by C. R. Daems
"Commander Iglis?"
"Word from Freeland is one of relief. They are glad Admiral Wattson took decisive action and are initiating stronger security while you are on Freeland. They realize one bad apple could unravel everything you and they have accomplished. It scares them."
My SID lit with r-Asdis face. His finger sped through their sign language too fast to understand without their voice box.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, report to your duty stations. The cruiser from Zigzag has just arrived. I expect Admiral Wattson will be assembling the task force to Zigzag within the hour." I stood signaling the end to the meeting. I reached the Bridge as r-Galene activated the central monitor and Admiral Wattson's face appeared.
"The cruiser Bat Hawk has entered Freeland. Captain Babbcox is reporting the Aliens' scout just left Zigzag after staying two days. Task force Discovery will assemble at the entrance to the Wave to Zigzag twelve hours from now for a departure briefing." He cut the connection without further words.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Taskforce to ZigZag
We were the last to arrive as we had been orbiting Freeland when the order came. Wattson immediately set up a link to the task force.
"Because we don't know what to expect when we reach Zigzag, we'll let Captains Reese and Pavao enter an hour before the task force. That will give them time to determine if the Aliens are there and if so, their strength. If they are, one of the Riss cruisers will have to approach the planet in stealth mode. If they aren't, I want the Light cruisers Teita and Harris to take up positions five light-seconds from the planet. The Golden Eagle, Puma and Kestrel will be positioned at ten light-seconds, and the Mnemosyne and Eirene five light-seconds from the Wave's entrance. Once in position, we will establish each other's exact position for tight-beam communications, before going to minimum power and passive sensors only." Wattson stared into the monitor as if he could see each one of us.
"Our priority is to obtain information. First, why do they want to isolate each planet and how do they do it. They may scorch the planet, destroy the inhabitants' ability to leave, or something else. He stopped to take a sip of water. "Then we must test their capabilities. To do so, I want the Light cruisers Teita and Harris to engage first, because they have not been upgraded with the new modifications. Then the Puma and Kestrel, which do have the modifications. The Golden Eagle is backup and will join if they send one or more Heavy cruisers." He paused again, looking at something.
"Lastly, we must stop any of their force from leaving. If one or more get away, we will have given the enemy information about our capabilities and will have lost the element of surprise. Although, it would be ideal to capture one or more of their cruisers and some personnel, stopping them from leaving is the priority. The Riss cruisers are here to ensure no one escapes and as support if their cruisers prove more than the task force can handle. Don't lose sight of the mission. We are not here to destroy a few cruisers. We are here to acquire information that may be the deciding factor in the war to come. Captain Reese, Captain Pavao, see you at Zigzag."
* * *
It was a four-day trip to Zigzag, and I took the opportunity to wander the ship visiting each group and department. I'm not sure if it was for morale or to keep me busy. When I didn't find Commander Byer in his office, I went looking in the Shark bays. I found him in Bay S2, one of the three designated for the Sharks, talking with two men and a woman. The woman looked to be a pilot and the men mechanics.
"Good morning," I said as I approached. When they saw it was me, the four straightened slightly.
"Good morning, Captain Reese. I doubt I'll ever get over you visiting me. Most Captains don't visit the bays and call when they want to see me. Of course, it's consistent with the informal attitude and mingling of groups on a Riss cruiser." He turned to the three individuals staring at me. “This is Lt. Commander Katlin, one of our two squadron leaders. Martin is our Shark maintenance chief and Shelden our senior electronics mechanic."
"I hope I'm not interrupting you,"
"No, we were just discussing the new skins and how they make the Sharks almost invisible."
"We're calling them Ghosts. It’s actually a problem for us when we're not in visual contact. Of course, I'm not complaining. It allows us to get closer and we're harder to target," Katlin interjected. "Did the Riss come up with the design?"
"No, Freeland. I just told them what I wanted and they developed the technology," I said to shocked looks.
"Strange bed partners. The Riss who hate wars and killing creating the next generation of cruisers, and our enemies … previous enemies helping to create them." Katlin shook her head like a wet snowcat. "Captain Reese, my pilots and I are excited to be on a Riss cruiser. It's strange but refreshing, like eating in the same mess hall as the Scorpions. We've always treated each other like leapers, but we're finding they're as crazy as we are." She laughed.
"Can we do anything specific for you Captain?"
