by C. R. Daems
“I’d like to say there shouldn’t be any trouble, but I’m getting paranoid. And I do appreciate you coming with me, although I think you would have a better time here in town. I’ll understand if you’d like to stay. Going with me isn’t going to be much of a vacation.” I would’ve loved to stay in town with Terril, but I owed my Riss-sisters.
“I want to go with you, Nadya. I know you’re a sister to the Riss. I’d like to think we were sisters too.”
I felt like crying when she gave me a hug.
* * * *
We spent two fantastic weeks in the mountains, which were filled with trees, rivers, waterfalls, and snow. Many times Terril and I sat around a small fire eating and drinking a hot cup of kaffa while the Riss roamed. We shared stories of our early lives and developed a bond of real sisters. I hated to see the two weeks end. I think everyone was sad to leave Elbe Valley.
I worked another two-week shift. This time it was uneventful. Then I spent another two weeks in Elbe Valley. This time Elissa and Jaelle when along. When we got back, the Snowcat was conducting acceptance trials. My sisters and I were rejuvenated and ready to return to work. A week later, we left Elbe for Eden. The Snowcat was functional, but not ready for raiders.
Chapter 23
We arrived in Eden one week later and received a hero’s welcome. Everyone had heard about the battle of Elbe. It was the largest engagement with the raiders and the SAS had triumphed—again. No one thought of the hundreds of lives lost or the two Hunters that were destroyed. The Eden Repair facility, Midas, declared the Snowcat to costly to bring up to operational readiness and sent it to the space graveyard for salvage.
The survivors were given a month’s leave after an official ceremony where everyone received at least one metal: everyone earned the Battle of Elbe metal and the meritorious Service award, nearly half earned the Purple Heart, and one-fourth the Bronze Star. The Bridge officers, several section officers, and the Shark pilots received the Silver Star. I’m not sure why I received the Distinguished Service metal—but you couldn’t refuse an award without embarrassing some very senior officers. The Riss wondered why they had received metals for doing their job, but they accepted them for the recognition the Riss earned.
By accident, I discovered that my love, Bradshaw, now a Lieutenant Commander, was on leave awaiting assignment. We arranged to meet at the Military Headquarters, Apollo. When I arrived, he was already standing on the steps of Apollo. I had to admit he looked gorgeous in his dress whites with his cute round face, curly brown hair, and that sunny smile. I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed him. He saluted me! I almost didn’t return it. I wanted him to kiss and hug me. Instead, I got a salute. Slowly, I realized we were standing on the steps of Apollo, where navy and army personnel were coming and going. Unconsciously, I had been saluting every two minutes as I approached the building.
“Sorry, Sean, I didn’t think about meeting here wearing uniforms.” I wasn’t used to being out of uniform. As a Riss-human, I received less trouble in uniform. Even less after the SAS authorized the Elbe survivors to wear red Aiguillettes. I never thought about showing off.
“I understand. A Riss-human out of uniform would be a convenient target for the ignorant. I admit I’m a bit overwhelmed. You’ve got more meaningful medals than any of the officers I’ve served with. Hephaestus really does produce fast track officers.” He moved closer and gave me a kiss on my cheek. It left me feeling dizzy.
“If you have and would like to... I’d like to spend some time with you up country.” I hoped he still felt something for me and didn’t feel intimidated by the rank or awards.
“Yes, Nadya, I’ve leave time and would love to go with you up country.” He smiled. I would have danced right there except anyone passing by would assume the Riss had taken control of me, and probably shot me.
“I have one small condition. I have thirty-one Riss that need to go with us. If you go, they will be happy to wander the wilds.” I crossed my fingers—bad enough being with a Riss-human without a troop of Riss accompanying him.
“Being around you certainly isn’t boring. I’d like to meet the Riss. How do we get there?”
“The navy will provide shuttles to take us there and pick us up.”
“It’s a date.” He kissed me on the other cheek. One more kiss and I wouldn’t need a shuttle.
* * * *
We chose Land’s End, a small tourist town at the northwestern part of the continent. The town boasted six luxury resorts. Four shuttles picked us up at the Zann House and landed three kilometers from the resorts. The SAS had sent ten Scorpions along to deal with possible problems. Four stayed with the shuttles while the other six followed the Riss into the wilderness. Alena, Elissa, and Jaelle went along. I felt sorry for the Scorpions. They were trained for all terrain, but the Riss were born in the mountain wilderness. One Shuttle continued on and dropped Sean and I at the resort. We received a few stares and a lot of whispering when we entered the lobby in our dress whites but none of the hostility to which I’d become accustomed. I wasn’t sure if it was the dress uniforms, the red Aiguillettes, or my handsome companion. I felt too happy to care.
