by C. R. Daems
"With those engines, I imagine this cruiser can really move," Vitkus said after touring the engine room.
"Our engineers think over six hundred gravities."
"Nobody's going to outrun it," Admiral Kishi said smiling.
"Those Cyberus cruisers would be nasty ships to fight. Between those minis, standard cruisers, and Irises, Freeland is becoming a military power," Gebauer said. "Speaking of which, I imagine the SAS will be ordering Irises as soon as I complete my after-action report."
"Admiral Zhu is also interested. Saved many lives here." Kishi nodded agreement as he entered a note on his pad.
"And they can be customized to meet your needs." I laughed. But they cannot be used against the Riss.
* * *
I felt guilty, as survivors frequently do. The Mnemosyne hadn't suffered any damage or loss of life during the invasion. The Druantia, although operational, had sustained substantial damage—thirty deaths, eleven Riss. The Eirene was also heavily damaged—twenty-five deaths, twelve Riss. The Elpis, Artio, and Themis had escaped with less damage but not without casualties—thirty-three deaths, thirteen Riss. Freeland estimated four weeks to repair the damage.
"Terril, ready for some action?" I asked. She seemed to be present half of the time.
"My heart still hasn't recovered from that close encounter with Admiral Bishara. I used to think Scorpions were crazy. They're sane compared to you."
"I'll take that as a yes. Staff meeting tomorrow. We need to begin planning the final phase of the quarantining of the JPU."
* * *
"What's new, Commander Iglis?" I began when everyone was seated.
"I gave Admiral Bulter a general account of the battle with Bishara as you asked. He indicated that Admirals Plimson and Zhu wanted a conference with you to discuss the JPU and an MSA."
"Tell them I'm available at their convenience," I said turning toward Captain Pavao. "What is the status with our prisoners?"
"The wounded have all seen doctors. Admirals Vitkus and Kishi were good and provided medical support. We've cleaned out three of the Lights that were in good condition and are housing them there for now. We have a few Kraits guarding the Bridge and touring the ship, but the prisoners realize that all the weapon systems are inoperative and hijacking the ship would mean immediate destruction. What do you intend to do with them?"
"Return them to some JPU planet, then destroy the cruisers." I hadn't worked out all the issues, but they would be released so long as they didn't do anything foolish before then. After all, they weren't going to join the JPU navy, so they weren't a threat. "Elissa, what is the status of the mini-cruisers?"
"I'm hoping we can test Cerberus-1 over the next two weeks and resolve any problems. Cerberus-2 is in production, and the factory foreman, Ti'Mima, thinks he can produce one every two months once the prototype has been approved."
"How do you plan to police the JPU in the interim?" Zhang asked.
"Suggestions?" I countered, using Wattson's technique. "There are eleven systems, so it'll be two years before we have enough Cerberus cruisers to cover them all, and ideally, we need twice that number to have easy replacements."
"What if we have two of us tour the planets without a Cerberus once each quarter, to ensure there is no space activity?" Zhang said.
"We could install Irises in each JPU system," Sheva said with a laugh. "Shoot anything that enters the system."
"Are we going to do ground inspections?" Alena asked.
"No. I like the Alien model—we don't care what you do, so long as you don't fly."
"Are we going to sell Irises?" Pavao asked. "Another potential Pandora's box."
"Yes, I want to keep the Riss as a link between the SAS and the UFN—peacemakers. We can customize the Irises for each empire or even system. However, the Riss software will ensure they can't be used against a Riss ship."
"Sneaky," Elissa said.
"Paranoid," Sheva said.
"Dybbuk." Damaass laughed and raised his glass of wine to me. "She sees into their minds."
* * *
Plimson arrived a week later and Zhu the following day. Both were accompanied by two squadrons to relieve the ones on Freeland. We met on the Dynasty with the normal formality I'd come to dread. Plimson invited new squadron leaders, Admirals Caldwell and Valado, in addition to Admiral Gebauer. Admiral Zhu invited his taskforce leader, Blue Admiral Iwata, and his two squadron leaders, Admirals Lyang and Tian. I noticed Master Wei was now Admiral Plimson's security, and Zhu had a new man by the name of Yu, who also had two red dragons on his collar like Xun had.
"I think we finally have the public on our side. They are beginning to recognize how big a threat the JPU was. They still don't realize how big a part you played, but they love the idea that you are going to quarantine them," Plimson said. "The SAS Council also like the Iris concept. They want to negotiate a contract, a rather large one I suspect." He laughed.
"The Emperor and the Imperial Parliament are also interested. It simplifies security and is cheaper than cruisers and hundreds of crew, which are an ongoing cost. And I would imagine the SAS would like Freeland to maintain their fleet's Riss technology as would the UFN." It was his turn to laugh. "I suspect mostly to ensure we have like weapons."
