by C. R. Daems
“Commander Riddler informs me the crews have completed sufficient repairs to enable us to leave Lords Landing—so I think it's time we leave. Bessel, keep an eye on the Bedwyr. XO notify engineering to start engines. Uchida plot us a course to the Tamerland. We will need more repairs to make Eden. DeWayne, send a message to Tamerland, notifying them of our estimated arrival time along with a list of our damages.”
I noticed a slight vibration as the engines ignited. Instantly, I saw the Bedwyr shuttles’ weapons come on line. Before I could say anything, the shuttles exploded one by one. Bessel had been ready and hadn’t hesitated. He’d destroyed all five, although only two had brought their weapons on line.
“The area’s clear of traffic, Captain.”
* * * *
The trip to Tamerland took a little over a week. They estimated four months to make the necessary repairs. As I had lots of free time, I spent most of it with the Scorpions. My heart bled every time I went to their workout area. It seemed empty with only sixty remaining of the original one hundred. Now that the adrenaline of battle had worn off, the survivors were quiet. Valk’s Si’jin class had lost two. Several Scorpions asked to join. Terril agreed to take two and I agreed to take three. They didn’t like the idea of a waif-like navy type training them, but agreed. They had seen Terril and me fight.
“Reese, it’s time you got off this ship and saw the town. I’ll meet you in Bay 20 in one hour,” Terril said. We’d just finished a solid workout, and I felt good.
“Thanks, Terril. I don’t think so.”
“You’re not pulling rank, are you?” Terril frowned.
I smiled at Terril. “I’ll cause you trouble. Even in Tamerland they know a Riss-human. It’ll be the same everywhere we go.”
“You’ll be going with Valk, me, and two other Scorpions. We’ll be wearing our uniforms. Most will show respect because they’ll know you’re from the Tiger; everyone will know you’re friends of Scorpions; and the rest will get a lesson in Si’jin.” She laughed.
Thalia and I reveled in being out in public. Talking with people, eating in restaurants, shopping, and seeing the sights. Terril had been right. Most people were a bit nervous at first, but the fact that we were from the Tiger made us heroes. The potential troublemakers kept their distance. Now and then one would make a nasty comment to me. When four Scorpions turned toward them, they were quick to apologize or move away. There was no way for me to thank Valk, Terril, and the others for what they’d done for me. In their eyes I was a friend and comrade. They had treated me to an experience I couldn’t have had without them. I loved them.
* * * *
When we arrived in Eden, we were immediately cloistered and spent the next two weeks being debriefed. What happened... How did you feel... What did so-and-so do when…
“Lieutenant Reese, Vice Admiral Zann would like to see you at 0900 hours tomorrow,” one of my debriefers informed me. “You’ll be glad to know this is the last of your debriefings.”
Promptly at 0845 hours, I entered the SAS Military Headquarters and received my pass to the forty-sixth floor where Zann’s office was located. There I was led to the waiting room and found the remaining Riss-humans: Jaelle, Alena, Petar, and Elissa.
“Nadya,” they said simultaneously and rushed me. It felt good, an alien among aliens.
“Lieutenants, Vice Admiral Zann is ready. Please follow me,” a JG informed us. He looked about ready to run if we moved to quickly. We entered Zann’s office, braced to attention, and saluted.
“Please help yourself to refreshments and relax.”
The table was loaded with sweets, cheeses, taffa and kaffa. We’d been led to her conference room, not her office. It was a plush room with executive chairs and a long wooden table that could accommodate twenty. We spent the first hour discussing our experiences. Zann frequently referred to files she had in front of her. While we talked, a running vid was going on between the Riss.
“Nadya, you seem to be the glue that has held this group together. If you had left the program, I believe it would have failed. Each of you has had plenty of reasons to leave. Nadya has used her contract well, and the coaching she has given each of you has reduced the abuse. I don’t know if I could have survived what you’ve already endured. You do it for the Riss and the Riss Nation is grateful. If you decide to leave, they’ll welcome you with open arms. They consider you blood Sisters.” She smiled at me. “Nadya has resigned twice. It’s not a technique I would recommend; however, it’s effective. They know it would require an inquiry and possibly their careers.
“I’ve convinced the Riss project administration to add an addendum to your contracts. Any superior who gives you a rating of less than good performance must do so on tape with you present. The Riss Project team will review that tape. The unsatisfactory reviews they gave Alena and Petra were reviewed and changed to satisfactory. Those officers have been given a letter of reprimand. Their careers are now on a very slow track. Be careful not to abuse this support. If your performance is less than satisfactory, admit it; otherwise state why it’s satisfactory. If one of you abuses it, all will suffer.”
Zann took us to the Admiral’s dining hall where we were introduced to those present, including Vice Admiral Youell, who was the Riss Project director.
* * * *
A ceremony for the crew of the Tiger was held the following day. The names of the dead were read along with many posthumous awards. A plaque was presented with the names of the Tiger’s compliment, which would be placed at the entrance to the Military Headquarters. Many awards were presented to the survivors; I was awarded my second Silver Star and the Purple Heart. This time they read what I’d done to earn it.
I felt her amusement followed by a sense of satisfaction, which spread warmth through me. I smiled. It was Thalia’s joy of life and ability to find the amusing side of everything which had enabled me to survive. We’d gone from strangers, to friends, to sisters. We shared a common vision that saw the Riss and humans working together as equals. It would be a long journey, but the Riss were a patient race.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Clem Daems is a native of Chicago, Illinois. He served twenty-two years in the United States Air Force and is a graduate of the University of Arizona. He doesn’t consider himself an author, only a person who has learned that he enjoys writing. His favorite genre is science fiction and fantasy. His hobby for the past forty years has been Kung Fu and Tai Chi. He’s now retired and lives in Tucson, Arizona. To learn more about the author, visit his website at:
http://clemd.home.comcast.net/~clemd/JC/Index.html
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