by C. R. Daems
"Although the concept is like nectar to anyone in command, I can see your point," Stenberg said.
"And based on some of our commander's decision, I'm glad we don't," Wattson said.
"Admiral Plimson, could I ask you to let Captains Pavao and Corbitt know. I'd hate another incident."
"No, I'll let you tell them. That will give you a chance to discuss the project and resolve any questions. However, I'll put it in writing so everyone knows it's my decision. I'll expect you to keep me informed on the project's progress, and I want a ride on that ship."
CHAPTER SIX
The Riss cruiser project
When I entered the briefing room with Varisko everyone stood.
There were three men and one woman. Without hesitation, a tall, red headed woman, who I recognized as one of the Captains who participated in the invasion of Freeland, strode forward.
"I don't know if you remember me, but I'm Captain Nance Pavao of the Bobcat.” She motioned to a thin, dark-haired man with a mustache. “My XO, Commander Gabisi. You already know Captain Corbitt and Commander Texada." She smiled at Texada, a tall, handsome looking man with an athletic physique.
"Yes, I do remember you. We met at the Officer's club on Eden prior to the attack on Freeland. There is food and drinks on the sideboard. Please help yourselves and get comfortable. We have much to discuss." I had asked Petty Officer Pillon to setup an array of sandwiches, fruits, cheeses, sodas, and kaffa. I waited for everyone to get settled before beginning.
"The Treaty with the Raiders has been contentious from the beginning. People are rightfully angry. Many feel the Freeland Treaty doesn't provide satisfaction for the deaths and destruction the Raiders caused and want vengeance. I can understand their anger. I lost friends to their raids and comrades during my encounters with them. I do not regret having helped kill Raiders. It was war and my duty. But neither the Riss nor I could participate in killing for the sake of revenge. Some could and would feel justified in destroying Freeland given the chance. The Captain of the Saker and his XO were two such individuals. You attended the inquiry and know the specific details. As Admiral Plimson has pointed out, the fact that everyone has more seniority as a Captain than me contributed to the mutiny."
"Captain Reese, you will have no trouble from Corbitt or me. I volunteered knowing the situation on Freeland. You may not have seniority, but you have more battle experience than any captain currently on active duty and are station commander because you are the … leader of the Riss, and this Treaty will be enforced by the Riss."
"Thank you. I may not follow your advice, but I would appreciate hearing your thoughts and concerns."
"Oh, you'll get those," Pavao said, raising her cup in salute.
"Before I discuss assignments, I'll be assigning thirty Riss and the Riss-human, Alena, to the Merlin and fifty Riss and the Riss-human, Elissa, to the Bobcat. They can use the experience, but more importantly, I'd like to expose the personnel on station to the Riss. I hope that will reduce the uninformed rumors about them." I watched Pavao for her response. She smiled.
"Admiral Plimson has given me the authority…" To my surprise, everyone seemed interested in the Riss cruiser, and a lively discussion followed, which gave me lots of things to think about. It was easier to say I was going to have a cruiser built than doing it.
* * *
The next day, I arranged for a meeting with the elders. I was eager to get started and had to force myself not to run down the ramp at the shuttle, landing pad to meet Ni'Shay.
"Good day, Captain Reese or is it Governor Reese?" Ni'Shay didn't smile but his lip did twitch.
"I'm just getting used to Captain. Actually, I've been a dybbuk far longer than I've been a Captain."
Ni'Shay laughed. "Yes, it's the man or woman that determines a person's metal, not the honorific." The ride seemed shorter than usual, perhaps because I had my mind on the upcoming meeting. When I arrived, the elders were already in their seats, looking grim. Of course, meeting with their keeper didn't seem like an uplifting event, and I realized I hadn't given a reason for this meeting, which would raise the tension level.
"I'm sorry I didn't let you know the reason for this meeting, but it would just have raised more questions. I would like you to do me a favor, which I believe will be mutually beneficial," I said. Before I could continue, Ja'Dalle spoke, her face stern.
"You can demand. What choice do we have?"
"We are grateful to you and the Riss that we aren’t treated worse. But even a good master, is a master … " Ka'Baako said to general nods from the others.
"Thalia has reminded me that humans hunted the Riss for their fur but wisely did not try to retaliate. They waited. If they hadn't the humans would have declared war on them and hunted them to extinction. They are a patient race, and it has and continues to serve them well."
“Did it bring back to life those the humans killed?”
I sighed. “No, but it allowed the rest of the Riss a chance to survive. Surely, that was more important. Just as you must want your people to survive.”
Ni’Shay’s mouth twitched into a small smile. "I assure you the survival of our people is what we are working toward and grateful for your help. The Riss are very wise and provide a good lesson for us. We must concentrate on keeping our skins today so we will have them for the future our dybbuk sees," Ni'Shay said, nodding. "What favor can we do for you."
"I want you to build the Riss a Light cruiser—" I stopped as whispered conversations erupted around the table. Ni'Shay sat quietly, smiling in my direction.
"For free?" Ka'Baako glared at me.
"No, you will be paid for labor and materials," I said, provoking more huddled conversations.