"No, just making sure there are no problems."
"None. The Mnemosyne has everything we need, and we're prepared for whatever comes," Byer said. The others nodded agreement.
"Now that we're prepared for war, let's hope for peace."
* * *
The guards at the Intelligence entrance gave me a cursory check before allowing me to pass. Of course, every Scorpion on the ship knew me, and Iglis had authorized me access. Iglis met me at the door, probably having been notified by security.
"Good morning, Captain Reese. Anything new?"
"No, just visiting and making sure there are no problems before we enter Zigzag."
"Everyone is understandably nervous over the idea of engaging the Aliens. After all, Intel personnel have no function during a battle, except to keep their heads down and their fingers crossed." She gave a lopsided grin. "We're excited about seeing Aliens and their technology."
"How do you and the others like being on a Riss cruiser?"
"Everyone loves it. On a normal ship, we tend to be isolated. I think that's somewhat on purpose—spooks image and all. Here I feel like we're part of the ship."
"Do me a favor, Iglis. Check with each section and see what you and your people can do during an engagement. It's less stressful than sitting around with your fingers crossed, and it'll make you even more integral."
* * *
I had left the Scorpions area for last because that's where I would want to go first, but this was a Riss ship and the Scorpion area no longer my only sanctuary.
"Good morning, Colonel Seng. How is everything going?"
"Good morning, Captain. Wandering or are you here for a reason?"
"Just making sure there are no problems before we enter Zigzag."
"None here. I didn't know what to think about a Riss cruiser. It's an interesting concept but would it work? Scorpions like feeling unique—special—and think of the navy as ordinary, and they think of us as stupid and crude. But, on the Mnemosyne it's like everyone's special and equal. I thought I'd never see the day when Shark pilots mingled with Scorpions. And everyone loves level three. It may be considered wasted space, but it's been good for morale. The Mnemosyne is a unique ship. Pretty soon, everyone will want to be Riss certified."
"If Riss cruisers can help people feel united, that maybe its greatest contribution."
* * *
When I entered the Bridge, there was no formal recognition. I was there and now in charge. The only acknowledgement was Alena rising from the Captain's chair. Ironically, normally there would be no XO and no one would be in that chair. Everyone always knew who had the position at any given time.
I sat waiting, with nothing to do. When there were humans on the Bridge, the idea was to give the impression you had everything under control. With Riss on the Bridge, they knew when
you were calm and when you weren't. Ironically, I felt calm with the Riss around me.
"We will be entering Zigzag space in stealth mode in fourteen minutes. We are at Battle Stations because we don't know what to expect. If we are lucky, we will have beat the Aliens back to Zigzag and will have time to prepare for their arrival. If we didn't, we'll need to assess the situation for the SAS fleet following behind us within the hour. Captain out." I looked over to Jaelle. She looked and felt calm.
Thalia was right. In the military, you were constantly being evaluated, sometimes fairly and sometimes not. Among the Riss, you were with family and expected to do your best. You could do no more; therefore, nothing else was expected.
Unnecessary announcement since everyone turned transparent for a few seconds. Many hated the feeling. Thalia loved it. She sent an image of a little ship with a smiling face darting in and out of a tsunami-like wave.
I watched the VTM, a three-dimensional holographic display of the outside space, knowing if anything was detected, I'd know before seeing it on the VTM. But I watched it anyway. Space looked clear of all traffic, but cruisers could be out there with all but essential power off—like we planned to do.
We had agreed all communications would be via a tight-beam link. That minimized the risk of alerting the enemy to our presence and position. Of course, you had to know the other ship's position, which of course two stealth ships didn't, so the Eirene and the Mnemosyne couldn't communicate until the fleet arrived, and we went active to take our assigned positions.
For two days, the fleet made its way toward the planet Zigzag and each ship took up their assigned positions, verified their tight-beam connections, and went silent.
There was nothing to do now but wait, and that could be days or weeks. Or the Aliens might never return. We assumed that the Aliens found an inhabited solar system and then proceeded to quarantine it. But we didn't know that for a fact. Wattson was right. We needed more information about the enemy. If they arrived, there would be a cost for that information. In ancient times, some tribes would allow their warriors to stand out in the open to probe the strength of the enemy. Sending in the unmodified cruisers, Teita and Harris, bore a strong resemblance to those ancient warriors.
