by C. R. Daems
Wattson invited Pavao and I to an early morning meeting, several hours before the scheduled one. Bradshaw met us in the shuttle bay, and led us to a small conference room. When we arrived, Plimson, Wattson, Stenberg, and Zann were already there. Before we had time to brace to attention and salute, Plimson waved us to sit.
"That was quite a bombshell, Reese. You've managed to give Wattson a headache, and that isn't easy. It would be funny if the potential technology of such a civilization weren't terrifying. They would have to be thousands of years ahead of us," Plimson said. He looked even more tired than yesterday.
"Although it's no consolation, I agree with … Thalia. The robots are … hosts to a race of intelligent beings. This would be a fantastic problem at the War College. In reality, it's a nightmare." He stopped to take several sips of kaffa, which made me wonder if he was waiting for me to say something. "I was up most of the night thinking about it. As I see it, the lack of organic material in the robots would indicate they can somehow transfer a copy of someone's brain into the robot's circuit boards. Probably each robot has a copy of a different brain depending upon its function. Therefore, it doesn't matter if the robots are destroyed, since it's only a copy."
I nodded agreement. That was the most logical conclusion based on the facts we have today. He continued voicing his logic.
"And the most likely reason the robots fry their circuits when they are captured. The copy is in a sense a real person, who wouldn't want to be captured and subjected to unknown horrors by an enemy. I wonder if the copy doesn't believe it's the latest version of that brain and will become the original when it returns … to base?"
"Quite possibly, each Riss has the memories of its mother's mother back a thousand years."
"So how do we win against such a civilization?" Stenberg asked.
"Cethlion said the future is ours to make. Cethlion was the Celtic goddess of prophecy. I chose that name because her vid name resembles an Oracle-like image, Sitting on top of a white snowcapped mountain, and her Riss position is Seeing into the future." Pavao paused looking off into the distance and then added. "She doesn't mean that as a platitude but a prophecy."
"Yes, I believe Cethlion. There will be no grades for this exercise—it's pass or fail."
* * *
The subsequent meeting proved more of an educational briefing rather than a discussion. It took several hours before everyone had grasped the concept and the possible consequences, although I doubted they all believed it true or even possible. When Plimson dismissed the group, Wattson waved for Pavao and me to join him.
"I think you and the Riss are the most likely to see a practical strategy, since you understand the host concept on a personal level. Group meetings don't tend to generate the creative thinking we are going to need. Plimson, Stenberg, and I are going to strategize on what it will take to prepare the SAS for war. I want the Riss to think about going to war. I'd like you and Pavao to go planet side with the Riss and whoever you want to accompany you. Bradshaw is free this week." He smiled. "Yes, I want you to forget about the Aliens and relax. I've always found one is more creative if he or she isn't trying to force a solution."
* * *
"What do you think, Nance?"
"I like the idea. I know a certain Lt. Commander on the Bateleur who may be interested in seeing Freeland and … playing in the snow with the Riss." She had a gleam in her eyes and a wicked smile.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Time to think
When my shuttle settled in the Bateleur's bay, Sean stood waiting, wearing his dress blues. The sight made me tingle from head to toe.
"Good morning, Captain. You look gorgeous, if I may be so forward with a senior officer." He smiled.
"You can, and it's Nadya." I couldn’t breathe with him sitting so close.
"You're in uniform, Captain."
"I'm always in uniform."
"Not always. I seem to remember a time … " He smiled, a devious twinkle in his blue eyes. I felt my face burn and would bet it had turned scarlet.
"When we landed at the Riss area we will officially be civilians, although we will be in uniform. Unfortunately, it's necessary to maintain our official relationship of probation officer and parolee."
"I still find it strange to see that Rh on Captain Pavao's face. I don't imagine it was an easy decision."
"Ironically, we both got suckered into it. A young Nadya saw the chance at a college education and going to the stars. I never gave the Riss much thought. They were the key to that opportunity. Nance saw the opportunity to help the SAS and the chance to command a Riss cruiser. Again, the Riss were the key. Initially, she intended to give up the Riss when the war was over. Neither she nor I realized how it would change our lives, and what an honor it is to be a sister to the Riss."
"I think the Riss got a good deal too." He nodded, staring into my eyes. "I wonder who she'll bring along."
"We're about to find out. The landing area is right over there." I pointed to a clearing about a kilometer from the small town of Rupea. "And Nance's shuttle is already there."
* * *
"Good morning. Captain Reese, Commander Bradshaw, I'd like you to meet Commander Mallette. He's the XO on the … Reese, what are the rules for this official inspection of Freeland?" Pavao asked, smiling.
"First, it's Nadya, Sean, Nance, and?"
"Ron."
"Ron. Keep it casual, no discussion of the future, and wear a uniform at all times when you're in public. After all it's an official visit," I managed to say with a straight face. "I've made reservations at the Refuge Lodge, although Sean and I plan to spend some time with the Riss, and I have to make one visit to see Da'Maass to check on the status of the Minerva."
