by C. R. Daems
* * *
"Reese, how could you possibly think I'd want to be a Riss-human? I’m still amazed that you trust me after our early years," Gebauer said on my second night back from visiting Dunn.
"You're at a crossroads in your life. Should you return to the SAS, and if so, to do what? Retire? Should you stay on Freeland? And do what? Where do your loyalties lie? Not on Freeland. But do they lie with the SAS after their years of treachery? You would fit in with the Riss navy."
Gebauer laughed. "I'm old … and you know my feeling about the Riss-human project."
"Do me a favor. Talk to the Riss. There is no obligation."
"I've talked to the Riss…"
"Have you? Or have you listened to them talk? No, I mean talk to the Riss as fellow intelligent people. What can it hurt?"
"Alright, but I'm not promising anything."
I arranged for a meeting with interested Riss two days hence.
* * *
"I can't believe he even considered the idea," Terril said as we walked away from the group of fifteen Riss that had agreed to talk with Gebauer.
"He's humoring me, but only because he's lost. He doesn't want to be a Freelander but sees no future with the SAS."
"You think the Riss will change his mind?"
"No. I'm hoping he will see the Riss as individuals to be admired—and a chance at a new and exciting life."
"You're devious."
"For a good cause," I countered. "While they talk,let's go see how Da'Maass is doing with his projects." It turned out he was at the R&D plant atRupea, which was only fifteen minutes away.
"Dybbuk, to what do I owe the pleasure? I hear you have Gebauer talking to the Riss. Poor man thinks he's humoring you. Like a fly playing with a spider."
"And were you a fly?" I asked.
"Yes, a very willing fly, trapped in a wonderful and magical web."
"Any progress?" I had to smile. Da'Maass was in love with life since becoming a Riss-human.
"We're very close to a new design," he said while taking out his tablet. "Here is a model of what we’re testing. Our standard environmental filtering system already produces grey water. That water is now diverted to tanks using a system of reverse osmosis, which eliminates viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and pharmaceuticals. The water is then disinfected by ultraviolet light. We estimate our standard water supply should last five to seven months, and we can now replenish from almost any water supply. The new gardens on level three should provide a food supply for six to eight months."
"But doesn't that make the third level a vulnerable area to attack and a major weakness?"
"We suggest the third level be maintained at zero vacuum during an engagement, to minimize the risk. The good news is that the proposed changes can be made in less than two weeks."
"Good work, Da'Maass. I think we can improve on it over the years, but it's a good start and will do for this sojourn."
"What about supplies: missiles, parts, etc.?"
"For this…sojourn, I recommend we build a Riss supply ship. It will be easier than trying to modify the Riss cruisers. I have plans for one." He smiled at my open mouthed expression.
When we returned six hours later, Gebauer and the Riss were still talking.
"Zhu claims you can see the future, and surprisingly no one contradicts him." He stood staring at me. "Is that the reason you tricked me into an interview with the Riss?"
"Thalia, my Riss companion, says my position as Leader gives me no choice but to strive for the best future. If I don't, the Riss Nation could cease to exist," I said, agreeing it was the leader's responsibility.
"It's difficult to talk with the Riss and think them parasites, just like it's difficult being around Freelanders and think of them as raiders," Gebauer said.
"Parasite is actually not the correct term. They do not attach to an animal and feed off it. The animal merely becomes the Riss's vehicle. The Gorillai, the Riss's current host, became the Riss's vehicle thousands of years ago. And contrary to some rumors, they are perfectly happy with their present hosts."
"Then why do they want human hosts?"
"They don't. But they realize that without human help, humans would eventually destroy them. They are pacifists living in worlds dominated by warriors. Look around you—Supreme Council of the Gods, JPU, Ecitoni, and the SAS. And somewhere not too far from us in this galaxy, the Issog, Arrith, and other humans are at war."
"Then they could take control of me,"
"They could. The Riss have taken control of their human hosts in the past. Why? To be removed from their host. One human that hosted them violated the Riss's ethics, and several others took control for their own safety because their hosts couldn't tolerate another intelligent being as a companion."
"I would be a captain of a Riss cruiser?"
"Yes."
"You would trust me?"
"Yes."
"Would you speak for me as you do for the Riss?"
"No. Talk to Pavao, Sheva, and Zhang. They were not part of the Riss Project and had strong ties to the SAS and UFN."
Three months later.
"I plan today to commit the Riss to explore sector HS78. Are there any objections?" I waited. It was more of an official declaration than a proposal, since we had been making plans for such a trip for months. We had produced two new Riss cruisers and a Cerberus and had made three new Riss captains: Gebauer, ex-SAS; La'Fave, previous raider captain; and Kishi, ex-UFN. When no one responded, I continued. "First, how many cruisers do we send?"
"If there is a chance we will help the humans, we'll need a sizeable force," Gebauer said. I wasn't sure of his private reasons for deciding to become a Riss-human, but he appeared happy with his decision and with his companion, Eos,the Greek goddess of the dawn. According to Thalia, they were content.
