Riss Series 4: The Riss Accession, page 19
"I didn't mind the banging into walls, falling down stairs, and spilling food when I ate. I understood that Bendis, the goddess's name she and I decided on, had to learn to do all those things I learned while in diapers. But it isn't possible to rationalize away moods. When you are sad or angry or paranoid, you are those things and can't think any other way." She laughed. "It's a good thing Terril warned my security detail, or they might have thought Bendis had taken control of me—against my will—and the space gods only know what would have happened. I'm glad that's over. You were right when you said it was a terrible experience, even knowing what to expect."
"I begged, pleaded, and threatened when the moods started. Of course, Thalia ignored me, and I was powerless to stop her. But she was right, and the benefits have been enormous."
"I'll bet. You... we can actually sense others’ emotions. If they knew... "
"That is one aspect of having a Riss that is best kept a secret. It has saved my life more than once and would make humans paranoid. That must remain a Riss secret." I said.
"Yes, Leader," Sheva said, acknowledging I was speaking for all the Riss.
"I wanted to begin exercises with the Freeland fleet as a way to get you qualified as captain, but Kephalos has made that impossible."
"I've been a captain in the SAS long enough to know something big is happening. It's too quiet."
"True. Well, there is nothing we can do until it's resolved. Go look over the specs for the Riss cruisers and work on Symath."
"Reading has been a real experience with Bendis, but I think we are getting the hang of it. Thank you for explaining what happened on the Sea Eagle. It explains why no one wants the position of Leader." She laughed as she rose to leave.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
The JPU discovers Freeland
Stenberg appeared on the monitor almost immediately. "Good morning, Leader Reese. As you probably guessed, the last several days have been spent discussing the incident on the Sea Eagle. I have to agree with Admiral Kephalos that you are a lightning rod for trouble." He held up his hand to forestall any comments, which was unnecessary as I agreed. "I've had correspondence with Admirals Plimson and Wattson, and we agree General Alojzy, Admiral Franz, and Captain Singleton exceeded their authority. While Admiral Kephalos wasn't directly involved, his attitude and comments about you contributed to your unacceptable treatment. While I didn't agree with your response, Wattson believes it may have saved your life or at least prevented SAS personnel from killing SAS personnel." He paused, appearing to wait on my response. When I didn't say anything, he continued.
"Admiral Wattson has promoted Gebauer to full Rear Admiral. He will arrive tomorrow and take responsibility for the operations here at Freeland. Kephalos and the Sea Eagle are being returned to Eden. Wattson thought you would concur."
"I do. Admiral Gebauer is an outstanding officer whom I respect. He will be able to relate with those men and women who hate or fear the Riss. He did and still does; however, he also understands the war is against the Aliens and not its allies, who are necessary if we are to win the war. I think he is an excellent choice.
* * *
"Well, Commander Iglis, you invited me for coffee because?" I said, sitting in Iglis's office sipping on a chocolate flavored kaffa.
She tried not to smile. "I happened to procure this special brand of kaffa which I had heard you enjoyed and thought to share a cup with you."
"It's delicious. The first time I tasted it was while waiting on a summons to Admiral Plimson's office."
"You know Admiral Gebauer arrived two days ago. You probably aren't interested, but the word is he's met with every captain, XO, and army colonel on Freeland. His message has been something like:
"I never liked the Riss-human project and thought introducing a parasite into a human body an abomination. I hated the idea of Riss-humans in the SAS navy and did everything I could to discredit the then Lieutenant Reese. So I understand if you feel the same way. But I have nothing against the Riss. They are an amazing people. Ironically, if it hadn't been for people like Reese, we would never have them as allies. And their technology is saving thousands of SAS navy and army lives. And although I am still uncomfortable with Riss-humans, I respect Reese. I'm not asking you to like the Riss or the Riss-human concept, but as long as you are in the military, you will obey orders or suffer the consequences. Reese is the Leader of a nation allied with the SAS and critical to winning the war. As such, she will be accorded the same honor and respect due a Fleet Admiral."
