Author: C. R. Daems
Date: 2012-12-03 00:00:00+00:00
Keywords: Fantasy; Military; Science Fiction; Adventure; Science Fiction & Fantasy; Literature & Fiction; Military Science Fiction; Military Fiction; Space; Space Opera
Description: The Raider clans have been defeated and their planet under the supervision of the Riss, with Captain Reese the station commander. But while Reese see the Clans as on probation, many in the SAS task force she commands, perceive them as prisoners and hope to break the Treaty in order to get revenge. As Nadya attempts to maintain the fragile peace, the three empires are being invaded. They know the invading force is far more technology advanced than the SAS. But who are they, where did they come from, and what do they want?One thing appears certain. The SAS cannot defeat the aliens alone. But can
Publisher: Createspace

THE RISS SURVIVAL

Book III in the Riss Series

By C. R. Daems

The Riss Survival

Copyright © 2012 by C. R. Daems

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or by any information storage or retrieval system, without the permission in writing from C. R. Daems.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Check out all our novels at:

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http://jeannetomlin.blogspot.com

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CHAPTER ONE

The Freeland Treaty

CHAPTER TWO

Unrest in the Freeland Task

CHAPTER THREE

Official Meeting with Freeland Elders

CHAPTER FOUR

Confrontation with the Asp

CHAPTER FIVE

Mutiny

CHAPTER SIX

The Riss cruiser project

CHAPTER SEVEN

Designing a Riss cruiser

CHAPTER EIGHT

Paid trouble makers

CHAPTER NINE

New Bridge crew

CHAPTER TEN

Inspection problems

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Errant missle

CHAPTER TWELVE

The Mnemosyne hull finished

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Trial run

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Security chief arrives

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Plimson inspects Mnemosyne

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Plimson visits Freeland

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Nadya transfers to Mnemosyne

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Unknown invasion

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Needing more information

CHAPTER TWENTY

Alien scout at Kamboja

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Decisions

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

A new Riss-human

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

The build up to war

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Nadya’s shuttle attacked

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Taskforce to ZigZag

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Captain Pavao

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Aliens arrive

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Aboard the cruiser Tetia

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

The battle of ZigZag

CHAPTER THIRTY

Discovering the true Aliens

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

Time to think

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

A conference of the Captains

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

Adjustments

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Asp commissioned

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

The Mudusa

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

Facing reality

Novels by C.R. Daems & J.R. Tomlin

CHAPTER ONE

The Freeland Treaty

I sat in Vice Admiral Zann's office aboard the Heavy cruiser, Golden Eagle, sipping a hot cup of Eden kaffa with its hint of chocolate, of which I'd become fond. Zann looked tired.

<Abuse vehicle like you.> I felt Thalia, my ever-present Riss parasite, grin. It continued to amaze me that I could feel the emotions associated with her thoughts.

Zann and I had spent the last two months working on the million and one mind-numbing details necessary to implement the proposed Treaty with the Raider clans. They had been defeated but had not surrendered. They had been prepared to die fighting—every man, woman, and child—rather than surrender unconditionally to the Sadr Alliance of Stars (SAS). Many of the captains of the invading armada had been quite willing to accommodate them. But vengeance was not the Riss way, and I had negotiated a Treaty that would avoid a bloodbath. Although Zann and I worked on its implementation, the Treaty still had to be ratified by the SAS. While awaiting the decision, we had repaired the damages to the salvageable spaceships, sent the dead and seriously wounded home, and disabled the Raiders' warships.

Yes, I had also abused our vehicle, as Thalia referred to my human body, with long days and short nights. While I worried about my upcoming responsibilities, Thalia as usual thought it would be great fun.

<I guess you'll need to repair it.> What else could I say? Zann's System Interface Device (SID) beeped. She listened through her ear-implant receiver, tapped on the keyboard, and a hologram sprang to life displaying a document. Although I couldn't read it from where I sat, I recognized the SAS Council seal. Zann scanned the document without comment, occasionally nodding and sometimes frowning.

"Two Light cruisers, the Merlin and Saker, have entered the system. They will be your task force to enforce the Treaty with the Raider clans. The SAS Council has ratified the Treaty with only minor amendments. However, they left unresolved several issues. Are you the de facto Governor of Freeland? Are the Riss partners with the SAS or part of the SAS? Are you the Riss military leader? And so on. At least, they officially designated you the station commander." Zann paused to take a sip of her kaffa while studying me.

"Admiral Plimson has no problem with you having two roles and would like to promote you to Admiral but feels that might cause widespread resentment among the senior captains because of your short time in grade. That would impact morale and much of the resentment would be directed at you. So, you remain a Captain."

I felt too numb to say anything. I hadn't come to terms with being a new Lt. Commander, and now, less than two years later, I was in charge of a small fleet and responsible for enforcing a ceasefire Treaty with a nation of Raiders.

<Fun.>

<I'll watch and you lead.>

<Not my position. Me copilot. You pilot.> Amusement rippled through me.

<I'm not ready.>

<You high-Riss. Position Leader.>

The Riss didn't have rank or elders or elected officials, just positions that were all equal. Somehow, I had acquired the position of Leader, which made my words the words of every Riss. A concept humans would never understand. Although they had rank or officials or elders who represented them, that didn't mean all the people they represented agreed with them. One hundred percent agreement was unthinkable—but not to the Riss.

<I'm scared.>

<Should be. Big responsibility.> Laughter vibrated like a tuning fork.

<Thanks for reminding me.>

Zann put down her kaffa. "I had thought it would take fifty years for the Riss to win recognition as SAS partners, who would crew spaceships in their native Gorillai host. Unfortunately, for you, you've achieved it in less than ten. In fifty years, you'd have felt ready for the responsibility. Now you don't."

"Maybe the Riss have the right person, but their timing is a bit off," I said. It sounded like a lighthearted quip, but it wasn't. I was terrified, not of me failing but of failing the Riss. Zann smiled like she knew what I was thinking.

"I can only say that the Riss have an uncanny way of putting the right person in the right position. Trust them. I'll be leaving tomorrow with the rest of the fleet. I've arranged for a six-month schedule to deliver Riss from Saipha, provide replacements, and bring supplies and equipment you request." She gave me a hard look. "I'm concerned about having the entire Riss nation in space … but as Leader, it's your decision."

My head spun, and I had to lean back in my chair. Was that the right decision? Was I putting all the Riss in one basket and threatening an entire race's existence? I felt like throwing up.

<One day at a time. Not seer.> A warm comforting feeling spread through me and my head cleared.

"It's a risk, but the Riss will never achieve their full potential confined to Saipha. Their destiny's the stars." I shocked myself with the revelation—the unconscious reason behind my decision.

"Yes, the Riss chose wisely. I wish I could join you, but you will need someone to support you on Eden. Good luck, Nadya."

* * *

The following day, I called a meeting of the senior members of the Lynx and the two Light cruisers under my command. I had lunch served to make it as casual as possible. As usual, I felt intimidated. The people under me had more experience in their rank and in life.

<Should get used to it. High-Riss.>

<I am.> Of course, Thalia meant I, as a high-Riss because of her, should not be intimidated, whereas I meant I was used to being intimidated. After the dishes had been cleared away and everyone had something to drink, I could not procrastinate any longer and tapped my spoon against my water glass.

"Each of you was selected because of your interest in this assignment and your tolerance towards the proposed Treaty, which I've been informed, has been approved by the SAS Council." That produced a variety of emotions around the table, which thanks to Thalia I could sense. I felt satisfaction, indifference, acceptance, and … disapproval. The latter emotion surprised me, since the captains and their senior officers should have been screened before being assigned to Freeland. Another thing I would have to monitor carefully, now and as new replacements arrived.

"Many in the fleet wanted revenge. I can understand their pain. My home planet was raided and friends killed and kidnapped, and during my four engagements against the Raiders, close friends were wounded and killed. But neither the Riss nor I can justify revenge in the name of justice. The Riss have supported the SAS in defeating the clans in an effort to stop the killing of innocent people—not out of hate or revenge." I paused to look at each individual. "This Treaty gives us an opportunity to create something good for the SAS, the Raider clans, and the Riss. It will take time. The wounds are fresh on both sides. It's my responsibility and yours to make sure nothing interrupts the healing process."

"Captain Reese, how do we do that?" Lavett, Captain of the Saker, asked. He was a small thin man with a narrow face, straight dark-brown hair, and nicely trimmed mustache and goatee. "They are prisoners of war."

<Angry.>

<Understandable but not what we need.>

"If we think of them as prisoners of war, they will act accordingly. I'd rather we think of them as on probation. By agreeing to the Treaty, the SAS has signaled their intention to eventually integrate the clans back into society. We need to watch them closely, but we must be careful not to assume they are guilty without probable cause."

"Do you trust them?" Corbitt, Captain of the Merlin, asked. “They tried to kill you several times and probably still want you dead." He wasn't smiling but his eyes twinkled under his bushy eyebrows. His curly brown hair, full beard, and stocky build made him look more like a Raider than a SAS officer.

<Amused.>

<He looks like someone who enjoys life.>

<Like me.>

<Two of you. May the space gods save me >

"And they almost succeeded. I survived thanks only to Thalia's magic." I sneaked a look at the two army black berets, called Scorpions, standing against the wall behind me. After the last attack, Vice Admiral Zann had ordered a permanent escort night and day. They were authorized to accompany me everywhere and were not optional. "I trust they have more reasons to be model citizens than they do to cause trouble. Killing me would almost certainly result in the destruction of Freeland. Eden approved the Treaty by a narrow margin. Any significant violation of the Treaty could result in a massacre, and they know it. I'll do what I expect you to do--be vigilant, careful, and reasonable."

"What are our current assignments?" Lavett asked.

"We'll rotate assignments to keep things from getting too boring. This rotation, the Merlin, will enforce the no fly zone—above ten kilometers. Captain Corbitt, you will give ample warning before engaging any craft in violation, unless it's firing at you. And you will inspect all of the clans' merchant ships leaving Freeland. The Saker will monitor and inspect all incoming traffic. Again, caution but no firing unless fired upon."

"What about the army's commandos?" Colonel Seng asked. He commanded the Scorpions assigned to the Lynx. Because he was on the command ship, he became the task force commander and responsible for the red berets, referred to as Wasps, on the Merlin and Saker.

"And what about the fighters?" Commander Byer asked before I could answer. He commanded the latest fighters, Sharks, assigned to the Lynx and, therefore, responsible for the older generation fighters, Strikers, on the Light cruisers.

"For now, the Strikers will support their cruisers to enforce their assigned responsibilities. The Sharks will be held in reserve. Pilot training should continue. However, it will be conducted no closer than thirty kilometers above Freeland."

"Why?"

"You and I know we can crush the clans even with this small task force. And they know it. If our people feel they have a right to remind them, they will soon be out of control. I know from personal experience what happens when commanders allow prejudice to go unchecked. It's our responsibility, and I'll hold each officer and non-commissioned officer personally responsible for enforcing order. The trials at Saipha should be a reminder for all of us that we are in the military and have a responsibility to maintain discipline. Failure to do so directly impacts operational readiness." My facial Rh tattoo marked me as a Riss-human and an alien. Too many, the idea of a Riss parasite inhabiting a human produced revulsion, fear, and raw hate. A prime example had been the Captain of the Leopard. Because he was prejudiced against the Riss Program and specifically Riss-humans, he failed to enforce discipline, which had resulted in unfair treatment, abuse, and attempts on my life. At the Saipha trials, many of those individuals were held accountable. Prejudices still existed. If commanders were not diligent in maintaining discipline with respect to the treatment of the clans, it could lead to a breakdown of discipline that would threaten the Treaty and could ultimately lead to the destruction of Freeland.

"Colonel Seng, your scorpions will be stationed on the two orbiting stations—repair and docking."

"What about the manufacturing plants on Freeland?"

"For now I don't want to station troops on Freeland." I held up my hand to stop the inevitable rebuttals. "Instead, we'll conduct unannounced inspections of those facilities and any others we consider necessary. Navy personnel will conduct the inspections, but the army will be responsible."

"What does that mean?" Lavett’s face clenched like a fist.

"Navy personnel maintain our spacecraft and are the best people to identify any alterations to equipment and determine its significance. The ranking army officer, commissioned or not, on the inspecting party will be responsible for discipline."

"He may not be the ranking person on the team. In fact, it's highly unlikely," Lavett said, his face drawn into a scowl.

"We can't have two different parties responsible for discipline—the army for the clans and the navy for the inspection team. It would result in unnecessary confusion. In my experience, the army will be as unbiased as anyone we can find and, therefore, most likely to prevent unnecessary problems. If that proves unworkable, we will look for other alternatives." I held Lavett's stare, until he shrugged. "I'm young and new to command and want your honest opinions. I may not agree with you and may not follow your advice, but I will not criticize you for being honest."

"Captain Reese, what about rotation back to Eden?" Commander Waldel, the Saker's XO asked.

"Want to leave me so quickly." I smiled, continuing before he could respond. "Admiral Zann has committed to sending emergency replacements, Riss from Saipha, and supplies every six months. I haven't been notified whether duty on Freeland is a year or two, but I'd imagine this station will be a one-year assignment and cruisers will be rotated."

"You said Riss will be coming from Saipha every six months. Where will they be assigned?" Corbitt asked.

"For now, you will each be assigned a Riss-human and ten Riss to get the crews used to the Riss and for the Riss to gain experience."

"Will some spaceships eventually be totally manned by the Riss?" Corbitt asked.

"I honestly don't know, nor does the SAS. I hope both nations can work side-by-side. But the Riss system will be hard for most humans to understand. Today is a good example. I'm positive not everyone in the room agrees with my decisions. But you will carry them out, because I've been designated the station commander. The Riss will not only comply, they will all—every last Riss--agree with any decision I make."

The looks around the table were comical. Except for the few who have known me for years, everyone was shaking his head as if I had told them I could live in space without a suit.

"Enough for today. I'm sure the Riss concept has given each of you a headache. Captains Corbitt and Lavett, you will assume your assigned duties after Colonel Seng and Commander Byer have informed you they have briefed their counterparts on your ships. Colonel Seng, Commanders Byer, Commander Iglis, and Commander Varisko, please join me in my conference room for dinner tonight at nineteen hundred hours." I stood and left the room.

<Easy.> Thalia's grin left its usual feeling of being tickled.

<Like juggling live buzzer sticks.>

<Easy.>

<It's your vehicle too.>

<Be careful then.>

Thalia thought everything was fun or exciting and like the rest of the Riss content to let me be Leader, because they felt they always assigned each person the position best for the Riss. I wasn't convinced. The task force comprised fourteen hundred personnel, combined navy and army, any one of which was capable of causing disastrous consequences. I returned to the Bridge with an out of control space battle in my head.

<Worry too much.> Immediately, I felt the tension leaving my body and a sense of calm as Thalia worked her magic. I had my own ever-present doctor that dispensed medicine to relax, or take away sleepiness, or repair damages, or …

**Commander on the Bridge,** r-Arawn's voice box announced. Unable to make the appropriate human sounds, the SAS had a translator developed that interpreted the Riss hand signals into speech. R-Arawn was the acting weapons officer and considered the ranking person on the Bridge. Of course, r-Arawn knew we were coming long before we reached the Bridge, as she and Thalia were communicating via Streaming Vid, SV, as we approached.

"Commander Gelman, notify the clan elders I would like to meet with them at their convenience," I said, heading towards the captain's chair. Gelman gave me a funny look.

"Skipper, won't they meet any time you say?"

"Of course, Gelman. They know it and I know it. Reminding them will only cause hostility we don't need. They will respond quickly so as to avoid antagonizing me. Therefore, the meeting will occur as quickly as if I set the time, and no one will feel defensive."

"You’re probably the only person in the fleet who would have asked for a meeting with the clan elders, at their convenience."

<That's what I'm afraid of.>

<Becoming Riss.> Suddenly, I could see the two snow-capped mountains with a gentle river running between them. The picture-name the Riss gave me years ago. For the first time, I saw the tributaries feeding the river and really felt the name belonged to me—like my human name, Nadya Reese. I wasn't losing my humanity, but slowly beginning to understand and embrace the Riss philosophy and to feel at one with them.

* * *

That evening, I sat looking around the table at old friends. Commander Varisko had been my XO on the Mongoose, which captured the raider's merchant ship that led to locating Freeland and on the Lynx for the invasion. Colonel Seng had saved my life on the Leopard when navy discipline had collapsed and my life in danger. Commander Byer and Commander Iglis, my Intelligence Officer, had also been on the Mongoose. I trusted these people.

"This Treaty will survive only with your support. Although the senior officers were screened prior to their assignment on Freeland, there are many under their command who will overreact with little or no provocation. Colonel Seng, I'm relying on the army to maintain order. I know it's not fair, but the army has always been my safe haven through the years. I trust them to be the least biased."

"We won’t let you down, Captain. Gunny and I will make sure the lead Scorpion or Wasp understands what you want, and he or she has your full support."

"Commander Byer, I want the pilots to understand they report to you directly and except to protect their lives, orders to attack clan ships come only from you or your designate. They must understand the clans have no reason to attack us. It would not only be suicide but could result in the destruction of their clan if not Freeland. I know for a fact that any clan member would rather die than betray his clan. The elders would be ruthless if anyone violated the Treaty. Therefore, they must curb their natural instinct to shoot first."

"I'll make sure everyone understands the reason behind your decision."

"Commander Iglis, I want you to find some way to track the clans' merchant ships in the Sadr Alliance of Stars (SAS), United Free Nations (UFN), and Johaba People's Union (JPU)."

"You're going to allow them to trade in all three empires?" Iglis asked, her forehead wrinkled in concern.

"Yes. We must allow them to make a living if we are going to integrate them back into society. We need to be careful but helpful. I leave it to each of you to decide how to make this happen, but know you have my full support." As I looked around the table, I felt no hostility or resentment, only concern. I had placed a heavy responsibility on them.

"What about me, Skipper," Varisko asked in a whisper. She had been a new Lt. Commander when I picked her to be my XO on the Mongoose, and like me, still trying to grow into her new position.

"Commander Varisko, when I'm not here, I expect you to maintain sanity—to be the voice of reason." I smiled at each of them, feeling a bit guilty. If they resented it, they didn't show it. "If you still have an appetite, Petty Officer Pillon will serve dinner.

CHAPTER TWO

Unrest in the Freeland Task

"Well Lavett, what do you think of our station commander?" Waldel asked on their way back to the Saker. Lavett sat glaring out the small window towards the Lynx.

"I wonder what genius put an inexperienced captain in charge of a task force. I'm the senior captain on station with at least five years seniority and by all the rules should be in charge." His fist clenched in his lap. "And she seems to be leaning over backward for those murdering gypsies."

"I agree. Even I have more time in service than her. The damn Riss Project has managed to put her on a fast track to make them look good. Rumor has it she got four lieutenants sent to Cerberus by claiming they attacked her, when the truth is she attacked them. She's some kind of kick ass martial artist."

"I've heard she hangs out with the army boys and trains with them." Lavett sneered. "I'll bet I know the kind of workouts she gets. That's the only reason they let her in their area. The army is none too friendly with the navy. They think their shit doesn't smell. Truth is they're too dumb to be in the navy."

"Maybe that's the reason she hangs out with them—birds of a feather." Waldel grinned and they lapsed into silence. When they arrived at the Saker, they went straight to the Bridge.

"Captain on the Bridge," Lt. Commander Bozich, the Communications officer, said as they entered. "What do you think of the station commander, Captain?"

Lavett stood quiet for a moment, and his lip twitched ever so slightly. "First impressions can be deceptive, but she seems to be favoring the Raiders like we abused them. Could be because she's young and inexperienced. Or because that Riss parasite in her is dictating her actions." He looked around and shrugged, noting with a mental smile he had everyone's attention. When no one commented, he turned to Waldel. "XO, prepare to take up our assigned position."

CHAPTER THREE

Official Meeting with Freeland Elders

As I had expected, the elders scheduled the meeting early the next day. On my way to the shuttle for my trip planet side, Master Gunny Sergeant Terril joined my detail. I had known Terril almost my entire career, and she was like a sister to me.

"Well, Gunny, bored and hoping for some excitement planet side?"

"You do owe me, Captain. I haven't seen you for our usual workouts in weeks, so I thought it might be interesting to watch the masters dance," she said, referring to a comment by Gunny Wei when I negotiated the Treaty with the elders after the cease-fire. Wei was currently the only ten-knot Si'jin master and my idol. Terril and I were nine- and eight-knot practitioners and each held the title of Master, which meant we could teach the art. I entered the shuttle and took the first window seat.

"Terril, join me," I said before she could take a seat in the rear. "I'm sorry I haven't visited lately, but there doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day to attend to all the details surrounding the implementation of the Treaty. I've missed our workouts and talks."

"Me too. You're the only one who can give me a decent workout. Colonel Seng and I had a long talk about the boarding parties. I imagine you didn't make too many friends insisting the army be in charge of inspections."

"Ironically, over the years I've learned to trust the army over the navy. Understandably, there are a lot of raw emotions when it comes to the clans and the Treaty, and it wouldn't take much to create a major incident that could escalate into war. That would be a disaster for the SAS, Riss, and the clans."

"You have our full support, Nadya."

* * *

Elder Petre Ni'Shay stood waiting when I exited the shuttle.

"Welcome Captain Reese and Thalia," he nodded his head in a small bow. "I assume this is an official visit, so I assembled the clans' elders."

"Yes, I'm sorry it took so long, but there were many details to be resolved before Admiral Zann departed."

"I understand. If you will allow, I've transportation to take us to the capital building where the others are waiting."

"Of course. I'm looking forward to seeing the elders again." I nodded to my guards. "They accompany me everywhere whether I want them or not, by Admiral Zann's orders. She insisted after an … an unfortunate incident on Eden."

"Very gracious, Captain Reese. I know of the incident. One of our clan members claimed to have killed the dybbuk and was paid the hundred twenty-five thousand credit reward. I hope he hasn't spent it, since it appears he didn't earn it." A thin smile creased his lips. "We're fortunate he failed. Without you there would not be a Treaty, and the clans of Freeland would no longer exist."

He waved me into an oblong silver vehicle with wheels. Inside were six wide seats covered with a black and silver material, which looked and felt like real animal hide. The vehicle rose gently, and we skimmed along at a slow hundred kph, a mere ten to fifteen meters above the ground. I got the impression the pilot followed some unseen highway. Off to the left looked to be a residential area. The houses appeared huge and to have fifty plus hectare lots, with well-maintained lawns, shrubbery, and trees. Off to the distance were six to eight story buildings that reminded me of the industrial complex where I had worked on my home planet of Corona. Ni'Shay broke into my thoughts.

"Off to your left you can see part of the Ka'Baako clan area. The large houses each accommodate a family, which may include several generations. As you have surmised, we have very strong family and clan ties. On the right is one of many manufacturing and academic centers."

A few minutes later, we settled onto a hard surfaced road and sped along like an old-fashioned car into a complex of two- and three-story, white marble buildings and stopped at a three-story structure made from a black-stone, which had silver streaks crisscrossing randomly through it. The steps and arched entrance reminded me of Hephaestus. Ni'Shay led us through a long, wide corridor with elaborately framed pictures, which seemed to depict the history of Freeland. Midway, he ushered me into a large room with a round table and ten silver cushioned chairs. The elders were standing when I reached the table. Terril and the other two Scorpions faded back against the wall.

"Captain Reese, I believe you know Alin Ka'Baako, Radu Sa'Velte, Vali Ba'Tasuo, and Oana Ja'Dalle. This is Crina La'Teppe who's replacing Kolos Ja'Tuva who died two weeks ago," Ni'Shay said, pointing to each person in turn. When he finished, everyone sat and the room became deathly quiet.

<What do you feel?>

<Resignation. Apprehension.>

"Good morning, Elders of Freeland. As the station commander, I'm responsible for administering the Freeland Treaty the clans and the SAS negotiated and has now been approved by the SAS Council on Eden. I've forward a copy to Elder Ni'Shay yesterday. In accordance with the treaty, each merchant ship leaving and entering the solar system will be inspected for compliance with the terms agreed too. Navy personnel will perform the inspection. However, the senior army person with the team will be in charge—regardless of his or her rank." I stopped for comments.

"What if a navy officer is part of the inspection team?" Sa'Velte asked. Several others nodded.

"The senior army person will be in charge of discipline regardless of his rank even if a Commander is on the team. Gunny!"

"The ranking Black or Red Beret will ensure clan and navy personnel are respectful of each other, or he will answer to me before he is delivered into your gentle hands, ma'am." Terril said in a voice a cold as space, although the slight smile at the end did somewhat ruin it.

"I know emotions are raw on both sides, but I believe the army will enforce discipline fairly. I'm stationing army personnel on the space station as well as the repair facility."

"What about our planet side facilities?" Ja'Dalle asked.

"I think that would be a mistake unless necessity requires it. For now, I prefer to conduct unannounced inspections. Either Gunny or I will lead the inspection." I picked up the crystal glass in front of me and turned it in my hand. It had an interesting seal in red.

"That is the Freeland Council's seal. The glass contains water," Ni'Shay said.

I took a sip. It tasted cool and refreshing. When there were no comments, I continued. "Your shuttles are restricted to ten thousand kilometers. The SAS fighters will conduct their training exercises at thirty thousand and above."

That received nods of approval.

"Although I believe stationing troops planet side would be a mistake, I'd like to allow the Riss leave time on Freeland. I leave it to you to pick the area. They would prefer a wilderness area, but it can be close to a town if you prefer. I'd like you to get to know the Riss. They're a peaceful race. Not in a thousand years has a Riss killed another Riss, and although Riss have been killed fighting you, not one seeks revenge or wishes you ill."

"That is hard to believe," Ba'Tasuo said, frowning.

"To humans, yes. It is beyond our comprehension but true nevertheless." I took another sip of water. "Now the hard part. I want you to make a list of all your merchant and warships, whether here or elsewhere, a list of all clan members on SAS, JPU, and UFN ships and planets—"

"No!" La'Teppe interrupted, coming out of his chair. Others were shaking their heads, although they said nothing. Ni'Shay mouth was in a tight line.

"That could be a death sentence for those people."

"The list will be given to the Riss not the SAS. But before you can make any decision, you must decide as a nation what you wish to be—isolated, member, integrated, ally, or adversary. I will honor whatever decision you make." I stood. "Elder Ni'Shay, I would appreciate you seeing me and my escort back to my shuttle. You and the others have much to consider."

Ni'Shay remained silent on the way back. In the shuttle, Terril sat down next to me. "Master Wei was right. Watching masters dance is exciting, whether in a Si'jin match or negotiating a Treaty. For the first time, I understand why it's impossible to score against Wei. I used to think it was his years of experience. But I realized today, that's only part of the reason. He gets into your mind. He knows your moves before you do. Just like you know what they are going to decide and where you will lead them."

<Like the Riss have led me?>

<Like you lead Riss.>

<To the Stars.>

<To the Stars.>

* * *

The next several weeks went by slowly, as I waited for Ni'Shay to respond. Commander Byer reported that all the pilots had been briefed. Not all were happy with their rules of engagement, but they understood the ramifications of disobeying them.

Colonel Seng reported that all Scorpions and Wasps had been briefed. They were honored by my confidence in them and would not disappoint me. He had heard the navy personnel were grumbling about the inspection protocol. And not too surprisingly, Captain Lavett had entered a formal protest in writing. The worst part was the lack of activity, since I hadn't authorized any merchant ships to leave port. With little else to do, I spent hours every day working out and teaching. I was happy to see several navy types had joined the Si'jin classes since the cease-fire.

"Well, Nadya, no word from the elders?" Terril said as she intercepted me on my way to the showers after my workout.

"It's not an easy decision, Terril."

"They could have saved time and days of stress if they had just asked you. Or maybe they know and the wait is to cause you stress. If you are a bit stressed, I could help relieve some if Thalia is up to repairing you afterward."

"Are you sure? Who's going to repair you?" We laughed, and I went off to change. The elders were taking a long time, not that it wasn't justified. No matter what they decided, the decision would forever change the clans and Freeland.

* * *

While I waited, I taught half of Terril's class for an hour each day. She had accepted five new navy personnel including a lieutenant and Master Chief Drock.

"How are you enjoying the class Master Chief?" I asked Drock after the class ended, while waiting for Terril to finish.

"I decided to try it because of you. You were always sticking your nose into my equipment, so I decided to stick my nose into Si'jin, but I didn't realize how out of shape I am. Do they give battle ribbons if you survive?" he asked between gasps for breath.

"No, just a knot on your belt for each battle you survive. Stay for a while. Gunny Terril and I are going to work out. I think you’ll find it interesting."

After Terril finished, it was our turn. We met, bowed, and then stood waiting for the other to show a sign of movement or distraction. Five minutes passed without so much as an eye blink. Then we both exploded forward. Unconsciously, I think we each knew the other had chosen to attack at that instance. Time seemed to stand still as I countered and counter attacked. As usual, the blows I scored had the impact of hitting a cloud of smoke. Terril scored two blows I felt, but most were feather light. Like the start, we stopped fighting without rhyme or reason and bowed. A large crowd had gathered. There was silence for a minute, then clapping and cheering erupted.

I had changed when my SID peeped, and Varisko appeared on the screen.

"Skipper, Elder Ni'Shay sent a message asking for a meeting tomorrow morning."

"Tell Ni'Shay I'll arrive at nine hundred hours, if that is acceptable."

"Is that necess … Yes, ma'am."

* * *

Ni'Shay took me to the same room occupied by the same elders. He began without pleasantries.

"We, the clans, have been focused on our defeat and the issues facing us today and not the future. We see ourselves as prisoners as we believe the … humans do. You are an enigma to us. You were the architect of our defeat, saved us from a massacre, and now force us to look to the future. You have gone from enemy, to protector, to supporter. One day we hate you and wished we had killed you. The next we are thankful we did not." Ni'Shay looked around the room seeming to seek some agreement, before continuing. "We do not wish to be isolated nor do we want to be seen as an adversary. However, we cannot be part of the SAS. They will never again trust us with military spaceships. Nor can we integrate into the SAS since they will always remember the enmity between us, as will we. We were ostracized from the SAS because we were gypsies and assumed guilty and punished, even killed, for every illegal act that happened when we were on a planet. You may think that did not justify our actions. Perhaps it did not, but you have not lived our lives. Now you push us to look to the future. If it's possible, we would like to ally with the Riss even though that means by association with the SAS. But of course, you already know that, don't you? You are our dybbuk—demon. You see into our minds, and you see our future."

<Smart.>

<Smart or devious?>

<Smart. Riss good partners.>

"I used my empathy with you to anticipate your movements, which led to finding Freeland. The Riss participated in the invasion to stop the killing, not for revenge. You are hated for the killing and many in the SAS craved revenge—many still do. The Riss are hated because they are not human. We, therefore, have mutual goals—to be treated as equals. If we can learn to trust each other, I believe working together we can achieve those goals." I looked around the table and held out my hand. Ni'Shay rose with a black bound book and waited until each elder nodded, then handed it to me.

"This book contains the information you requested. We give it to you as the leader of the Riss."

* * *

The next four months was a whirlwind of activity. The black-bound book confirmed what I had surmised years ago—the clans had over five hundred spies in the three empires. A third were in the military, a third permanent citizens of planets, including several government officials, and the last third were transients, who roamed each empire. And there was still one Light cruiser, the Asp, in UFN space. Now that I understood the situation, I released three merchant ships: the Far Horizons, the Lost Traveler, and the Wheeler. The Far Horizons was dispatched to the UFN with instructions to contact the Asp, telling them to return to Freeland with all weapons systems disabled. The Lost Traveler went to the JPU and the Wheeler to the SAS. Their main mission was to notify all clan members of the treaty. Those in the SAS were to stop all hostile activities and could, if they wished, return home. Those in the JPU and UFN were encouraged to continue spying but not to take any hostile actions.

To be safe, I counted on Thalia's photographic memory and returned the book to Ni'Shay as soon as I had thoroughly reviewed its contents.

CHAPTER FOUR

Confrontation with the Asp

"Captain, a ship has just exited the Wave," Lt. Commander Justano, the Saker's Radar officer, said, looking back over his shoulder at Lavett.

"One of those damn merchants?" Waldel asked, looking up at the overhead monitor. "I don't suppose they have one of their lasers active?"

"Sir, I don't think it's a merchant. It looks like … a Light cruiser! They are broadcasting they are the Asp."

"Battle Station!" Lavett smiled, as the Bridge's monitors lit and the ship's stations prepared for battle. "Tell Commander Bishop to launch his Strikers. They're to neutralize the cruiser. Tell Colonel Alden to prepare to board and secure the Asp."

"Captain, the Asp has no weapons active." Justano said, eyes glued to his monitors. Waldel leaned closer to Lavett.

"Captain, isn't the Asp the Light cruiser Captain Reese warned us would be returning to Freeland?"

"I don't care. It's a warship and they're all murderers."

"Sir, Commander Bishop reports all Strikers launched. Attack positions in four minutes. Colonel Alden reports two attack shuttles launched. Rendezvous with the Asp estimated at ten minutes." Waldel said, after checking the Navigation monitor.

"Missiles ready, Captain," Lt. Commander Olstein, the Weapons officer, said. Lavett could feel the Bridge throbbing with excitement, which matched his own. Walden leaned close again.

"Captain if you fire on them, Reese will court martial you. And if you're found guilty of firing without being fired on, you could spend time at the penal colony at Cyberus. She warned you the Asp was returning."

"That's why I sent the Strikers and army boarding shuttles. One of them is bound to elicit a response, which will justify military action. After all, wouldn't you think you were being attacked if you saw a swarm of Strikers approaching with weapons systems hot?" Lavett grinned.

Waldel walked over to the radar monitor and said something to Justano, then returned.

"Captain, the Strikers don't have their weapon systems active."

"WHAT? Bozich, contact Bishop. I want those Strikers' weapons active. NOW!" His foot tapped the floor as he waited.

"Commander Bishop said his rules of engagement from Commander Byer prohibit him from going active unless fired upon."

Lavett grabbed the Comm from Bozich. "Damn it, Bishop, you report directly to me. Go active!" His face flushed with anger as he listened to Bishop's response. "I'll have you court marshaled for disobeying a direct order." He threw the mike against the Comm panel, and stalked back to his chair. Several minutes went by as they waited news.

"Captain, Colonel Alden reports Wasps on board, the crew surrendered peacefully. The Asp is secure."

"Damn her," Lavett swore as he left the Bridge.

* * *

"Every fucking week it's something new." Lavett pounded his desk, causing wine from his glass to splash onto the desk. "First she puts the damn army in charge of the inspection teams. Then she allows merchant ships to go into the UFN and JPU, which shouldn't be allowed under the Treaty. Then that inevitable incident with that army … moron when you inspected the ship."

"That was embarrassing." Waldel's fist tightened around his wine glass. "That brain-dead gunny telling me I couldn't confine the crew while we inspected the ship. He had the nerve to refuse my orders and threatened me and my detail with force."

Lavett rose and filled his glass, then began pacing the room. "What fucking navy captain would put an army grunt in charge of navy officers? They don't contribute to running the ship. They're just excess baggage. And when I insisted Alden court martial that jackass soldier for assaulting an officer, he said the gunny was just following orders. He told me if I thought the gunny exceeded his orders, he would contact Captain Reese to convene an inquiry into the incident. You know how that would end."

"The bitch would probably promote him and reprimand me for not following orders." Waldel's voice rose with each word. Lavett gulped down his drink and refilled it, then continued pacing.

"Now she's allowing the Riss to visit Freeland but won't allow us. What difference would it make? I'll bet the planet is filled with prostitutes who would love to have the business. Probably a lot of free ass besides. I'll bet the army's getting some time down there under the pretext of conducting inspections." Lavett stopped pacing and turned to face Waldel. "She's not only unfit to command, she's in violation of the Treaty. I should relieve her of command before her policies permit those murdering bastards to start building warships."

"I agree, Captain. I think you have sufficient cause to act. She's allowed those bastard merchants free access to the JPU and UFN when the Treaty limited access to the SAS. She has the army hindering our inspections teams. Only the space gods know what they are smuggling in and out of Freeland. And what doesn't she want us to see on Freeland, by prohibiting us access?" Waldel nodded as if agreeing with himself. "But what about Commander Bishop and Colonel Alden? Will they cooperate?"

"We won't tell Bishop. We can't take on the Lynx with force, and using the Strikers would alert her to our intentions. We'll have to get on the Lynx and take her and the Bridge. With me in command of the Lynx, the rest will fall into place." Lavett sat back in his chair and switched on his SID.

"Colonel Alden, would you come up to my office, it's important." He smiled at Waldel. "He'll be right up."

* * *

Alden sat in a chair facing Lavett, frowning, his bushy eyebrows almost hiding his brown eyes. Although, his brown hair was showing signs of grey, his lanky physique looked all muscle. "I understand your concern, Captain. Some of Captain Reese's decisions do appear questionable, but I don't know that they justify relieving her of command."

"I think that is for me to decide. I'm the senior captain on station and I'll take full responsibility," Lavett said. "The senior officers on the Saker and Merlin agree with me. I only need the Wasps there to avoid anyone getting hurt."

"What about the Scorpions? They appear loyal to Captain Reese. If they sense trouble …"

"Commander Waldel has Colonel Seng's assurance that the Scorpions will stand down. He agrees she has exceeded her authority under the terms of the Treaty. He asked the XO not to contact him further, since she has friends among his men. If one of them suspects anything, he may leak the information to Reese." Lavett settled back with his kaffa, watching Alden. Finally, Alden nodded.

"All right, if you're right, we won't need a large detail. It sounds like everyone is in agreement."

"They are. But you should round up the Riss and that Riss-human, and put them under guard until this matter is settled."

CHAPTER FIVE

Mutiny

I didn't know how I was going to survive Captain Lavett. His objections seemed to be getting more adamant, and he objected to most everything I did. That I could handle, but I feared his hatred of the clans could escalate into action. I had been lucky with the return of the Asp. From what I could determine, only Commander Byer and Colonel Seng's strong support of my orders kept the situation from escalating into a shooting war. They had passed on my orders, and they had made it clear there would be no deviation without their approval. Any resistance from the Asp could have unraveled the treaty when Lavett's version of the incident reached Eden. But my hands were tied. I couldn't relieve Lavett of command or send him back to Eden without him disobeying my orders and then it would be too late. And the six-month resupply squadron due in a month wouldn't help, since the Saker and the Merlin wouldn't rotate for at least one year.

This time, he wasn't content to send me a letter of protest. He wanted a face-to-face meeting. If I had more experience, I might know how to handle this, but I didn't.

<Lavett trouble.>

<As if I didn't know.>

<Hates you. Like Blackstone.>

I shuttered at the thought. Blackstone and his friend Owin had wanted me dead. Eventually they caught me alone and almost succeeded. Hate clouded people's minds and justified everything.

<What can I do about it?>

<Be prepared. Fun.> I had to laugh at Thalia's image of me with two shard guns in holsters strapped to my legs, a buzz stick in each hand, a military grade rifle hanging from my shoulder, and a knife between my teeth.

"Ma'am, Captain Lavett's shuttle is approaching. It's an army combat shuttle," Commander Lahar, the Radar officer, said frowning at the optical display.

"Weapons systems?"

"None showing. He probably believes the clans are going to attack him in transit," Commander Marken, the weapon's officer, said with a grin. "Sorry, ma'am."

"The docking sergeant reports only Captain Lavett, his aid, and another Lieutenant departed the shuttle," Gelman said. "The XO is escorting them to your briefing room."

Only the space gods knew what Lavett thought he could accomplish. He couldn't overrule me, and I doubted he thought he could change my mind. He probably had a written protest, which he planned to issue in person and threaten to send to SAS headquarters. And, of course, I would have to respond in writing—more paperwork.

<Fools dangerous.> I felt no amusement.

<And a lot of work.> I quipped but knew she was right. Lavett's hostility towards the clans had been more obvious each time we met. Rumors suggested he made his feeling clear with his subordinates. Just then, Varisko entered followed by Lavett and his two companions.

<Angry. Rage.> Thalia had me rising from my seat before the thought finished.

"Scorpions!" I said, but too late. Lavett had a shard gun pointing at me, and his aide had one to Varisko's head. The Lieutenant had a military grade weapon pointing in the direction of my two scorpion guards. "Stand down, Scorpions. Drop your weapons." I knew they would die fighting to save me, but Lavett didn't seem like he wanted to kill any of us—his mistake.

<Seal the Bridge. Contact Colonel Seng. Ship alert, mutiny underway. Contact Captain Corbitt, mutiny in progress, Saker involved.> I sent via Thalia to r-Arawn on the Bridge, which was less than ten meters down the hall.

"Lieutenant, signal the shuttle," Lavett said, smiling. "Captain Reese, I'm relieving you of command for being in league with the raiders to overthrow the SAS. Wasps are in the process of securing the Lynx, and the Saker is in position to fire on the Lynx should your weapon systems go on line."

<Saker's weapons systems on line. Lynx weapon systems hot. Merlin moving towards Saker, weapons online. Corbitt sends, awaiting orders. Scorpions clearing ship.> r-Arawn to Thalia.

"Captain, the wasps report they can't gain access to the Bridge. It's sealed. And Scorpions are advancing throughout the ship," Lavett's aide said.

"Tell the Bridge, I'll kill the Captain if they don't unseal the door."

<r-Arawn. Don't unseal the Bridge.>

"Even if your Scorpions interfere with the Wasps, I still have you, and the Saker has your Riss-human and the Riss under guard. You can't board the ship without using your missiles, which will kill hundreds of innocent navy and army personnel. Corbitt won't attempt to help you. He knows you’re a traitor, but he's just too scared to do anything without permission. And I'll order Waldel to kill your monsters one at a time until you surrender the Lynx. And if you don't care about us killing them, I wonder how long you can last if I began shooting different parts of you. Maybe start with your legs."

"And when you get control of the Lynx, then what?" I asked, curious to know the extent of his lunacy and to get it on the record.

"What you should have done, destroy the space station, repair facilities, and wipe out their government center and the town with everyone in it. Then destroy their merchant ships when they return. They need to understand they can never leave their planet again."

"What about the Treaty the SAS council has approved."

"I relieved you of your command because you incited the clan to attack us. I was only responding to their aggressiveness." He laughed. "Henry, retrieve those Scorpion's weapons on the floor and cuff their hands behind them. I doubt they care about Reese, but they might feel obligated because of their lesbian gunny."

That did it. Both Scorpions tensed ever so subtly, preparing to act. Terril was both respected and well-liked by her troops. Regardless, she was the Scorpion's gunny and sat at the feet of the space gods. Insulting her, insulted the Scorpions. Meanwhile, Thalia prepared our vehicle to fight and the people around me seemed to go into slow motion.

Before the Lieutenant could move, a barrage of shots could be heard outside in the corridor, coming from military grade weapons. As Lavett's head jerked towards the door, I threw myself onto the table, turning as I slid across and slammed into Lavett feet first. His shard gun flew toward the ceiling as he ricocheted off the wall. His two companions turned towards me, their guns coming around in my direction as the two Scorpions exploded into them, ramming them into the wall. It wasn't necessary, but they were in a bad mood. A few elbows to the head and spine and the two were in serious need of Regen.

Seconds later, the door lock exploded and the door flew open, Terril leading the way. Her head swiveled from left to right taking in the entire room.

"One of you could have saved someone for me to kill." She didn't smile. "You all right, Na … Captain?"

"Fine, Gunny. Is the ship secure?

"Secure and squeaky clean. Want me to throw these two out the air lock?"

"First see if Doctor Echart can put them back together. Your Scorpions took exception to their remarks about you."

"You were very gentle with the Captain." Terril nodded in Lavett's direction. He lay doubled up on the floor gasping for breath. The broken ribs probably didn’t help.

"He didn't say anything about you or the Scorpions." I grinned as I passed her and headed for the Bridge with Varisko and my permanent Scorpion detail, who were trying unsuccessfully not to grin.

"Captain on the Bridge," Marken said, with a quick glance in my direction. "Skipper, the Saker still has its weapons online."

"Gelman, dismiss the Ship Alert, call Battle Stations, and establish contact with the Merlin." I took the Captain's chair as the ship sirens and SIDs wailed. A minute later Corbitt's face appeared on the monitor.

"Captain Reese, Commander Marken told me Captain Lavett had you captive and the Saker was part of the mutiny."

"Captain Lavett showed up with twenty Wasps and attempted to take control of the Lynx. He claims the Saker supports him, and he appears correct, since they have their weapons systems online. Continue your approach and declare Battle Stations. I hope Commander Waldel doesn't do anything stupid, but we need to be prepared for the worse. Don't fire unless the Saker does. It's a risk but I'm hoping Waldel will realize he can't win and trying will only result in hundreds of deaths."

"The Merlin will be in position within thirty minutes. Corbitt out."

"Gelman, open a line to the Saker."

"Captain Reese? Where is Captain Lavett? You will release him immediately, or your precious Riss-human along with the Riss will die." He raised a fist and his face flushed as he talked. I switched on my SID and opened a channel to Byer and Seng.

"Commander Byer release your Sharks and tell Corbitt to release his as soon as he is in position. Contact the Striker Commander on the Saker and order him to launch his Strikers. They are to leave the Saker with their weapons disabled." Waldel's face twisted in rage.

"I'll kill every one of your monsters if you don't produce Captain Lavett."

"You can kill the Riss, and you can attack the Lynx, killing hundreds of innocent people. And the Lynx and the Merlin will destroy the Saker killing hundreds more. Are you really that kind of a man? Is that how you want people to remember you?"

"You're a traitor! Consorting with the Raiders."

"You will have your chance to present your evidence at your hearing. If you're right, I will be relieved of command and no one will have to die. I'm sending Scorpions to the Saker to secure the ship. If you fire on them, the Saker will be destroyed. Captain Reese, out."

"Colonel Seng, send two shuttles of Scorpions to secure the Saker. Commander Byer you will support the crossing with force if necessary. Gelman, send to Corbitt, 'prepare to support Scorpion detail being sent to secure the Saker.'" I sat back and hoped Walden's twenty years of military service wouldn't permit him to waste the lives of comrades in arms. The tension on the Bridge felt like the discord of an orchestra tuning their instruments.

<I fear for the Riss. I can't help it. There are so many humans but so few Riss.>

<Riss deserve reach potential. Cannot on Saipha. Must reach for stars.>

<I know, but … > I wasn’t responsible for the future of the human race or SAS, but I was responsible for the future of the Riss.

<Can only do best. Riss understand.> A warm, safe feeling flowed through me. I wished I understood. Minutes later, reports began coming. At my nod, Gelman left the Bridge speakers on for everyone to hear.

"Captain Corbitt reports he's in position and has dispatched his Strikers.

"Colonel Seng reports two Scorpion combat shuttles launched.

"Commander Byer reports Strikers leaving Saker with weapons disabled."

The Bridge held its collective breath. The unthinkable could happen and SAS ships fire on each other—comrades killing comrades over a few madmen's hate. It was possible. It had happened to me. Each passing minute felt like a lifetime.

"Colonel Seng reports the Scorpions are on board and encountering no resistance."

* * *

The Saker's Bridge crew and the Wasp Commander were confined to quarters under guard while every individual on the Saker was interviewed. Commander Iglis conducted the investigation and concluded some fifty people had been actively involved in the mutiny, although many claimed to be just following orders. Iglis found that Lavett and Waldel had been planting seeds of distrust and spreading rumors for months. I didn't envy the SAS Inquiry having to sort out who was following orders and who was part of the mutiny.

