Riss Series 5: The Riss Challenge Read Free Page B

in the JPU. The merchants feel it but can't put a finger on it, a general tension that might mean a political shakeup is in progress."
    "Commander Byer, if you and Colonel Seng will arrange for the candidates to meet on Freeland, we can complete the certification process. Thank you," I said, letting everyone know the general meeting was over. Everyone left except for the Riss-humans. "Damaass, how is the fighter design coming along?"
    "Very well. In fact, we have begun building a prototype. We are using multiple small engines again, as it improves the stealth capability, and that seemed more important than the additional speed." When no one argued, he continued. "We decided on a two-man fighter, pilot and gunner, because the fighter is complex. We created a globe, still unnamed, that gives the fighters much improved visibility, and having a gunner frees the pilot to maneuver and allows the gunner to have more complex weapons and should improve overall accuracy. Hopefully, it will be ready for a demo within a month."
    "Elissa, how is the Artio?"
    "It's fully operational. The last of the minor problems have been resolved, and the crew are comfortable with their positions."
    "And the safeguards?"
    "We're in the process of checking them out. My companion Tasmetu and I have reviewed the code and found the safeguards very difficult to spot. Even to someone who knows Symath, the code appears to belong where it is and to have a real function. But to activate the code, you have to understand Symath. The code safeguards allow you to control the system in which they reside, to communicate with other Riss systems, and even to control the cruiser's main system. In a sense, the software in the Riss systems forms a network similar to a web. Tasmetu has been referring to the safeguard codes as Spiders. When someone touches the web, the Spider is activated and performs its function. And depending on how the Spider is activated, it can actually use the network to activate other Spiders. Similar code will be in the Riss fighters."
    "I think we need an excuse to ensure all cruisers equipped with Riss technology are scheduled for regular updates, and the Spider triggers need to be things that only a Riss can do. I know I'm being paranoid, but better safe than sorry. Because eventually, humans will learn Symath and be able to read the code."
     

CHAPTER THREE
     

    Freeland: Invasion
    "Nadya, you're not nearly the monster the rumors make out," O'Malley said, relaxing back with a half glass of whiskey I had managed to acquire on Freeland. "Nor are the people of Freeland. One tends to think of them all as Raiders, whereas most are just ordinary citizens. It has been very helpful on many levels, meeting the people and touring the factories."
    "Circumstances isolated them, and rumors of them being thieves and murderers fed into their subsequent behavior. If I already think you are a thief, what do you have to lose by being one? I've found the vast majority of Freelanders are happy they are no longer isolated and having to support their planet through raiding."
    "But they are isolated now."
    "Like most citizens of any given planet. They will live and die on their planet of birth. Not everyone wants to travel to other planets or live on a ship."
    "When you look at it that way, I see your point. I would think most of us in the military would find that hard to believe." He laughed. "What about the Riss?"
    "A nagging question, Liam," I said, using his first name. Over the past few months, we had developed a good working relationship and begun using first names when in private. "In an effort to get them recognized as a sovereign species, I've dragged them into our human obsession with killing and wars. I believe they would be quite satisfied to be on a planet like Freeland, free to be Riss."
     Image of a bunch of Riss in a box with no windows floating in space.
    
    "Thalia, I presume?" Liam asked, smiling.
    "Yes.