by C. R. Daems
Reese waved and two of the beasts…Riss drew near but stopped several steps short of the group. First one then the other made several hand gestures, which caused a box-like device to speak.
"Good morning, Admiral Simons. I'm r-Saga, the project manager for the group investigating the documentation the alien invaders abandoned when they left." The Riss gave a small bow of its head.
"And I'm r-Kojin, the first shift Sensor Suite Operator. Welcome." She also gave a small bow.
"Thank you," Simons managed after a second's pause. She turned back to Reese after the two walked away. "Thank you for warning me. They are…intimidating."
"The Riss understand human speech but need mechanical voice devices, since they can't make human sounds. Come, there is a table over there with drinks and refreshments where we can sit and talk."
"Captain LaFon indicated you have been here for more than a month, looking around because of material alien invaders left behind…" Simons said as though it were a statement, but it was clearly several questions—what aliens, why, now what?
"We were invaded by aliens that use Robots as hosts—they could transfer a human mind into a robot's software. We managed to drive them out. We being the three human empires that occupy our area of the galaxy. The documentation that r-Saga has managed to translate indicates they had passed through your area of space and found humans at war with a race of bat-like species and a third lizard-like species which wasn't participating in the war. R-Saga wanted to come in the hope that seeing what was actually happening would enable her to improve on the translation."
"So you didn't come to help us?" Simons asked, clearly interested and wanting to understand these humans. "You're a research…"
"Yes and no. The aliens left behind some software as well as some historical documentation. Their records are pictograms, extremely complex. We hoped being able to translate them would give us an insight into the software. But we also saw another problem—the number of species roaming our galaxy."
"How is that a problem?"
"You have the Issog, which consider you a source of food. Then there is the Arrith, who I assume don't like humans and would, at the first opportunity, like to get rid of you." When Reese paused, Simons nodded. "We had the Aliens who wanted to destroy our ability to leave our planets, and the Ecitoni who destroyed all life on each planet they invaded. And lastly, human empires who want to dominate other empires."
"So…you wanted to find out what kind of humans we are…and to determine the threat to your space." Simons rose and eventually selected a glass of wine. "I think I need this. You have my head spinning." She took a sip and then another before continuing. "What would make us worth saving, and how can you help us?" she asked, probing.
"I know it sounds callus, but the Riss number less than four thousand. If the Commonwealth has a billion citizens, the loss of one Riss would be equivalent to two hundred and fifty thousand Commonwealth citizens, and I have more than two hundred on this ship. That's the equivalent of you risking fifty million citizens, not counting the couple hundred human crew."
"That is a lot of responsibility. But you're obviously considering helping with a research ship, so I have the same questions."
"Time for a demonstration," Reese said, rising. She then led the group to the second level and into the Bridge. Again, no formality when she entered. "Admiral Simons, if you will contact your flagship and have them skip to some area where it is at least two light-seconds from the nearest Commonwealth cruiser, then I will give you a demonstration." When Simons nodded, Reese continued while handing a microphone to Simons. "R-Galene, open a line to the Sakhmet."
"Captain Wallace, have the Sakhmet skip to a location at least two light-seconds from any Commonwealth cruiser."
"Yes, Admiral. Will you remain in communication?"
"Yes. We won't lose communications." A minute later the Sakhmet skipped.
Reese nodded and spoke, "Admiral Simons, would you please notify your fleets we will be conducting a test? The Mnemosyne will skip, and you would like the first cruiser to detect its location to broadcast it so you can verify its position."
Simons frowned but spoke into the mic, "Attention all captains. The Mnemosyne, the ship I'm on, will be conducting a test. It will skip near to one of our cruisers. When you detect it, broadcast its location." She looked to Reese, who nodded.
"R-Kharis, compute a vector to within five-thousand kilometers of the Sakhmet." Reese had barely given the order when the people on the Bridge faded to ghosts and several seconds later solidified. Reese pointed to the hologram floating in the middle of the Bridge. The Mnemosyne, designated M1, sat almost on top of the Sakhmet, designated S1.
"How close?" Simons asked.
"Five thousand thirty kilometers."
"But why…"
"We are in stealth mode. The Mnemosyne may be ugly, but it's a war ship. Somewhat like your Odin class but with stealth capabilities."
"So…you could destroy flagships…"
"And production centers, and yes, I have several ships with me."
"And you're more than a captain."
"Yes."
* * *
"What did you learn about the mysterious humans?" Fossett asked Simons as soon as she had collected a cup of coffee and sat. He had summoned Simons and included the council's president and the major coalition leaders: Mr. MacKenze, Ms. Worley, Mr. Willis, and Mr. VanWest.
"Everything and nothing." Simons snorted.
"Can they help us?" Fossett pressed, frowning.
"Definitely. Their Leader gave me a demonstration. I'd describe her ship as a stealth Odin. She skipped to within five thousand kilometers of the Sakhmet and couldn't be detected."
"How many ships does she have?" Fossett again.
