The Riss Gamble

by C. R. Daems

  “Surely you want something to sedate you while I’m working on you,” Echart said.

 

  “Definitely not under any circumstance. Thalia will manage the pain.” I shook my head. “Nothing to render me unconscious no matter what my injuries.”

  “I’ll update your ID and discuss it with the other doctors and medics on the Tiger. I’m glad you’ve authorized some equipment. It’ll help, and I won’t feel so ineffective. Although I’d rather not see you in here again, it’s very nerve-wracking.”

  He then had me taken into surgery and removed nine shards. He wrapped the wounds but left them open for Thalia to heal. He reluctantly released me to return to my room. By that time, I’d had more than enough excitement for today.

 

  It always surprised me that I could feel words like happiness, joy, grinning, laughs. At the moment, Thalia was grinning.

 

  I stayed in my cabin for another day, while Thalia finished her repairs.

 

  * * * *

  “At ease and take a seat. Perhaps you could explain what happened last night. It appears you and the Scorpions had a party and didn’t invite the XO or me.” Captain Jordanno didn’t look angry, but he wasn’t smiling.

  “I was part of the Intelligence team canvassing the area for any information that would hint at a reason for the raiders to attack Sparrows Nest. We stopped in shops, restaurants, and bars. Master Sergeant Terril had an altercation with one man who later left; however, I don’t think the subsequent meleé involved him.” The man would have wanted revenge on Terril not me. “These men knew what I looked like and were after me specifically. They made no attempt to chase Corporal Partel or Master Sergeant Terril once we split up.”

  “That appears to be the case. The Scorpions captured three of the men chasing you. The prisoners were eager to talk, but they knew very little. You seem to have antagonized someone with substantial resources. They knew the Tiger was going to stop at Sparrows Nest, and you were the target. Their contact arrived a week ago with your picture, paid them, and left the same day. A check with traffic control indicates a freighter named Venturer was the ship, but the passenger remains unknown. Sparrows Nest’s customs is lax when tracking who comes and goes.” Jordanno stared at me, as if watching me would somehow reveal the answer. “Someone on this ship must be providing information on you. It could be the same person who tried to kill you. I want you to keep my suspicions to yourself; otherwise, I’m going to have the whole ship spying on each other. I don’t like it, but I’ve the morale of the personnel to consider.”

  * * * *

  Valk grinned at me. “You look fit, Lieutenant. More than I can say for my sergeant. She just doesn’t have that youthful stamina anymore. She did, however, enjoy the party you threw, even though she left before the Scorpions crashed it.” His grin widened. “Best exercise the boys and girls have had in a long time. You were damn lucky, Reese. An examination of their weapons revealed some pretty sloppy shooting. Only the shard guns’ wide settings saved you. I think it’s time we made you into a proper Scorpion. Tomorrow, Terril’s going to teach you how to use several weapons, Scorpion style.”

  * * * *

  I welcomed the workout with Valk and the others the next morning. Afterward I talked with several of the Scorpions about the incident and received lots of thanks for relieving the boredom. I showered and dressed before reporting to the bridge.

  “Good morning, ma’am,” I said as I sat down next to Commander Kollar.

  “Are you well enough to be back to duty? I heard you’d been wounded with a shard gun and had multiple wounds,” Kollar asked, looking me over.

  I couldn’t understand what everyone hoped to find by looking.

  “You’ve some doctor, Reese. I’ve heard Master Sergeant Terril is excused from duty with similar wounds.”

  “Yes, Thalia’s very good.”

  The Tiger departed the next day for Ossicwater.

  Chapter 28

  I lay in my cabin, pondering why someone wanted me dead. I understood the emotional reaction many had to a Riss-human. It hurt, but I had no control over their feelings. The reactions varied. Some feared contamination; others felt disgust; and a few exhibited raw hate. Under the right circumstances, any of those with such prejudices might attempt to kill me. They wanted me to know I was abhorrent to them. It was personal. The gas attack in my room and the attack at Sparrows Nest were different. The earlier attackers were amateurs, the more recent ones professionals. If I was right, it appeared to be someone with money and a long reach. On the ship, the individual had opened a system-protected locked door, used a gas canister of a type not available on the ship, and had stolen my SID. On Sparrows Nest, locals had attacked me, but the person who set it up and the money had come from some other planet. They produced the same result; however, the motivation was different. Why? Did they hate all Riss-humans? Did they want the Riss-human experiment to fail? Or was the target me, Lieutenant Reese, specifically? All three were a possibility, but the first two more likely.

  I bolted upright in bed, suddenly knowing how to resolve my dilemma. At the guard’s station to the intelligence unit, I forced myself to stand still while they verified who I was for the thousandth time. When I entered, Lieutenant Iglis looked up and waved from her seat at one of the terminals.

  “’Morning, Reese, Not often we see you here on first shift. What’s up?”

  “I need to see the Commander. I’d like you to join us,” I said, walking towards Wang’s door, which was open. “Ma’am, if you aren’t busy, I’d like to talk to you.”

  “Come.” Wang waved me in.

  I gestured for Iglis to follow.

