by C. R. Daems
**Commander on the Bridge,** r-Arawn's voice box announced. Unable to make the appropriate human sounds, the SAS had a translator developed that interpreted the Riss hand signals into speech. R-Arawn was the acting weapons officer and considered the ranking person on the Bridge. Of course, r-Arawn knew we were coming long before we reached the Bridge, as she and Thalia were communicating via Streaming Vid, SV, as we approached.
"Commander Gelman, notify the clan elders I would like to meet with them at their convenience," I said, heading towards the captain's chair. Gelman gave me a funny look.
"Skipper, won't they meet any time you say?"
"Of course, Gelman. They know it and I know it. Reminding them will only cause hostility we don't need. They will respond quickly so as to avoid antagonizing me. Therefore, the meeting will occur as quickly as if I set the time, and no one will feel defensive."
"You’re probably the only person in the fleet who would have asked for a meeting with the clan elders, at their convenience."
* * *
That evening, I sat looking around the table at old friends. Commander Varisko had been my XO on the Mongoose, which captured the raider's merchant ship that led to locating Freeland and on the Lynx for the invasion. Colonel Seng had saved my life on the Leopard when navy discipline had collapsed and my life in danger. Commander Byer and Commander Iglis, my Intelligence Officer, had also been on the Mongoose. I trusted these people.
"This Treaty will survive only with your support. Although the senior officers were screened prior to their assignment on Freeland, there are many under their command who will overreact with little or no provocation. Colonel Seng, I'm relying on the army to maintain order. I know it's not fair, but the army has always been my safe haven through the years. I trust them to be the least biased."
"We won’t let you down, Captain. Gunny and I will make sure the lead Scorpion or Wasp understands what you want, and he or she has your full support."
"Commander Byer, I want the pilots to understand they report to you directly and except to protect their lives, orders to attack clan ships come only from you or your designate. They must understand the clans have no reason to attack us. It would not only be suicide but could result in the destruction of their clan if not Freeland. I know for a fact that any clan member would rather die than betray his clan. The elders would be ruthless if anyone violated the Treaty. Therefore, they must curb their natural instinct to shoot first."
"I'll make sure everyone understands the reason behind your decision."
"Commander Iglis, I want you to find some way to track the clans' merchant ships in the Sadr Alliance of Stars (SAS), United Free Nations (UFN), and Johaba People's Union (JPU)."
"You're going to allow them to trade in all three empires?" Iglis asked, her forehead wrinkled in concern.
"Yes. We must allow them to make a living if we are going to integrate them back into society. We need to be careful but helpful. I leave it to each of you to decide how to make this happen, but know you have my full support." As I looked around the table, I felt no hostility or resentment, only concern. I had placed a heavy responsibility on them.
"What about me, Skipper," Varisko asked in a whisper. She had been a new Lt. Commander when I picked her to be my XO on the Mongoose, and like me, still trying to grow into her new position.
"Commander Varisko, when I'm not here, I expect you to maintain sanity—to be the voice of reason." I smiled at each of them, feeling a bit guilty. If they resented it, they didn't show it. "If you still have an appetite, Petty Officer Pillon will serve dinner.
CHAPTER TWO
Unrest in the Freeland Task
"Well Lavett, what do you think of our station commander?" Waldel asked on their way back to the Saker. Lavett sat glaring out the small window towards the Lynx.
"I wonder what genius put an inexperienced captain in charge of a task force. I'm the senior captain on station with at least five years seniority and by all the rules should be in charge." His fist clenched in his lap. "And she seems to be leaning over backward for those murdering gypsies."
"I agree. Even I have more time in service than her. The damn Riss Project has managed to put her on a fast track to make them look good. Rumor has it she got four lieutenants sent to Cerberus by claiming they attacked her, when the truth is she attacked them. She's some kind of kick ass martial artist."
