Riss Series 4: The Riss Accession, page 9
"Aren’t all cruisers? "
"Yes and No. The SAS has been at peace for a long time, and their cruisers and captains are used more to support their colonies. The Hunters were created to track and engage the Raiders, who have been active over the past several years. "
"And Zhu? "
"Zhu is somewhat like Admiral Plimson. They have both been in power for over twenty years. They are respected and well liked. Zhu’s power comes mainly from the UFN’s strong sense of tradition—everyone has a role and is expected to act in a certain traditional way. Failure to do so brings dishonor to the person and his family. "
"Mindless sheep. What about their navy? "
"They have somewhat less than three hundred cruisers. They are slow to replace them, and replacements have remained relatively the same over the past two decades. However, their electronic systems have improved: missiles, ECM, and computer systems. "
"So, our four hundred cruiser fleet is the largest and most up-to-date. "
"Except for the Riss, possibly. "
"Nonsense, Nelem. They may be more stealth-like than ours, but does it look like a fighting ship? Level three is useless; the engines are small, and you notice they haven’t given us a tour. Our guards are careful to limit our access. Their ships are built for lazy, stupid beasts to hide from the enemy. We must somehow get rid of Reese if I am to gain control of the Alliance. "
* * *
Zhu and Xun sat side-by-side, lotus-style on level three, close to a small stream and several large boulders.
"This is a wonderful ship. War seems so far away. Even during the invasion of Hayjar, the silence on the Bridge created a sense of peace. "
"Yes, like in Shuzen, the best fighters are those who can quiet their minds. But if they are telepathic, are their minds quiet? "
"No, but the mere absence of sound has got to be less stressful. I’ll have to ask Reese. Being both Riss and human, she will know. What do you think of Reese and her advisor? " Zhu smiled.
"Her advisor is her bodyguard and friend. Both are masters in hand-to-hand combat. Reese has considerable control in not responding to Salazan's insults against her people, who she obviously loves. So, I’d say she has master level control and thinks before she acts. Terril has master level control but is more action oriented. "
"Yes, that is my assessment. But what makes her even more interesting is her tendency to see past today. Someone worth listening to. "
CHAPTER EIGHT
Alliance with UFN
The next morning, the delegation met again to continue planning our strategy, now that we had determined the anticipated Alien response at each site. It was obvious from the discussion the first hour that the strategy would be to weaken the Aliens using a model similar to that used at Zigzag.
"Although the UFN is in little danger for the foreseeable future, we are willing to help," Zhu said during one of the pauses. That sounded reasonable, but…
"I believe the UFN is as vulnerable as the JPU and SAS. If true, I don't think the current strategy is going to work," I said, finally realizing why I had felt something didn't feel right.
Salazan and Wattson stared at me.
Zhu smiled. "Interesting observation. Why, Leader Reese?"
"I and everyone else have concluded that we are being invaded by an Alien armada of hundreds if not thousands of spaceships. And they are discovering inhabitable systems by releasing a merchant ship and following it to another system."
"What we’ve discovered indicates that, " Wattson said.
"But the initial premise isn’t consistent with what is happening. If they had hundreds of Medusa-like ships, why send scouts to determine how many ships it would take to quarantine a given system? Why not just send ten or even a hundred Medusas? "
"But how would they find the next inhabitable system if they destroyed all the spaceships when they invaded? " Wattson asked in his instructor mode.
"Each of their scouts looks for inhabitable systems. When it finds one, it waits for a ship to leave, then follows it. Again, it waits for another ship to leave and then follows it. At some point, the scout returns to the home base with its findings. Then information collecting scouts are sent to those identified systems. That would be faster and easier. "
"What are you suggesting? "
"I believe the Aliens have been in our galaxy for a hundred or maybe hundreds of years— "
"Nonsense! " Salazan said. "That Riss parasite has destroyed your brain. "
"Intriguing, Leader Reese. Continue, I’m interested, " Zhu said.
I felt like a student being tested by a master. "It indicates caution and patience. They are being cautious, testing us just as we are attempting to test them, because they don’t have a thousand ships. They are patient, knowing it will take time because their history—probably tens of thousands of years long—tells them so. "
"You said they have been here only hundreds of years, " Salazan sneered. "And if they had been around tens of thousands of years, they would have thousands of ships and weapons of unimaginable power. "
"That does appear contradictory, Reese, " Wattson said in that probing style of his.
"I think they are a part of a galaxy-traveling race, whose mission is to quarantine this galaxy. "
That generated stony silence.
"Of course, I’m guessing, but they would enter this galaxy knowing there was intelligent life here somewhere and which was the most likely area to support… organic life. They came with only a few spacecraft, probably several Medusas, a Central Base ship, and a manufacturing ship. Their task was first to create a duplicate task force to begin seeding the galaxy as part of the process of monitoring it for intelligent life. They may still be in the process of creating duplicates, or they may be one of the duplicates. In any case, having found a dangerous intelligent life form, they are now in the process of gearing up for their mission of quarantining us. "
"And, if you are correct, there might be a duplicate close to the UFN, or the scouts may have already located some of our inhabited planets. A very disturbing theory, " Zhu said, his eyes closed.
