"Damaass, what's your assessment of the red-Wraiths?" I asked.
"They aren't perfect yet, but they are deadly. I examined one of the super-Heavies afterward. It had twice the armament of a normal Heavy, yet the red-Wraith caused massive damage. One or two more reds would have completely destroyed it. The pilots guiding them said the controls were easy. They had some suggestions, which we will incorporate with the next generation." He laughed. "Give me eight Riss cruisers each with ten Red Fighters, and twenty Irises, and I could defend Freeland against an invasion by the SAS."
"For a peaceful nation, we are becoming a military super power," Zhang said, some concern evident in his voice.
"You are right, Zhang, and it bothers me as much as it does you and the others. I don't want the Riss to be seen as the two-ton gorilla in the room. That just tends to create a military arms race. I'd like the Riss to be seen as good neighbors and helpful in times of need. Like this time, I think we saved the SAS and UFN from losing a war to the UFN." I paused for a drink of kaffa and to think about my next words. "I've always tried to be honest with everyone and our allies. And I want to continue that policy...but...there are some secrets that would not be received well. For example, our ability to sense others' emotions. That would alienate us from everyone. The chips are another. We need to downplay their usefulness. They are for maintenance records primarily, although they can be queried over limited distances. The ones we put on the JPU planes were longer ranged. Spiders in the Riss technology and red-Wraiths are two more. The Spiders we can ignore, since they are invisible. On the other hand, the red-Wraiths are going to need some explanation. I think for now, we can say we are experimenting with the Wraiths and carrying additional laser-directed bombs.
"Where next, Leader?" Jaelle asked. She tended to be a bit shy but was coming into her own, and I felt confident in her ability to captain the Druantia. All she needed was some battle experience.
"Any suggestions?" I asked, knowing it was my responsibility but using Wattson's technique of asking questions. Even though he usually had the answer already, it caused the students to think rather than just be given the answer, and it did on occasion lead to better solutions.
"Ihsan then Usak," Damaass said. "Except for Ihsan and Usak we have been to every other system."
"What about Baraz and Alborz?" Sheva asked. "Alborz had two squadrons, and Baraz had one when we looked. It would be nice to know if they were still there, and they would be easy systems to quarantine."
"Baraz and Alborz are close to Freeland. We could get resupplied with missiles and red-Wraiths and get the latest information for SAS and UFN," Zhang said.
I agreed.
"Alright, Ihsan then Baraz, where we can make a decision on Freeland before moving on to Alborz then Usak.
* * *
Later than day, I held my second meeting with my Mnemosyne staff.
"What kind of missiles did the Freeland fighters use on those super-Heavies?" Commander Byer asked. Since he had my VTH feed, the results were obvious.
"The Freeland fighters are new, so we have been experimenting using them more against cruisers rather than other fighters. And I think we've had some luck. Our search of the super-Heavy manufacturing platform revealed the physical layout as well as their specifications. Based on those designs, I think we got lucky with our missiles. Commander Iglis has a copy of the specifications. Iglis, please download them for Commander Byer and Colonel Seng, so their troops can get acquainted with them. Admiral Haddad has at least five or six more. Our fighters should know the best places to attack and the commandos the general layout in case they have to board one," I said, knowing that what Byer really wanted to know was what kind of missiles we were using, and when the SAS would be getting them. For now, experimental and luck would have to do for an explanation.
"Commander Iglis, did you find anything else interesting?" I asked.
"I haven't finished sorting it all out, but it appears they produced twelve this past year and planned to produce around twenty-four next year, forty-eight the following twelve months."
"Imagine a hundred of them in an invasion force. We wouldn't have stood a chance," Byer said, shaking his head in disbelief. "Let's hope that's their only manufacturing plant.
"I also found a design for a portable Comstat. That would be good for an invading force to coordinate with other taskforces. There could be other goodies in what I collected, but it will take time to sort through it."
"Our next stop is Ihsan, then Baraz, where I will send one cruiser to Freeland for supplies and anything our detachments may need."
* * *
When we entered Ihsan, we discovered only one squadron, guarding a space-station-and-manufacturing platform for Light cruisers. I hated to chide good luck, but I wasn't sure whether to feel worried or fortunate. Worried that Haddad was consolidating his force for another attack or a trap for us, or fortunate that our raids and the battle at Freeland had all but destroyed the JPU fleet. The latter didn't seem right. If he recalled all of his squadrons from SAS space—there could be as many as sixty-six—and all but one squadron at each system, then I thought his fleet would number well over one-hundred-twenty. Not enough to attack the SAS or UFN capitals, but maybe enough for another attack on Freeland, which seemed to be his obsession.
"Since there are only two Heavies and eight Lights, and six of us, I'd like to save the red-Wraiths if possible. Damaass and Alena, take the Heavies. Zhang, those tagged JL-1 and JL-2. Sheva, JL-3 and JL4. Jaelle, JL-5 and JL-6, and I'll take JL-7 and JL-8. I suggest we make our attack from just outside one light-second range. Six missiles at each assigned Light and twelve on the Heavies. Unless they are really alert, I doubt they can target us and get missiles to us before our second round of missiles. Launch Dusters to disrupt their missiles, and Dragonflies to target and guide our subsequent launches. Of course, you are free to adjust as necessary," I said, setting up the attack. I would have loved to have given the Lights warning as we had in Tokat, but without the surprise element the Red-Wraiths provided, it was too dangerous. And something told me we needed to save the Red-Wraiths for later.
I sat watching the countdown clock on the monitor as the taskforce moved into position.
Terril sent, obviously taking my remarks seriously.
