"And their leader," Okuda said quietly. "I see. They computed vectors into the Golden Tiger instead. Maybe the Riss are right and all positions are equally important for the success of the Riss Nation. What about your actions in the JPU, which will cause them to attack us?"
"When you and the Imperial Parliament and the SAS United Council decided to run the war independently against the JPU—"
"We didn't decide to run the military, Admiral Zhu was still in charge," Okuda protested.
"No he wasn't. He was forbidden from attempting to honor the MSA with the Riss and told where he would station the UFN fleets. He was a spokesman for you, just as Admiral Plimson became the spokesman for the SAS United Council. Because of that, Admiral Neifeh had captured six—as of the last count—SAS systems and was getting ready to defeat the SAS. The Riss had to act or let you and the SAS fall to the JPU.
"Impossible!"
"Give me one hundred JPU cruisers, and I could defeat the UFN in a day or two at most."
"How?"
"As I did with Ormazd. I defeated their entire reserve with four ships. Do you doubt they wouldn't have surrendered if I threatened to destroy Ormazd? I would skip Huan, Chao, and Dunn and go directly to Daiyu."
"You think Admiral Neifeh intended to do that?"
"Originally, no. But you and the SAS have let him take the initiative. You are letting your emotions rule you. You and the Imperial Parliament are civilians and have a right to fear for your safety. But you have the perfect fleet admiral: Zhu. Had you let him do his job, he would have honored the MSAs. After the Riss liberated Freeland, he would have joined with the SAS and the Riss—and Admiral Neifeh would be dead now and the JPU confined."
The discussions went on into the early hours of the morning. I explained my strategy was to create confusion in the JPU and give the SAS and UFN time to plan an offensive.
"So if I may summarize what I've heard: the Riss did attack Sivas and Mihr, making it look like the UFN was attacking the JPU. And although Admiral Zhu had nothing to do with your actions, it certainly gave the Imperial Parliament reason to be concerned when you showed up in Dunn to see Admiral Zhu." He sat back and took a sip of tea, awaiting my reaction.
"Let me summarize what I've heard. Out of fear, the Imperial Parliament has chosen to direct the war effort. They react emotionally out of fear to every rumor. If I were you, I'd surrender to Admiral Neifeh and save the thousands of lives it will cost when he invades the UFN." I shrugged in resignation.
"You think they will win?"
"With your permission, I will take the Freelanders and Riss with me when I leave."
"You have a Riss enclave here. We will honor that."
"The JPU will kill all the Riss after they defeat you. The Riss will be safer on Freeland than here."
"You are very arrogant, Leader Reese. Admiral Zhu?" Okuda asked, turning to look directly at Zhu.
"I think I'd like to go with Leader Reese when she leaves. She is right. The Imperial Parliament is running the war, so you don't really need a fleet admiral except to take the blame for anything that goes wrong. I accept their assassination attempt as accepting my resignation." Zhu sat back with an amused look on his face. The old devil was enjoying this.
"You're welcome to join us, Admiral Zhu," I said, and sat back.
"Do you really believe you can defeat the JPU on your own?" Okuda finally asked.
"If you and the SAS let fear rule you, the JPU will eventually reduce the Riss to less than a thousand people and will destroy Freeland. After the JPU have completed their conquest of you and the SAS, the Riss will destroy the JPU—one cruiser, one space station, one merchant ship at a time until they are no longer a space travelling nation. That I swear as the Leader of the Riss."
"You are not under arrest, but I wish you would stay on the Dynasty. I need time to think about what you have said and done," Okuda said.
"I have a better idea, Emperor Okuda. Trust an old friend who has always respected you. Let us adjourn to the Mnemosyne. I believe you will find it the ideal place to meditate." Zhu looked to me and I nodded agreement. "You can trust the Riss."
* * *
"Every Riss cruiser has a level like this?" Okuda asked as he stood gazing into the third level.
"The Riss have lived their entire lives in the wilderness. To them, a ship is a cage, and unlike humans—who can get time planet-side—the Riss are confined to the ship. This level is a place where they can relax and feel at home."