"You trust us to do that?" Ni'Shay asked.
"I believe it's in the best interest of your future and the Riss."
"What do you want … need from us?"
"A manufacturing plant, skilled workers, a project manager, a designer, and anything else you can think of. I've never built a cruiser before." Clearly, I had no idea what it would take and would have to leave that to others. I knew the Riss needed their own cruiser, and it had to be designed to meet their needs—not humans. Several hours later, the elders agreed to put together a plan for me to review and to appoint a project manager, subject to my approval. I left feeling I had made progress.
The next day I set up a meeting with Commander Byer and Colonel Seng. Terril attended as one of my security detail. I asked to meet in the Scorpions area. I told myself it was because I needed a change of scenery, but unconsciously I wanted Byer and Seng to feel more comfortable than they would in my conference room. When I arrived, Seng had snacks and drinks on the sideboard. I smiled. It was the informal setting I wanted, where I was the guest.
"Good afternoon, Captain. There's food and drinks if you'd like," Seng said, waving at the sideboard.
"Thank you, Colonel." I proceeded to collect two small finger-sandwiches and kaffa before sitting. I chose the middle of the oblong table rather than the front and waited until they were seated.
"Gentlemen, I'm sure by now everyone has heard one version or another about my plans to have the clans build the Riss a cruiser. Probably each version has some truth, and none all the facts."
"Yes, I've heard at least three," Byer said.
Seng shook his head. "I've heard two.”
"Here's the real version. After the Inquiry I talked with… " I went on to explain what led up to my request and what I was attempting to do." I want a ship designed specifically for the Riss;
however, I doubt they could ever be combat troops or pilots. Or maybe, I don't want them to be. We can build a Riss cruiser that would be functional without pilots and commandos but it would not be fully effective in battle."
Both had stopped eating and looked to be bursting with questions. "I was wondering whether you think it possible a contingent of your people could be assigned to an allied nation's ship. And what would that look like." I got a screaming headache when I tried to consider the ramifications of such an arrangement. Silence followed. Both men's eyes turned downward in thinking mode. Seng responded first.
"Thanks to you, the Scorpions love the Riss, and they've seen or heard what a Riss can do given a reason, like threatening your life. As you know, we are attached to each cruiser as an independent unit. We're there to support the navy but are not under their direct command. I would think the army might consider deploying combat troops on an allied ship given it supported the SAS goals."
"Our situation is slightly different. The fighter units are considered navy, although in a sense we are much like the army units in that we don’t have anything to do with the running of the cruiser. If the SAS allowed a unit to be deployed on an allied ship, that group would be like a deployed army group. There to support but not in the chain of command."
"Can I impose on you to develop a proposal that would explore what such an arrangement would look like: responsibilities, rotations, training … I can't imagine all the things that would need to be considered. And if you would like to participate, I'd appreciate your input in the design of the Riss cruiser—just in case one or both of your units would be assigned." The building of the Riss cruiser would require input from many sources. The ship needed to satisfy the Riss but also be an efficient fighting machine. If I could have attachments of pilots and combat troops, I would have to incorporate them into the design.
"I'd love to," Seng said. "I and the Scorpions would be very comfortable under your command. You're their totem, and they rely on you for action to relieve the normal boredom. Would you mind if I share this information and got input from others?"
"Absolutely not. We're starting from scratch and can use all the input we can solicit."
"I agree with Seng. It sounds like an interesting problem," Byer said, while writing notes on his SID. I left the two with their heads together.
"Well, Captain Reese, you appear to have everyone's attention. You know everyone wants to be on your security detail. They not only get to watch you shake up everyone's nice comfortable world, but they get the details first hand." Terril grinned. "Life with you certainly isn't boring.
* * *
Two weeks later, the elders informed me they were ready with a tentative plan. I arranged for a meeting the next day and invited Captains Pavao and Corbitt to come along. Because of the distances between ships, we each used our own shuttles and met on Freeland at our designated landing area. As usual, Ni'Shay met us. After introductions, we were escorted to the conference room where the elders were seated around the table.
"Captain Pavao, Captain Corbitt, welcome. We are the elders that make policy for the clans. They may not all agree with our decisions, but they will comply, as the consequences of not doing so are harsh. I'd like to introduce you to Radu Sa'Velte… " Each elder stood when his or her turn came." And our recommendation for project manager, Da'Maass. We'll understand if you don't find him acceptable—"
"Captain Reese and I are well acquainted. We met at Yamhill and had a little squabble over the Vancil. Someday you will have to tell me how you were able to duplicate my skip. That single move led to the defeat of Freeland." He bowed. "I would look forward to working with a dybbuk." He laughed. He was a big man in height and girth. His full, unruly beard and mustache gave his broad face the look of a North American grizzly.
"Captain, Da'Maass lacks manners but he is a brilliant man and would serve you well."
"Yes, I can believe that. He realized I had identified the Vancil as one of your spies, anticipated my plan to capture it, and almost succeeded in killing this dybbuk. I believe he will make an excellent project manager. I'm glad to meet you, Captain Da'Maass. This project will require many keen minds."