  “You look agitated. What’s up?”

  “Ma’am, although I’m curious about my fellow Riss-humans, I’ve tried to avoid any action that could be construed as a conflict of interest. The recent attacks on my life have caused me to wonder why they’re after me. Am I the target because I’m a Riss-human? If so, the other Riss-humans are in danger. Maybe they’ve already been attacked?” I was voicing my thoughts rather than talking to Wang.

  “Calm down, Reese. What do you want to do?”

 

  A sense of calm descended on me as I tried to organize my thoughts. “First, I’d like to review the information you have on the other Riss-humans. I know there must have been accidents or more direct incidents that could have been fatal. If so, I hope to determine whether they were personal or not.”

  “What do you mean?” Iglis asked. “If someone tries to kill you, it’s personal.”

  “It’s personal if they want to kill you because they hate you. In that case, they want you to know who’s doing it. If they want to kill you because someone paid them, it’s not personal. In that case, they don’t care.” I looked at Wang, who nodded.

  “And after that?”

  “I’d like to communicate with each of my Riss-human associates and clarify anything I discover. If there were any incidents that weren’t recorded, warn them they maybe in danger.”

  “Reese, I trust you but others may not. Actually, others won’t.”

  “I didn’t mean for me to do it alone. If you and Iglis agree, she’ll monitor everything I do. You’ll review all correspondence before I send it and read all the responses before I do. Iglis will report directly to you on my actions.”

  “You and Iglis are friends; however, if you did anything improper, she would report you in a heart-beat.”

  “As she should,” I said. Wang agreed. We spent the next hour setting up a protocol that would prevent anyone from claiming an impropriety.

  Over the next three days, I reviewed every bit of information that had been collected on the Riss-humans. Although Iglis was there to monitor my research, she and Petty Officers Phalan and Wunk helped me find and analyze every scrap of information pertaining
to the others. As I suspected, each of my fellow Riss-humans had experienced several incidents. A few were serious. With Wang’s permission, I used Intelligence’s priority to contact each of them, asking for more details. I included a brief account of my incidents, a warning to be careful, and asked them to report to me if any similar incidents occurred. By now, Wang and Iglis were as interested as I.

  The replies filtered in over the next couple of days. Leaving out the normal insults, angry looks, and nonphysical cruelty, they each reported at least one such episode.

  Damion, who’d resigned, reported he’d encountered no incidents on Saipha. Prior to resigning, he’d been in multiple fights. Although provoked by two or more individuals, he’d been accused of being a troublemaker.

  Alena had been abused physically twice and raped once with no investigation, until I’d suggested an inquiry. She had very little trouble after that.

  Jaelle had lots of insults and was ambushed twice. Both times she had to have medical treatment. Only a perfunctory investigation was conducted afterwards. No one was charged.

  Petar reported similar incidents to Damion’s.

  Elissa had the usual mental abuse but only one physical incident. The difference was that the captain conducted a formal inquiry and sentenced the individual to thirty days confinement. Since then most of the rude comments had stopped.

  With Wang’s permission, after I had seen the responses, I informed Jaelle and Petar of Alena’s experience and mine with my previous Captain, our threat of an inquiry, and the results. By the end of the week we had concluded the investigation.

  “I knew there’d been some minor incidents, but not to the extent they’ve reported. How do you put up with it?” Wang asked after she had reviewed the material we’d assembled. After my experience with Captain Gebauer, their reports were what I expected.

  “What choice do we have?”

  * * * *

  I continued my weapon studies under Commander Kollar. She’d split my time between studying the training manual to understand the theory and spending time in the simulator. She had me try each of the standard routines against an existing scenario to help me understand when each best applied.

  “Reese, the Captain would like to see you in his office,” Riddler said.

 

 

  I entered and saluted. He didn’t tell me “At ease,” so I stayed at attention, a bad sign.

  “Lieutenant Reese, I’ve just had a message from Captain Hagan on the Shikra. He said that you’re sending messages to Jaelle, a Riss-human, advising her to demand special privileges because of her contract. I thought you told Admiral Plimson and me that you didn’t use your contract to intimidate your superiors. Captain Hagan not only claims you are, but that you’re encouraging others to do so.” He glared at me, waiting for an answer.

 

 

  “Captain, would you do me a favor before you assume I’m seeking special treatment or advocating anyone else to do so, including my fellow Riss-humans?” I was tired of this, but I didn’t want any more problems, especially from the Captain.

  “You’ll want an inquiry if I don’t? You’ve been treated fairly on my ship. I don’t care if you want an inquiry—I want one.” He stood to deliver his tirade.

 

  “No I want out. I’m hereby officially notifying you that I’m resigning and want transportation to Saipha.”

  “What about the Riss? Was that all a fake too?”

  “The Riss don’t need to partner with humans. You’ve proven to them that you’ll make bad partners. The Riss are long-lived and patient. A thousand years means nothing to them. They’ll achieve their goals without you.” I glared back. “I’ll confine myself to my quarters except for meals, until I’m delivered to Saipha or another ship going to Saipha.” I turned and walked out without saluting or being given permission. I was a civilian and no longer required.