"I've heard she hangs out with the army boys and trains with them." Lavett sneered. "I'll bet I know the kind of workouts she gets. That's the only reason they let her in their area. The army is none too friendly with the navy. They think their shit doesn't smell. Truth is they're too dumb to be in the navy."
"Maybe that's the reason she hangs out with them—birds of a feather." Waldel grinned and they lapsed into silence. When they arrived at the Saker, they went straight to the Bridge.
"Captain on the Bridge," Lt. Commander Bozich, the Communications officer, said as they entered. "What do you think of the station commander, Captain?"
Lavett stood quiet for a moment, and his lip twitched ever so slightly. "First impressions can be deceptive, but she seems to be favoring the Raiders like we abused them. Could be because she's young and inexperienced. Or because that Riss parasite in her is dictating her actions." He looked around and shrugged, noting with a mental smile he had everyone's attention. When no one commented, he turned to Waldel. "XO, prepare to take up our assigned position."
CHAPTER THREE
Official Meeting with Freeland Elders
As I had expected, the elders scheduled the meeting early the next day. On my way to the shuttle for my trip planet side, Master Gunny Sergeant Terril joined my detail. I had known Terril almost my entire career, and she was like a sister to me.
"Well, Gunny, bored and hoping for some excitement planet side?"
"You do owe me, Captain. I haven't seen you for our usual workouts in weeks, so I thought it might be interesting to watch the masters dance," she said, referring to a comment by Gunny Wei when I negotiated the Treaty with the elders after the cease-fire. Wei was currently the only ten-knot Si'jin master and my idol. Terril and I were nine- and eight-knot practitioners and each held the title of Master, which meant we could teach the art. I entered the shuttle and took the first window seat.
"Terril, join me," I said before she could take a seat in the rear. "I'm sorry I haven't visited lately, but there doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day to attend to all the details surrounding the implementation of the Treaty. I've missed our workouts and talks."
"Me too. You're the only one who can give me a decent workout. Colonel Seng and I had a long talk about the boarding parties. I imagine you didn't make too many friends insisting the army be in charge of inspections."
"Ironically, over the years I've learned to trust the army over the navy. Understandably, there are a lot of raw emotions when it comes to the clans and the Treaty, and it wouldn't take much to create a major incident that could escalate into war. That would be a disaster for the SAS, Riss, and the clans."
"You have our full support, Nadya."
* * *
Elder Petre Ni'Shay stood waiting when I exited the shuttle.
"Welcome Captain Reese and Thalia," he nodded his head in a small bow. "I assume this is an official visit, so I assembled the clans' elders."
"Y
es, I'm sorry it took so long, but there were many details to be resolved before Admiral Zann departed."
"I understand. If you will allow, I've transportation to take us to the capital building where the others are waiting."
"Of course. I'm looking forward to seeing the elders again." I nodded to my guards. "They accompany me everywhere whether I want them or not, by Admiral Zann's orders. She insisted after an … an unfortunate incident on Eden."
"Very gracious, Captain Reese. I know of the incident. One of our clan members claimed to have killed the dybbuk and was paid the hundred twenty-five thousand credit reward. I hope he hasn't spent it, since it appears he didn't earn it." A thin smile creased his lips. "We're fortunate he failed. Without you there would not be a Treaty, and the clans of Freeland would no longer exist."
He waved me into an oblong silver vehicle with wheels. Inside were six wide seats covered with a black and silver material, which looked and felt like real animal hide. The vehicle rose gently, and we skimmed along at a slow hundred kph, a mere ten to fifteen meters above the ground. I got the impression the pilot followed some unseen highway. Off to the left looked to be a residential area. The houses appeared huge and to have fifty plus hectare lots, with well-maintained lawns, shrubbery, and trees. Off to the distance were six to eight story buildings that reminded me of the industrial complex where I had worked on my home planet of Corona. Ni'Shay broke into my thoughts.
"Off to your left you can see part of the Ka'Baako clan area. The large houses each accommodate a family, which may include several generations. As you have surmised, we have very strong family and clan ties. On the right is one of many manufacturing and academic centers."
