly staff meeting, my SID flashed with an urgent message, and r-Galene's face appeared. "Leader, Admiral Wattson," r-Galene's voice box translated his hand movements.