The Saker's Wasp Commander and gunny were good examples. They had been told Captain Corbitt agreed I should be relieved of my command and that the Scorpion Commander on the Lynx would stand down during the takeover. The gunny leading the takeover did order his men to cease fighting when he saw the Scorpions. But by then, six Wasps had been wounded, three seriously. It would have been worse if small details hadn't elected to surrender when they encountered Scorpions while trying to secure their assigned area.

I had the fifty individuals restricted to one area of the Saker and under guard, awaiting the replacement ship.

* * *

I was surprised a month later when the Heavy cruiser, the Bateleur, a Hunter, the Bobcat, and a Light, the Osprey arrived. I was relieved to find Admiral Plimson aboard the Bateleur but couldn't help wondering if I were in trouble.

<Cart before horse.>

<This wouldn't be the first time I was accused of some made up crime.>

<Not by Plimson.>

<True.> Thalia had a point. Plimson had always gone out of his way to be fair with me. But he may not have a choice if he got pressure from Eden. Too many didn't like the Treaty, as Lavett and Walden had proved.

"Skipper, the Admiral has invited you to join him on the Bateleur at sixteen hundred hours."

"Thank the Admiral and confirm I'll be there." Captains didn't turn down invitations from Admiral unless they were in Regen. Fortunately, I had a few hours to get ready.

"XO, you have the Watch. I'm off to get ready for my meeting." I returned to my room, stood in the Fresher until I turned pink, worrying. I dressed in formal whites and arrived at the shuttle reserved for my use thirty minutes early. Much better early then one minute late. I boarded and sat. I was shocked out of my musing when Terril and a corporal followed me in.

"Terril, you can't—" She had come prepared, tapped on her SID and a hologram appeared with the letter signed by Admiral Plimson and General Garret authorizing a detail of an unspecified number of Scorpion bodyguards. They were authorized to accompany me everywhere without exception—or my permission. The order resulted from the multiple attempts on my life.

"Sit, Gunny. Why are you going?"

"I've never met the Admiral. And I thought it would be interesting to watch you dance with an Admiral."

"You don't dance with Admirals. It's yes, sir. I'd be happy to, sir. Immediately, sir. It will be boring."

"Sounds like fun." Terril gave me an evil grin. When I looked out, we were entering the shuttle bay and minutes later the green light came on. As I exited, a young Lieutenant waited.

"Welcome aboard the Bateleur, ma'am, I'm Lieutenant Alderson, Admiral Plimson's aide-de-camp. If you'll follow me, I'll take you to the Admiral's conference room. He should be available shortly. To his credit, he didn't comment on the two Scorpions accompanying me. He led me through hallways familiar from the inquiry at Saipha. I smiled remembering my first time on the Bateleur. I had been accepted as a candidate for the Riss Program and to my amazement picked up and transported on the Bateleur.

"Captain Reese, can I get you a cup of kaffa or something else?" He tentatively looked to Terril who shook her head as she and the corporal backed up against the wall.

"Kaffa, would be nice," I said, wanting something to keep my hands busy and maybe relax me. As soon as I thought it, Thalia worked her magic and the tension left my neck and shoulders.

<Thanks.>

<Dr. Thalia at your beck and call.>

The Lieutenant had no sooner put the cup down next to me, than Admiral Plimson and two Vice Admirals entered the room. I bolted to my feet and stood at rigid attention before the Lieutenant could call Attention.

"At ease, Captain Reese. Let me introduce you to Vice Admirals Stenberg and Wattson. They will be part of the Inquiry Board."

"My pleasure, sirs," I said still at semi-attention."

"I see you brought protection," Stenberg said, smiling as he and the others found seats opposite me. Before I could respond, Plimson spoke.

"Our Captain seems to attract more than her share of killers. So, I've ordered a permanent detail to follow her. I doubt the gunny would let her go anywhere without guards even if I hadn't. The Army seems to have taken her under their wing." He pointed to Terril and smiled. "Well Reese, you seem to have attracted more trouble. The joint chiefs of staff, which Stenberg and Wattson are members, have decided it would be best to have the inquiry here rather than on Eden where it could become a circus, since a large number of individuals and organizations are vehemently against the Treaty. Why don't you give us an overview of the charges you've filed?"

"I knew Captain Lavett did not agree with the Treaty from the beginning, but I only learned …" I tried to give a brief overview, but bit-by-bit they pulled out every detail.

"I'm glad you were able to stop the mutiny. The truth would have been twisted around to blame you and the clans. And it wouldn't surprise me if you would have somehow been killed aiding the clans in a revolt." Plimson paused to take a sip of water. "The official inquiry will start tomorrow at nine hundred hours."

* * *

The inquiry took three weeks. Everyone who was directly or indirectly involved along with anyone who wanted to speak was interviewed. Lavett and Walden were sentenced to the Cerberus penal colony for life. In addition, twenty-one navy personnel were found guilty to some degree or another: four were given a year's confinement and dishonorable discharge, five were reduced in rank, including the Wasp Commander on the Saker, and the remaining twelve received letters of reprimand.

After the inquiry ended, Plimson asked to meet with me. When I entered his meeting room, Wattson and Stenberg were there along with the Admiral.

"Help yourself to kaffa or water and have a seat," Plimson said and waited as I poured a cup of kaffa and sat.

<Trouble.>

<Worry too much. Give headache.> A ripple of laughter. I couldn't see what was so funny.

"Reese, we agree you did nothing to justify Lavett or Walden to mutiny. However, given their attitude towards the Treaty, some of your actions could have been interpreted as plotting with the clans." He held up his hand before I could respond. "In that case, he should have requested an inquiry into your actions, not taken it on himself to remove you. We believe part of the problem is that Lavett like almost all the SAS captains have more time-in-grade than you, yet you're the station commander. That will continue to be a problem."

Plimson looked down at his SID. "One of Lavett's charges was letting the clans merchants continue to operate in the UFN and the JPU. The intent of the Treaty was to confine their operations to the SAS."

"Sir, that maybe everyone's understanding, but the Treaty doesn't state that as a condition. Allowing them to continue to operate in the UFN and JPU benefits the SAS. The clans have an extensive spy network in both empires. Therefore, what the clans learn, I know and thus the SAS. We now have reliable information about each empire and advance notice of anything that may affect the SAS."

"Military Intelligence will be very pleased, Captain," Stenberg said, then nodded to Plimson.

"Another of his charges was allowing the Riss shore-duty but no one else." Plimson paused, waiting for me to respond.

"Sir, the Riss have lived their whole lives outdoors. They have no houses or buildings. Unlike the other military personnel, they will not be rotating home in a year and will likely spend many years here. Therefore, they need time on planet. The clans accept the Riss as neutral and have been willing to let them roam a wilderness territory where there are no settlements or towns. Humans would want to visit the towns, and it would only take one or two incidents to spark a chain reaction all the way to Eden. Lavett is an example of someone who would have intentionally caused trouble."

"Makes sense," Wattson said, "when you hear your reasoning."

"Yes, the problem will be trying to send replacements that aren't prejudiced and willing to listen to reason. I think the best we can do is to ensure the Captains understand the conditions in Freeland, why you are station commander, and what you are trying to accomplish." Plimson looked towards Wattson and Stenberg. Then he turned back to me. "It sounds like Captain Corbitt acted property during the mutiny and hasn't given you any problems."

"None. Captain Corbitt's performance has been excellent," I said, realizing the kind of problem I would have had if he had sided with Lavett.

"Good, we plan to leave him here to finish his tour. I'm assigning Captain Pavao as Lavett's replacement. I've explained the situation here and the fact that you are station commander. Although, she is a senior Captain with substantial experience, she asked for this assignment." Plimson paused and took a sip of his kaffa. "I trust her, Reese. Oh, speaking of Corbitt, I expect you to provide me with an evaluation of each Captain assigned to Freeland."

"Me?"

"Yes, you're the station commander. Actually, I think a captain's performance on a unique assignment like Freeland will be more informative than a routine one. For example, Corbitt will now be on a fast track for a Hunter."

<It's too fast.>

<You high-Riss. Nothing too fast.>

<You going to help?>

<No. You Leader. Me watch.> Amusement tingled through me. I was beginning to think she was an incarnation of Thalia of the three Muses. I guess it was much better one of us wasn't depressed or constantly afraid. Stenberg spoke, breaking my mental paralysis.

"What about the decision to put the army in charge of inspections," Stenberg asked, frowning.

"Ironically, the army personnel are the least biased, and I enjoy the support of the Scorpion Commander and his senior noncoms. I trust them to go out of their way to be impartial. I'm trying to avoid anyone asserting their prejudices on the clans or the clans on the inspectors. This way the fight will be between the army and the inspectors, and the army has thick skins."

That got a few chuckles.

"I agree with you and the Admiral. The situation here would take very little to ignite a major incident that would explode on Eden. And it's going to be very difficult to finds replacements. We can't interview them all," Stenberg said and everyone lapsed into silence but sat staring at me.

<They want solution from you.>

<Why me, it's their responsibility.>

<Easier give you problem. Your Treaty.>

<I'm doing all I can.>

<Not enough. Do more.> An image of me juggling balls and every few minutes an Admiral throwing me another one.

<Why aren't you helping.>

<You Leader.>

<What are you.>

<Co-pilot.> I felt her laughter.

"Sirs, I would like to have the clans build the Riss a cruiser—"

"What!" Wattson spilled the kaffa he was sipping.

"Are you crazy?" Stenberg asked.

"Sirs, I'm the station commander, although as you point out, I have the least seniority. I'm expected to be the governor of Freeland, although it's not official. I'm the leader of the Riss Nation, but what does that mean to the SAS? The expectation is that the Riss will soon be operating one or more of the SAS cruisers but in what function? They are not SAS personnel and not officially allies." I took a sip of kaffa to give everyone time to think about what I was saying. "If the Riss had their own ship or ships, then they could join the SAS as allies, which they want, and many of the present vagaries would be solved. I'd guaranty that no SAS technology would be present in the new cruisers and take full responsibility for its security. It would be designed for the Riss, not humans." My mouth went dry, watching the open-mouthed silence. I took another sip of kaffa and found my hand shaking.

<Good or bad.> I couldn't tell as no one was talking.

<Minds in chaos.>

"Reese I think you managed to give us all a headache. I for one need to sort through what you've said." He looked to the others, who were nodding agreement. "Let's meet back here tomorrow at nine hundred hours."

<Well, they wanted a solution.>

<Wanted easy one.> An image of three weightlifters struggling to lift a massive dumbbell.

* * *

"I'd say that was a ten knot performance, Captain Reese," Terril said during our shuttle ride back to the Lynx. "Master Wei had the right of it, as usual. As one progresses in Si'jin, a contest is as much about mind games as it is about technique. So, watching elders, or admirals, or high ranking officials contend for an advantage is much like watching an advanced Si'jin match."

"Terril, do you think it would be possible to have a contingent of Scorpions on an allied ship?"

"By the gods, Nadya… you're planning a Riss Navy!" She shook her head and lapsed into silence.

<Well, why not?>

<Good idea.> Image of an old-fashioned aircraft carrier, battle ships, and destroyers manned by Riss, cruising in an ocean.

* * *

I entered the conference room a few minutes early, poured myself a cup of kaffa, and sat. I didn't know what to expect. I hoped I hadn't pushed too fast, too hard, and lost. But they had caught me off guard, causing me to express my thoughts out loud—fire, ready, aim.

<Past gone.>

<Why didn't I think of that.>

The promotions have come to fast. I had gone from Lieutenant Commander to Captain to Station Commander in what seemed like light-seconds, missing the experience normal time in grade would have provided.

<Not fast for high-Riss.> Thalia's answer for everything. I'm high-Riss because she is; therefore, nothing is too hard or impossible, or … I had no option but to play the hand I had been dealt.

<You could help.>

<You pilot.> Amusement. The Thalia I loved—everything was exciting and fun. I was so engrossed in my thoughts I almost didn't stand when the admirals entered.

"At ease, Reese." Plimson said as he and the other two got settled with kaffa. "Reese, admirals are supposed to give captains headaches and impossible tasks to do. Captains are not supposed to give admirals headaches and impossible decisions to make." He sat staring at me, making me feel like a little girl waiting to hear her punishment. "The sensible answer is Hell No! You have again, I repeat—again—put me in the position of looking like a fool or a genius depending upon the eventual result." He shook his head and sat nursing his kaffa. Stenberg and Wattson sat quietly staring at me.

"I was foolish or brave, depending upon who you talk to, the last two times you presented me with a career shattering decision. Both times, you made me look like a genius. Zann claims the Riss always pick the right … Riss for the task at hand, and they picked you as their leader. I'm going to trust the Riss and authorize you to build two Riss cruisers."

"… Thank you, sir." I wanted to kiss him, but he was an admiral.

"Remember, Captain Reese, admirals don't like to be disappointed." All three looked at me grim faced.

"Captain Reese, I have mixed emotions about Admiral Plimson's decision, and I'm glad I didn't have to make it. My understanding is that you will ensure that no SAS technology will be used in the … Riss cruiser and that the clans won't use it against us. Is that right?" Wattson asked.

"Yes, sir. The Riss want to be an ally of the SAS. They have and have and will continue to work in the best interest of the SAS. My promise to you is the promise of all the Riss."

"I still find it impossible to believe you not only represent the Riss but that every Riss will agree with whatever you say," Stenberg said, smiling. "If you can bottle that, I'll buy a million bottles."

"What scares me, Admiral Stenberg, is how easy it would be to abuse that power. I agonize over every word." It did scare me, more so because no one ever offered me an opinion or opposing view.

"Although the concept is like nectar to anyone in command, I can see your point," Stenberg said.

"And based on some of our commander's decision, I'm glad we don't," Wattson said.

"Admiral Plimson, could I ask you to let Captains Pavao and Corbitt know. I'd hate another incident."

"No, I'll let you tell them. That will give you a chance to discuss the project and resolve any questions. However, I'll put it in writing so everyone knows it's my decision. I'll expect you to keep me informed on the project's progress, and I want a ride on that ship."

CHAPTER SIX

The Riss cruiser project

When I entered the briefing room with Varisko everyone stood.

<I'll never get used to this.>

<High-Riss. Leader.> A feeling of smug satisfaction.

There were three men and one woman. Without hesitation, a tall, red headed woman, who I recognized as one of the Captains who participated in the invasion of Freeland, strode forward.

"I don't know if you remember me, but I'm Captain Nance Pavao of the Bobcat.” She motioned to a thin, dark-haired man with a mustache. “My XO, Commander Gabisi. You already know Captain Corbitt and Commander Texada." She smiled at Texada, a tall, handsome looking man with an athletic physique.

"Yes, I do remember you. We met at the Officer's club on Eden prior to the attack on Freeland. There is food and drinks on the sideboard. Please help yourselves and get comfortable. We have much to discuss." I had asked Petty Officer Pillon to setup an array of sandwiches, fruits, cheeses, sodas, and kaffa. I waited for everyone to get settled before beginning.

"The Treaty with the Raiders has been contentious from the beginning. People are rightfully angry. Many feel the Freeland Treaty doesn't provide satisfaction for the deaths and destruction the Raiders caused and want vengeance. I can understand their anger. I lost friends to their raids and comrades during my encounters with them. I do not regret having helped kill Raiders. It was war and my duty. But neither the Riss nor I could participate in killing for the sake of revenge. Some could and would feel justified in destroying Freeland given the chance. The Captain of the Saker and his XO were two such individuals. You attended the inquiry and know the specific details. As Admiral Plimson has pointed out, the fact that everyone has more seniority as a Captain than me contributed to the mutiny."

"Captain Reese, you will have no trouble from Corbitt or me. I volunteered knowing the situation on Freeland. You may not have seniority, but you have more battle experience than any captain currently on active duty and are station commander because you are the … leader of the Riss, and this Treaty will be enforced by the Riss."

"Thank you. I may not follow your advice, but I would appreciate hearing your thoughts and concerns."

"Oh, you'll get those," Pavao said, raising her cup in salute.

"Before I discuss assignments, I'll be assigning thirty Riss and the Riss-human, Alena, to the Merlin and fifty Riss and the Riss-human, Elissa, to the Bobcat. They can use the experience, but more importantly, I'd like to expose the personnel on station to the Riss. I hope that will reduce the uninformed rumors about them." I watched Pavao for her response. She smiled.

<Now the hard part.>

<Fun.>

"Admiral Plimson has given me the authority…" To my surprise, everyone seemed interested in the Riss cruiser, and a lively discussion followed, which gave me lots of things to think about. It was easier to say I was going to have a cruiser built than doing it.

* * *

The next day, I arranged for a meeting with the elders. I was eager to get started and had to force myself not to run down the ramp at the shuttle, landing pad to meet Ni'Shay.

"Good day, Captain Reese or is it Governor Reese?" Ni'Shay didn't smile but his lip did twitch.

"I'm just getting used to Captain. Actually, I've been a dybbuk far longer than I've been a Captain."

Ni'Shay laughed. "Yes, it's the man or woman that determines a person's metal, not the honorific." The ride seemed shorter than usual, perhaps because I had my mind on the upcoming meeting. When I arrived, the elders were already in their seats, looking grim. Of course, meeting with their keeper didn't seem like an uplifting event, and I realized I hadn't given a reason for this meeting, which would raise the tension level.

"I'm sorry I didn't let you know the reason for this meeting, but it would just have raised more questions. I would like you to do me a favor, which I believe will be mutually beneficial," I said. Before I could continue, Ja'Dalle spoke, her face stern.

"You can demand. What choice do we have?"

"We are grateful to you and the Riss that we aren’t treated worse. But even a good master, is a master … " Ka'Baako said to general nods from the others.

<Riss know. Humans thought Riss dumb animals to hunt. We wait, survive.>

"Thalia has reminded me that humans hunted the Riss for their fur but wisely did not try to retaliate. They waited. If they hadn't the humans would have declared war on them and hunted them to extinction. They are a patient race, and it has and continues to serve them well."

“Did it bring back to life those the humans killed?”

I sighed. “No, but it allowed the rest of the Riss a chance to survive. Surely, that was more important. Just as you must want your people to survive.”

Ni’Shay’s mouth twitched into a small smile. "I assure you the survival of our people is what we are working toward and grateful for your help. The Riss are very wise and provide a good lesson for us. We must concentrate on keeping our skins today so we will have them for the future our dybbuk sees," Ni'Shay said, nodding. "What favor can we do for you."

<Damn. It's bad enough being Leader without being the clans' future.>

<Easy.> Her laughter actually felt relaxing. I too could learn from the Riss—patience—one day at a time.

"I want you to build the Riss a Light cruiser—" I stopped as whispered conversations erupted around the table. Ni'Shay sat quietly, smiling in my direction.

"For free?" Ka'Baako glared at me.

"No, you will be paid for labor and materials," I said, provoking more huddled conversations.

"You trust us to do that?" Ni'Shay asked.

"I believe it's in the best interest of your future and the Riss."

"What do you want … need from us?"

"A manufacturing plant, skilled workers, a project manager, a designer, and anything else you can think of. I've never built a cruiser before." Clearly, I had no idea what it would take and would have to leave that to others. I knew the Riss needed their own cruiser, and it had to be designed to meet their needs—not humans. Several hours later, the elders agreed to put together a plan for me to review and to appoint a project manager, subject to my approval. I left feeling I had made progress.

The next day I set up a meeting with Commander Byer and Colonel Seng. Terril attended as one of my security detail. I asked to meet in the Scorpions area. I told myself it was because I needed a change of scenery, but unconsciously I wanted Byer and Seng to feel more comfortable than they would in my conference room. When I arrived, Seng had snacks and drinks on the sideboard. I smiled. It was the informal setting I wanted, where I was the guest.

"Good afternoon, Captain. There's food and drinks if you'd like," Seng said, waving at the sideboard.

"Thank you, Colonel." I proceeded to collect two small finger-sandwiches and kaffa before sitting. I chose the middle of the oblong table rather than the front and waited until they were seated.

"Gentlemen, I'm sure by now everyone has heard one version or another about my plans to have the clans build the Riss a cruiser. Probably each version has some truth, and none all the facts."

"Yes, I've heard at least three," Byer said.

Seng shook his head. "I've heard two.”

"Here's the real version. After the Inquiry I talked with… " I went on to explain what led up to my request and what I was attempting to do." I want a ship designed specifically for the Riss; however, I doubt they could ever be combat troops or pilots. Or maybe, I don't want them to be. We can build a Riss cruiser that would be functional without pilots and commandos but it would not be fully effective in battle."

Both had stopped eating and looked to be bursting with questions. "I was wondering whether you think it possible a contingent of your people could be assigned to an allied nation's ship. And what would that look like." I got a screaming headache when I tried to consider the ramifications of such an arrangement. Silence followed. Both men's eyes turned downward in thinking mode. Seng responded first.

"Thanks to you, the Scorpions love the Riss, and they've seen or heard what a Riss can do given a reason, like threatening your life. As you know, we are attached to each cruiser as an independent unit. We're there to support the navy but are not under their direct command. I would think the army might consider deploying combat troops on an allied ship given it supported the SAS goals."

"Our situation is slightly different. The fighter units are considered navy, although in a sense we are much like the army units in that we don’t have anything to do with the running of the cruiser. If the SAS allowed a unit to be deployed on an allied ship, that group would be like a deployed army group. There to support but not in the chain of command."

"Can I impose on you to develop a proposal that would explore what such an arrangement would look like: responsibilities, rotations, training … I can't imagine all the things that would need to be considered. And if you would like to participate, I'd appreciate your input in the design of the Riss cruiser—just in case one or both of your units would be assigned." The building of the Riss cruiser would require input from many sources. The ship needed to satisfy the Riss but also be an efficient fighting machine. If I could have attachments of pilots and combat troops, I would have to incorporate them into the design.

"I'd love to," Seng said. "I and the Scorpions would be very comfortable under your command. You're their totem, and they rely on you for action to relieve the normal boredom. Would you mind if I share this information and got input from others?"

"Absolutely not. We're starting from scratch and can use all the input we can solicit."

"I agree with Seng. It sounds like an interesting problem," Byer said, while writing notes on his SID. I left the two with their heads together.

"Well, Captain Reese, you appear to have everyone's attention. You know everyone wants to be on your security detail. They not only get to watch you shake up everyone's nice comfortable world, but they get the details first hand." Terril grinned. "Life with you certainly isn't boring.

* * *

Two weeks later, the elders informed me they were ready with a tentative plan. I arranged for a meeting the next day and invited Captains Pavao and Corbitt to come along. Because of the distances between ships, we each used our own shuttles and met on Freeland at our designated landing area. As usual, Ni'Shay met us. After introductions, we were escorted to the conference room where the elders were seated around the table.

"Captain Pavao, Captain Corbitt, welcome. We are the elders that make policy for the clans. They may not all agree with our decisions, but they will comply, as the consequences of not doing so are harsh. I'd like to introduce you to Radu Sa'Velte… " Each elder stood when his or her turn came." And our recommendation for project manager, Da'Maass. We'll understand if you don't find him acceptable—"

"Captain Reese and I are well acquainted. We met at Yamhill and had a little squabble over the Vancil. Someday you will have to tell me how you were able to duplicate my skip. That single move led to the defeat of Freeland." He bowed. "I would look forward to working with a dybbuk." He laughed. He was a big man in height and girth. His full, unruly beard and mustache gave his broad face the look of a North American grizzly.

"Captain, Da'Maass lacks manners but he is a brilliant man and would serve you well."

"Yes, I can believe that. He realized I had identified the Vancil as one of your spies, anticipated my plan to capture it, and almost succeeded in killing this dybbuk. I believe he will make an excellent project manager. I'm glad to meet you, Captain Da'Maass. This project will require many keen minds."

"I'd be interested in hearing that story, Captain Da'Maass. It sounds interesting," Pavao said, glancing between him and me. "And why you call her dybbuk."

"Yes, an interesting story if the outcome hadn't been so disastrous for us. Your captain is in our mind, like a demon. She knows what we are thinking before we do. She is our demon—sometimes evil, sometimes good." Da'Maass stared at me long and hard. "Maybe she has saved us from ourselves. Time will tell."

Afterward, Da'Maass took us by shuttle to the planet-side manufacturing complex outside Bacau, the capital of Freeland. It was a hundred hectare square area, which consisted of twenty buildings of varying sizes and shapes.

"Salaj is Freeland's main manufacturing facility. Here we produce the components for our spacecraft, shuttles, weapon systems, missiles, and personal weapons. Computers and chips are produced at our facility at Alesd, about five hundred kilometers to our south. Come, I will show you each facility."

We spent the afternoon touring each plant. Shuttles were still being produced for planet-side use, but most of the shops were idle. Finally, he led us to a small building. Inside were ten computer stations, but only three were occupied.

"I'd like you to meet Guga Sa'Arkadi. Guga is our chief designer. He's the one who will develop the plans for your cruiser. Guga, this is the dybbuk, Captain Reese. And these are Captain Pavao, who commands the Bobcat, and Captain Corbitt the Osprey." Da'Maass smiled. He obviously had a sense of humor in addition to a keen mind and fearless as demonstrated in our encounter at Yamhill. He'd proved he'd gladly die for Freeland. I hoped he'd work as hard to save it.

"Nice to meet you Captain Reese, Captains. I understand you want us to build you a cruiser. One like the Hunter you have?" Sa'Arkadi asked, his small, thin face bright with interest.

"No, Sa'Arkadi. I want you to help me design a cruiser for the Riss. It will be unique and cannot use any SAS components," I said as Pavao nodded in agreement. Guga was almost vibrating with the idea of creating something new. "For the basic structure, I'd like the cruiser more or less round like the SAS cruisers, with three tiers. The top tier completely open and containing no weapons. The bottom tier has the fighter and shuttle bays, missiles and engines. And the middle tier everything else. All the tiers need to be six meters high. The Riss are big people." Everyone stood there with his or her mouths open.

"Very unusual, Captain Reese. Very. What will the diameter be?"

"Smaller than the normal Light cruiser." Fewer Riss could operate a cruiser since they can easily handle multiple functions.

<And fewer to get killed.>

<Risk unavoidable.> Image of a Riss on a tightrope over a deep canyon.

"About three quarters the size. Call me when you have a tentative structure, and we can discuss the details. I'm no designer, so I'll have to rely on your knowledge; however, I know what I want."

"Da'Maass, for now, I'd like you to think about multiple small engines rather than two or three large ones." I couldn't use the SAS design, and I didn't want to. I wanted something new, something uniquely Riss. And while I was at it, something better than currently existed. Da'Maass smiled but said nothing.

<Yes. Riss.> A feeling of pride followed, something I seldom felt from Thalia. Not that I doubted she was proud of her people, just that it was taken for granted. I hadn't thought of it before, but I also felt it.

<Yes, a fleet of Riss cruisers, unique to the Riss.

* * *

"Well, Nadya." Pavao pushed her dinner plate away and lifted her glass of wine in a gesture of a salute. "You're not what I would have expected from a new Captain who is suddenly a station commander. I would've expected such a person to be more concerned with image."

"I understand what you're saying, Nance. Feeling that people are judging you, and scared to death they find you lacking. I think I've been feeling exactly that way for the past couple of years. The promotions have come too fast. But here, there are far more important things to worry about." It was funny in a sense, and I grinned. The stakes were far greater than my reputation. "And I've been too busy."

Pavao laughed. "I appreciate you letting Corbitt and me, be part of the Riss cruiser project. Besides relieving the boredom, I love it. I've never seen a cruiser being built. And I'm not only a part of the project team, but we're constructing something truly unique. I'll bet it will be beyond anyone's imagination." Her smile disappeared as she looked from Varisko back to me. "I doubt it was intentional, but you were right to include us. Otherwise, I believe the project would have created a lot of rumors, which would have resonated back on Eden, even though you have Plimson's authorization. And he’d get a lot of criticism and pressure to justify his actions."

"I hadn't thought that far ahead, which has to do with my lack of experience. But I saw no reason not to include you, in fact, I thought it would help having your experience to draw on."

"That's good, because I've requested to stay for an indefinite period, that is until I request reassignment. I want to see the finished product. Plimson thought it an excellent idea and agreed. As you know, Corbitt also plans to extend his deployment an extra year. I think he's enjoying being part of the project as much as I am. So they might only send a Heavy with supplies, personnel replacements, and another hundred Riss."

"I'm grateful you're staying. Not only do I appreciate your help and advice, selfishly, your presence is a significant factor in maintaining an increased level of stability. I'm always nervous with new captains and crews. Too many people would like to see the Treaty broken, Freeland isolated, and their industry destroyed."

"I can see why the clans like you so much. I doubt any station manager would have treated them with so much respect. I think Da'Maass is in love with you. He's working night and day to please you." Pavao grinned when I blushed. I liked Da'Maass and he was attractive in a strange sort of way. Not that I had considered it, but an affair with any Freelander would be a disaster, particularly with Da'Maass, who had been a ruthless Raider.

"At first I could understand Lavett's concerns, but I now see that it elicits their complete support. That benefits the SAS, Riss, and them." Pavao sat back and took a drink of her wine.

"I too thought the Skippers behavior strange at first. Sorry, Skipper," Varisko said with a sheepish look in my direction. "I felt they were the enemy and should be treated accordingly. But they have bent over backwards to be cooperative every time I've been on an unannounced inspection. They greet me and my team with courtesy and respect."

"Yes, your Captain is a pleasant surprise, Varisko. Changing subjects, the Mnemosyne's structure—strange name, Nadya—will be completely assembled in a few weeks. I wish the internal components were in place. I can't wait for the trials. It's truly unique. With the hull's outer material and angles, it will be almost invisible to radar even at close range, and with its ten small engines you could rig it for silent-running by using only passive sensors and one or two engines."

" I'd like to be able to choose our battles or avoid them altogether, like the Riss did when some of the people on Saipha hunted them for their skins. Sometimes it's better to wait for another day. Unlike humans who number in the billions, the Riss number less than three thousand." I held up three fingers for emphasis.

"Speaking of the Riss, how many will the next group of Riss make?"

"Four hundred and eighty-four."

"Are you going to assign more to Corbitt and me or are you planning on assigning them to the Lynx. That would eliminate all of the navy personnel, but I'm not sure that would be a good idea."

"I intend to keep the numbers the same, but I’ll be rotating the Riss and Riss-humans. Elissa will replace Alena on the Merlin. Jaelle will replace Elissa on your ship, and Alena will move to the Lynx. I'm trying to give the Riss-humans the maximum experience, since they will eventually be the captains of the Riss cruisers." I took and sip of kaffa, while I sorted through my planned changes. "I'm assigning fifty Riss to help the work on the Mnemosyne and to get them intimately acquainted with the working of the ship. Another one hundred and eighty will be assigned to Freeland for now, leaving half the Lynx manned by Riss.

"Why so many to Freeland?" Pavao asked.

"I've decided having all the Riss on ships risks their annihilation. I plan to leave several hundred on Saipha and on Freeland to be sure there will be a next generation."

"A wise decision." Pavao nodded. "Enough, when do we start on the inside of the Mnemosyne?"

"It's time. Varisko, schedule a meeting with Da'Maass two days from now and invite captains Pavao, Corbitt, Commander Byer, Colonel Seng, Sa'Arkadi, and the Elders. You’re welcome to come and Terril will be part of my security."

"Thank you, Skipper."

"When we originally became Riss-humans, we chose the names of goddesses for our Riss companions, so I thought I'd keep the tradition with the Riss cruisers. Mnemosyne is the ancient Greek Goddess of memory and time. Since the Riss have the memories of their mother's mother going back generations it seemed appropriate."

CHAPTER SEVEN

Designing a Riss cruiser

Well, Captain Reese, We haven't seen you down here in sometime. I was beginning to think you were afraid of losing your current rank. I have a six and a seven-knot student who thinks you might be over rated." Terril grinned. Si'jin rank was based on who you could consistently best and who could consistently best you. Consequently, your rank was subject to change. Terril was currently a nine-knot. Only Master Wei held a ten-knot rank. I was rated an eight-knot.

"And what do you think, Master Terril?" I said, knowing Terril looked forward to our matches as much as I did and was reminding me I haven't been working out much lately.

<You neglect self.> Thalia sent a picture of me lying in a hammock looking three stone overweight.

<I've been busy.>

<All work and no … > Thalia was right. I had been feeling burnt out recently. Maybe, I did need to work out more often. Si'jin had always been my way of releasing tension and renewal.

"Alright, Master Terril. We could start off with a six-knot," I said, feeling renewed just thinking about the upcoming workout. I changed and found a crowd of Scorpions gathered in a circle around our workout area.

Terril motioned to a young, medium height, muscular woman. "Osisa, why don't you show Master Reese how stale she's gotten over the past month."

Osisa stepped to the left of Terril and stood ready, although to the casual observer she looked to be standing normally. I moved to the right of Terril.

As I did, Terril stepped back and Osisa exploded towards me. I blocked her right arm strike and rotated around her, driving an elbow into her back. I then dropped, executing a leg sweep. She managed to roll away as my leg touched her.

The battle continued for several minutes. I scored a half-dozen times, but to her credit, Osisa managed two scores, which would normally have put most opponents on the mat. Thanks to Master Wei's training, they were feather light.

"Stop," Terril called. "Alright, Master Reese, I guess that performance was good enough to keep you a seventh knot." Her lip twitched. "Now, Edmann, why don't you show Master Reese what a real seventh knot master can do.  Edmann was a head taller than me, lean, with rip-cord hard muscles."

He stepped up to Terril's left looking relaxed but his eyes gleamed with excitement. Terril stepped back.

Edmann remained motionless, waiting for some sign of weakness. I approved. I made a slight forward movement and he spun with a back kick to my chest. I stepped in as the kick drove towards me. I spun sideways, and his leg slid by me. As it did, my left arm hooked under his leg, and I kicked out his right leg, driving him to the floor. I fell with him, landing an elbow into his spine before rolling off. Without protective equipment and my restraint, he would have had a broken leg and spine. With the equipment, the blow was without a doubt painful but not disabling. As I rolled to my feet, he spun to a standing position. Terril let us continue for several minutes, before calling a halt to the match.

"I guess you can keep your eighth knot, Master Reese. A bit sloppy but adequate. Why don't you give Osisa and Edmann some pointers and rest up.” She smiled. “Because I plan to give you some pointers before you leave."

I worked the two for over an hour. Terril was right. They were solid sixth and seventh ranked masters. Although they were officially Terril's students, anyone with a sixth or higher knot was considered a master and could teach Si'jin. Mostly we worked on counter moves to a couple of moves I had used during our matches. I knew Terril was getting ready for our match as the number of Scorpions watching dramatically increased.

"I hope you’re not going to disappoint me. You looked pretty slop…” She leapt at me with the speed of a Saipha snowcat. I wasn't prepared. She was right. Sloppy. But my reflexes limited the contact to two light scores. Time stood still as we lost ourselves in the beauty of Si'jin. Thanks to Master Wei, the blows we scored varied from soft to feather light. If we had been fighting Wei, our blows when we managed to get close, would have been like hitting a cloud of smoke. Terril scored three to my two, which I thought a respectable showing, considering I hadn't been working out for a while.

As we finished, the roar of stomping feet, clapping, and shouting greeted us. The Scorpions always loved a good fight, and I had to admit Freeland was a boring tour. As I left the area, two scorpions fell in behind me. Since the incident with Captain Lavett, they carried their hands closer to their shard guns. I wouldn't be surprised if Terril hadn't told them to shoot anyone who gave me a dirty look.

"Captain on the Bridge," Varisko said as I entered. I sat and waved her over.

"Have you prepared the list of personnel to be rotated?" Eden needed to know who was rotating so they could select appropriate replacements. Normally, one of the arriving ships would replace the ship that had been on station a year. That would have been the Merlin, if Corbitt hadn't chosen to stay. The Lynx remained on station permanently; therefore, this time personnel replacements would be necessary for the Merlin and the Lynx.

"Yes, Skipper." She handed me a chip, which I slid into my SID. Half of the primary Bridge crew would be rotated; however, they had requested reassignment back to Freeland on the next six-month rotation. Varisko nodded. "Most want to see friends and family, but want to crew with you, Skipper. And I've nobody I need to see, so if you don't mind, I've elected to stay."

"Thank you. You've proven yourself an excellent XO. I'd be glad to recommend you for a Captaincy. You've earned it."

"Thank you, Skipper, but I'm not ready. I have a lot to learn and this is the place where things are happening. Everyone feels the same."

"I certainly won't complain. I couldn't ask for a better group on the Bridge." The thought brought a warm feeling. They were loyal and good at their positions. I had hated the thought of replacing them. I settled back, feeling better about the upcoming rotation.

* * *

"Seng told me you're considering having special qualified Scorpion units aboard the Riss ships," Terril said as we waited for our shuttle to reach the Freeland space facility for the next phase of the Mnemosyne construction—internal functions. "I hope you're not planning to leave me behind."

"There is nothing in the world I’d love more than to have you with me. I struggle with the Riss Nation Navy concept every day. I'm high-Riss and sister to the Riss, but I'm also human and have many good friends—none better than you. I know I can count on the Scorpions with the help of people like you and Seng leading them. And I believe I will need combat troops in battle." I didn't believe the Riss were suitable in that role nor did I want them to become suitable. It was bad enough that they would be involved in space battles without hand-to-hand combat. And it would increase the risk of more dying. "The SAS is having the same problem with me. They understand that integrating the Riss into the SAS is not possible long term. Can I be a SAS officer and station commander, and the leader of the Riss? Or must I be one or the other? And if so, which? That is why the RNN Mnemosyne is so important. It'll separate the Riss Nation from the SAS and allow us to be allies. Then we can address the issue of how allies work together to our mutual advantage. In the end, it's a SAS decision not the Riss."

We lapsed into silence, each lost in our own thoughts.

<Riss understand your needs.> I felt her understanding flow through me.

<The Riss come first.> They had named me Leader; therefore, personal wants and likes would have to be second.

<Find solutions benefit both.>

Da'Maass was there as I exited the shuttle. My cheeks felt warm when he smiled but I put it down to the brisk walk from the ship.

"Good morning, dybbuk,” he said. Everyone is here waiting on whatever surprises you have today."

"I have ideas, Da'Maass, but I'll need you and your team to bring them to reality. It's my hope that what we accomplish today will benefit the Riss, SAS, and the clans."

"I believe you. And I will do everything I can to realize that dream. The men and women here are the people who will work on the Bridge."

The room was crowded and every chair around the table filled except for two. I counted twelve people.

Taking a deep breath, I said, "Good morning. You're going to be working on something new and hopefully exciting. The Riss are a small nation but I believe eventually we will need five to six cruisers. Hopefully that will keep everyone busy for several years." Pausing, I tried to gauge their reaction.

<Varied. Mostly neutral. Few cautious.>

<That's an improvement. No one hates us.>

<Need tattoo on other cheek.> An image of me with tattoos on both cheeks, forehead, and running down both arms.

<You clown.>

<Laughing good.> I agreed.

"I want seven panels, maybe six feet wide, to span a curved wall. Each panel will contains a full set of controls: radar, weapons, ECM—"

"Why?" a woman in the middle asked. She was wearing old fashion eyeglasses.

"That's a waste and costly," a short pudgy man said, frowning at me. At the same time, several conversations broke out. I waited for the room to quiet.

"First you are building a Bridge for Riss. They have longer arms and can reach higher and wider. Secondly, I want the operators to be able to switch functions. If, for example, radar goes out on one panel, I want to be able to switch it to another and have that function switched to the panel that lost the radar function. In addition, I want one station to be able to work two functions simultaneously. In other words, the Bridge of the Mnemosyne will have ultimate flexibility. The seventh panel is a spare or may in the future support another function. A large monitor should be mounted over each station to display the individual station's activity or other information."

I sat back and waited. After several minutes, the questions began, coming too fast to answer.

"What do the panels look like?"

"What controls does each function have?"

"Do the Riss need special controls?"

"Ladies and gentlemen, I leave the design in your hands. I'll have Riss available for you to determine control shapes, height consideration, etc., and a human to tell you the controls for each function. I leave the design details to you." That seemed to excite everyone. Da'Maass rose.

"Captain Reese, is providing us with an opportunity to help design the cruiser of tomorrow. I believe many of the Mnemosyne's ideas will eventually find their way into the cruisers of the other empires. And, maybe, we'll be one of the industrial complexes that specialize in building those cruisers. For now, it's not only work but exciting work that will allow you to use your creativity."

The room emptied, people walking with others in excited conversations. Twenty minutes later, another group entered. Da'Maass again began the meeting.

"For those who don't know her, this is Captain Reese. Captain, this is the group who will be working on your missiles." As Da'Maass finished, a tall, frowning man with a black, neatly trimmed beard on a narrow face spoke.

"I understand you like dumb missiles. That doesn't sound like the future, relying on luck to hit your target."

"Yes, one of the options on the SAS cruisers I flew was dumb missiles—with very advanced mathematics developed by the Riss. They proved effective in battle. You are going to help me develop the next generation. They won't be dumb, just a little retarded." I stopped to let the room quiet. Da'Maass smiled at my remark, some were speechless, and others immediately began lively conversations with the people around them. I held up a hand for quiet.

"First, we need missiles that can be launched unpowered so they can't be detected. For now, call them Dragonflies. They will provide the eyes for our retarded missiles with the warheads. Call those Demons. The Dragonflies will be able to adjust our Demons vector by a degree or two.”

"Why can't we adjust them from the ship?" A tall good-looking redhead asked.

"Because our third missile, call them Dusters, will be set to explode at some predetermined distance between us and the enemy, discharging a cloud of chaff debris similar to the ash from a volcano. The purpose will be to blind the enemies' missile-tracking sensors. The Dragonflies will be our eyes, over, under, and around the debris." I still liked dumb missiles but a slight adjustment would make them much more effective. But that wasn't enough. I wanted to decrease the effectiveness of the enemies' missiles. Ironically, the sophistication of their missiles was their potential weakness. Again, the conversation and questions went on for some time.

The sessions took three days by which time I was mentally exhausted. I had sketched out my concepts but it would be up to others to implement them.

<I guess that's what captains do.>

<Boring.> Thalia projected an ancient-looking woman in an old-fashioned rocking chair. She and I loved taking things apart to see how they worked—not watching others.

<We can take them apart after they build them.>

<Good idea.>

Pavao’s voice shook me out of my exchange with Thalia. "You have my head spinning. I don't know what I expected a Riss ship to look like. I guess a smaller version of a raider ship, since you agreed not to use SAS technology." She laughed. "Our high-tech geniuses are going to be devastated when they find out their latest smart missiles are less effective than old-fashioned cannon balls."

"I certainly see a future for the clans developing and building your Riss cruisers." Da'Maass gave me a hard look. "But I'll bet I don't see all you see."

"When do you plan to share this with the SAS?" Pavao asked, her smile gone.

"When it has been tested and we know it works. Then we will have something to demonstrate. The Riss want to be allies with the SAS and will share anything we develop. We've proved that with our navigation and missile algorithms and the fact that I've welcomed you and Corbitt to participate in every phase of the Mnemosyne's development. We have no secrets, but I don't want to set the wrong expectations or start rumors that may offset any advantage the new concepts may produce."

"Sorry, Nadya. You're right on all counts. We still have to produce a prototype system and then prove it works."

* * *

As Pavao had predicted, two Light cruisers arrived bringing one hundred Riss and replacements for the Merlin and the Lynx. The number of replacements was moderately large, since no shore leave was possible personnel were allowed to transfer after a year on station. The next replacements would require a Heavy, since neither the Merlin, Bobcat, nor Lynx was being rotated.

The Merlin had one hundred eighty replacements, the Bobcat twenty, and the Lynx one hundred sixty, which included three on the Bridge: Skadi on Helm, Parsen on ECM, and Gelman on Communications. I immediately, called a meeting of the Section chiefs, XOs, Captains of the Merlin and Bobcat, and the new replacements. We met on the Lynx in an empty shuttle bay.

"Attention,” Varisko barked as I walked into the room. Normally the presence of a Riss-human as Captain would have caused an explosion of raw emotions. But the news of my position was fairly common knowledge now and those joining the Freeland task force had been briefed before leaving Eden. Hopefully, those violently opposed opted out of the assignment.

"Welcome to Freeland. I'm Captain Reese, the station commander. We're not here to punish the clans of Freeland. They have already been punished. We are here to monitor the Freeland Treaty. You should consider the clans as on probation. Part of that probation requires us to monitor outgoing and incoming traffic…" I spent the next two hours covering my directives. "Personnel has done their best to match your specialties with the personnel you replaced, but the section chiefs of the Merlin, Bobcat, and Lynx are going to make the final determination. When your name is called report to station one, located on your right. Welcome aboard."

I left the makeshift stage and found Varisko. "XO, set up a meeting with Alena, Wachal, and Ommen for tomorrow. I'll be in security if you need me." I turned and headed for the off limits hallway leading to the Intelligence unit. When the two security guards on duty finished their cursory inspection of my ID, I entered the room. It resembled the Bridge with its multiple control panels and monitors. It was first shift and almost all the positions were filled. Chief Drock was first to notice me, and came walking over.

"I understand you've earned your second knot." I said noticing a slight limp when he walked.

"Good morning, Captain. You mean my second battle ribbon." He smiled. "Si'jin is brutal but surprisingly relieves ones tension. I understand why you love it."

"I assume Commander Iglis is in her office?" When he nodded, I gestured for him to follow me. I knocked once and entered.

Iglis came rocketing out of her chair. "Captain!"

"Relax, Commander." Although, the Intelligence unit on any cruiser was independent and not under a captain's command, I had used my previous success while working with Intelligence to find the Raiders to get Iglis's temporary Commander's rank made permanent. She had been smiling ever since. "How's your surveillance of the merchant ships going?"

"I've been checking the black boxes we installed on each ship and the data has been consistent with their logs. We've found no deviations and the captains have been very cooperative in answering any questions we've had. The best part is they are supplying us with information on activities within the JPU and UFN. We now have our own spy network in both empires." Iglis was bubbling with excitement. "I already know more about the two empires than SAS Intelligence. Before long, I’ll know their military strength and the type of ships and missiles they have."

"To be honest, Captain, I was skeptical when you allowed the merchants to continue trading outside of the SAS. I shouldn't have been. You have a sixth sense when it comes to the Raid … clans. It's paying off big time. I still find it hard to believe how cooperative they've been," Drock said. Iglis nodded agreement.

I nodded as I thought over her report. "Since it's working so well, why don't you contact SAS Security, letting them know of your success and see if they'll install a Comstat in Freeland." Although Iglis didn't report to me any longer, I think she thought she did or should.

"You’re right. I'll bet they'll jump at the idea. Their network in the two empires is little better than hearsay and rumors." Iglis grinned. I stayed to have kaffa and reminisce about times pass. I missed being part of the Intelligence operation and poking around in the equipment.

<Me too.>

CHAPTER EIGHT

Paid trouble makers

"Hey, Nik, have you had any success getting on the inspection team?"

"Yeah. Chief Wilderson said I'd be one of the people responsible for inspecting the cargo on the next incoming merchant. That should provide an opportunity to earn our bonus." Nik laughed, flipping a hundred-credit chip into the air and catching it behind his back. "What about you?"

"Naw. I've been talking it up with some of the new crew about how my brother was killed by Raiders and my sister raped."

"Jako. Your brother's alive and you don't have a sister."

