Riss Series 5: The Riss Challenge Read Online Free PDF Page A

facility?" When he nodded, I made my way toward the shuttle. As I approached, the Lieutenant turned toward me.
    "Captain Keegan said I could catch a ride with you to Freeland," I said. He looked over my shoulder in Keegan's direction and then back to me.
    "My pleasure. We have room for two, not that it would matter. If we didn't, I'd imagine Gunny would throw two out."
    I spun around and saw Terril standing behind me. It took a full minute before I could talk, as conflicting emotions raced through my mind—wanting her with me but knowing she couldn't come.
    "Where are you going, Master Gunnery Sergeant Terril?" I asked, making it a formal question.
    "Wherever you're going, Leader Reese, by order of General Garret and Admiral Plimson," she snapped off briskly with not a hint of a smile. Seeing the Lieutenant was ready to leave and not wanting an argument here with others listening, I entered the shuttle and took a seat. When Terril sat, the ramp was raised, and a few minutes later the shuttle exited the bay. The two-hour ride was made in silence.
    When I exited, Ni'Shay stood waiting. "Leader Reese, have you come to say goodbye?"
    "Are the elders assembled?" I asked, hoping he knew it was me and not O'Malley he would be meeting.
    "Yes."
    "Good, then let's get going. We have much to discuss."
     My current face was too well-known, even in the JPU.
    
    
    
    I swear the laugh I heard was evil. I lay my head back against the head rest and closed my eyes. Ni'Shay took the hint and remained silent. Whatever Thalia was doing wasn't painful, but it felt like millions of ants were crawling under my skin during the hour ride to the capital. When I exited the limo, Ni'Shay and Terril both gave me strange looks. Inside, the elders sat, clearly nervous.
    "Sorry for not keeping you informed, but the situation is one best handled in person. The JPU has invaded Freeland with one hundred and fifty-seven cruisers, and it claims Freeland is in JPU space and part of the JPU empire," I said, waiting for the uproar. Nothing. Stony silence. "They have given the SAS twenty-four hours to leave. I have convinced Admiral O'Malley to do just that and...to not invoke the MSA agreements with the SAS and UFN."
    "I hope you are going to tell us the solution you see and not wait for us to figure it out so we own it," Ni'Shay said.
    "You are going to add me to the Council of Elders, and I'm afraid we are going to have to develop the solution together. Call me Ioana..."
    "Ja'Tuva," Crina La'Teppe said, with a slight laugh. She had replaced Kolos Ja'Tuva, who had died.
    "Ioana Ja'Tuva." I repeated. "I'm recommending we cooperate with our new masters—"
    "You want to help them?" Radu Sa'Velte shouted. Emotions of anger, disbelief, and shock bombarded me.
    "You're aligned with the Riss, so you must learn to think like them. Not too many years ago, humans hunted the Riss for their fur. If the Riss had chosen to fight, they would be extinct today. They chose non-resistance. Because of that decision, today they are a space-going nation. I suggest Freelanders choose non-resistance, but instead of disappearing into the mountains like the Riss, you help upgrade their cruisers with Riss technology. Of course, it may not work the way the JPU would expect."
    Now the room exploded in multiple conversations. I sat back and closed my eyes, content to let the elders talk among themselves. I don't know how long I sat there, but I woke to a scream.
    "She's dying!" Oana Ja'Dalle screamed. I opened my eyes, looking to find whoever she was talking about, only to find her staring at me. Just then, Terril walked up and handed me a mirror. At first I thought she had handed me a picture.
     An image of several Thalias, each working on a different part of me.
    In the mirror, I saw that my hair had streaks of silver-gray through reddish-brown