"True self-defense?" O'Malley asked.
"Yes. Many believe revenge and preemptive strikes constitute self-defense. The Riss do not."
"You have my permission to recruit for your replacement crews," Plimson said, then looked to Terril. "No offense, Admiral Zhu, but I hope you intend to use SAS detached units and Scorpion security on the Mnemosyne...and what about the two non-SAS cruisers?"
"Admiral Plimson, a Riss-human is part Riss, so even if he or she became unstable, attempted to go rogue, or agreed to cooperate with a mutiny, the Riss would take full control. It has happened before."
"That's a good example, O'Malley. Leader Reese's actions often seem unreasonable until you hear her reasoning and understand the logic behind it," Plimson said.
"You don't have to worry about security on a Riss cruiser with UFN detachments, Admiral Plimson. Whoever has a UFN detached unit will have a Red Dragon detail for security," Zhu said. "What about the...Freeland detachment?"
I laughed. "I'm afraid I haven't seen that far into the future."
* * *
"Who would like to start?" I asked when everyone was seated. It had been a couple of months since the treaty had been approved, and I had begun holding a regular weekly staff meeting which included the Riss-humans.
Commander Byer nodded to me. "Colonel Seng and I have been working on a replacement plan. If we down-size the fighters from fifteen to ten and the Scorpions to sixty, we can form another Ghost and Scorpion unit. And Admiral O'Malley has been very cooperative in helping identify volunteers for a second unit. They are ready for you to interview. Once you approved the second group, we could begin the rotations. The feedback has been good, and the troops are excited over the rotation scheme."
"I think our only concern, which is personal," Seng said looking to Byer, who nodded, "is that the rotations mean that you would wind up on a different ship each time. I know Commander Byer and I would prefer being on the Mnemosyne."
"I too would prefer you on the Mnemosyne," I said, glancing in Terril's direction. "If you can think of a solution, I'd like to hear it. Commander Iglis?"
"First, thank you for allowing me to interview the merchants. I know they are now under Riss control, and you didn't have to. As you requested, I no longer check their logs, but I think they are being every bit as cooperative as before. They know the information goes to you. That being said, nothing much is happening. Now that the war is over, I tend to spend most of my time on rumors—about what you are doing." Iglis laughed. But between Admiral Plimson, Admiral O'Malley, and even Admiral Butler, because you continued to allow me access to the merchants, the rumors are pretty well under control. You have to admit, you make us all nervous." Iglis's face flushed slightly, while receiving nods and snorts of agreement from around the table. "There is something going on in the JPU. The merchants feel it but can't put a finger on it, a general tension that might mean a political shakeup is in progress."
"Commander Byer, if you and Colonel Seng will arrange for the candidates to meet on Freeland, we can complete the certification process. Thank you," I said, letting everyone know the general meeting was over. Everyone left except for the Riss-humans. "Damaass, how is the fighter design coming along?"
"Very well. In fact, we have begun building a prototype. We are using multiple small engines again, as it improves the stealth capability, and that seemed more important than the additional speed." When no one argued, he continued. "We decided on a two-man fighter, pilot and gunner, because the fighter is complex. We created a globe, still unnamed, that gives the fighters much improved visibility, and having a gunner frees the pilot to maneuver and allows the gunner to have more complex weapons and should improve overall accuracy. Hopefully, it will be ready for a demo within a month."
"Elissa, how is the Artio?"
"It's fully operational. The last of the minor problems have been resolved, and the crew are comfortable with their positions."
"And the safeguards?"
"We're in the process of checking them out. My companion Tasmetu and I have reviewed the code and found the safeguards very difficult to spot. Even to someone who knows Symath, the code appears to belong where it is and to have a real function. But to activate the code, you have to understand Symath. The code safeguards allow you to control the system in which they reside, to communicate with other Riss systems, and even to control the cruiser's main system. In a sense, the software in the Riss systems forms a network similar to a web. Tasmetu has been referring to the safeguard codes as Spiders. When someone touches the web, the Spider is activated and performs its function. And depending on how the Spider is activated, it can actually use the network to activate other Spiders. Similar code will be in the Riss fighters."
"I think we need an excuse to ensure all cruisers equipped with Riss technology are scheduled for regular updates, and the Spider triggers need to be things that only a Riss can do. I know I'm being paranoid, but better safe than sorry. Because eventually, humans will learn Symath and be able to read the code."
CHAPTER THREE
Freeland: Invasion
"Nadya, you're not nearly the monster the rumors make out," O'Malley said, relaxing back with a half glass of whiskey I had managed to acquire on Freeland. "Nor are the people of Freeland. One tends to think of them all as Raiders, whereas most are just ordinary citizens. It has been very helpful on many levels, meeting the people and touring the factories."
"Circumstances isolated them, and rumors of them being thieves and murderers fed into their subsequent behavior. If I already think you are a thief, what do you have to lose by being one? I've found the vast majority of Freelanders are happy they are no longer isolated and having to support their planet through raiding."
"But they are isolated now."
"Like most citizens of any given planet. They will live and die on their planet of birth. Not everyone wants to travel to other planets or live on a ship."
"When you look at it that way, I see your point. I would think most of us in the military would find that hard to believe." He laughed. "What about the Riss?"
"A nagging question, Liam," I said, using his first name. Over the past few months, we had developed a good working relationship and begun using first names when in private. "In an effort to get them recognized as a sovereign species, I've dragged them into our human obsession with killing and wars. I believe they would be quite satisfied to be on a planet like Freeland, free to be Riss."