"I'd be interested in hearing that story, Captain Da'Maass. It sounds interesting," Pavao said, glancing between him and me. "And why you call her dybbuk."
"Yes, an interesting story if the outcome hadn't been so disastrous for us. Your captain is in our mind, like a demon. She knows what we are thinking before we do. She is our demon—sometimes evil, sometimes good." Da'Maass stared at me long and hard. "Maybe she has saved us from ourselves. Time will tell."
Afterward, Da'Maass took us by shuttle to the planet-side manufacturing complex outside Bacau, the capital of Freeland. It was a hundred hectare square area, which consisted of twenty buildings of varying sizes and shapes.
"Salaj is Freeland's main manufacturing facility. Here we produce the components for our spacecraft, shuttles, weapon systems, missiles, and personal weapons. Computers and chips are produced at our facility at Alesd, about five hundred kilometers to our south. Come, I will show you each facility."
We spent the afternoon touring each plant. Shuttles were still being produced for planet-side use, but most of the shops were idle. Finally, he led us to a small building. Inside were ten computer stations, but only three were occupied.
"I'd like you to meet Guga Sa'Arkadi. Guga is our chief designer. He's the one who will develop the plans for your cruiser. Guga, this is the dybbuk, Captain Reese. And these are Captain Pavao, who commands the Bobcat, and Captain Corbitt the Osprey." Da'Maass smiled. He obviously had a sense of humor in addition to a keen mind and fearless as demonstrated in our encounter at Yamhill. He'd proved he'd gladly die for Freeland. I hoped he'd work as hard to save it.
"Nice to meet you Captain Reese, Captains. I understand you want us to build you a cruiser. One like the Hunter you have?" Sa'Arkadi asked, his small, thin face bright with interest.
"No, Sa'Arkadi. I want you to help me design a cruiser for the Riss. It will be unique and cannot use any SAS components," I said as Pavao nodded in agreement. Guga was almost vibrating with the idea of creating something new. "For the basic structure, I'd like the cruiser more or less round like the SAS cruisers, with three tiers. The top tier completely open and containing no weapons. The bottom tier has the fighter and shuttle bays, missiles and engines. And the middle tier everything else. All the tiers need to be six meters high. The Riss are big people." Everyone stood there with his or her mouths open.
"Very unusual, Captain Reese. Very. What will the diameter be?"
"Smaller than the normal Light cruiser." Fewer Riss could operate a cruiser since they can easily handle multiple functions.
"About three quarters the size. Call me when you have a tentative structure, and we can discuss the details. I'm no designer, so I'll have to rely on your knowledge; however, I know what I want."
"Da'Maass, for now, I'd like you to think about multiple small engines rather than two or three large ones." I couldn't use the SAS design, and I didn't want to. I wanted something new, something uniquely Riss. And while I was at it, something better than currently existed. Da'Maass smiled but said nothing.
* * *
"Well, Nadya." Pavao pushed her dinner plate away and lifted her glass of wine in a gesture of a salute. "You're not what I would have expected from a new Captain who is suddenly a station commander. I would've expected such a person to be more concerned with image."
"I understand what you're saying, Nance. Feeling that people are judging you, and scared to death they find you lack
ing. I think I've been feeling exactly that way for the past couple of years. The promotions have come too fast. But here, there are far more important things to worry about." It was funny in a sense, and I grinned. The stakes were far greater than my reputation. "And I've been too busy."
Pavao laughed. "I appreciate you letting Corbitt and me, be part of the Riss cruiser project. Besides relieving the boredom, I love it. I've never seen a cruiser being built. And I'm not only a part of the project team, but we're constructing something truly unique. I'll bet it will be beyond anyone's imagination." Her smile disappeared as she looked from Varisko back to me. "I doubt it was intentional, but you were right to include us. Otherwise, I believe the project would have created a lot of rumors, which would have resonated back on Eden, even though you have Plimson's authorization. And he’d get a lot of criticism and pressure to justify his actions."
"I hadn't thought that far ahead, which has to do with my lack of experience. But I saw no reason not to include you, in fact, I thought it would help having your experience to draw on."
"That's good, because I've requested to stay for an indefinite period, that is until I request reassignment. I want to see the finished product. Plimson thought it an excellent idea and agreed. As you know, Corbitt also plans to extend his deployment an extra year. I think he's enjoying being part of the project as much as I am. So they might only send a Heavy with supplies, personnel replacements, and another hundred Riss."
"I'm grateful you're staying. Not only do I appreciate your help and advice, selfishly, your presence is a significant factor in maintaining an increased level of stability. I'm always nervous with new captains and crews. Too many people would like to see the Treaty broken, Freeland isolated, and their industry destroyed."
"I can see why the clans like you so much. I doubt any station manager would have treated them with so much respect. I think Da'Maass is in love with you. He's working night and day to please you." Pavao grinned when I blushed. I liked Da'Maass and he was attractive in a strange sort of way. Not that I had considered it, but an affair with any Freelander would be a disaster, particularly with Da'Maass, who had been a ruthless Raider.
