by C. R. Daems
“I’m tired of war, killing, and having men and women I love die. If this is unacceptable, I leave you and the raiders to kill each other. The Riss and I will go back to Saipha.” I sat down. I had done what I could. It was now their decision.
They talked and argued for hours. After a while, they noticed that Zann and I hadn’t participated in the discussions.
“Admiral, you haven’t said anything,” Yoana, a senior woman captain, said.
“I was just sitting here watching your debate and the differences in the four cultures represented here.
“We, the military, are in a dictatorial culture. As a Captain, you are lord and master of your ship. You must be obeyed. Individual or crew agreement is not required. Here, you are subject to my orders whether you like them or not. I can approve this treaty, and you must comply since I’m your superior officer. If anyone disobeys, they would be subject to military law.
“When we get back to Eden, we’ll be in a democracy. The treaty I approved would be ratified only if the majority, fifty-one percent, approve. The other forty-nine percent must comply with that decision. Failure to do so would result in jail or other punishments. The SAS leaders are appointed by a majority of the population.
“The raiders are clans represented by their elders. Those who refuse to conform to the elders’ decisions are ostracized from the clan. The elders are those who have proved wise in the needs of the clan. Each elder is a product of natural selection over decades.
“In the Riss system there are no leaders, no elders, and no laws. Each Riss has a position and all positions are equal. A Riss captain and a Riss mechanic are equal—neither is in charge. The captain makes decisions concerning the ship because that is her position, not because she or her position is more important.” Zann stopped and looked into her cup. “Four unique systems. You understand two. I understand three. I believe Captain Reese understands all four, and her assessment undoubtedly correct. The clans will fight until the last man is dead, thousands of our crews will die, we’ll have to annihilate the planet, and the Riss will break the alliance forever. Reese offers a proposal where each culture wins something. She believes without a treaty, everyone loses: the military will suffer significant losses and be branded barbarians, the SAS loses the Riss as allies, the clans will be annihilated, and the Riss lose their dream of the stars.”
“I’m not sure it’s as bad as she says. Yes, many more of us will die. We could let the Riss quarantine the planet, which will give them what they want and satisfy the SAS,” Durban said.
“I agree,” several others said.
“What do you say, Captain Reese?” Zann asked.
“If you insist on being barbarians, the Riss will leave. I will take your dead and wounded aboard the Lynx. From Saipha, Commander Varisko can ferry the Lynx to Eden.”
“How can you guarantee the Riss will leave? It seems that would conflict with the Riss’ dream.”
“Captain Reese’s Riss name is River that runs between two mountains, her position is Leader. Her word is the word of all Riss. She had said they would leave; therefore, every Riss has said they would leave. There will not be one Riss dissension,” Zann said.
“What about you, Admiral Zann? Will you leave?”
“Yes, I too will leave with the Riss.” Zann said, to astonished looks. “I’m a Riss-human and as such bow to the word of the Riss’ designated Leader.”
* * * *
The Captains met for the next two days. Zann and I decided to visit Freeland. We found a striving colony and the people pleasant. They continuously referred to me as the dybbuk, but it was without malice. I knew it would be a long time before anyone could forgive them for the violence they caused, but time solved most things. They would honor the treaty if it were ratified. I felt they were tired of raiding and would prefer a peaceful partnership with the SAS. On the third day, Zann and I were asked to join the Captains. When we arrived back on the Golden Eagle, all the Captains were assembled and waiting. Captain Panoptes, the senior Captain, began without preamble.
“For two days we dropped our military culture and reverted to a democracy. We are a cross section of the SAS population and, therefore, represent the likelihood of the Leader’s proposal being ratified. Fifty-eight percent were in favor.”
* * * *
The Riss had achieved their vision of going to the stars. I hoped I’d made the right decision. Forty-two percent would have murdered the many for the crimes of a few. Only time would tell.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Clem Daems is a native of Chicago, Illinois. He joined the Air Force, right after high school. Over the years, he has lived in two foreign countries and eight of the fifty states. He’s now retired and lives in Tucson, Arizona with his wonderful wife of over fifty years.
Easily bored, he’s been an Internal Auditor, Software Engineer, Course Development Manager, and Adjunct Professor at several universities and colleges. Along the way, he picked up two degrees—Math and Computer Science—from the University of Arizona.
He never thought he’d become an author. He began his first novel several years ago at age seventy, and writing’s since developed into an interesting hobby. His life-long hobby, for over forty years, has been Kung Fu.
Over the years, he’s learned that you can never go back, and you can’t predict the future, so you need to enjoy the here and now—and he is.
Clem was a 2010 EPPIE finalist for his Fiction/Fantasy novel, The Talon of the Raptor Clan. He took part in a Realm of Words author interview (2/14/12).
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