"So what? The idea is to get some of the others to do our work for us. The madder we can make them at the Raiders the more likely they'll cause trouble. That ten thousand-credit bonus is dependent upon creating an incident that will force Eden to get involved. Better if someone else is blamed for it than us."

"Have you heard anything from Bors or Julius? They maybe in a better positioned than us to earn the big bonus. We certainly don't have access to Reese."

"Bors is on the Bobcat, working in the weapon's unit, but Julius is on the Lynx, in Shuttle maintenance."

"That sounds promising."

"We've already been paid five hundred, even if we can't earn a bonus."

"At least, I want the smaller bonus. I've already pissed away two hundred."

"Your luck run out with the dice? Or fast women?"

"A little of both. Too much free time before we left. But I'll tell you, Jako, I don't think we want to return to Eden with no results. Our benefactor won't appreciate us taking his money and not working for it. And he'd consider no results as not working for it. You don't want to disappoint him. He's connected to some nasty folks."

"Guess that means we'll have to earn those bonuses."

CHAPTER NINE

New Bridge crew

I had just closed the door to my office behind me, when one of my security guards knocked and opened it a crack.

"Ma'am, the XO informs me that Commanders Alena, Wachal, and Ommen have arrived."

"Thank you, Corporal."

"Attention," Varisko said as I entered the conference room. I hated the pomp and ceremony, but understood it was necessary to maintain order in the military world.

<Becoming Riss.>

<High-Riss.> I grinned, since that was Thalia's response to almost everything.

"Welcome to the Lynx. As you are aware by now, you will be replacing the Bridge personnel who just rotated. Commander Ommen, you will have Communications, Commander Wachal, Radar, and Commander Alena, ECM."

Alena sat there with her mouth open, as I hadn't had a chance to talk to her.

“I know this assignment will probably be very boring, since we have no one to chase and no one trying to kill us, but I expect everyone to work out in the simulator regularly. One never knows." I shrugged. "Any questions?"

There was none, but I spent two hours talking about the clans, the task force's responsibilities, and my directives around the treaty. It gave me a chance to get to know the new commanders.

Wachal was an elderly man who had over twenty-five years service. He was slightly overweight, with thinning hair, and jowls, but he was quick witted and appeared to know his job. He was excited to be on a Hunter, looking forward to working around the Riss, and learning Symath, as it applied to Navigation. Ommen was a Lt. Commander with minimum time in grade. He was qualified in Communications and had some experience at Radar. He looked in good condition, with curly dark brown hair, a neatly trimmed mustache, and a long thin face. I suspected he was a woman's man and this would be a long tour with no planet-side leave. I asked Alena to stay after the meeting ended.

"How are you enjoying Freeland? I'm sorry we haven't had much time to talk. There never seems to be enough hours in the day. I'm moving you around because you need experience in different positions and ships."

"It's great. Ever since I've been sailing with you, life has been wonderful. Before that, it was a nightmare, not only the prejudice but also not having any support. I was alone in a sea a hate." Her face lost its smile. "I don't know if I'm ready to be the primary ECM officer. Captain Corbitt had me apprenticing at ECM, Weapons, and Communications, but I only had a couple of months at each station."

"Alena, I'm going to work you until you drop. In less than a year, the Mnemosyne will be ready, and the year after that the Eirene. You will command that ship."

"What?" Alena looked ready to run or hide or both. "Me?"

"Yes, you. The Riss-humans will initially be the captains of the Riss cruisers. I’ll captain the Mnemosyne and you the Eirene. So, I expect you to be ready and that will require hard work. Do you understand?"

"Yes Nadya… Captain Reese… Leader."

"I know you don't feel ready, and you won't be because it's coming too fast. But you, like me, have no option. The Riss need us now, not ten or twenty years from now." I felt sorry for Alena, but she was the most logical person to take the Eirene.

"I understand. Ma'at, Quiet Night under the Moon, and I will do whatever is required. Thank you for your support and faith in me. I won't let you or the Riss down."

CHAPTER TEN

Inspection problems

The next several months slipped by without a major incident. Da'Maass continued to assure me the project was proceeding on schedule. The few times I visited, the buildings looked like junkyards. Components lay everywhere in no discernible order. The pieces had irregular surfaces, and most were covered with a black fungus-like texture. I was nervous. Last week, he had informed me that the components were being delivered to the space station and assembly had begun.

<We should help.> I felt a devilish smile and saw an image of me fitting pieces together on a giant three-dimensional puzzle.

<That would be fun. But we're not here to have fun.>

<Why not?>

<We Leader.>

<Not me.>

<Can't go without me.>

<Too bad.> Laughter. An image of a Gorillai running away, skipping and laughing.

* * *

I was in my office, looking over reports when my SID lit with Varisko's face.

"Yes, XO?"

"Skipper, I think there may be a problem on the Lost Traveler. I haven't got all the details yet, but apparently, the army had to intervene between a navy inspector and the merchant. And there was a shooting. Captain Corbitt said he'd update you a soon as he had the specifics."

"Let me know when he calls. I'm going for breakfast." I decided it was best to occupy myself until he called, so I went to the navy dining hall. Commander Marken was sitting at one of the tables when I entered. He waved me over.

"What do you think, Skipper?" he asked as I sat down, obviously referring to the recent incident.

"It's sort of like the army. They train to fight, but mostly they sit around bored, hoping for action. Then there's a battle and they wish for boredom. I hope for boredom." I had vivid memories of the army after boarding actions against the raiders. War looked good only in the history books, written by people who had never had to kill or watch others being killed.

"If you don't mind me asking, are you going to let us see the new Riss cruiser?"

"Yes, I promise I'll give you and the staff a tour of the Mnemosyne as soon as the hull is finished and another when she's operational."

After breakfast, I decided to visit the Bridge, although I knew Varisko would have notified me if Corbitt had contacted her. I was right, nothing new had happened, so I went to my office and sat reviewing the Mnemosyne's design plans—again. I felt like I imagined a five-month pregnant woman must feel, dying to have it over so she could see the baby—in my case, the Mnemosyne.

"Skipper, Corbitt is on the Comm," Varisko said, using the override on my SID. “I've had him transferred to your SID.”

Corbitt sounded grim. "Captain, we had an incident on the Lost Traveler. How would you like to handle it?"

"I'd like you to conduct the investigation and send me your findings. Until I've reviewed your findings, hold the Lost Traveler in orbit. Be thorough but expedite your investigation."

"Yes, ma'am. Corbitt out."

<More waiting.>

<Best not involved.>

<Something to do.>

<Better take apart something.> Of course, she was right. It wouldn't be good for morale for me to interfere. As station commander, I could review his findings without making him look like he was incapable of doing his job. Beside, Corbitt had consistently conducted himself professionally, and I felt I could trust him to be fair.

After waiting all afternoon, I decided to take a break—from doing nothing— and visit Terril. I had just reached the workout area, when Varisko called.

"Skipper, it's Captain Corbitt. I'm transferring him to your SID."

"Captain Reese, I finished my investigation and have sent you my findings—marked For Your Eyes Only."

"Can you give me a quick synopsis?"

"Yes, ma'am. A petty officer third class broke one of the merchant's vases, valued at three hundred credits. The sailor claimed he dropped it by accident. The Wasp on duty wasn't sure one-way or the other. However, when the merchant called the sailor an idiot, the sailor picked up another vase and threatened to smash it. One of the Wasps told him to put it down or he'd shoot him. He told the Wasp to go to hell and turned on the merchant, screaming the clans were all murderers. Just then, another sailor attacked the merchant calling him a murderer and rapist. The Wasps shot both men in their legs, put them in restrains, and sent them back under guard." Corbitt paused for a sip of water.

"What did the merchant do?" Silly, but I crossed my fingers.

"As far as I can tell, he did nothing except to call the sailor who broke his vase an idiot. When the one attacked him, he backed away. The sailor who physically attacked the merchant claimed another sailor's brother had been killed by the raiders and his sister raped."

"How do you plan to proceed?" I asked.

"I'd like to verify the sailor’s story about his brother and sister. That doesn't justify either of their actions, but it may influence my recommended punishment. I think we should let the merchant proceed to the space station. And I'd like to talk to Colonel Babbert before I consider whether the Wasp used appropriate force."

"Thank you, Captain. I concur with all your recommendations. Let me know when you've reached a decision." I itched to get involved but Corbitt was handling it well.

* * *

At his request, Corbitt met with me several days later.

"Ma'am, we checked on Petty Officer Jako's records. He has a brother but no sister and his family’s planet, Backdoor, has never been raided. So, we checked further and found his brother was alive and well. A subsequent search of his locker turned up three one hundred-credit chips issued on an Eden bank. His ship account has never had more than a hundred in it over the past several years." He stopped to take a sip of kaffa and seemed to be waiting for my comments.

"Sounds like he was paid to cause problems. I assume he's been spreading the rumor about his brother and sister to all his friends, who will have spread it to their friends and so on." It didn't surprise me. Hate seemed to be a natural human emotion. "And the Wasp?"

Corbitt smiled "I talked to Colonel Babbert. We discussed your concerns and the army's commitment to you, and agreed they were only following orders. I came away impressed with the respect you command with the army." He seemed to study me while he waited.

"I concur. Every day I'm glad to have you and Captain Pavao on station. It's going to take good people like you if this Treaty is going to succeed."

I invited Varisko and had Pillon serve dinner. Afterward we sat around discussing our careers and past assignments. I enjoyed myself and felt I was beginning to know Corbitt the person, not just Corbitt the Captain.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Errant missile

The days and weeks settled into a monotonous routine. The three merchant ships went and arrived approximately every three months. On the way out, we checked the cargo area against the ship's manifest, conducted a visual check of all compartments, and documented the names of the crewmembers.

On arrival, we went through the same procedure, checking the results against the record we had made when they departed. The black box was collected and Iglis verified it against the ship's log. It was all very boring since the records so far were always in agreement. And the inspections went smoothly. The merchants remained cooperative and the navy inspectors cautious under the watchful eye of the army—more so because of the incident on the Lost Traveler.

<Need take something apart.>

<Bored are you?>

<Very.>

<The Hull of the Mnemosyne will be through soon.>

<Could go help.>

<They don't need us.>

<Could go fight Terril.>

<It's time to relief Varisko.>

<Boring.> I agreed with Thalia but it was much better than the alternative. Da'Maass had indicated that the assembly was going well at the space station and anticipated a completion date around the time the next replacements were due to arrive in a little over a month. The last time I had been at the factory the pieces were scattered over eleven buildings. I couldn't imagine it being a hull or that it was ready to be assembled. After the hull was assembled, he planned a tour of the factory at Alesd, where the ship's internal components were being designed and produced, and the Rupea factory, where the engines and other machinery were being made. He said they were making good progress but I needed to clarify some of my vision. I was looking forward to that as was Thalia.

"Captain on the Bridge," Varisko said as I entered.

"Anything new?" I asked hoping for something to do.

"The Merlin has finished the inspection of the Wheeler and has released it for transit to Ruchild in the SAS. It should pass us in about—"

"Captain Reese! The Bobcat just fired a missile!"

"Comm, get me a line to the Bobcat. Radar, where's that missile heading?"

"The Wheeler!"

<r-Artemis. Plot a skip to put us between the missile and the Wheeler. Pass to Helm.>

<r-Selens. Ready on the ECM. No chaff.> I was lucky Riss were at the stations along with the humans. Humans couldn't possibly act fast enough.

<Five-second jump in seven seconds to one-five-three by zero-one-zero.> r-Artemis sent to Thalia as the vector appeared on the Helm's board. Fortunately, Lieutenant Skadi was a helm. He had been with me a long time and was use to the Riss and silence in emergencies. He didn't hesitate.

"Helm, a five second skip to the vector on your board in … four ... three ... two ... one ...  execute!"

The ship lurched and everyone turned a ghostly translucent grey for several seconds before returning to normal. Some people hated skipping and got sick. Thalia loved it. As we came out of the skip, r-Selens hands flew across the ECM board. The new crew was frozen with shock. Anti-missiles burst from the ship and the defensive laser systems activated. I could do nothing but watch and hope if r-Selens couldn't kill it the battle steel would hold.

<Destroyed. Leader.> From r-Selens. A nanosecond later the Lynx shuddered with the shock waves from the explosion, which detonated less than five kilometers away.

Several of the new crew sat staring with mouths gaping.  The old crew understood. I looked up to see Pavao on the monitor.

"What happened, Pavao?"

"I think you just saved the Wheeler. Sorry, Captain. I don't know but I'm going to know minutes from now. Scorpions are securing the weapons systems as we speak. I'll have an answer shortly. Pavao out."

"Nav, plot us an intercept course with the Bobcat." I sat back, pretending nothing exciting had happened.

<High Riss, Captains do.> A grin tickled through me.

<You could help and stop the shaking.>

* * *

Thirty minutes later, we arrived and settled in an orbit some fifteen kilometers from the Bobcat. "Varisko, you have the Watch. Alert my shuttle crew and let Captain Pavao know I'll be arriving shortly."

"I have the watch, Captain."

My detail looked a bit pale as we made our way to the shuttle, where Terril waited. I entered and pointed to the seat next to me as Terril followed.

"I hear the Bobcat is shooting missiles at us. My boys look a bit pale."

"There's going to be a lot of pale faces before this day is out." I didn't object to people not liking me, or the Riss, or the Treaty, but I objected to violence. They were about to learn there's a price. Terril remained silent.

"Captain, we've lost power," the shuttle pilot's voice sounded a bit nervous. I've contacted the Bobcat."

Terril's face turned pale and her jaw tightened. I'd bet her thoughts had gone back to her ordeal in the escape pod after the destruction of the Tiger. It had taken months to rescue them and they had gone weeks without food. Then she relaxed and the color returned. "Life certainly isn't boring traveling with you, Captain."

Before I could respond, the pilot came back on. "Captain, the Bobcat is being positioned to grab us with its tractor beam. Minutes later, I was thrust against my seat. When I looked out the window, we were being dragged towards an open bay.

As soon as the light turned green, I was up and exiting the shuttle. Pavao met me at the bottom of the ramp.

"What's the status?" I was too blind with rage for civility.

"The Scorpions have the weapons secured. They found a man and woman fighting. Both claimed they caught the other firing the missile. I've had their rooms searched based on the incident with the Lost Traveler. Colonel Callwan just informed me they found three one-hundred-credit chips, issued by an Eden bank, in the woman's room." She lapsed into silence for the rest of the walk to the Bridge.

"Captain on the Bridge," Gabisi said as we entered.

"Comm, I want a connection to the Merlin and Lynx." I fought to keep my voice steady and not let my rage show. If that shuttle had lost power on the way to Freeland, gravity would have pulled it to the planet and everyone on board would have been killed. "I'm declaring Ship Alert. All rooms are to be system locked. No one is to enter or leave their room.” Alarms went off as I waited. A minute later, Seng, Callwan, and Babbert appeared on screen.

"Gentlemen, you will station all—repeat all—of your troops in every hallway and unit on the ship. No one—repeat, no one—will enter or leave a room until it has been searched. Each of you will lead a five-person detail. Colonel Callwan, send them to the Merlin to search the army quarters. Colonel Seng, send yours to the Bobcat, and Colonel Babbert to the Lynx. Gentlemen, the only exceptions are Captain Pavao and Captain Corbitt. Understood?"

"Yes, Captain," they responded in unison

"Captain Reese, is that necessary?" Pavao asked as she moved closer to me. I turned and pointed to Terril.

"See that woman. She saved my life." I took a deep breath because what I was about to say would be painful. "Gunny! Does the search include your quarters?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Should it?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Colonels, are your orders clear?"

"Yes, Captain Reese."

"Good, you are looking for one-hundred-credit chips of any kind. If you find one, that person will be held in custody." I tried to loosen my muscles that were still tight with fury. "Comm, connect me to the ship's speakers and all SIDs." The silence on the Bridge was so complete I could hear people breathing.

"Captain Reese, you have your connection."

"This is your station commander. I have ordered every room on this ship searched. I promise you that minor infractions noted during this search will be ignored. This is not a surprise inspection. We are searching for murderers. There are among us traitors who would kill and injure you and your comrades for pay. Today, they launched a missile that was intended to kill anyone in its path and are prepared to continue their terror. I'm asking you to cooperate with the search. This is not an inspection. We are searching for paid killers. Thank you." When I finished, Pavao nodded toward the door.

"Captain, let's go to my office and wait." When we entered her office, Terril entered but motioned the two guards to remain outside. “You need to sit. You're shaking.” For a moment, she put her hand on my arm. "Would you like some wine?"

"No, kaffa.” I strode back and forth across her office. “I've had years of abuse from people that think they have a right to decide which laws they will obey and which individuals they apply. Today, those individuals are going to find the laws apply to them."

"You were right. I was wrong. No one should be exempt, even the Captains. However, had you included us I think it would have caused problems throughout the fleet. But Corbitt and I would gladly permit you to rest in our cabins." She smiled.

I shook my head. "No, Nance. That would be going too far. The only thing keeping me sane at this moment is Thalia." As I said it, I felt the tension going.

<You could have done that before.>

<Need to get mad. Helps.>

<You aren't?>

<You mad enough for both.> The an image of a cat chasing rats with one-hundred-credit chips on their backs, and two hanging by their tails from the cat's mouth. I laughed. That got a strange look from Pavao and Terril. They must have thought I lost it completely.

"Sorry, I wish you could see the image Thalia showed me. A cat, me, chasing rats with credit chips on their backs and two hanging by their tails from my mouth." I laughed again. "Nance, I'll have that glass of wine now." Pavao and Terril seemed to relax. In my rage, I hadn't noticed their tension. Pavao managed to draw Terril into the conversation and had her reminisce about some of our times together. She in turn talked about her career and some of the funnier moments. The mood was broken when Colonel Seng's face appeared on my SID. I switched it to a hologram and his face blossomed in three-D over my unit.

"Yes, Colonel Seng?"

"Ma'am, we've found three crew members with one-hundred-credit chips. We have them in custody. My detail on the Bobcat found nothing in the army area." He paused for a moment and continued before I could respond. "I want to thank you for having separate details for the army. I would have tried to ignore any minor violations I found, but I know in reality the memory would always be in the back of my mind. All of us agree we won't share what we find."

"Thank you, Colonel." I terminated the connection. Ten minutes later Colonel Babbert reported.

"Captain Reese, we've completed our inspection of the Merlin and found four individuals with one-hundred-credit chips. They are being held awaiting your instructions."

"Colonel, have them transferred to the Lynx."

"Yes, ma'am. Our inspection of the army quarters on the Lynx turned up nothing."

"Thank you, Colonel." I cut the connection.

"I wonder what's taking Callwan so long," Pavao said, looking at her SID like it held the answer. Twenty minutes later, he appeared on my SID.

"Captain Reese, my detail on the Merlin found nothing in the army rooms. We found three individuals with those one-hundred-credit chips. Please inform Captain Pavao, Commander Swaggin, the weapons officer, was one of the three." When I looked up, Pavao’s face had turned to steel. Her mouth set in a thin, tight line.

"Have them transferred to the Lynx and give me Commander Gabisi." His face appeared seconds later.

"Commander Gabisi, connect me to all ships and have them put me on the ships speakers."

"You're connected, Captain."

"This is Captain Reese. Ship Alert is cancelled. The murderers have been apprehended. I personally thank you for your cooperation, and I'm happy to report that no violations were reported." I cut the connection.

"I'm getting old and stupid. How else could a missile be directed at the merchant?" Pavao said, banging the arm of the chair.

"I don't think they cared. If it missed it would have hit the planet."

"Without the Riss on the Bridge, you couldn't have intercepted it, could you?"

"No. The human interface would've been too slow. Only Symath and mind-to-mind communication made it possible."

"You didn't use chaff, did you?"

"No. That could have sent the missile off course and could have hit the planet. The Lynx has battle steel. The planet doesn't. We have taken away their ability to defend themselves. Now we owe them our protection."

"Yes… I think we would all agree with your reasoning. Unfortunately it would have been several hours too late. Like searching all officers'… and friends' quarters. Admiral Plimson was right to place his faith in you."

* * *

The court martial took two days as each individual's explanation for having the chips required verification. The two who hadn't taken any action admitted that they had been paid and told us of two additional bonuses. One petty officer was found not guilty. He had acquired the chip playing dice. The petty officer who attempted to attack the merchant received a reduction in grade. I recommended and the board agreed that the others be given a dishonorable discharge. The two who discharged the missile were sentenced to the Cerberus pinal colony for life and the others for ten years. The board also recommended an investigation into the bribery.

I hoped that the harsh sentences would serve as a powerful message as to the consequences of acts of mutiny.

CHAPTER TWELVE

The Mnemosyne hull finished

One month later the Heavy cruiser, Harpy, and the Light cruiser, Kestrel, entered Freeland space with the regular six-month supplies, parts, personnel replacements, and Riss. Although I had expected some Admiral because of the seriousness of the court martial, I was pleasantly surprised to find Vice Admiral Zann on board.

"Skipper, Admiral Zann is requesting your presence at dinner tonight. Shall I send your acceptance?" Ommen smiled.

"No, tell the Admiral I'm busy," I said. I restrained a grin as Ommen's mouth dropped open. Varisko looked at me and smiled. It was nice to see her coming into her own.

"Oh, on second thought, I need a night out."

Ommen laughed and turned back to his console.

"Varisko, you have the Watch."

"I have the Watch," she repeated. I went to my cabin and called Terril.

"Terril, if you're coming along you better dress up. We're having dinner with the brass." It seemed Terril was a third member of my security whenever I left the ship.

"What are we having for dinner?"

I could almost see her smiling. "Whatever the Admiral fancies." I clicked off and connected to Ommen. "Comm, get me a line to Da'Maass." While I waited, I sat reflecting on the past… twenty months. There had been some dangerous moments, but I could feel the Riss' dream of going to the stars within reach.

<Yes. Close.>

<We must leave some Riss on Saipha and Freeland.>

<Yes. Necessary.>

<Is it hard birthing Riss?>

<Easy. We control body. No pain, discomfort.>

<What about memory?>

<We duplicate memories in new Riss.>

<Grownup babies.>

<No. Much knowledge. No experience.>

<Like graduating Prometheus.>

<Yes.>

Da'Maass's face appeared on my SID. I hit accept.

"Captain Reese, how may I be of help? I know where we can have a wonderful dinner."

"I already have a dinner date. You did say the Mnemosyne hull is finished and ready for inspection. I think my dinner date would like to see it."

His face stiffened. "Yes, dybbuk. It's ready. I think you will be pleased."

"I don't doubt it, Da'Maass. You have worked hard and been a major contributor. Be prepared to give us a tour tomorrow."

"The Mnemosyne will be waiting." He smiled, if a bit forced, and cut the connection.

I shook my head. That was a problem for the future though, and I called Varisko.

"XO, coordinate with Da'Maass. We are going to visit the Mnemosyne tomorrow. Invite captains Pavao and Corbitt, Commander Byer, Colonel Seng, Sa'Arkadi, and the Elders. You are welcome to come and Terril will be part of my security. Tell the Bridge, I promise them a tour soon." I disconnected, spent an hour in the Fresher, and donned my dress-whites.

Lost in my thoughts, the shuttle flight seemed to take only minutes. As I exited, a tall, immaculately dressed commander waited.

"Welcome aboard, Captain Reese. If you'll follow me, I'll take you to Admiral Zann. She's waiting for you in her office.” As we walked, he gave me an overview of the Harpy, which was on its maiden voyage. Basically, the same design but with improved electronics, battle steel shielding, ECM, and missiles. I wondered how good those new missiles would be against the Mnemosyne.

"Thank you, Garrett. Nadya, I'm afraid to have dinner with you. You seem to attract killers like the stars attract us." She gave me a hug and waved me to a chair. "Fortunately, you have nine lives. We used the information you gave us, and I think we've identified the man, actually an organization, who bribed the sailors. We could prosecute the man but that would put the organization on alert and we'd lose them. So…"

"So, they will continue to try to destroy the Treaty, but SAS security has promised they will stop it before it starts." I couldn't stop a snort as Thalia sent me an image of a large cat with a shirt with SAS Security written on it chasing a hundred little rats. The problem was the cat wasn't catching anything. When I told Zann, she laughed.

"My feelings too. Changing subjects, I understand the Riss cruiser will be called Mnemosyne. I'd love to see it when it's finished."

"You’re in luck. A certain Admiral will be given a special tour tomorrow. Her hull is finished and work will now begin on the inside."

* * *

I stood inside the third, upper tier, of the Mnemosyne frozen in awe. The third tier was a two-story open space of two hundred thousand square meters, filled with trees, boulders, water, grass, and windows in the ceiling.

<I like.> Thalia's sigh of pleasure felt warm and comforting.

"It's like being outdoors!" Oana Ja'Dalle said, her head swiveling from right, to ceiling, to the left, and back.

"Sa'Arkadi, you've taken my dreams and turned them into reality. It's beautiful."

"But if it's breached, the entire area will be open to space."

"It won't matter during a battle, because everyone will be at their stations. In combat, this tier acts as a buffer to the second tier where the Bridge, and other critical functions reside. Normally, it's a rest area for the Riss, who have lived their entire life outdoors under the stars."

"Danu and I are impressed, Nadya. It's truly a Riss cruiser. I can't wait to see it functional. When?"

I looked to Da'Maass. He stood looking at the ceiling for a minute, then smiled.

"It depends on our dybbuk. We've been working on the internal components for six months. If they meet… Captain Reese's approval, we may be able to have it ready for a trial run in six to eight months. Many of the components are already in production."

"Nadya, I want you to keep me informed. We may delay the next replacement run for a month or two if you expect to have a prototype ready. Admiral Plimson deserves to be the first to see a Riss cruiser. He's put a lot on the line letting you build it."

We descended to the second tier, which was composed of three rings. The rings weren't configured yet, but I explained the outer ring would eventually hold engines, weapons, sensors, missile and laser banks, workout areas, and maintenance bays. The next inner ring was reserved for the medical facilities, supplies, parts, missiles, and dining areas. The innermost ring would hold the Bridge and system computers.

When we finished the tour of the lower ring, Byer and Seng approached Zann and me.

"Captain Reese, excuse us, but Seng and I were wondering if you plan on having humans on board? We see areas designated for fighters and humans on tiers one and two but understand this is still a draft," Byer said. Zann turned her gaze on me, as if I had the answer.

"Partly it will depend upon the SAS and whether they will allow pilots and Scorpions to be assigned to Riss ships. And whether they will allow the units to be designated as Riss qualified."

"What do you mean, Captain?" Seng asked.

"There will continue to be the Lavetts of the world—people who hate the Riss or feel they are an abomination. Therefore, we can't have a random selection of people and replacements. The Riss need to be able to approve each individual, and in a sense, designate him or her Riss qualified. Much like the process of identifying those individuals qualified to be Scorpions or Shark pilots."

"Interesting. But knowing the problems you and the others have had, I fully understand. Personally, I hope the SAS allow it. I know the Scorpions love sailing with you." When Byer and Seng wandered off, Ni'Shay approached with Da'Maass.

"I'm old and thought myself past sailing on a warship, but I think I'd like this one. I don’t believe the SAS understand what you're building here. I believe they think you are building a smaller version of one of our Light cruisers. It's a hundred meter smaller than their typical Light cruiser, but judging by what I see here, I wouldn't be surprise if it isn't a nasty ship to fight." He was chuckling quietly as he walked off. While he was talking, Thalia gave Danu an idea of what the Mnemosyne would look like when functional.

"Yes, a very nasty ship to fight. I will talk with Admiral Plimson about the idea of attaching SAS units to the Riss cruisers. An interesting concept and consistent with the idea of the Riss being allies of the SAS."

Zann departed two days later.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Trial run

The months flew by as the work of outfitting the Mnemosyne moved into high gear. I spent a considerable amount time visiting Alesd where the Bridge and missile electronics were being designed, manufactured, and tested. It was a lot easier to have an idea than to make it into a working component. Most of the problems came in creating the algorithms for the three missiles and control panels.

I had enough Riss now on Freeland to provide help at each of the manufacturing plants, installation on the Mnemosyne, and algorithms at Alesd. At least half the time, I took Pavao and Alena along. Including everyone in the design had proved beneficial.

Pavao sipped her kaffa as she, Alena and I relaxed in the Captain's … my newly furnished conference room on the Mnemosyne. "I had lots of doubts and misconceptions when you started the Riss cruiser. I thought a small raider-type cruiser using their technology. I never imagined a unique design. And that pales next to the innovations on the Mnemosyne. It's a next generation cruiser. If the tests prove successful, I wouldn't want to take her on with a Heavy." A satisfied look appeared on her face. "The best part is I got to participate in the design and production."

"I feel the same way. Being a Riss-human in the beginning was a living nightmare. Everyone thinking I was some kind of dumb animal to be abused or an abomination to be gotten rid of. The worse part, I had no one to turn to for support," Alena said. "If it hadn’t been for my love of Ma'at and Nadya, I would have quit and returned to Saipha. I feel like I've gone from space hell to space heaven ever since Admiral Plimson accepted Nadya's Riss Proposal."

"Well, Nadya, when do we show off the Mnemosyne?"

"Da'Maass hopes it will be fully equipped and ready for trials in two months, just about the time the replacements are due. I'd like to delay their arrival by two months to give us time to iron out any problems. That way whoever is coming will see a functional cruiser."

"How are we going to test the Mnemosyne? You’re not shooting missiles at the Bobcat," she laughed but looked serious.

"No. I thought we'd restore the Asp enough to make it space worthy and use it as a test opponent." I held up my hand when Pavao frowned. "Under the watchful eyes of Scorpions."

"What about the Mnemosyne's defensive systems?"

"I thought we give them twenty missiles." Again, I stopped her with my hand. "Without the warheads, Nance. I'd like your approval on the tests and to keep Corbitt in the loop."

"That's wise. Restoring the Asp will be very controversial. I think I'd disapprove if you hadn't included me on every step of the Mnemosyne's design and construction. Now you've got me hooked. I want to see it operational as much as you do."

* * *

Corbitt, Da'Maass, Ni'Shay, and Pavao walked onto the Bridge of the Mnemosyne and took their seats. In the design, I had incorporated positions were seats could be installed temporarily. At the time, I knew I'd have to accommodate my security detail and guests, like today. I took the Captain's chair officially for the first time. My eyes misted as I looked around the Bridge—a Riss Bridge manned by Riss.

<Our dream.> I felt the pride in Thalia's thought.

<One more step towards being a space going nation.>

<XO, seal the Mnemosyne.> I sent to Alena who would be my XO when the Mnemosyne became fully operational.

<Sealed, Leader.>

<Comm, contact the Space Station we are detaching.>

** Permission to detach Mnemosyne.** r-Galene voice box sent to the station controller.

"You're cleared, Mnemosyne."

<Detached, XO.>

<I have control, XO.>

<You have control, Captain.>

<Alena, take the monitor for our guest.> I decided Alena would translate our SV conversations onto an overhead monitor for our guests, otherwise they wouldn't know what was happening since there would be no verbal communication.

<Engines one and five, half speed.> Unlike normal communications on the Bridge, name or positions weren't required preceding an order. Each Riss knew to whom the message was directed by the images within the SV, and who sent it--in this case, from me to r-Laima at Helm. Shortly afterward, the ship began slowly moving away from the station. I waited, until we were a hundred kilometers away.

<,Helm. Half speed on engines one, three, five, seven, and ten,>

<Radar. Locate Asp.>

<Asp position on radar monitor.>

<Helm. Stealth approach. Cut engines one, five, and ten. Half speed on engines three and seven.>

After approaching the Asp for twenty minutes, I concluded we had not been detected.

<Test complete. The Asp has not responded. Half speed all engines. Activate sensors.> I sat waiting for the Asp to respond.

<Asp has launched two missiles.> Alena pointed to the overhead radar monitor, which showed the two incoming missiles and then the ECM monitor.

<ECM. Release two Dragonflies.>

<Two Dragonflies launched.>

<ECM. Launch a Duster. Activate at fifty kilometers.>

<Duster launched.>

<Tac. Do you have a Riss solution?>

<Riss solution ready.>

<Radar. Panel is down. Switch with ECM.>

<Radar controls active.>

<ECM. Controls not working. Switching with Comm.>

<ECM controls active.>

<Comm controls active.>

<Tac. Fire two Demons.>

Alena pointed to the overhead monitors as each panel switched its function and as missiles were fired or detected as incoming.

<Two Demons away.>

The test went on for over an hour. Finally, I called a halt. The Mnemosyne had scored three hits out of five. The Asp had scored zero out of ten, even after we had intentionally signaled our position.

"Well, how do you like being on a Riss Cruiser?" I said, breaking the peaceful silence. Ni’Shay’s mouth opened and closed for a moment, as he seemed to be trying to find the right words.

"It was like being among the space gods. Except for the monitor, I wouldn't have known a battle was occurring with the Asp. I thank you for allowing me on the Mnemosyne."

"You’re welcome, elder Ni'Shay. You should be proud. The people of Freeland built it."

"I agree with Ni'Shay. The Riss and the Mnemosyne are awesome. Are you ready to invite the Admiral to Freeland?" Pavao asked.

"Not yet. The Dragonflies and Demons need further work. They failed to make the necessary adjustment in two instances. And although I stimulated the failure of the Radar panel, the ECM console failed on r-Asdis's panel when they switched. It served as a great demonstration of how the redundancy worked, but it failed and shouldn't have. I want the Admiral to see a working product, so any decision he makes is based on what works not what maybe works or could be made to work."

Pavao was excited and wanted to announce the results right away, and I sensed a little concern I didn’t want to share.

"Pavao, you have access to all the specs and the Riss have already shared Symath with the SAS. The Riss have no secrets from the military, but I want to confine it to Admiral Plimson and let him decide who else should know."

"The clans know," she said.

“The clans have the hardware specifications but they’re of little value without the algorithms. And even the algorithms are of little value unless you understand Symath. That could take a lifetime to learn without Riss help."

"Yes, I'm excited and cautious, but you're right. Plus I'd like to consider how we can convert the Bobcat," She laughed. "You know that's the next step."

"I agree. I think you and Corbitt should do a review of the Mnemosyne's features and determine which are applicable to a Hunter and which to a Light cruiser. Then prepare a plan documenting what would have to be done to implement them on each ship. You can make that part of the show-and-tell we give Admiral Plimson."

"I thought I could get you to do the work," Pavao said, smiling. "Okay, but I'll want you to review it before we present it to Plimson.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Security chief arrives

"Captain, the Merlin is reporting a Heavy cruiser has entered the system. It's the Nicobar, an Intel ship, with Vice Admiral Munoz, Assistant Director of SAS Intelligence, aboard. He is requesting Commander Iglis and you join him for dinner at seventeen hundred hours," Gelman said, looking at me over his shoulder.

"Get me Commander Iglis on the Comm."

"Ma'am, Commander Iglis is on the Comm," Gelman said after a few minutes.

"Commander Iglis, Vice Admiral Munoz is requesting your presence at dinner tonight at seventeen hundred hours," I said. Silence followed.

"... You’re joking, aren't you?"

"No, wear your best uniform. I'll meet you at my shuttle at sixteen hundred. I wouldn't be late. Admirals don't like to be kept waiting." I cut the connection and smiled. The Admiral would have come because of the information she had collected on the JPU and UFN, and that would be a feather in her cap. If she weren't so focused on meeting with an Admiral, she'd realize that. I knew what my first and second and ... meetings felt like and there was nothing I could say that would make her feel better.

"Varisko, you have the Watch. I suspect I should also dress in my best uniform."

"Captain, I have the Watch."

* * *

Iglis stood by the shuttle when I arrived. I imagined she had been there for some time.

"Commander, are you ready for your audition?"

"No! What could he want with me? I can't think of anything I did so terrible that he'd come personally. I requested a Comstat like you suggested—"

"Stop. You haven't done anything wrong, otherwise you'd be on a ship back to Eden. He’s here because of the excellent work you've done." I grabbed her by the shoulders, turned her towards the shuttle door, and gave her a slight push. She stopped short of the steps to let me board first and followed. After I pointed to the seat next to me, she sat.

"You think so?"

"Yes, Iglis. I know a meeting with an Admiral is stressful, but try and relax. The Admiral isn't going to bite." The ride to the Nicobar was short, and we arrived fifteen minutes early. A Lt. Commander met us as we departed.

"Captain Reese, Commander Iglis, I'm Lt. Commander Hensen. Admiral Munoz sends his regards and asked me to escort you to his office." Hensen looked young for his rank, in his early thirties. He had wavy dark-brown hair, a slightly round face, an athletic build, and blue eyes that shined with enthusiasm. Judging by his age, he was on a fast track for promotions. Before taking us to the Admiral, he gave us a brief tour of the Nicobar. Iglis looked like a kid in a candy store when he showed us the intelligence suite, which looked to be three times the size of the Bridge on the Lynx. When we arrived at the Admiral's office, one of the two security guards knocked and then opened the door, and Hensen stepped to the side for us. I entered with Iglis slowly following. We braced to attention and saluted as Hensen closed the door. Munoz returned the saluted while surveying me.

"Relax, and have a seat. Hensen, get the Captain and Commander something to drink."

"Kaffa," I said.

"Water," Iglis said after a slight hesitation.

"Reese, you and Iglis don't think much of our rules about the separation of the Intel group and ship command," Munoz's eyes went from me to Iglis and back to me. Iglis's face turned pale. "Normally, I'd recall the officer, put her career on hold, and send a letter of complaint to Admiral Plimson. But you two keep doing the impossible. You've found Freeland and you've established a spy network in the UFN and JPU of our dreams. I can't condone your behavior without allowing others to break the rules, which we don't want. The rule is good and necessary. So, consider yourselves chastised. Please stand," he said as he rose. Iglis's face looked like white granite. Munoz came around the table and handed Iglis a small, velvet box and put out his hand. Iglis took the box and shook his hand, looking shocked. "Congratulations, Commander. Your temporary promotion is now permanent, and you're the station's intelligence officer. That's the good news. The bad news you will probably be assigned to Captain Reese's ship for the rest of your career."

"Admiral Munoz, you'll need to cut her new orders as I'm taking command of a new ship," I said as Munoz returned to his desk and waved us to sit.

"What ship is that, Reese? They aren't relieving you of command, are they?"

"No, sir. I'll be taking command of the RNN Mnemosyne, and I'd welcome Iglis and her staff on board."

"That's the new cruiser Admiral Plimson authorized you to build. Why do I think you're trying to circumvent Intelligence department regulations ... again?"

"Sir, if you would allow me, I'd like to take you on a tour of the Mnemosyne, tomorrow."

"I'd like that. Commander Iglis, the day after, you will give my staff and me an up-to-date briefing on what you have on the UFN and JPU."

The dinner was a quiet affair with a few of his senior officers. Most of the talk revolved around Freeland and the clans. The discussions went on for hours, and it was late when we arrived at the shuttle.

After the shuttle was airborne, Iglis turned to me with an ear-to-ear grin and sparkling eyes. "You were right. I never dreamed I'd make Lt. Commander this early in my career, and I'm a full Commander. But I thought the Mnemosyne was going to be exclusively a Riss cruiser."

"It is. But I would like a few SAS groups on board, as detached units: Intelligence, Sharks, and Scorpions. Part of the reason is that I don't believe the Riss would do well in those positions, but it will also establish the Riss as allies of the SAS with nothing to hide."

"Do you really think, the Admiral is going to allow an Intelligence group on the Mnemosyne?"

"Oh, yes. Spooks like their noses in everything." I laughed, and after a slight pause, so did Iglis.

* * *

I gave Munoz a small fight in the Mnemosyne, mostly to show him Riss operating the ship. He agreed to an Intelligence group on the ship immediately when I explained I would be requesting SAS fighter and commando groups be attached along with Iglis. Over the next few days, Munoz had a Comstat unit installed. I imagined after Iglis's briefing, he wanted to ensure he could communicate with her with minimum delay. After the Nicobar had departed, I stopped in to talk to Iglis and met Master Chief Drock on his way out.

"Captain, I hope you've come to help. I've tried everything I know, but I can't get her to stop smiling."

"I don't know, Master Chief. Maybe you could enlist the help of some of the other chiefs." I shrugged. He laughed, knocked on the door to her office and wandered off.

“Enter,” she called out in a routine voice. When she saw it was me, she bolted to attention. "Captain!"

"Quit that, Iglis. Remember we're not supposed to fraternize."

"Do you want some kaffa?" Before I could answer she had a cup filled and in my hand. "Thank you for letting me see the Mnemosyne. I love it! I know we aren't supposed to fraternize but I dreaded you leaving. You've been my mentor over the years and even Admiral Munoz seemed to think our association has benefited the SAS."

"Funny thing about breaking rules. If good comes of it, then you're a hero. If not, you're in a world of hurt. We've done our jobs as best we can, and the SAS has benefited. All we can do now is to continue to do our jobs to the best of our abilities and hope the SAS continues to benefit."

"Yes, ma'am. And I'll sure this smile will be gone in a couple of months."

<I doubt it.>

<Me too.>

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Plimson inspects Mnemosyne

The work on the Mnemosyne continued at a feverish pace. I had managed to delay Plimson an extra month. He was eager to see the Mnemosyne after talking with Zann and reluctantly agreed to a one-month delay. Pavao, Corbitt, and I met a couple of times each week to review progress and the plan to incorporate some of the Mnemosyne technology into the SAS cruisers. We decided the potential modifications fell into three categories: those features that could be accommodated relatively quickly, those that would require extensive work and time, and those that couldn't or shouldn't be implemented.

On the short list were the missiles. We decided the missile tubes could be left as they were so that they could continue to support the existing SAS missiles. The new missiles could be resized to fit the SAS tubes without affecting the internal systems; however, the software had to be changed and an additional panel added to accommodate the different types of missiles. And of course, a good deal of training.

On the long list were the outer skin and the power system. We considered adding one or two small engines to provide silent running.

On the forget-it-list was the bridge design and redundant features, the outdoors level, and the heighten ceilings.

Two weeks before Plimson was scheduled to arrive, we met in my office and signed off on the Mnemosyne and the upgrade proposal.

"Nance, Bill, I want to personally thank you on behalf of the Riss for your help and support in the design, construction, and participation in the trials of the Mnemosyne. I could not have done it without you."

"You’re welcome, although I would have paid to participate. It's not only been exciting, but it's been an education. And Bill and I will have bragging rights until long after we're retired. My only regret is that I'll never command one. It makes me wish I could be a Riss-human." Pavao's eyes looked sad, although she was smiling.

"I agree. I've become fond of the Riss. They are an amazing race: gentle, intelligent, and never take offense. I agree with Pavao. I'm going to hate to see this tour end, but I'll enjoy the bragging rights." He laughed and took a sip of his wine.

"When I volunteered, I thought of the clan as Raiders. I agreed with your actions, after I heard your explanation, but I was still nervous over your approach. What I didn't understand at that time was how the clans see you and how you see the clans. They really believe you are a dybbuk and that you can see into their minds. And you have me believing it. It's that insight, that's enabled you to pull this off. The rest of us saw them as prisoners or evil. I believe they saw us as jailors, oppressors, and equally evil. You saw both sides as capable of doing evil things, but not as evil people. I think you converted a lot of us—me for one." Pavao said.

"Me, too." Corbitt said.

The Bateleur arrived one day early.

* * *

"Skipper, the Admiral has invited you to have dinner with him at eighteen hundred hours. Should I tell him you’re available?" Gelman's lips twitched as he tried to hold back a grin. I heard a couple of coughs.

"What do you think, XO?"

"I think you should go. I'm not ready to be Captain." She grinned.

"Okay, Gelman, since Commander Varisko insists, tell the Admiral I'm available." I nodded in her direction. "XO, you have the Watch."

"Aye Captain, I have the Watch."

On my way to my cabin, I realized I was nervous about my meeting with Plimson. He’d always been more than fair with me and had on several occasions taken huge risks on the Riss and my behalf. I hoped the Mnemosyne would justify his faith in me and make him look good. I took my time in the Fresher and dressed slowly. I had plenty of time. When I reached the shuttle Terril stood with there, smiling.

"What are you so happy about, Gunny?"

"I love to watch masters dance."

"Hopefully, this will be boring and not worth the effort."

"You're never boring, Captain." She looked to my escort, who shook their heads and tried not to grin. I gave up and entered the shuttle, waving Terril to the seat next to me.

"It had better be boring, or I'll hold you personally responsible."

"Yes, Captain Reese. However, I think you owe the Scorpions some excitement. It’s been in short supply lately."

We were both quiet for the rest of the ride. When I departed, Lieutenant Alderson was waiting to escort me to the Admiral's conference room. I'd been sitting a few minutes when Plimson, accompanied by Wattson and Stenberg entered the room. I braced to attention.

"At ease, Reese. You already know Admirals Stenberg and Wattson. They came along to see if I'm a fool or a genius. I hope you haven't disappointed me. You know how I feel about that."

"Sir, Captains don't disappoint Admirals," I said. Stenberg snorted and Wattson smiled. "I would like to invite you and Vice Admirals Stenberg and Wattson to visit the Mnemosyne and afterward to conduct an exercise with the Bateleur."

"You're going to take on the Bateleur with a cruiser?" Wattson asked.

"Yes, sir. With real missiles—without warheads," I added. "With your permission, I like to invite Captains Pavao and Corbitt, my project manager, Da'Maass, the design engineer, Sa'Arkadi, and the clans' elders.

"Isn't that potentially dangerous?" Stenberg asked.

"No, sir. Only the Riss can fly the Mnemosyne. The people I'm suggesting all contributed to its success. Besides, I believe it would be beneficial for you to meet the elders."

* * *

It took a day to dismantle the warheads in twenty of the Bateleur's missiles and notify all the parties involved. Captain McKnight pronounced me certifiably insane but was good-natured about going along with what he thought would be an entertaining exercise. Plimson showed considerable patience waiting the extra day.

On the day of the exercise, I had the shuttle pilot circle the Mnemosyne so the Admirals could get a good look at the exterior. When they exited the shuttle, the first words out of Plimson's mouth were expected.

"Reese, that is the ugliest cruiser ... ship I've ever seen. That’s not a good start." The other two Admirals nodded. "You obviously kept to your promise not to use SAS technology."

"Sir, bear with me. I promise not to disappoint you." I knew that would be their first reaction, until they found out it was designed that way on purpose.

"Sirs, I would like you to meet Elder Ni'Shay, who is ... I spent the next few minutes introducing everyone and took them to the dining room, where Petty Officer Pillion had arranged for a light lunch using some of the clan's dishes and recipes. The conversations lasted longer than I had expected, because the Admirals were interested in Freeland and the clans, and the elders were willing to discuss every topic freely.

Eventually, I got everyone up and we toured the lower level, which was pretty standard until they realized the Mnemosyne had ten engines. That appeared to be another negative in Plimson's eyes. Next, I took them to the upper level. The admirals were impressed but weren't sure whether it was a good thing or not. At least they understood the reason behind it and agreed it would be necessary on a Riss ship, but weren't sure it made for a functional cruiser. Then we descended to the middle deck and we toured each ring. I left the Bridge for last.

"Wow, now that's a Bridge," Plimson said, looking around. "Are you going to explain what all these panels are for?"

"Afterward, sir. Now it's time for the exercise. Please take a seat and strap in, and keep an eye on one of those three monitors. They will keep you informed as to what is going on." I intentionally, took the captain’s seat without further comment.

"Commander Alena, open a line to Commander McKnight."

"Yes, Captain."