The Retreat Top hotel had four restaurants, mineral springs, exercise rooms, shops, and personal care facilities. Sean and I ate at each of the restaurants when we weren’t indulging in our own in room exercise and personal care program. We didn’t discuss the navy, war, assignments, or even the end of our vacation. The last few days, we trekked into the mountains and spent it outdoors with the Riss. The Scorpion escorts looked exhausted.
“Commander, I’d love to be able to run, jump, and climb like the Riss. They are amazing and gentle. Several times, they carried us over or around places it would have taken us hours to negotiate. We were all nervous when we got the assignment, but it’s not only been a fantastic experience but fun,” the Master Sergeant in charge said with a grin.
That night we made a small fire and I answered questions about Elbe and Lords Landing. They particularly enjoyed my stories about Master Gunnery Sergeant Terril.
* * * *
One morning, two days later, the master sergeant got a priority call on his SID.
“Ma’am, a Lieutenant McCabe has just arrived on Admiral Plimson’s shuttle. He has orders to take you and Commander Bradshaw back to Eden. You are to report to the Admiral tomorrow morning. The Riss can stay.”
The thought of going back was worse than I thought. I knew I wouldn’t see Sean again for years. Worse, the Riss would be cooped up and in harm’s way. I would have loved to drag Sean and the Riss into the mountains and stay forever.
I felt her grin.
Yes, like it or not I had responsibilities that superseded my personal wants and desires. The shuttle dropped us at Zann House where I had temporary quarters. Bradshaw stayed the night, which helped with the transition back to reality.
* * * *
When I arrived the next morning, I was led directly to Plimson’s office and found Vice Admirals Zann and Youell already there with kaffa and goodies of various sorts. I had barely saluted when Plimson waved me to an empty chair. A young Petty Officer brought me a cup of kaffa and placed it on a small portable table along with an assortment of Petit Fours. Everyone looked relaxed—it felt like the calm before the storm.
< Do they seem in a good mood?>
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“Reese, you present us with a dilemma. We aren’t sure what to do with you. Thirty percent of the available personnel dislike or mistrust Riss-humans. Add another thirty percent when the Riss are included. Add another twenty percent when they realize their superior may be a Riss-human, and another ten percent when they know it’s you. You are seen as a harbinger of destroyed ships. Much like the raiders must consider you a harbinger of their crushing defeats. Only the Scorpions unanimously want to crew with you. The numbers may be inflated somewhat, but you get the idea. The easy answer is to assign you to Pandora, SAS War College, to teach a series of classes on war. You certainly have more experience than any naval officer on active duty.” He paused and took a sip of his kaffa.
“But we agree we want you on active duty. You seem to have a feel for the way the Raiders think, and you and Thalia have been creative in fighting them. Captain Sakaata gave you an excellent review and told us something neither Youell nor I knew. During his discussions with the Riss, she found your Riss name is River that runs between two mountains, and the Riss consider you their future. She learned that any Riss would give her life to save yours.
“We’ve known for a long time that you were the glue that held the Riss-human program together. We didn’t know what you meant to the Riss. If we wrapped you in a cocoon, you’d be safe but no longer the Riss’ future. In summary, we want you hunting raiders, but we don’t know where to assign you. Would you like to suggest something?”
I could feel her amusement.
“I would like to go to Saipha and pick up another nine Riss. That will bring the count up to forty and enough for two or more in each section.”
“You are putting more of the Riss at risk. Forty-nine have already died. What would happen in another fight with the raiders with another forty Riss on board?” Zann asked, frowning at me.
“Ma’am, hundreds will die in defense of the SAS. It’s the price of going to the stars.”
“Yes, they named you correctly,” Zann said, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Commander, stay available while we consider your request and where to assign you.”
* * * *
Two days went by before I was summoned back to Plimson’s office. The same three were there when I arrived.
“Reese, we have decided a small cruiser would be best. First, it would be easier to find a full crew. We concur with your request to bring the Riss crew back up to forty. If they’re to be our partners, they need to learn how to maintain ships. The next problem is finding a Captain. Since the assignment will be to find the raiders—not fight, anyone with little or no experience wouldn’t be a good choice. We need someone with a great deal of experience; however, anyone with experience is assigned to a Hunter or Heavy cruiser. A Light cruiser would be considered a demotion. You have excellent raider experience but have little experience in commanding.” He stared at me for a long time. “I have decided to make you a Captain. As such, you will have your choice of crew.”
“Reese, we are as uncomfortable as you are, but we believe it’s the best solution. The Riss want the chance to prove they will make good partners. This is their opportunity. According to Sakaata, the Riss want no rank or officers. Each has a position and no one is more important than another. I would like to see a cruiser someday with all Riss. Today your position is Captain.”
“Reese, what position will Lieutenant Commander Bradshaw fill?” Zann asked.
