Riss Series 3: The Riss Survival (9 page)

"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.

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.

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.

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.

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.