by C. R. Daems
Riss-human testing.
As Ja'Sai approached the area, he saw a large group of Riss sitting on the ground, waiting for him. He felt his chances fading with each step. My final battle, he mused. He bowed and sat.
"Good morning," he said not sure about the protocol for this meeting.
**Good morning,** said the voice box of the large grey-haired Riss. He sat in the middle of the group and looked to be the oldest. **We are not here to judge you, only to get to know you. Why do you want to host a Riss?**
"To command a cruiser again," Ja'Sai said, having decided to tell the hard truths and nothing but the hard truths. If they didn't catch him in a lie now, they would when he hosted a Riss, so lying was stupid. Besides, Da'Maass's advice was to tell the truth, so he himself must have, and Da'Maass hadn't been a saint during his raiding career. "It's all I've ever wanted to do since I was five. My father was a captain and used to tell me stories late into the night when he came home. All I could do was dream about joining him when I was old enough."
**On raids?** asked a smaller Riss with salt and pepper hair.
"Yes…No. He was the captain of a raider ship, but somehow the stories were more about commanding a cruiser and the battles with other cruisers. He seemed detached from the raid as if watching from afar. I'm not excusing him. He was as responsible as those on the ground." Ja'Sai paused, feeling parched, and noticed a pitcher of water and a glass on the table next to him. He stopped to take a drink. "When I was older, my father took me along. The first time I stepped on the cruiser, I knew that was the life I wanted."
**Raiding?** the same Riss asked.
"No, commanding a cruiser. But I knew I would sell my soul to command one."
**And would you?** a tall dark-haired Riss asked.
"I did." Ja'Sai didn't speak for several minutes afterward, and no one prompted him to continue. "I became a raider captain."
**And did you enjoy it?** A white-haired Riss asked.
"Yes, the flying…and the battles. The encounters with the JPU cruisers were…exciting."
**The killing?** the older Riss asked. Ja'Sai felt no reproof but rather a sadness in the old one's question.
"No…the challenge. It's ironic, but I never thought about the hundreds that died every time a missile hit the opposing ship or even my ship…until afterward. It was a game the opposing captain and I played," Ja'Sai said, realizing how ridiculous that must sound to the Riss. But it was true anyway.
**And would you sell your clan to fly?** the salt and pepper Riss asked.
"I'd risk eternal damnation, but never my clan. Nothing is worth losing your clan."
The session lasted for six hours. When the old Riss called an end to the questioning, Ja'Sai felt exhausted but surprisingly relaxed. Looking back on the experience, the Riss had forced him to examine who he was when you cut away all the façade. And in the process, he had begun to see the Riss as people—unique and interesting.
To his surprise, the Riss requested another session two days later. This time the session only had three Riss present and the questions were more about the Riss and their activities…and his interests. After several hours, he and an older grey-haired Riss were in a one-on-one conversation.
**Enough, Ja'Sai. If you are interested in hosting me, The Silent Night Stalker, you should report to Dr. Dayton on the Mnemosyne.**
"Thank you, Silent Night Stalker, I'd be honored." Ja'Sai felt like a thousand-pound weight had been lifted off him, and a deep peace settled on him. He would have taken any Riss to fly again, but he found that he was looking forward to getting to know the Riss who had selected him.
A Riss companion
Ja'Sai had been drunk many times and remembered tripping, falling, and banging into things, but he was cold sober. His companion, who he had named Devana, wasn't drunk either. He realized that being a new Riss-human was like being a new baby learning to walk and control his new body. He just hoped she didn't break their…vehicle's neck before she learned.
He laughed and hoped she was right.
Mood swings weren't so funny when Devana manipulated his chemistry and he went from happy to angry to depressed to excited in minutes. The moods were so strong and changed so rapidly that knowing this would end and he would get to command a cruiser didn’t help to ease the torment. However, it stopped as fast as it had started.
He laughed.
He shrugged and ran without the stiffness he had become accustomed to, and without panting after a few meters. Over the next few hours he realized he was stronger and felt younger…and could feel others’ emotions.
CHAPTER NINE
A war of wits
My SID buzzed with an urgent message. When I clicked Accept, Iglis appeared.
"Captain, Admiral Butler just notified me that Port Lost went dark several weeks ago. He told Admiral Yorke, but he dismissed it as a local problem. He said the ungrateful, arrogant Riss were the priority." Iglis continued when I didn't respond. "When I heard that, I did some snooping around. Second Fleet left Eden four days ago."
* * *
"Commander Iglis has learned that the Second Fleet left Eden four days ago. Based on other information she learned from Admiral Butler, we can assume the fleet is headed to Freeland." Looking around the room, I saw nods of acceptance. Except for Captains Zhang, Da'Maass, and Ja'Sai, everyone had ties to the SAS.
"That's arrogant, sending only one fleet," Pavao said, shaking her head in disbelief. "Considering they will have to trip over our cruisers to find them."
