Riss Series 4: The Riss Accession, page 3
"You don't think they could win with twenty cruisers, including Hunters and Heavies?" Wattson asked.
"Without the Riss, the current Riss technology, and people like Captain Gardner leading them? No. If anyone returned, it would be the few remaining because they couldn't stop the Medusa—the name Pavao has given the Aliens' mother ship—from leaving to get reinforcements." I took a sip of kaffa. "Take a look at the Mnemosyne and Eirene. Nance and I were next to the Medusa for five seconds—five—and it inflicted major damage. Humans can’t respond in that short a time. I doubt our automatic systems could have reacted that fast. And if you plan to slug it out with a Medusa, it has thirty-two missile tubes and thirty-two banks of fifty and ninety-centimeter lasers. And it wouldn’t surprise me if they couldn't reload within thirty to forty seconds."
Wattson nodded. "Admiral Osborne's assessment was pretty much the same, except he didn't realize the amount of damage the Riss cruisers took when they skipped next to the… Medusa."
"Plus the Medusa would be sitting dormant and could pick the best time to engage the task force. No, sir. I doubt but a few would return and not unscathed. And no, neither I nor the Riss would wish that on any of your officers. Not even MacLin who shot a defenseless Riss, Gardner who wouldn’t support us in trouble, or the Hunter captain who wanted to restrict our access to Freeland. But we do not want to fight alongside them."
"What's the answer then?" Stenberg asked, his voice filled with frustration.
"The answer is simple if you are going to have any chance of repelling the Aliens."
"Then why haven't we seen it? Are we stupid?" Stenberg asked, his tone harsh.
Plimson looked to be ready to say something until I shook my head.
"No, sir. In peacetime, seniority means experience and is, therefore, a good thing. In war, peacetime experience is of little value. The leaders need tactical experience or, lacking that, tactical judgment like that learned at the War College and recognized by With Comment grades." I looked to Wattson, who gave a slight nod of agreement.
"If we promote those with tactical judgment over those with seniority, there will be mass revolt and chaos." Stenberg said.
"What do you plan to do with MacLin and the Hunter Captain?"
"Court Martial," Wattson said.
"Many in the fleet will perceive that as an unjust punishment, since many distrust or hate the Riss. Why not retire them? The Riss do not wish them punished. They just don't want to serve with them. So rather than promote the right officer over one with more seniority, either retire the senior officer or assign him or her to the Home fleet." I looked around the table and almost laughed watching the facial expressions change as they each considered the ramifications. "I would think the younger officers would be delighted, as it would open up opportunities for promotion and advancement. Others would realize they were in the military, and if they wanted to fight for the SAS, they had to conform or be moved out."
Stenberg frowned.
Wattson smiled.
And Plimson laughed. "I had expected one hell-of-a-headache from you, Reese. Of course, it's early, but I like what you're suggesting. Sending people home who aren't fit for war will not only save lives but improve our effectiveness and maybe improve morale if enough opportunities open up." Plimson turned to face the elders. "What about the clans?"
Ni'Shay nodded. "We elders of the clans have understood from the beginning we could never be part of the SAS. You would never trust us again, so we chose to align ourselves with the Riss, who held no malice towards us, and by extension the SAS. We will continue to support the Riss and honor their decision." He looked to each elder, who nodded in turn.
Plimson turned his attention back to me. "Alright, Reese, what do you need for a MSA agreement between the Riss and the SAS?"
"I won't sign a mutual support agreement—" I held up my hand before anyone could react verbally. "I will make an agreement between you and me. A personal commitment for military support and a sharing of all technology. Your word for the SAS military and mine for the Riss."
"Reese, you are the only leader who would commit their nation on someone's word. I agree, between you and me."
"Admiral Plimson, I respect and trust you. I believe you would do well as a Riss. We are each given a position based upon how we can best support the Riss nation. If conditions change, someone else may be given your position or you theirs. Today my position is Leader. Every month or two, when I feel it's too much or that I'm not the best person, I try to give it to someone else. The Riss have so far refused because, for now, they believe I'm the right person for this position. No ego is involved. Each Riss is only concerned with supporting the Riss, not her position, because they are all equal." I paused for a sip of kaffa. "I believe you are Riss-like in that you are only concerned with supporting the SAS and would take another position if you felt you were no longer the right person for the job. In fact, I'll wager you've tried to retire, and they were smart enough not to let you. I know you will do your best to support the Riss, and I will do my best to support the SAS."
"Agreed. "Now, Reese, what do you want in return?"
"The most important condition is restoring discipline."
"Agreed."
"I'm resigning my commission in the SAS. That will separate me from the navy, which has been a significant source of resentment towards the Riss-humans. Many will be happy that we are no longer in the SAS military. We will design new uniforms for the Riss-humans, which will reinforce our separation from the SAS."
"Agreed. Although I don't like it, I understand your logic."
"The Riss cruisers need repairs and, more importantly, upgrades designed to counter the Aliens’ tactics. I'd like that a top priority."
"Why are the Riss cruisers a priority? Your ships are already better equipped to fight the Aliens than the SAS. You proved that at Fools Landing," Wattson asked.
