Riss Series 3: The Riss Survival
Page 8
"Helm, a five second skip to the vector on your board in … four ... three ... two ... one ... execute!"
The ship lurched and everyone turned a ghostly translucent grey for several seconds before returning to normal. Some people hated skipping and got sick. Thalia loved it. As we came out of the skip, r-Selens hands flew across the ECM board. The new crew was frozen with shock. Anti-missiles burst from the ship and the defensive laser systems activated. I could do nothing but watch and hope if r-Selens couldn't kill it the battle steel would hold.
Several of the new crew sat staring with mouths gaping. The old crew understood. I looked up to see Pavao on the monitor.
"What happened, Pavao?"
"I think you just saved the Wheeler. Sorry, Captain. I don't know but I'm going to know minutes from now. Scorpions are securing the weapons systems as we speak. I'll have an answer shortly. Pavao out."
"Nav, plot us an intercept course with the Bobcat." I sat back, pretending nothing exciting had happened.
* * *
Thirty minutes later, we arrived and settled in an orbit some fifteen kilometers from the Bobcat. "Varisko, you have the Watch. Alert my shuttle crew and let Captain Pavao know I'll be arriving shortly."
"I have the watch, Captain."
My detail looked a bit pale as we made our way to the shuttle, where Terril waited. I entered and pointed to the seat next to me as Terril followed.
"I hear the Bobcat is shooting missiles at us. My boys look a bit pale."
"There's going to be a lot of pale faces before this day is out." I didn't object to people not liking me, or the Riss, or the Treaty, but I objected to violence. They were about to learn there's a price. Terril remained silent.
"Captain, we've lost power," the shuttle pilot's voice sounded a bit nervous. I've contacted the Bobcat."
Terril's face turned pale and her jaw tightened. I'd bet her thoughts had gone back to her ordeal in the escape pod after the destruction of the Tiger. It had taken months to rescue them and they had gone weeks without food. Then she relaxed and the color returned. "Life certainly isn't boring traveling with you, Captain."
Before I could respond, the pilot came back on. "Captain, the Bobcat is being positioned to grab us with its tractor beam. Minutes later, I was thrust against my seat. When I looked out the window, we were being dragged towards an open bay.
As soon as the light turned green, I was up and exiting the shuttle. Pavao met me at the bottom of the ramp.
"What's the status?" I was too blind with rage for civility.
"The Scorpions have the weapons secured. They found a man and woman fighting. Both claimed they caught the other firing the missile. I've had their rooms searched based on the incident with the Lost Traveler. Colonel Callwan just informed me they found three one-hundred-credit chips, issued by an Eden bank, in the woman's room." She lapsed into silence for the rest of the walk to the Bridge.
"Captain on the Bridge," Gabisi said as we entered.
"Comm, I want a connection to the Merlin and Lynx." I fought to keep my voice steady and not let my rage show. If that shuttle had lost power on the way to Freeland, gravity would have pulled it to the planet and everyone on board would have been killed. "I'm declaring Ship Alert. All rooms are to be system locked. No one is to enter or leave their room.” Alarms went off as I waited. A minute later, Seng, Callwan, and Babbert appeared on screen.
"Gentlemen, you will station all—repeat all—of your troops in every hallway and unit on the ship. No one—repeat, no one—will enter or leave a room until it has been searched. Each of you will lead a five-person detail. Colonel Callwan, send them to the Merlin to search the army quarters. Colonel Seng, send yours to the Bobcat, and Colonel Babbert to the Lynx. Gentlemen, the only exceptions are Captain Pavao and Captain Corbitt. Understood?"
"Yes, Captain," they responded in unison
"Captain Reese, is that necessary?" Pavao asked as she moved closer to me. I turned and pointed to Terril.
"See that woman. She saved my life." I took a deep breath because what I was about to say would be painful. "Gunny! Does the search include your quarters?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Should it?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Colonels, are your orders clear?"
"Yes, Captain Reese."
"Good, you are looking for one-hundred-credit chips of any kind. If you find one, that person will be held in custody." I tried to loosen my muscles that were still tight with fury. "Comm, connect me to the ship's speakers and all SIDs." The silence on the Bridge was so complete I could hear people breathing.
"Captain Reese, you have your connection."
"This is your station commander. I have ordered every room on this ship searched. I promise you that minor infractions noted during this search will be ignored. This is not a surprise inspection. We are searching for murderers. There are among us traitors who would kill and injure you and your comrades for pay. Today, they launched a missile that was intended to kill anyone in its path and are prepared to continue their terror. I'm asking you to cooperate with the search. This is not an inspection. We are searching for paid killers. Thank you." When I finished, Pavao nodded toward the door.
"Captain, let's go to my office and wait." When we entered her office, Terril entered but motioned the two guards to remain outside. “You need to sit. You're shaking.” For a moment, she put her hand on my arm. "Would you like some wine?"
"No, kaffa.” I strode back and forth across her office. “I've had years of abuse from people that think they have a right to decide which laws they will obey and which individuals they apply. Today, those individuals are going to find the laws apply to them."