Forty-five seconds later, the VTH began changing colors. JH-1 went red, JH-2 disappeared, JL-3, JL-5, and JL-8 turned red, JL-1, JL-2, JL-6, and JL-7 were yellow, and JL-4 disappeared.
Shortly later, the VTH showed JH-1, JL-1, and JL-2 red, and JL-1, JL-3, JL-5, and JL-8 destroyed.
The Mnemosyne shuddered as the eighth one hit. The monitor showed only minor damage to one of the shuttle bays and adjoining fighter bays.
A minute later, JL-2, JL-6, and JL-7 disappeared from the VTH. The battle was over. The damage to the Riss taskforce was minor if you didn't count the fifteen deaths. We spent the next two days searching the manufacturing platform before destroying it, the Comstat, and the space station.
* * *
Baraz was practically deserted, with only a few merchants in orbit since the new space station was under construction and only about thirty percent complete. They were using shuttles to do business.
"Are we going to give the merchants time to evacuate?" Jaelle asked over the tight-beam connection we had established.
"I think we will ignore Baraz for now. If we destroy the Comstat, Haddad will know where we are. The last he knew, we were in Ihsan. Therefore, we could be going to Baraz, Usak or Alborz, all of which are close to Ihsan. Let's keep him guessing. Baraz will be easy to quarantine when the time comes." Looking at the faces, it appeared everyone agreed with me. "Alena, you and I are going to Freeland. If they have any red-Wraiths ready, I'd like them. Sooner or later, we are going to need all we can get. Everyone make a list of what you are short, and we will see if we can get it replenished at Freeland. Also note any requests your attached units have or people that need a ride. Damaass, Alena will transfer her two unused red-Wraiths to you before we leave. Take the taskforce to Alborz. Alena and I will meet you there. If it's like Baraz, leave it be for now."
"Sounds boring, but I agree. No sense helping Haddad anticipate our movements. See you in Alborz," Damaass said, and cut the connection.
* * *
"...and I decided to return to Freeland to replenish the missiles we used and to see if you had any more red-Wraiths. We are going to need them. Unless I'm wrong, Haddad could have well over a hundred cruisers assembled. How have things been here in Freeland?" I asked now that I had brought Pavao and Elissa up to date on the JPU.
"Not well. At first, I was a bit disappointed you left me here, rather than Damaass or Sheva. But maybe you can see the future, because lately it has felt like the old days—just after the battle of Freeland. I'm getting a lot of rumors of unrest: captains complaining about defending a bunch of Raiders when they should be defending SAS, and many unhappy they are defending Freeland but aren't allowed to visit," Pavao said, worrying her lip. "Damaass would just have made matters worse, and I doubt Alena could have contained it, not enough seniority. Sakaata is a good officer, but she gets caught in between her officers, where her sympathies lie, and her duty."
"That's true. Sakaata and I have had that discussion before. She still considers me SAS and wants me to act accordingly. I think it was Colonel Seng who hit the nail on the head when he said something to the effect that nobody trusts someone who is neutral."
"We've had no trouble from the UFN squadrons. I don't know if they are more secretive or whether tradition plays a part," Elissa said.
"That's the funny part," Pavao said with a small laugh. "I would let the UFN troops visit Freeland, except it would exacerbate the situation with the SAS."
"Ma'am," Corporal Zo'Imre said from the half-open door. "Commander Byer, Colonel Seng, and Commander Iglis are here for your thirteen-hundred staff meeting."
"Show them in, Corporal," I said, waving them to empty seats. "Well, Commander Iglis, what are the latest rumors?"
"In general, many don't like you, Captain Pavao, the Riss, or Freelanders—and you are at the head of the list," she said without emotion. "Be careful, it doesn't feel good. Too widespread."
"Commander Byer, what about your troops?" I asked.
"The war looks different to us. We are not only fighting the JPU, but we've also been with you for a long time. And we like serving on Riss cruisers," he said with a smile.
"The Scorpions would follow you anywhere," Colonel Seng said. "And we also like serving on Riss cruisers."
"Elissa, would you help Alena with the restocking of our cruisers? Alena and I will be leaving for Alborz as soon as we can."
"Yes, Leader."
"Nance, you and I need to speak to Admiral Sakaata," I said, feeling frustrated and tired of the lingering prejudices. I understood we all had them, but these weren't civilians. These were military officers in command of people who had access to nasty weapons.
A minute later, Admiral Sakaata appeared on the monitor.
"Welcome back, Reese. I would appreciate an update before you run off again," she said, looking serious and in command—senior officer to junior.
"I would like a meeting with you and Admiral Kishi so that I can bring you up to date on what has been happening in the JPU, and so that I can be brought up to date on what has been happening here on Freeland," I said, watching her expression briefly change to defiant.
"On the Screech Owl tomorrow morning at nine-hundred hours," she said.
"No, on Freeland. Commander Iglis, Admiral Butler's Intelligence chief, tells me it might not be safe for me to travel in shuttles or on SAS ships."
"How dare you!"
"Admiral Sakaata, you will be at the meeting tomorrow at nine-hundred hours at the Freeland Administration building...or you and your fleet will be leaving Freeland space and the SAS can consider the MSA forever terminated." I cut the connection and turned to Byer, Seng, and Iglis.
"I'm sorry, but if the Riss can't trust their allies, then we are better off without them. You may want to consider leaving with the SAS fleet or staying as Freelanders, as there is no one attached to a Riss cruiser I wouldn't trust at my back."
"But what if Haddad attacks?" Seng asked.
"We will change our current tactics if the SAS deserts us, again. Yes, deserts. The Riss has never deserted the SAS, but the SAS has refused to support the Riss and acted in a manner that made them untrustworthy—like now."