"Nonsense! " Salazan said. "That Riss parasite has destroyed your brain. I can take no more from her. " His face twisted in anger while his finger pointed in my direction. "She’s proven she’s a coward by running at Hayjar— "
"That saved our lives, " Watson interrupted.
"That does not change the fact that she is a coward and cannot be trusted. She claims to have destroyed a Medusa, but she ran from them like the coward she is. I’d bet she found a destroyed Medusa and then claimed to have been the one to destroy it. Was anyone there to see her destroy it? " He looked to Wattson and Stenberg. "And this ship. The Riss didn’t build it. The SAS built it. " He stood and banged the table, causing Terril and Xun to rise.
"She and her beasts contribute nothing to the Alliance. If you want the support of the JPU, the Riss will not be part of the delegation. Call me when you’ve made up your minds. " He turned on his heel and stormed out of the room with Nelem trailing.
Stunned silence followed.
I decided I should say something. "I have no problem leaving the discussions to the three empires. My presence is not worth the loss of the JPU, and the Riss will still be committed to the SAS, so nothing is lost. "
"Except your input, in which I for one am interested. " Zhu said, thankfully interrupting my exasperating exchange with Thalia.
"I think Reese is right. Even though she's not part of the discussion, there is no reason we can’t talk with her. " Wattson said. "I too value her input. "
"I suggest we adjourn for today. I would like to think on what Leader Reese has said. Our strategy to combat our first conjecture would not be the same for the second. We may win or lose with either, but I’d like to give the Supreme Council of the Gods our best effort, " Zhu said.
Stenberg nodded agreement and rose, signaling the end to the meeting.
As he and Wattson exited the room, Zhu came walking towards me. "You're an interesting person, Leader Reese. You speak for a nation of extremely intelligent Aliens, have developed cruisers with advanced technology, fight like an elite bodyguard, and see tomorrow. " He stared at me for what seemed like an eternity. "I think your level three is the perfect place to consider what you said."
I laughed.
"What’s so funny, Leader Reese? " Terril asked from behind me.
"The players. Salazan rules his forces with an iron fist, believes in overwhelming force, and thinks only of his self-interest. His forces will not deviate from the plan even when it isn’t working. Zhu’s loyalty is to the UFN, and he commands a force steeped in tradition. His forces will follow the orders of the person leading the force without question. Wattson’s loyalty is to the SAS, and he commands a force used to acting independently. While independence can produce creative solutions, it can cause commanders to ignore orders and jeopardize the overall strategy. And none of the current three nations’ military have extensive war experience. Yet, we are facing a nation that is loyal, dependable, and experienced in war. "
"Cheery thought. What do you say: you make me a Riss-human, gather the Riss, and let’s blow this galaxy. "
* * *
Later that evening, Wattson called a meeting of everyone except Salazan and Nelem.
"We need to address the JPU’s concerns and reach a decision, " Stenberg began without pleasantries. The idea behind these meetings was to form an Alliance of the three empires. And while I don’t agree with Admiral Salazan, the loss of the JPN would be significant. And as Leader Reese said, we aren’t losing the Riss as an ally."
"An Alliance is only meaningful if the parties agree on the threat, the need, and the strategy to remove the threat, " Zhu said.
Stenberg shrugged. "I thought we all agreed there is a threat and on the need to join forces to fight it. "
"No, that’s not true, " Wattson said. We all agree the threat is real, but the strategy to fight the Alien threat will depend on whether we believe the Aliens just arrived or have been here for generations. " Wattson looked to Zhu.
"That is true, Admiral Wattson. I’m inclined to assume they have been here for generations since a strategy to combat the just arrived scenario won’t eliminate the threat if the been here for generations scenario is true. Whereas, a strategy to address the been here for generations threat will address the threat from the just arrived scenario. "
"I’m afraid I agree, and Admiral Salazan won’t, since Leader Reese suggested it. "
"Leader Reese, it’s my understanding that you are willing to share the Riss technology, including Symath, with anyone in the alliance. Is that true? "
"The Riss have shared all of their technology with the SAS, and they are free to share it with their allies. However, I will not put Riss on any ship that considers them dumb beasts, nor will the Riss participate in any engagement that the JPU is part of, as they have made it clear they do not trust us. "
Zhu laughed softly. "Admiral Wattson, I do not object to a meeting with Admiral Salazan to discuss a possible alliance and will join you and the JPU if we can come to a mutual agreement. But I think Leader Reese has just made the good Admiral redundant. "
* * *
"Damaass, set a course for All Flags. The delegation needs to be taken to a system with a working Comstat so we can get them a ride home. We will be leaving within the hour. "
"Have they come to any conclusions? "
"Admiral Salazan has. He thinks I’m a coward, the Riss are dumb beasts, and our cruisers are worthless. " I smiled at the monitor. Damaass was choking on the wine he had been drinking while I talked.