< If I don’t, I won’t see him for years. I think I love him.>
“No, Ma’am. He would be a distraction. There will be too many lives at stake for me to be any less than I can.” My heart broke when I said it, but I knew it was the right thing to do. They looked at each other and nodded.
“Effective immediately you are promoted to Captain. I’ll have a list of lieutenant commanders for you to interview tomorrow. The interviews will be held in my office. Dress in civilian clothes. I’ll direct the interview. It’ll give you a better feel for the candidates and an opportunity to ask questions before deciding. It’ll also keep your promotion a secret for now. In the mean time, we’ll find you a cruiser.”
* * * *
“Well, Captain Reese, are you ready to select an XO for your new command?” Plimson said with a devilish smile. I couldn’t help but admire the man. He’d taken risk after risk for me and the Riss. Each time he risked his career, gambling that the Riss would make a significant contribution to the SAS if they were given the opportunity.
“Sir, I don’t know. What I do know is that you are risking your career on me for the sake of the Riss, and I’ll do the best I can.”
“That is all I or the Riss can ask, Nadya.” He nodded. The use of my first name somehow made it a personal commitment between us. I felt a lump in my chest. Before I could think of anything to say, he waved me to a chair slightly to the rear of where the interviewee would be sitting. I had gone shopping for civilian clothes yesterday, accompanied by Terril and two Scorpions. Ironically, I didn’t have appropriate civilian clothes for this meeting. I didn’t need them on the ship, and I wouldn’t think of going planetside out of uniform. I sat on the right side of the room, so that my tattoo wasn’t visible, and had a tablet in my lap like a secretary would. As I sat, Plimson keyed his comm.
“Lieutenant Carlson, bring in Lieutenant Commander Patersen,”
The door opened, and a broad-shouldered man entered, took three steps, stopped, and saluted. “Lieutenant Commander Patersen reporting as ordered, sir.”
“At ease, Patersen, and have a seat. I’m looking for a commander to fill the position of XO on a Light cruiser. The cruiser will be charged with finding raiders and consequently the job is potentially dangerous. Would you be interested?”
“Yes, sir.”
“How do you feel about having Riss onboard?”
“I don’t think that would make for an efficient ship.” Judging by the slight eye movement in my direction when he entered the room, he had dismissed me as unimportant.
“What about a Riss-human?”
“They’re unstable. I’ve heard most of them have already flunked out of the program.” I typed “No” on my SID, which was currently linked to the Admiral’s monitor. Plimson asked several more questions relating to Patersen’s experience before dismissing him.
“Thank you, Commander, you’ll be notified of my decision.”
The day dragged on as I rejected candidate after candidate. Some just didn’t want anything to do with the Riss, some distrusted them without knowing any thing about them, others thought they deserved better than a Light cruiser, and others were obviously inflexible. They were rejected before they could be asked how they would like a Riss-human for a Captain.
It was past dinnertime when the last of the six candidates had been interviewed. Plimson called it quits for the day and took me to the Admiral’s dining hall for dinner. The room looked like any expensive restaurant. The tables had cloth coverings, crystal glasses, silver cutlery, and the chairs had padding embroidered with the SAS seal. And, waiters took your order from a menu and delivered it to the table. I sat with my mouth open. I knew rank had its privileges, but this...
I almost choked on the appetizer I was chewing. Talk about deflating my balloon.
“Well, Reese, you can see the problem we were having placing you. You were a problem before your pro
motions. It’s no longer working with but now working for a Riss-human. You’ve exhausted the list of lieutenant commanders personnel considered eligible based on time in grade and experience, and ironically, well liked by their peers and subordinates. I’m afraid the next batch will be new lieutenant commanders with little or no experience.”
* * * *
The interviews started early. Personnel had selected ten candidates. Six candidates and two hours later, even Plimson was getting tired. I felt like I should take the best I’d seen for his sake.
The next candidate was a young woman, eight years older than me with a good record. She’d been recently promoted and had little experience.
“You’ve been a Lieutenant Commander for only two years. Which Captains have you served under?” Plimson asked. I felt he had his fingers, toes, and eyes crossed that this one would be acceptable.
“Captains Gebauer and Jordanno. I was the assistant Navigator under Captain Gebauer and assistant Tactical officer under Captain Jordanno.”
“What was your opinion of your Captains?” I couldn’t refrain from interrupting. She turned towards me with surprise. I think she’d been too nervous to notice me before.
“Ma’am, both Captains were excellent officers.”
A good answer given the circumstances.
“Commander, what were their differences?” I wanted her opinion. It was important. She looked at Plimson hoping for help. When he didn’t say anything, she reluctantly answered.
“Captain Gebauer was fair and very exacting. Captain Jordanno was a good leader—not that Captain Gebauer wasn’t.” I felt sorry for her. It had been a difficult question to answer. She understood junior officers didn’t criticize senior officers and especially a Captain.
I decided to take over the interview. “What do you think about working with Riss?”