"If you don't mind, Ron and I will do the same. Being with the Riss in the wild and a tour of the Freeland industrial complex would be interesting," Pavao said looking at Ron.
"Yes, that sounds good."
"Now that's settled, off to the lodge to get some … rest," I said. Trying not to smile, I choked out a laugh.
* * *
For the first two days, Sean and I only saw Ron and Nance occasionally in the lodge. On the third day, we met for breakfast.
"Well Nance, I'm planning to join the Riss for a few days. Are you and Ron coming along?"
"If it weren't for Cethlion, I might prefer the comforts of the lodge."
"The Lodge has excellent accommodations, but I'm actually looking forward to seeing the Riss," Ron said and grinned at Nance.
"I know how you feel, but you won't regret spending some time with the Riss. And playing in the snow isn't so bad," Sean chimed in, giving me a devilish grin. I know I blushed, from the heat in my face.
"I'm sure by now, Ron, you realize Thalia and Nadya are having a discussion as are Nance and Cethlion. I don't know about Cethlion, but Thalia would make a great standup comedian. I like her view on life," Sean said.
"Cethlion tends to be more pragmatic, but some of her
observations are amusing. She's a very interesting … person," Ron added.
"Enough you two," Nance said, her cheeks beginning to turn a pale shade of pink. Laughing, we left the lodge and found our three rented snow vehicles. Terril insisted she couldn't let me go anywhere without a guard. She had written orders, which were as binding on her as on me, and I had a tendency to attract trouble. I couldn't complain, even though it wouldn't do any good, she and her detail had been very discrete.
* * *
"Well this has been an interesting day," Ron said as we sat around a cozy fire. "It's such a dichotomy seeing the Riss here in the wild and on a cruiser. Here they appear to be like any wild animal, albeit gentle, whereas on the ship they are intelligent and competent individuals. I'm glad for the experience and I think it helps me understand Riss-humans better." He gave Nance a warm smile.
"If it's not against the rules, what do you think of the idea of a robot being a host?" Sean asked.
"The idea isn't strange, if you think of your body as a vehicle and your brain as the driver. If we could take your brain and put it in a robot, it would still be you, right? In a sense, Nance and I are the drivers and Thalia and Cethlion passengers capable of taking over in an emergency." Seeing Ron and Sean nod, I continued. "In the Aliens case, the robot is the vehicle and the whatever you want to call it, the driver. The part that is hard to grasp is the ability to duplicate organic cells—100 billion neurons—and transfer the information in them into a computer. That technology is far beyond our ability." I said. "Oh, and I suspect they have the ability to transfer the new experiences back to the original much like the Riss inherit their mothers, mother's memories."
"So killing a robot only causes that person a short memory lapse." Ron laughed a bit grimly. "That is, whatever experience the clone had while it was in the robot before we, killed it."
"That would be the logical conclusion, assuming each robot is a unique individual with specific skills needed for a particular position or assignment."
"I doubt any non-Riss-human would have ever come to that conclusion. We would have assumed they were our type of standard robots. The difference is huge in a battle, and explains the results at Zigzag," Ron said, his forehead furrowed in thought.
"The war seems so remote here on Freeland among the Riss, and the lodge," Ron said, giving Pavao a dreamy smile.
"Knowing Wattson, he had a reason for giving us a vacation. The officers attending the War College have to be on their toes every minute, because his most innocent remarks are made for them to learn from. I understand only about ten percent get a With Comment' rating." Sean said.
"Si'jin teaches a relaxed mind is faster and sees more. I would assume, Wattson is hoping this vacation does just that."
"It's working," Nance said, smiling at Ron.
"Tomorrow, I plan to visit Da'Maass for a status update on the Minerva and the upgrades on the Sharks and missiles systems."
"I thought the idea was to relax." Nance grinned.
"I'll feel a lot more relaxed if I know everything is on schedule." I laughed.
* * *
When the four of us exited the shuttle, Da'Maass stood waiting. All he needed was an old fashioned cutlass in his belt to be a double for the pirate Black Beard. But behind the bushy black beard, unruly eyebrows, and pirate-like clothing lay a brilliant mind and shrewd tactician.
"Good morning, Captain Reese, I see you brought two new inspectors," he said, while evaluating Ron and Sean. A small smile touched his lips as his attention came back to me.
"You know Captain Pavao. These two gentlemen are Commanders Bradshaw and Mallette. We been visiting the Riss area—"
"For three days," Da'Maass interjected. I blushed slightly.
"Welcome to Freeland commanders. I'm Da'Maass, the humble servant of Captain Reese." The scoundrel made a slight bow in my direction.
"And thought I'd like an update on the all the projects," I continued, ignoring his remarks.
"I understand your concern. The rumors say we're being invaded by Aliens. Pretty nasty Aliens if the rumors are true."
