Riss Series 4: The Riss Accession, page 17
I nodded and his face disappeared, and Wattson's appeared. "Our scout at Lycus is reporting a Medusa just entered the system. I'd like a meeting of all task force commanders in two hours aboard the Dynasty. Wattson out."
"The Mnemosyne will take this one, since I'd like to release Captain Sakaata as soon as possible. I'm sure she'd like a change of scenery. Besides, Damaass, I'd like you to get more exposure with the SAS in particular."
* * *
The conference room on the Dynasty was crowded when I arrived. The UFN had five task force commanders and the SAS seven. Zhu and Wattson arrived shortly afterward.
"Attention," Zhu's aide barked, and the room rose.
"At ease," Zhu said into the silence as he and Wattson took seats in the middle of the long rectangular table. "Leader Reese, we normally send a UFN and an SAS task force to destroy a Medusa. One task force searches for the scout and destroys it prior to joining the other task force to fight the Medusa. Riss certified cruisers are designated ahead of time to skip-attack the Medusa. Would you like to suggest any changes now that you will be accompanying the attack?"
"I would imagine the minute you destroy the scout, the Medusa releases its cruisers, and all hell breaks loose."
That provoked several smiles and snorts.
"Let's try and catch a few of the Alien cruisers in momma's hair. Let the Mnemosyne enter a few hours before the task forces so we can locate the scout. Let a small task force enter with the Riss-certified cruisers from the UFN and SAS. If you leave your weapons systems off—"
That elicited several side conversations before Zhu tapped his wine glass.
"Please continue, Leader Reese."
"The Aliens have so far not attacked ships unless they attempted to run or fight. We can use that to get near enough to skip-attack the Medusa. If we are lucky, we could catch all their cruisers in their launching bays. The Mnemosyne will aid in any way necessary after destroying the scout."
After a lot of discussion, the concept was agreed to and the ship assignments made. Wattson asked me to stay when the meeting finally adjourned.
"I'm glad Leader Reese and the Riss are our allies, Wattson," Zhu said. "She has a tendency to get into her enemy’s mind. And I wouldn't be surprised to find her captains are very much like her."
"Reese is right. We have to fight smart. The Aliens are killing real people. We are only killing copies."
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
The battle at Lycos
We left the wave with minimum power and immediately cut back to half power on two engines, slipping silently through space. Fortunately for us, the Aliens were consistent, as you would expect robots to be, which was not to be confused with stupid. Therefore, we knew the approximate area in which the scout would most likely be found.
"Commander Byer, release your Ghosts. Locate only."
We had agreed to release ten Ghosts with a specific search pattern. Once the scout was located, its position would be recorded, the Ghosts would return, and the Mnemosyne would slowly get in position to destroy the scout after the task force began its attack on the Medusa.
"Aye Captain, Ghosts away. Locate only."
Now we could do nothing but wait for the task force to arrive.
"Alena, as part of your training, I'm going to ask you what you would do as the battle develops. It's not a test, and there are no right and wrong answers. It's for you to state what you think you would do and compare it to what I decide. If the two plans of action are different, we can discuss why. If you do the same when you are with Pavao, I believe over time you will develop your own tactical judgment. Notice, I said your own. Don't try to copy Pavao, or Damaass, or me. Every situation will be different and therefore unique. You have to try and get into your enemy's mind."
"Like Si'jin," She laughed.
"Much the same. If you know your enemy's level of skill, you have an advantage because you know what he is and isn't capable of doing. If you don't, you must try to determine it before you commit. Surprise is always your greatest advantage or weakness."
"But that means you can't plan ahead."
"Plans seldom survive contact with your opponent. You can make a conceptual plan as we did here in Lycus. But it must be continuously evaluated as the battle goes on and you learn more about your opponent."
"How? While people are dying around you... "
"Consider it a contest between you and the other captain or captains. Your job, while your sisters run the ship, is to figure out what that captain or captains are planning. Forget everything else."
The VTM lit with white dots tagged SL1, SL2, SHt1, UL1, UL2, and UL3. They continued to approach Lycus at half speed as if unaware of the Medusa's presence.
Six hours into the approach, the Aliens sent their warning. "Unidentified warships. You have entered a solar system under the control of the Supreme Council of the Gods. You are directed to proceed to the planet named Lycus where you will evacuate your ships. Failure to comply will result in your destruction."
"So far so good," Alena said. "The Medusa hasn't released any of its cruisers, yet."
For the next hour, the task force continued towards the planet and closer to the Medusa. Then in the blink of an eye, SM1 and U1 disappeared, reappeared close to M1, disappeared again, and reappeared a few light-seconds away.
"Alena, what now?" I asked.
"Fire both banks at the scout, then release the Ghosts if necessary," she responded immediately.
"Commander Byer standby to launch Ghosts."
"Ghosts ready."
The Mnemosyne shuddered twice as the missiles raced to their target, which was less than four seconds away.