"Trust does not appear to be in the human DNA," Plimson agreed. "Butler said to thank you for allowing your new security chief to keep him in the loop. You probably extended that courtesy to Admiral Zhu's security chief."
"Yes. I'm hoping the closer we work together, the less we will have to fear from each other."
"Do you want our help in quarantining the JPU?" Zhu asked.
"I don't think so. If I'm correct, the JPU has no more than sixty cruisers left, maybe as few as forty. And it would not surprise me if they were all at Ormazd protecting the Supreme Council."
"That's a fair number of cruisers, seeing that you only have eight. Although those ugly cruisers are nasty. If you're right?" Plimson asked.
"I'm hoping we can get them to surrender. The Riss don't want to kill the JPU for their actions. They just want to stop them from doing it again."
We spent the next couple of hours answering detailed questions about the battle of Freeland. It was clear the Riss could not have stopped the JPU if it hadn't been for the SAS and UFN squadrons. On the other hand, it was clear without the Riss coordinating the assignment of targets, the JPU would have won, since many missiles would have been wasted on crippled or destroyed ships. Afterward, I took everyone on a tour of Cerberus-1.
"Still ugly, but I'll bet it's a match for anything built today," Plimson whispered, implying he knew we had something no one had, and he approved.
Zhu leaned close, "I think I'll order one for my command ship: fast, peaceful, and deadly," he said, echoing Plimson's thoughts. Plimson and Zhu agreed to leave squadrons on Freeland while the Riss went in pursuit of the last JPU cruisers.
* * *
"Zhang, you are Leader on Freeland. We are heading for Ormazd and hopefully a peaceful ending. I leave it to you and Ni'Shay whether you allow planet-side leave. And you should meet with the merchants. There is no reason, after we quarantine the JPU, that they can't start trading in the UFN and SAS."
&nbs
p; "Good luck, Leader Reese. Vesta and I hope you succeed without any more violence."
"We leave in two hours for Ormazd. We will enter at Battle Stations but in stealth mode and coordinate our tactics based on what we find," I said.
"Probably another Neifeh or Haddad or Bishara. Seems to be the only cloth they have," Pavao said, rising to go.
"Be thankful they don't have a dybbuk like our Leader," Damaass said.
"Fair winds and gentle breezes." Sheva stood, raising her glass in a toast.
"Fair winds and gentle breezes," echoed through the cabin.
* * *
The change in status went through the ship, and Mnemosyne came alive as everyone assumed their duty station, ready for whatever was to come. I hoped with Zhang that there would be little bloodshed on either side.
"What do you think, Nadya? Another Haddad, another massacre?" Terril said, echoing my thoughts.
"Hope for peace, but expect war. It's in our DNA. That's why humans are the captains of the Riss ships."
A chill went through me as we faded in and out of reality. My eyes sought the place where the VTH would appear. When it did, tags began to appear about a light-second away. A typical JPU squadron with two heavies and eight Lights.
Immediately, seven tags appeared.
"Sheva and Alena, prepare to take out the two Heavies on my command. Use the red-Wraiths. I want it quick. Then skip to join us. We will be about four light-seconds from Ormazd." When they nodded, I continued. "The rest of us will proceed at stealth speed to the four-light-second mark."
The time dragged by as we crept toward the planet. Once we were within four light-seconds, I had a good picture of Ormazd's defenses: three squadrons—one to two short of what I had estimated—so it might work.
"You are free to proceed when ready."
They cut the connection, and fifteen seconds later, cruisers tagged JH1-1 and JH1-2 went red. JH1-2 disappeared several seconds later, and JH1-2 immediately afterward.
"Must be scary having two of your big cruisers explode without an apparent reason," Sheva said, sweeping a hand through her curly, dark-brown hair. "Very."
"I hope so. That's the strategy—scare them into submission." I paused for a drink of water. My mouth felt dry. "It looks like three squadrons within two light-seconds of Ormazd and a super-Heavy." The last of a dying breed, I mused. "That's perfect. One Heavy each, and I'll take the super. Pavao, tag JH2-1, Damaass, tag JH2-2, Sheva, tag JH3-1, Jaelle, tag JH3-2, Elissa, tag JH4-1, and Alena, tag JH4-2. Send, O.K., when you are in position. I will send K.O. when everyone is in position. You will release your red-Wraiths. They will begin their attack thirty seconds later. Skip away from the Wave after you retrieve your Wraiths. Understood?" Receiving various signs of understanding, I cut the connection.
"Why do you always take the most dangerous one?" Terril asked, clearly frustrated.
"Because my position is Leader."
"Leaders usually stay well to the rear."
"I'm new to the position." I saw Terril's lip twitch.
"And damn lucky to be alive."
An hour later, the O.K. signals began coming in. Elissa's was the last. When I clicked on Byer's channel, he appeared immediately.