"They probably have a strategy for descending on us after we fire our missiles," Bradshaw said with a shrug.
"That would be a good strategy since they believe it's six-to-one odds. Not bad even if you don't count the three Cerberuses which are now functional. But it won't be fifty against eleven. There are now forty Irises," Sheva said. "Even if each Iris only crippled one cruiser, that still leaves the contest eleven to nine in our favor."
Da'Maass's laugh broke the temporary silence, "Sheva, that was a good evaluation, but you left out our most lethal weapon."
Sheva nodded toward Da'Maass. "Red-Wraiths."
"No, our dybbuk. She's in Yorke's mind."
"No, Da'Maass. Our best weapon is Admiral Yorke. He hates me, Freelanders, Riss-humans, and the Riss in that order. And that has made him stupid mad, and when you get stupid mad, you make illogical decisions. Like the JPU who thought the Riss dumb animals. Yorke believes the Riss Navy is comprised of cowards who have been hiding behind the SAS Navy, so I imagine he expects us to either surrender or run—or worse case, to lose only one cruiser for each Riss cruiser destroyed."
"Are we going to meet them at the Wave exit like we did the JPU fleet?" Zhang asked. He sounded resolved but his eyes looked sad.
"No. We will let them enter and determine their intentions. I would prefer to compromise if possible. Although we will get blamed despite the fact that they will be the invaders, I'd prefer they gave us no other choice." I stopped and looked around the room. "If we have to fight, I want no heroes. We're not looking for a fair fight. The object is to win, so I expect you to fight smart. Questions?" Seeing only shaking heads, I rose and raised my glass of water. "To a peaceful solution."
When the meeting ended, the cruisers moved into their assigned positions, estab
lished tight-beam connections, and went to minimum power. Now it was a waiting game.
The SAS fleet remained at battle stations as they approached Freeland, two rows of four squadrons separated by two light-seconds, with the command ship positioned one light-second behind the first row. When the first row of cruisers was within four light-seconds of Freeland, the command ship made a general broadcast.
"This is Admiral Faletti, commanding the SAS Second Fleet. Admiral Yorke, the SAS Secretary of Defense, has ordered the Riss and Freeland quarantined. You will have one day to abandon your cruisers and merchant ships. After that, the space station and all cruisers and merchant ships will be destroyed. As will any cruiser or merchant ship attempting to leave Freeland space."
"Admiral Faletti, this is Captain Reese, Leader of the Riss Nation and spokeswoman for Freeland. I would like clarification. Has the SAS Council declared war on the Riss Nation and Freeland?"
The response took several minutes coming. "No. Admiral Yorke has directed me to quarantine Freeland space and has given me the authority to use whatever force necessary to carry out his directive."
"Then Admiral Yorke is acting independently of the SAS Council, because only the SAS Council can declare war on a sovereign nation."
Ten minutes passed this time before he answered. "Admiral Yorke is not declaring war on a sovereign nation, just a bunch of raiders."
"Interesting, I have a formal document signed by the SAS Council declaring Freeland an independent nation belonging to the Riss. Doesn't Admiral Yorke recognize the Council's authority, or is he now a dictator?" The funny part was that the broadcast could be heard by the entire fleet, not just Faletti. Another delay. The result of acting when you are stupid mad.
"I have my orders," he shouted.
"I'm glad I'm not at war with the SAS, just a rogue fleet of raiders."
"This is not a war!"
"My words are the words of the Riss Nation, and I tell you now, if you land troops on Freeland or destroy the space station or fire on a Riss cruiser, it will be an act of war. In that event, your fleet will never leave Freeland without my permission."
"You think you can defeat an SAS fleet? You're insane."
"The JPU also thought I was insane. They are now without a navy or merchant fleet. I wonder if the SAS Council will consider Yorke's illegal war a criminal offense. Especially when the loss of Second Fleet will leave the SAS vulnerable, a tempting takeover target." I ignored answering how we could defeat Second Fleet.
He didn't respond, but during the silence the fleet decelerated.
My SID buzzed and Iglis appeared. "Captain, Admiral Faletti has sent a message via the Comrelay to Admiral Yorke. Should I send it?" The message flowed across my SID's screen:
Urgent: To Secretary of Defense Yorke.
Reese is saying your actions are illegal, since destroying Riss ships is an act of war and only the SAS Council can declare war. She is threatening to fight.
Signed: Vice Admiral Faletti
"Yes, send it." I was interested in Yorke's answer, and it delayed Faletti taking any action. "Iglis, send the following message to Admiral Butler."
To Vice Admiral Butler
Captain Reese believes aliens are invading Ossicwater and Port Lost. Not robots but carbon-based aliens. They destroy all life on the planets they invade, then move on.
Signed: Iglis
"Really?" Iglis asked.