"Byer, launch your Ghosts. Make sure that scout is in no condition to fly."
"Ghosts away."
The VTM began adding tags: SC1, UC1, UHv1, UL4, UL5, UL6, SL3, SL4, SL5, and SL6. Sixteen cruisers in total, eight from the SAS and eight from the UFN. The only difference was that the UFN had no Hunter class cruisers and had added a Heavy in its place.
"Alena, what should we do now?" I asked.
This time, she remained silent for almost a minute.
"Wait to see if they need our assistance. They have already destroyed two of the Aliens’ cruisers."
"What would you do if you were in charge of the task force?"
"Order another run at the Medusa since it's still operational. Another skip-attack using Dusters."
"And what will the Medusa captain do?" I asked.
Alena gave me a blank look.
"The Medusa's captain is your opponent. Don't think of him as a robot. He or she is an intelligent being and not going to roll over and die any more than you would in his predicament."
"Oh... A duster will mean another attack—"
"Sirs, may I ask what you intend to do next?"
"I suggest another skip attack against the Medusa, Li Sing said.
"I agree," Gebauer said, then added. "Why, Reese?"
"I wonder what each of us would do, if we were the captain of the Medusa."
"Teach those humans a lesson," Li Sing said.
Gebauer frowned while nodding agreement. "Whether they are intelligent or exceedingly smart computers, we must assume they have learned that lesson. The very reason destroying the scout is priority one. Do you have a suggestion, Reese?"
"Get two cruisers in position for another run, while the Mnemosyne moves closer. When we are all in position, they will send in their Dusters. Then I will send in two Dummies. Then they will initiate their run. If the Medusa is still operational, I will make another skip-attack," I said, leaving out the timing which would have to be worked out if they agreed.
Silence greeted me.
"Yes, that may work," Gebauer said.
"They fire at the Dummies because they are expecting another skip-attack and can't reload for at least thirty seconds," Li Sing said, smiling.
"Unless they didn't fire all their missiles. But I agree, it's a reasonable risk," Gebauer said.
It took an hour to work out the details as the Medusa began to make its way towards the entrance to the Wave.
"I see what you mean, Leader. It's easy to get fixated on your plan and forget about your opponent. You have to be in his mind if you are going to beat him," Alena said. "I begin to understand why Damaass wins so often against the SAS officers. He gets in their heads."
"The task force has overwhelming force and will destroy the Medusa. The only question is how many lives it will take. That is why the Riss captains must have experience and judgment. We cannot afford to waste Riss lives. Neither Gebauer nor Li Sing is a coward and both have battle experience. But they are used to losing ships and have come to think of it as the cost of winning. I would rather the Riss captains think of it as the cost of stupidity."
* * *
It took an hour to work out the details, mostly the timing of the Dusters, Dummies, and skip-attacks. In the end, it worked to perfection. The Mnemosyne crept within a light-second of the Medusa, which made the Dummies appear close enough to the Duster explosions to be a cruiser making a similar skip-attack. The Medusa had been ready and fired all its missiles, blasting the Dummies to dust. And the skip-attack destroyed enough to render the Medusa non-operational.
* * *
Three days later, we returned to Echo. I walked through what had happened with Damaass and Elissa, using each stage of the encounter to quiz Elissa and Damaass as I had Alena. Damaass was quick to understand as it was his nature to think what if. After a debriefing of Wattson, Zhu, and the task force commanders, I departed for Freeland.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Nadya returns to Freeland
I felt a bit apprehensive as we left the Wave and entered Freeland's space. Iglis had sent Commander Williams, the Freeland Intelligence officer, notice of our pending arrival via the Comstat, but there were lots of Lavetts and MacLins around.
Pavao appeared on the overhead monitor. "I think you're lost. Commander Bradshaw is in Echo," Pavao said, trying to look serious.
"How do you know I haven't kidnapped him and am planning to hide out on Freeland?"
"Because you wouldn't be on the Bridge talking to me." She laughed. "Welcome back, Nadya."
"It looks like we should be in orbit around Freeland in eight hours or so. I'd like to meet with you for dinner. Say twenty hundred hours."
"See you then."
I cut the connection. "Alena, you're invited. I'm going to visit the sections then get ready. You have the watch." I proceeded to the Intel section first, where Iglis met me at the door. "Captain Reese, would you like something to drink?"
"Yes, and you can bring me up to date on anything interesting that’s been happening in Freeland that isn't classified."
"Everything is classified as a matter of policy, just in case it should be," she said, grinning as we made our way to her office. "Even the rumors. According to Williams, Freeland is rumor-mill central. The rumor of the day is that you are carrying urgent dispatches from Admiral Wattson to activate additional squadrons from Freeland, including the Riss."
"Sounds like the focus may actually be on the war, instead of the Riss and Freeland."
"I think the Alliance and the fact that the Riss cruisers have killed three Medusas have helped. As for Freeland, they see them producing their missiles and upgrades. Besides, Stenberg has been keeping everyone busy. Between ship upgrades, compliance tests, and exercises, there hasn't been much idle time."