"You were right. I was wrong. No one should be exempt, even the Captains. However, had you included us I think it would have caused problems throughout the fleet. But Corbitt and I would gladly permit you to rest in our cabins." She smiled.
I shook my head. "No, Nance. That would be going too far. The only thing keeping me sane at this moment is Thalia." As I said it, I felt the tension going.
"Sorry, I wish you could see the image Thalia showed me. A cat, me, chasing rats with credit chips on their backs and two hanging by their tails from my mouth." I laughed again. "Nance, I'll have that glass of wine now." Pavao and Terril seemed to relax. In my rage, I hadn't noticed their tension. Pavao managed to draw Terril into the conversation and had her reminisce about some of our times together. She in turn talked about her career and some of the funnier moments. The mood was broken when Colonel Seng's face appeared on my SID. I switched it to a hologram and his face blossomed in three-D over my unit.
"Yes, Colonel Seng?"
"Ma'am, we've found three crew members with one-hundred-credit chips. We have them in custody. My detail on the Bobcat found nothing in the army area." He paused for a moment and continued before I could respond. "I want to thank you for having separate details for the army. I would have tried to ignore any minor violations I found, but I know in reality the memory would always be in the back of my mind. All of us agree we won't share what we find."
"Thank you, Colonel." I terminated the connection. Ten minutes later Colonel Babbert reported.
"Captain Reese, we've completed our inspection of the Merlin and found four individuals with one-hundred-credit chips. They are being held awaiting your ins
tructions."
"Colonel, have them transferred to the Lynx."
"Yes, ma'am. Our inspection of the army quarters on the Lynx turned up nothing."
"Thank you, Colonel." I cut the connection.
"I wonder what's taking Callwan so long," Pavao said, looking at her SID like it held the answer. Twenty minutes later, he appeared on my SID.
"Captain Reese, my detail on the Merlin found nothing in the army rooms. We found three individuals with those one-hundred-credit chips. Please inform Captain Pavao, Commander Swaggin, the weapons officer, was one of the three." When I looked up, Pavao’s face had turned to steel. Her mouth set in a thin, tight line.
"Have them transferred to the Lynx and give me Commander Gabisi." His face appeared seconds later.
"Commander Gabisi, connect me to all ships and have them put me on the ships speakers."
"You're connected, Captain."
"This is Captain Reese. Ship Alert is cancelled. The murderers have been apprehended. I personally thank you for your cooperation, and I'm happy to report that no violations were reported." I cut the connection.
"I'm getting old and stupid. How else could a missile be directed at the merchant?" Pavao said, banging the arm of the chair.
"I don't think they cared. If it missed it would have hit the planet."
"Without the Riss on the Bridge, you couldn't have intercepted it, could you?"
"No. The human interface would've been too slow. Only Symath and mind-to-mind communication made it possible."
"You didn't use chaff, did you?"
"No. That could have sent the missile off course and could have hit the planet. The Lynx has battle steel. The planet doesn't. We have taken away their ability to defend themselves. Now we owe them our protection."
"Yes… I think we would all agree with your reasoning. Unfortunately it would have been several hours too late. Like searching all officers'… and friends' quarters. Admiral Plimson was right to place his faith in you."
* * *
The court martial took two days as each individual's explanation for having the chips required verification. The two who hadn't taken any action admitted that they had been paid and told us of two additional bonuses. One petty officer was found not guilty. He had acquired the chip playing dice. The petty officer who attempted to attack the merchant received a reduction in grade. I recommended and the board agreed that the others be given a dishonorable discharge. The two who discharged the missile were sentenced to the Cerberus pinal colony for life and the others for ten years. The board also recommended an investigation into the bribery.
I hoped that the harsh sentences would serve as a powerful message as to the consequences of acts of mutiny.
CHAPTER TWELVE
The Mnemosyne hull finished
One month later the Heavy cruiser, Harpy, and the Light cruiser, Kestrel, entered Freeland space with the regular six-month supplies, parts, personnel replacements, and Riss. Although I had expected some Admiral because of the seriousness of the court martial, I was pleasantly surprised to find Vice Admiral Zann on board.
"Skipper, Admiral Zann is requesting your presence at dinner tonight. Shall I send your acceptance?" Ommen smiled.
"No, tell the Admiral I'm busy," I said. I restrained a grin as Ommen's mouth dropped open. Varisko looked at me and smiled. It was nice to see her coming into her own.
"Oh, on second thought, I need a night out."
Ommen laughed and turned back to his console.
"Varisko, you have the Watch."
"I have the Watch," she repeated. I went to my cabin and called Terril.
"Terril, if you're coming along you better dress up. We're having dinner with the brass." It seemed Terril was a third member of my security whenever I left the ship.
"What are we having for dinner?"
I could almost see her smiling. "Whatever the Admiral fancies." I clicked off and connected to Ommen. "Comm, get me a line to Da'Maass." While I waited, I sat reflecting on the past… twenty months. There had been some dangerous moments, but I could feel the Riss' dream of going to the stars within reach.
