Riss Series 5: The Riss Challenge Read Free

nation with their own planet."
    "I don't know about the Riss, but you're moving a bit too fast for the rest of us to keep up. Every day you have something new. We now know firsthand what Admiral Plimson has had to put up with over the years with you. The man is a saint." Terril laughed. I agreed. We were quiet for the rest of the ride. When I exited the shuttle, a female commander stood waiting.
    "Welcome aboard the Bateleur, Leader Reese. I'm Commander Simons. If you will follow me, I'll take you and your escort to the Admirals," she said. "I'm surprised no Riss are here to witness the occasion."
    "There's one, and she will be recording in streaming vid," I said, pointing to my head. When we arrived, the room had been cleared except for a desk and one chair. Plimson waved me over to a small group where he and Zhu stood.
    "Good evening, Admiral Plimson, Admiral Zhu," I said, nodding to each.
    "Good evening, Leader Reese," Plimson said, turning toward a short stocky man with thinning red hair. His round face, with its slightly pink complexion, looked friendly. "I'd like to introduce you to Vice Admiral O'Malley. He will be the SAS station commander in charge of coordinating with you for the updates and modifications to our cruisers and maintaining order," Plimson said.
    "Nice to meet you, Admiral O'Malley," I said, unconsciously examining his medals.
    "No, I've never been a line officer, Leader Reese. My career has been confined to building and repairing ships, so I'm looking forward to this assignment and working with you and the Riss. Don't worry about discipline. I'm used to handling pampered captains."
    "As soon as you're settled, I'll give you a tour of Freeland and its facilities, and we can discuss your priorities."
    "I'd like that."
    "Ladies and gentlemen," Plimson said loudly. "For those who may not know her, this is Leader Reese, who speaks for the Riss Nation. Her words are literally the words of every Riss. A bewildering and unbelievable concept, yet true. Today we recognize their contribution toward fighting the aliens through two Mutual Support Agreements: one between the SAS and the Riss, declaring Freeland as a sovereign planet belonging to the Riss Nation, and one between the UFN and the Riss, establishing a Riss enclave on the planet Dunn." He picked up a beautifully engraved document and laid it on the desk. "It has already been signed by the President of the SAS Council and witnessed. It only requires your signature and witnessing."
    I sat and signed the documents, having read a copy earlier in the day. Afterward, Plimson and several others signed as witnesses. Next, Zhu stepped forward with an equally elaborate document, which I signed and which was witnessed. After being introduced to the assembled officers, we adjourned to a large conference room, where dinner was served, and I spent a couple of hours answering questions about the Riss and Freeland. Afterward, Plimson directed Zhu, O'Malley, and me to his office, where wine, kaffa, and tea were available.
    "According to the rumors, you have some interesting and controversial projects in the works," Plimson began, but smiled. "I think I've become immune to your surprises, Nadya. I just keep telling my staff and others like O'Malley that I trust you."
    "I too trust her. Leader Reese has a tendency to see the future while we all struggle with the present," Zhu said, nodding.
    "I'm impressed, Leader Reese," O'Malley said, raising his glass to me. "It reinforces the problem with rumors. They usually contain a small amount of truth and a large amount of bias. The rumors about you run from one extreme to another—mostly on the negative side. Yet, the two most powerful men in the two empires have worked with you and trust you. This should definitely be interesting."
    "I'm hoping I've solved the problem of detached units on Riss cruisers. I've always been concerned about replacements, since personnel are not only authorized but also need planet-side leave to