"Comm, open a line to the Bateleur," Alena said, and almost immediately McKnight's face appeared on the overhead monitor.

"Are you ready to play with the Bateleur, Captain Reese? How much of a head start do you need? Two hours enough?"

"That's very kind of you Captain McKnight. It's now thirteen hundred hours. Give us thirty minutes to start engines and leave the station. You're free to begin your attack anytime afterward."

"Are you sure? You'll hardly have cleared the station in thirty minutes. If you’re planning a sneak attack, it won't work. You'll be annihilated as soon as the exercise begins."

"Yes, thirty minutes. It's now thirteen hundred hours. You may begin at thirteen thirty hours. Captain Reese, out." I cut the connection and ignored the comments going on behind me. I had r-Melete, at a remote station recording the SV on the three designated overhead monitors. Alena, pointed to the monitors as I signed off.

* * *

<XO, prepare the Mnemosyne for departure.> I sent to Alena who was currently acting XO.

<Seal the Mnemosyne.>

<Mnemosyne, sealed.>

<Comm, contact the Space Station we're detaching.>

** Permission to detach Mnemosyne.** r-Galene's voice box sent.

"You are cleared, Mnemosyne."

<Mnemosyne detached.>

<Engines one and five at half speed.> The ship began slowly moving away from the station. When we were a hundred kilometers away, I took over.

<I have control, XO.>

<You have control, Leader.>

<,Half speed on engines one, three, five, seven, and ten,>

<Initiate VTM.> The Visual Tracking Hologram sprang to life in the middle of the Bridge.

<Designate the Bateleur, SAS1, the Mnemosyne, RM1, and the Lynx, Bobcat, and Merlin, X1, X2, and X3.> A red blip appeared with SAS1 alongside, a blue blip with RM1, and three white ones with X1-3.

<Silent running. Cut engines one, five, and ten. Half speed on engines three and seven. Turn to vector two-seven-one by zero-five-zero.>

<Silent running. Engines one, five, ten off. Engines three, seven half speed. Vector two-seven-one by zero-five-zero.>

With everyone's attention riveted on the overhead monitors, the Bridge was so quiet you could hear individuals breathing.

<Leader, it's thirteen thirty. The exercise has officially started.>

<We'll give the Bateleur time to locate us.> I waited fifteen minutes, knowing it was pointless, but it was a good demonstration for the Admirals.

<XO. It looks like the Bateleur is moving away from us.>

<Plot an intercept course.> Within seconds, a vector appeared on the Helm's overhead monitor.

<Execute vector.> Another fifteen minutes passed with no response from the Bateleur.

<XO, I think it's time to let the Bateleur know we haven't left Freeland space.>

<Radar, do you have a Riss solution?>

<Solution confirmed.> The Weapons monitor displayed a vector.

<I'm declaring the Radar panel inoperable. Switch with ECM.>

<Radar controls active.> The ECM monitor changed to the Radar display.

<ECM controls active.> The Radar monitor changed to the ECM display.

<Fire five Demons.>

<Demons launched.> The Weapons monitor displayed the launch and time to impact.

<Four hits, one miss.>

<Radar, any response from the Bateleur?>

<No.>

<I guess they need help finding us. Ignite all engines. Half speed.>

<All engines on line at half speed.>

<All systems active.>

<Weapons on line.>

<Sensors active.>

<Bateleur has fired five missiles.>

<Release two Dragonflies.>

<Two Dragonflies launched.> The ECM monitor showed the launch and current position.

<Launch Duster. Activate at fifty kilometers.>

<Duster launched.> The ECM monitor showed the launch. Two minutes later, the monitor displayed the current position of the cloud of debris relative to the Mnemosyne and the Bateleur.

<All incoming missiles neutralized.> The exercise went on for another hour. The Bateleur fired all its twenty missiles with no hits. We fired fifteen, scoring eleven.

<Comm, contact the Bateleur.>

<Bateleur online.>

"Captain McKnight, we will accept your surrender."

"Where the hell are you, Captain Reese?"

"Five thousand klicks off your port."

<All sensors active.>

<All sensors active.> The Radar monitor showed all systems active.

"Damn. I could hit you with lasers, you're so close. My compliments, Captain. I'm glad you're on our side. You owe me a tour of the Mnemosyne," McKnight said and cut the connection.

I turned my seat towards my guests. "Questions?"

"... Reese. I was sure you had disappointed me this time. This ship is ugly and the upper level is a waste of space, although I understand the reason. But this ... I don't know what I expected. I guess I thought a smaller version of a Ra ... clan cruiser. I guess my decision to let you build the Mnemosyne makes me a genius—again." He nodded as if agreeing with himself.

"So what kind of mysterious missiles are Dragonflies, Dusters, and Demons?" Stenberg asked, leaning forward in his chair.

"Duster is a missile loaded with chaff and phosphorus material, which when it explodes puts a curtain of deflective and hot material between us and our enemy. They are basically blind—"

"So are you," Plimson said, frowning.

"True. However, Dragonflies are missiles that fly either above, below, or to the side of the cloud. They provide eyes for us and the Demons, which are retarded missiles. They have very limited electronics and only a small motor which allows them to make minor corrections based on the Dragonfly's calculations."

"Did I understand correctly? The Bateleur couldn't find us, unless your sensors and engines were active?" Admiral Wattson asked.

"Yes, Admiral. The ship looks ugly because of the material it's coated with and the angles of the metal underneath. But it's that combination that makes it difficult to detect with normal sensors. Cutting all but a few of the small engines adds to the stealth of the Mnemosyne, while allowing us maneuverability.

"What happened when you said the Weapons board was down?"

"Each panel contains the boards for all the functions; therefore, if one breaks, another panel can switch functions with the malfunctioning panel. Because they communicate via Streaming Vid, one Riss can be updated quickly and substitute for any other."

Well, Reese, I always thought I'd like to be on a Riss ship. This has been a rare experience. The Riss were truly meant for space." Admiral Plimson walked around the room, inspecting each station.

"Actually, what you saw was in slow motion. Half of what you saw on the monitors was said for your benefit to help you understand what was happening. I would say normally it would have taken one-tenth the time." The discussion went on for hours. In the end, Plimson scheduled another meeting after dinner.

* * *

"Reese, my initial reaction was to declare the Mnemosyne a SAS secret, station a fleet on Freeland, and allow no one to leave the planet. But after several cups of kaffa and a hundred deep breaths, I decided I needed more information," Plimson said, and then turned to Pavao. "It's my understanding that Reese has kept you and Corbitt involved in the Riss project."

"Yes, sir. We have been involved in each phase of the Mnemosyne development and part of every decision and test. A complete set of reference manuals, specifications, and software has been archived. In addition, Captain Corbitt and I, with help from Captain Reese, have conducted a preliminary analysis of the applicability of implementing each of the Mnemosyne's innovations on a Hunter and Light cruiser."

"Sir, may I add that no one except the Riss could operate the Mnemosyne, even with the software, since it requires an understanding of Symath. A mathematical system the Riss has shared only with the SAS."

"Thank you, Reese. That does relieve my mind somewhat and shows me you, Pavao, and Corbitt have been thinking about the future. At the risk of my career, what's next, Captain Reese?" He smiled.

<Ready for next shock.>

<What's that?>

<You pilot. Think of something.>

<Thanks.>

"Sir, there are several unresolved question surrounding me and the Riss, which the Mnemosyne may help to resolve. Or, at least, provide a foundation for discussion."

"And they are?"

"The Riss' status. They are already by Treaty considered a separate Nation, although they reside on a SAS planet. I would like a separate Treaty acknowledging the SAS and Riss as allies, supporting each other in war and peace." I stopped to take a sip a kaffa. My mouth felt so dry I could hardly swallow. "As part of that agreement, I would like the SAS to provide a contingent of Scorpions and Sharks, as well as an Intelligence group on each Riss cruiser. I've already talked to Vice Admiral Munoz. All three groups would function like the Scorpions do today on SAS ships. They are there to support the ship and its mission, but do not report to the ship's Captain."

"Munoz agreed?" Wattson asked.

"Yes, sir." I nodded to Wattson. "I would like to see Freeland the major manufacturing facility for Mnemosyne technology and related work. I think they have earned it. Not only in the design and construction of the Mnemosyne but also in the Intel they are providing on the JPU and UFN." I took sip of kaffa, then another as everyone was staring at me.

<Shocked. Confused.>

<Me or them?>

<Both.> A relaxing ripple of laughter flowed through me.

"Last, my status. I believe it needs to be clarified and not only for my benefit."

"Reese, you've done it again. You've given me a raging headache, and you've given me another one of those I'm a fool or a genius decisions that depend on how it turns out. Worse, it's one I can't avoid without shirking my responsibilities." He sat, not saying another word, hands steepled under his lips, and eyes looking down at the table. Finally, he looked up. "None of you can make this decision for me, but I would like to hear your thoughts."

Pavao was first to speak, "Sir, I've known Captain Reese for almost two years. No one, including myself, would have treated the clans with the respect she has. And in my opinion, no one could have gotten the cooperation and results she has. They respect and trust her and have gone out of their way to earn her trust."

"Wattson, Stenberg?" Plimson looked towards them.

"Based on the Mnemosyne alone, I'd want the Riss as allies. And from what I've seen and heard, they have demonstrated their loyalty many times. Inherently, I wouldn't trust the clans, which supports what Pavao implied. But then, neither I nor anyone else would have gotten the results from them that Reese did. And I don't have a solution, but I can understand her desire to have her status clarified," Stenberg said.

"I agree with Stenberg, in general. And I like the idea of having a SAS detachment of Scorpions and Sharks on board the Riss ships. It reinforces the ally relationship. Oh, and I'm glad it's not my decision." Wattson said, smiling.

"Reese, I'm beginning to think you're my dybbuk. I had planned to return to Eden tomorrow, but I can't make these kinds of decisions on Eden. I'd like to tour Freeland, talk with the elders, and visit the facilities, including the area designated for the Riss. Arrange it. I assume everyone would like to come along?" He looked around the room and received nods from everyone. I stood when Plimson did. Pavao and Corbitt were smiling when I left for my shuttle.

In the shuttle, I collapsed in my seat and nodded to Terril as she entered.

"That was a ten-knot performance."

"The match isn't over yet."

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Plimson visits Freeland

I arrived on Freeland, fifteen minutes before the shuttle from the Bateleur carrying the Admirals was due to arrive. As I exited, Ni'Shay was standing there with Pavao and Corbitt.

"Welcome, Captain Reese. The elders thank you for allowing them on the Mnemosyne. It's truly a ship of the space gods. And we, the clan, helped to build it."

"Yes, and I'm hoping you are going to build several more, and maybe ... who knows what may come of it."

"I'm sure you do, dybbuk. We elders are content to leave it in your hands." Ni'Shay gave a small bow. I turned to Pavao and Corbitt.

"I see you are early, too," I grinned.

"I try not to antagonize Admirals. They keep space doss lists, which are best to avoid," Pavao said. Corbitt nodded agreement. When I looked up, the Bateleur's shuttle was coming in for a landing. Admiral Plimson strode out first, followed by Stenberg and Wattson. Ni'Shay greeted them, and we were escorted into the clan's shuttle and flown to the administration building were the elders were waiting. After everyone was seated and served drinks, Plimson stood.

"I'd like to compliment you on the building of the Mnemosyne. It's truly the spacecraft of the future, although no one but the Riss can operate it. Admirals Stenberg and Wattson and I are interested in seeing Freeland, partly because Captain Reese has made some suggestions, which require me to make the kind of decisions anyone, in authority, hope never to have to make in our careers. I sometimes think she's my dybbuk." He paused and looked around the room to agreeing nods.

"We understand completely, Admiral. We believe she already knows the answer, but want us to think we thought of it," Ni'Shay said.

"I wouldn't doubt that. I'm hoping the tour will help me decide or, at least, give me time to think."

"Unless you have a specific place to start or go, I thought we would start at the assembly plant. The second Riss cruiser, the Eirene, is being assembled. After some small talk, everyone was directed to the awaiting ground vehicles. It was a short ten-minute ride in the long, luxury car-like vehicle.

Inside the plant, large, partly assemble parts, coated in a black material lay scattered around four large warehouses.

"What you see is the shell of the Eirene. We are getting ready to transport it to the repair station where it will be assembled," Da'Maass said. "Next we are going to visit our new Research and Development section, which we had to create to meet Captain Reese's vision."

Another ten-minute ride brought us to a long, concrete building. Inside they were shown a sample of the material and explained its composition and the reason it was so hard to detect with conventional sensors. Over the next several hours, we visited the panel, wiring, and environmental manufacturing plants.

The following day, the tour included the missile, engine, and computer manufacturing plants. And the day after, we were given a tour of the city, ate at local restaurants, and talked with a variety of the citizens. Although the average person's dress was colorful, much like I'd imagine the gypsies of old wore, the people were well educated and modern in every other way. The next day we visited the area the clans had set aside for the Riss.

"What do you think about having the Riss on Freeland, Ni'Shay?" Wattson asked, as we flew over the area, which was too wild to tour on foot or by car.

"We love the Riss. Many of us come out here and spend time getting to know them. They look terrifying, but they are a gentle people. Although Riss have been killed fighting the clan, they hold no ill feelings towards us or we towards them. They fought to defend themselves, not for revenge, and are happy we are at peace. We consider this area belongs to the Riss—forever if they want."

"Yes, perhaps in time we humans can come to think like they do," Plimson said quietly, as though talking to himself. "Ni'Shay, I thank you for the tour. It has been interesting and enjoyable. Reese, Pavao, and Corbitt, I'll expect you tomorrow at ten hundred hours."

The ride back to the shuttles was quiet. Each of us had plenty to think—or worry—about.

<No sense worry.>

<Easy for you to say.>

<Change nothing.>

<Plimson's decision affects the Riss.>

<Change nothing. Give us headache.>

<What do you suggest I think about instead.>

<Bradshaw. Sex.>

<Yes, I do miss him.> I had met Lt. Commander Bradshaw at Hephaestus and we had become lovers, but our careers precluded us from seeing each other except on rare occasions, when our duties found us in the same place. But Thalia was right. Thoughts of our time together were a pleasant diversion from what would happen tomorrow.

* * *

"Well, Reese, what do you think Admiral Plimson's decision will be?" Pavao asked the next morning as we sat in the Bateleur's conference room waiting for the Admirals. "He certainly got the grand tour and seemed to be interested and enjoyed himself. I've given it a lot of thought, and I'm not sure what I would decide. I've spent a lot of time with you and feel I know you well, and I've worked with the clans, although I doubt I understand them like you do. But you're asking some tough questions. I wouldn't want to be in Plimson's shoes. Of course, he gets paid the big bucks to put up with you." She snorted and Corbitt broke out in a laugh as Plimson and the others entered. We shot to attention.

"Having a good time, Captains? Obviously you don't have enough to do," Plimson said as he sat. "Well, maybe I can help."

<Is he in bad mood?>

<Relieved. Not mad.>

<Relieved?>

<Made decision.>

"Reese, is Ni'Shay right? He claims you're their dybbuk and know what's in their minds before they do. Are you my dybbuk? Do you already know my decision?"

"No, sir. My considerations concern this station, the Riss, and Freeland. You have responsibility for the security of the SAS, for the impact to the navy, and the pressures of the SAS elected officials. Each decision you make has consequences that potentially impact one or more of those responsibilities. No, sir. I can't imagine the complexities of the decisions relating to the problems I've asked you to address." That was the truth. I knew where I thought the Riss and the clan should go, but that was easy. The present was a little harder. But the impact on the SAS was beyond me.

"You've given me another one of those career making or ending decisions. This time though some of them are beyond my ability to make. For example, I can't amend the Treaty with Freeland. Even to suggest an amendment would take years to enact. There's too much politics involved." He paused to take a few sips of his kaffa. "I have discussed your issues with Admirals Stenberg and Wattson. They've given me the benefit of their years of service, but in the end, I have to be responsible for the decision—fool or genius—depending upon how it works out. It would be forty-five for and fifty-five against if it weren't for the fact that you have always come through for me. Therefore, here is what I can and will do:

One: I will sign a Treaty with the Riss Nation to provide mutual support and cooperation, to include military defense and technology. This will include the money to build a total of four Riss cruisers in exchange for any and all hardware and software technology they develop.

Two: The Riss and the SAS will share responsibility for managing the Freeland Treaty. Because of the duel responsibility and your relationship to the Riss, you will remain the station commander and are authorized to use the Mnemosyne as your command ship.

Three: I will authorize a squadron of ten Sharks and detachment of fifty Scorpions to serve on Riss cruisers as part of our Mutual Defense Agreement. They are detached to support our mutual interests, but they do not report directly to you.

Unofficially, and not part of this agreement, I will authorize refitting the Bobcat and Merlin with the enhancement Captain Pavao has suggested. If that is successful, we will use Freeland, at least in the short term, to begin upgrading the SAS cruisers. Captain Pavao is in charge of those upgrades." Plimson sat back and smiled. "You know, Nadya … Admirals do not like to be disappointed."

I gave him a weak smile. Ironically, it was Plimson's decision, and he was responsible; however, the issue was far larger—the fate of three nations rested on the outcome. Before I could say anything, Stenberg interrupted.

"Reese, I was impressed by the Mnemosyne and Freeland. I fully support the agreement with the Riss and you as the station commander based upon what you've accomplished. But Freeland makes me nervous. Failure to keep them in check could undo everything, including your career." He stared hard at me, as if to emphasize the potential for disaster.

Plimson spoke before I could reply. "I understand you need to certify the Shark and Scorpion personnel. The gods know it won't take but one or two bad apples to cause a disaster. So the Bateleur will remain on station while you certify enough personnel to crew the Mnemosyne and the … ?"

"Eirene, sir," I said. "The Goddess of Peace. Sounds ironic, but the Riss are a peace-loving nation and will only participate in war to stop violence—never out of hate or revenge."

"As new cruisers and personnel arrive on station you can continue to certify additional members as Riss certified for detachment on Riss cruisers. Before I leave I will decide who will command the Lynx."

I had gotten everything I could have hoped for, but now that I had, I wondered if I could live with what I got. I left that evening, ecstatic and terrified.

* * *

The next day I asked Colonel Seng and Commander Byer to join me in my conference room. I included Iglis, Varisko, and the Riss-humans, Alena, Jaelle, and Elissa. I was standing in the room with a drink when they began arriving, to avoid the formal call to Attention when I arrived. As each entered, I waved them to the sideboard Pillon had prepared. I'd doubted I'd ever get used to having my own private valet. After everyone had settled down, I began.

"Good morning. The scuttlebutt has probably suggested the reason for this meeting, but just in case you were in Regen and didn't hear, I thought I'd bring you up to date." I paused for a sip of kaffa.

"The rumors go anywhere from you're being removed to you're being promoted to admiral," Byer said with a grin but his eyes showed some concern as did everyone in the room.

"Interesting. With a stretch, both would be true—" Multiple questions interrupted me before I could continue. I raised my hand and the room quieted. "Sorry, that was thoughtless. The Admirals were pleased with the Mnemosyne after they got over how ugly it looks." That produced smiles and snorts. "They have authorized Captain Pavao to begin modifying the Bobcat and the Merlin to accommodate the applicable Mnemosyne technology. I remain the station officer in charge at my current rank—so I haven't been fired or promoted." As I looked around the room there appeared to be a collective sigh of relief, which made me feel good about the changes I would be announcing.

"Admiral Plimson has signed a Mutual Support Agreement, MSA, with the Riss, recognizing the Riss Nation as a military ally. That means the Riss will share its technology, which they have always freely done, and the SAS and the Riss agree to mutual military support. As part of the MSA, he has authorized a Intelligence unit, a detachment of ten Sharks, and fifty Scorpions on each Riss cruiser."

The room exploded into conversations, which I let run their course. Soon embarrassed faces looked back at me.

"Admiral Plimson has agreed to stay five extra days so that we can interview interested personnel for certification as qualified to serve on Riss cruisers. I would like to view certification as belonging to a unique group, like Scorpions serving on Hunter cruiser versus Wasps serving on other cruisers. We want people who view the Riss as allies."

"Congratulations, Captain Reese. I didn't think you could pull it off. No offense, but … " Byer's face turned a slight pink.

"The Mnemosyne did it. They suddenly see the Riss as a powerful ally, who is important to support."

"How do we go about certifying candidates?" Seng asked, looking like he was ready to begin immediately.

"Commander Byer, Commander Iglis, and Colonel Seng you are hereby certified, and it will be entered into your personnel records." I looked back to Terril who was pretending not to be interested. "You too, Gunny. You could probably get Admiral Plimson and General Garret to certify you if I didn’t." Her lip twitched for a second. Knowing Terril would join the Mnemosyne gave me a warm feeling. She was the best Gunny in the SAS and a dear friend who I could count on in good times and bad. "Certification doesn't mean a person has to apply, only that they are eligible to serve on a Riss cruiser. We will be conducting interviews as soon as you can notify the personnel under you, which includes the Bobcat and Merlin. I will talk to the appropriate commanders on the Bateleur. Iglis, although Admiral Butler may not like it, your people will also have to be certified. Lastly, I'll be transferring to the Mnemosyne as soon as a Captain for the Lynx is assigned."

<Fun times.> A tingling feeling of amusement and an image of people dancing with party hats, horns, and drinks in their hands.

<Hard work.>

<You Leader. I watch.> An image of a Gorillai in a hammock with me training with Scorpions under a blistering sun.

<Thanks.>

<You volunteered Riss Project.>

<Not Leader.>

<Careful wish for.> The tickle of laughter.

* * *

The certification took two extra days, as over eighty percent of the qualified personnel asked to be interviewed. Of the nearly five hundred Army personnel, we accepted half, mostly Scorpions, enough for two and possibly three cruisers with rotation replacements. Of the two hundred plus pilots and mechanics, we accepted fifty, enough for two cruisers but a little short when considering the need for rotations. Two days before the Bateleur was scheduled to depart, Pavao, Corbitt, and I met with the Admirals.

"We have reviewed the list of pilots and commandos and have approved all but two, because their expertise was considered critical to their current assignments. Two alternates were approved. We have decided Captain Corbitt, based on Captain Reese's recommendation, will assume command of the Lynx." Plimson said smiling in Corbitt's direction, whose mouth hung open. Captain Pavao's XO, Gabisi, will assume command of the Merlin, and Captain Pavao has agreed Commander Biryan will be her new XO. I believe these assignments keep the current command structure, which has proven effective, in place for the immediate future. Unless there are any objections, the transfers will begin at twelve hundred hours." Plimson turned his full attention on me, before speaking.

"What I've approved with the MSA between our two nations and the related arrangements affects more than just you and me. Success will propel us ahead hundreds of years. Failure will propel us backward hundreds of years. Admirals Stenberg and Wattson ..." He nodded in it their direction, "… agree. One of us will visit on a regular basis and provide you with all the support within our power. I'm counting on you to make this work, Captain Reese."

"Yes, sir. You've provided me with a good team and what I need to be successful. I only hope someday you, Admiral Stenberg, and Admiral Wattson will be recognized for your foresight. I'm committed to making it happen. After all, Admirals don't like to be disappointed, especially by a Captain."

<It's bad enough being responsible for the Riss without the SAS's future.> I whined.

<Interesting times.>

<Isn't that an old Chinese curse?>

<Not boring.>

<Between you and Terril… > I was reminded of Terril's comment about me being the Scorpions totem for relieving the boredom of a soldier's life on a cruiser, because of our many encounters with the Raiders.

Later that day, I met with my staff on the Lynx, including Commanders Byer, Iglis, and Colonel Seng. I had become very fond of these people. We had been through hell together, ironically in a duel to the death with Da'Maass and in the battle of Freeland.

"I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support through the years. There is no one I'd rather serve with, and there is no one I would trust at my back more than you. I wish I could take you with me on the Mnemosyne, but I can't. Only Riss can function on the Mnemosyne Bridge. But if I can ever do anything for you, I will. Varisko, I know you don't feel ready to be a captain, and I respect that. I know what it is to be thrust into a position before you feel ready and lack the experience of your peers. Captain Corbitt is a good man, and time with him will be good experience that will benefit you in the long run. Commander Byer and Colonel Seng, I'll see you aboard the Mnemosyne." I stood with conflicting emotions raging through me—leaving the Lynx and joining the first Riss cruiser.

"Attention," Varisko shouting and everyone bolted to attention.

"Thank you," I said as I exited the room, tears stinging my eyes.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Nadya transfers to Mnemosyne

"Well, Gunny, what do you think?" I asked Terril as we sat in the shuttle heading for the Mnemosyne. She was again part of my security guard.

"Following you has not been boring. You have Scorpions hyped and ready for another adventure. I hope you aren't going to disappoint us, Captain. The mutiny wasn't bad, but it was a long time ago." She pursed her lips and shrugged.

"Careful what you wish for, Terril. Most of the non-boring events are better in the history books than in real life." We were quiet for the rest of the ride. When I came aboard the Mnemosyne, there was no ceremony and no permission to board. This was a Riss ship and we were all equal.

"Leader," Alena greeted me as I entered the Bridge. "I'm excited and scared out of my mind. I love the idea of being the XO on the first Riss cruiser and petrified at the thought of being Captain of the Eirene."

"Yes, things are moving too fast for all of us, but we have no choice. We Riss-humans have an opportunity to make the Riss' dream of seeing the stars a reality. Ready or not, the opportunity exists today, and we must not fail to take advantage of it. Do your best. It's all the Riss expect of us."

Alena gave me a determined nod and smiled. "Ma'at, Quiet night under the moon, agrees."

After storing my things from the Lynx in my cabin, I made my way to the army area and found Seng in his new office.

"Captain Reese, welcome. It will be a couple of days before we get everything settled. The troops are excited," Seng said, as I entered.

"I'm hoping over time that I can authorize Riss qualified personnel to visit Freeland, until then all humans are permitted access to level three. You and I will have to work out specific duties on the ship. I would imagine pretty much normal security, not so much for on board personnel but for visitors or unauthorized persons. And to keep people busy."

* * *

I sat on the Bridge in the command chair mesmerized by the sight. It was like nothing else, unique—Riss unique. Terril had said it felt eerie, because of the total silence, yet to the Riss it wasn't silent. Conversations were going on all the time—in streaming vid.

<Leader. Iglis on Comm.>

"Commander Iglis?"

"Captain, would you mind coming to my office. I'd like you to see something, when you have time."

"I'll be down shortly." I cut the connection. Iglis would never ask me to visit her unless it was important. She obviously wanted the security of the Intelligence compound.

<Alena, you have the watch.>

<Aye Captain, I have the watch.>

I still hadn't gotten over the feel of the Mnemosyne, the taller ceilings, the colored walls, and synthetic carpeting. When I reached the entrance, two Scorpions stood guard, a compromise with the normal special Intelligence security. Admiral Butler had agreed, since the Scorpions didn't directly report to me. Though I'm not sure Butler would be impressed by the cursory inspection I received. Both straightened as I approached. One stood sort-of ready while the other verified my identity on his SID. Of course, it was all silly. They knew I was the Captain, Gunny's friend, and two scorpions followed me who would have shot them if they had made any aggressive move towards me.

"Ma'am," he said as he stepped back to let me pass. Chief Drock met me as I entered.

"Captain, Commander Iglis would like you to join her in the conference room."

"I heard you received your third knot. Congratulations."

"Feels like I should have been awarded the bronze star." He laughed. "Now that I've gotten over the initial stiffness and lost most of my excess fat, I'm enjoying myself. I'm beginning to think I could defend myself if I had to. And I love this ship. The camaraderie is satisfying. On most ships, there is an invisible barrier between navy, pilots, and army. It should be worse here with another type, the Riss. But there appears to be little of that. The Riss make no distinction and it's contagious."

"To the Riss, everyone is equal." I said, as I entered Iglis's conference room.

"Ma'am," Iglis said as she shot out of her chair."

"As you were, Iglis," I said. I retrieved a cup of kaffa and sat. I hated the formality but knew it was necessary or discipline would suffer. The humans system required it, and like it or not, I was part of that system.

"I'm sorry to ask you down here, but it would be difficult to bring the information to you without putting it on some file, which I'm reluctant to do."

"And you want me involved because?" Normally, she would send her findings to headquarters, so it must relate to my responsibilities, or she just wanted my opinion. Admiral Munoz wanted Iglis independent but would turn a blind eye if she shared information with me, because together we had proved a valuable team.

"The Raid … merchants have been extremely cooperative during my debriefings when they return from trading in the empires. I don't know where they get their information and they are vague on their sources, but it's more than they could collect by themselves …" She paused to look at me. She suspected I knew but didn't press the issue. "Levi Ba'Tasuo is the merchant operating out of the Papak Sector of the JPU. When he returned two months ago, he'd heard ships going to the planet Baraz from Mihr haven't been seen or heard of since. This is strange because two of those ships called Mihr home and three of the others stopped at Mihr on a regular basis. When Ba'Tasuo returned yesterday, he said the planets Baraz and Alborz have been officially declared off limits by the JPU military, and they are guarding the main routes to those planets. It's not general knowledge but he heard that the JPU sent a cruiser to Baraz, and it hasn't returned. That was several weeks ago. He believes they're planning to send a task force to Baraz within the next week or two."

"Iglis, bring up a globe of the JPU and SAS," I said wanting to put things into perspective. When the hologram sprung to life, Iglis highlighted the Baraz and Alborz solar systems in red, leaving the others in white. I knew the JPU Papak sector bordered the SAS Darkov sector but not where specific solar systems were in relationship to others. Looking at the globe, Fools Hope and Fools Landing were relatively close to Alborz, explaining why the four planets had been a point of contention for centuries. Ironically, Freeland was in the general proximity, although not in either of the defined sectors.

"The question is whether it's contagious or not. I'd ask Sa'Lamas on the Wheeler to keep his ears open for rumors about Fools Hope or Fools Landings. Ba'Tasuo can keep us updated on the JPU situation."

"Contagious?" Iglis asked, frowning in concentration.

"You don’t lose all contact with five ships and two planets through miscommunications or random mistakes. We have to assume a disaster of some kind has occurred. If that is correct, then isn't it possible that it could spread. The question then is where—JPU, SAS, or Freeland? If it's into the SAS, then Fools Landing or Fools Hope is the logical choice."

"Why didn't I see that?" Her face clamped into a tight scowl.

"Iglis, you were too close to it to see the possibility. You have to learn to step back and take a deep breath. This is the first time I've seen the data, so it was easy for me to see a possible connection. You found the data. Without that we couldn't deduce what might happen." I smiled and patted her shoulder. "We make a good team, that's why Admiral Butler turns a blind eye to our connection. Let them know what you found. It'll be interesting to see what they make of it—if you leave off our conjecture."

Iglis laughed. "I think I will."

* * *

I sat surveying the conference room. I had requested—SAS speak for ordered—formal weekly meetings in the morning, a meeting with the elders in the afternoon, and dinner that evening with the three Captains on station, Byer, Seng, and Iglis.

"Good morning, everyone. Captain Corbitt, congratulations on winning the bimonthly competition." I had started several competitions a month ago. Freeland was a boring assignment, and worse, no shore leave to break it up. The first was a bimonthly competition between the three cruisers. Pavao had won the first and now Corbitt had won the most recent one. I had a crystal trophy made looking like an old fashion battle ship and each winner got to keep the trophy until the next competition and had his or her ship and name engraved on it.

"That’s because he sneaky," Pavao said to general snickers.

"Sneakier than you, Pavao?"

"This time."

"Commander Byer, that was a very decisive win for you and your pilots." The fighter wings also got a crystal trophy of the Wright Brothers’ ancient plane. To date, Byer's fighters had won both tournaments.

"Thank you, Captain. Unfortunately, we won't be able to get away with that maneuver again. A one-time gambit." His smile turned serious. "I'd like to thank you for beginning these competitions. They keep us sharp, generate new ideas and strategies, and everyone enjoys them. It gives them something to look forward to."

"I agree. I've been a on a lot of ships, but I never seen morale so good. Without any shore leave, it should be marginal at best," Seng added. His Scorpions had one the first one, but Pavao's the second. Their trophy was an earth-like commando with an open parachute.

"I'm a little outclassed here, but the folks on the Merlin are as enthusiastic as anyone and plotting daily to get our name on those trophies," Gabisi said.

"And the monthly exercises with the Mnemosyne have been valuable, even if you're sneaker than the rest of us combined. That damn ship is a ghost. But we're learning and it will help against another stealth ship, which all the three empires have even if they aren't on a par with the Mnemosyne."

"Pavao, I have another project I like you to add to your other upgrade projects," I said, watching her eyes narrow. "Maybe we could make Commander Byer project leader, since he'll be interested."

"What are you up to now. You going to redesign the SAS fighters?"

"I'd like to see if we could redesign the outside of a Shark to make it stealthy like the Mnemosyne." That generated a lot of discussion and Pavao agreed Byer would oversee the project reporting to her. Her conversion of the Bobcat's missile system had gone through final design and actual implementation would start next week. The actual missile size had to be adjusted but that would be easy since it didn't affect the electronic. After a short lunch, we left for Freeland.

* * *

Over the months, the elders and the Captains had relaxed somewhat and the meetings had become more casual. We discussed experimenting with one of the Sharks to general excitement. Successful research and development could develop into another Freeland contract to modify SAS fighters. It was looking good. Based on Plimson's comments, Freeland would be the major installation for modifications to the SAS cruisers and production of the new missiles. And I had convinced the three Captains, we should allow the clans to build a fourth merchant ship. The Treaty didn't say they could, but it didn't say they couldn't. The only restriction was on warships.

"Why should we allow them to build a ship of any kind?" Gabisi had asked, when I suggested it. I didn't need their approval, but I had learned including them avoided the kind of speculation that led to past problems.

"Two reasons. First, they have been cooperative in every way, from intelligence, inspections, and anything we ask them to do. Yes, I know we could force them, but we wouldn't get the same results. Second, making them a productive society means the people are content and gives a tangible reason for everyone to want to please us and to reenter society. Only the remnants of the old military are struggling to adapt, which is a very small part of the population."

In the end, everyone agreed.

Between Pavao's projects, building the Riss cruisers, and a fourth merchant ship, Freeman's factories were providing full employment. We jointly toured the factories and received weekly updates on the current projects. I had talked it over with Byer and decided a permanent detail of Scorpions would guard the Shark to insure the outside of the fighter was worked on and the inside left untouched. Dinner was always late. There we discussed the upcoming monthly exercises, and I received an update from each Captain. Things were going far too smoothly.

<Worry too much.> Image of me pacing the floor in my cabin, holes in the carpet, and sweat pouring off me.

<I have good reason.>

<Past not future.>

<Habit. Hard to break.>

<Enjoy today.> Image of me dancing through the hallways.

<You’re right, oh wise one.> Thalia was right. Today was good and who knew what would happen tomorrow, so why not take advantage of the good times. I decided to take off more to work out with Terril and teach.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Unknown invasion

The Golden Eagle, entered the system right on schedule, and I was notified Admiral Wattson, Butler, and Zann were on board and wanted a meeting with Iglis and me. Not too surprising, since Iglis had just learned last week that Fools Landing appeared to have become another black hole—ships went in but none came out. She was waiting when I arrived at the shuttle.

"You were right, Captain. Whatever it is, it's spreading. I wish Ba'Tasuo had returned, but he isn't due for a week or two. I'd like to know what happened with the JPU task force into Baraz."

"Yes, his information will be vital in determining how to proceed."

"What do you think the Admirals want? Certainly they don't need us to send a task force into Fool's Landing."

"We're about to find out."

<Can I worry now?>

<No.>

When we exited the shuttle, Commander Bradshaw stood waiting. He looked gorgeous, and I almost tripped coming down the steps, then stood frozen not sure what to do.  A whistle sounded, everyone stopped what he or she was doing, and he executed a perfect salute.

"Captain Reese, welcome aboard the Golden Eagle." His beautiful smile sent shivers down my spine. "Admiral Wattson sends his regards. If you're ready, I'll take you to him. Admirals Zann and Butler are with him in his office."

"Yes, Commander, lead on," I said, finally able to break loose of my paralysis, thanks to Thalia. I pulled even with him as we proceeded through the bay into the corridor. "Sean, what are you doing here?"

"Escorting you to Admiral Wattson, Captain Reese."

"You know what I mean?"

"I'm Admiral Wattson's aide-de-camp." He smiled again, and I almost missed a step. "No, nice to see you again, Commander?"

"You clown. When we're alone, I'll show you, that is if you're not otherwise committed." I blushed, realizing Iglis followed immediately behind me. "Iglis, this good looking Commander is an old dear friend, going back to Hephaestus."

"Only to you, Captain Reese… and Thalia." And his magical smile engulfed me. When we entered, the Admirals were already there. Bradshaw gave me a questioning look when Terril and the corporal accompanying me entered. Wattson waved to the sideboard, and I collected myself kaffa. I knew this was going to be a long session. Iglis declined.

Butler cleared his throat. "Commander Iglis, are you aware that ships going to Fool's Landing have disappeared?"

"Yes, sir. I just found out a couple of days ago. It's in the packet I sent you this morning."

"What about the JPU task force to Baraz?"

"No word yet, sir."

"Captain Reese, I assume you are aware of the situation?" He frowned slightly, then relaxed in what I thought might be resignation.

"Yes, sir."

"Well, what do you think is happening?"

<He expects me to know?>

<Saves thinking.>

<They have an entire organization dedicated to Intelligence.>

<Need more.> Laughter rippled through me.

<You're enjoying this.>

<Why not?>

"Sir, we can rule out all the normal explanations—mercenaries, disease, natural disasters, or a power grab by the local government, JPU, or UFN."

"Why, Captain Reese?" Wattson said, and a slight smile touched his lips as he steepled his hands, fingers touching his lips.

<They do this to me all the time.>

<Could say not know.> Image of a mummy.

"Because none of those scenarios explain what is happening."

"I agree. What do you think is happening?" Wattson pressed.

<Interesting. Wattson had deduced the same thing, yet Butler didn't seem to.>

<Yes.> Image of Butler with horse blinders on. I sat there silent not sure what I should say or not say. No one prompted me to speak. They seemed willing to wait me out.

"We're being invaded," I blurted in a whisper, surprising myself. I had to assume my mind had been mulling over the situation and finally decided that was the most likely possibility.

"What!" Butler shouted.

<Who?> Danu, Zann Riss, questioned Thalia, who didn't respond since I didn't know.

"Yes, that is a reasonable conjecture, Reese. We're all too busy trying to force a scenario we understand to fit what is happening. And like you said, they don't fit."

"Who?" Butler said. I don't know if he expected me to know or it was a knee jerk reaction.

"Whoever they are, they've never been here before."

"Why." Butler sputtered.

"Because the planets are in two systems and next to each other, like they are searching for inhabitable planets. But soon they will find the information they need to map the SAS, JPU, and UFN."

Silence followed my remark.

<I'm scaring myself.>

<Now have right worry.> Image of a Gorillai blushing.

"Bradshaw, send an urgent message to Admiral Plimson. We need a face-to-face meeting with his staff. I'd prefer the meeting be on Freeland. Urgent." Wattson said, looking at Sean. "And inform Captain Dannatt we’ll be staying a while. That will give Captain Reese time to come up with a solution." He laughed, then smiled. "In the meantime, Sean, I think I can do without you for a few days."

* * *

Bradshaw sat with me on the way back. We were both quiet, content to be together again. I hadn't seen him for over two years, and I missed him desperately. Although ironically, I could probably get him assigned to Freeland if I tried. But I feared that I couldn't do my job, and the Riss would suffer. They came first.

He sat occasionally looking at me from the corner of his eye as the silence became oppressive.

I sighed. Enough of that. "Well, Sean, what have you been doing since Eden," I asked, interested to know everything about him and his life, since I couldn't share it. He had been assigned the Naval Headquarters, at his request, while I was teaching at Hephaestus. It had been a glorious year and a half.

"After you left, I got assigned to the Shirka in charge of Communications, after that ECM officer on the Borea and then Weapons officer on the Buteos during the battle of Freeland. I was wounded and returned to Eden right after the cease fire." He paused when I pointed out the window as we approached the Mnemosyne.

"I didn't believe it, but Admiral Wattson was right—it's ugly." Sean had leaned across me and had his face plastered to the window. I could feel his warmth through the uniform and felt like tearing it off. I might have if we had been alone. The very reason I hadn't attempted to have him reassigned—he would be too much of a distraction. To my disappointment, he straightened up. "I'm due for reassignment and have been promised an XO slot on some cruiser. You don't happen to know someone who needs one?"

We docked before I could answer. I spent the next hour giving him a quick tour of the Mnemosyne. All he could do was keep muttering unbelievable. Finally, we arrived at my cabin. I pushed him in, Terril snorted, and locked the door. The next thirty-six hours were spent making love, taking short naps, and having an occasional quick meal.

"This has been worth a two year wait, but I need a rest." He laughed. "Why don't you give me a real tour of the Mnemosyne?"

"All right.” I couldn’t help smirking. “But I was just trying to get you ready for the responsibilities of an XO. It takes a man with stamina." I giggled, and it felt good to feel like a young girl again with no responsibilities. When we exited the cabin, Terril and another Scorpion stood outside.

"Terril, I'd like you to meet Commander Bradshaw. Sean this is Gunny Terril, my keeper and friend.”

"Pleased to meet you, Commander."

"I noticed you in the conference room… yesterday. You're apparently allowed to follow the Captain anywhere?"

"Yes, sir. I have a letter from Admiral Plimson authorizing an unspecified number of Scorpions to follow her anywhere, including the Bridge and meetings with Admirals. We are authorized to shoot anyone we think doesn't like her. Obviously, you don't qualify, Commander," Terril said while maintaining a stoic expression.

"Keep her safe, Gunny. She's special," he said and to my surprise gave me a kiss on the cheek. I wished he could stay, but I knew he couldn't.

"We will. Scorpions are good shots."

This time I gave Sean a real tour of the Mnemosyne: the Scorpions and Sharks area, where he was given a personal tour, the recreational area on the third level, and many hours on the Bridge discussing the new missiles and the differences between the Riss and SAS operations.

* * *

I was out of the fresher watching Sean drink his kaffa when Iglis called.

"Captain Reese, Ba'Tasuo returned early this morning. I've debriefed him and notified Admiral Butler. He informed me, Admiral Plimson is scheduled to arrive in two days, and we’ll be expected to meet with him and his staff as soon as he arrives."

"I'll be right down, Iglis. Please authorize Commander Bradshaw access. I'm bringing him along," I said and heard a noise much like a snicker in the background.

"Yes, Captain. I'm sure he'll be helpful." She cut the connection before I could respond. When we arrived, security was thorough identifying Bradshaw before we were allowed to proceed. Iglis met us at the door and led us to her conference room.

"Ba'Tasuo said the JPU sent three Lights and one Heavy to Baraz. That was twelve days ago. It's only two days travel to Baraz. When he left four days ago, there had been no word from the task force. The Papak Sector is on alert and the sector government is having an emergency meeting on Zhuben. They hadn't reached a decision by the time he left. They were considering quarantining Baraz and Alborz." Iglis looked up from her notes. "What do you think, Captain?"

"It won't work. Besides, it's too late." I shrugged. "Sean, let's go. I'll give you a tour of Freeland."

"You can't! Not at a time like this," Iglis shouted.

"She's right, Nadya," Sean said.

"Come." I grabbed his arm and steered him into the hallway. "There is nothing Iglis, you, or I can do today. Plimson and his staff will decide what the SAS will do, not us. Until then, there is nothing to do but worry, and Thalia doesn't like me worrying."

Bradshaw followed me, like a man in a trance, back to my room. While I changed uniforms, I contacted Alena who was several meters away on the Bridge.

<Alena, have r-Galene contact Da'Maass. I'd like to meet with him on the Eirene as soon as he can. Give the watch to r-Hebe. Contact r-Pholbe and have my shuttle prepared to leave. Sean and I will meet you there in ten minutes.> When Sean saw me dressing, he shrugged and changed uniform.

When we arrived in the hanger, Alena was there and the shuttle ready to go. Ten minutes later, we were exiting the shuttle in the Eirene's shuttle bay. Surprisingly, Da'Maass was waiting.

"Dybbuk, to what do I owe for your presence. And who is this?" He turned towards Sean and blinked several times before he stuck out his hand.

"This is Commander Bradshaw, Sean this is Da'Maass the project manager for the Riss cruisers. An excellent one I may add." I nodded to him. "Da'Maass, is the Eirene operationally ready?"

Da'Maass gave me a strange look before answering. No wonder, I liked him and was usually more relaxed and easy going.

"Yes, Captain Reese. We have corrected the minor problems we had on the shakedown cruise last week. And have just finished loading the missiles."

"Alena, as of this minutes, you have resigned your commission in the SAS Navy and have been returned to the Riss, since this is a Riss Nation ship. You're to assume command of the Eirene effective immediately. Contact Colonel Seng, Commanders Byer, Iglis, and Doctor Dayton. They are to expedite loading the assigned personnel onto the Eirene. Contact me when the Eirene is operationally ready."

"… Yes, Leader."

<The Riss are depending upon us, Riss-humans, to lead them to the stars. We have no choice but to be ready when the opportunity presents itself. For you, that is today. Believe in yourself and the Riss.>

<Yes, Leader.> With that, Alena turned and headed for the Bridge.

"Well, Da'Maass, how long before … Minerva is finished?" For the first time I saw him speechless. I took pity on him. "An estimate, my friend. The need is great."

"With a Captain like you and me as XO, we could rule the universe." He laughed ruefully. "We have already begun preparations and have the experience of building two, so maybe six months to first trials."

"I trust your judgment, Da'Maass. You're a seasoned Captain and understand there is no substitute for quality in a battle. Do what you can."

"Then the Minerva will begin her life sooner, dybbuk." He gave a small bow and walked away already busy on his handheld.

"This wasn't a sightseeing trip, was it?"

"I know this quiet little town, on Freeland, where there are snowcapped mountains and the Riss run free. And there are quaint hotels and restaurants." I laughed dragging him towards the shuttle.

We spent the next two days at Snowtop. There was no talk of wars, navy, careers, or futures. We spent some time with the Riss in the backcountry, eating at restaurants, talking with the residents, and hours of glorious lovemaking. Our alternative reality ended the morning of the second day, when I was notified the meeting with Plimson and his staff would convene at nine hundred hours. I had the shuttle take Sean back to the Golden Eagle and me back to the Mnemosyne. We both needed to get ready for the meeting. Back on the Mnemosyne, I waved Terril into my room as I prepared for the meeting.

"You have everyone excited with your order to begin transferring people to the Eirene." Terril dropped into my reading chair.

"You did say you were bored, and I owed you," I said as I prepared to cleanup.

"I'd expected something a little less exciting." She smiled but her eyes didn't. "You're expecting a war. A rather large war, aren't you?"

"I think some nation has wandered into our space. Whether they are friendly or war-like, I don't know. But they are at least as technologically advanced as us, and there has to be a lot of them."

"I'm glad I'm guarding you. Otherwise, I'd have to rely on rumors as to what the Admirals were doing." She laughed.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Needing more information

Iglis and I arrived seconds before Plimson and his staff. Pavao was already there with a cup of kaffa. Plimson strode in and waved everyone to his or her seat. He did the introductions, naming each individual and their position: Vice Admirals, Stenberg (Fighters), Wattson (War college), Butler (Intelligence), Patterson (Personnel), Vaneck (Medical), Willars (Logistics), Zann (Riss consultant), and Major General Garret (Commandos).