"Thalia, I presume?" Liam asked, smiling.
"Yes. She has pointed out that intelligent species cannot limit their quest for knowledge. So while they would be content at first to live on a planet, eventually they would have to explore space."
My System Interface Device (SID) lit with an emergency override, and r-Galene's face appeared. I clicked on hologram, and a 3D image of him blossomed to life.
**Leader. Multiple ships exiting wave. JPU signatures.** His voice box spoke, translating his signing.
"Number?"
**Groups of ten. Third group exiting now.**
"What do you think, Nadya?"
**Fourth group exiting.**
"Human madness, Liam. We are being invaded. R-Galene, connect to the Silver Harpy on channel one."
**Connected.**
Captain Keegan's face appeared, and I handed my SID to Liam as I stood and headed for the door with Liam following.
"Captain, as station commander, I'm declaring Priority Red One."
"Yes, sir. Priority Red One." Keegan turned and began shouting orders, and I could hear the klaxons in the background as the Harpy prepared for Battle Stations.
"Captains, we have multiple JPU cruisers entering Freeland space. Declare Battle Stations, but remain in stealth mode. You should each position your cruiser close to one of the SAS cruisers and await orders." O'Malley and I sat watching the new Visual Tracking Hologram (VTH) in the center of the Bridge as tags continued to appear. At present, the tags totaled over a hundred, and the count continued to mount.
"What do you think, Nadya?"
"Human madness."
"Madness?"
"Power. Freeland could help the JPU create the dominant navy in the three empires," I said almost to myself as the last tags JL141, Lights, and JH16, Heavies, appeared. The tags slowly spread out into three long lines, began decelerating, and continued blinking, indicating their weapon systems were on-line.
"Quiet," O'Malley shouted, jarring me back to the monitors which now had Sheva, Jaelle and Elissa on one, Captain Keegan another, and nineteen faces on a third monitor, each in a separate box. "Captain Keegan, I leave it to you to pull our ships into a battle line around you while we await their demands." Slowly, the nineteen faces disappeared from the monitor. "Any suggestions, Leader Reese? This is more Captain Keegan's and your area of expertise."
"I'm maneuvering the Mnemosyne closer to the Harpy. Nothing else to do but wait. But I think they will let you leave."
"Why?"
"Destroying the SAS ships would be an act of war, and I doubt they are ready today. They are here to acquire the advantages the Riss technology will provide them. Besides, they don't know the upgrade status of the ships currently in Freeland space, and that could result in disproportional losses to their current fleet.
A dark-skinned, narrow-faced man appeared. He smiled. "I'm Fleet Admiral Neifeh. The SAS and the UFN admit Freeland is not in their empire's space, rightfully so. Freeland has always been in JPU space, and by order of the Jahaba Supreme Council, I am here to officially claim Freeland as part of the JPU Empire. I would hope the SAS ships in Freeland space would recognize our legitimate claim and leave, since you are here without our permission. I will give you twenty-four hours to collect your people and equipment. Any ships remaining after that time will be confiscated or destroyed if they choose to resist. The Riss and their ships must remain, since they are citizens of Freeland."
"Well, Leader Reese, what do you want to do?" O'Malley asked. I had a feeling he was thinking of the MSA with the Riss.
"You have no option but to leave." I held up my hand to stop his response. "The Riss are not suicidal, nor do we wish you to be. No matter how bravely you fight or the amount of casualties you inflict on the JPU fleet, you will lose—ten thousand men and women's lives. And that will necessitate the SAS going to war before they are ready. Not only ten thousand here, but tens of thousands more than necessary, because the SAS isn't ready for a war with the JPU after its losses against the aliens."
"What about the MSA?"
"Tell Admirals Plimson and Zhu I am not invoking the MSA for now, nor do I wish for the SAS or UFN to do so unilaterally. "
"But if they gain control of the Riss technology, it could be worse for us a year or two later."
"That will never happen. You have my word on it."
"I think this is one of those situations where your actions feel wrong, even crazy. It goes against all my instincts and probably those of every one of my captains." He gave a strangled laugh. "They aren't going to like it, especially Keegan. Never mind, I have enough rank to win the argument—I hope. What about you?"
"Let the Riss cruisers leave along with you. If they stay close to your ships in stealth mode, they shouldn't be noticed without an inspection, and I don't think Admiral Neifeh will want to risk a war by insisting on one. Better to let a ship or two escape," I said, trying to organize my chaotic mind. "Oh, I'll need a ride to the Freeland space station."
"I'm informed we are close to the Harpy. You should leave. You'll have a lot to organize and not much time to do it. I'll join you in a couple of hours." I nodded to Terril, who nodded to one of my security guards. O'Malley followed the guard without another word.
"Damaass, Sheva, Elissa, stay connected for my staff meeting. You should keep your staff informed via a live link." I left, with Terril following.
I felt myself relax as Thalia did something magical to my metabolism.
I had only been in the room a few minutes when Seng and Byer came through the door panting, obviously having run the entire distance. Iglis was only a minute behind them. I waved them to seats and activated the monitors with Damaass, Sheva, and Elissa.
"In case you were in a Regen unit and haven't heard, the JPU has entered Freeland space with one-hundred fifty-seven cruisers, and they claim Freeland is part of the JPU Empire. They gave the SAS twenty-four hours to leave." Seeing no shocked faces, I assumed everyone had heard.