Riss Series 3: The Riss Survival Read Free Page A

be leaning over backward for those murdering gypsies."
    "I agree. Even I have more time in service than her. The damn Riss Project has managed to put her on a fast track to make them look good. Rumor has it she got four lieutenants sent to Cerberus by claiming they attacked her, when the truth is she attacked them. She's some kind of kick ass martial artist."
    "I've heard she hangs out with the army boys and trains with them." Lavett sneered. "I'll bet I know the kind of workouts she gets. That's the only reason they let her in their area. The army is none too friendly with the navy. They think their shit doesn't smell. Truth is they're too dumb to be in the navy."
    "Maybe that's the reason she hangs out with them—birds of a feather." Waldel grinned and they lapsed into silence. When they arrived at the Saker, they went straight to the Bridge.
    "Captain on the Bridge," Lt. Commander Bozich, the Communications officer, said as they entered. "What do you think of the station commander, Captain?"
    Lavett stood quiet for a moment, and his lip twitched ever so slightly. "First impressions can be deceptive, but she seems to be favoring the Raiders like we abused them. Could be because she's young and inexperienced. Or because that Riss parasite in her is dictating her actions." He looked around and shrugged, noting with a mental smile he had everyone's attention. When no one commented, he turned to Waldel. "XO, prepare to take up our assigned position."

CHAPTER THREE
     

Official Meeting with Freeland Elders
    As I had expected, the elders scheduled the meeting early the next day. On my way to the shuttle for my trip planet side, Master Gunny Sergeant Terril joined my detail. I had known Terril almost my entire career, and she was like a sister to me.
    "Well, Gunny, bored and hoping for some excitement planet side?"
    "You do owe me, Captain. I haven't seen you for our usual workouts in weeks, so I thought it might be interesting to watch the masters dance," she said, referring to a comment by Gunny Wei when I negotiated the Treaty with the elders after the cease-fire. Wei was currently the only ten-knot Si'jin master and my idol. Terril and I were nine- and eight-knot practitioners and each held the title of Master, which meant we could teach the art. I entered the shuttle and took the first window seat.
    "Terril, join me," I said before she could take a seat in the rear. "I'm sorry I haven't visited lately, but there doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day to attend to all the details surrounding the implementation of the Treaty. I've missed our workouts and talks."
    "Me too. You're the only one who can give me a decent workout. Colonel Seng and I had a long talk about the boarding parties. I imagine you didn't make too many friends insisting the army be in charge of inspections."
    "Ironically, over the years I've learned to trust the army over the navy. Understandably, there are a lot of raw emotions when it comes to the clans and the Treaty, and it wouldn't take much to create a major incident that could escalate into war. That would be a disaster for the SAS, Riss, and the clans."
    "You have our full support, Nadya."
    * * *
    Elder Petre Ni'Shay stood waiting when I exited the shuttle.
    "Welcome Captain Reese and Thalia," he nodded his head in a small bow. "I assume this is an official visit, so I assembled the clans' elders."
    "Yes, I'm sorry it took so long, but there were many details to be resolved before Admiral Zann departed."
    "I understand. If you will allow, I've transportation to take us to the capital building where the others are waiting."
    "Of course. I'm looking forward to seeing the elders again." I nodded to my guards. "They accompany me everywhere whether I want them or not, by Admiral Zann's orders. She insisted after an … an unfortunate incident on Eden."
    "Very gracious, Captain Reese. I know of the incident. One of our clan members claimed to have killed the dybbuk and was paid the hundred twenty-five