Da'Maass's face appeared on my SID. I hit accept.
"Captain Reese, how may I be of help? I know where we can have a wonderful dinner."
"I already have a dinner date. You did say the Mnemosyne hull is finished and ready for inspection. I think my dinner date would like to see it."
His face stiffened. "Yes, dybbuk. It's ready. I think you will be pleased."
"I don't doubt it, Da'Maass. You have worked hard and been a major contributor. Be prepared to give us a tour tomorrow."
"The Mnemosyne will be waiting." He smiled, if a bit forced, and cut the connection.
I shook my head. That was a problem for the future though, and I called Varisko.
"XO, coordinate with Da'Maass. We are going to visit the Mnemosyne tomorrow. Invite captains Pavao and Corbitt, Commander Byer, Colonel Seng, Sa'Arkadi, and the Elders. You are welcome to come and Terril will be part of my security. Tell the Bridge, I promise them a tour soon." I disconnected, spent an hour in the Fresher, and donned my dress-whites.
Lost in my thoughts, the shuttle flight seemed to take only minutes. As I exited, a tall, immaculately dressed commander waited.
"Welcome aboard, Captain Reese. If you'll follow me, I'll take you to Admiral Zann. She's waiting for you in her office.” As we walked, he gave me an overview of the Harpy, which was on its maiden voyage. Basically, the same design but with improved electronics, battle steel shielding, ECM, and missiles. I wondered how good those new missiles would be against the Mnemosyne.
"Thank you, Garrett. Nadya, I'm afraid to have dinner with you. You seem to attract killers like the stars attract us." She gave me a hug and waved me to a chair. "Fortunately, you have nine lives. We used the information you gave us, and I think we've identified the man, actually an organization, who bribed the sailors. We could prosecute the man but that would put the organization on alert and we'd lose them. So…"
"So, they will continue to try to destroy the Treaty, but SAS security has promised they will stop it before it starts." I couldn't stop a snort as Thalia sent me an image of a large cat with a shirt with SAS Security written on it chasing a hundred little rats. The problem was the cat wasn't catching anything. When I told Zann, she laughed.
"My feelings too. Changing subjects, I understand the Riss cruiser will be called Mnemosyne. I'd love to see it when it's finished."
"You’re in luck. A certain Admiral will be given a special tour tomorrow. Her hull is finished and work will now begin on the inside."
* * *
I stood inside the third, upper tier, of the Mnemosyne frozen in awe. The third tier was a two-story open space of two hundred thousand square meters, filled with trees, boulders, water, grass, and windows in the ceiling.
Thalia's sigh of pleasure felt warm and comforting.
"It's like being outdoors!" Oana Ja'Dalle said, her head swiveling from right, to ceiling, to the left, and back.
"Sa'Arkadi, you've taken my dreams and turned them into reality. It's beautiful."
"But if it's breached, the entire area will be open to space."
"It won't matter during a battle, because everyone will be at their stations. In combat, this tier acts as a buffer to the second tier where the Bridge, and other critical functions reside. Normally, it's a rest area for the Riss, who have lived their entire life outdoors under the stars."
"Danu and I are impressed, Nadya. It's truly a Riss
cruiser. I can't wait to see it functional. When?"
I looked to Da'Maass. He stood looking at the ceiling for a minute, then smiled.
"It depends on our dybbuk. We've been working on the internal components for six months. If they meet… Captain Reese's approval, we may be able to have it ready for a trial run in six to eight months. Many of the components are already in production."
"Nadya, I want you to keep me informed. We may delay the next replacement run for a month or two if you expect to have a prototype ready. Admiral Plimson deserves to be the first to see a Riss cruiser. He's put a lot on the line letting you build it."
We descended to the second tier, which was composed of three rings. The rings weren't configured yet, but I explained the outer ring would eventually hold engines, weapons, sensors, missile and laser banks, workout areas, and maintenance bays. The next inner ring was reserved for the medical facilities, supplies, parts, missiles, and dining areas. The innermost ring would hold the Bridge and system computers.
When we finished the tour of the lower ring, Byer and Seng approached Zann and me.
"Captain Reese, excuse us, but Seng and I were wondering if you plan on having humans on board? We see areas designated for fighters and humans on tiers one and two but understand this is still a draft," Byer said. Zann turned her gaze on me, as if I had the answer.
"Partly it will depend upon the SAS and whether they will allow pilots and Scorpions to be assigned to Riss ships. And whether they will allow the units to be designated as Riss qualified."
"What do you mean, Captain?" Seng asked.
"There will continue to be the Lavetts of the world—people who hate the Riss or feel they are an abomination. Therefore, we can't have a random selection of people and replacements. The Riss need to be able to approve each individual, and in a sense, designate him or her Riss qualified. Much like the process of identifying those individuals qualified to be Scorpions or Shark pilots."
"Interesting. But knowing the problems you and the others have had, I fully understand. Personally, I hope the SAS allow it. I know the Scorpions love sailing with you." When Byer and Seng wandered off, Ni'Shay approached with Da'Maass.