"We must balance meeting our commitment to maintain the peace in this sector against security for Freeland and a force sufficient to support the humans."
"Why Freeland security?" Kishi asked.
"Although it’s unlikely," I said, "some group may see this sector as an easy target and decide to retire Emperor Okuda and Admiral Zhu. Or another group of Aliens like the Arrith or Issog or Ecitoni or one we don't know about may stumble into this sector." Slowly, heads nodded in agreement, including Kishi’s.
"What if we split the fleet, seven and seven?" Pavao suggested.
"All right. Next question. Who, since their cruisers will have to be modified?" I asked, hoping I would not have to select the seven. "Let’s start with who would like to stay." Looking around the room and not seeing any volunteers, I said, "So that's the way it's going to be, eh? We can't have all the experienced people go and all the less experienced people stay. And I don't want to assume this sector will remain stable. So I will split you into groups. In each group, only one person may go. My advice? Listen to your companions and remember our role as Riss-humans.
"Group one, Da'Maass, Ja'Sai, and La'Fave.
"Group two, Alena, Elissa, and Jaelle.
"Group three, Zhang and Kishi.
"Group four, Bradshaw and Katlin.
"And Group five, Pavao and Sheva." I smiled at the looks on their faces.
"That's sneaky," Pavao said, a small smile danced at the corners of her lips.
"You left the decision to me." I smiled back.
"Byer, Iglis, and Seng, you must decide if you want to go. If not, you will need a replacement. I think the humans on the cruisers going should also have a choice."
* * *
I doubted the Riss-human companions helped with the final decision, but I imagine they reminded each individual of their position and responsibility. As I had hoped, the five groups got together after their selection had been made and reevaluated their choices.
Six hours later, each group announced their pick: Group one, Da'Maass. Group two, Alena. Group three, Kishi. Group four, Bradshaw. And Group five, Sheva.
"Thank you. Those would have been my picks, but you wouldn't have had the benefit of my logic. Those that are staying behind will be the first considered if there is a next time. Now that we know the ships, I'm hoping the modifications can be completed in two months, and we can be ready to leave in three."
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Sector HS78 - Sojourn to the Unknown
The three months passed in a flash, although everyone was busy overseeing the modifications and going on shakedown cruises. Two stealth supply ships were built and each outfitted with a mini-factory to manufacture critical parts if necessary. In addition, they carried additional missiles, including fifty red-Wraiths each.
Finally, the day came and the Mnemosyne, Minerva, Themis, Cerberus-1, Cerberus-4, Elpis, and the Hestia departed for Sector HS78—destination: a system close the Arrith and human space that didn't appear to have inhabitable planets.
The ten-week trip was boring with nothing to do and no way to communicate with the convoy. R-Saga's team spent the time analyzing the Aliens' material and trying to improve on the clarity of the picture-grams. The Wraiths and the Kraits conducted daily exercises. Terril and I created weekly simulator exercises with an award for the best performance in each category: a crystal commando with an open chute and a World War II British Spitfire. Each rested on a metal base with the etched names of the weekly winners.
The competitions helped keep morale good. Terril and I taught daily classes and had our regular workouts. Still the days dragged by like weeks and the weeks like months.
* * *
"Why?" Terril asked, frowning in thought. "R-Saga says it’s an uninhabitable system."
"For carbon-based species. Since the galaxy appears occupied with a variety of intelligent life, I'd rather not assume it's uninhabited," I said. "Besides, someone else could use this planet as a meeting or staging system."
The space appeared empty when we exited the Wave, still I stayed in stealth mode. Several minutes later the Riss ships exited the Wave.
* * *
"I’ll need a vineyard if the trips get any longer," Da'Maass quipped when he entered the conference room. "Hopefully, the experience will justify the boredom."
"Hopefully, it's boring," I said. "I've had enough excitement for two lifetimes already, and I'm still in my youth."
"Each of us was desperate to go." Sheva laughed. "I doubt we'll be so eager next time."
"How are we going to approach the humans?" Alena asked the question everyone had on his or her mind.
"Let's try to determine the current situation before we decide. R-Saga and her team have identified several systems in the human and Arrith empires. We can use the Aliens’ approach: visit those systems and then follow any ship that leaves. Alena, Kishi, and Gebauer, take the Arrith empire. The Red Institute of Discovery identified two systems: Ha'Hoo and Ga'Rook. Split up any way you choose. We will rendezvous back here in thirty days." When the three acknowledged with nods, I continued. "Da'Maass, Sheva, Bradshaw, and I will take the two human systems they identified. Da'Maass, you and Bradshaw take the one called Utopia. Sheva and I will take the one they call New Hope." I paused and stood to get everyone's attention. "Remember, watch but don't interfere. I want to understand the situation before we decide whether to introduce ourselves."