"Yes, that is what I expected. Good officers grow and adapt. He's exactly what Freeland needs at this time."
* * *
"Good morning, Leader Reese. I'm sorry for the delay, but it has taken a few days to settle in. I was hoping we could meet and discuss Riss training and certification. I don't guarantee everyone loves you, but I think everyone understands who's the enemy and who's the ally." He smiled.
"Congratulations on your promotion. In my opinion, Admiral Wattson made a good choice. I think you are the right man for this assignment. And I'd be happy to meet with you to discuss how the Riss can best support your mission on Freeland."
"Thank you, Reese. Regardless of anything else, I believe we respect each other's commitment and can find solutions that are mutually beneficial. Is tomorrow at thirteen hundred hours on the Red-Tail Eagle acceptable?"
"Yes. If you don't mind, I will bring my XO, Sheva."
"I think that is a good idea. Sheva is a well-known captain. I think some of my captains might like talking to her. Until tomorrow," he said and cut the connection.
"Sounds like fun, I think," Sheva said. She had been on the Bridge with me discussing the stations and getting to know her Bridge-sisters.
"I've found that pretending there isn't a problem or ignoring it and hoping it will go away doesn't work. People need to see we are human. We aren't blood-sucking monsters or disease carriers and don't morph into anything."
"But we are alien."
"Yes, they tend to see us as aliens, but we are humans who are hosting other intelligent beings. We haven't lost any part of our humanity. We've each gained a partner."
"That's true, I guess. But you seem to think like the Riss... so much so they let you speak for them," she said, frowning slightly.
"Most see the Riss as dumb animals. In fact, they are a very old and mature race. The longer someone is exposed to them, the more likely it is you will see their philosophy as the evolution of civilization and agree with them."
Sheva's voice jerked me back to her. "I must admit: in the end, it was their philosophy that made me want to become a Riss-human and be part of their nation."
* * *
I was surprised when I exited the shuttle into the Red-tail bay to find a captain waiting.
"Welcome aboard the Red-tail, Leader Reese. I'm Captain Gallager," he said with a broad smile. Although older, his dark red hair had no gray, his clean-shaven face had few wrinkles, and he looked to be in good condition. "I was interested in meeting you in person and ensuring you had everything you needed. If you don't object, your Ghosts will be docked in the Shark bay. We've heard a great deal about them, and everyone is interested in seeing them. On the radar, it looked like your shuttle was traveling alone."
"Yes, Ghosts are one of the many miracles Freeland has produced for us. I appreciate you meeting us in person. I'd like you to meet Sheva, who will soon captain the Elpis."
"Nice to meet you, Sheva. You have a good reputation among many of the commanders here on Freeland. If you'd like, I'll give you a tour of the Red-tail after the staff meeting. She's the newest Heavy, and I'm rather proud of her."
"We would like that, Captain," I said as we made our way out of the bay, up to the second level and down a long corridor where two Wasps stood guard. When we entered, a large group of captains stood in small groups talking. Gebauer left the group he was with and came walking over to us.
"Leader Reese, Sheva, I assume you were not bothered on the way over."
"No, Admiral. It was very uneventful. Thank you."
"Ladies and gentlemen, if you would take your seats," he said in a raised voice. After everyone was seated, he continued. "For those who may not have met her, may I introduce Leader Reese. Leader is a position rather than a rank, as the Riss have no ranks. But as Leader, Reese, who is also the captain of the Mnemosyne, speaks for every Riss. The other lady is former Captain Sheva, who many of you may know or have heard of since she's had a long and distinguished career in the SAS. I've asked Leader Reese here to discuss our upcoming training in preparation of forming task forces and joining the war. Leader Reese," he said and sat.
"Freeland is more than a staging area. It's where the SAS is transitioning peacetime cruisers and personnel to wartime—"
"Cruisers are war machines, and we serve in the SAS military."