As usual, I suspected the question wasn't what he wanted the answer to. "How would you feel if the Aliens attacked Eden and killed twenty million?"
"Outraged, sick beyond words."
"Two Riss were killed on the Eirene and four on the Mnemosyne during the battle of Fools Landing. Given approximately ten billion inhabitants of the SAS and three thousand Riss, those six deaths were the equivalent of killing twenty million humans. That may seem a bit academic, so let's consider the navy. You have approximately three hundred ships with an average of five hundred per ship—one hundred fifty thousand in total. If we lose a Riss cruiser, we lose two hundred Riss. That is the equivalent to you losing twenty cruisers."
"Agreed. Yes, you... the Riss risk much supporting the SAS."
"That brings me to a more serious issue—captains. As a separate nation, I'm free to make anyone a Riss-human—"
"No!" Stenberg blurted.
Wattson frowned.
Plimson looked down in thought.
"I love my Riss-sisters, Alena, Jaelle, and Elissa. In peacetime, they would make good captains today. But they are not ready for war. Forcing them today would put the Riss cruiser and two hundred Riss at greater risk. Consider further: if Pavao or I are killed, you lose a Riss cruiser, a captain, and an XO who is a potential Riss captain. That would be like you losing one hundred twenty cruisers."
"One hundred twenty captains, not cruisers," Wattson corrected.
"No. If you lost one hundred twenty captains, you could promote one hundred twenty senior commanders. We have no one to promote; therefore, the comparison is more like you losing ships."
"What are you proposing? You and Pavao have said in the past that you can't make just anyone a Riss-human. Most are repulsed by the idea; many others couldn’t tolerate an intelligent being inside their head, and there is no point unless the person has combat experience," Wattson said, appearing to be probing.
"Very correct. I'd suggest a new Riss Project. We would solicit candidates from the SAS, JPU, UFN, and the clans—
"No! No! You can't trust the Raiders in Riss cruisers!" Stenberg shouted.
Wattson glared at me.
Plimson didn't react, seemingly still in thought.
"Originally, the Riss Project selected twenty eligible candidates and asked the Riss to select ten. The Riss selected six. The project leader insisted there had to be ten, so another four were selected. Three of those four couldn’t tolerate an intelligent life-form being in their head and were taken to Saipha and had the Riss removed. The fourth used the Riss' gifts to abuse other cadets and cheat on exams. The Riss took control and insisted on being removed. A better example involved me. On one of my ships, a Raider gained access in an attempt to kill me. He killed a Riss who was trying to protect me. Terril, what happened?"
"As Captain Reese ran towards the Raider, she stumbled and fell. When I went to her, I heard a strange voice saying she had taken control of the Captain. It was Thalia. When I asked why, she said revenge was not the Riss way. She wouldn't allow the Captain to gain control until the next morning."
"The lesson here is that while the Riss don't want control, they are capable of taking it against the human's will and won't allow a violation of their ethics. Can you imagine a Riss-human attempting to fire on an SAS or Riss ship, or even attempting to kill someone who isn't trying to kill him or her? No, I would trust any human a Riss had chosen as a host with my life."
"Are you saying you won't agree to mutual support if we say no?" Wattson asked.
"No, I'm saying I won't allow Alena, Jaelle, or Elissa to take a Riss cruiser into battle. So you will have only two. Worse, my three Riss sisters will have to act as XOs on Pavao and my ships until they gain sufficient war experience to command one on their own. That means if one of our ships is destroyed, only one Riss cruiser will be available to support you."
"Agreed," Plimson said to everyone's astonishment. "We are at war with a technically superior race. We have to use our best and brightest people as leaders and the most advanced technology we can create. Right now, that's the Riss cruisers." He stopped to take a sip of kaffa, then looked at each person in the room.
I was surprised to see Wattson nod when Plimson looked at him.
"Nadya, I agree to everything. If we can't get control of the military, we will lose to the Aliens and this decision is meaningless. Not only have you never disappointed me, you always make me look like a genius. However, that isn’t what is important. What is important is that your actions protected the security of the SAS. I trust your future actions will continue to prove valuable to the SAS."
Plimson stood and walked over to Terril. "I have some additional stipulations, Leader Reese. You and Pavao will continue to have mandatory security guards authorize anywhere you go. In addition, all other Riss-humans will have security when they may be at risk, like outside the ship or when non-ship personnel are on board. Gunny Terril will be responsible for that security and may create a special detail if she thinks it's necessary." He looked to me.
"Agreed."
"Elder Ni'Shay, I want one Riss cruiser in production at all times. We are going to need those ugly beasts, sooner rather than later."
"Agreed," Ni'Shay said, smiling.
"Admiral Plimson, I agree with Leader Reese," Wattson said. "I believe you are the right person for the position of Secretary of Defense. Although I agree with your decisions, I doubt either Stenberg or I would have had the courage to make the agreement you've made with Reese. I give you my full support."
"Mine too," Stenberg said.
* * *
When the Admirals left, I turned to Ni'Shay.