"Yes. The Riss on the Red Dwarf have seen them and believe they are called the Ecitoni. But don't tell Butler. That will raise too many questions. Let me know when Yorke responds or if you get any indication Home or First fleet is leaving Eden."
"What are you trying to accomplish?" Terril asked. "Faletti can't win a war with us."
"True, but I would prefer not to kill twenty thousand humans if we don't have to. And if we have to, I want the Riss and former SAS citizens to know we had no other choice."
"I wonder what the current Riss-humans would have done if one of us had been the Leader?" Terril asked. "Anake also wonders."
Forty-six hours later, my SID buzzed with a call from Iglis. I clicked Accept.
"Captain, I have the response from Admiral Yorke," she said, and the message scrolled across the screen:
To Vice Admiral Faletti
The SAS Council has signed a document declaring war on the Riss Nation. You are to destroy the Riss Navy and any merchant ships. The council has declared Freeland and JPU space part of the SAS. All Riss-humans and ex-SAS personnel that survive will be transported to Eden and hanged as traitors.
Signed: Secretary of Defense Yorke
"Iglis, forward the message to Admiral Faletti, Ni'Shay, and my staff."
I clicked on Byer's SID. He appeared within seconds. "Commander, release the Wraiths from all ships—find and destroy."
"Yes, Captain." He clicked off.
Minutes later the blue dots of Wraiths began appearing. Not long afterward, the white dots of the SAS fighters began disappearing.
"Not much talent required," Terril said while watching the VTH. "Like a Si'jin match with a blind man."
"War's not a sport. Fair doesn't apply. If those fighters locate one of our cruisers, hundreds of missiles will follow. Too many to avoid, especially if it happens to be closer than a few light-seconds. Without the fighters, Faletti's fleet is blind."
Twenty minutes later, all the white dots had disappeared. Nothing happened for several hours, then the cruisers began moving. After observing the maneuvers for close to half an hour, I smiled.
"What are they doing?" Terril asked, watching the VTH in deep concentration.
"They have a search pattern with what they hope looks like random moves to avoid us using the Riss solution. In reality, they have a four by four light-second search pattern in progress. If you watch for several minutes, you will see that each ship in a squadron has a predefined area and the individual cruisers rise or lower by a half light-second every so often. Since each ship is moving in a different up and down pattern, it looks random, but it isn't."
This went on for the next forty-eight hours. The Riss cruisers kept moving out of the search pattern or if caught in the pattern maneuvered to avoid contact, since the pattern wasn't hard to determine.
I had just returned to the Bridge when my SID buzzed. Iglis appeared when I tapped on Accept.
"Admiral Faletti sent another message to Admiral Yorke," she said, and the text scrolled across my screen:
To Secretary of Defense Yorke
We released our ghost fighters to search for the Riss cruisers and somehow the Riss destroyed them all. We have tried various search patterns but cannot locate a single cruiser. They haven't attacked, but we are blind against their stealth cruisers.
Signed: Vice Admiral Faletti
"Release it, Iglis. I'm interested in what advice Admiral Yorke will give Faletti. Any word from Butler?" I asked, hoping the aliens would force Yorke to withdraw the Second Fleet.
"Butler spoke with Admiral Gleason, who convinced Yorke to send scouts to Port Lost and Ossicwater. Butler doesn't expect an answer for several days. Rumor has it Yorke is disgusted with Faletti."
"Let's hope w
e can keep Faletti from getting innovative."
Iglis gave me a questioning look.
"If he gets innovative, we will have to begin the war in earnest. I'm trying to avoid that. We will defend ourselves against aggressors, but we won't enjoy the killing."
* * *
Yorke responded two days later:
To: Vice Admiral Faletti
Destroy their space station and send marines to impound their factories. That's how you get a response. You have your orders, execute them.
Signed: Secretary of Defense Yorke
"He's right. That would get a response from us. Iglis, can you make it look like a message to Faletti came from Yorke?" I asked.
She laughed. "Why not? I'm already violating the international laws governing Comrelays by intercepting messages, reading them, and stopping them from being delivered."
"Good. Send the following message to Faletti."
To: Vice Admiral Faletti
Unless attacked or the Riss attempt to leave Freeland, await further orders.
Signed: Secretary of Defense Yorke
"What are you waiting for?" Terril asked, taking far more interest in the reason for my actions.
"I'm hoping the aliens will distract him so we can avoid killing SAS personnel, who are just obeying orders."
"Won't they try again…afterward?"
"Plan for the worst and hope for the best," I said, but knew Terril was right. I could understand the SAS hating the Freelanders. They had caused a lot of pain and suffering during their raiding years. But they had gone a long way toward compensating for their crimes. In a sense, they had served their time. The SAS should expect them to be monitored but not punished further. But I didn't understand the hatred toward the Riss or the Riss-humans. We and they have not only consistently supported the SAS but have been instrumental in helping them stop the raiders, Aliens, and JPU. I concluded that prejudice is a cancer not easily destroyed.