"I'm not sure why Patterson, Willars, or I are here," Vaneck said, while looking around the room. "We are unlikely to be helpful in deciding what action to take."

"Your thoughts will be appreciated, but that's not the reason. I want each of you at this table to prepare a plan for total war with another nation equivalent to or larger than the SAS," Plimson said, looking around the table. Stares of disbelief greeted him. "Each of you owns a piece of the whole and is the best judge of that piece. Therefore, I want you to be part of this discussion so that you’ll understand how you fit into the strategy." He turned towards Butler and nodded.

"I've talked with Commander Iglis, my intelligence chief on Freeland, and her latest information indicates the JPU sent a task force of three Lights and one Heavy to Baraz to investigate the situation. They haven't been heard from since." Butler had no sooner finished than side conversations began around the room. After a minute, Plimson rapped a spoon against his glass of water and the room quieted. He nodded to Wattson, who ran the War College, Camalus, and was the SAS's top military strategist.

"Captain Reese has conjectured that we are being invaded by an Alien nation—someone other than the JPU or UFN. I concur. That is the only scenario that fits what we know today, and we believe our intelligence is reliable. The lack of word from Fools Landing lends support to that explanation. This meeting is to decide how we should proceed." Wattson looked to me and smiled. "For example, judging by the recent activity, Captain Reese has activated the second Riss cruiser and notified Freeland that the schedule for the third Riss cruiser needs to be tightened."

I nodded.

<Smart man.>

<And observant.>

"Those are the kind of actions I expect from all of you when you get back. Try to do so in a manner that doesn't illicit panic. Maybe indicate there is unrest in the JPU, and you are just updating contingency plans," Wattson said.

"I agree. Now I'd like to get back to the problem at hand. How do we proceed?" Plimson looked around the table.

For the next two hours, multiple suggestions were discussed in detail and dismissed. The idea of sending a task force into Fools Landings, Wattson dismissed as foolish based on the JPU's action in Baraz. In fact, he rejected any idea that required entry into Fools Landing. The room lapsed into silence when do nothing was rejected as a solution.

"Sir," I said and waited recognition by someone. Wattson nodded.

“The clans may be able to help."

"How?"

"The Aliens seem to be occupying planets close to each other without regard to the empire. So, either they have acquired a star map of the empires, it's hit-or-miss, or they are allowing a ship to escape and following it to the next inhabitable planet. If they had a star map of the empires, it would make more sense to attack the major military installations. Hit-or-miss would seem odd for a technically advanced force. If it's the latter, one of the merchants may know the most logical planet ships from Fools Landing are likely to visit. In that event, we could be waiting for whomever follows the ship."

"What if it’s a large task force?" Stenberg asked.

"It's unlikely to be a task force, more likely a scout to acquire information about the planet so that they can send an appropriate force," Wattson answered. "I like Reese's proposal."

"Sir," I said looking at Plimson. “Can you get me a line to the Eirene?"

He opened his SID. " Fredrick, open a line for Captain Reese to the Eirene."

A few minutes later Alena's face appeared on my SID.

"Yes, Leader?"

"Alena, contact Ni'Shay. Tell him I would appreciate it if he would at his convenience determine if any of the merchants would know anything about Fools Landing. Specifically, which planets ships leaving there would be most likely to visit? If so, we'd like to talk with them when they are available. Let me know when Ni'Shay responds."

"Yes, Leader," Alena said and disconnected.

"That's ridiculous, Reese. They aren't our friends. They're prisoners. They don't do things at their convenience. They do things at our convenience!" Willars shouted pointing a finger at me. "They've killed and kidnapped thousands of our citizens."

"Excuse me, sir," Pavao said before he could continue. "I felt the same way when I arrived at Freeland and heard Reese and her people. But don't confuse polite with soft. Her security is top notch. If she treated the clans as prisoners rather than on parole and had ordered Ni'Shay to do what she asked, he'd have complied. In that case, I'd bet we would be lucky to get a response within a day or two. I'll wager she'll get a response within two hours and have someone here within four. She has their respect and trust."

"Sir," Iglis said, "It’s true. I've followed her example. Rather than going onto the merchant's ship with guards and drill him on some standard set of question and request specific records, I go alone. The Captain provides lunch and usually some food I've never tasted or some kaffa I enjoy. We sit and talk for hours. He tells me everything I would have asked plus a hundred other things. He has all his records ready for me to take back to my office and inspect. I wouldn't have a quarter of the intelligence I have today without their unconditional cooperation. I wouldn't get that kind of cooperation from the SAS."

"Sir, I'm a Riss-human—I reside in two worlds. As a human and SAS officer, it is my responsibility to enforce the Treaty and make sure the clans remain unable to make war. As a Riss, I do not wish revenge for the past, only to see them at peace with humanity. That is the Riss way."

"Enough. Reese's Riss way is unorthodox at times, but they produce results without compromising the SAS. And there might be something to be said for turning enemies into allies." Plimson paused, and looked at his SID. "Yes, transfer the call, Commander."

"Yes, Alena?" I said as her face appeared on my SID.

"Boris and Ivan La'Vali have information about Fools Landing and the other planets in the area. They’re here on the Eirene. What do you want me to do?"

"Send them up," Wattson said.

"Send them up, Alena. Thank Elder Ni'Shay for me."

"I was an hour off," Pavao said to no one in particular.

* * *

Plimson called for a break while we waited on the La'Vali brothers to arrive. When they did, I thanked them for coming. After that, everyone seemed to take that as a queue and the talk became casual. After a while, the brothers loosened up and we learned a lot about the planet and its environment. Apparently, a lot of mercenaries used the planet for smuggling operations out of Baraz and Alborz. Their first stop was Kamboja, which was a distribution point into the SAS. The colony was affluent and its families had good connections throughout the SAS. After they left, Patterson laughed.

"Reese, that was amazing. I understand why so many hate you and so many want to sail on any ship you're on. Iglis was right. Once they relaxed, there was no attempt to avoid any question, and their responses went well beyond our specific question."

"What now? Wattson?" Plimson asked, implicitly turning the discussion over to him.

<You know the answer.>

<No.>

<The price of the Stars.>

<The ship is mostly Riss.>

<Who better meet Aliens?> Image of a Riss shaking hands with an octopus.

"Sir, you could send the Mnemosyne. Thalia seems to think it might be fun," I said, reluctantly.

"Thalia?" Vaneck asked.

"Her Riss," Zann said. Being a Riss-human, she had the same concerns as me, but wouldn't question me as the Riss had named me Leader.

"I thought you said they didn't like killing?" Vaneck asked.

"They hate killing. No Riss has ever killed another Riss in the last thousand years. They kill only as a last resort to defend themselves, and to support the SAS defend itself. She thinks it would be fun to meet Aliens. Of course, I named her Thalia, the goddess of humor, because she thinks everything is fun."

"Yes, I like that idea. The Mnemosyne is probably our best ship with its stealth capability and new missiles, and Alien meeting Alien may prove beneficial," Wattson said.

"Sir," Pavao said. "Our missile conversion is almost complete. Reese could be positioned near the exit point from the Wave, and I could stay closer to the planet as backup."

"Who would command the task force," Wattson asked. I wasn't sure what he was after. He knew Pavao outranked me.

"Independent command per the MSA. Her as Riss, making the initial contact, and me as SAS backup."

The conversations went on through the early morning hours, but they mostly concerned logistics, timing, contingencies, etc. Admiral Wattson would remain on site as the senior station officer, of course his real function would be to make decisions based on what happened at Kamboja. Plimson and the rest of the staff would return to Eden.

* * *

I spent the next week alternating between the Mnemosyne, Bobcat, and Freeland. On the Bobcat, I worked with Pavao checking the modification to its missile delivery system to ensure it was operational. On Freeland, I coordinated with Da'Maass to ensure they produced sufficient missiles for both cruisers. He managed to get the factory working day and night. And on the Mnemosyne, I coordinated with the section chiefs to ensure each was operationally ready. Admiral Wattson followed me everywhere I went, along with my two guards.

"You're making me old before my time, Reese. How do you do it?"

"It's a drug call Thalia. She is capable of controlling my neurological system and producing the chemicals I need. In this case, to keep me alert and rested. Of course, it has a price and I'll pay later."

"You have a very unorthodox way of command. Is that by design?"

"It's called inexperience," I quipped. He laughed long and hard.

"We rely on experience to produce the best officers. And those we send to the War College to learn how to respond in a battle, yet based on your record, you've done well without both."

"It's called luck," I said. He didn't laugh this time.

"No one would discount luck, but I doubt that explains it all."

"You're right. The Riss is definitely a factor."

* * *

Eight days later, Wattson invited Pavao, Corbitt, Gabisi, Alena, and me to dinner on the Golden Eagle. To my surprise, he had also invited Da'Maass and Ni'Shay.

"Tomorrow Captains Pavao and Reese leave for Kamboja and an unknown future. I wish I could go along, but I can't. However, I'll expect a critique when you get back." He smiled. "We owe Da'Maass and Elder Ni'Shay for their efforts. We would not have been as well prepared without them and the people of Freeland. Based on what I've seen, I sincerely hope Freeland becomes a SAS depot and repair facility—as no doubt your dybbuk intended from the beginning," Wattson said as we sat around the dinner table.

"Yes, she forced us to consider our future. We had been focused on being prisoners," Ni'Shay said, while examining the glass in his hand. "She is truly our dybbuk—our destruction and our rebirth,
like the Phoenix."

"I understand." He turned towards Corbitt. "Although I will officially be the senior station officer on Freeland, I expect you, Captain Corbitt, to be responsible for incoming and outgoing security, and Captain Alena to be responsible for the activities on Freeland. Any questions?"

There were none. For the rest of the evening there was no talk about the mission, and the discussion turned to life on Freeland and the Riss. I decided I liked Wattson and got a glimpse into his brilliant mind.

CHAPTER TWENTY

Alien scout at Kamboja

"Well, Nadya, what do you suggest," Pavao asked over a tight-beam connection, as we approached the entrance to the Wave.

"Let me go in first, you follow thirty minutes later. The Mnemosyne is far stealthier than the Bobcat, and it will give me time to assess the situation before you arrive."

"Good luck. See you at Kamboja."

The trip took three days but felt like a month, as my imagination ran wild. I visited each section at least once. Everyone seemed to be having the same feelings, except Thalia.

<Exciting.>

<Prefer boring.>

<Maybe meet Riss cousins.> An evil grin.

<Maybe hunters like humans.>

<Worry too much.>

<Hopefully.>

We slipped into Fools Landing with four engines at half power, the minimum power necessary to leave the Wave, and all detection systems passive.

<Nothing, Leader.> Jaelle sent, although unnecessary as I could hear the responses from each station as she checked with them and could see the monitors overhead. I had appointed Jaelle as the XO, mostly redundant in a Riss ship as everyone was equal and, therefore, anyone could stand Watch or assume another position. But, she needed the experience of command. I felt strongly that while the Riss were competent—more than competent—they didn't have that same reflexive aggressiveness of humans that would be required in battle. Riss-humans were, after all, still human. That presented a potential problem over time.

<Am I wrong?>

<No, sister. Riss understand. You Leader.>

<That's your answer for everything. >

<Good answer.> Laughter, making it impossible to take it personal. All joking aside, it was a good answer. I had the position of Leader whether I wanted it or not, therefore, it was my responsibility—like it or not.

<What if the pilot got sick? Wouldn't the copilot take over?>

<No. Still learning.> Image of an old fashioned bi-plane rolling and jerking around and almost colliding with buildings and trees while trying to land.

<You clown.>

<Yes.>

By the time the Bobcat exited the wave, we still hadn't detected anything suspicious. One merchant ship had entered the space but no one had been tailing it. But what was suspicious? We didn't really know what the enemy looked like or what kind of technology they had—or whether it really was an invasion. I had a raging headache.

<Send everything quiet to the Bobcat.> I would be heard by everyone on the Bridge but be acted upon by r-Galene who was currently at the Comm position.

<Bobcat acknowledges. Proceeding to take up position closer to Fools Landing as agreed.>

<Jaelle. You have the Watch.>

<I have the Watch.> Jaelle sent, somewhat nervously. She had been co-XO under Pavao for several months, which of course was precious little experience. Hopefully, she would grow into the position in time to assume command of the Minerva. But who would be her XO and who would be mine? Elissa was already training under Alena. Petar might be all right, with training, but I doubted Damion would ever be suitable for command. And a fourth Riss cruiser would eventually—within two years or less—be commissioned. My raging headache doubled, until Thalia took pity on me, and it began to ease.

<My head too.> I felt her grin.

I made my way down the extra-large steps, which turned out to be an advantage when a person, human or Riss, was in a hurry, and I turned in the direction of the Sharks area. There were five in each bay. I had received a replacement from the Golden Eagle for the one in R&D. When I reached Byer's office, the door was open. He began to rise until I waved for him to remain seated.

"Good morning, Commander, how do you like your new area?"

"Good morning, Captain … or should it be leader?"

"Commander, life is complicated enough without changing the rules. Consider me an SAS officer and all the normal rules and traditions apply."

<Although I rather abandon them.>

<Confuse humans.>

<Agree.>

"I can't really complain since I helped design them." He grinned. "They are more than adequate. Come with me. Knowing you, you'll want to visit with the men and women, and I like the idea of them getting to know you." He rose and I followed him out the office and into the Bay designated S2. I spend an enjoyable several hours talking with the pilots and mechanics, which I have an affinity, having been the Shuttle Maintenance officer on the Peregrine. We spent time discussing the current mission and the new features of the Sharks, which were an upgrade to the older Strikers the Light cruisers currently carried.

Afterward, I made my way down to the Scorpions area. There I found Seng and Terril watching several troops firing at moving targets, with electronic guns—their equivalent of the tactical simulators for the Weapons and ECM officers.

"Captain Reese, welcome to the new and improved Scorpion area." He straightened only slightly, as he was used to me being in his area. Terril smiled.

"Are you bored, Captain? I could arrange some excitement."

"I'm saving myself for the Aliens. I hope but doubt they are the bring-home-to-mother types."

"Gunny's bored, Captain. She's having trouble finding fault with the fifty she picked for the Mnemosyne. Probably because they are the best of the best Scorpions."

"Normally, I'd like to avoid a battle, but in this case I'd like to see our adversary. I have a feeling this is a foreign navy, not forty or fifty ships."

"Cheery thought. That maybe more excitement than even Scorpions want. But I guess that's the price of sailing with the notorious Captain Reese." Terril snorted.

"And you volunteered."

"I understand the troops are allowed on level three. Are there any restrictions?"

"No, Colonel Seng, other than the ones you impose." Seng walked me around the area, stopping to talk with the Scorpions. Like the Shark personnel, everyone seems happy to be on the Mnemosyne, and I had the feeling they felt a sense of pride at being the first. I decided I should visit the medical unit. I had nothing else to do, and it took my mind off the upcoming confrontation.

Doctor Dayton looked up from the Regen unit she was examining with a young nurse, when she saw me standing in the entrance. "Captain, I've been expecting you to visit our facility. You've a reputation as a very involved person," Dayton said as she stuck out her hand. "How's your fun loving Thalia doing?"

"Still the same. She finds everything amusing, even when we're tied up in a shuttle rocketing into space with no emergency beacon or functioning engine for someone to locate us."

"I'll bet that's an interesting story. Would you like a tour of our facilities?"

"Yes, and you'll need to work with the Riss to determine which equipment is safe to use on them and which may not."

"I understand from Doctor Echart that you seriously restricted the drugs and equipment he could use to treat you. Will that be true for the Riss?"

"I doubt it, but that is your area of expertise. The restrictions on me are because Thalia is attached to my nervous system. She can, therefore, control many of my functions and facilitate my recovery. Some drugs would preclude her helping me. As for your medical equipment, we believe some would permanently detach her from me. Mentally, that would kill me." The naked truth.

Dayton stood there appraising me for a long time. She was a tall woman with a long thin face and penetrating blue eyes. We had first met at Hephaestus when I had asked if she could make a tattoo like my Rh and remove it. She had assumed I had meant on my face, whereas, I had meant it for the students of Commander Weller's People Dynamics class to demonstrate prejudices against people who are different—like the Riss-humans.

"I can understand that. After we met at Hephaestus, I became fascinated with you and Thalia, and did some research on the Riss. They are remarkable. It's one of the reasons I volunteered for this assignment."

"I’ll make sure you have free access to the Riss for as much time as you need." The facility looked modern and up to date. Plimson had seen to it that we had the latest equipment as we were probably headed for a major battle. "Did you consider the consequence of being on a ship headed for war?"

"I've been there, Nadya. Thalia is a good role model. She isn't afraid of life. Following her lead, this is where I want to be."

<Smart lady.>

"Thalia said you're a smart lady. Of course, that's because you agree with her." I couldn't help but smile. "Maybe living over two hundred years gives her an insight we don't have."

"Two hundred! How long do they live?" Dayton looked to be ready to run and grab the first Riss she could find and begin work.

"Four to five hundred or so."

"And you?" Now she looked ready to dissect me.

"Yet to be determined. As long as she can keep this body alive. Maybe more or maybe less than a Gorillai."

"Nadya, I need time with you, please." She sounded like I did at nine, asking to take apart one of my uncle's electronic gadgets.

"Of course. Both Jaelle and I will make time when we aren't on duty."

After a comprehensive tour of the facility and a discussion of what Doctor Echart and I had determined when we were on the same ship. Afterward, I returned to the Bridge.

<Leader.> There was no need to announce me as everyone would hear Jaelle's greeting. I brought her up to date on where I had been and the discussions I'd had and encouraged her to go do the same. She needed to feel like the XO and others to see her in that light. I had no doubt Jaelle would do well. All she needed was time and experience.

* * *

<Leader. Ship left Wave. Signature merchant vessel.> Then several minutes later.

<Leader. Second ship left Wave. Unknown signature. Military grade engines. No weapons showing.>

<XO. Follow in stealth mode.>

<Nav. Parallel course.>

<Helm, Engines 1 and 4.>

<All systems passive.>

For the next six hours we followed the Alien spaceship, designated A1, as it decelerated to a stop. There it remained stationary and silent for the next twenty-four hours.

<Leader. What do you think it's doing?> Jaelle asked.

<Collecting information. Population, type and number of ships, defenses, electronic transmissions, etc.>

<Nav. Location of A1?>

<23.521, 8h 41m 32s, 2.11au> The VTM displayed the relative positions of the planet, A1, Bobcat and the Mnemosyne.

<Comm. Tight-beam A1's location to Bobcat.>

<Second contact.> Thalia sent an image of octopus extending hands to Pavao.

<Who was the first?>

<You.> Image of me extending hand to Riss.

<Remember humans hunted you first.>

<Not perfect.>

The Bobcat lit up and her systems went active. I don't know what message Pavao sent to A1, but its engines came online and it began accelerating at close to five gravities towards the entrance to the Wave heading back to Fools Landing.

<Battle Stations. Silent running.>

Red lights flashed alerting personnel to Battle Stations but all systems to remain in passive mode. The alarm-speakers would have signaled Battle Station with all systems hot. Within two minutes, A1 was approaching four hundred gravities and showing no signs of slowing, with the Bobcat slowly falling behind. I had positioned the Mnemosyne between the planet and the entrance to the Wave, anticipating it would be the logical line of retreat.

<Tac. Launch one duster to detonate four light-seconds in front of A1's current position.>

<Dusters launched. Time to target area ninety seconds.>

"Commander Byer. Prepare to launch Sharks in ninety seconds." The duster would cover the Sharks launch and initial approach.

<Nav. Vector to Duster's detonation point.>

<One-zero-six by two-two-one.>

"Byer, launch on my command. Intercept vector one-zero-six by two-two-one. Disable unless under fire."

"Launch on your command. Vector one-zero-six by two-two-one. Disable if safe."

"Good hunting," I clicked off and smiled mentally. The sound of words seem to induce stress; whereas, the absence of words produced a silence that was relaxing, even during times like this.

<Dusters detonated.>

"Launch Sharks."

"Sharks away, time to rendezvous, one hundred two seconds."

Based on the estimated acceleration of A1, the Sharks should be in place at least thirty seconds before A1 cleared the Duster's cloud of chaff and phosphorus material.

<Helm, half power all engines>

"Colonel Seng, prepare your boarding shuttles for launch."

"Boarding teams ready."

The seconds passed slowly as the Mnemosyne, Bobcat, Sharks, and A1 headed for a historic collision with unknown ramifications. Watching the VTM was of little value, since the Duster's debris was obscuring A1 and the tailing Bobcat. Finally, A1 broke through the debris and the fighters descended on it like a hive of angry bees.

<Comm. Put Byer on monitor eight. Seng on monitor nine.>

"Captain, we've made contact. A1 has fired no missiles, but the Sharks are encountering heavy, ship-killing laser fire. Their tracking systems are extremely effective. We've lost two fighters, and two have damage. I've ordered Random Destroy."

The engagement rules had gone from "Caution" (approach with caution and fire only if fired upon) to "Random Disable" (Independent action—attempt to disable) to "Random Destroy" (Independent action—attempt to destroy).

"Captain, Commander Williamson reports A1 disabled. All systems down."

"Colonel Seng, launch your boarding teams."

"Boarding shuttles, launched. Time to A1, two minutes."

I, along with every human, Riss-human, and Riss, held my breath, waiting to find out what the Aliens looked like. Were they long lost humans, parasites like the Riss, or something entirely different? Were they basically aggressive like humans, gentle like the Riss, or psychopaths without feelings? Did they believe in a God or Gods, if so, were they fanatics, or were they atheists?

"Captain, Gunny reports the ship has only robots. Nothing organic."

* * *

Later that evening, I held a debriefing in my conference room with Captain Pavao, Commander Byer, Colonel Seng, Commander Iglis, Jaelle, and Master Gunnery Sergeant Terril.

"Byer?"

"We lost two fighters. They launched no missiles as we approached, so we assumed, fatally, they would surrender. Then they opened fire with fifty-centimeter lasers. And they were deadly accurate. We were lucky to have lost only two and have two damaged. One of the pilots in the damaged fighter was seriously injured. The other had minor injuries. Whatever we hit, it shut down their power plant." He looked to Seng.

"That proved very fortunate for us. Gunny?" He nodded to Terril.

"The corridors were lined with lasers activated by heat sensing detectors. Since the power failed, the lasers didn't work. If they had, any warm-blooded animal would’ve been a target. Something we would not have expected. But since there were only robots on the ship, it was an excellent strategy. We found twenty robots. Each shut down without resistant when they saw us. By the smell, I suspect they destroyed their circuit boards."

"Pavao?"

"I sent the ridiculous message someone devised years ago for first contact with Aliens," Pavao said, shaking her head.

<We never got it.>

<Clown.>

"When we did, A1 took off. Since they didn't fire on us, we held our fire and took chase. But their acceleration was greater than ours, and we fell behind. By the time we were in a position to help, the fighting was over."

"Whoever or whatever the Aliens are, they are technologically more advanced than us," I said, thinking out loud.

"Why? Because they have robots?" Byer asked. A few heads nodded.

"Because they could send robots to follow a ship through the Wave, collect the information they needed for an attack, and find their way back. That implies robots with human-like intelligence. We have machines run by artificial intelligence, but they aren't capable of independent decision making to that degree. Pavao, do you think these were semi-stupid robots?"

"No. I tend to agree. Since you found nothing but robots, they were controlling the spacecraft and the mission. We may be capable of reproducing them in time but not today nor in the near future." She sat quietly before speaking again. "I think we were very lucky. Somehow we disabled the robots ability to detonate explosives to destroy the ship."

"Why?" Seng asked.

"I think they had a three phase defense. First military grade lasers to defend against fighters and warships. The absence of missiles would encourage most Captains to approach the ship. Second, they had internal lasers to kill intruders and boarding parties. And, finally, a switch to leave nothing of value behind."

"I agree. I doubt they will send any more scout ships here, and if they do, it will not be soon, since they don't know where it went. When it doesn't return, they’ll probably release another merchant, but there’s no guarantee it will come here. I think we should take A1 back to Freeland for a detailed inspection. The Mnemosyne's tractors aren't powerful enough to tow A1 but the Bobcat's are."

"I agree, but I think we should put a team on board to begin looking for such a switch or the possibility there is a tracking device that can be used to locate it," Pavao said.

"You're right. Either of those scenarios would be appropriate for an invading force." I looked around the table. "Let’s put together a team to ride on A1 during our return trip. Iglis, send over some of your computer folks to look at the robots and systems. Pavao, navy types to examine the ship's components."

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Decisions

<Leader, Captain Corbitt>

<Put him on the speaker.>

"Welcome back, Captain Reese. Admiral Wattson sends his regards and would like a debriefing at your convenience," he said. I could visualize the smile on his face. At my convenience meant immediately, if not a whole lot sooner.

"Inform Admiral Wattson, we should be in orbit with the Golden Eagle within eight hours. If he doesn't mind, I'd like you, Captain Gabisi, and Alena to attend in addition to Captain Pavao, and Commander Iglis."

"I'll relay the message. Corbitt out."

<Comm. Get me a line to the Bobcat.>

<Leader, Captain Pavao is on the line.>

"Pavao, Admiral Wattson has requested our presence, at our convenience," I said, imagining her smile.

"I'll get Martin and Iglis out of A1 and send her over to the Mnemosyne. They will need to get cleaned up after four days cooped up in A1. From the preliminary discussions I've had with them, it should be an interesting meeting."

* * *

Terril and I were quiet on the way to the Golden Eagle. We had found something, but what? And what next? A Lt. Commander met us in the shuttle bay when we exited. We were halfway to the conference room before I realized it was Bradshaw. I stopped so abruptly that Sean was several steps ahead before he realized I had stopped.

"I'm sorry, Sean. I'm afraid we've returned with more questions than answers, and it has my mind spinning." Things were bad when the sight of him didn't send a tingling sensation rippling through me.

"I think everyone is distracted. I know Admiral Wattson hasn't been able to settle down since you left. He would have loved to have gone with you but knew his duty was here." He opened the door and Iglis, my detail and I entered. It seemed I was the last to arrive. Wattson sat sipping a glass of wine.

"Sorry—" I started, feeling my face heat up.

"Sit, Reese. Normally, I'd give you a day to rest and get organized, but, besides being impatient to hear what happened, I think the situation requires some urgency. I'm not looking for solutions today, just to understand what we know and don't know." He looked around the table as if evaluating each of us. "Why don't you start, Reese."

"When we entered Kamboja we found nothing out of place … " I described our positions the entry of the merchant, the unidentified ship that followed it, the subsequent chase, and the disabling of the Alien's ship. Pavao described sending the prepared message to A1 and how the ship had outrun the Bobcat. Byer described the encounter with A1 and Seng the boarding action.

"What have you found on A1, Commander Iglis?" Wattson asked, when they had finished.

"There were no controls for organic beings. Although our first impression was that the entire craft was automated, we've since come to the conclusion that the robots operated the equipment." Iglis shrugged, and took a sip of water. "I have nothing to prove that feeling, and I think it's going to take months, if not longer, to be certain one way or the other. The computer language is like nothing my people have ever seen before, more like the Symath symbols the Riss use. And the robots, in a sense, committed suicide—they destroyed their memory boards."

Wattson nodded thoughtfully. "Chief Martin?"

"We were lucky, sir, The ship had no missiles but was equipped with fifty-centimeter lasers. As Commander Byer has attested, they are nasty weapons if you get close. Internally, the hallways and rooms were all equipped with heat sensing lasers. Anything that generated body heat would have activated them. And there was a switch to cause the engines to overheat and destroy the ship. The Sharks struck the power unit in a way that shut down the engines. That deactivated the fifty-centimeter lasers, the internal lasers, and the ship's destruction method. It's going to take time to take it apart, but I can tell it's an Alien craft by the metal composition and the power system."

Wattson laughed, much to everyone's surprise. "Sorry, I'd like to know what the officers passing through the War College would have made of this problem. Today, we spend our time making up conventional problems we can understand." He closed his eyes for several minutes. "We have discovered some tantalizing clues:

They are more advanced than us judging by their ability to send robots to independently collect information.

They are extremely cautious, judging by their defensive measures.

They are locating inhabitable planets by following ships from one planet to another.

They shut down any planet they occupy.

And we now know what their scout ships look like.

If we were at the War College, the question would be, knowing what we know now, what is our logical course of action?" He laughed. "That’s your homework assignment."

You could hear people breathing—the ones not holding their breath—the room was so quiet. Even Wattson sat with his eyes closed. Eventually, he opened them and looked towards me and Pavao, who was sitting next to me. "I leave it to you and Pavao to decide the best way to securely dismantle A1. It may be years before we learn anything, but we need to try anyway." He stood and exited the room. After a few minutes, everyone rose and began leaving.

"Pavao, Iglis, please stay." When they sat again, I motioned to Terril to close the door. "I would like to let Da'Maass and his people assist us in dismantling A1—"

"Captain, that's a top secret ship. We can't let anyone else near it," Iglis said, rising out of her chair. I looked to Pavao, who frowned but said nothing.

"Iglis, that is not a top secret ship. It belongs to a nation that potentially threatens the SAS, Riss, and the clans. I agree with Wattson, but if there is something to be learned, we need the information as soon as we can get it. The clans have the facilities and equipment, and every reason to help. We can provide army security, navy, and Riss personnel to work alongside the clan's people."

"I agree," Pavao said. "Think about it. The clan could build a Riss cruiser, which is top secret. So what? Without the algorithms it would be nothing more than an ugly," Pavao smiled at me, "merchant ship. Reese is right. If there is anything to learn from A1, the faster we find it the better."

After a minute staring at her hands, Iglis looked up. "Sorry, Captain, I forgot to step back and take a deep breath."

* * *

The next day, the Bobcat towed A1 to the repair station. Iglis, the three Captains, and I met with Da'Maass. By the end of the afternoon, we had identified the navy, army, and clan personnel who would be assigned to examining A1 and established the protocol. Army personnel would guard all rooms with A1 equipment, Iglis's people would in addition to examining the computer systems, sign in and out all equipment moving from one room to another, and navy and clan personnel would dismantle and examine each piece of equipment. I presented the plan to Wattson the next day, and he blessed it.

Freeland was a beehive of activity for the next three months. The modifications continued to the Bobcat, Lynx, and Merlin. The modifications to the Shark proved successful and work began on modifying the eight on the Mnemosyne and the two replacements. The Minerva was moving along ahead of schedule, and the disassembly of A1 was going well, although little had been discovered, except the equipment was made to perfection. The software was still a mystery, although the Riss felt there were similarities to Symath. If so, they had a chance of decoding the algorithms.

Wattson took over my normal weekly meetings after we had returned from Kamboja . On day one, a meeting with Da'Maass to review the status of each of the clan's projects and in the evening a meeting with the elders. On day two, an afternoon conference on the Golden Eagle with Wattson, the three SAS Captains on station, Alena, Byer, Seng, Iglis, and me, and afterward, dinner.

Tonight the dinner ran late and everyone exhausted, although Wattson appeared energized by the activity.

"Well, has anyone figured out the answer to the homework assignment?" Wattson asked, smiling like a cat viewing eight delicious mice sitting at the table. Everyone became fascinated by his or her kaffa, wine, or water.

"No. But we need a SAS and Freeland protocol for when a scout ship shows up here and on another SAS inhabited system." I had been worrying about that for two weeks. The scout ships were the disease carriers. Stopping them wouldn't stop the disease forever, but it would slow it down and give us time. No one spoke. Wattson clapped his hands.

"Thank you, Reese." Wattson waved to a young Lieutenant who had arrived as we were finishing dinner. The young man look nervous, rightly so. Terril and the two other scorpions were watching his every move—like three mongooses and a snake. "Lieutenant Lacey is passing out your homework assignment for next week. In the packet are the facts I said we knew about the invaders. You may add more if you want. The question is what should the SAS and Freeland protocol be for an incoming scout ship? Part two, how would we would implement it."

* * *

As the captains began to leave for their shuttles, I pulled Pavao aside. "Nance, would you mind accompanying me back to the Mnemosyne? I'd like to talk to you, as a friend."

Pavao stared at me for a moment, then nodded. We each took our own shuttle back to the Mnemosyne.

"Walk with me to my office," I said, as she exited the shuttle. Pavao followed me without saying anything. At the office door, Terril seemed to sense my mood and stayed in the hallway when we entered the office. I waved Pavao to one of the padded chairs and sat in the other facing her.

<Am I right?>

<You Leader. Riss not question.>

<That wasn't the question.> I responded in frustration.

<That only answer.> No laughter. No tingling feeling of amusement.

"Damn it!" I banged the arm of the chair and immediately regretted it, as pain shot up my arm.

"What's wrong?" Her forehead wrinkled in concern.

"The SAS initially assumed the Riss all wanted to inhabit humans and leave their Gorillai hosts. That's why we have the Rh tattoos—fear. That assumption couldn't have been further from the truth. The Riss like their Gorillai host and didn't want to be locked away in a human body and mind. They felt we were barbarians, who had chaotic minds, and volunteered only to give the Riss an opportunity to prove they would make good allies."

"They've done that and have been recognized as allies," Pavao said, frowning. "So what's the problem?"

"Nance, the invaders are superior to us—"

"How do you know that?"

"Look at the facts. They can make robots capable of intelligent decisions on a par with humans. Those robots are an army of dispensable soldiers. So we kill a thousand robots. How many of us have to die to kill that thousand—"

"Are you saying the Riss shouldn't—"

"No, Nance. The Riss will stand with the SAS in defense of its people. What I'm saying is that the Riss ships are ready to fight the Aliens, but Alena, Jaelle, and Elissa aren't. They can command a Riss ship, but not to its potential." I closed my eyes and sat back exhausted. The room was so quiet I could hear my heart beating.

<Thalia, I'm tired.>

<Leader hard position. That why no one wants it.> Laughter washed over me, and I floated relaxed in it.

<Clown.>

<No. Thalia.>

"You're upset because you want to ask Riss to accept humans as hosts to Captain the Riss cruisers?"

"Yes and No. Yes, they have proven themselves and shouldn't have to give up their native host. But no, we can't just grab any human, willing or not, make them Riss-humans, and then make them Captains. Unless a person has known me and has been around the Riss for years, it won't work. This is not like putting chocolate in your kaffa. This is putting two intelligent beings into one body. One most people would consider an abomination or something to be feared. At a minimum, the right people would have to have extensive command and battle experience, know me and Thalia well, admire the Riss as a people, and want to participate." I stopped and stared at my kaffa. I had no choice. Alena might win against human opponents in conventional cruisers, but could she against intelligent Aliens?

"My god, Nadya, you're asking me!" She bolted out of the chair and stared at me. I stared back.

"Yes, and I'll understand if you don't even want to consider it. But I'm scared, for the Riss, SAS, and the human race. Everything we know says we're dealing with universe traveling conquerors with superior technology. Ironically, ignoring the reason for the offer, I'm offering you a precious gift—ask Alena, Jaelle, or Elissa."

Pavao continued to pace the room, occasionally stopping to stare in my direction.

"Damn you, Nadya. You are a dybbuk. You're in all our minds—the clans, Plimson, scorpions … " She sat with her head in her hands, mumbling, "damn you, damn you … "

There was nothing I could say, so I sat, mind numb, sipping my kaffa.

<I quit.>

<No other position available.> An image of fifty chairs with Gorillai in each one.

<Someone can have my seat, and I'll take hers.>

<Everyone likes her chair.>

<It's not fair.>

<Not news. My mother's mother told me that.> An images of a line of Gorillai stretching into the distance, each with an injury—a leg in a cast, a bandaged head, using crutches … Then a soothing, warm feeling spread through me, and I felt safe, loved.

<All right. I don't like it, but I don't want to give you or the Riss up.>

<Good. Miss fun.> It was true, I loved the Riss and wouldn't change the past if I could. I looked up to see Nance staring at me.

"I'm going back to the Bobcat and get drunk. I think that's what Plimson must do after a session with you. I now understand Plimson when he says you've given him a raging headache and another one of those I'm a fool or a genius decisions that depends on how it turns out. I might talk to you tomorrow. Good night, Captain Reese."

<What do you think.>

<Mind in turmoil.> Image of a transparent head with a mixture of tornados, a tsunami, and several erupting volcanoes.

<Mine or hers?>

* * *

Nothing much happened over the next week. The crews working on A1 hadn't made any significant discoveries. We had been lucky capturing A1. The disabling missile had blown several pieces of metal into the power plant and severed a power line to the ship—a one in a thousand chance. What was left of the robots circuit boards revealed they were one-third the size of ours, permitting everything to be smaller including the spaceship, which made it difficult to detect it following the merchant and when passively collecting planet data. The operational panels appeared to have built in redundancy, and it had one small engine in addition to the main one, apparently for changing positions and leaving the area without being noticed.

Work on the modifications to the Sharks, Bobcat, Lynx, and Merlin, and the assembly of the Eirene were on or ahead of schedule. Freeland was alive night and day with activity and had added two new facilities.

I wasn't too surprised that I hadn't heard from Pavao. I had blind-sided her, and had presented her with a life changing decision. It had been an easy decision for a young Nadya with stars in her eyes and no thought of the consequences of hosting an Alien. Not so easy for a mature adult who understood the magnitude of the decision. I saw only the need. She saw the potential consequences.

Terril joined my detail as I left my office for my weekly meeting with Wattson.

"Have you been sick, Terril?" I asked, realizing she hadn't been part of my Scorpion detail during the week.

"No, I've been reevaluating our boarding techniques given what we know about A1, and the surprises we can expect entering one of their cruisers."

"Why are you here today, then?"

"I need a distraction, and this should be an interesting meeting."

"Why?" I asked. I couldn't think of any reason this meeting would be different from the last few.

"Your homework is due, in case you forgot, and Captain Pavao had that Plimson-look after her session with you." She snorted. "Plus I can always count on you for a surprise or two."

<Party time.> Image of everyone at the upcoming meeting in an old fashioned conga line.

<.You forgot the Aliens.> As soon as I thought it, three robots with party hats jointed the end of the moving line. I couldn't help but laugh. Terril smiled.

"I see Thalia agrees," she said, as we approached the shuttle. Commander Byer, Iglis, and Colonel Seng were standing there talking. I nodded and entered the shuttle followed by my detail, which violated normal protocol, then the others. I sat alone lost in my thoughts. When we arrived, I noticed shuttles from the Eirene, Bobcat, Lynx, and Merlin were already in the bay. We had taken our seats when Admiral Wattson entered the room.

"Good afternoon, everyone. I'm pleased with the status of our projects and the clan. Reese, your methods are unorthodox, but the results you've achieved are close to miraculous. I thought of them as prisoners when I arrived. Now I have trouble not thinking of them as allies." He walked to the sideboard and pored himself a glass of wine and smiled. "Well, let’s talk about your homework assignment. Corbitt, you first."

We went around the table. Everyone wanted some number of cruisers at each inhabitable planet to destroy the Aliens' scout before it could leave. Wattson seemed to have left me for last.

"Well, Reese, what's your version?"

"I agree in part," I said looking back at him. "We would need several cruisers at each inhabitable planet, since it's unlikely one or two could guarantee destroying a scout based on what we already know. That isn't feasible and would only slow the inevitable. They will eventually obtain a star map of the SAS and attack in sufficient strength to destroy our squadrons, one planet at a time."

"What part do you agree with?" Wattson asked, his eyes alive with amusement, although the situation wasn't amusing.

<Enjoy problem.> An image of Wattson watching us from a balcony as we tried to find our way out of a maze.

<Like a war college exercise.>

<Pushing you for solution.>

"I believe we should select six to twelve of the most logical planets for merchants leaving the currently quarantined planets. Station a medium-sized squadron at each system that has a military or strong mercenary presence. And a single light cruiser at each of the others."

"But we all agree, a single cruiser is very unlikely to be able to stop an Aliens' scout ship," Gabisi said with a sigh of resignation.

"Reese doesn't want to stop the scout ship at those locations. Do you?" Wattson said. It wasn't really a question. I shook my head in the negative. "She wants them to send a task force back to quarantine the planet."

"Isn't that what we're trying to avoid," Corbitt asked. Obviously, a question several had from the puzzled looks on their faces.

"Reese." Wattson nodded to me.

"We have to engage the enemy eventually. The more we know about them the better chance we'll have of winning. A small planet with few defenses should only require a few cruisers to quarantine it. That will provide us with our best opportunity to determine what they do to quarantine a planet and for a successful engagement."

"So, our cruiser lets the scout go and returns here where we send a large task force to wait for the Aliens to arrive. We watch to see what they do and then engage them." Pavao said rather distractedly.

"They will send a larger force, once they realize their force was destroyed," Iglis said.

"Doesn't matter, we won't be there. The object, as harsh as it sounds, is not to defend the planet but to acquire information about our invaders. This is a war. No one battle will determine its outcome," Wattson said. "Surprise is our best weapon and our worst enemy."

The discussions continued late into the early hours of the morning. Iglis would determine the most likely planets to be discovered. Wattson would contact Plimson with our recommendations. Freeland was about to become a staging area for our engagement, and the facility for Riss upgrades. As the meeting broke up, Pavao pulled me aside.

"I might be interested, but I'm not ready to say yes or no."

"I understand. I'd like to select a group of Riss volunteers and have you meet with them. You and they will have hundreds of questions that need answers, before you and they can make a decision. If at that point you decide to proceed, I think we should involve Wattson."

"It's probably a stupid question, but how do you get a Gorillai inside you?"

"Think of your body as a Shark and the Gorillai's body as a Striker. The Gorillai will leave his Striker and join you in the Shark."

"Our bodies are vehicles we use to move and manipulate things. They are not us," Pavao said just above a whisper. "Let me know when you're ready."

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

A new Riss-human

Over the next two days, I contacted the Riss assigned to ships, those helping on projects, and those on Freeland without assignments. It produced a surprising thirty-one volunteers. I suspect it was a combination of the success of the six Riss-humans, the meteoric progress the Riss project had propelled the Riss into space, and a sense of keeping the SAS and the Riss from becoming enslaved. I contacted Pavao and arranged for a meeting the next day on Freeland.

* * *

Terril had joined the detail for my fight to Freeland. I waved her to sit beside me.

"Terril, not a word of this meeting is to be leaked. Is that clear?" I said, as the shuttle descended towards Freeland. Terril turned in her seat and looked at the two scorpions on duty.

"Is that clear?"

"Yes, Gunny!"

"You're scared, aren't you?"

"Yes, the enemy is more advanced than us, and I doubt this is the first star system they've invaded. If it isn't, the combined SAS, JPU, and UFN forces may not be enough to stop them."

"That maybe more excitement than even the Scorpions want," Terril said lapsing into silence. When we landed on Freeland, Pavao entered and took the seat Terril had vacated.

"I'm terrified and excited alternating each second," she said as she sat. I nodded and the rest of the flight was made in silence. We arrived at the town of Rupea and spent an hour trekking into the wilderness. When we reached the clearing, thirty-one Riss sat in a circle. To her credit, Pavao didn't run and managed to find a seat facing them. Using the new voice boxes, the Riss began the questioning, which soon encouraged Pavao to begin asking her own. As the day wore on, the meeting became very informal and the questions more spontaneous and random. I called a halt when I decided Pavao had enough for one sitting.

"That was not what I expected, Nadya. I had heard it said each Riss had a position and thought I knew what that meant. But I didn't realize that meant disciplines like mathematics, biology, medicine … They don't talk—out loud—so you don't think of them as having individual personalities. I should have, since you are always talking about Thalia thinking everything is fun and Alena saying Ma'at is serious, responsible, and dependable. If I decide, how do I pick one?"

"I'd suggest you don't. Admiral Zann and Thalia claim the Riss always pick the right person for the task at hand. I believe that's true. There were ten of us in the Riss Project and twenty Riss volunteers. They selected who we would host."

"But didn't four drop out?"

"Yes, but that wasn't the Riss' fault. They originally picked six of us out of the ten but the SAS insisted they pick ten. The six they picked survived the other four didn't for one reason or another."

We slept in Rupea for the next three nights and continued the discussions each day. Much of the discussions were interesting stories about the Riss and their lives going back hundreds of years, and their thoughts about humans and space. On the last day, I was notified three of the volunteers were willing to accept Pavao as a host and who was the most interested.

"What now?" Pavao asked. “I'm scared but willing. The threat facing the SAS was my main reason for considering it, but the last few days has me cautiously excited for other reasons."

"I think we need to talk to Wattson, not for his approval but for his insights. He's a very astute individual."

"I agree. We're focused on the result, whereas he will be able to see the bigger picture and help us avoid any potential problems.”

When I arrived back at the Mnemosyne, I contacted Wattson and setup a meeting. It surprised me when he didn't ask why and scheduled us to have dinner with him that evening.

* * *

Terril was again on my detail and sat next to me when I nodded.

"This is exciting," she said as she sat. "I'll bet Wattson will have a Plimson headache by the end of the meal."

"I somehow doubt it. Wattson is a very strategic thinker. It's why he's the head of the War College. It won't surprise me if he already suspects or has guessed the topic tonight."

"That will take a lot of the fun out of it." She snorted and relaxed back in the seat.

Bradshaw was there to meet us as we exited the shuttle. I melted under his gaze and felt guilty I hadn't made time for us to get together. To his credit, he didn't seem to hold it against me. Pavao had arrived earlier but waited for me rather than meet Wattson alone.

"Captain Reese, Captain Pavao, if you'll follow me, Admiral Wattson is expecting you in his office." He smiled and let us out of the bay and up to the second level. The guard at Wattson's door knocked when he saw us coming and after a brief exchange held the door open for us.

"There is wine, kaffa, and snacks in the back. Help yourself," Wattson said, waving a glass of wine in the general direction. He sat in a comfortable, tan, leather-looking chair, looking relaxed and smiling. "I see you've made up your mind, Captain Pavao."

Pavao spun around, spilling the wine she had just poured. "How did you know?"

“It didn't require much imagination. Reese has the unique ability to see the future and act on it, whereas most concentrate on the present. She sees the Aliens as an advanced, war-like force with superior technology. The Riss cruisers must be captained by Riss-humans because the Riss lack the aggressiveness one needs in battle. But while Alena and the others can captain a Riss cruiser and will grow into the position, they don't have the experience to effectively fight the ship. You're a logical choice, since the Riss-human concept doesn't bother you, you admire the Riss, and you have battle experience. And you've spent the last four days at the Riss compound on Freeland."

"Admiral, do you have any concerns?" Pavao asked, as she refilled her glass and sat in one of the two extra chairs Wattson had provided.

"No, I agree with Reese. These are extraordinary times, and we don't have time to seek consensus or look for conventional solutions. If there is a solution, it's here at Freeland." He was silent for a moment, sipping his wine. "There is already a Riss Project. I will get you on their books and authorize you to serve on a Riss cruiser."

We spent an hour discussing the Riss Project and its early years. Afterward, Pavao and I flew straight back to the Mnemosyne to make arrangements for the transfer. Once Pavao made the decision she wanted to get started immediately, because she knew from our discussions the adjustment would take time.

"Nadya or is it Leader?" Pavao asked, tentatively.

"Nance, on a Riss ship everyone is equal, as strange as that sounds. Your position will be Captain in charge of making decisions on the wellbeing of the cruiser you’re on. But the Riss at the weapons board, ECM, Comm, or the mechanic working in the environmental section are all equal to you. They will defer to you because of your position not because you out rank them."

"I'm entering a whole new world. It's scary."