"Thanks to your merchants, we've had an early warning, which will help prepare us when the true war begins."
"Yes, surprise can be a commander’s worse nightmare or his … or her best weapon. Although surprise doesn't seem to help when one is fighting a dybbuk." He turned to face Pavao. "Captain Pavao, the Rh is beautiful. How does it feel to be a Riss-human?"
"It's a life changing transition, and one of my better decisions."
"And you can now command one of the Riss' magical cruisers. I frequently fantasize commanding such a ship. Thanks to my dybbuk, my life is interesting, and it's satisfying to see Freeland productive and the people happy. But … even being a passenger on the Mnemosyne is a life's dream." He shook his head, then smiled. "Come, I will show you where we are on your projects. The Minerva should be operational … "
Thalia added, with a hint of amusement.
Da'Maass spent the entire day giving us a tour of the various facilities and answering questions. Sean and Rod were mesmerized by the factories, assembly plants, and the number and type of projects in progress. Da'Maass was clearly in his element showing off Freeland's technology and what they had achieved.
"Our dybbuk gave us the dream, and Freeland brought it to life."
* * *
"I had heard that the clans were helping us, but I hadn't realized the scope of the projects and the contribution they made in building the Riss cruisers. It's hard to think of them as ruthless killers when you talk to them and see what they are doing for us," Sean said, on the way back to the Riss area.
"Why does Da'Maass keep calling you dybbuk?" Ron asked before anyone could comment.
"The clans believe Nadya is a demon, in their mythology a dybbuk, who can see into their minds. It's the reason she found their raiding parties, avoided multiple attempts to assassinate her, found Freeland, and sees their future." Nance said, then laughed. "I think Admiral Plimson is beginning to think she's his dybbuk, because of all the impossible situations she puts him."
I would have liked to disagree, but I had forced him to make several career ending decisions. I guess you aren't supposed to love your superior, well superior's superior, but I did. He had always been fair with me. And I admired his courage to face tough issues and accept responsibility for them.
We spent several additional, glorious days at Refuge before returning to duty. I was no sooner back, than Wattson called for a meeting of the captains.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
A conference of the Captains
"Plimson, Wattson, Stenberg, and Zann entered right on time and took their seats. Plimson spoke first.
"I'm returning to Eden tomorrow and will announce that we are in a state of war with an unknown Alien nation. I'm also dispatching envoys to the JPU and UFN, explaining our findings and offering an alliance. I want to avoid any rumors that we are planning an invasion of the JPU or UFN. I believe it may take the combined efforts of our three nations to defeat, or at least repel, the Aliens." He stopped to take a sip of kaffa and look at his SID. "We have always had a plan for an invasion by the JPU and UFN but not Aliens. Because we don't yet know the invaders, there are many unresolved issues to be addressed. I'm today promoting Vice Admiral Wattson to Fleet Admiral, Vice Admiral Stenberg to Admiral and second
in command as well as liaison with all allied forces, and Vice Admiral Zann to Admiral and Freeland Station commander."
Surprisingly, there was little reaction to Plimson's announcement. The war announcement was expected and the assignments logical, even Zann because she was a Riss-human. I wasn't sure where that left me.
"Effective immediately, Captains Reese and Pavao are placed on the inactive list and are on loan to the Riss Nation," Plimson said. Most of the officers around the table looked confused, which wasn't surprising. Everyone knew I was a junior captain, a Riss-human, and station commander; however, my exact status had never been formally stated.
"Leader Reese, are the Riss prepared to support the SAS per the Mutual Support Agreement?" Wattson asked formally. Heads were swiveling back and forth, trying to make sense of what was happening. Pavao sat there with a smile.
"Yes, sir."
"And to take assignments from me?"
"Yes, sir."
"For those of you struggling to make sense of what has happened, let me try and clarify. The Riss Project was a misguided attempt to integrate the Riss into the SAS on the assumption they wanted humans as hosts. Ironically, the project had an unexpected result—the Riss-humans have turned out to provide a bridge between humans and the Riss that would not have been possible otherwise. As a consequence, the Riss have achieved their dream of becoming a space going nation and the SAS has benefited from their advanced mathematics and the technological advances they achieved developing the Riss cruisers.
"The MSA is an agreement signed by Admiral Plimson as the Secretary of Defense and Reese, who those at the battle of Freeland know speaks for the Riss, to provide mutual military support and share technology."
"What does that mean in the field?" Captain Gardner of the Goshawk asked, glaring at me. Wattson was quiet for a moment, before he spoke.
"Consider if you and a squadron of UFN were preparing to fight the Aliens, which may not be too farfetched given the current situation. Who would be in charge? Could the UFN commander give you orders? Could you give him orders? No, I believe you would have to agree on a strategy and cooperate in achieving the desired outcome. The same applies to the Riss. The SAS has recognized the Riss as a separate nation as they do the JPU and UFN."