"Commander Byer, prepare your unit to take out JSH-1. They will leave on my command and will not begin the attack for thirty seconds."
"Understood," he said, leaving his channel open as he supervised the preparation.
Four minutes later, "Ready, Captain." Byer's voice.
"Commander Byer, release your unit!" I said, turning to the VTH. The thirty seconds seemed like an eternity, then simultaneously the Heavies' tags either disappeared or went red.
"Leader, my unit's safely home." Byer reported.
"To the units guarding Ormazd, you are the last cruisers in the JPU navy. We could easily kill you but would ask that you await the decision of the Supreme Council," I began, hoping to prevent the captains of the Lights—junior officers in the scheme of things—from having knee-jerk reactions. "Jahaba Supreme Council, we would like to save the lives of those crew remaining. If you will abandon your remaining Light cruisers, which stand no chance against us now that we have destroyed your Heavy and super-Heavy cruisers, we will permit the fifteen thousand crew to evacuate to the planet. If not, we are going to be in an ugly mood and may decide to take it out on the Supreme Council. I will give you an hour to decide."
It didn't look like any of the cruisers had changed positions or fired any missiles, although most had their weapon systems hot. No sense taking chances. Each minute seemed like an hour. Finally, a broadcast from Ormazd.
"We need more time," the voice almost screamed.
"Time's up. Order them to evacuate, or we will take care of it for you. But it won't be pretty. Your admirals have been ugly in their conquests, and my troops are in a mode to get even. I can hold them in check, but if fighting starts, I will lose control. Decide. Now!"
Silence followed for several minutes.
"We'd like to sit down and discuss the terms," the same voice said.
"You are in no position to negotiate. You have the choice of ending this peacefully, or in chaos. My commanders will tolerate no more delays."
"Alright, we will give the order to evacuate."
"Immediately. All systems on minimum power for life support. They have six hours to abandon those cruisers."
"I don't believe it," Pavao said. "I was positive they were too stupid to surrender. Of course, you did sound like Admiral Haddad. I doubt they cared if you killed the troops, but their city..."
"Let's divide up the Lights. I want the Kraits to inspect each ship. If it is empty, we will ferry it twenty light seconds away from the planet and blow it up. I want it out of the reach of their shuttles and in unusable pieces."
* * *
"Now you know how it feels," I said to Terril as we sat listening to the communication link with the Kraits entering the first of the Lights the Mnemosyne had responsibility. "You'd love to be there leading them."
"I have the experience..." She laughed. "That doesn't excuse you. I'm just an old Gunny Sergeant, while you are the leader of a nation."
"You're the colonel in charge of keeping her alive. We are who we are, Terril. We aren't the kind to sit while others are in danger—"
Gunfire jarred me back to the assault team.
"Fred, you alright?" a voice said.
"Yeah, the bullet caught my armor. That bastard came out of nowhere."
"You were sightseeing instead of watching for assholes who stayed. They didn't stay to escort you around." More gunfire sounded this time, an automatic weapon.
"Medic, I've got a man down. "Gero, we have a group in the engine room."
"Colonel Seng, withdraw your detail," I said.
"Yes, ma'am," he said. Ten minutes later, they were back on board.
I watched as the Mnemosyne slowly moved away from the Light cruiser. When we reached ten thousand kilometers, I gave the order.
A second later, twelve missiles slammed into the cruisers and a series of explosions ripped through the ship.
Six more missiles hit the cruiser, opening more of the ship to space.
"Colonel Seng, if you would take another look." I was being overly cautious, but I didn't want anyone else killed. I wanted the cruisers flown out of reach and their critical systems destroyed beyond repair or cannibalization. It took four days to complete the operation, and with all our caution, ten Kraits were wounded and four killed.
"I hope when you look at the skins of my sister Riss you will someday begin to understand the evil you condoned on a peaceful nation: aliens, but aliens who never meant you or anyone else harm. Even now, they do not wish harm on you or the JPU people. You are free to live your lives as you see fit, so long as you do not attempt to leave your planet. Any attempt to enter space will be met with deadly force."
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
JPU: The Riss Obligation
"How are you going to keep them contained on their planets? There must be one or two cruisers or merchant ships still operating," Blue Admiral Iwata said after listening to the summary of our action at Ormazd.
I had assembled the senior officers of the units stationed on Freeland. One, to keep them informed, but secretly to send a message—war had it costs, or maybe, that the Aliens had the right idea. The message would undoubtedly be forgotten over the years, but it was worth saying again and again.
"Over the next two years, we will be stationing one of the new Cerberus cruisers in each system. It will be manned by Riss and Freelanders. Their only task will be to monitor that system for space activity and destroy any spaceships or attempts to build space platforms that they find. In the meantime, a taskforce will visit each system without a permanent Cerberus on duty once each quarter."
