Riss Series 3: The Riss Survival Read Free Page B

thousand credit reward. I hope he hasn't spent it, since it appears he didn't earn it." A thin smile creased his lips. "We're fortunate he failed. Without you there would not be a Treaty, and the clans of Freeland would no longer exist."
    He waved me into an oblong silver vehicle with wheels. Inside were six wide seats covered with a black and silver material, which looked and felt like real animal hide. The vehicle rose gently, and we skimmed along at a slow hundred kph, a mere ten to fifteen meters above the ground. I got the impression the pilot followed some unseen highway. Off to the left looked to be a residential area. The houses appeared huge and to have fifty plus hectare lots, with well-maintained lawns, shrubbery, and trees. Off to the distance were six to eight story buildings that reminded me of the industrial complex where I had worked on my home planet of Corona. Ni'Shay broke into my thoughts.
    "Off to your left you can see part of the Ka'Baako clan area. The large houses each accommodate a family, which may include several generations. As you have surmised, we have very strong family and clan ties. On the right is one of many manufacturing and academic centers."
    A few minutes later, we settled onto a hard surfaced road and sped along like an old-fashioned car into a complex of two- and three-story, white marble buildings and stopped at a three-story structure made from a black-stone, which had silver streaks crisscrossing randomly through it. The steps and arched entrance reminded me of Hephaestus. Ni'Shay led us through a long, wide corridor with elaborately framed pictures, which seemed to depict the history of Freeland. Midway, he ushered me into a large room with a round table and ten silver cushioned chairs. The elders were standing when I reached the table. Terril and the other two Scorpions faded back against the wall.
    "Captain Reese, I believe you know Alin Ka'Baako, Radu Sa'Velte, Vali Ba'Tasuo, and Oana Ja'Dalle. This is Crina La'Teppe who's replacing Kolos Ja'Tuva who died two weeks ago," Ni'Shay said, pointing to each person in turn. When he finished, everyone sat and the room became deathly quiet.
    
    
    "Good morning, Elders of Freeland. As the station commander, I'm responsible for administering the Freeland Treaty the clans and the SAS negotiated and has now been approved by the SAS Council on Eden. I've forward a copy to Elder Ni'Shay yesterday. In accordance with the treaty, each merchant ship leaving and entering the solar system will be inspected for compliance with the terms agreed too. Navy personnel will perform the inspection. However, the senior army person with the team will be in charge—regardless of his or her rank." I stopped for comments.
    "What if a navy officer is part of the inspection team?" Sa'Velte asked. Several others nodded.
    "The senior army person will be in charge of discipline regardless of his rank even if a Commander is on the team. Gunny!"
    "The ranking Black or Red Beret will ensure clan and navy personnel are respectful of each other, or he will answer to me before he is delivered into your gentle hands, ma'am." Terril said in a voice a cold as space, although the slight smile at the end did somewhat ruin it.
    "I know emotions are raw on both sides, but I believe the army will enforce discipline fairly. I'm stationing army personnel on the space station as well as the repair facility."
    "What about our planet side facilities?" Ja'Dalle asked.
    "I think that would be a mistake unless necessity requires it. For now, I prefer to conduct unannounced inspections. Either Gunny or I will lead the inspection." I picked up the crystal glass in front of me and turned it in my hand. It had an interesting seal in red.
    "That is the Freeland Council's seal. The glass contains water," Ni'Shay said.
    I took a sip. It tasted cool and refreshing. When there were no comments, I continued. "Your shuttles are restricted to ten