Riss Series 4: The Riss Accession Read Online Free PDF Page B
Author: C. R. Daems
pilots from ramming our ships."
He Laughed and looked at Da'Maass . "Our dybbuk really thinks we can do this?"
"Petra, she asks, and we deliver because she
knows we can. She would tell us how, but she wants us to believe it's our creation ."
Image of a Riss with her head buried in the sand.
While Thalia and I were having our littleexchange , Ta'Lona bowed and
exited the conference room.
"Well, Da'Maass,
since at this moment , you are the only Riss-human candidate, I guess I should
begin the introductory presentation."
"We can skip that and get to the
good part."
"No, we can't skip this part or any
other. The Riss are giving up their freedom while you are getting a precious gift. You
have the battle experience and tactical ability we are looking for, but you must understand what being a
Riss-human involves and prove yourself worthy."
"Yes, Leader Reese, forgive my eagerness . You're right , I'm thinking
of myself and of flying those magical cruisers and destroying the Aliens with
you. How could I not?"
"Yes, we are each lured into the
Riss-human program for reasons other than the Riss, but if you qualify, you
will find it should have been because of the Riss. Never mind. The Riss are
parasites, who for the past several thousand years have used the Gorillai , an animal
unique to planetSaipha , as their host. If you could see a Riss, it would look something like an
old earth jellyfish." I activated my SID and transferred the image to
the wall monitor.
Da'Maass stared
intently at the image but said nothing.
"The Riss will leave its Gorillai host and attach …"
I spent the rest of the day talking
about the Riss: their lives on Saipha , their system of positions,
equality, and the position of Leader. To my surprise, he was attentive, and his
questions showed the keen mind he had demonstrated as the project
manager on the multiple Riss and SAS projects.
"You were right , Leader Reese. I saw only flying a
Riss cruiser. I see the Riss... Gorillai , know they are smart , but fail to
see them as individuals. You have nothing to fear. I’d never betray you or the clan , any more
than you would betray the Riss."
"I know, Da'Maass . It’s
difficult to understand now, but you must give the same loyalty to the
Riss."
"What if they conflict?"
"Unless the clans rise against the
Riss, I doubt they ever will. We may decide to go a different way. In either case, you
can be separated from the Riss." I watched him nodunderstanding . "I’ll
give you time to consider what you learned today. Within a few days, I’ll
schedule you for a physical examination and seek Riss volunteers. I will notify you when the
Riss are ready. If you think of any questions in the meantime, call me."
* * *
I found Doctor Dayton in her office.
"Good morning… Leader Reese. I'm glad you and the
SAS reached an agreement. The loss of the Riss would have been a tragedy . What can I
do for you?"
"I would prefer just Reese now that
I'm no longer a naval officer, but I think the military should use the term 'Captain'
to maintain the standard protocol everyone is accustomed to. Except for another
Riss-human captain, no Riss or Riss-humans have titles." I met her eyes
with a smile, still trying to negotiate between the Riss and military
conventions. "Being called Reese wouldn’t confuse the senior officers on
the ship, but it might confuse others."
"I understand."
"I'd like you to giveDa'Maass a physical and give me
your evaluation of his health. Any questions?"
"Yesterday, I might have had many. Today , none. Admiral
Plimson talked to each of the commanders on the Riss cruisers and informed us
he trusts your judgment. I think all of us would like to understand what’s going
on when it involves us, but he made it clear it’s your decision ."
"I'm putting out a call for
Riss-human candidates."
To my surprise, Dayton nodded without
He Laughed and looked at Da'Maass . "Our dybbuk really thinks we can do this?"
"Petra, she asks, and we deliver because she
knows we can. She would tell us how, but she wants us to believe it's our creation ."
Image of a Riss with her head buried in the sand.
While Thalia and I were having our littleexchange , Ta'Lona bowed and
exited the conference room.
"Well, Da'Maass,
since at this moment , you are the only Riss-human candidate, I guess I should
begin the introductory presentation."
"We can skip that and get to the
good part."
"No, we can't skip this part or any
other. The Riss are giving up their freedom while you are getting a precious gift. You
have the battle experience and tactical ability we are looking for, but you must understand what being a
Riss-human involves and prove yourself worthy."
"Yes, Leader Reese, forgive my eagerness . You're right , I'm thinking
of myself and of flying those magical cruisers and destroying the Aliens with
you. How could I not?"
"Yes, we are each lured into the
Riss-human program for reasons other than the Riss, but if you qualify, you
will find it should have been because of the Riss. Never mind. The Riss are
parasites, who for the past several thousand years have used the Gorillai , an animal
unique to planetSaipha , as their host. If you could see a Riss, it would look something like an
old earth jellyfish." I activated my SID and transferred the image to
the wall monitor.
Da'Maass stared
intently at the image but said nothing.
"The Riss will leave its Gorillai host and attach …"
I spent the rest of the day talking
about the Riss: their lives on Saipha , their system of positions,
equality, and the position of Leader. To my surprise, he was attentive, and his
questions showed the keen mind he had demonstrated as the project
manager on the multiple Riss and SAS projects.
"You were right , Leader Reese. I saw only flying a
Riss cruiser. I see the Riss... Gorillai , know they are smart , but fail to
see them as individuals. You have nothing to fear. I’d never betray you or the clan , any more
than you would betray the Riss."
"I know, Da'Maass . It’s
difficult to understand now, but you must give the same loyalty to the
Riss."
"What if they conflict?"
"Unless the clans rise against the
Riss, I doubt they ever will. We may decide to go a different way. In either case, you
can be separated from the Riss." I watched him nodunderstanding . "I’ll
give you time to consider what you learned today. Within a few days, I’ll
schedule you for a physical examination and seek Riss volunteers. I will notify you when the
Riss are ready. If you think of any questions in the meantime, call me."
* * *
I found Doctor Dayton in her office.
"Good morning… Leader Reese. I'm glad you and the
SAS reached an agreement. The loss of the Riss would have been a tragedy . What can I
do for you?"
"I would prefer just Reese now that
I'm no longer a naval officer, but I think the military should use the term 'Captain'
to maintain the standard protocol everyone is accustomed to. Except for another
Riss-human captain, no Riss or Riss-humans have titles." I met her eyes
with a smile, still trying to negotiate between the Riss and military
conventions. "Being called Reese wouldn’t confuse the senior officers on
the ship, but it might confuse others."
"I understand."
"I'd like you to giveDa'Maass a physical and give me
your evaluation of his health. Any questions?"
"Yesterday, I might have had many. Today , none. Admiral
Plimson talked to each of the commanders on the Riss cruisers and informed us
he trusts your judgment. I think all of us would like to understand what’s going
on when it involves us, but he made it clear it’s your decision ."
"I'm putting out a call for
Riss-human candidates."
To my surprise, Dayton nodded without
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