"I guess that means he doesn’t get Riss for any of his ships and can’t expect a Riss cruiser to save his ass. "
"How did you guess? See you in All Flags. "
* * *
After a workout with Terril, I decided to visit level three for Thalia’s sake. She loved the feel of openness the area created. When I arrived, I saw Zhu and Xun sitting lotus style by a small stream. He motioned for me to join them.
"Good evening, Admiral Zhu, advisor Xun. " I said as I approached.
"Sit, please, " Zhu said. "I understand we are heading for All Flags, where Admiral Salazan and I can contact our militaries for rides home. "
"Yes, it’s the closest SAS system from Fools Landing. We should arrive tomorrow. I’m sorry I can’t give you a lift home, but I need to get back to Freeland. "
"I imagine you’ve heard that Admiral Salazan will not be joining the alliance. "
"No, I hadn’t. I would imagine the sticking point was your unwillingness to let him be the supreme leader of the Alliance. "
"He used you as the reason, but you’re right. He had his heart set on being the Alliance commander. " Zhu studied me for a long while before speaking. "I understand you are looking for Riss-human candidates? "
"Yes. The Riss aren’t suitable for war. They lack the necessary aggressiveness. Or maybe the truth is that I don’t want them to learn it. We have three other Riss-humans who will eventually qualify after they get a couple of years of war experience. But the need is now. So we are looking for captains who have war or demonstrable tactical experience, admire the Riss, and have no psychological issues. "
"That’s an impressive list of requirements. I understand the war experience, but I’m not sure I understand the rest. "
"How would you like to share your mind with someone else? " I asked.
Zhu was quiet for a long time.
Xun's eyes grew wide for a brief second.
"Yes, I understand now. Is it difficult? "
"No. The Riss are a precious gift. I would want to die if we were separated. "
"Interesting. How will my captains qualify for a Riss to be assigned to them? " He smiled. "I noticed your comment about sharing Symath but not the Riss with the JPU. I would imagine therefore that Symath is useless without the Riss. "
"It takes years to learn Symath; therefore, a Riss tutor is necessary in the beginning and during engagements. Eventually, their presence wouldn’t be necessary. "
"And all the Riss technology requires Symath? "
"Most of it, " I said.
Zhu laughed. "And the requirements for the UFN to qualify? "
"I have insisted a cruiser be Riss certified. That means the navigator, weapon’s officer, XO, and captain are Riss certified. This requirement applies to the SAS as well as the UFN. "
"What is required to be… Riss certified? "
"Successful completion of a class where the candidates are exposed to the Riss and Symath. Many fear, dislike, or are repulsed by the Riss, and an equal number are incapable of grasping the mathematics involved. The classes are designed to determine those who admire the Riss and are capable of learning the math. "
"That is reasonable. I think our first order of business, even as we develop a joint strategy, is to develop a plan for sharing the Riss technology… and Riss. I’ll contact Admiral Wattson for a meeting. "
* * *
Wattson contacted me several hours later, wanting to see me.
I suggested my office.
After he retrieved a cup of kaffa, he sat staring at me. "We have a problem, " he began. "We need to share our technology with the UFN, if they are to be an effective partner. But how? I would prefer not to bring his ships to Freeland, and I don’t want to establish a second Freeland on an SAS base because of the possibility of the Aliens finding it. Besides, I want you on Freeland, not elsewhere. "
"Are you going to direct the SAS strategy from Freeland? " I asked, realizing Wattson wanted me to figure out a solution.
I laughed, which caused Wattson to frown.
"What’s so funny, Reese? This isn’t a laughing matter. "
"Thalia just called you high-Commander. Whenever I think a problem is too difficult and whine about it being impossible or difficult, she reminds me I’m high-Riss. Her way of saying, ‘Nothing is impossible or difficult for a high-Riss.’ "
After a few seconds, Wattson laughed. "She's right. I’m whining. Like when you need reminding you’re high-Riss, I'm trying to avoid doing what I should. " He nodded. "Thank Thalia. Zhu, you, and I need to get together and develop a solution. Let’s wait until we drop off Salazan. "
* * *
The emergency override message went out over SIDs, and red lights flashed in the corridors. I was being cautious since no one could be sure where the Aliens would show up next and with what force. We detected nothing when we exited the Wave.
Damaass's face appeared on the monitor. He was smiling. "Are you here to join the party? "
"Aliens? "
"Yes. They have three cruisers in the system and the standard scout. They already destroyed the Comstat and a merchant that tried to leave, and they’ve given the residents four hours to clear the space station. What do you want to do, Nadya? "
"Leave. The people I’m carrying are too important to risk, playing hero. Let’s try Echo. Avoid the scout on the way out. "
"Yes, Leader. I'd like to join the party, but know you’re right. See you in Echo. "