"That's where the confusion comes in. Before we fight in a war, we assume we are ready for war because we are in the military and command war machines. That makes us dedicated to the security of the SAS and willing to give our lives in defense of the SAS. But does that make us ready for war?
"How many in this room have been in a war? How many have been to the war college and graduated With Comment? Are your cruisers a match for the enemy? No one doubts your bravery. But when you destroy an Alien cruiser or fighter, you are killing a copy of an intelligent being. When they destroy your cruiser, they are killing real humans—comrades in arms, friends, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers... Our ships must, therefore, be better than theirs, and you must meet them knowing their weaknesses if we are going to win the war.
"Here in Freeland, your ships will be upgraded with the latest technology we have, and Admiral Gebauer will run exercises that have proven effective in battles with the Aliens. Questions?"
"You are implying that our ships aren't the equal of the Aliens’," a woman captain said, more like a challenge.
"Their cruisers are a match for our hunters. Their firing rate is faster, their ECM as good as a Heavy, and their fighters the equivalent of manned missiles. And we have no match for their Medusa class cruisers. Without the new technology and training, an SAS task force couldn't destroy one."
That started a lot of whispered conversations and disbelieving looks.
"Leader Reese is right. The Aliens are intelligent, have excellent ships, and centuries of battle experience. We are at war with a technologically advanced nation, not a few mercenaries with modern weapons systems. It will require the combined forces of the SAS, UFN, and the Riss if we are to stand a chance of winning."
"What do these new missiles do that the standard SAS missiles don't?" an older Captain asked.
"First, they don't replace the standard SAS missiles. They supplement them. They were designed for the Riss cruisers, but they proved effective in battle, so they are being added as an option."
"I hear only the Riss can use some of this technology?" the other woman captain in the room said, watching Sheva. "And you refused to provide every ship with Riss."
"Some of the technology requires the use of Riss mathematics. The Riss have no secrets from the SAS. I have and will continue to provide Riss to teach it to interested and capable individuals. But like any advanced mathematics, it takes time to learn, and not everyone has the aptitude to learn it."
"Why do we need to learn it? You could just provide Riss."
"The technology is available to the SAS, and the Riss are willing to help those who demonstrate they want it. Admiral Gebauer and I have agreed to provide a training seminar to determine cruisers eligible for Symath technology. Riss will be assigned to those cruisers until the crew feels confident to manage on their own. This is the procedure Admiral Wattson approved when forming the Echo task forces. Twenty-three of the fifty-six cruisers on Echo qualified and have Riss assigned."
The discussions went on well into the evening. I had to admit I encountered no direct hostility, although to Thalia it was obvious not everyone liked me. Afterward, Gallager gave Sheva and me a tour of the Red-Tail.
* * *
"On the surface, the meeting went very well, but walking around talking to people, they expressed a lot of hostility toward Riss-humans and the Riss," Sheva said as we sat in the shuttle on our way back to the Mnemosyne.
"Yes, that is why I won't assign Riss to every SAS or UFN ship. Too many of those people will act on their prejudices. In most cases, it will be verbal abuse, but inevitably, Riss will be physically assaulted and possibly killed. I won't subject the Riss to that kind of environment. I will assign Riss only to ships were they are wanted and respected for the intelligent, gentle people they are."
"I understand."
* * *
The next three months went by with relatively few incidents. The captains and crews knew they were being evaluated for inclusion into new task forces which would be deployed to Echo, and senior captains knew their potential for a promotion to rear admiral, lower rank. The first month was mostly classes on the new missiles and seminars on Symath. Gebauer did schedule a match every other day between the Elpis and three or four SAS cruisers. The idea was to expose the captains to the new missiles, demonstrate their uses and effectiveness, and to give Sheva an opportunity to practice.