  * * * *

  I stopped reading when I heard a knock at the door.

  “Yes?”

  “It’s the XO, Reese. The Captain would like to see you.”

  “You may tell the Captain I’m not interested in talking to him. I’d remove my uniform, but I’ve no other clothes. I’ve removed my rank and ribbons and returned my SID to Supply. I’m a civilian. I would move to guest quarters except there are none on this ship.”

  “Reese, you’re being stubborn.”

  “I know I’m shooting the messenger. I’m sorry. Yes, I’m being stubborn and it feels good. I’ll soon be free from abuse and from being treated like a pariah.”

  * * * *

  “Time for lunch, Nadya,” Terril said after knocking. I almost wept. I’d miss true friends like Terril. I opened the door and began walking with her towards the mess hall generally used exclusively by the navy personnel.

  “Why are you doing this, Terril?”

  “I’m visiting a friend, since she won’t visit me.”

  “I’m not allowed to roam the ship since I’m no longer in the military. Besides, the navy may give you a hard time.”

  “Do you think some navy clown’s going to object out loud to a Black Beret about anything?” She laughed.

  I smiled, envisioning the scene. When we entered, the Captain and Wang were sitting at a table. I noticed that everyone had chosen to sit as far away as they could.

  “You can be very stubborn, Miss Reese,” Wang said, but smiled.

  “I asked the Captain to trust me. He refused. I knew without the Captain’s support the abuse would soon start again.” I intentionally ignored the Captain. He quietly watched me.

  “I see you’ve company.”

  “Friends.”

  “I guess they don’t want you abused. I seriously doubt there are any navy personnel who could successfully challenge Master Sergeant Terrill. I see Master Gunnery Sergeant Valk also just happened to be dining with you today. Yes…good friends. Pretty soon this will be the Black Beret’s dining hall.” She nodded. “When you didn’t show for duty for several days and I couldn’t raise you on your SID, I contacted the XO. He explained what had happened. I went to see the Captain to hear his side of the confrontation with you. Although it was an Intelligence inquiry, I shared our findings, including the messages you received and sent. He suggested this visit.” Wang looked to Jordanno for the first time.

  He stared at me. “You’ve every right to be mad with me. I can understand your frustration with people, allowing their prejudices to override their judgment. You would certainly be better off as a civilian. Reading those messages, I can understand what you and the rest of the Riss-humans are going through every day. I don’t believe there’s anyone on this ship or any other who could have tolerated it for so long. I can also see why the Riss believe we would make poor allies.” He paused. I didn’t think he expected me to answer.

  No humor.

  “Captain, Thalia’s sense of humor is ridiculous. She thought people chasing and shooting at us fun. I’ve always thought I’d hate to see the day she didn’t find something funny or amusing. I have. She’s no longer amused.” Against my best efforts, a tear rolled down my cheek.

  “Reese, I’ve no authority to reverse your resignation. I believe it will cause the collapse of the Riss project. Commanders Wang and Uchida feel strongly that would be a tragedy for the SAS. Not just losing the brave individuals who carry the Riss, but the Riss who’ve given up their hosts and way of life for this alliance. If you had Master Chief’s stripes, a battle ribbon, and a silver star, you would have deserved my respect and support. I wouldn’t have assumed Captain Hagan right and you wrong. I’ve no right to ask and can’t promise you won’t get more grief, but I wish you and Thalia would consider staying.”

  “I’ll ask Thalia to consider if the Riss are willing to go on. It’s no longer my decision. I began this projec
t for my own selfish reasons. I’ve come to realize that the Riss are a magnificent race worth championing. I’ll do what she wishes. I thank you for your honesty and truly wish this had never happened.”

  “Regardless of your decision, you’ve my permission to visit your friends,” Jordanno said. I nodded to Terril and we joined Valk.

  * * * *

 

 

 

 

  Humor ripped through me. For the first time in a week I smiled. I decided to see Gunny Valk and have a workout.

  I found Terril and him. I practiced with ferocity, trying to cleanse myself of the week’s frustration and those to come. Terril understood, and we faced off for a match. We went at it like it was the difference between life and death. Sweat stained our clothes and ran down our face and arms. If we hadn’t had protective gear, one of us would have been crippled and the other dead. As it was we would have plenty of bruises tomorrow.

  “Stop!” Valk shouted. She and I heard but ignored him. The battle was all that mattered. I felt my legs go out from beneath me. Terril and I went flying. We hit the floor together.

  “I said ‘stop!’” He stood over us, shaking his head. When I looked up, it seemed that everyone in the bay was watching. They were laughing and clapping.

  “Thank you, friend.” I hugged her tightly.

  * * * *

  I reported to the XO the next morning in uniform. “Sir, with the Captain’s permission, I’m reporting for duty.” I braced to attention. Everyone tried to appear like they weren’t looking. They were.

  “I heard there was a navy versus army fight yesterday, and the navy held its own. Too bad navy personnel weren’t invited. I think they would have enjoyed it. You’ve many talents, Lieutenant Reese. The Captain said he would like to see you if you reported for duty.”