A few minutes later, we settled onto a hard surfaced road and sped along like an old-fashioned car into a complex of two- and three-story, white marble buildings and stopped at a three-story structure made from a black-stone, which had silver streaks crisscrossing randomly through it. The steps and arched entrance reminded me of Hephaestus. Ni'Shay led us through a long, wide corridor with elaborately framed pictures, which seemed to depict the history of Freeland. Midway, he ushered me into a large room with a round table and ten silver cushioned chairs. The elders were standing when I reached the table. Terril and the other two Scorpions faded back against the wall.
"Captain Reese, I believe you know Alin Ka'Baako, Radu Sa'Velte, Vali Ba'Tasuo, and Oana Ja'Dalle. This is Crina La'Teppe who's replacing Kolos Ja'Tuva who died two weeks ago," Ni'Shay said, pointing to each person in turn. When he finished, everyone sat and the room became deathly quiet.
"Good morning, Elders of Freeland. As the station commander, I'm responsible for administering the Freeland Treaty the clans and the SAS negotiated and has now been approved by the SAS Council on Eden. I've forward a copy to Elder Ni'Shay yesterday. In accordance with the treaty, each merchant ship leaving and entering the solar system will be inspected for compliance with the terms agreed too. Navy personnel will perform the inspection. However, the senior army person with the team will be in charge—regardless of his or her rank." I stopped for comments.
"What if a navy officer is part of the inspection team?" Sa'Velte asked. Several others nodded.
"The senior army person will be in charge of discipline regardless of his rank even if a Commander is on the team. Gunny!"
"The ranking Black or Red Beret will ensure clan and navy personnel are respectful of each other, or he will answer to me before he is delivered into your gentle hands, ma'am." Terril said in a voice a cold as space, although the slight smile at the end did somewhat ruin it.
"I know emotions are raw on both sides, but I believe the army will enforce discipline fairly. I'm stationing army personnel on the space station as well as the repair facility."
"What about our planet side facilities?" Ja'Dalle asked.
"I think that would be a mistake unless necessity requires it. For now, I prefer to conduct unannounced inspections. Either Gunny or I will lead the inspection." I picked up the crystal glass in front of me and turned it in my hand. It had an interesting seal in red.
"That is the Freeland Council's seal. The glass contains water," Ni'Shay said.
I took a sip. It tasted cool and refreshing. When there were no comments, I continued. "Your shuttles are restricted to ten thousand kilometers. The SAS fighters will conduct their training exercises at thirty thousand and above."
That received nods of approval.
"Although I believe stationing troops planet side would be a mistake, I'd like to allow the Riss leave time on Freeland. I leave it to you to pick the area. They would prefer a wilderness area, but it can be close to a town if you prefer. I'd like you to get to know the Riss. They're a peaceful race. Not in a thousand years has a Riss killed another Riss, and although Riss have been killed fighting you, not one seeks revenge or wishes you ill."
"That is hard to believe," Ba'Tasuo said, frowning.
"To humans, yes. It is beyond our comprehension but true nevertheless." I took another sip of water. "Now the hard part. I want you to make a list of all your merchant and warships, whether here or elsewhere, a list of all clan members on SAS, JPU, and UFN ships and planets—"
"No!" La'Teppe interrupted, coming out of his chair. Others were shaking their heads, although they said nothing. Ni'Shay mouth was in a tight line.
"That could be a death sentence for those people."
"The list will be given to the Riss not the SAS. But before you can make any decision, you must decide as a nation what you wish to be—isolated, member, integrated, ally, or adversary. I will honor whatever decision you make." I stood. "Elder Ni'Shay, I would appreciate you seeing me and my escort back to my shuttle. You and the others have much to consider."
Ni'Shay remained silent on the way back. In the shuttle, Terril sat down next to me. "Master Wei was right. Watching masters dance is exciting, whether in a Si'jin match or negotiating a Treaty. For the first time, I understand why it's impossible to score against Wei. I used to think it was his years of experience. But I realized today, that's only part of the reason. He gets into your mind. He knows your moves before you do. Just like you know what they are going to decide and where you will lead them."
