Riss Series 4: The Riss Accession by C. R. Daems Page A

set
aside rooms for you to rest and refresh yourself." He went to the door and
ushered in several Lieutenants, then introduced one to Salazan and Nelem , who left
immediately.
    Zhu ignored Stenberg and came over to
me. "Leader Reese, my advisor informs me that she and your advisor have
much in common."
    "Imperial guard?"
    "Yes, and her?"
    "Elite commandos."
    "How about Nelem ?"
    "Secret service."
    "Yes, that is what Xun thought. And
you?"
    "I serve at the pleasure of the
Riss," I said.
    Zhu nodded and followed a red-headed
lieutenant out the door with Xun following on full alert.
    "She reminds me of Master
Wei," Terril said, watching them leave.
    I nodded. "It's interesting. No one
brought an advisor."
    * * *
    Admiral Salazan seemed angry
and distracted during dinner and said little.
    Zhu, on the other hand , was
interested in the Riss, the Riss-human project, and the Riss culture. He was a
good listener, and I judged him perceptive by his questions.
    Midway through dinner, SIDs began
buzzing and the screens flashing red, indicating an urgent message.
    "Yes," I said, looking at r- Asdis .
    "Three Medusas exited the Wave," his voice box exclaimed.
    "Inform Byer, Seng, and Iglis.
Inform Damaass to maintain ship Standby and stealth mode."
      "My senior captain informs me three
unknown ships of war just entered the system. I have activated the single Heavy
and six Light cruisers on Hayjar . We’ll show you the superiority of the JPU
Navy."
    "Reese?" Wattson said, looking
at me.
    "I doubt we can convince navy
captains to surrender. They would think it cowardly—"
    "Surrendering would be the coward’s
way," Salazan sneered.
    "But if anyone from this delegation
is killed, it will preclude any chance of an alliance. The governments will not trust the survivors."
    "What do you suggest, Leader Reese?" Zhu asked.
    "Since we can't stop them from
fighting, I think you and Admiral Wattson should direct your cruisers to
support the JPU fleet in the upcoming battle. And the delegation should
accompany me back to the Mnemosyne to witness the Aliens in
action."
    "The cowardly Riss aren't going to
join us. Why would we want an alliance with cowards?" Salazan said loudly.
    "The term coward means nothing to the Riss, Fleet
Admiral Salazan . We will not participate today because it’s suicidal and will not
change the outcome. Even if we could win eventually, which we can't, the scout
ship sitting by the Wave entrance will return with reinforcements. You can't
call for reinforcements , since by now, your Comstat has been
destroyed."
    " Nelem ?" Salazan looked to his
advisor.
    After speaking on his SID, Nelem nodded.
"Captain Abbassi confirms the Comcast is down."
    " Nelem , we are
returning to the Hammerhead ,"
    "No!" I said, looking at
Wattson.
    Terril stepped in front of me as Salazan took a step
toward me.
    Xun began to move toward Terril and me,
but Zhu touched her arm, stopping her.
    "Why, Leader Reese? Will you kidnap us?" Zhu's voice was quiet .
    "If that will keep you from
committing suicide, then yes. This alliance is the humans' only chance of
repulsing the Aliens. And without you three, there will be no alliance."
    "Captain Dannatt, cut all outgoing
connections, now," Wattson said into his SID, then looked towards Saladan
and Zhu. "Sorry, but I agree with Leader Reese. I will direct my two cruisers to support Fleet Admiral Salazan 's plan of
attack, but agree we should reconvene on the Mnemosyne . "
      "I find wisdom in Leader Reese's proposal. If you
agree, Fleet Admiral Salazan , I too will order my ships to follow your
direction. If Leader Reese is right, we will live to fight again. If our
combined forces prevail, then she must answer for kidnapping us."
    Salazan stood silent
for several minutes, glaring in my direction, then smiled. "I agree."
    Wattson, Salazan , and Zhu
spent the next two hours positioning the assembled ships and ensuring Dannatt
and Huang understood that Captain Abbassi would be the senior Captain in
the