"Anyone can use this level?" Okuda asked, scanning the area and seeing SAS personnel among the Riss.
"On Riss ships, the dining area, exercise, and this area are open to everyone. If you need food or anything, one of the Scorpions will get what you need," I said. I'd had Seng provide a detail of four to watch over the Emperor and his four guards. I didn't think there would be any trouble, since the Emperor had agreed to them leaving their weapons in the shuttle.
"Thank you, Leader Reese. It may be a while, as I have much to consider."
* * *
It took the Emperor eighteen hours to send someone to get me. He insisted we remain on level three, as he said it was like being outdoors. During the dinner I had served, Okuda asked a lot of questions about the Riss, and I let him talk with several of the Riss who were off duty.
"I have spent much of my time pondering our past. We did well at war when we had strong military leaders. We told them what we wanted to achieve and let them determine how to do it. We did poorly when we had weak military leaders and insisted on being involved in the decisions. The trouble with strong traditions is they don't encourage criticism by those under you." He smiled and took a sip of tea. "So I have decided Imperial Fleet Admiral Zhu may not go to Freeland. He's required here to direct UFN military and to honor our MSA with the Riss."
"Not an easy decision," I said, thinking about each time I spoke for the Riss. "Nor will it be popular."
"Let us hope Admiral Zhu and the Riss can defeat Admiral Neifeh before they can retire me." He laughed.
* * *
For the next two days, I worked with the Emperor's escort, upgrading their missile software, explaining what Freeland had done to sabotage Admiral Neifeh's upgraded fleet, and assuring everyone that the Riss on the JPU ships were no danger to the UFN fleet—they would either shut down the ship or skip it into another JPU ship.
Zhu issued orders to distribute the UFN fleet to ensure Daiyu and Dunn were adequately protected and positioned scouts at each of the other systems. They were to report in twice each day via the Comstat, and he gave Commander Iglis access to their reports. Next, he contacted Admirals Plimson and Wattson, setting up a meeting in Echo in five days. The Emperor called for a meeting of all the senior officers on Dunn the day of his departure.
"I wish to announce that the United Free Nations is officially at war with the Jahaba People's Union, that Imperial Fleet Admiral Zhu is in charge of directing the UFN war effort, and that he has my full, unconditional support. Together with our allies, the Riss and the SAS, we will crush the JPU's aggression." He received a standing ovation which seemed genuine. I know from my discussions with him that he was not only pleased but relieved to have Zhu running the defense of the UFN.
* * *
"I've received confirmation back from Admiral Wattson that Plimson will attend the Echo meeting three days from today and have the codes for us and Admiral Zhu's detail to enter the system," Iglis said as my pre-departure staff meeting began. "Admiral Butler will also be there. He wants a private briefing from me when I arrive..."
"Commander Iglis...that includes you, Commander Byer, and Colonel Seng. The Riss have nothing to hide, so don't feel like you are being disloyal by disclosing anything that happened while you were on this ship or any other Riss ship."
"What about the fighters..." Byer frowned.
"If the SAS intends to invade Freeland or to hunt Riss, then I'd suggest you get rid of the Riss consultants on your ships and dump all of the Riss technology before you start." I smiled. Seng laughed, which caused Byer to smile.
"Certain Admirals won't like it, but I see your point." Byer nodded. "On the other hand, you have all the pilots hyped and looking forward to meeting Admiral Neifeh's upgraded fleet." He laughed.
"We leave in two hours. The trip is estimated to take sixty-seven hours."
* * *
"You know Nadya, if the Scorpions decided to take over this ship, the Cobras couldn't stop them." Terril shook her head as if to clear it. "Now that I'm in charge of protecting you and the Riss against all of humanity, I'm more paranoid than I used to be."
"Rightfully so. Although they couldn't fly a Riss ship—especially now with the Spiders we have inserted in the software, they could destroy the cruiser—not to mention the two hundred fifty Riss on board. I'm having the Riss install an emergency canister of gas that can be released into the system's air ducts, disabling anyone breathing it."