As the Riss-certified cruisers were established, the exercises became more challenging because the missiles were equal and at least one ship in the SAS opposing force was Riss-certified and could use the skip-attack. The Elpis wasn't permitted to use its stealth capability. Even with all the odds stacked against her, Sheva showed excellent judgment and won half of the time.
"That was well done, Sheva. I convinced Gebauer to hold the exercises with the Elpis three-to-one to test you under stress and to help him determine who the best potential task force commanders were. I think it's achieved the desired results. One or two of the SAS captains did well against you, and you showed good judgment in all the exercises."
"I can't believe how relaxed I felt on the Bridge. Commands flow smoothly. I think it, and it happens. And Bendis is fantastic, like having a consultant available. She never suggests an approach but shares her observations, which are amazing." She lost focus for a few seconds, which I recognized as a conversation with her companion. "I felt being a Riss human would be a life-changing experience for me. I was right. Bendis and I will be together for life."
"Congratulations, Sheva. Your new position is Captain of the Elpis."
* * *
Gebauer's face appeared, and seconds later the screen split with Stenberg's.
"A JPU task force of three Heavies and fourteen Light cruisers has entered Freeland space. They are headed by a Fleet Admiral Salazan. He claims we are in JPU space," Gebauer said, then paused, waiting on Stenberg.
"Reese, what do you think? You've met and been in meetings with him."
"I suspect Salazan realizes he has stumbled upon the system where the Riss technology is being manufactured. If so, he will be willing to fight for it. He's probably evaluating his chances of winning with his current forces as we speak. If he believes they are sufficient, he will attack without warning. Otherwise, he will stall and send for reinforcements."
"He wouldn't. That would be a declaration of war against the SAS," Gebauer said in disbelief.
"Gebauer, I tend to agree with Reese," Stenberg said. "He rejected the Alliance because they wouldn't make him the supreme leader. And he hates the Riss. This is a chance to destroy the Riss, steal their technology, and get even with the SAS."
"I have a suggestion," I said, hating it while knowing it had to be done.
"What's that Reese?"
"Let me goad Salazan into a one-on-one fight. In the meantime, Admiral Gebauer can assign temporary task forces and leaders and get them ready if a fight happens."
"I don't think we have anything to lose. Gebauer?" Stenberg prodded. He nodded.
"Get a line to Salazan and leave me connected. I will interrupt and take control of the conversation at some point."
"Sheva, we have a large JPU task force in Freeland space. They want Freeland technology and the Riss destroyed. I'm going to challenge the Fleet Admiral leading them. I'll leave you connected so you can hear the conversation. You're to remain in stealth mode. If I fail, use your judgment, but remember: Salazan will destroy the Riss if he lives."
"I understand, Leader," Sheva said as Salazan’s face appeared.
"Admiral Stenberg, you are in JPU space. I will give you twelve hours to leave."
"Admiral Salazan, you are in SAS space. Any attempt to remove us will be an act of war with the SAS and the UFN."
"Your mere presence is a declaration of war against the JPU. Leave or be destroyed." Salazan said, smiling.
I laughed as loud as I could until he finally interrupted me.
"You will be allowed to leave but not the cowardly Riss. I will put them in their place. Their hides will decorate our homes.
"Admiral Stenberg, isn't this the brilliant Admiral whose strategy led three Heavies and twelve Lights—an overwhelming force compared to the Aliens—to its death? Then had the nerve to call his people cowards because he said they failed him?"
Salazan screamed, then shouted what I assumed were obscenities in the JPU dialect. Before he could say anything coherent, like "Attack, " I continued.
"I'll bet you have been chasing the Aliens and losing three to one against them and blaming the brave men and women for following your crazy tactics. The Alliance wanted the JPU as a partner until they heard your ideas. Fleet Admiral Zhu told me he felt sorry for any crews under your direction." I had made sure my broadcast could be heard by all the ships in Freeland space. "I told him my ugly little cruiser could kick the shit out of you, even if you were in command of a Medusa."