"You'll stand in two world. When you come to fully understand the Riss, you will become Riss, but you will always remain human. You will have dual loyalties."

"What if they conflict?"

"You can always have your Riss companion removed. But I believe the SAS and Riss loyalties will never be in conflict, although the Riss may choose to take a separate path, like what happened after the battle of Freeland. The Riss could not participate in a massacre, but that did not mean we wished to abandon the SAS."

"You said there were three Riss willing to let me host them. Am I supposed to choose one of the three?"

"You can, but I would let the one with the most interest in you be the one. The Riss made the choices for the Riss candidates and it worked out well for the initial six they wanted. You've talked to Alena and the others. You know none of us would give up our companions."

"All right then. What’s her … name?"

"Her picture name is Sitting on top of White Capped Mountain. You will soon see it. It's beautiful, but you should pick a human name for her. Our convention has been the name of a goddess." While we made our way to Doctor Dayton's office, I called Alena,

"Alena, have someone pickup Sitting on top of White Capped Mountain and bring her to the medical unit on the Mnemosyne." I had just finished when we saw Doctor Dayton. She looked excited.

"I just talked to Admiral Wattson. He authorized the tattoo and the transfer," she said in a rush. “Reese, I don't know what to do. Oh, I know how to do the tattoo, as silly as it is. We both know any of you can get rid of it anytime you want. It's obvious from what the Riss are able to do with your chemistry." She laughed. "The SAS's clever solution isn't so clever after all." Dayton got Pavao settled on a steel table, took a picture of my tattoo, entered into the computer, and used a graphic machine to create the tattoo. As she finished, Sitting on top of White Capped Mountain appeared.

<Leader, I'm ready.>

<This is your decision, Sitting on top of White Capped Mountain, not the Leader's.>

<I know, Leader. I do for the Riss because you see the need. Believe Captain Pavao make good match.>

I smiled in relief. I knew how much the Riss wanted to remain Riss in their Gorillai host. But I also knew Thalia had been interested in joining with me, and it had been a good match.

<Yes. Not sorry.>

<Nor I.> I noticed Pavao and Dayton standing there looking at us.

"Sorry. We'll need a quiet room for the transfer." Dayton pointed to a room towards the end of a hallway. Once everyone was inside, I closed the door. "This part is simple. Take off your shirt," I said, as Sitting on top of White Capped Mountain went to a vacant corner and sat.

"Easy for you to say, Nadya," Pavao whispered. When she had her shirt off, I led her over to the Riss.

"Sit," I said. Pavao knelt facing the Gorillai. Sitting on top of White Capped Mountain gently took her by the shoulders and turned her around so Pavao's back faced her chest and pulled Pavao into her. Pavao squirmed a few times like she was trying to break the contact but soon closed her eyes and relaxed.

"What now?" Dayton asked.

"The Riss is making an opening in Pavao's back. She'll use the opening to enter her body. Over the next eight to twelve hours, she will attach herself to Pavao's neurological system. When she's finished, Pavao will wake and you should check her vital signs to verify there are no problems, and then she will need to sleep. The Gorillai will be dead.

* * *

After Dayton had verified Pavao's vital signs were all normal, a nurse helped her to one of the beds. I returned eight hours later and stayed, waiting for her to wake. Several hours later, she opened her eyes.

"Is it over?" she asked, rising up on one elbow.

"Yes. You're now a Riss-human. Come, I'll help you dress, and we'll go get something to eat." As Pavao dressed, Dayton joined us.

"How's the patient?"

"Groggy. We're going to get something to eat. Want to join us?"

"Yes, I'd like that."

The dining area on the Mnemosyne was open to everyone—Riss, navy, and army—a spectacle you wouldn't see on any human ship. Here the tables often had mixed groups with no rank discrimination. We arrived between normal meal times and used the Fugenie to produce lunch and found an empty table.

"Pavao, you need to teach your companion words, since you won't be able to think in streaming vid for some time. She already knows what most things are, but she will need to mentally hear you talk, so you two will be able to converse. So, point to something and think the word or do something while thinking what you are doing. For example, think, I'm using a fork to put food into my mouth," I said, watching Pavao eat. "Your companion will probably never talk in complete sentences, but she'll make herself understood as soon as she digests the language. And that won't take long. Riss have total recall. I'd also suggest you use the system to review the old goddesses of history. Your companion will need a human name, and you both need to learn to read. You will find it a unique experience. Eventually your thoughts and hers will mingle as you read, and you will come to a mutual understanding of the material."

Pavao nodded as she gobbled down her meal. "We will meet every evening to discuss your progress and resolve any questions you have."

"I'd also appreciate seeing you each day. It will help me understand the Riss and Riss-humans, which may be important if … when there are injuries," Dayton added.

* * *

The next several weeks were interesting, watching Pavao become a functioning Riss-human. She had named Sitting on top of White Capped Mountain, Cethlion—the Celtic goddess of Prophecy—because of her Riss position of far-seeing. The third week was the worst for Pavao.

"What next?" Pavao asked as we sat in my office reviewing her day's activities.

"The worse days of your life," I said, remembering the time Thalia took control of my body.

<Fun time.> Image of Thalia, in Gorillai form, and me as a puppet dancing on strings.

<For you.>

<Super pilot.>

<Make better co-pilot.>

"You need to let Cethlion take complete control of your body. It won't be pleasant but necessary, if she's going to be able to assist you in the coming years."

"I thought the Riss didn't take control of us, although they can."

"Only when you need their assistance or in an emergency. In a fight she can accelerate your reflexes to a point where your opponents will appear in slow motion, enable you to blank out pain, increase your strength, and many other functions."

"All right, let’s get it over with. I want to get to the good part—flying a Riss cruiser." Pavao grinned. I couldn't help but smile as the transformation began and Pavao staggered out my office door into the corridor wall, fell, and crawled down the hallway.

"That was rather dramatic," Terril said watching Pavao, or rather, Cethlion, attempting to rise onto her feet.

"Yes, Cethlion is like a new baby learning to walk and pickup things. The worse part will be when she experiments with Pavao’s emotions. She'll go from happy to sad to angry and every other emotion a human feels. I thought I'd have a nervous breakdown before Thalia finally stopped."

"Like a certain Lieutenant beginning Si'jin."

"Worse!"

* * *

Wattson assigned Lichter, XO from the Golden Eagle, to be Captain of the Bobcat and excused Pavao from his weekly meetings, although he did accompany us on our visits to Freeland to review projects and meet with the elders. The elders found the concept fascinating, and I think a few would have liked to become a Riss-human. With Pavao becoming a Riss-human, the assignments were changed. Pavao would eventually command the Eirene with Alena as XO, and I would command the Mnemosyne with Jaelle as XO. And Elissa would command the Minerva when it was assembled. Alena and Jaelle were chosen as XOs to accompany Pavao and me into battle in the hope the experience would gain them the wartime expertise to Command the Minerva and the next Riss cruiser built. Elissa was merely expected to get things organized until a Captain was assigned. I felt no resentment towards Pavao by either Alena or Jaelle. They realized they weren't ready to be Captain much less prepared to go to war.

* * *

"You were right, that was the worst three days of my life. Cethlion found it interesting and understood the need. I found it a nightmare and questioned my sanity in hosting a Riss. Knowing you and the other Riss-humans quelled my fears of being controlled by Cethlion. But since then, she has demonstrated some of the things she can assist me in doing. The most interesting enhancement is the ability to sense others emotions. If humans knew we could, it would make them very nervous."

"It's saved my life and helped me manage Freeland. I knew right from the start that Lavett hated the Treaty and would be trouble. Without that pre-warning, things may have turned out differently. It doesn't tell you what people are thinking, but it helps warn you when emotions are running hot." I smiled. "It's time. Today you are going to experience your first taste of what it will be like to command the Eirene," I said, motioning for Pavao to follow me. As we entered the bridge, Alena rose.

<Leader.>

<Alena, notify all sections to prepare for departure.>

<Comm, execute order.> Although unnecessary, it was part of the experience Alena needed to prepare for her own command.

"All units, prepare for departure in thirty minutes," r-Galene voice-box said into the Comm. I hadn’t notified anyone of the upcoming flight, so it would be a good training exercise. Twenty minutes later.

<All units reporting ready.>

<Alena, start engines one, three, and seven. Notify the controller of our departure.>

<Comm. Notify the controller of our departure>

<Helm. Start engines one, three, and seven.>

<Engines one, three, and seven online.>

After r-Galene's brief exchange with the docking crew.

<Station reports Mnemosyne free to depart.>

<Alena, half speed on engines one, three, and seven.>

<Helm. Half speed on engines one, three, and seven.>…

We spent the next two hours performing silent approach, to other cruisers in the area, simulated missile firings, equipment malfunctions, and engine configurations. Pavao sat with a grin the entire exercise. When I turned back towards her, she nodded.

"Thank you, Nadya. You have just justified every pain of the last four weeks. Ni'Shay was right, when he said it was like entering the world of the gods. Commands flow effortlessly and instantaneously."

"Yes, the Riss cruisers were made uniquely for Riss, and although ugly, for war."

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

The buildup to war

Pavao attended Wattson's next weekly meeting. It was the first time anyone other than the people on the Mnemosyne had seen her since the insertion. The emotions in the room ran the gambit from shock to humor.

"Welcome, Captain Pavao. We've missed you at our meetings. Any words of wisdom now that you are officially on loan to the Riss nation?"

"I had my first ride on a Riss cruiser. It was an incredible experience."

"But you’d been on the Mnemosyne several times. We all have," Corbitt said.

"Being on the Mnemosyne as a human, is like a deaf man watching the frequencies of an orchestra being displayed on a monitor, or a person explaining a painting to a blind man."

"So you're recommending it for everyone?" Wattson asked, his face expressionless, but his eyes alive. Knowing Wattson he had a point but darn if I knew what.

"No. Not everyone could tolerate another intelligent mind in their head, or that a Riss in the environmental section is your equal, or that your position may change based on the Riss' need, or that Reese's words are your words. No, I don't regret my decision, but it wouldn't be right for most."

"Nor would the Riss accept most people. In the end, it's their choice," I added.

"You could order them," Gabisi said, with a grin.

"I won't. I'm not a dictator. I speak for them because I have the same dream they do."

"Enough. The Riss had a need, and Captain Pavao was the right person to meet that need. And that need supports the needs of the SAS." He scanned the room, ending the conversation. "I've heard back from Admiral Plimson. Based on Commander Iglis's recommendations, he is sending a squadron composed of two Light cruisers and a Hunter to All Flags, because of their substantial defenses and a large number of mercenaries call it home, and Lycus because of the military presence. And a Light cruiser each to Savage, Blue Canyon, and Zigzag. If an Aliens' scout is detected at All Flags or Lycus, it will be destroyed or captured if possible. If one appears at Savage, Blue Canyon, or Zigzag, the cruiser will notify us via the Comstat and return here as soon as possible." He paused for a sip of wine.

"What will the task force sent to intercept the Aliens' response look like?" Byer asked.

"That is what we must determine. In no event must any of the Aliens' ships escape, as that would provide them with information about us. Admiral Plimson will be detaching ten Lights, three Heavies, and three Hunter to Freeland to support us and to begin upgrades."

"I'll bet Eden's in turmoil. War with Aliens and Freeland as a major depot," Corbitt said, smiling at the thought.

"Right now, the rumor on Eden is that there is potential trouble with the UFN. And all Captains leave Eden with sealed orders, which they are ordered not to open until they were underway. Until the situation has been resolved, we're in a state of war and all rotations are canceled."

The room became alive with conversations, which Wattson let run their course. The next two hours were spent discussing the force needed to confront the Aliens, when they returned to quarantine the planet. In the end, it was decided to send one Heavy, one Hunter, four Lights, and the two Riss cruisers. The theory was that it was better to have too much fighter power than too little. Wattson also wanted a sampling of each type cruiser to test the strengths and weaknesses of each. Leadership was a more complex issue. Wattson would command the SAS forces from the Golden Eagle. Since the Riss were now recognized as a separate nation, I would command the Riss forces under Wattson's direction. Admirals Stenberg and Zann would be arriving on the Goshawk and Bateleur. Stenberg would become the station commander and Zann the Riss commander responsible for the Treaty with Freeland.

* * *

Two Light cruisers and a Hunter were always on duty when one of the Clan merchants was due to return to Freeland. Wattson decided to design competitive exercises to keep the growing SAS forces occupied and to assess the strength and weakness of the assembled forces. He was like a kid in a candy store. He had created a real War College using actual cruisers rather than simulated ones.

The exercises were conducted every other day and each Captain was involved in at least one exercise a week. The seventh day of each week was devoted to a critique of the week's exercises. The fact that each Captain was given points made the exercises a competition with bragging rights.

For the first month, the Mnemosyne was included twice each week. I commanded with Pavao, Alena, Jaelle, and Elissa on the Bridge. The second month, I commanded the Mnemosyne once each week with the Riss-humans on board, and Pavao commanded the Eirene once each week with all of us present. At least once a week, Alena, Jaelle, or Elissa had an opportunity to conduct independent exercises on the Minerva, which permitted the Sharks and Scorpions a chance to work out.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Nadya’s shuttle attacked

"Nance, Thalia tells me you and Cethlion appear to be a good match," I said. Pavao and I were sitting in the Captain's office on the Eirene. Pavao had destroyed the three Light cruisers in a Wattson exercise. The Captains were getting rabid, attempting to kill the Mnemosyne and Eirene, so Wattson had insisted we couldn't use the stealth capabilities. It helped that the SAS cruisers could locate the Riss cruisers, but unpredictable skips, the new missiles, and the Riss' ability with Symath continued to frustrate the opposition.

"I didn't understand what it meant to be a Riss-human when I agreed. I saw only the opportunity to command a Riss cruiser. Cethlion is helping me understand the Riss in a way that’s impossible by observing or talking to them. I'm beginning to understand your vision for the Riss and why your position is Leader. In the beginning, I thought I would eventually return the Riss and me to normal. Now, I don't think that will be possible. Cethlion has become a part of me I don't want to lose. She too had hoped I would return her to a Gorillai host eventually, but agrees she is content to be hosted by me. Although the arrangement benefits the SAS and the Riss, it has evolved beyond that."

"We are truly fortunate to be accepted by the Riss as sisters. I couldn't imagine anything more fulfilling than helping them achieve their dreams and helping humanity in the process. Welcome to the Riss, Nance. Your Riss position is Captain of the Eirene."

"Cethlion claims I'm high-Riss because I'm hosting her," Nance said, smiling, which was a sure sign Cethlion had said something.

"Yes, you'll hear that every time you whine about something being too difficult, or hard, or impossible. It will be nothing is too hard or impossible for a high-Riss." I laughed and Nance joined in.

"Yes, I've already had that advice."

"How are things going with the humans?"

"Alena already had things under control before I got there. She'll make a good Captain as soon as she has some experience. If it weren't for the coming war, I'd say she was close to being ready today." Nance looked around the office for a moment before continuing. "Colonel McTosh and the Scorpions are excited to be attached to a Riss ship and treat the Riss like fellow Scorpions. Commander Clarkson and the Shark pilots are excited about being on a Riss ship and having the new modified stealth fighters, which they've dubbed Ghosts, a term that is quickly catching on. And having a single Mess is helping to integrate them quickly. Lt. Commander Jackson, Iglis's choice for Intel officer, couldn't have been better. Iglis has unofficially let him know he should keep me in the loop as she has with you. Following your example, I'm including the human commanders in all my meetings and making sure I visit their areas regularly."

"I'm relieved you've chose to become a Riss-human. The Riss need you."

* * *

"Hi, Terril. I haven't seen much of you lately," I said as she joined my ever-present detail, and I headed for my shuttle for a meeting with Da'Maass and the elders.

"Colonel Seng has volunteered me to conduct training seminars on what boarding teams are likely to encounter when boarding an Alien's ship and our proposed tactics. It's kept me busy. It seems like every day another cruiser or two shows up. For the most part the army is excited. I think every one of them has a picture of you in their sleeping quarters." She laughed. “I'll bet the Wasps and Scorpions on Eden are bribing personnel folks to get assigned to Freeland."

"What rumors have you heard?" I asked, as we entered and took our seats. Although the army and navy personnel don't usually mingle, rumors have spread like wild fires with no respect for artificial boundaries.

"You aren't quite as popular with the navy. The reasons vary: Freeland, Riss-human, special privileges, too young, unqualified, lack of station leave, etc. Even Captain Pavao is being criticized. It's a boiling pot ready to explode."

"I hate to wish for war, but we need a distraction and soon—"

"Captain, I've two Strikers on an approach vector with us," Lieutenant Garrach, the shuttle's pilot said into the loud speaker. It wasn't the distraction I had wanted.

"Kill the engines, Garrach. Now!" I shouted. Seconds later the engines died and the shuttle dropped like it had hit a pocket of turbulence. Then lasers could be heard tearing through the shuttle skin. The shuttle jerked and twisted as Garrach attempted to evade the attacking fighters. But the lack of power limited his options.

"Garrach, good job, but don't start the engines until the last possible second." The shuttle bucked again as laser beams ripped through the passenger compartment, killing at least one of my detail.

"Captain, Sharks have left the Mnemosyne," Garrach shouted as we continued our free fall towards the planet. Too late, I mused. I doubted the Strikers were going to stop, since they had nothing to lose at this point--my shuttle didn't look like a Freeland shuttle in violation of the ten thousand kilometer ceiling limitation. I heard Garrach's unsuccessful attempt to start the engines, as the laser attack stopped.

"Prepare for crash landing," Garrach shouted, seconds before I was thrown into my seat restraints and protective cushions exploded around me.

* * *

"She's in here," a voice shouted from what seemed miles away. I couldn't imagine why my whole body felt wet.

<Thalia?>

<I'm here little one.>

<Am I bleeding?>

<No. Landed in water. Good pilot.>

<How bad?>

<Strains. Concussion. Dislocations. Feel better tomorrow.> I felt a smile, before sliding into blackness.

* * *

I smelled antiseptics.

<Hospital?>

<Good guess.>

"She's awake," Dayton said. "How are you feeling, Reese?"

<Thalia?>

<Concussion fixed, strains, bruising almost fixed, pain controlled. Dayton needs fix dislocated shoulder.>

I swallowed and wet my lips with my tongue. “Thalia …” My voice croaked and I tried again. "Thalia says she’s fixed everything except my shoulder.” That was better. I sounded almost normal. ”She’s leaving that for you." I managed a chuckle at the look of disbelief on Wattson's face.

"I suspected as much, but knew you’d want me to wait until you were conscious."

"Why?" Wattson asked.

"Captain Reese and I have had many discussions on medical treatment for her and the Riss. Because she's a Riss-human, many of our medical diagnostic machines could disrupt their connection permanently, and certain pain medicines would prevent Thalia from working on Reese's injuries. Thalia repaired a concussion, multiple muscle tears and bruising, and is controlling her pain."

"Amazing."

"How is everyone else," I asked, hoping for the best. Regen could fix most injuries if they were caught in time.

"Terril is out of Regen. She had pretty much the same injuries as you. Garrach is in Regen. He has multiple broken bones. The co-pilot was killed from the crash, and laser fire killed your Scorpion detail. It's a miracle you and Terril weren't hit. The entire cabin's rubble."

"Garrach’s quick thinking and cutting the engines probably saved your lives, as the Strikers heat seeking missiles were useless," Byer said. "Captain Wilson and Striker Commander Cummings of the Shirka acted quickly when they identified the potential problem and notified me. I dispatched the Ghosts … Sharks with orders to seek and destroy. The two Striker pilots are dead."

"There will be an inquiry, but I believe everyone acted appropriately," Wattson said, then turned to Byer. "I want a Ghost escort for Reese and Pavao from now on. No exceptions."

* * *

After Dayton had reset my shoulder, I went looking for Terril and found her being examined by one of Dayton's techs.

"She’ll be fit for duty in a day or two, Captain Reese."

"The next time I say you owe me some excitement, hit me." Terril said, rising up on one elbow. "What happened, Nadya?"

"Two Striker pilots attacked the shuttle. Garrach, you, and I survived, thanks to his skill. His co-pilot died on impact. Laser fire killed Andy and Greg." I said, watching the pain on her face turn to battle steel.

"What cruiser? Why?"

"There will be an inquiry, but we may never know. Commander Byer's Ghost Sharks destroyed both Strikers."

"Good. The bastards deserved to die. It's doubly good that fighter pilots killed them. It will help ease the fury within the army ranks."

* * *

A formal inquiry was convened two days later. The inquiry board was chaired by Wattson and had the three senior Captains on station as members. Interviews made clear emotions were running high. Ironically, rather than being directed at the invading Aliens, much of it was directed at Freeland, the Riss, and Riss-humans—specifically me. Over half of Commander Cummings Striker pilots were openly hostile towards the clans and me and had pushed the no fly zone during exercises. Captain Wilson had been quick to notice the two Strikers entering the off limits zone and contacted Commander Cummings. The Commander had passed the buck to Commander Byers, who scrambled the Mnemosyne's Ghosts with seek and destroy engagement orders. On the third day, the board delivered its findings, which was broadcast to all ships on station.

"We are being invaded by technically advanced Aliens and are on a war status. Apparently, there are those among us who don't know who the enemy is and are attempting to destroy the alliances we've created in the hope of defeating the invading force. Regardless of what you think of the clans, they are helping to upgrade our cruisers and providing us with upgraded missiles. And the Riss Nation is sharing their advanced technology and preparing to fight alongside the SAS. Destroying any one of these alliances could cost us the war and mean enslavement or annihilation of the SAS." He paused to take a sip of water. "I will remind everyone that although the SAS does not normally have a death penalty, wartime acts of treason are punishable by death. Attacking a naval shuttle and killing naval personnel qualifies as an act of treason. Had the Striker pilots survived their attack on the Mnemosyne shuttle, they would have been executed."

When Wattson sat, Captain Dannatt of the Golden Eagle rose.

"It is the judgment of this board that the following Striker pilots for their violation of the Station commander's orders are reduced one grade in rank. Lieutenants … " The list included six primary and two reserve pilots. "Commander Cummings is relieved of command for failing to maintain discipline and take immediate action when his pilots violated restricted space." When Dannatt sat, Wattson rose.

"We are at war. You are either a loyal member of the SAS and support the SAS and its allies, or you support the enemy and will be treated accordingly."

* * *

The next day, I held an unscheduled staff meeting. I stood as soon as everyone was seated.

"Commander Byer, I know the decision to attack the Strikers wasn't an easy one—" Byer surprised me by interrupting.

"Pardon, Captain Reese, but it was an easy decision. One I'd make again in a heartbeat. And I've heard no dissention from my pilots. Those Strikers were attacking an SAS officer, leader of the Riss Nation, the Captain of the ship we are charged to protect … and someone we have come to respect, not that that matters of course." Byer flushed as snorts and coughs erupted.

"Thank you, Commander Byer. I'm fortunate to have a ship full of people I trust and admire. Colonel Seng?"

"Commander Byer and his pilots are viewed as the good guys for their swift and decisive action. There is some resentment against the Strikers, but I believe Admiral Wattson's actions were considered more than fair."

"Commander Iglis?"

"Word from Freeland is one of relief. They are glad Admiral Wattson took decisive action and are initiating stronger security while you are on Freeland. They realize one bad apple could unravel everything you and they have accomplished. It scares them."

My SID lit with r-Asdis face. His finger sped through their sign language too fast to understand without their voice box.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, report to your duty stations. The cruiser from Zigzag has just arrived. I expect Admiral Wattson will be assembling the task force to Zigzag within the hour." I stood signaling the end to the meeting. I reached the Bridge as r-Galene activated the central monitor and Admiral Wattson's face appeared.

"The cruiser Bat Hawk has entered Freeland. Captain Babbcox is reporting the Aliens' scout just left Zigzag after staying two days. Task force Discovery will assemble at the entrance to the Wave to Zigzag twelve hours from now for a departure briefing." He cut the connection without further words.

<Status, Alena?>

<All sections reporting ready.>

<All engines. Three quarter speed.>

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Taskforce to ZigZag

We were the last to arrive as we had been orbiting Freeland when the order came. Wattson immediately set up a link to the task force.

"Because we don't know what to expect when we reach Zigzag, we'll let Captains Reese and Pavao enter an hour before the task force. That will give them time to determine if the Aliens are there and if so, their strength. If they are, one of the Riss cruisers will have to approach the planet in stealth mode. If they aren't, I want the Light cruisers Teita and Harris to take up positions five light-seconds from the planet. The Golden Eagle, Puma and Kestrel will be positioned at ten light-seconds, and the Mnemosyne and Eirene five light-seconds from the Wave's entrance. Once in position, we will establish each other's exact position for tight-beam communications, before going to minimum power and passive sensors only." Wattson stared into the monitor as if he could see each one of us.

"Our priority is to obtain information. First, why do they want to isolate each planet and how do they do it. They may scorch the planet, destroy the inhabitants' ability to leave, or something else. He stopped to take a sip of water. "Then we must test their capabilities. To do so, I want the Light cruisers Teita and Harris to engage first, because they have not been upgraded with the new modifications. Then the Puma and Kestrel, which do have the modifications. The Golden Eagle is backup and will join if they send one or more Heavy cruisers." He paused again, looking at something.

"Lastly, we must stop any of their force from leaving. If one or more get away, we will have given the enemy information about our capabilities and will have lost the element of surprise. Although, it would be ideal to capture one or more of their cruisers and some personnel, stopping them from leaving is the priority. The Riss cruisers are here to ensure no one escapes and as support if their cruisers prove more than the task force can handle. Don't lose sight of the mission. We are not here to destroy a few cruisers. We are here to acquire information that may be the deciding factor in the war to come. Captain Reese, Captain Pavao, see you at Zigzag."

* * *

It was a four-day trip to Zigzag, and I took the opportunity to wander the ship visiting each group and department. I'm not sure if it was for morale or to keep me busy. When I didn't find Commander Byer in his office, I went looking in the Shark bays. I found him in Bay S2, one of the three designated for the Sharks, talking with two men and a woman. The woman looked to be a pilot and the men mechanics.

"Good morning," I said as I approached. When they saw it was me, the four straightened slightly.

"Good morning, Captain Reese. I doubt I'll ever get over you visiting me. Most Captains don't visit the bays and call when they want to see me. Of course, it's consistent with the informal attitude and mingling of groups on a Riss cruiser." He turned to the three individuals staring at me. “This is Lt. Commander Katlin, one of our two squadron leaders. Martin is our Shark maintenance chief and Shelden our senior electronics mechanic."

"I hope I'm not interrupting you,"

"No, we were just discussing the new skins and how they make the Sharks almost invisible."

"We're calling them Ghosts. It’s actually a problem for us when we're not in visual contact. Of course, I'm not complaining. It allows us to get closer and we're harder to target," Katlin interjected. "Did the Riss come up with the design?"

"No, Freeland. I just told them what I wanted and they developed the technology," I said to shocked looks.

"Strange bed partners. The Riss who hate wars and killing creating the next generation of cruisers, and our enemies … previous enemies helping to create them." Katlin shook her head like a wet snowcat. "Captain Reese, my pilots and I are excited to be on a Riss cruiser. It's strange but refreshing, like eating in the same mess hall as the Scorpions. We've always treated each other like leapers, but we're finding they're as crazy as we are." She laughed.

"Can we do anything specific for you Captain?"

"No, just making sure there are no problems."

"None. The Mnemosyne has everything we need, and we're prepared for whatever comes," Byer said. The others nodded agreement.

"Now that we're prepared for war, let's hope for peace."

* * *

The guards at the Intelligence entrance gave me a cursory check before allowing me to pass. Of course, every Scorpion on the ship knew me, and Iglis had authorized me access. Iglis met me at the door, probably having been notified by security.

"Good morning, Captain Reese. Anything new?"

"No, just visiting and making sure there are no problems before we enter Zigzag."

"Everyone is understandably nervous over the idea of engaging the Aliens. After all, Intel personnel have no function during a battle, except to keep their heads down and their fingers crossed." She gave a lopsided grin. "We're excited about seeing Aliens and their technology."

"How do you and the others like being on a Riss cruiser?"

"Everyone loves it. On a normal ship, we tend to be isolated. I think that's somewhat on purpose—spooks image and all. Here I feel like we're part of the ship."

"Do me a favor, Iglis. Check with each section and see what you and your people can do during an engagement. It's less stressful than sitting around with your fingers crossed, and it'll make you even more integral."

* * *

I had left the Scorpions area for last because that's where I would want to go first, but this was a Riss ship and the Scorpion area no longer my only sanctuary.

"Good morning, Colonel Seng. How is everything going?"

"Good morning, Captain. Wandering or are you here for a reason?"

"Just making sure there are no problems before we enter Zigzag."

"None here. I didn't know what to think about a Riss cruiser. It's an interesting concept but would it work? Scorpions like feeling unique—special—and think of the navy as ordinary, and they think of us as stupid and crude. But, on the Mnemosyne it's like everyone's special and equal. I thought I'd never see the day when Shark pilots mingled with Scorpions. And everyone loves level three. It may be considered wasted space, but it's been good for morale. The Mnemosyne is a unique ship. Pretty soon, everyone will want to be Riss certified."

"If Riss cruisers can help people feel united, that maybe its greatest contribution."

* * *

When I entered the Bridge, there was no formal recognition. I was there and now in charge. The only acknowledgement was Alena rising from the Captain's chair. Ironically, normally there would be no XO and no one would be in that chair. Everyone always knew who had the position at any given time.

<Status?>

<Sixty-five minutes until the Zigzag exit.>

I sat waiting, with nothing to do. When there were humans on the Bridge, the idea was to give the impression you had everything under control. With Riss on the Bridge, they knew when you were calm and when you weren't. Ironically, I felt calm with the Riss around me.

<Family.>

<Sisters.>

<Leader. Fifteen minutes.>

<Issue Battle Stations silent running.> Every SID began to vibrate and the lights throughout the ship turned red, indicating that all personnel were to report to their duty stations, but all systems were to remain passive. I smiled, wondering if they changed colors in the Regen units.

<Comm. Open channel.> My SID screen turned green, indicating I was connected to every SID on the ship.

"We will be entering Zigzag space in stealth mode in fourteen minutes. We are at Battle Stations because we don't know what to expect. If we are lucky, we will have beat the Aliens back to Zigzag and will have time to prepare for their arrival. If we didn't, we'll need to assess the situation for the SAS fleet following behind us within the hour. Captain out." I looked over to Jaelle. She looked and felt calm.

<Knows your decision.>

<Others would be nervous anyway.>

<With Sisters. Content. Her position student.>

Thalia was right. In the military, you were constantly being evaluated, sometimes fairly and sometimes not. Among the Riss, you were with family and expected to do your best. You could do no more; therefore, nothing else was expected.

<Exiting the Wave.>

Unnecessary announcement since everyone turned transparent for a few seconds. Many hated the feeling. Thalia loved it. She sent an image of a little ship with a smiling face darting in and out of a tsunami-like wave.

<Clown.>

<Adventurer.>

I watched the VTM, a three-dimensional holographic display of the outside space, knowing if anything was detected, I'd know before seeing it on the VTM. But I watched it anyway. Space looked clear of all traffic, but cruisers could be out there with all but essential power off—like we planned to do.

We had agreed all communications would be via a tight-beam link. That minimized the risk of alerting the enemy to our presence and position. Of course, you had to know the other ship's position, which of course two stealth ships didn't, so the Eirene and the Mnemosyne couldn't communicate until the fleet arrived, and we went active to take our assigned positions.

<Fleet exiting wave.> Seconds later the VTM began showing small marble-like objects with tags attached. The Teita and Harris were the first two to exit, tagged L1 and L2. Then came the Golden Eagle, Puma, and Kestrel, tagged C1, H1, and L3. As soon as the Golden Eagle exited, the Eirene and Mnemosyne went active and R1, for the Mnemosyne and R2 for the Eirene appeared.

<Send all clear to C1.>

<Cancel Battle Stations.> The red light turned off and normal lighting was restored. SIDs were sent text that Battle Stations had been canceled.

For two days, the fleet made its way toward the planet Zigzag and each ship took up their assigned positions, verified their tight-beam connections, and went silent.

There was nothing to do now but wait, and that could be days or weeks. Or the Aliens might never return. We assumed that the Aliens found an inhabited solar system and then proceeded to quarantine it. But we didn't know that for a fact. Wattson was right. We needed more information about the enemy. If they arrived, there would be a cost for that information. In ancient times, some tribes would allow their warriors to stand out in the open to probe the strength of the enemy. Sending in the unmodified cruisers, Teita and Harris, bore a strong resemblance to those ancient warriors.

"Terril, I noticed you're with my security detail. Aren't you needed in the Scorpion area?"

"Well … " She looked as if she had been caught sleeping on duty, "I've been sending Colonel Seng updates. This is a Riss ship … " She gave a lopsided grin.

"Jaelle, Commanders Byer and Iglis have direct feeds from our VTM to their monitors. See what we need to do to get one to Colonel Seng." I turned back to Terril. "You're right, Gunny, this is a Riss ship."

* * *

After releasing the ship from Battle Stations, I called a staff meeting. Looking around the table, I could sense some unease. Commander Byer looked around the table then hesitantly spoke.

"Captain, don't you think we should have each section fully manned twenty-four hours a day?" he said with a slight shrug and a sheepish grin.

"You're right, Commander Byer, that would be normal procedure on a SAS ship. If fact, it wouldn't surprise me if Admiral Wattson and the others didn't require each station manned day and night." Nods greeted me. "But this is a Riss ship with Riss thinking. It's the reason Level three is open to everyone on the ship, and there is one mess hall and workout area. We each have a position, all positions are equal, and we trust everyone to do their best." I stopped to sip my kaffa to give them time to digest what I had said.

"Let’s add Ship Standby to Ship Alert and Battle Stations. Ship Alert is a breach in security and the ship is to be locked down. Battle Station denotes preparing the ship for battle and all stations are fully manned. Ship Standby will require each station or function be equally manned during each eight-hour shift. By equal, I mean one-third of the total people in that section or function."

"That will mean that the sections will never be fully manned during the entire day, and if … " Colonel Seng said as a fact rather than a criticism, leaving the potential consequences hanging.

"Colonel Seng, if on any day on the Mnemosyne, I issued Battle Stations, how long would it take you to have boarding crews ready, or Scorpions in place if I initiate Ship Alert?" Seng sat looking off to the side in deep thought for several minutes before answering.

"Ship Alert, one to two minutes. Battle stations, under five."

"Commander Byer, how long until half your squadron would be ready to launch?" He had already considered the question while Seng thought, and answered immediately.

"Five minutes. Eight to ten for the full squadron."

"Gentlemen, I believe you are being conservative. Anyone would be impressed with those results, but you and the personnel you command wouldn't." I smiled. "Do you think you would be slower if we were in the new Ship Standby state?" I could see by the slight shake of heads, they knew they would be a minute or two faster, because the call to Battle Stations was expected.

"Night or day, under any conditions, the Mnemosyne will be ready for combat, sixty seconds after I issue Battle Stations. And the chance of me needing Ghosts or Scorpions within the first five minutes is unlikely. But more importantly, crews who are rested and relaxed will perform far better than those who are tired and nervous."

"Going to war with the Riss is certainly different, Leader," Byer said, grinning. As my staff left the room, Jaelle stayed.

<Nadya, what do you expect of me?> I felt a strong sense of nervousness from her.

<Jaelle, you know how to run a Riss ship and how the new missiles work. What you, Alena, and Elissa need is combat experience. Our simulators are good for theory, but the only way to get combat experience is to participate in a battle. You are here to observe, ask questions when in doubt, and help were necessary.>

<How do you think Pavao is adjusting?>

<Let's ask her.>

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Captain Pavao

Pavao reluctantly rose from the Captain's chair and left the Bridge. Ni'Shay was right. It felt like being among the space gods. She had been a Captain for over twelve years, but never had felt so … alive, content.

<Among sisters.> A vid of twenty plus Riss climbing a steep, snow covered mountain with one Riss after another helping her over places impossible for a human to navigate. Before she could respond, Cethlion set another vid of Pavao stopping to point to hidden trails and traps.

<Yes. But a special kind of sisters, ones without all the human emotions: envy, anger, judgment, revenge, regret … >

<High-Riss sisters.> A feeling of amusement.

<Yes, high-Riss sisters.> A concept she had heard many times and thought she understood but didn't. Nadya was right. Hosting a Riss was a precious gift.

<You. Nadya. Show Riss way to stars.>

<The way to war and violence.>

<Path rocky to mountain top.>

<You see something at the top.>

<Our destiny.> A vid of the view from a snow-covered mountain, and at the top, a Riss sitting in a lotus position. Pavao had a feeling of contentment so strong she felt it in her bones.

<Nadya sees path, you see destination.> She knew she would never go back to being—just human. She would do her best to see the Riss down the path and see where it led. Smiling, she continued down to level one and the Sharks—Ghosts—area.

"Captain Pavao, I see you are following in Captain Reese's tradition. A Riss cruiser is strange, in an exciting way. My pilots and I have always felt … superior to the army … and frankly, non-pilots. Forcing us to mingle is breaking down those prejudices, not to mention Captains visiting me." He laughed. "What can I do for you Captain?"

"I agree with you, Commander Clarkson. Strange but exciting." She nodded. "No, I'm just checking to see if you need anything, before the entertainment starts."

"No. Everyone is excited to be here and morale is excellent. And these are the best accommodations we've ever had, especially level three. We're feeling special."

"Me, too," she waved as she exited his office. Pavao felt like skipping down the hallway to the Scorpion area. Ironically, she had never visited the army area on her other ships.

"Captain Pavao, welcome to the Scorpion's area," Colonel McTosh said as she entered the area where Scorpions were busy practicing boarding mockups. She stood watching for a few minutes, realizing this was the army's simulator.

"Just checking to see if there are any problems before it's too late."

"No, except I can't get my troops to stop smiling. They're hoping you are going to be their totem," he said, grinning. "Life for the army on a cruiser is mostly boring. We train to engage the enemy, but even during an engagement, we're used mostly on repair crews. Crewing with Captain Reese has always been exciting. That's why she has no trouble getting volunteers. They're hoping you're our new totem."

"Yes, we all secretly wish for the opportunity to be heroes, although deep down we know the horror of war—friends and comrades dying. Let's hope the Eirene can help us be heroes while minimizing the horror."

* * *

Her visit to the Intel unit was stranger than the Scorpion area. Intel had always been off limits, even to a Captain. The two Scorpion guards allowed her in with a minimum check, since Lt. Commander Jackson had already authorized her access. He gave her a tour of his domain, and they spent some time getting to know each other. He also bubbled with excitement at the prospect of seeing the Aliens and their technology.

* * *

<Captain, message from the Mnemosyne.>

Pavao opened her SID. "Thalia's bored. We're on Ship Standby, one-third of each unit on duty each eight hour shift."

<Cethlion?>

<Your command. Only suggestion.>

Strange she thought. Her position was Captain; therefore, every Riss on the Eirene would accept her decisions without question. But unlike the military where your superiors—Leader in this case—suggestions were an order, here they were suggestions, since her position was Captain of the Eirene.

<Send, "Thanks. Cethlion said to tell Thalia excitement coming.">

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Aliens arrive

<Leader, ships exiting the Wave.> Silver dots appeared on the VTM tagged A1, A2 and A3.

<Radar: Type?>

<Unknown. Small cruisers. Three-quarter size SAS Lights.>

<Comm. Notify Golden Eagle.>

<Leader, scout ship followed cruisers.> Another silver dot with the tag S1 appeared.

<Comm: Notify Eirene and Golden Eagle. S1 is our responsibility.>

<Why?> Jaelle asked.

<We want to deprive the Aliens of any information about us. If the scout observes the battles and leaves, the Aliens will have learned a great deal about our capabilities and what happened to their cruisers.> I left the ship's state as Standby, since our participation wasn't required. Wattson wanted to let the Aliens do whatever they did, before confronting them. I'd bet Byer and Seng were shocked as they watched the cruisers pass us on the way to the planet. I had learned a lot from Si'jin. Most of a battle involved mind games and that required one to remain relaxed and calm—tensed muscles were slow to react and a tensed mind unable to see clearly.

For the first few hours after the cruisers arrived, the humans seemed tense, but as the day wore on it eased and by the next day the mood was relaxed and the ship had returned to normal. Wanting to reinforce the Standby state, I decided on a workout and found Terril teaching a rather large Si'jin class, which included Lt. Commander Katlin and several of the Ghost pilots.

"Well, Master Reese, are you so bored you've come looking for a fight?" She used the title of Master as I was dressed in normal Si'jin garb. "A few of my instructors are bored, too. They’d like some action. You do kind of owe us some excitement."

I hadn't been doing much working out since we left Freeland, so not everyone had seen me fight. Katlin and her pilots hadn't and were staring open mouthed.

"All right. I don't want anyone bored. It's bad for morale."

"Master Garritt, here's your chance to earn another knot," Terril said, waving at a tall lanky man in his early thirties. His belt had seven knots, and he walked like a snowcat. I felt no emotions from him, nor would I expect any from a solid seven-knot practitioner of Si'jin. As he approached, Terril stepped towards us to begin the match, but before she could raise her hand between us, he attacked. He had the advantage of reach in arms and legs. A variety of sweeps, spinning kicks, and punches followed in rapid succession. Only my time with Master Wei helped me avoid the initial onslaught. The couple of scores he managed were feather light. My counter moves weren't. I scored three to one, but he managed to deflect most of the force, until what should have been a well-executed sweep.

I would be a second late getting out of the way, so I leaned towards him as his leg caught me at the ankles. I use the force to spin in the air, and as I completed the spin, drove my elbow into his chest. As he fought to regain his balance, my head slammed into his and he fell backward. I fell with him, driving my knee into his chest as we hit the floor and then rolled away and onto my feet. He lay still, fighting for air.

"Master Garritt, when you're through resting, why don't you take the class. Master Reese and I are going to see if that counter move was an accident or a reproducible move." She steered me over to a vacant corner. "That was a very impressive move, Nadya, considering he caught you napping."

"I've had good teachers."

"Or just lucky. Let's find out." Terril and I spent the next hour duplicating the conditions. We found leaning into your opponent when your feet were swept from under you allowed you to use the force of the attack to spin you into your opponent. When we stopped, we had acquired a crowd of spectators and got a round of applause. I returned to the Bridge relaxed and refreshed.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Aboard the cruiser Tetia

The Alien's cruiser tagged A1 settled into an orbit above the city of Zig, the second largest city and hub of Zigzag's limited commerce and shuttle traffic to and from their small space station.

"Captain, the Alien's ship A1 has begun broadcasting … in standard Eden," Commander Ellison, the XO of the Teita, said in a tone of surprise.

“I suspect more surprises are coming,” Captain Burglin mused. “Who would expect an Alien culture to speak your language? The great thinkers had developed elaborate messages to be used when we encountered Aliens, which would provide a framework for communications.” He wasn't sure whether the Aliens knowing how to communicate with us constituted a good or bad sign. They were soon to find out.

"Comm, put it on speaker. I'm sure everyone is interested, and tight-beam it to the Golden Eagle." A few seconds later, a mechanical base-sounding voice spoke.

"People of Zigzag, the Supreme Council of the Gods have placed Zigzag under permanent quarantine. We are here to enforce their decree. You will be allowed eight hours to evacuate the space station and the two spaceships docked there. At the end of that time, they and anyone with them will be destroyed. From now on, you are restricted to the surface of Zigzag and forbidden from flying any object. Violating these restrictions will have severe consequences." The voice continued the same message every fifteen minutes for the next six hours. Then they began announcing the time remaining every fifteen minutes.

"What do you think, Skipper?"

"Well, we now know how they isolate a solar system—destroy the Comstat, space station, and any space going ships. We also know it's an edict from the Supreme Council of the Gods, which does not give me a warm, comfortable feeling. Not only are gods scary but so are the people who claim to speak for them. The question is, why the edict? It would seem easier to raze the planet."

"Maybe they don't have the technology."

"Or … maybe they are afraid they wouldn't kill everyone." Burglin whispered.

"Captain, one of the merchants is making a run for it," Lt. Babbin on radar shouted. The words had no sooner left his mouth, when. "Missiles fired … they're defenseless … multiple explosions. Nothing survived that."

"We can't just sit here, Captain!"

"Yes we can, and yes we will. Admiral Wattson was very specific. We will take no action until he orders an attack. Our top priority is to collect information about the Aliens. As cruel as it may be, we aren't here to protect or save anyone. Soon the Harris and Teita will be given orders to attack A1. We are the least capable ships in the squadron—we haven't been upgraded and don't have the new missiles. We are another information gathering source, so don't feel too sorry for the merchants—they had a choice."

"It's two against one, and that cruiser is less than three-quarters our size," Ellison said, his jaw set in determination.

"Let's hope size matters," Burglin said. He hoped in this case size did matter. His XO had forgotten about the Riss cruisers, which were smaller and uglier.

The Bridge remained quiet for the next hour. There was plenty to think about: the people of Zigzag, the merchants, and the upcoming engagement.

"Captain, four missiles launched towards the space station … the merchant ship exploded." Thirty seconds later. "Another four … massive explosions on the station."

"Another piece of the puzzle, XO. Our Aliens' ships have four missile tubes and can fire every thirty seconds. The good news is we have six; however, it takes us sixty seconds to reload. I'm glad that the Harris will join the party. It’s a new Light and has eight tubes, but like us, time to reload is sixty seconds."

"Captain, Admiral Wattson has given the order to attack."

"Light her up, XO. It's party time." Burglin had no sooner spoken than A1 began to move. He knew they had less than thirty seconds until A1 could launch missiles.

"Tac, fire when ready."

"Missiles away. Sixty seconds to impact."

"The Harris has fired."

"A1 has split its fire. Time to impact … unknown."

"Shit, no hits." Radar reported. Forty seconds later, the Teita shook as one of the two missiles from A1 eluded ECM.

"Those damn missiles somehow turnoff when they detect chaff. They become just a piece of metal and are a bitch to locate. Something like our new Riss missiles. And they are fast. I estimate thirty-seconds per light second. Ours are slower by fifteen seconds."

"Another data point." Burglin nodded. "None of them good."

The battle raged on for what seemed like an eternity. When the battle ended, the Teita had launched one hundred twenty missiles and the Harris one hundred sixty, scoring a total of only sixteen hits. The fighters scored multiple hits. A1 had launched one hundred sixty missiles during that time, scoring fourteen hits on the Harris and seventeen on the Tetia. The Harris remained marginally operational, but the Tetia was destroyed along with six Strikers when A1's ten fighters targeted the Tetia.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

The battle of ZigZag

Captain Dannatt sat in the command chair listening to the recording of the Aliens' broadcast to Zigzag, the Teita had sent via tight-beam. Considering how defenseless the planet, the Aliens proved cautious sending three cruisers. One had approached the planet to give their ultimatum while the other two had remained well back, to provide backup and to handle any incoming traffic. The scout remained close to the Wave observing the results. The Aliens actions didn't appear to be an occupation, since for now at least, they hadn't brought an occupying army. But they seemed to be planning to stay, guaranteeing no information left the solar system. We had discovered what and how, but not why. The good news was that the Aliens were allowing the residents to evacuate the area before they began their destruction, because Wattson appeared ready to let the Aliens do what they were going to do regardless of the consequences. Dannatt understood they were here to learn about the enemy, and we could only do that if we let them do what they came to do. But it was hard to sit and watch a planet being attacked when the navy's mission was to protect them.