That sounded like a huge improvement since I departed for Dong. I left and found Commander Byer in Shark bay one, talking with several pilots.
"Captain Reese, we were just discussing the Ghosts."
"That's the reason I'm here. I'd like you to put a team together to work with the Invincible group. Maybe a few of your folks wouldn't mind the experience," I said, getting everyone's attention. Byer smiled, understanding my intention to help break the monotony of the ship and a chance to see Freeland. "We will be on Freeland until the Eirene rotates back."
"Thank you, Captain. Some fresh eyes may help." He grinned.
I headed for the army area and found Terril talking with several Scorpions.
Everyone stood when they saw me.
"Leader Reese, are you here officially or slumming?" Terril asked. "I was just going over your security with those who will be assigned to you this week. Freeland can be exciting."
"Captain Reese, were you looking for me?"
"Actually, I was. With the Eirene leaving, you will be taking over security. I wouldn't mind a little extra and maybe also in the Riss area." I watched as Seng's emotions went from confusion to understanding.
"Yes, Captain. I will make sure security is tight." He smiled.
I left feeling I had done all I could.
* * *
I stood waiting as Pavao exited the shuttle with two Scorpions trailing. Her two-Ghost escort had docked in the next Sharks' bay.
"It's good to see you, Nance," I said, giving her a hug.
"Not half as much as I am to see you. This Leader stuff is worse than being a captain." She grinned.
"You seem to have things under control, as we weren't attacked when we entered Freeland space."
"The war seems to have everyone occupied temporarily. They probably didn't attack you because they thought you had news about the war." Pavao said as we made our way to my office. We arrived just as Alena did.
"Alena, I'm surprised you aren't in Dong." Pavao gave me a questioning look.
"Get yourself something to drink, and I'll explain." I waved to the sideboard. "Now that we have four operational cruisers, I've decided it’s time we provided the Mutual Support I agreed to with Plimson. I'm leaving one cruiser on Dong, one on Freeland, and two on Echo. After an engagement, that cruiser will rotate back to either Freeland or Dong and the cruiser on that station will take its place on Echo. Elissa will be the XO on the Minerva, and Jaelle on the Maat. Alena will be the XO with you and me. I'm hoping she will be ready to captain one of the next Riss cruisers, and then Jaelle and Elissa.
"That may work out good. We have a Riss-human candidate for the next Riss cruiser, which will give Alena another six to eight months. The next Riss cruiser, the Elpis, is scheduled to be operational in a month, and they are building one every six months," Pavao said, stopping for a drink of her wine. "Her name is Samantha Sheva. She qualified over a month ago but wanted time to think about it. I know how she felt. I remember when you blindsided me. When you are young with stars in your eyes, it's a much easier decision than when you are older and realize the extent to which it will impact your life. She already knows she won't give up her Riss."
"Who is the Riss with the most interest?"
"A huntress," Pavao said.
"Sheva will be arriving back in three days. Speaking of candidates, what’s Zhang like?"
"Like an older Zen monk: quiet, thoughtful, pragmatic."
"Serious?" Pavao asked.
"I think he has a sense of humor," I said, thinking back to his reactions to some of Chung’s and Sato’s statements. "In a way, he's like Damaass. He's capable of getting inside his opponent's head," I said, realizing that was the crucial requirement for a Riss captain. Each Riss cruiser carried seven percent of the Riss nation.
Before Pavao left, I set up a meeting with Stenberg for the next morning.
* * *
When I entered the conference room on the Horned Owl, three men and Zann were standing in a group talking. It was an odd group. Stenberg and Zann were now full admirals and their companions a tall, heavy-set vice admiral, and an equally tall woman captain.
As everyone found a seat, Stenberg said, "Leader Reese, welcome. You know Admiral Zann. This is Vice Admiral Kephalos, who is directing operations on Freeland. And this is Captain Horshell, captain of the Horned Owl and the senior captain on station. Help yourself to something to drink, and we'll get started." Stenberg sat at the head of the rectangular table with Zann to his right, Horshell next to her, and Kephalos to his left.
When I poured a cup of kaffa and sat next to Horshell, Kephalos didn't seem pleased.
"Leader Reese, I understand that you are sending Captain Pavao to Echo, and you are planning to stay on Freeland," Stenberg said as I took a seat.
"That is correct. For now, the Riss will have two Riss cruisers permanently on Echo to support the Alliance, and one each on Freeland and Dong."
"Why not all four on Echo?" Kephalos asked in a neutral voice.
"Because it would freeze the Riss' contribution to the Alliance. Cruisers need to be Riss certified, and captains qualified to command the new Riss cruisers."
"Neither seems necessary. Our personnel aren't stupid. Just live up to your agreement with Admiral Plimson and provide each ship with two Riss. And I can provide you with captains for your new ships." He had the nerve to smile.
