Riss Series 5: The Riss Challenge by C. R. Daems

Author:C. R. Daems
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Science Fiction
Publisher: Talon Novels
Published: 2014-07-18T17:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

UFN - Dunn: Unexpected visit

<Radar—go active.>

<Comm—entering Dunn in fifteen minutes. Ship status normal.>

White lights flashed throughout the ship, and SIDs notified everyone of the upcoming transition. I didn't foresee any problems. Zhang had the latest codes, and Riss ships were common in the area, but...

As we exited the Wave, the VTH lit with a dozen blips less than two light-seconds from the exit, and their weapon system went online. I held my breath. But shortly afterward, they began going off-line, and I took a breath. One good thing about strong tradition was that discipline tended to be better. The bad thing was it tended to stifle creativity.

<Dynasty requesting connection.>

<Comm—connect.>

The gentle smiling face of Admiral Zhu appeared.

"Rumors abound as to your status and whereabouts. If you have time, I would love to entertain you on the Dynasty."

"What if I entertain you on the Mnemosyne instead?" I said, thinking to keep it informal and allowing Zhu to filter the information better afterward.

"I would like that. Name the time, and I will be there."

"Would twenty hundred hours be convenient?"

"Yes, I look forward to seeing you and the future," he said, and cut the connection.

<I wish I could see the future.>

<Are you sure?>

My immediate thought was,Yes, but on reflection, seeing the future had its problems. Most imagined you could change one thing and everything else would remain the same. Not possible. It would have a ripple effect not only on you, but on everyone who came in contact with you and those who came in contact with them... And even if you saw your future, you couldn't see all of those you impacted. It gave me a headache just thinking about the ramifications.

<Changed my mind. It would be like being responsible for humanity. Hard enough being responsible for the Riss.>

<Copilot agree.> A tingle of amusement.

I notified the Riss-humans to attend the meeting.

"Kind of takes the fun out of assigning myself to your security detail, learning what's going on when I get invited as a Riss-human," Terril laughed. "I still feel a bit out of place."

"No, Terril. As a Riss-human, you are part of the team who are both helping the Riss negotiate their way through human society and helping to protect them as a nation. As such, you or any other Riss-human could be in a position to speak for the Riss or could be the next Leader."

"Whoa! Me?"

"Yes, Terril, you." I laughed. "It's one of the things they don't mention when you become a Riss-human—your position is assigned based on the needs of the Riss Nation. And so long as the Riss must interface with humans, the Riss-humans are the best qualified to lead."

"I'm going to triple your security," Terril said, looking far too serious.

* * *

I waited with Terril and another Cobra as Admiral Zhu and his ever-present Xun exited the shuttle.

"Welcome aboard the Mnemosyne, Imperial Fleet Admiral Zhu," I said, and gave a small bow of respect.

"Thank you, Leader Reese. Entering a Riss ship is somewhat like entering someone's home—far more personal.

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