"Captain, one of the merchants has left the space station, and A1 has launched missiles," Ooten, the radar officer said. He remained quiet for several minutes. "Damn the bastards. The merchant's ship has disappeared off the radar—it's nothing but space debris."

The waiting continued for another two hours.

"Another launch, Captain. Eight hours to the second." Ooten banged his hand on the console. Dannatt felt his frustration at not being able to do anything. "Another four."

"Damn," Dannatt cursed, looking up at the chronometer. Thirty seconds between launches. Our Light cruisers are going to have problems even with two against one.

"Multiple explosions on the Space Station. The docked merchant's ship has exploded," Ooten spat.

"Captain Dannatt, you are free to engage A3. The Puma and Kestrel have been notified to engage A2. Good hunting," Admiral Wattson said over Dannatt's SID. He and his staff were in the command center monitoring the task force's activities and directing operations.

"Tac, engage A3, fire at will." Seconds later a slight vibration as twelve missiles headed for A3.

"Time to impact, sixty-seven seconds." Parcell, the Tac officer, said.

"Four incoming. Time to impact, sixty seconds based on the information from the Harris and the Tetia. That makes their missiles almost twenty percent faster than ours," Lindert, the ECM officer said. Dannatt nodded.

Thirty seconds later. "Another four incoming."

"A3 is directing all its fire at us--eight per minute. That gives us a six missile advantage per minute, plus a thicker hull—I hope," Dannatt said to no one in particular. He wondered if this was their normal cruiser, or a Light, Light cruiser. He hoped not the latter. The cruisers they sent were bad enough.

"We only scored one hit. They are either very lucky or their ECM is the equivalent of ours," Parcell said, frowning at his monitor's display.

The Golden Eagle shuttered. "Damn their missiles. As the Harris reported, they turn off all electronics when they encounter chaff and then they're a bitch to target."

"Bay 21, open to air. Two Sharks destroyed, five killed," the Comm officer began summarizing the damage reports as they came in. The Golden Eagle was scoring the same as A3—one per minute—but incurring less damage due to its extra-thick battle steel. Twelve minutes later A3 appeared to lose power.

"Commander Labree, the Aliens ship has launched ten fighters. Release your Strikers."

"Strikers launched. Fifty seconds to contact," Labree said, after a short pause. Dannatt watched as the twenty Strikers met the Aliens' ten fighters.

"Captain, they are deliberately attempting to collide with the Strikers. We've killed three before they could; however, five succeeded and two are heading for the Eagle," Labree shouted. Lasers reached out and disabled one, but the other rammed the Eagle. The ship jerked as the explosion ripped through one of the weapon storage bays and destroyed two missile tubes. The remaining Strikers converged on A3. It was over in minutes, but the toll was heavy—four Strikers destroyed by Laser fire.

Dannatt stood dazed. In the course of fifteen minutes, one Light, Light cruiser had taken on a SAS Heavy scoring twelve hits out of the ninety-six launched, thirteen counting the fighter, and caused considerable damage. Only the Heavy's reinforced hull had limited the damage, and its greater throw weight had enabled a quick end to the battle.

"Captain Dannatt, What is your status." Wattson interrupted his thoughts.

"We're operational, but in need of major repairs."

"The Puma and Kestrel destroyed A2, but the Kestrel will have to be abandoned. It’s beyond repair. Captain Lambert said A2 directed all its missile fire against the Kestrel—over eighty missiles. He thinks, the Captain of A2 decided he couldn't win and chose most vulnerable cruiser. Equipped with the new Duster missiles, A2 only scored seven hits, far less per hundred than A1 had scored against the Harris and Tetia. He said the Kestrel would have survived, except A2's ten fighters ignored the Puma and attacked the Kestrel. The Kestrel Strikers with support from the Puma's Sharks destroyed seven but the remaining three managed to ram the Kestrel. We lost two Strikers and two Sharks."

Wattson was silent for a few minutes, before speaking.

"Tell Captain Lambert to collect the survivors from the Kestrel and then destroy the ship. We don't want to leave anything useful for the Aliens. They will undoubtedly send a task force when their scout ship doesn't return. The less they know the better off we are."

"Captain, the Eagle will retrieve the survivors and the wounded from the Tetia and Harris and destroy the Tetia. And I want A2 and A3 towed back to Freeland."

* * *

The scout ship had been an easy kill. The Eirene and the Mnemosyne had eased closer as the fighting raged on. Then as the battles ended and the scout ship began to retreat, we each fired one bank of six Demons. Eight struck, disabling the ship—shortly afterward S1 exploded. I wondered if the robots initiated the explosion.

<Leader, message from Admiral Wattson. The Eirene and Mnemosyne to remain in position and engage any incoming Aliens. He expects two days before the fleet will be ready to depart. He sent brief summary of encounter with Aliens' cruisers.>

<Comm: Forward Admiral Wattson's message and report to the Eirene.> I opened my SID and reviewed the report. The SAS fleet had taken a beating, considering its overwhelming force against three small Light cruisers. Even the Golden Eagle had taken significant damage. As I had suspected, we were being invaded by a highly advanced civilization.

* * *

On the ride back to Freeland, the mood on the Mnemosyne was sober. I had released Wattson's summary of the battle, and everyone had something to think or worry about: friends and comrades were on those ships, the unexpected power of the Aliens small ships, and the real battle to come. With nothing to do, I visited each section.

"Captain Reese," Seng greeted me as I entered the Scorpion's area. Terril and Seng had been discussing something when I interrupted. "Are you here for relaxation or is this official?"

"I wondered if you had any feedback from the … battle of Zigzag." That seemed an appropriate title.

"Some. From what Gunny and I have heard, the Aliens' cruisers where manned entirely by robots, and the corridors and work area had heat-sensor activated lasers. Ironically, they found no ship-killer switch. The boarding techniques Gunny developed saved a lot of lives. Thanks to that, no one was hurt during the boarding actions on A2 or A3. Their ships are nasty, but the robots don't appear violent or at least they weren't armed."

"Admiral Wattson is right. Information about the Aliens is critical, more so now that it appears their technology is superior to ours."

"Cheery thought, Captain," Terril said, frowning. "Ironically, most of us are counting on the Riss, which is weird considering how they hate war and killing."

<Oxymoron.>

<We kill to stop the killing.>

<No. We defend ourselves to live in peace.>

After some small talk about how strange it was to encounter robots and not some kind of organic thing, I headed for the Shark area. The fighter pilots were unusually subdued. The task force fighters had taken heavy losses. Commander Byer perceptively pointed out the squadron felt guilty they hadn't been there to help." I understood. Our total involvement had been one salvo of missiles. If we hadn't been at battle stations, no one would have known we had engaged the enemy. I saved Intel for last. Iglis was waiting for me when I cleared security.

"Commander Iglis, do you have some kaffa?" I said. She stared at me opened mouthed for several seconds, then smiled.

"Yes, Captain Reese. Us spooks always have kaffa available." She smiled and led me to her office. "I'm confused and scared. The feedback is tentative, but there is no clue as to what the Aliens look like. All we can do is conjecture they are technologically superior to us if they can send robots to quarantine a planet. And if those small cruisers can cause so much damage, what about their equivalent to our Hunters and Heavies … " Her voice rose and changed octaves as she talked.

"Iglis, take a deep breath. Your speculating based on too little information. They may have to use robots because there are too few of them—like the Riss nation. Those small cruisers maybe all they have. Their invading force maybe small and, therefore, they have to rely on surprise. They may have bitten off more than their invading force can chew. We've learned more about them during this engagement, but not enough to see the whole picture. Like a puzzle, we are missing too many pieces to know what the picture will look like."

"You’re right. But you have to admit it's scary."

"Yes, but those of us in leadership positions must be careful not to create panic. We all perform better when we're relaxed."

"Yes, deep breaths." Iglis smiled as she took several exaggerated breaths. "I forgot this is a Riss ship."

* * *

The rumors ran wild when we returned to Freeland. They ranged from, we had turned back the Aliens invasion to we were defeated at Zigzag by three mini-cruisers. It forced Admiral Wattson to call a meeting of all the Captains, XOs, and Shark and Scorpion commanders. The conference room was standing room only.

"Attention," Bradshaw called as Wattson entered.

"At ease," Wattson said as he walked to the front of the room. "I've called this meeting to give you the facts of … our engagement with the Aliens at Zigzag. We did not go to Zigzag to challenge the Aliens. We went to collect information: how did they quarantine a solar system and why, what kind of force did they use, and to engage the task force they sent. We had postulated it would be a reasonably small force as Zigzag has no defense systems or heavily armed mercenaries. In fact, the Aliens sent only three small cruisers. Small is not to be confused with defenseless. Part of what we wanted to determine was how well our cruisers would fair against their ships. So we had one of each: an unmodified older Light, an unmodified new Light, a modified Light, a Hunter, and a Heavy. The Riss cruisers were backup and never used. We destroyed the three cruisers and have brought two back for examination. We learned that the Aliens' cruisers are a match for our unmodified Lights, as were the Raiders Light cruisers. The modified Light did much better. It was destroyed only because the Aliens use kamikaze-like tactics." He stopped for a sip of water, while he looked around the room.

"Let me say again, we went there to collect information about the Aliens. If we must fight them, the more we know the better our chances of winning with minimum losses. We still have lots of questions, but we are smarter than we were. We learned they quarantine a planet by destroying their capability to leave: they destroy the space station, any spacecraft in the area, and the Comstat. They demonstrated a certain humanity when they gave civilians time to leave the station before they destroyed it. Any questions?"

"Yes, sir," the captain of the Peregrine said. "I understand the cruisers were manned entirely by robots."

"That’s correct. Their scout ship and the three cruisers. That may indicate many things: a master computer may direct their actions, each robot may be programmed to perform a specific function, they may not be programmed to seek a peaceful dialog, or  … " He left other possibilities dangling. "It's why we need more information. Any of those possibilities could represent a weakness we can capitalize on if it comes to a war. It's your responsibility as senior officers to stick to the facts and not to speculate. We need to maintain morale and discipline. Unfounded rumors could be very disruptive."

"Sir, what about their Kamikaze fighters?"

"That's the kind of information we were after. Now that we know their tactics, we can develop an effective defense. Knowledge is power." Wattson actually smiled. The questions went on for another hour, mostly directed at the Captains of the Harris, Puma, Kestrel, and Golden Eagle.

* * *

The two Aliens spacecraft were put in orbit and two shuttles dedicated to taking people to one or the other. Iglis maintained a list of people permitted access to the ships. Only those with the required specialties were involved in examining the craft's functions, robots, or systems. No clan members were allowed during the initial evaluation.

After a week, Wattson called a meeting of the captains and the project leaders of the crews examining the spacecraft. As soon as everyone had taken a seat, Wattson began.

"Master Chief Roddman?"

Roddman was a short stocky built man, in his late forties. He stood ramrod straight.

"Sir, we examined each ship's general design and functions. My first observation was I had never seen a ship made with such precision. Every pipe, wire, and structural component was made and placed with perfection. The ship could be small because the robots were half our average size and didn't need an environmental section. At first I thought it strange there was no shuttle maintenance capability, until we determined they are more like manned missiles to be used only once." Roddman sat when there were no further questions.

"That explains the Kamikaze tactics. Who cares if a robot is destroyed? Master Chief Bobblin?"

In contrast, Bobblin was thin, curly, brown hair and a slight grin as he rose to speak. But he had that same Chief stamp about him.

"Admiral, Captains. Like Chief Roddman noted about the ship, the robots were beautifully made, every part and connection made with precision. It's hard to say with certainty without knowing the programming, which was destroyed when the robot turned off its power, but it appears each robot had one or more specific functions. Much like our specialties. And they received their instructions and/or operated equipment by plugging into panels throughout the ship. At the present time, it's impossible to determine if one of them was the captain or the cruiser's system functioned as the captain. We would naturally think there had to be a captain but who knows? They may all be interchangeable and there was no captain. I’m afraid I can't be more specific without knowing the function of one or more of the plug-in stations. We’re trying to trace the wiring, but it will take time and provide limited information, since it will all be connected to the ships system computer."

"Thank you, Master Chief. Yes, knowing how the robots functioned would be an important piece of information. Commander Critton, have you been able to learn anything about the system computer?"

Critton was young for a Lt. Commander and an expert on system computers. With his thinning sandy hair, round face, and slightly chubby build, he looked the typical bookworm. He looked a bit nervous as he rose.

"Sir, we were lucky. The computer system in A2 apparently failed to wipe itself clean for some unexplained reason, because the backup power pack was functioning. But the code is in symbols like the ancient Egyptian, Assyrian, or Chinese writing. But we don't have a Rosetta stone to help us decipher it. I have the Riss working on it, since it may have some resemblance to Symath. Making it more difficult, the system's storage does not work like our on/off bits. Sorry, sir. That's all I can tell you at this point." Critton’s face flushed.

"Thank you, Commander. It would have been nice if the Aliens would've used our technology and standard language. As you said, we were lucky to find anything. The reports went on for hours with few concrete results, just more conjectures. The engines appeared to use a different technology, which we still hadn't figured out, the missiles, like ours, had multiple sensors, but without understanding the coding we could only guess at how they worked, etc.

"Now you know as much as I do, which although it isn't much, it's more than we knew two weeks ago. Remember, when you are discussing the Aliens, stick to the facts. We don't need any wild rumors racing through the fleet. The Captains, Commander Byer, and Colonel Seng will meet back here at nine hundred hours two days from now. That will give each of you time to talk with your direct reports about what we know so far and collect their observations, questions, and concerns before we meet again. I'd like them all present for our discussions, but several hundred persons in a meeting would be chaos. Dismissed."

I caught Pavao before she could leave. Without thinking, I used SV.

<Nance, I'd like for you, the other Riss-humans, and I to meet tomorrow.>

<On the Mnemosyne? Nine hundred?> She smiled radiating surprise at using SV, then a sigh of contentment.

<Cethlion says Nance finds Riss-human life wonderful.>

<And Cethlion?>

<Yes, content and comfortable with her host.>

When I saw Bradshaw standing in a corner waiting for everyone to leave, I walked over to him.

"Lieutenant Commander, you look ... " I was going to say gorgeous, "Harassed."

"Captain Reese. Yes, Admiral Wattson has been going eighteen hours a day and when he goes, I go." He grinned in spite of the new lines around his eyes. "But working for Admiral Wattson has been interesting and educational. He's a brilliant man. You get a different perspective in the fleet's command center. You get to see the whole picture and the decisions affecting the fleet, not just the ship you're on."

"I'm hoping we'll get some free time soon. Maybe I can get the Admiral to assign you to me to work on a problem," I said and Terril snorted.

"I look forward to working with you, Captain Reese." His eyes were locked onto mine, and I almost jumped on him. Instead, I turned and strode out of the room before I made a scene and embarrassed him.

* * *

"You showed Master level control back there, Captain Reese," Terril said as the shuttle exited the Golden Eagle.

"I thought so," I said with a sharp nod of my head. "That man is gorgeous."

"He seems to think the same about you. You could have him assigned—"

I interrupted with a laugh. "Can you imagine me trying to function with him around? I'd need you and a detail of Scorpions to keep me away from him."

"That would be exciting. Yes, I understand. Your responsibilities come first, no matter how painful. I made a similar decision—kids or career. I don't regret my decision, but I can't help but wonder sometimes what life would have been like with him, planet-side, and a parcel of kids." After that, we lapsed into silence.

* * *

"It's strange being a Riss-human and high-Riss," Pavao said to me and the Riss-humans sitting around the conference room table. "I didn't feel that urge to rush into battle, I'd have previously felt. I didn't want to avoid it, but I was content to wait until the Eirene's involvement was necessary."

"Yes, the Riss are neither cowards nor heroes, they kill to defend the SAS, they do not seek revenge for the SAS or themselves, and they have nothing to prove or a desire to do so. And although we're human, we become more Riss than human. I believe it's because it's brings us closer to a state of peace, something like the state the ancient Buddhist monks sought to attain."

<Maybe Riss ancestors of Buddha.>

<Buddha would have liked the Riss.>

CHAPTER THIRTY

Discovering the true Aliens

Eighteen Captains along with Iglis, who looked a bit nervous, waited the arrival of Admiral Wattson. My eyes were drawn to Bradshaw standing off to the side. Then he braced to attention.

"Attention," he said in a loud baritone, which sounded so beautiful I almost failed to stand. It drove home why I couldn't have him on the same ship as me.

Wattson entered along with Admirals Stenberg and Zann, and to everyone's surprise Admiral Plimson, who had apparently arrived on the Harpy this morning. Wattson looked energized, Plimson tired, and Stenberg and Zann worn out. Wattson looked to Plimson, who motioned for him to begin.

"At ease. I called this meeting to explore what we've learned about our enemy and to decide on our next move. And the next move is ours. We cannot wait for the Aliens to find us, or one of our military bases, or Eden. And given enough time they will." He paused and looked to the three admirals as if awaiting comments. When none came, he continued.

"Let me summarize for Admiral Plimson, Stenberg, and Zann. Here is what we now know or think we know. They have cruisers. The one type of cruiser we've encountered is smaller than our Lights, possibly because the robots are smaller. If so, it's the equivalent of our Lights and has four missile tubes, which fire at a rate of every thirty seconds. Their ECM is either slightly better than ours or the robots have faster reflexes than humans. In either case, they are roughly equivalent to a Heavy. They have a fifty-centimeter laser defense, which is extremely effective against our Sharks and Strikers. Their hallways and compartments have heat-activated lasers. Their missiles have sophisticated sensors that aren't affected by chaff. And their missiles are significantly faster than ours." He paused as if waiting for questions. When none came, he continued. "They find inhabited planets by following merchant or other ships. When they do, they quarantine the planets by destroying the Comstat and the planet's ability for space travel. They demonstrated some concern for life, letting the people abandon the area and ships before they destroy them. Anyone like to add anything?"

"Why didn’t the Riss get involved?" One of the captains I didn't recognize asked in a harsh tone. Several others around the table nodded.

"Because I wanted to test the SAS ships, since they will be the predominant ship in any battle with the enemy. Testing the Riss made no sense, except to those who are prejudiced against them. I chose their assignment, so if someone has a problem it's with me." He paused to look around the room, "I positioned them to take care of any late arriving Aliens. In fact, a scout ship did accompany the Aliens' task force. If the Riss hadn't been there to take care of it, the Aliens would now know as much about us as we know about them, and they may have followed us back to Freeland."

"Admiral Wattson has explained the logic behind his decision. But understand, you cannot expect us to explain every decision, just as your people cannot expect you to explain every decision. You have to assume we are making the best decision we can, given the facts as we understand them at the time." Plimson paused to look at each man and woman in the room. Wattson continued after each person had nodded his or her understanding.

"Zigzag was not a battle to show the enemy how strong we are. It was intended to determine our strengths and weaknesses so there are no … fewer surprises when the real battles begin. Back to the reason we're here. What else do we know about the Aliens?"

"They must be very advanced if they can send robots to scout planets and robot task forces to quarantine a planet. The artificial intelligence required to accomplish those tasks would have to mimic human intelligence." Captain Fredlin of the Peregrine said.

<Not robots.>

<We've examined them.>

<Hosts.>

<But there was nothing organic … NO!> I mentally screamed loud enough for Pavao and Zann to hear.

<Cethlion agrees.> Pavao sent, leaking a strong sense of stress.

<Danu, agrees.> Zann sent, with a sense of numbness. I couldn't blame either. The ramifications were mind warping.

"Zann, what's going on here? You three … Riss look to be having a separate discussion. Like to share?" Wattson asked, looking angry.

"The Riss believe the things in the Aliens' spacecraft may not be robots."

"That's ridiculous. They have been thoroughly examined," Captain Gardner of the Buteos, who looked to be the oldest one at the table, said with a look of disgust.

"Do they think they’re metal men?" Captain Merser, newly appointed to the Snow Owl said mimicking the jerky movement of a robot. Although robot movements weren't jerky, it elicited general smiles and laughs around the table. He was a middle-aged man, who I'd bet was the life of the party.

"Hosts," I said, looking at Wattson.

"Hosts? There was nothing organic … " Wattson sat staring at me as the minutes and silence dragged on.

"Hosts?" He looked to Pavao, who nodded, and then to Zann. "If that's true … " He stopped and took several sips of water, eyes turned down in thought. Eventually, he looked up. "I need time to think about this. This meeting is adjourned until tomorrow." He shook his head, eyes closed, before rising and exiting the room with Plimson, Stenberg, and Zann following. It happened so fast Bradshaw didn't call Attention until they were nearly out of the room.

The room erupted in chaos as the door closed behind the Admirals. Groups of two and three gathered, some whispering, others animated, and still others shouting. Obvious from the stares and glances in our direction, we were the main topic. I doubted most understood what we meant or its potential ramifications. Pavao and I were quiet on the way to the shuttle bay.

<Scary thought, Nadya.> Pavao sent before we entered our separate shuttles. Terril looked at me, waiting for me to nod before sitting down next to me.

"Hosts?" Terril asked.

"Imagine, if I made a copy of your brain and placed it inside a combat robot."

"A copy, so I'm still alive somewhere, knocking back Twisters while my … clone is out fighting my enemies. WOW! Wattson must have one mother of a headache."

* * *

Wattson invited Pavao and I to an early morning meeting, several hours before the scheduled one. Bradshaw met us in the shuttle bay, and led us to a small conference room. When we arrived, Plimson, Wattson, Stenberg, and Zann were already there. Before we had time to brace to attention and salute, Plimson waved us to sit.

"That was quite a bombshell, Reese. You've managed to give Wattson a headache, and that isn't easy. It would be funny if the potential technology of such a civilization weren't terrifying. They would have to be thousands of years ahead of us," Plimson said. He looked even more tired than yesterday.

<Depressed. Worried.>

<Can't blame him. Even you don't think this will be fun.>

<Not fun. Interesting.> Image of a Gorillai with a Sherlock Holmes hat and magnifying glass studying something.

<The space gods save us.>

<Cethlion agrees. She says the future is ours to make.>

"Although it's no consolation, I agree with … Thalia. The robots are … hosts to a race of intelligent beings. This would be a fantastic problem at the War College. In reality, it's a nightmare." He stopped to take several sips of kaffa, which made me wonder if he was waiting for me to say something. "I was up most of the night thinking about it. As I see it, the lack of organic material in the robots would indicate they can somehow transfer a copy of someone's brain into the robot's circuit boards. Probably each robot has a copy of a different brain depending upon its function. Therefore, it doesn't matter if the robots are destroyed, since it's only a copy."

I nodded agreement. That was the most logical conclusion based on the facts we have today. He continued voicing his logic.

"And the most likely reason the robots fry their circuits when they are captured. The copy is in a sense a real person, who wouldn't want to be captured and subjected to unknown horrors by an enemy. I wonder if the copy doesn't believe it's the latest version of that brain and will become the original when it returns … to base?"

"Quite possibly, each Riss has the memories of its mother's mother back a thousand years."

"So how do we win against such a civilization?" Stenberg asked.

"Cethlion said the future is ours to make. Cethlion was the Celtic goddess of prophecy. I chose that name because her vid name resembles an Oracle-like image, Sitting on top of a white snowcapped mountain, and her Riss position is Seeing into the future." Pavao paused looking off into the distance and then added. "She doesn't mean that as a platitude but a prophecy."

"Yes, I believe Cethlion. There will be no grades for this exercise—it's pass or fail."

* * *

The subsequent meeting proved more of an educational briefing rather than a discussion. It took several hours before everyone had grasped the concept and the possible consequences, although I doubted they all believed it true or even possible. When Plimson dismissed the group, Wattson waved for Pavao and me to join him.

"I think you and the Riss are the most likely to see a practical strategy, since you understand the host concept on a personal level. Group meetings don't tend to generate the creative thinking we are going to need. Plimson, Stenberg, and I are going to strategize on what it will take to prepare the SAS for war. I want the Riss to think about going to war. I'd like you and Pavao to go planet side with the Riss and whoever you want to accompany you. Bradshaw is free this week." He smiled. "Yes, I want you to forget about the Aliens and relax. I've always found one is more creative if he or she isn't trying to force a solution."

* * *

"What do you think, Nance?"

"I like the idea. I know a certain Lt. Commander on the Bateleur who may be interested in seeing Freeland and … playing in the snow with the Riss." She had a gleam in her eyes and a wicked smile.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

Time to think

When my shuttle settled in the Bateleur's bay, Sean stood waiting, wearing his dress blues. The sight made me tingle from head to toe.

<Mostly between legs.>

<You're imagining that.>

<It your imagination causing feeling.> To emphasize her point she made an image of Sean and me in bed.

<Stop that.> Of course, she did have a point. Sean handed his bag to the co-pilot and entered, brushed his lips to mine, and sat.

"Good morning, Captain. You look gorgeous, if I may be so forward with a senior officer." He smiled.

"You can, and it's Nadya." I couldn’t breathe with him sitting so close.

"You're in uniform, Captain."

"I'm always in uniform."

"Not always. I seem to remember a time … " He smiled, a devious twinkle in his blue eyes. I felt my face burn and would bet it had turned scarlet.

"When we landed at the Riss area we will officially be civilians, although we will be in uniform. Unfortunately, it's necessary to maintain our official relationship of probation officer and parolee."

"I still find it strange to see that Rh on Captain Pavao's face. I don't imagine it was an easy decision."

"Ironically, we both got suckered into it. A young Nadya saw the chance at a college education and going to the stars. I never gave the Riss much thought. They were the key to that opportunity. Nance saw the opportunity to help the SAS and the chance to command a Riss cruiser. Again, the Riss were the key. Initially, she intended to give up the Riss when the war was over. Neither she nor I realized how it would change our lives, and what an honor it is to be a sister to the Riss."

"I think the Riss got a good deal too." He nodded, staring into my eyes. "I wonder who she'll bring along."

"We're about to find out. The landing area is right over there." I pointed to a clearing about a kilometer from the small town of Rupea. "And Nance's shuttle is already there."

* * *

"Good morning. Captain Reese, Commander Bradshaw, I'd like you to meet Commander Mallette. He's the XO on the … Reese, what are the rules for this official inspection of Freeland?" Pavao asked, smiling.

"First, it's Nadya, Sean, Nance, and?"

"Ron."

"Ron. Keep it casual, no discussion of the future, and wear a uniform at all times when you're in public. After all it's an official visit," I managed to say with a straight face. "I've made reservations at the Refuge Lodge, although Sean and I plan to spend some time with the Riss, and I have to make one visit to see Da'Maass to check on the status of the Minerva."

"If you don't mind, Ron and I will do the same. Being with the Riss in the wild and a tour of the Freeland industrial complex would be interesting," Pavao said looking at Ron.

"Yes, that sounds good."

"Now that's settled, off to the lodge to get some … rest," I said. Trying not to smile, I choked out a laugh.

<You could have stopped that.>

<Why. Funny.>

* * *

For the first two days, Sean and I only saw Ron and Nance occasionally in the lodge. On the third day, we met for breakfast.

"Well Nance, I'm planning to join the Riss for a few days. Are you and Ron coming along?"

"If it weren't for Cethlion, I might prefer the comforts of the lodge."

"The Lodge has excellent accommodations, but I'm actually looking forward to seeing the Riss," Ron said and grinned at Nance.

"I know how you feel, but you won't regret spending some time with the Riss. And playing in the snow isn't so bad," Sean chimed in, giving me a devilish grin. I know I blushed, from the heat in my face.

<You could stop that.>

<Playing in snow?> An image of Sean and me running in the snow naked.

<No, blushing.>

<Thalia not blush.>

<Our vehicle is.>

<Too much playing. Overheated.> Before I could response, Nance laughed.

"I'm sure by now, Ron, you realize Thalia and Nadya are having a discussion as are Nance and Cethlion. I don't know about Cethlion, but Thalia would make a great standup comedian. I like her view on life," Sean said.

"Cethlion tends to be more pragmatic, but some of her observations are amusing. She's a very interesting … person," Ron added.

"Enough you two," Nance said, her cheeks beginning to turn a pale shade of pink. Laughing, we left the lodge and found our three rented snow vehicles. Terril insisted she couldn't let me go anywhere without a guard. She had written orders, which were as binding on her as on me, and I had a tendency to attract trouble. I couldn't complain, even though it wouldn't do any good, she and her detail had been very discrete.

* * *

"Well this has been an interesting day," Ron said as we sat around a cozy fire. "It's such a dichotomy seeing the Riss here in the wild and on a cruiser. Here they appear to be like any wild animal, albeit gentle, whereas on the ship they are intelligent and competent individuals. I'm glad for the experience and I think it helps me understand Riss-humans better." He gave Nance a warm smile.

"If it's not against the rules, what do you think of the idea of a robot being a host?" Sean asked.

"The idea isn't strange, if you think of your body as a vehicle and your brain as the driver. If we could take your brain and put it in a robot, it would still be you, right? In a sense, Nance and I are the drivers and Thalia and Cethlion passengers capable of taking over in an emergency." Seeing Ron and Sean nod, I continued. "In the Aliens case, the robot is the vehicle and the whatever you want to call it, the driver. The part that is hard to grasp is the ability to duplicate organic cells—100 billion neurons—and transfer the information in them into a computer. That technology is far beyond our ability." I said. "Oh, and I suspect they have the ability to transfer the new experiences back to the original much like the Riss inherit their mothers, mother's memories."

"So killing a robot only causes that person a short memory lapse." Ron laughed a bit grimly. "That is, whatever experience the clone had while it was in the robot before we, killed it."

"That would be the logical conclusion, assuming each robot is a unique individual with specific skills needed for a particular position or assignment."

"I doubt any non-Riss-human would have ever come to that conclusion. We would have assumed they were our type of standard robots. The difference is huge in a battle, and explains the results at Zigzag," Ron said, his forehead furrowed in thought.

"The war seems so remote here on Freeland among the Riss, and the lodge," Ron said, giving Pavao a dreamy smile.

"Knowing Wattson, he had a reason for giving us a vacation. The officers attending the War College have to be on their toes every minute, because his most innocent remarks are made for them to learn from. I understand only about ten percent get a With Comment' rating." Sean said.

"Si'jin teaches a relaxed mind is faster and sees more. I would assume, Wattson is hoping this vacation does just that."

"It's working," Nance said, smiling at Ron.

"Tomorrow, I plan to visit Da'Maass for a status update on the Minerva and the upgrades on the Sharks and missiles systems."

"I thought the idea was to relax." Nance grinned.

"I'll feel a lot more relaxed if I know everything is on schedule." I laughed.

* * *

When the four of us exited the shuttle, Da'Maass stood waiting. All he needed was an old fashioned cutlass in his belt to be a double for the pirate Black Beard. But behind the bushy black beard, unruly eyebrows, and pirate-like clothing lay a brilliant mind and shrewd tactician.

"Good morning, Captain Reese, I see you brought two new inspectors," he said, while evaluating Ron and Sean. A small smile touched his lips as his attention came back to me.

"You know Captain Pavao. These two gentlemen are Commanders Bradshaw and Mallette. We been visiting the Riss area—"

"For three days," Da'Maass interjected. I blushed slightly.

<Remembered.>

<A little late.>

<Getting old.>

"Welcome to Freeland commanders. I'm Da'Maass, the humble servant of Captain Reese." The scoundrel made a slight bow in my direction.

"And thought I'd like an update on the all the projects," I continued, ignoring his remarks.

"I understand your concern. The rumors say we're being invaded by Aliens. Pretty nasty Aliens if the rumors are true."

"Thanks to your merchants, we've had an early warning, which will help prepare us when the true war begins."

"Yes, surprise can be a commander’s worse nightmare or his … or her best weapon. Although surprise doesn't seem to help when one is fighting a dybbuk." He turned to face Pavao. "Captain Pavao, the Rh is beautiful. How does it feel to be a Riss-human?"

"It's a life changing transition, and one of my better decisions."

"And you can now command one of the Riss' magical cruisers. I frequently fantasize commanding such a ship. Thanks to my dybbuk, my life is interesting, and it's satisfying to see Freeland productive and the people happy. But … even being a passenger on the Mnemosyne is a life's dream." He shook his head, then smiled. "Come, I will show you where we are on your projects. The Minerva should be operational … "

<Cethlion says he will fly one. But he can't.> Nance sent, clearly upset at the idea.

<I agree.> Thalia added, with a hint of amusement.

<It would create huge problems with the SAS.> I shuddered at the thought of what everyone would think—a Raider commanding a Riss cruiser. It wasn't possible in my lifetime.

<That long time.>

<Not long enough for SAS to forget what the Raiders did.>

Da'Maass spent the entire day giving us a tour of the various facilities and answering questions. Sean and Rod were mesmerized by the factories, assembly plants, and the number and type of projects in progress. Da'Maass was clearly in his element showing off Freeland's technology and what they had achieved.

"Our dybbuk gave us the dream, and Freeland brought it to life."

* * *

"I had heard that the clans were helping us, but I hadn't realized the scope of the projects and the contribution they made in building the Riss cruisers. It's hard to think of them as ruthless killers when you talk to them and see what they are doing for us," Sean said, on the way back to the Riss area.

"Why does Da'Maass keep calling you dybbuk?" Ron asked before anyone could comment.

"The clans believe Nadya is a demon, in their mythology a dybbuk, who can see into their minds. It's the reason she found their raiding parties, avoided multiple attempts to assassinate her, found Freeland, and sees their future." Nance said, then laughed. "I think Admiral Plimson is beginning to think she's his dybbuk, because of all the impossible situations she puts him."

I would have liked to disagree, but I had forced him to make several career ending decisions. I guess you aren't supposed to love your superior, well superior's superior, but I did. He had always been fair with me. And I admired his courage to face tough issues and accept responsibility for them.

We spent several additional, glorious days at Refuge before returning to duty. I was no sooner back, than Wattson called for a meeting of the captains.

<The bill.> An image of a long strip of paper with entries on the left and credits on the right.

<Let's hope we've enough credits.>

<We?>

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

A conference of the Captains

"Plimson, Wattson, Stenberg, and Zann entered right on time and took their seats. Plimson spoke first.

"I'm returning to Eden tomorrow and will announce that we are in a state of war with an unknown Alien nation. I'm also dispatching envoys to the JPU and UFN, explaining our findings and offering an alliance. I want to avoid any rumors that we are planning an invasion of the JPU or UFN. I believe it may take the combined efforts of our three nations to defeat, or at least repel, the Aliens." He stopped to take a sip of kaffa and look at his SID. "We have always had a plan for an invasion by the JPU and UFN but not Aliens. Because we don't yet know the invaders, there are many unresolved issues to be addressed. I'm today promoting Vice Admiral Wattson to Fleet Admiral, Vice Admiral Stenberg to Admiral and second in command as well as liaison with all allied forces, and Vice Admiral Zann to Admiral and Freeland Station commander."

Surprisingly, there was little reaction to Plimson's announcement. The war announcement was expected and the assignments logical, even Zann because she was a Riss-human. I wasn't sure where that left me.

<Wattson decision.>

<Why?>

<Frees you. Riss fleet.>

<Fleet?>

<Nice sound.>

"Effective immediately, Captains Reese and Pavao are placed on the inactive list and are on loan to the Riss Nation," Plimson said. Most of the officers around the table looked confused, which wasn't surprising. Everyone knew I was a junior captain, a Riss-human, and station commander; however, my exact status had never been formally stated.

"Leader Reese, are the Riss prepared to support the SAS per the Mutual Support Agreement?" Wattson asked formally. Heads were swiveling back and forth, trying to make sense of what was happening. Pavao sat there with a smile.

"Yes, sir."

"And to take assignments from me?"

"Yes, sir."

"For those of you struggling to make sense of what has happened, let me try and clarify. The Riss Project was a misguided attempt to integrate the Riss into the SAS on the assumption they wanted humans as hosts. Ironically, the project had an unexpected result—the Riss-humans have turned out to provide a bridge between humans and the Riss that would not have been possible otherwise. As a consequence, the Riss have achieved their dream of becoming a space going nation and the SAS has benefited from their advanced mathematics and the technological advances they achieved developing the Riss cruisers.

"The MSA is an agreement signed by Admiral Plimson as the Secretary of Defense and Reese, who those at the battle of Freeland know speaks for the Riss, to provide mutual military support and share technology."

"What does that mean in the field?" Captain Gardner of the Goshawk asked, glaring at me. Wattson was quiet for a moment, before he spoke.

"Consider if you and a squadron of UFN were preparing to fight the Aliens, which may not be too farfetched given the current situation. Who would be in charge? Could the UFN commander give you orders? Could you give him orders? No, I believe you would have to agree on a strategy and cooperate in achieving the desired outcome. The same applies to the Riss. The SAS has recognized the Riss as a separate nation as they do the JPU and UFN."

"That could be very confusing in a battle," Captain Yumas of the Gyrfalcon said. "Someone has to be in charge or—"

"I'm in charge, Captain. We will soon be fighting for the survival of the SAS. If anyone's ego or prejudice is more important than the security of the SAS, then resign. We will be better off without you." He scanned the room, locking eyes with each captain, then took several sips of kaffa. "Let us get back to the real problem—what is our short term strategy? I say short because without more information it's impossible to develop a long term one."

The room remained quiet as everyone scanned the others as if looking for someone to speak.

<We have to engage the enemy. We need more information.> I sent to Nance.

<Cethlion and I agreed. One of their quarantined planets?>

<Yes. If Zigzag is any indication, we have a fair idea what kind of force the Aliens will leave in place.>

<Unless, one of those planets hosts their invasion force.>

<Maybe we should avoid Baraz?>

<That maybe a good idea regardless, as it's JPU territory.>

<You want to suggest it?>

<Why? Want me to share the prejudice?>

<Yes. The price of being a Riss-human.>

<All right. The price is more than worth it.>

"Admiral Wattson, I believe we have to continue to engage the Aliens … " Pavao summarized our exchange. It was clear that was what Wattson had already decided, judging from his looks and timely questions. The discussions lasted for several hours. I thought it obvious from the who's in charge comments that my involvement would complicate the discussions, so I remained quiet giving Pavao my input via Thalia and Cethlion.

In the end, it was decided to ignore any planets in the JPU until Plimson could form an alliance. Wattson directed Iglis to analyze each of the quarantined planets to determine the probable size of the Aliens force to quarantine it. That would determine the size of the force we would send to liberate it. The meeting was adjourned for two days. As everyone was leaving, Plimson spoke.

"Reese, Pavao, please stay. I'd like to know the status of the Minerva and the upgrade projects." He remained quiet until Bradshaw closed the door. "That was wise, Nadya, and sneaky. I think your direct involvement would have been disruptive. Getting Pavao to speak for the both of you worked nicely. She isn't the lightening rod you've become."

"I wondered why Reese was so quiet during the discussions," Stenberg said.

"It's very frustrating. I wish I could select the ten officers on active duty who passed the War College With Comment and a few like Reese and Pavao with substantial battle experience, and put them in charge. Of course, that would destroy the seniority system men like Captain Gardner are desperately trying to save at any costs. I can't do that, but I will not allow the SAS to fail because of it."

"I agree, but if you decide it's necessary, I'd suggest you reassign their cruiser back to Eden rather than direct punitive action, which may cause a backlash. I will reassign them to a desk when they arrive and appoint a new captain to return the cruiser back into action."

"Sir, since the Riss are an independent nation, I'm free to make the necessary adjustments on the Riss cruisers?"

"I feel another headache coming on, Reese. As a free nation, of course you're free to take any action you deem appropriate; however, I would hope those actions would not disrupt our MSA."

"Sir, the Riss will support the SAS in anyway Admiral Wattson feels appropriate. My concern is that the Riss cruisers fight to their maximum potential. Pavao commanding the Eirene ensures it will be. I must ensure that the Minerva and the Mayat also do."

"You're not planning on making another Riss-human?" Plimson asked, cautiously.

"Who?" Wattson was quick to ask.

"No. It's not that easy. The Riss were fortunate to have found Pavao. It might take years to find another like her." I smiled at Nance. I'd become fond of her over the years. She felt more like an equal, who I could share my doubts and concerns.

"I'd appreciate you keeping me in the loop. Many in the SAS have not come to terms with Riss-humans or the Riss, and I would not want to do anything to make it worse. But conversely, I want those ugly beasts, you call cruisers, at their best."

* * *

Admiral Wattson scheduled another meeting the next day, with the same captains. I arrived early, fetched a cup of kaffa, and found a seat toward the back. I didn't expect today's meeting to be any friendlier than yesterday and wished I were invisible.

<Impossible.>

<I know. But you can keep me calm.>

<Easy.> Immediately I saw an image of me swinging in a hammock strung between two cruisers.

<That wasn't exactly what I had imagined.>

<Good morning, Nadya. Are you attempting to hide.> Nance interrupted my musing and sat down next to me.

<I'd like to but Thalia informs me she can't make me invisible.>

<I'll talk for you, if you wish.>

<If we continue to do that, you're going to wish Cethlion could make you invisible.>

<Don't worry. I'm older and have a thicker skin.>

"Attention!" Bradshaw announced, as Wattson, Stenberg, and Zann entered the room.

"At ease," Wattson said and everyone found a seat.

"The goal today is to settle on our next move, since it is unacceptable to do nothing. Does anyone have a suggestion?" An uncomfortable silence followed for several minutes. I wondered if asking his students—in this case captains—to analyze the problem and come up with a solution was a carryover from the War College or his standard approach. Now that I considered it, I saw the logic. If he told us what he thought, it would stop everyone thinking, and he could lose a better solution or an ideal that led to one. It also gave him an insight into each individual, which would be important when deciding on assignments. Eventually, Captain Gardner spoke.

"I don't think there are any clever options. We pick a quarantined planet and send an overwhelming force to clean out anything there. Then we pick out the next… " He banged the table for emphasis. Captain Yumas was quick to agree. The discussion went on for what seemed like two days rather than the actual two hours.

<What do you think, Leader?> Pavao lip twitched, trying to suppress a smile.

<I doubt Wattson agrees.>

<I'm afraid too many do. Their only battle experience was Freeland where over whelming force the tactic. But even there, without the Riss help the toll would have been far greater.>

<Force isn't the answer. Not now or in the future.>

<Amazing. Cethlion can actually feel you fighting the urge to make a suggestion. Cethlion said to remind you you're high-Riss.>

<That's there answer to just about everything you don't want to do.>

<Good answer.>

"Sir, I would like to suggest restoring the Asp—"

"The Riss and the Raiders are bedmates. Neither of you can be trusted," Gardner banged the table so hard kaffa splashed from his cup.

"I agree. All of her directives have favored the Raiders, Riss, or the Army. I wouldn't trust her in a battle—" He stopped when I rose.

"Admiral Wattson, it's obvious that Captains Gardner and Yumas do not want to go into battle with the Riss. I'm sure both captains, based on their current positions and time in service, are excellent officers. But based on their attitudes, the Riss cannot trust them to provide us support if we were in trouble—"

"Damn right," Gardner shouted.

"Our presence has become disruptive and is hindering you reaching a solution. Therefore, I'm leaving. When you decide on the SAS's next move, the Riss will be ready, except the Riss will not accept an assignment with either captain Gardner or Yumas.” As I finished, everyone started talking, drowning out whatever Gardner and Yumas were saying.

<Nance, we are leaving.>

<Yes, Leader.> Pavao smiled as she rose and followed me, Terril and another Scorpion out the door.

"That was amazing. When you said we were leaving, I could feel—feel—it was the right thing for the Riss. That's not to say I didn't agree with you before you said it."

As we walked, I opened my SID.

"Garrach, get me a line to the Mnemosyne,"

"Yes, ma'am." A minute later. "Commander Jaelle is on channel four."

"Jaelle, send shuttles to the Gyrfalcon and Goshawk. I'm recalling all Riss from those ships." When I looked at the hand holding the SID, it was shaking.

"You don't mess around when you're mad," Nance said. “I'm going to go back to the Eirene and get some rest. I imagine Admiral Wattson will want to see us sooner rather than later."

I heard her laughing as she headed to her shuttle.

"I thought for a while, I would have to shoot Gardner." Terril didn't grin, but I knew it took all of her considerable control not to.

"What about Yumas?" I said, going along with the banter.

"He belonged to Martin. Right, Corporal?”

"Damn straight, Gunny. I was just waiting for him to show his gun."

"Good thing I left when I did."

"Yes, ma'am, There's a lot of paperwork when you shoot an officer," Terril smiled. I pointed to the seat next to me as I sat, and Terril dropped into it. "That was exciting. What do you have planned for tomorrow?"

"The question is what does Wattson have planned for tomorrow."

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

Adjustments

The Riss from the Gyrfalcon and Goshawk arrived shortly after I did. Rather than send them to Freeland, I decided to wait until my sure-to-come meeting with Admiral Wattson. The summons came quicker than I had expected.

<Nadya, Admiral Wattson requests you and Nance meet with him at nineteen hundred hours tonight.> Jaelle felt nervous.

<Still thinks like SAS officer.>

<Old habits hard to break.>

<Jaelle, the Riss will support the SAS. We owe them that, but we will no longer tolerate prejudice or abuse. We are sisters, high-Riss, and a free people.>

<Yes, Leader.> I could feel a growing sense of pride and relief.

<Acknowledge the Admiral's request. I'm going to freshen up and change uniform.>

* * *

"Terril, don't you have duties on the Mnemosyne?" Terril seemed to be my constant companion lately, not that I minded.

"For now, you're the most exciting action on Freeland. Besides tales of your exploits are worth a lot of beers. Tonight should be entertaining. I hope I don't have to shoot the Admiral." Her lips twitched but her eyes held a look of concern.

"Me, too. We need his leadership if we're going to win against the Aliens. War is his element. He's been stagnating at the War College." Wattson seemed to have come alive since the Alien threat had come to light. He knew what needed to be accomplished, was open to alternatives, and encouraged his subordinates to use their creativity. Unlike others, he knew force was never the ideal solution. Bradshaw met us as we exited, dressed as immaculately as ever, but he had dark circles under his eyes and a knotted brow.

"Captain, you're causing the Admiral and me to miss our beauty sleep."

"Maybe I can talk him into another vacation." I grinned. He choked and then started coughing.

"Admirals can be cranky … when they work late." Now he looked concerned. Ironically, I didn't feel worried. I didn't think this was going to be a fun meeting, but the Riss weren't the problem.

<Guess not want be relaxed.> Amusements tickled me.

<No, thanks.> When I entered the room, Plimson, Wattson, Stenberg, Zann, and Pavao were there, and Captain McKnight, who sat at the other end of the table. I nodded in the direction of the admirals and took a seat.

"I hear you recalled the Riss from the Gyrfalcon and Goshawk. That will stop the Symath training and mean those two ships will be unable to use the Riss solution. I thought you agreed to mutual support," Plimson said.

<Mad?>

<No. Concerned.>

"I would imagine if you asked Captain Gardner or Yumas, they would tell you the Riss solution wouldn't work in a real battle," I said, remembering Commanders Verdi and Belercor on the Leopard and their efforts to discredit me.

"That was more of less their comments," Wattson said, his face blank.

"The Riss will honor their commitment to the SAS with or without the MSA," I said looking directly at Plimson. He had earned our support. "For most of our careers, Riss-humans have been subjected to prejudices, which led to attempts to discredit us, mental abuse, and physical attacks. I know we cannot expect everyone on a ship to like, trust, or accept the Riss.  But when a Captain is one of them, discipline breaks down and abuses are tolerated and even encouraged. Captains Gardner and Yumas are by their own admission two such captains. I will not leave Riss in such an environment."