"Several, but I don't know exactly. Could be three or twenty, which is why I said I knew everything and nothing."
"What is she demanding in return for helping us?" MacKenze asked, his voice sounding angry.
"Nothing," Simons said, sounding amused.
"Then she'll help?" Ms. Worley asked, looking and sounding excited.
"If she thinks we are worth risking her people."
"We're humans!" Mr. VanWest shouted as if that proved the point.
"Humans don't impress her. They have three empires in their sector of space. Two of the empires attempted to destroy her planet and wipe out the Riss—a unique species—and the humans. Her group was forced to quarantine them."
"Quarantine?" Fossett asked.
"They destroyed all of their cruisers and now monitor each of their systems so they can't build new ones. But they let the empires rule themselves and do business via merchants…and communicate via satellites that are capable of sending messages between systems with faster-than-light technology."
"Imagine if we had that," Fossett all but whispered as though he was saying a prayer. The others nodded.
"How do we prove we are worth saving?" Fossett asked, but before Simons could respond, MacKenze spoke.
"The committee needs to talk with her, not the military. You don't have the authority—"
Simons laughed. "I asked her why she wanted to talk to me and not the Commonwealth's governing body. She said governing bodies were the last people to talk to in a war. They know nothing of war, yet want to control the strategy and are only concerned with maintaining their power and control."
"Who does she think she is?" Mr. Willis shouted. Simons smiled, looking at the faces of the council members.
"She's the one who will determine the fate of the Commonwealth, because we can't defeat the Arrith or fight them to a draw without her help," Simons said, silently agreeing with Reese's aversion to dealing with committees.
* * *
"That was interesting, Simons," Fossett said several hours later when the committee members had left. "They gave in, but I doubt they will ever forgive Captain Reese…or is it Leader Reese?"
"From what I understand, she's not a dictator, yet everyone w
ill follow her decisions. And her people refer to her as Leader Reese. She's being very cautious, and I don't blame her. She doesn't know us and what we would be willing to do to get our hands on their technology. Ironically, from what I observed it would take us years to figure out how to fly their cruisers. Like the Arrith capturing the Odin."
"All right. I'd like to meet this Leader Reese, but I'll let you be our primary interface."
* * *
"What do you think now that you've had a chance to talk with Admiral Simons?" Gebauer asked after Reese had established tight-beam communications links with the seven ships.
"They will lose the war with the Arrith, although they may be able to drag it out for a year or two. They might win if they could produce twenty more Odin captains right away, but they can't. So the Arrith will win, destroy their ability to achieve space travel again, and leave the Issog on Hydera and Kammu. Eventually, the Issog will migrate into other systems, since the Arrith won't stop them and may encourage them."
"Why?" Alena asked.
"To get rid of the monkeys, as the Arrith call the humans."
"But they would have to fight the Issog when they grew strong," Kishi said.
"Not a concern. They have no way to create more ships, so eventually they will leave the Commonwealth space."
"What a horrible thought," Sheva said with her eyes closed. "That could take hundreds of years."
"Or reduce the humans to breeding stock for the Issog," Bradshaw added.
"Can we live with that?" Gebauer asked into the silence that followed.
"Helping them is not without risk to the Riss-humans, both here and on Freeland," Da'Maass said.
"Da'Maass is right. In addition, we must consider the likely attitude of the Commonwealth if we do help."
"Why wouldn't they consider us heroes?" Bradshaw asked.
"Why didn't the SAS consider us heroes for saving them from the JPU?" Reese asked. "We came here to determine the threat to the Riss and Freeland. That has got to be our primary concern. Let's each take today to think about it and discuss it with our Riss companions. Then tomorrow we can make a decision."
* * *
"Da'Maass, what do you think?" Reese asked.
"My companion and I don't believe there is any long-term threat from this sector. Consequently, there is no reason for us to help the humans if it risks Riss or Freelanders' lives. We are not against helping if the risk is minimal."
"Sheva?"
"Although my companion and I feel sorry for the humans, there appears to be no reason for the Riss or Freelanders to risk their lives."
"Alena?"
"I agree with Da'Maass and Sheva."
"Kishi?"
"I would worry about the security of Freeland if we incurred significant losses. A strong Riss Nation ensures we can maintain the War Free Zones at home and…the NPR doesn't become the dominate nation and decide to rule." He grinned. Kishi's birth nation had helped the Riss impose the War Free Zone, WFZ, but if the Riss were seen as weak, the NPR council could decide it should rule.
"Gebauer?"
"My first reaction was they are humans and it's our obligation to help. But after many hours discussing the issue with my companion, we would risk much to gain nothing except a good feeling that we saved the humans. It's not a decision I would want to have to make."
"Bradshaw?"
"I agree with what Gebauer didn't say—I'm glad it's not my decision."
Reese sat silently for a long time sipping her coffee before speaking. "What I hear is that there is no reason for us to help, but you wouldn't mind if it involved little risk and had some potential benefit. And that you're again leaving it to your Leader to make the decision." Reese sighed as she saw the nodding heads. "I want to talk to Admiral Simons again before deciding." Reese cut the connection.