* * *
The next several weeks went by slowly, as I waited for Ni'Shay to respond. Commander Byer reported that all the pilots had been briefed. Not all were happy with their rules of engagement, but they understood the ramifications of disobeying them.
Colonel Seng reported that all Scorpions and Wasps had been briefed. They were honored by my confidence in them and would not disappoint me. He had heard the navy personnel were grumbling about the inspection protocol. And not too surprisingly, Captain Lavett had entered a formal protest in writing. The worst part was the lack of activity, since I hadn't authorized any merchant ships to leave port. With little else to do, I spent hours every day working out and teaching. I was happy to see several navy types had joined the Si'jin classes since the cease-fire.
"Well, Nadya, no word from the elders?" Terril said as she intercepted me on my way to the showers after my workout.
"It's not an easy decision, Terril."
"They could have saved time and days of stress if they had just asked you. Or maybe they know and the wait is to cause you stress. If you are a bit stressed, I could help relieve some if Thalia is up to repairing you afterward."
"Are you sure? Who's going to repair you?" We laughed, and I went off to change. The elders were taking a long time, not that it wasn't justified. No matter what they decided, the decision would forever change the clans and Freeland.
* * *
While I waited, I taught half of Terril's class for an hour each day. She had accepted five new navy personnel including a lieutenant and Master Chief Drock.
"How are you enjoying the class Master Chief?" I asked Drock after the class ended, while waiting for Terril to finish.
"I decided to try it because of you. You were always sticking your nose into my equipment, so I decided to stick my nose into Si'jin, but I didn't realize how out of shape I am. Do they give battle ribbons if you survive?" he asked between gasps for breath.
"No, just a knot on your belt for each battle you survive. Stay for a while. Gunny Terril and I are going to work out. I think you’ll find it interesting."
After Terril finished, it was our turn. We met, bowed, and then stood waiting for the other to show a sign of movement or distraction. Five minutes passed without so much as an eye blink. Then we both exploded forward. Unconsciously, I think we each knew the other had chosen to attack at that instance. Time seemed to stand still as I countered and counter attacked. As usual, the blows I scored had the impact of hitting a cloud of smoke. Terril scored two blows I felt, but most were feather light. Like the start, we stopped fighting without rhyme or reason and bowed. A large crowd had gathered. There was silence for a minute, then clapping and cheering erupted.
I had changed when my SID peeped, and Varisko appeared on the screen.
"Skipper, Elder Ni'Shay sent a message asking for a meeting tomorrow morning."
"Tell Ni'Shay I'll arrive at nine hundred hours, if that is acceptable."
"Is that necess … Yes, ma'am."
* * *
Ni'Shay took me to the same room occupied by the same elders. He began without pleasantries.
"We, the clans, have been focused on our defeat and the issues facing us today and not the future. We see ourselves as prisoners as we believe the … humans do. You are an enigma to us. You were the architect of our defeat, saved us from a massacre, and now force us to look to the future. You have gone from enemy, to protector, to supporter. One day we hate you and wished we had killed you. The next we are thankful we did not." Ni'Shay looked around the room seeming to seek some agreement, before continuing. "We do not wish to be isolated nor do we want to be seen as an adversary. However, we cannot be part of the SAS. They will never again trust us with military spaceships. Nor can we integrate into the SAS since they will always remember the enmity between us, as will we. We were ostracized from the SAS because we were gypsies and assumed guilty and punished, even killed, for every illegal act that happened when we were on a planet. You may think that did not justify our actions. Perhaps it did not, but you have not lived our lives. Now you push us to look to the future. If it's possible, we would like to ally with the Riss even though that means by association with the SAS. But of course, you already know that, don't you? You are our dybbuk—demon. You see into our minds, and you see our future."