* * *
Five days later, the Elpis and the Mnemosyne exited the Wave into New Hope at Battle Stations and in stealth mode. The system was swarming with activity. As we moved in system in stealth mode, more than forty cruisers were visible. Over the next two days they formed into five lines: a small line of three Light cruisers, a line of nine cruisers, and another line of nine cruisers which included a Heavy. Then came another duplicate configuration of twenty-one Light cruisers and a Heavy.
I clicked on Iglis's channel and she appeared immediately, looking like she hadn't slept. "What have you learned?"
"They are human and speak a more or less understandable Standard. If I interpreted the communication we intercepted correctly, the Issog are vampires and are using the citizens of the planets they occupy as…milking animals." Iglis turned a ghostly white and gagged. "The humans are preparing to visit several planets occupied by the Issog."
"Keep monitoring them. The more we know, the better," I said.
"Oh, the human…nation is called the Commonwealth of Stars, COS. The planet is New Hope, and it is a staging area for the main offensive against the Issog."
* * *
We stayed for two days, observing the activity. On the third day, I sensed the cruisers were preparing to leave and contacted Sheva.
"Looks like they’re going hunting," Sheva said.
"I agree. I'll follow the lead group and you follow the last group, just in case they aren't going to the same place," I said, wondering why the first three cruisers where going to enter the Wave before the next line of nine. Time would tell, I mused as I cut the connection and got in position to follow the three, as closely as possible to obscure our entry into the Wave. An hour later, we entered the Wave.
We were in the Wave for four days. When we exited, the system appeared empty to our passive sensors. Not wanting to go active, I followed the three Lights as they slowly made their way towards the planet. Several hours later, the sensors showed four Light cruisers—which I assumed were Issog cruisers—about a light-second from the planet. When the three-cruiser squadron closed to within four light-seconds of the Issog, one of the cruisers skipped to the four Issog cruisers, fired, and skipped away seconds after one of the Issog cruisers fired. The cruisers skipped four more times—one second skips—targeting and firing before the Issog could. The cruisers’ performance was the equal of the Riss, and therefore impressive. However, the last cruiser encountered a problem on its last skip. Multiple explosions occurred, and escape pods came bursting out only seconds later. Just then the first line of nine Light cruisers skipped and destroyed the four Issog cruisers, but only after a fifteen-minute dance of one and two-second skips, which the Issog used to their advantage.
It left me confused, because the Lights appeared to require thirty or more seconds to acquire a lock on the Issog, whereas the first cruiser had been twice as fast. I concluded that it must have been specially equipped. Not long afterward, it rained combat cruisers toward the planet.
I clicked on Iglis's SID. "What have you learned?"
"The system is called Berlin. It has been occupied by the Issog. They feel the Issog have abandoned it, and the four Issog would have been gone if they had entered a day or two later. Their concern right now is the captain of the Light cruiser that was destroyed. It appears she and her cruiser were special. There are still Issog on the planet, so they have dispatched commandos to retrieve her."
"Leader, there is an unknown Light cruiser moving towards the Wave at minimum power," Sheva said. "Its signature differs from the humans’ ships."
"And the Issog?" I sent our senor scan of the Issog Light cruisers.
"Much different," she said after a minute examining the scan. "Could it be the…Arrith?"
"Could be. Altho
ugh we can't be sure we have all the human and Issog cruisers identified, it does seem suspicious. Something to consider later."
The humans stayed in system for several days.
* * *
"Where do you think they’re going?" Terril asked.
"The next system. They had little resistance here, so there’s no reason for major repairs or additional supplies."
"Sheva, same configuration as before. I'll take the lead squadron and you follow the last one."
She nodded and cut the connection.
This time, the trip took three days. The Issog had four Light cruisers only a light-second from the Wave, and they jumped almost immediately towards the Wave entrance, clearly in a hurry to leave. The COS squadron was quick to respond, and only one Issog cruiser escaped into the Wave.
* * *
I clicked onto Iglis's SID.
"Captain?" She asked.
"What are you picking up?" I asked after we had been in system for several days and nothing appeared to be happening.
"Mostly idle chatter between the captains. They claim the fleet will be staying in this system, called Alexandria, indefinitely while a Light cruiser called the Thor scouts the remaining three systems the Issog control. According to the rumors, the Thor is a modified cruiser with a specially trained captain. No one seems certain, and the talk is confusing."
"Typical rumors, some facts mixed in with a lot of hearsay."
"Oh … they are verifying what I heard. The Issog are vampires. They invade a planet and keep the humans as a blood bank." She looked pale.
* * *
The next day the Thor moved towards the Wave. In anticipation, I had moved the Mnemosyne close to the Wave, It would have been difficult to follow the Thor in stealth mode from deep in system. They took less than two days to reach their destination, which I learned was the planet Angeles. The Thor spent most of the day in system, but it proved empty of Issog. They returned to Alexandria and almost immediately left. This time the trip took two days. When we exited, the sensors showed the system alive with Issog cruisers. I watched in amazement as the Thor skipped six light-seconds into the Issog fleet or fleets and then back to the Wave. The Thor entered the Wave only seconds before missiles barraged it from several Issog cruisers. We entered after the missiles.