* * *
"Admiral Fossett and I met with the senior members of the Commonwealth's governing body. It went roughly the way you indicated committees react…" Simons spent the next hour giving Reese a detailed account of the discussions.
"Was it recorded?"
"Yes. Admiral Fossett tapes all meetings in his office."
"If the Commonwealth survives, you may want to use it to restructure your government. The Riss have a two-tiered system: The Riss run the military, while the Freeland elders run the planet, but the governing committee is comprised of the military and civilian representatives. That way, both groups know what is going on."
"I like it," Simons said. "That leaves the tough decisions to the group with the expertise. Civilians to manage the planet and the military to manage defense. Since the committee had no choice, they left the defense in Fossett's hands, and he has authorized me to develop the strategy."
"And have you?"
"Yes. We believe the Arrith will send five fleets to Utopia to defeat our home fleet and get the government to surrender."
"What about New Hope, and New Faith?" Reese asked.
"They may also send fleets there, but a major defeat at Utopia would give them a quick victory."
"What would happen if the Commonwealth surrendered?"
"In the last war, they destroyed our ships and raided the planets to ensure technology was confiscated or destroyed and, of course, killed anyone who resisted."
"And afterward?"
"Periodic raids to steal and plunder. But no mass killings." Simons finished her wine before continuing. "Have you made a decision?"
"Let’s discuss your strategy," Reese said.
"Based on our previous battles with the Arrith, they will come twenty in a line, each separated by one light-second. When the first line is within four light-seconds, they will skip into our front line. We can target faster than they can, so we will shoot, wait for them to fire, then skip. We will use the strategy against each line, hoping to prove our three fleets can defeat their five and thus demonstrate we can fight them to a stalemate." She laughed. "Of course, based on what you discovered, that won't work."
"It might work." Reese spent the next hour reviewing the leap-frogging tactic.
"Leave Utopia? Are you crazy?"
"You left Hydera and Kammu."
"Yes, but…"
"If you will follow my strategy, then the Riss will help." Reese and Simons spent the next two days formulating the tactics and the Riss' contribution. The next day a squadron accompanied by a Riss cruiser left to New Hope and New Faith with the tactics the Admirals were to employ if attacked.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Battle for Utopia
"I have agreed the Riss Nation will help the Commonwealth secure another Non-Aggression Treaty with the Arrith if they will agree to my terms. Those terms I feel will minimize the risk to our cruisers and people," Reese said after the tight-beam connections had been established. She went on to explain the Riss' conditions.
"Clever compromise, Leader Reese," Da'Maass said, lifting his glass in salute.
"I don't imagine they were happy with your solution, but it was an offer they couldn't refuse," Gebauer said with a short laugh.
"Anyone disagree with my proposal?" Reese saw or heard no dissention.
"All Right. Sheva, you will leave immediately to New Faith with a ship Admiral Simons is sending to introduce you and the tactics to be employed. You will remain to take out the Arrith flagship and a few squadron leaders' cruisers. You're not to take unnecessary risks. Da'Maass, you and Gebauer, Bradshaw, Alena, and Kishi wait near the Wave. If the Arrith invade Utopia, make one strike against the last fleet and leave immediately to Arrith space and destroy the production facili
ties at SaMug, SaMaag, HaHoo, GaKiss, and GaSith. We will rendezvous at Rockland when you're finished."
* * *
The next two weeks were quiet. Fossett visited the Mnemosyne to review the tactics Reese had proposed and tour her ship.
"What are you hoping for, given we win?" Fossett asked at dinner that night in Captain Reese's dining room. Only Fossett, Simons, Reese, and Terril were present.
"Peace in this sector of the galaxy. There are some nasty species roaming the galaxy, and mutual support may be necessary. We barely survived the Robot Aliens and the Ecitoni and you the Issog. It would be nice if we would be willing to share technology and provide military help if necessary."
"You would sell us technology?" Simons asked, leaning forward.
"We would be willing to sell you satellites that would give you early warning and deliver a nasty punch, and communication devices that can deliver messages FTL between systems." Reese said, grinning in anticipation of the next question.
"What about stealth technology?" Fossett asked.
"The Riss are pacifists and only fight as a last resort. But they are willing to help maintain peace in the galaxy. In our sector, we have two War Free Zones, which means the systems in those zones cannot produce warships. Other than that, they are free to govern themselves and conduct interplanetary trade. Where several parties have warships, peace can only be maintained when both parties realize neither has an advantage. We will provide you with enough technology so the Arrith cannot win against you, but not enough to wipe them out."
"Why not? They aren't human," Fossett said, anger in his eyes.
"Because the Riss are against war. They consider any intelligent species human and are therefore against killing them. Ironically, the Arrith and the Issog consider themselves human and you animals, just as you consider yourselves human and them animals. To the Riss, all intelligent species are equal."
