The Riss Proposal: Book II in the Riss Series by C. R. Daems

Author:C. R. Daems [Daems, C. R.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781481058827
Amazon: 1481058827
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Published: 2013-07-02T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

“Well, Intel Chief, have you come to any conclusions?” Sakaata asked, turning to look at me. She’d assembled her entire staff, including Commander Fabert, Colonel Seng, and their Riss partners. Commander Kagle had set up a Vidcom with Captain Zellor and his staff on the Leopard. In response, everyone in the room and on the Vidcom turned towards me.

I’ll never get used to this. Although nearly everyone in the room was an acting commander, including me, they all had more experience and time in grade as lieutenant commanders. If anyone took it personal, they didn’t show it.

<They not high-Riss.>

<Then why am I intimidated?>

<Not think like high-Riss. Perhaps in hundred years.>

Amusement flowed through me. I shuddered. So long as someone didn’t kill me, I’d be here a hundred years from now. The thought sobered me.

Yes, I’m special. I carry a high-Riss and a sister to the Riss.

“Skipper, given the raiders have switched their operations to Darkov and are no longer targeting colonies, there are three likely targets.” I felt like I was covering my ass and didn’t like the feeling. Sakaata asked for my opinion not for excuses in advance.

“Sorry, forget the ifs, I believe there are three potential targets. Unfortunately, they’re headed for different colonies. We could split the Hunters to get better odds, but my personal opinion is that would be dangerous. The raiders have been operating in a pack of three, of which one has been a Heavy.” I opened my SID and connected it to the system. A three-dimensional sphere of the Darkov sector appeared with the three ships I had identified and lines from their current position to their scheduled designations. “The raider’s merchant spy, the Vancil, is late for its scheduled stop in Summer Set. Prior to disappearing, it had stopped at the planets the three ships are departing from and their destinations would have been known. If the past was any indicator, it has rendezvoused with the raiders, and they will have identified their next target. I believe it will be one of these three ships. I’d suggest monitoring the Collector, which will leave Tseri in two days headed for Elbe.”

“Reese, we all understand this is a guessing game. For all we know, Couret is onto us and sent the message to some random merchant ship. You’ve had the most experience with the raiders; therefore, you’re the best person to guess about their most likely action. That’s why you are the head of the Intel group. The fact that you’ve fought them twice is the reason you are XO. If anyone has a better guess, we’ll consider it.” Sakaata looked around the room.

No one volunteered, so I continued.

“Based upon their last raids in the Darkov and Oracle sectors, they attacked their target as they entered the planet’s solar system,” I said, hoping the raiders remained consistent. The planets monitored outgoing ships but not incoming, because they weren’t predictable.

“We’ll go with that, Reese. Palete, plot us a course to Elbe. You and r-Kojin should try a few separate simulations.

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