"Terril, I noticed you're with my security detail. Aren't you needed in the Scorpion area?"
"Well … " She looked as if she had been caught sleeping on duty, "I've been sending Colonel Seng updates. This is a Riss ship … " She gave a lopsided grin.
"Jaelle, Commanders Byer and Iglis have direct feeds from our VTM to their monitors. See what we need to do to get one to Colonel Seng." I turned back to Terril. "You're right, Gunny, this is a Riss ship."
* * *
After releasing the ship from Battle Stations, I called a staff meeting. Looking around the table, I could sense some unease. Commander Byer looked around the table then hesitantly spoke.
"Captain, don't you think we should have each section fully manned twenty-four hours a day?" he said with a slight shrug and a sheepish grin.
"You're right, Commander Byer, that would be normal procedure on a SAS ship. If fact, it wouldn't surprise me if Admiral Wattson and the others didn't require each station manned day and night." Nods greeted me. "But this is a Riss ship with Riss thinking. It's the reason Level three is open to everyone on the ship, and there is one mess hall and workout area. We each have a position, all positions are equal, and we trust everyone to do their best." I stopped to sip my kaffa to give them time to digest what I had said.
"Let’s add Ship Standby to Ship Alert and Battle Stations. Ship Alert is a breach in security and the ship is to be locked down. Battle Station denotes preparing the ship for battle and all stations are fully manned. Ship Standby will require each station or function be equally manned during each eight-hour shift. By equal, I mean one-third of the total people in that section or function."
"That will mean that the sections will never be fully manned during the entire day, and if … " Colonel Seng said as a fact rather than a criticism, leaving the potential consequences hanging.
"Colonel Seng, if on any day on the Mnemosyne, I issued Battle Stations, how long would it take you to have boarding crews ready, or Scorpions in place if I initiate Ship Alert?" Seng sat looking off to the side in deep thought for several minutes before answering.
"Ship Alert, one to two minutes. Battle stations, under five."
"Commander Byer, how long until half your squadron would be ready to launch?" He had already considered the question while Seng thought, and answered immediately.
"Five minutes. Eight to ten for the full squadron."
"Gentlemen, I believe you are being conservative. Anyone would be impressed with those results, but you and the personnel you command wouldn't." I smiled. "Do you think you would be slower if we were in the new Ship Standby state?" I could see by the slight shake of heads, they knew they would be a minute or two faster, because the call to Battle Stations was expected.
"Night or day, under any conditions, the Mnemosyne will be ready for combat, sixty seconds after I issue Battle Stations. And the chance of me needing Ghosts or Scorpions within the first five minutes is unlikely. But more importantly, crews who are rested and relaxed will perform far better than those who are tired and nervous."
"Going to war with the Riss is certainly different, Leader," Byer said, grinning. As my staff left the room, Jaelle stayed.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Captain Pavao
Pavao reluctantly rose from the Captain's chair and left the Bridge. Ni'Shay was right. It felt like being among the space gods. She had been a Captain for over twelve years, but never had felt so … alive, content.
"Captain Pavao, I see you are following in Captain Reese's tradition. A Riss cruiser is strange, in an exciting way. My pilots and I have always felt … superior to the army … and frankly, non-pilots. Forcing us to mingle is breaking down those prejudices, not to mention Captains visiting me." He laughed. "What can I do for you Captain?"
"I agree with you, Commander Clarkson. Strange but exciting." She nodded. "No, I'm just checking to see if you need anything, before the entertainment starts."
"No. Everyone is excited to be here and morale is excellent. And these are the best accommodations we've ever had, especially level three. We're feeling special."
"Me, too," she waved as she exited his office. Pavao felt like skipping down the hallway to the Scorpion area. Ironically, she had never visited the army area on her other ships.
"Captain Pavao, welcome to the Scorpion's area," Colonel McTosh said as she entered the area where Scorpions were busy practicing boarding mockups. She stood watching for a few minutes, realizing this was the army's simulator.
"Just checking to see if there are any problems before it's too late."
"No, except I can't get my troops to stop smiling. They're hoping you are going to be their totem," he said, grinning. "Life for the army on a cruiser is mostly boring. We train to engage the enemy, but even during an engagement, we're used mostly on repair crews. Crewing with Captain Reese has always been exciting. That's why she has no trouble getting volunteers. They're hoping you're our new totem."