"What about the MSA?" Stenberg asked.

"The Riss feel the SAS have broken that agreement, when two of your captains refused to support the Riss in battle. Even so, I have said the Riss are ready for any assignment Admiral Wattson assigns us. My only stipulation was I would not fight alongside captains who were unwilling to honor the MSA."

Stenberg nodded in what I thought was agreement or at least acceptance. Wattson brought my attention back to him.

"Why do you want to make the Asp operational? I assume that means ECM, lasers, and missiles."

"Sir, we are not going to go into a quarantined planet, find the Aliens' cruisers, and destroy them without major losses, if not a total disaster, no matter how big the force."

"Go on," Wattson said, confirming what I had said to Terril. He understood the problem if not the specifics I was referring to.

"The Aliens' spacecraft guarding the planet are not going to be running with their radars and weapons active so we can find them. They are going to be in passive mode and next to impossible to locate. They can wait, until the scout ship, which will certainly be in system leaves and returns with a force two, three or more times ours. Even without a scout, they could maneuver into position and attack when we are least prepared. We may win, but more will die than necessary." I stopped to take a sip of kaffa. "If we return the Asp to full operational capability, we can use it as a decoy. The Mnemosyne and the Eirene will accompany it in stealth mode. I believe the Aliens would attempt to engage it, especially if they felt it was preparing to leave before they could maneuver into position for a surprise attack."

"A decoy is a good idea. Why not a merchant?"

"A merchant would be perfect, but it would be a death sentence to those on board, whereas the Asp would have a fighting chance to survive, especially with Riss supporting it."

"Who would man the Asp?"

"I suggest the clan," I held up my hand before anyone could comment. "With a detail of Scorpions. They won't be necessary but it will make the skeptics feel secure like the Rh on my face."

"Why not navy personnel?" Stenberg asked.

"It will have to be one of your senior captains because it's going to require judgment, since we don't know the Aliens' reaction. And the navy personnel won't be as efficient as the clan, because they aren't familiar with a clan cruiser. So you would be risking a senior captain and crew when it's unnecessary."

"And the clan has a Captain of equal judgment?"

"Yes, Captain Da'Maass. I believe he would be one of those to receive a With Comment at the War College. He's a talented tactician."

"How can we trust him?"

"He's clan, and every clan member knows that any hostile action against the SAS would result in disastrous consequences. They've found cooperating has gotten them many benefits."

"And you think Da'Maass and the clans will be willing to be a decoy?"

"Yes. Da'Maass thrives on challenges. He's a raptor with a broken wing, who longs to fly again." I sat back, having said my piece. Plimson actually laughed.

"Wattson, you now know what a Reese headache feels like."

"I've invited Captain McKnight to listen and give me his opinion. He's a senior captain, who I respect, and will be representative of the majority of senior captains," Wattson said, and nodded to McKnight. I'd bet Wattson's final decision wouldn't be predicated on McKnight's observation, but it would determine how much resistant he would encounter from the other captains.

"I have to agree my first reaction was close to Gardner's, although I'd have let her finish before coming to a conclusion. She's right about needing a distraction and a merchant might not only be a suicide mission, but the Aliens won't react the same to a merchant as a cruiser—especially one shooting back. I'd be a bit nervous about the clan in an operational cruiser, but she has a valid point about the consequences to the clan being a strong deterrent. And Da'Maass has been an excellent project manager. I'd say with a detail of Scorpions, the skeptics among us would be comfortable with the plan." He raised his cup to me and smiled.

"I'll give the captains a chance tomorrow to poke holes in the plan, but I believe it will stand except with minor modifications. Reese, you and Pavao should talk to Da'Maass and set things in motion.

"Captain McKnight would you coordinate with the fleet to ensure the dead, wounded, and necessary rotations are onboard the Goshawk. Captain Gardner will be ferrying them to Eden. Captain Yumas is being reassigned and will accompany Admiral Plimson back to Eden. Commander Vanclief has been promoted to Captain and will replace him as captain of the Gyrfalcon." He looked at me. "That's all for tonight. It has been a long day."

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Asp commissioned

Ni'Shay was there to greet me, when I exited the shuttle.

"Captain Reese, we are all wondering what surprises you have for us today. We no longer panic when you call a meeting without giving us a hint of the agenda. Including Da'Maass makes it even more interesting." He waved me towards the waiting aircar. "You have Da'Maass as nervous as a tree cat in the desert."

"I apologize, but some issues are best handled with short notice and face-to-face. It avoids unnecessary speculation that takes on a life of its own."

Ni'Shay let the topic drop and the discussion turned to general news about Freeland, which was having unprecedented prosperity. With the exception of some of the ex-Raiders, the genral population was content with the current status,.

When we entered the conference room, food was on a side table and everyone looked relaxed, except Da'Maass.

"Welcome dybbuk, there is food and drink. It helps to take one's mind off the purpose of a meeting with no agenda. Myself, I was hoping you were going to propose." He gave me one of his rakish smiles.

"That's exactly why I'm here, Da'Maass," I smiled, and for a second, he stood with his mouth working but no sound emerged. Ni'Shay had a broad grin, and I heard several snorts and laughs. "We have a problem. By we, I mean the three empires, and by extension Freeland and the Riss. The Aliens are an advanced war-like civilization. For now they are quarantining planets and destroying their ability to fly or communicate with other planets." I stopped to take a sip of the clan's coco-kaffa.

"That's what the SAS has done to us," Elder Ja'Dalle said, leaving off the, why should we care if it happens to them.

"So why should you care? You are already confined to Freeland, and it will serve the SAS right," I said. The resulting emotions in the room were priceless.

<Shock. Agreement. Pleased.>

"Yes, you're isolated—today. What about in a hundred years, two? Today your merchants are trading in the three empires. You're prospering because you are building spacecraft. And your natural resources can support the population. A hundred years from now your population will quadruple and clans will be fighting clans for scarce resources. Is that the future you see?" I stood and walked over the table and surveyed the variety of food. I found a plate and chose small samples—a paprikash dish with some kind of meat, a potato salad, noodles, a green leaf stuffed with something, and a puffy bread roll—and strolled back to the table and began eating. I doubted anyone noticed. They were too busy huddled in small groups. I had finished when Ni'Shay sat and slowly the rest returned to their seats.

"Whoever named you dybbuk had the right of it. You look into our minds and see what can be, while we see what we lost. You see our future but know you cannot tell us. We must find it or it will be yours not ours," Elder Sa'Velte said, seeming to speak for the group.

"And you want our help?"

"Yes. We cannot just fly a squadron of cruisers into one of the quarantined systems and destroy the Aliens occupying it. They won't be racing around the system with weapons systems hot. They will be lying passive, and since they are manned by robots, they require very little power."

"So you need a … decoy?" Da'Maass said, eyes looking off somewhere and deep in thought.

"Yes."

"A merchant? That would be suicide." Elder Ka'Baako said, eye blazing with anger.

"I agree, but in a cruiser with the right Captain, dangerous but possible." As I finished, Da'Maass's eyes went wide and a smile split his bushy full beard.

"The Asp!"

"Yes, fully operational—ECM, lasers, and missiles. And tailed by the Mnemosyne and Eirene," I said.

Da'Maass spun towards the elders. "Don't you see? The clan flying a cruiser and participating with the Riss and by extension the SAS. Another step towards the future the dybbuk sees."

<Smart man.>

<What future do I see?>

<You know just not see.>

"Why not a SAS crew? Elder Ka'Baako asked.

"Honestly, because the odds of the average SAS Captain surviving except by accident are very low. Add to that, a SAS crew operating a clan cruiser and the odds become close to zero. War is dangerous and people die, but I don't believe in wasting lives. Each is precious. I believe Captain Da'Maass is a superb tactician, who is capable of drawing the Aliens out into the open, and has a chance of surviving with Captain Pavao and my support." Da'Maass was clearly excited with the challenge, but he needed the elders' permission, since it involved others—a crew. "I'll leave so you can deliberate my proposal," I smiled at Da'Maass. "I promise there will be no repercussions if you feel the risk is too much. And there is considerable risk and more than likely people will die. The Aliens' ships are small but nasty. I can only promise that Pavao and I will do our best to protect the Asp."

* * *

Ni'Shay called the next day to tell me that the elders had decided to allow Da'Maass and a crew of volunteers to participate with the Riss. I called for a meeting, inviting Wattson, Zann, Pavao, Seng, McTosh, and Da'Maass. We met for three hours discussing what had to be done to bring the Asp to operational readiness, and the security necessary at each stage. After assessing the final schedule, Da'Maass estimated three weeks, which included six days of trials and exercises. Ironically, if the Asp hadn't been used to test the Mnemosyne, it would have taken three times longer.

Da'Maass was responsible for the manufacturing components on Freeland, collecting a crew, and seeing to the repairs to the Asp. Sami Sa'Velte took over Da'Maass's project responsibilities. Colonels McTosh and Seng shared responsibility for the security of the Asp while the repairs were being made.

* * *

The shakedown cruise went well—after the fleet was notified the Asp was conducting exercises for the upcoming mission—and only a few corrections were necessary.

The exercises with Da'Maass proved what I expected. He was a brilliant tactician and kept the Eirene on her toes. Two days before we were set to leave, I called a meeting with Wattson, Stenberg, Zann, Pavao, and my human reports.

"By now you all know your responsibilities, but this is a last chance to get clarification and to air any last minute concerns." I looked to Wattson, Stenberg, and Zann but got no response. "The Mnemosyne and the Eirene will enter Fools Landing one hour before the Asp. Commanders Byer and Clarkson will dispatch five Ghosts each. They will guard the entrance to the Wave, on the assumption that the Aliens have a scout ship present and that it will leave for reinforcements during or after the engagement. That ship must not reach the Wave or the Aliens will know far too much about us and be ready next time.

"Colonels Seng and McTosh will provide ten Scorpions each to ensure the integrity of the Asp. Since we don't know what force the Aliens will have at Fools Landing, Captain Da'Maass will have to use his discretion in how to locate them. Pavao and I will try to keep in touch with the Asp once the action starts, but it will be difficult to establish two-way communications, as we will be in stealth mode much of the time. Any questions?"

"No, you've kept us in the loop at each stage of the project. It’s a reasonable plan and hopefully we can get the Aliens to cooperate." Wattson gave a snort. "Good hunting."

"I've had concerns right from the beginning about throwing two of our most advanced cruisers and experienced captains into an unknown encounter with the Aliens. But we need to test the Riss cruisers. I wish we knew what you would face, but war is unpredictable. Fair winds, smooth seas, and good hunting," Stenberg said.

"I know you must captain one of the Riss cruisers, but I worry who will take your place. Have you given it any thought?" Zann asked.

<No, Trish. The Riss will pick the right person for the position. Not me.>

"No need," I answered for the benefit of the others. Of course, they assumed I meant I was coming back.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

The Medusa

"Attention, all personnel. Battle Stations, silent running." SIDs vibrated and lights turned red throughout the ship. "We will be exiting the Wave in thirty minutes. We will remain in stealth mode until further notice." The minutes ticked by slowly but without stress.

<With family.> A warm feeling of being in a loved one's arms.

<A dream come true. A Riss ship manned by Riss in their natural form.>

The transition from the Wave into normal space was over in seconds and the monitors came back online.

<Radar?>

<No activity.>

"Commander Byer, release your Ghosts to take up their positions."

"Yes, ma'am."

<Six Ghosts launched.>

<Comm: Establish and maintain tight-beam communications with the Eirene.>

<Connection established. Tagged R2.> The VTM blossomed to life and a small dot tagged R2 appeared.

<Boring.> An image of a Gorillai watching a wisen chewing on prairie grass.

<Won't be when it comes out the other end.> I laughed, causing Jaelle to turn towards me.

<Thalia's clowning as usual. She's bored.>

<Is it always like this—quiet?>

<Most people are tense when expecting a battle. But notice the Riss aren't. They will, therefore, react faster because their minds are clear. Take comfort in Bastet, Blue water rippling in the breeze, your Riss companion. Worrying solves nothing and changes nothing.>

<Leader, the Asp exited the Wave. Tagged C1.> A small blip appeared on the VTM with the tag C1.

<Engines, 3, 5,and 7. Relay to Eirene.> Three engines would be enough to remain stealth and to follow the Asp, which was proceeding at half speed, without dropping too far behind.

"This is the Captain. Ship status is now Standby." I couldn't see any reason for everyone being on duty. We were a long way from Fools Landing, and we were in stealth mode. The Asp would be the one to come under attack, and we would have to give Da'Maass time to flush out the Aliens. If not, it could get ugly.

A day dragged by as we slowly approached Fools Landing. The Asp was close to three light-seconds, less than three minutes at full speed, ahead of us and within twenty light-seconds from Fools Landing, when a large blip appeared on the VTM.

<Leader, unidentified ship tagged A1. Several times larger than Golden Eagle. Three light-seconds from the Asp.> The VTM lit with a larger blip tagged A1. I sat stunned. We had wondered if the cruisers we had encountered at Zigzag were their version of our Lights or their standard cruiser. Obviously, that was a mini-cruiser. If so, was this their Heavy, Heavy cruiser or a mini-Heavy?

<Sending wide-beamed message.>

<Comm: Direct to unit commanders.>

"Unidentified cruiser. You are in a solar system under the control of the Council of the Gods. You are directed to proceed to Fools Landing where you will evacuate your ship. Failure to comply will result in your destruction."

I found it interesting the Aliens were again giving warning and allowing people time to clear the ship before firing.

<Leader, Asp fired eight missiles at A1. Asp reversing direction.>

"Nadya, Da'Maass is crazy. His missiles can't reach A1. The fool should have continued on to Fools Landing," Pavao voice through our tight-beam connection.

"Crazy, yes. But that will get the response we want. Everything in the area will be after him."

<Three cruisers left A1. Tagged AA1, AA2, AA3.> The VTM showed the three cruisers on an intercept vector for the Asp. That explained it size. It was a mother ship, probably equipped with a repair station and supplies.

"Nance, continue closer to A1. I'll support the Asp."

<Nav: Plot a Riss solution for the AA cruisers.> As Nance had said, the Asp's eight missiles ran out of fuel well short of A1 and never came close to hitting the massive ship.

<Riss solution acquired.>

I waited. Firing now would alert the three cruisers chasing the Asp and A1 to the existence of another warship in the area. It meant Da'Maass was going to take a beating, but it couldn't be helped. I couldn't be sure what other Aliens' ships were in the area.

<Leader, Asp fired eight missiles. Impact eighty-nine seconds.>

<Leader, AA cruisers launched twelve missiles at Asp. Impact sixty seconds.>

<ECM: Fire two dragonflies.>

<Dragonflies fired.>

<Tac: Riss solution, when ready. Four, four, and four. Continuous fire.> Hopefully, the Mnemosyne's missiles would be confused with the Asp, especially since we were still in stealth mode.

<Twelve missiles launched. Impact one hundred nineteen seconds.> Our missiles were thirty-three percent faster than the Asp, but we were also a light-second further way from the AA cruisers.

<Asp hit twice.>

<Asp one hit AA3.> Close to a minute later.

<AA1 two hits, AA2 two hits, AA3 two hits.>

Between the Asp and the Mnemosyne, we had scored seven hits. The Asp had launched all eight at AA3 and scored one. We had scored well because the Demons had no warning heat or radar signal and came from an unexpected direction. But it did indicate the Aliens' ships had an excellent laser defense system. The Dragonflies improved the Demons accuracy dramatically, so even if one of the four missed the target, the defense system still destroyed one and possibly two if all were on target.

<Asp another hit on AA3.>

<Tac: Change, six on AA1 and AA2, continuous.>

<Twelve launched.>

<A1 launched three more cruisers. Towards Asp. Tagged AA4, AA5, AA6.>

<Eirene launched twelve missiles. Target AA6.>

<Three hits Asp. Asp scored one AA3.>

<Four hits AA2. Three AA1.>

<AA6 exploded. Eirene launched twelve. Target AA5.>

<A1 launched two cruisers, direction Eirene.>

<Three hits Asp.>

<Five hits AA2. Losing power. Three hits AA1.>

<AA5 lost power. Trailing debris.>

<AA3, AA4 turning towards Mnemosyne.>

<Riss solution on AA1>

<ECM: Launch Duster, two Dragonflies.> I wanted to hide the launch of missiles at AA1.

<Duster, Dragonflies launched.>

<Tac: Twelve at AA1.> The Asp couldn't take too many more hits. AA1 would be releasing fighters soon, and the Asp wasn't equipped to counter fighters.

<Twelve launched AA1.>

"Byer, launch the Ghosts. Dragonflies will broadcast their positions." Unfortunately, the Dusters will obscure our contact with the Eirene, but Nance seemed to have the situation under control and will probably be launching Dusters of her own.

<Riss solution on AA3, AA4.>

<Tac: Six and six when ready. Continuous> Flying over and under the Duster cloud, the Dragonflies could see AA3 and AA4 and determine an incoming vector.

<Three hits Asp. Multiple hits AA1. Destroyed.>

<AA3, AA4 launched four and four.>

<AA3, AA4 launched fighters. Ten and ten.>

The Dragonflies could track the fighters into to the Duster's cloud, but the Ghosts would be outnumbered four to one, otherwise we could change position and make it difficult to locate the Mnemosyne. But the Ghosts needed the support the lasers would provide.

<Two incoming.>

An impressive performance, The Aliens missiles had been launched at a hidden target based on the approximate direction of our last launch, so seeing even two was impressive. And they had gone through the Duster debris, another impressive feat. Their missiles ability to turn off when they encountered chaff and turn back on when they were through it, somewhat nullified the use of chaff.

<Two destroyed.>

<Eight fighters emerging.> The fighter monitor was eerie, because the Ghosts were invisible, so only the Aliens' fighters could be seen moving. Strange to see them zigzagging in and out and occasionally disappearing. The worst part was not knowing how many Ghosts were also being destroyed. Six Alien fighters had been destroyed or disabled based on the monitor, of which the Mnemosyne's lasers had destroyed two as the fighters searched for the ship.

<Six more fighters emerging.>

"Byer what your status?"

"Two destroyed… three operational."

<One located Mnemosyne. All following. Two more emerged.> I hated to think what that meant for the Mnemosyne. As I watched, five blinked out. I could only guess that the Aliens' fighters had made a mistake by turning their backs on the Ghosts.

Five were still functional and racing towards us. Lasers destroyed two, then the Mnemosyne shook as fighter after fighter rammed us and exploded.

<Fighter bays 21 open to space, six dead two wounded. Scorpion shuttle bay breached, two combat shuttles destroyed, three dead three wounded. One laser bank damaged, five dead.> Judging by the damage, battle metal held against one fighter and limited the damage from another.

<ECM: Launch two Dragonflies.>

<Launched.>

<Two incoming.>

<Two destroyed.> I wondered if Ghosts had destroyed them.

"Commander Byer, what's the status of your group?" A long silence followed. I could imagine him trying to compose himself. It had been bad.

"… One… returning… only partially functional," he choked out. I could feel his pride and pain. His group had done the impossible but the price had been steep.

"Check with the Ghosts guarding the Wave. If they've destroyed a scout, recall all of them to the Mnemosyne. We are going to need them to cover the Scorpions when we check on the disabled cruisers."

"… Yes, ma'am." He would never voice the, haven't we done enough, he was feeling.

<Asp at half power. AA1 destroyed. AA3 lost power. AA4 still operational.>

<Tac: Launch twelve at AA4.>

<Twelve launched.>

<Two incoming.> One disappeared as it cleared the debris. Lasers failed to stop the second one. The Mnemosyne shuttered.

<Battle steel held. Minor damage ECM bank one, two wounded.>

<AA4 destroyed.> With the destruction of AA4 the immediate threat was over, but there was still A1 and an unknown number of additional cruisers, and the condition of the Eirene.

<Nav: Vector to last position of A1.>

<Helm: Engines 1 and 5. All system passive.>

<Comm: Connect me to the Asp.>

"Dybbuk, nice to hear you're alive."

"How bad, Da'Maass?"

"Forty crew dead, sixteen wounded, eight Scorpions dead, three wounded. I'm afraid we need repairs before we can fight another one of those nasty little cruisers."

"Look after wounded and make any repairs necessary to enter the Wave. Thank you, Da'Maass. You did far more than anyone could have expected. I owe you."

"I'll remember."

"Go. I'll have a message for you before you reach the Wave." I cut the connection. He had done terrible things as a Raider, but he was hard to hate.

<Riss not hate. Consumes you.>

<Forgive evil?>

<Look to future, not the past. True evil not atone.>

<Leader. Area clear. Only A1.>

<Comm: Connect with Eirene.>

<Connected.>

"Nance, what is your status."

"A few scratches. Nothing serious. You and the Asp hogged all the cruisers. What's the condition of the Asp?"

"Barely operational. Forty-eight dead, nineteen wounded. I'm sending him back to Freeland. What about A1?"

"Momma seems to be out of babies, but I'll bet she's a nasty bitch on her own. She's making for the Wave."

"Can't let her leave. She's seen too much."

"Any ideas on how we stop her?"

"Maybe. It worked against the Raiders at Tamerland."

"If I remember correctly, you were awarded a Silver Star, but they didn't say why. A lot of speculation whether you deserved it. Want to share."

"Compute a skip to within one kilometer to the Port side of C1, and let me know the timing." I smiled imagining Nance's expression. Tamerland had been the first real application of Symath.

<Nav: Compute one kilometer skip to Starboard of A1.>

<Leader, four second skip. Two-two-one by one-four-three.>

"Nadya, a five second skip."

"The Mnemosyne is a four second skip. You will skip on my count. I will skip one second later, so we'll arrive at the same time—the Eirene on the Port side and the Mnemosyne on the Starboard. If humans manned the ship, I'd say we would have ten seconds or more to unload on it. But robots are going to be much faster, and I suspect their automatic laser defense will be close to instantaneous. I think the Riss can target A1 in five seconds."

"Agreed. I'll bet the Raiders didn't enjoy that surprise party."

"No, too rowdy. Nance, we aren't going to get a second skip, so we have to hit them with everything we can this time. Skip for three seconds after you fire. Good hunting. Ten, nine, eight… three, two, one, jump." A second later, everyone became transparent for four seconds and A1 appeared—a metal monster—reaching out with fames of destruction.

<Missiles launched. Lasers fired.> I heard as we faded and seconds later materialized back into real space.

<Level three breached. Weapons bay one open to space. Three missile tubes destroyed. Crew quarters breached. Ten dead, twenty-two wounded. Battle metal weakened multiple areas.>

"Nance, what's your condition?"

"Better than C1. It's lost power and their weapons appear down. I've several compartments to space, Sixteen dead, twelve wounded. Mama's a nasty bitch."

"At least for now it isn't going any place. Your Ghosts are in better shape than ours. Have them support two attack shuttles of Scorpions. Let see what we find. I'm going back to investigate what's left of the cruisers."

"Colonel Seng, prepare for boarding actions. We are going to investigate each of the disabled and destroyed cruisers."

"Yes, Captain." I felt inhuman ordering the Ghosts into action after the losses they had sustained—they had lost an additional two stopping the scout. But I had to make sure those cruisers couldn't be repaired and put back into action. We would have to grieve later.

<Why Riss not like war.>

<Only the Council of the Gods knows why humans do. Thalia! Humans!>

<Yes. Perhaps that is their crusade.> I felt the tension leaving me, as Thalia worked her chemical magic. It would make perfect sense. The Council of Gods weren't organic. Long ago, they had been. Now they were reduced to computer memory. Their mission was to confine war-like organic creatures—like humans—to their planets to avoid them spreading throughout the universe—or maybe universes.

* * *

Feeling I had to do something, I left the Bridge and made my way to the medical unit. Doctor Dayton's clothes were spotted with blood and she looked exhausted. When she saw me, she walked over.

"Are you hurt, Nadya?"

"Not physically. But I could use a good psychologist."

"If you find one, I'll join you." She turned and walked back into the unit. I left taking the stairs to level one where I found Commander Byer. He looked worse than Dayton.

"Captain Reese, there’s kaffa on the table." I noticed Squadron Leader Katlin rise as I entered. I waved her to sit.

"You were right, Captain. The Aliens had a scout ship in system. It began to leave when you and the Eirene had destroyed six of their cruisers. It was an easy kill with the new Ghosts. We were almost on top of it before it noticed us, but we still lost two. That damn laser defense is really nasty."

"Good job. We need to keep the Aliens in the dark for as long as we can. That will give us an immense advantage. Just like today. We had heavy losses, but what we learned can reduce our losses in our next engagement." I poured a cup a kaffa, and took a sip. "I'll be sending Scorpions to look at each cruiser and want fighter support while they're in transit."

"It's funny in a way. Last year supporting the Scorpions would've just been an assignment. This year I have friends on those shuttles. We'll see them safely across." I spent an hour discussing the damages to fighters, pilots, mechanics, and bays, before leaving for the Scorpions area.

"Captain Reese, Seng greeted me. Terril, who had been talking with him, nodded.

"Colonel Seng, what's your status?"

"I had eight killed and three wounded during the engagement. At the moment, twenty are helping with repairs. I can recall them if necessary."

"Recall enough for two attack shuttles. I want to look inside each cruiser. First to make sure the robots are … dead, and second, to see if there's any useful information left behind. Don't spend too much time looking, as I'm sure Admiral Wattson will send a team to collect what appears useful. The Ghosts will support your crossing. No suicide actions. If you encounter heavy resistance, withdraw, and we'll send a few missiles over instead."

* * *

It took most of a day to locate and examine each cruiser. Fortunately, the teams encountered no resistance, and no heat sensor activated lasers. The robots and computer system seemed to have been fried when the ship was no longer operational, except for one. We marked its location for later examination.

<Comm: Open channel to the Eirene.>

<Open. Pavao on line.>

"Nance, how is it going?"

"A1 is the size of four or five Heavies. We may have been lucky. The ship has several hundred missiles in addition to hundreds of fifty and ninety centimeter lasers. If we had tried to take it on directly, the space gods only know what would have happened. As it was, we took a beating even with that hit-and-run tactic. And it looks like they had bays for up to twelve cruisers. There's a repair station next to each bay. No mess hall or work out area," she snorted, "but lots of computers. That maybe the reason those systems reacted so quickly. I think they have a computer for each bank of lasers, which means they were probably activated automatically. We're still searching the damn thing, it's like a deserted city—eerie."

"Do you need any help?"

"No, it'll just take time to examine each compartment."

"Send over your dead and wounded. I'm going to rendezvous with the Asp. They were beaten up badly, so I'm sending them back to Freeland. We'll stay until they send relief."

* * *

I took a shuttle over to the Asp, while the dead and wounded were being transferred. On approached the extent of the damage was obvious from the gaping holes and blistered metal. It surprised me the Asp remained operational enough to enter the Wave.

"Welcome aboard, Captain Reese. That was one monster of a ship. I couldn't believe now it kept spitting cruisers. They're small but faster than the Asp, reloaded faster, and had better ECM. I thought mother was going to lose her oldest, if not her favorite son. But I guess she's going to have to endure me a bit longer." He gave that roguish laugh I could imagine coming from the famous pirate, Blackbeard, of earth's ancient history.

"Da'Maass, You're the hero of Fools Landing. You knew the danger when you fired on the Aliens ship."

"I trusted my dybbuk to save me." He laughed long and hard, "And she did."

"Let's get you home safely. When you enter Freeland space … "

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

Facing reality

"Admiral, the Puma is reporting the Asp has exited the Wave. It's decelerating and broadcasting it has Scorpions security aboard and carrying dead and wounded from the engagement at Fools Landing. And has an action report from Captain Reese. The Puma is at Battle Stations, awaiting instructions," Captain Dannatt said with the hint of a smile.

"Tell that … Captain Lambert to turn off his weapons, and escort the Asp to the Golden Eagle. That's all we need is for some over-zealous Captain or XO to fire on the Asp to create a major incident with untold repercussions. Half the fleet is jumpy and the other half either doesn't like the Riss or the Treaty. And almost everyone outraged that we armed the Asp." Wattson shook his head. "It’s a pressure cooker and won't take much for it to explode."

"Yes, sir. Anything else?" Dannatt asked.

"Yes, alert medical we have incoming wounded, and contact Admirals Stenberg and Zann. I would think they would like to be present when Da'Maass arrives."

"Yes, sir." Dannatt cut the connection. Wattson could understand what Reese has been going through the past two years. It's a miracle the she held it all together.

* * *

Wattson had food brought into the conference room, thinking it was going to be a long day. Zann arrived first.

"Help yourself to something, Zann," Wattson said as she entered, and waited until she had collected her food and drink. "What do you think about the Asp returning alone?"

"Hard to tell, there could be a lot of reasons. I do know if the Asp had been destroyed when it returned, there would have been major consequences on Freeland."

"Not to mention repercussions on Eden for killing wounded personnel, and it would have further widen the division between the navy and the army for killing the Scorpion security guards," Stenberg said as he closed the door behind him.

"That's what scares me. Gardner and Yumas may be the most prejudiced and outspoken, but they are not alone in their opinions. This alliance has already produced major benefits that could easily unravel. And what will happen when the JPU and UFN join us. Without these alliances, I believe we're going to lose. I can feel it in my bones." Wattson picked up his wine glass and stared at the inside like it had tealeaves and the answer.

"I agree. The problem is, while Reese has worked wonders here, her decisions tend to make everyone nervous—including us."

"I know. That's what makes Plimson such a great Secretary of Defense. He has trusted his instincts and understood the risks were worth the potential benefits." Wattson said. "If it weren't for him, we would still be chasing the Raiders, wouldn't have Symath, Riss cruisers, or the technology they created." A knock at the door interrupted Wattson.

"Sir, there is a Captain Da'Maass here."

"Show him in," Wattson said, standing as Da'Maass walked in. Wattson couldn't help but smile at the man and his … gypsy-like clothes. "Welcome, Captain Da'Maass. You know Admirals Stenberg and Zann?"

"Yes. Gentlemen." He gave a bow with the sweep of his arm across his body. Then walked over to the table and filled a glass full of wine, finished it, and poured another. "Excuse me, but it's been a long journey with dead and wounded." He sat and removed a small disk from his pocket, and slid it across the table to Wattson. The Admiral picked it up and slid it into his SID, then projected it onto the rooms monitor. Captain Reese appeared.

"Captain Da'Maass has earned our respect and gratitude for his sacrifice on our behalf. When we entered Fools Landing …

For the next two hours, they questioned Da'Maass, but his direct knowledge was limited to his encounter with the cruisers, his general discussion with Reese prior to leaving Fools Landing, and with the wounded on the way back to Freeland. Afterward he was taken to the medical unit to be examined and to check on his wounded crew.

"We need to send this information back to Plimson but not by Comstat. This isn't the kind of information we want leaked to the public," Stenberg said, turning the disk in his hand. "And we have to find a way to convince our senior personnel that the threat is real, and we will not survive alone."

"You're right," Wattson said. When he laughed, Stenberg and Zann gave him a look of concerned. The current situation didn't have a funny side. Wattson put up his hand. "Sorry, I had this vision of Reese's next request. I wondered if I, we, have the insight Plimson has.

"Everyone is going to be interested in what happened at Fools Landing. Call a meeting for early tomorrow."

* * *

The room was quiet when Wattson, Stenberg, and Zann entered.

"Attention," Bradshaw shouted.

"At ease. By now you know the Asp returned from Fools Landing with dead and wounded. Everyone was justified in being concerned when the Asp entered Freeland space alone. Concern as to the condition of the Mnemosyne and Eirene, to the cost of the engagement, but not that the Asp was anything but a returning ship of the task force. The Asp took no action that could be considered a threat."

"Sir they're the enemy—"

"A strange enemy, Captain Umphrey, considering we wouldn't have the Riss cruisers, the advanced technology built into those cruisers, or the ability to upgrade your cruisers and fighters for years." Wattson said and stopped to survey the room. "Before I show you Captain Reese's report, I'd like to conduct a small exercise. We'll take an hour's break to eat and relax. During that time, I want each to consider what you would recommend for a totally SAS task force to Fools Hope to investigate their quarantine: number and type of ships and your deployment."

"What happened at Fools Landing?"

"I know what Captain Reese did. I like to know what you would do. Besides Fools Hope may not be the same a Fools Landing, although their names are similar."

After Wattson finished, the Captains wandered the room stopping to talk and collected in small group. Eventually, everyone returned to the table and made notes on his or her SID.

"All right, who would like to start? Since it was obvious to everyone the Riss had encounter more than one lone cruiser, the majority of Captains solutions were a variation on the configuration and deployment used at Zigzag: three to four Lights, one Heavy, and one or two Hunters. Only Captain McKnight was significantly different. He decided on six Lights, two Hunters, and a Heavy. Wattson suspected that without their doubts about what happened at Fools Landing, everyone's solution would have been thirty percent lighter.

"Good. Let's use Captain McKnight's estimate, since his is the largest. Explain how you would deploy your task force, Captain."

"I'd bring all the ships in at one time in case they had ships at the Wave exit. Given nothing happened, I'd send two Lights and a Hunter ahead to within five light-seconds of the planet, the Heavy and two lights ten light-seconds out, and the last two Lights and a Hunter another five light-seconds out."

"A reasonable size task force and deployment, considering what we know from Zigzag. At the war college, I probably would have given you a four out of five. Before Fools Landing, I would have again given you a four out of five. Today, I'd give myself a failing grade. Based on what Reese encountered, the task force would have been destroyed, either by the existing forces or the reinforcements the scout ship would have brought.

"Without the decoy and Captain Da'Maass's quick thinking and bravery, which brought the Aliens' ship out of passive mode, the Aliens could have picked the best time for an attack and probably destroyed half the fleet. The remaining Aliens cruisers with their kamikaze fighters would easily have defeated the remaining ships. Even if they failed, the scout you failed to account for would have brought reinforcements. But even without the reinforcements, you could not have stopped the Aliens' mother ship from leaving with a detailed assessment of our capabilities.

"Why the exercise and why embarrass you? It's to show non-believers that without the Riss alliance and Freeland's support, we, the SAS, are going to lose this war. And the Aliens are going to confine us to our planets forever. Even if we could win with the UFN and JPU, I suspect our militaries would be decimated." Without a further word, Wattson nodded to Bradshaw, who activated Reese's reports on the four monitors around the room.

Afterward the room was silent.

“I do not ask you to like the idea of a human accepting a parasite into their body, or the like the idea of working with a Riss, especially if she is in charge, or to forget the suffering the clans have caused. But consider this: Kill Reese and we lose the cooperation of the Riss and Symath, which gives us the ability to skip within a kilometer of an Aliens' mother ship. A ship we couldn't have destroyed with several heavies. And we lose the Riss cruisers, which only the Riss can operate. Destroy the Asp, after its contribution at Fools Landing, and we lose the cooperation of Freeland and the upgrades that only they can provide. Could we force the Riss to cooperate? I doubt it. Could we force Freeland to provide the upgrades? Yes, but would you trust the upgrades and missiles they would produce as slave labor?

“If you and those you lead do not actively support the alliances we are making, you're aiding and abetting the Aliens and jeopardizing your life, the lives of your comrades, and the future of the human race.

“The Aliens intend to push us into the dark ages. Imagine a planet without planes. Not spacecraft. Planes. Imagine an exploding population on each planet and the wars over land and dwindling natural resources. There will be no relief, because we cannot expand outward. If you cannot see that the SAS cannot win this war alone—go home. I do not want to see you die, and the hundreds you command will be better off without you."

To be continued.

NOVELS BY  C.R. DAEMS & J.R. TOMLIN
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The Riss Gamble

Science Fiction/Fantasy

A young girl dreams of seeing the stars and meeting Aliens. Her chance comes in the form of a project offering a college education, commissioning in the SAS Fleet, and a partnership with an Alien. She successfully qualifies and wins one of the coveted ten positions. Of course everything comes with a price—the Alien is a parasite that inhabits the body and mind, and is there for life. Is it a dream or nightmare come true—or maybe both?

Link: http://www.amazon.com/The-Riss-Gamble-ebook/dp/B0068XKZQM/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1332997239&sr=1-1

The Riss Proposal

Book II in the Riss Series

Science Fiction/Fantasy

Nadya, hosting an intelligent parasite, is now an experienced naval officer with two battles against the Raider's cruiser packs. But she continues to be seen as an Alien, generating disgust, fear, raw hate, and attempts on her life.

To add to her problems, the Raiders have identified her as contributing directly to their bad luck and have designated her a dybbuk—demon—and have set a price on her dead or alive.

With the Raiders a continuing threat to the SAS, life has become a little too interesting.

Link: http://www.amazon.com/Riss-Proposal-Book-Series-ebook/dp/B00A80DLJE/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1353306845&sr=8-10&keywords=c+r+daems

The Shadow Ryana

Fantasy/Epic/Romance

Ryana, a worthless girl-child, is sold to a mysterious woman who takes her to the home of the Shadow Sisters who are prized for their abilities as spies and assassins. She survives years of training in spite of being unconventional: adopting poisonous bats as familiars--something no one else would dare to do; choosing the blow dart as her weapon of choice--a weapon the Sisters don't teach; and relying on intuition rather than logic.

As she completes her training, the Shadow Sisters are under attack. The senior Sister selects Ryana to find out who is killing Sisters and why--because her intuitive approach has proved effective, even though her youth and inexperience makes it unlikely she will survive.

As she travels through the kingdom as a member of a gypsy clan, she finds the only way she can protect the Sisters and hope to discover the underlying plot is through ever more violence and killing. As she proceeds through the provinces, her secret enemies come to call her the Sister of Death and become desperate to find and kill her. But in her desperate fight to protect the Sisterhood and the kingdom, Ryana fears that she has destroyed herself and the only life she ever wanted.

Link: http://www.amazon.com/Riss-Proposal-Book-Series-ebook/dp/B00A80DLJE/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1353378186&sr=8-10&keywords=c+r+daems

Talon of the Unnamed Goddess

Fantasy/Adventure

Alisha is the newest Talon of the Raptor Clan, mercenaries prized by rulers, nobles, and the wealthy as elite bodyguards. Like all Talons, she survived the five Ordeals and ten years of grueling training.

Alisha is not the strongest mercenary in the Raptor Clan, but she is the craftiest. Only tricking her opponents into underestimating her got her through the long years of Clan training. Those years honed her weapon skills, but not as much as her sharp wits. Even the ability she gets from the rune she was given by the Unknown Goddess depends on her guile.

Her first assignment for the Clan, to guard a young princess, requires all Alisha's skill, wit, and her newly acquired rune to keep the young heir to the kingdom alive.

Link:http://www.amazon.com/Talon-Unnamed-Goddess-C-Daems/dp/1463662394/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1313079283&sr=8-1

Kazak Guardians

Lynn’s Rules

Urban Fantasy/Adventure/Romance

If the Kazak Guardians had a recruiting poster, it would have read: WANTED: A select few insane men to fight professional Assassins with super-human abilities. Good medical plan provided.

Because surviving the training program to graduation was dangerous, even the first challenge to gain entrance could get you killed. But training was the easy part. Staying alive afterward was the hard part. Kazaks guarded individuals whose lives were deemed critical to the security of the United States. These individuals attracted fanatics and the best professional Assassins money could buy—Liars who could tell lies you believed, Ghosts who could become nearly invisible, and Illusionists who could appear to be anyone, among others.

But Lynn wanted no other life--the Kazak Guardians gave her life purpose. She had grown up in the foster care system, neglected and abused, at the mercy of people who didn't care. Even when she finally ran away, her freedom wasn't the renewal she had hoped. So when a friend told her about a unique organization that trained individuals to protect VIPs, she knew it was the life for her.

She survives years of training and five deadly challenges to become a Kazak Guardian, and entered a world of extremists and assassins, where each assignment became a deadly contest between Kazak and assassin, with the prize the life of the VIP.

Link:http://www.amazon.com/The-Kazak-Guardians-ebook/dp/B007O2TTRM/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1332996848&sr=1-1

Kazak Guardians: The Unthinkable

Book II of the Kazak Series

Urban Fantasy/Adventure/Romance

Lynn the Fox has been a Kazak for several years and thought she had seen it all; after all, she's a Master Kazak having killed more than five Assassins—professional killers with wizard-like talents. But life is unpredictable

There is a new kind of Assassin—a Mind Bender—who has caused two Kazaks kill their clients.

The unthinkable happens—and a client turns on her.

An unknown member of the secret and powerful Committee who funds and directs the Kazaks is a traitor.

And what should have been a simple misunderstanding at a State Department security checkpoint results in a life and death encounter with a SWAT team.

But there are fun moments, if you don't mind people trying to kill you and your client. Lynn gets to play the part of Afghan Warlord's daughter, a college student, and a homeless woman—an eagle covered with dove's feathers.

Link:http://www.amazon.com/The-Unthinkable-ebook/dp/B009T90O9K/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1351111450&sr=8-8&keywords=the+unthinkable

Women of Power

Fantasy/Adventure

Nisha has trained all her life to develop Qi--her internal energy--exceeding the raw power of any Qi'advisor in several generations. But before she is ready to take her place, the unthinkable happens.  Rhybac's king is dead; the kingdom is in chaos. War breaks out and their enemies out of the Sands are circling for the kill. She chooses to become a Qi'advisor, although still untried.

As Qi'advisor to a duke, she must risk her life to negotiate with the greed, the treachery one of the dukes, and the desperation that fuels the war in order to reveal what others cannot or refuse to see. The fate of Rhybac, its people, and even its enemies are in her young hands.

Link:  http://www.amazon.com/Women-of-Power-ebook/dp/B009V0GQRQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1353043281&sr=8-1&keywords=c+r+daems

Scales of Justice

Fantasy/Epic

A hundred years ago, a treaty jointed the seven provinces under a king and created a system of equal justice for nobles and commoners. The Sisters of Astraea were proclaimed the judicators of the land because they had gold vipers that could tell truth from lie. A gift bestowed on each judicator by the god Naga.

Now many nobles want to go back to being above the law. Duke Chaney is using this discontent to raise an army against the king and the judicators. Jola, a newly promoted judicator starts out with her mentor, Tenzen, to investigate the growing unrest. They encounter revenge, greed, and the desire for power, and become targets of the growing hostility as they attempt to discover who is behind the rebellion.

Link:http://www.amazon.com/Scales-Of-Justice-ebook/dp/B0042JTAJ2/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1313036753&sr=1-3

Blood Duty

Fantasy/Epic

Ixich, huge demons summoned through a savage blood ritual, lead an army through a mountain pass, slaughtering all who would stand in their way. Tamra, Captain of the Guard of Wayfare Keep, and an allied army from the city of Madrian mount a desperate defense against the onrushing enemy. When their army is defeated and her lover is lost in the battle, Tamra is devastated but must somehow struggle on.

Even worse lies ahead as the secrets of her past come to light and her loyalty is tested. Yet, she must protect all those who trust her against the ixich horde. In her darkest hour, haunted by loss and with defeat imminent, can Tamra fulfill that trust and do her blood duty?

Link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005G7ZHG4

Laughing Hounds

Urban Fantasy/Horror

After what were thought to be dogs kill her mother and attack her, Annette discovers she has become the last female descendant of a line of women who, for over a century, fought and died fighting Countess Lenuta, her sons, and their packs of Werehyenas. Annette learns she has inherited her ancestors unique ability to make Tone-wood sing—the only weapon that can kill the Werehyenas. As such, she represents the last threat to their existence.

With only Annette remaining, Countess Lenuta and her sons see an opportunity to kill the last of their century-old adversaries. Their first attempt fails, and Annette must choose to hide for the rest of her life or accept the legacy of her ancestors to stop the Werehyenas. She chooses to fight.

With the help of ex-Green Berets her father hires to protect her, the battle soon escalates into a series of attacks and counter attacks that become fiercer as the tactics of each side evolve. The winner will be the last one standing.

Link:http://www.amazon.com/The-Laughing-Hounds-ebook/dp/B003IGDD5M/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1313036978&sr=1-1

Freedom's Sword

Scottish Historical Fiction

A Prequel to the Black Douglas Trilogy

Before William Wallace ... before Robert the Bruce ... there was another Scottish hero ...

In 1296, newly knighted by the King of the Scots, Andrew de Moray fights to defend his country against the forces of the ruthless invader, King Edward Longshanks of England. After a bloody defeat in battle, he is dragged in chains to an English dungeon.

Soon the young knight escapes. He returns to find Scotland under the heel of a conqueror and his betrothed sheltering in the hills of the Black Isle. Seizing his own castle, he raises the banner of Scottish freedom. Now he must lead the north of Scotland to rebellion in hope of defeating the English army sent to crush them.

Link:http://www.amazon.com/Freedoms-Sword-ebook/dp/B004RUZPPY

A Kingdom's Cost

Book I of the Black Douglas Trilogy

Scottish Historical Fiction

Eighteen-year-old James Douglas can only watch, helpless, as the Scottish freedom fighter, William Wallace, is hanged, drawn, and quartered. Even under the heel of a brutal English conqueror, James's blood-drenched homeland may still have one hope for freedom, the rightful king of the Scots, Robert the Bruce. James swears fealty to the man he believes can lead the fight against English tyranny.

The Bruce is soon a fugitive, king in name and nothing more. Scotland is occupied, the Scottish resistance crushed. The woman James loves is captured and imprisoned. Yet James believes their cause is not lost. With driving determination, he blazes a path in blood and violence, in cunning and ruthlessness as he wages a guerrilla war to restore Scotland's freedom. James knows he risks sharing Wallace's fate, but what he truly fears is that he has become as merciless as the conqueror he fights.

Link:http://www.amazon.com/A-Kingdoms-Cost-ebook/dp/B004YKVXR6

Countenance of War

Book II of The Black Douglas Trilogy

Scottish Historical Fiction

Fourteen-century Scotland is a conquered nation, at the mercy of England’s brutal King Edward. James Douglas continues his guerilla war to reclaim his stolen birthright and drive out the English tyrant. But as Edward’s attentions turn again to subduing the rebellious Scots, James must deal with the tortuous, conflicting demands of duty and love.

The clash of two nations and the destiny of a man coming of age in a violent time springs to life in this novel of passion, loyalty, cunning and ruthlessness.

Fourteenth-century Scotland suffers under the heel of England's King Edward, but James Douglas refuses to submit to the conqueror. Above all else, James fears that his life and his own dream—of a free Scotland—might be lost to Edward's lust for conquest. As James wages a guerilla war to drive out the invader and reclaim his birthright, Edward brings a vast army to crush the Scottish resistance. In the midst of the brutal war, even the woman James loves is threatened by his implacable duty.

In a conflict poised to reach its bloody finale, the Scots and English cross swords in a reckoning that will determine Scotland's survival.

Link:http://www.amazon.com/Countenance-Historical-Scotland-Douglas-ebook/dp/B007PXUBQ8/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1345958350&sr=1-1

Not for Glory

Book III of The Black Douglas Trilogy

Scottish Historical Fiction

James, Lord of Douglas, known to his foes as the Black Douglas, leads a flank of the Scottish army in crushing a vast invading English force at the waters of the Bannockburn. Fresh from battle, James revels in honors heaped on him by the Scots and in the hatred of the enemy. When King Robert the Bruce orders him to push their advantage and force the English to the peace table, they both know the only way he can do so is by fire and the sword--the only language King Edward of England understands.

Link: http://www.amazon.com/Historical-Scotland-Douglas-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B00BI2GPXA/ref=sr_1_17?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1361481230&sr=1-17&keywords=j+r++tomlin