"That will include us. How does that help?"
"The Riss can hold their breath for several hours. That includes Riss-humans with the help of their companions. And we will be warned. The ship lights will blink red-blue-white repeatedly for one minute."
"That would definitely stack the odds in our favor. You're getting as paranoid as me."
"Not paranoid. We know people are trying to kill us. Just cautious."
* * *
< Battle Stations. Weapons offline. Radar active.>
Red lights lit the corridors, and SIDs broadcast the change in status. With Admiral Neifeh's present location unknown, it was better to be cautious. Besides, the SAS could be unpredictable.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
SAS - Echo: Mutual Support Agreements
As we exited, the VTH came to life and tags began appearing, some fifty which made up the first fleet—commanded by Admiral Dobbin, several civilian ships, and the Eurasian, Wattson's command ship. Several cruisers' weapons systems went active when Admiral Zhu and his thirty-two cruisers entered behind us, but went offline quickly, indicating a well-controlled operation—they were jumpy but not out of control.
"Welcome to Echo. I hope you have good news. Actually, I'd settle for any news. I see you brought Admiral Zhu along," Wattson said, appearing reluctant to ask why.
I could understand. The SAS United Council had taken away his authority to do anything except reposition his fleets as told and wait.
"How about a change of scenery, and we meet on the Mnemosyne at your convenience?" I said.
"You should be in orbit within six hours. It's now zero nine hundred. How about eighteen hundred hours?"
"Dinner at eighteen hundred hours. Admiral Zhu, Admiral Plimson, you, me, and a personal security guard if you feel it necessary," I said. "Admiral Zhu and I are required to have them, so you are certainly entitled."
"I'd bet that's an interesting story. All right, eighteen hundred hours with security." He cut the connection.
* * *
Zhu and I waited at the shuttle from the Eurasian as Masters Wei and Talman preceded Admirals Plimson and Wattson from the shuttle. Wei was my idol. The highest ranked practitioner of Si'jin and Talman, a nine knot master who had taught me early in my career.
"Good Evening, Admiral Plimson, Admiral Wattson. Welcome aboard the Mnemosyne. I approve of your security." I gave Wei and Talman bows of respect.
"So do I," Plimson said. "I've had a long talk with Master Wei and see why you value Gunny...Terril. We tend to think people with guns provide excellent protection, but in reality, most assassinations occur up close and personal. Practitioners of Si'jin are deadly with and without weapons, and their reflexes are much faster. I understand why you need a bodyguard, but why do you think we do—which was your obvious implication?"
"Fear," I said looking to Wei, who gave an imperceptible nod. "People are afraid, but come. I will explain over dinner." I waved for them to follow and led them to my conference room where dinner was served. I encouraged Plimson and Wattson to talk about the situation on Eden and around the SAS. After dessert, I led everyone to my office and got them settled with drinks: wine, kaffa, or tea.
"After my meeting with you on Dunn, I returned to Freeland. Since the MSAs weren't being honored, I had an obligation to see that Freeland was defended. But I realized that Admiral Neifeh was probably a month or two away from conquering the SAS—"
"How?" They both exclaimed together. Not What as in surprise, but How as in recognition that it could be true. I went on to explain what I'd done, why, and the events in Dunn.
"That is why I think both of you are in danger. People are afraid and desperate, and the SAS is not immune from individuals or groups like the one that tried to eliminate Admiral Zhu. Not that it will matter, if you continue to maintain your current defensive positions. I have distracted Admiral Neifeh, but not indefinitely. Eden is as vulnerable as Ormazd and Daiyu were, and you cannot defend it from Echo or Wahoo or Blue Canyon."
"We don't have an Emperor. We have a committee of over a hundred. It would take a year or more," Plimson said, shaking his head at the obscurity of even trying it.
"Well, Admiral Zhu. I guess we will have to wait for the JPU to conquer the SAS. That will weaken Admiral Neifeh's forces enough for us to invade the JPU—"