He was smiling. "You and Admiral Plimson are well suited. You are the right people for the positions you hold. We, the clans, are glad we decided to align ourselves with the Riss. You have our clan loyalty and full support."
"Ni'Shay, repairing the Mnemosyne and the Eirene are your top priority. I'd also like you to seek candidates for the Riss-human Project and to pre-screen them. We need battle experience, strong tactical skills, but without issues." I turned to Da'Maass. "Yes, Da'Maass, you've earned the right to be a candidate."
"Thank you, Leader." His cheeks looked ready to split with the size of the smile.
* * *
"Well Gunny, what do you think?" Pavao asked, looking across the aisle to where Terril sat.
"I'd say that was a perfect ten-knot performance. Captain... Leader Reese is never boring, although I was a little disappointed when Admiral Plimson left without a Reese-headache."
"Yes, that was quite a performance. You and Plimson are much alike. You're not afraid to take risks. What I’d like to know is whether I agree with your decisions because your words are the words of the Riss or because I think they were good decisions?"
"If you agree, it's because you like the decision. You're now a mixture of human and Riss, so you will have an opinion, but when I speak for the Riss, you will know it is for the good of the Riss and will want to help."
"Good. I'd hate the thought that I'd lost my ability to reason. I do agree the military has lost control of discipline and don't envy Wattson having to gain it back. However, I believe he is the right person for that responsibility. What next?"
"The five of us are going to develop the technology to counter the Aliens’ missile technology, their kamikaze tactics, and figure how to kill a Medusa without getting the hide stripped off us in the process."
CHAPTER FOUR
Resigning from the SAS Navy
"Leader Reese, this is Petra Ta'Lona. He will replace me as project manager if…"
"I understand, Da'Maass. Ta'Lona, I want your R&D folks to consider how we can stop, or at very least, distract missiles that turn off when they encounter chaff from our Duster missiles. And to think about an effective way of stopping Kamikaze pilots from ramming our ships."
He Laughed and looked at Da'Maass. "Our dybbuk really thinks we can do this?"
"Petra, she asks, and we deliver because she knows we can. She would tell us how, but she wants us to believe it's our creation."
While Thalia and I were having our little exchange, Ta'Lona bowed and exited the conference room.
"Well, Da'Maass, since at this moment, you are the only Riss-human candidate, I guess I should begin the introductory presentation."
"We can skip that and get to the good part."
"No, we can't skip this part or any other. The Riss are giving up their freedom while you are getting a precious gift. You have the battle experience and tactical ability we are looking for, but you must understand what being a Riss-human involves and prove yourself worthy."
"Yes, Leader Reese, forgive my eagerness. You're right, I'm thinking of myself and of flying those magical cruisers and destroying the Aliens with you. How could I not?"
"Yes, we are each lured into the Riss-human program for reasons other than the Riss, but if you qualify, you will find it should have been because of the Riss. Never mind. The Riss are parasites, who for the past several thousand years have used the Gorillai, an animal unique to planet Saipha, as their host. If you could see a Riss, it would look something like an old earth jellyfish." I activated my SID and transferred the image to the wall monitor.
Da'Maass stared intently at the image but said nothing.
"The Riss will leave its Gorillai host and attach…"
I spent the rest of the day talking about the Riss: their lives on Saipha, their system of positions, equality, and the position of Leader. To my surprise, he was attentive, and his questions showed the keen mind he had demonstrated as the project manager on the multiple Riss and SAS projects.
"You were right, Leader Reese. I saw only flying a Riss cruiser. I see the Riss... Gorillai, know they are smart, but fail to see them as individuals. You have nothing to fear. I’d never betray you or the clan, any more than you would betray the Riss."
"I know, Da'Maass. It’s difficult to understand now, but you must give the same loyalty to the Riss."
"What if they conflict?"
"Unless the clans rise against the Riss, I doubt they ever will. We may decide to go a different way. In either case, you can be separated from the Riss." I watched him nod understanding. "I’ll give you time to consider what you learned today. Within a few days, I’ll schedule you for a physical examination and seek Riss volunteers. I will notify you when the Riss are ready. If you think of any questions in the meantime, call me."
* * *
I found Doctor Dayton in her office.
"Good morning… Leader Reese. I'm glad you and the SAS reached an agreement. The loss of the Riss would have been a tragedy. What can I do for you?"
"I would prefer just Reese now that I'm no longer a naval officer, but I think the military should use the term 'Captain' to maintain the standard protocol everyone is accustomed to. Except for another Riss-human captain, no Riss or Riss-humans have titles." I met her eyes with a smile, still trying to negotiate between the Riss and military conventions. "Being called Reese wouldn’t confuse the senior officers on the ship, but it might confuse others."
"I understand."
"I'd like you to give Da'Maass a physical and give me your evaluation of his health. Any questions?"
"Yesterday, I might have had many. Today, none. Admiral Plimson talked to each of the commanders on the Riss cruisers and informed us he trusts your judgment. I think all of us would like to understand what’s going on when it involves us, but he made it clear it’s your decision."
